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Paes-Damm in second round
India have psychological edge
Shoaib’s boots don’t come cheap
PCB promises better tracks in future
Dravid climbs to joint fourth
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JCT Academy shock BSF; PSEB win
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Paes-Damm in second round
Melbourne, January 18 Paes could run into his former partner and compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in the second round. Bhupathi is seeded 11th with South African Wesley Moodie. Paes could run into this former partner and compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in the second round. Meanwhile, Bhupathi has struck another glamour combination to play the mixed doubles event here. Bhupathi will pair up with ‘Swiss Miss’ Martina Hingis who is on a comeback trail. The Indian doubles specialist won the Wimbledon and the US Open crowns last year with Mary Pierce and Daniela Hantuchova, respectively. Bhupathi and Hingis play Yeu-Tzuoo Wang of Chinese Taipei and Na Li of China in the first round. Paes will be partnered France’s Nathalie Dechy and take on top seeds Kevin Ullyett and Cara Black of Zimbabwe in the opening round. Sania Mirza will team up with Stephen Huss of Australia and the pair faces a tough opening match against third seeds Bob Bryan of the US and Vera Zvonareva of Russia. The 19-year old Hyderabadi lass is set to play in women’s doubles with Corina Morariu of the US and clash with Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Amelie Mauresmo of France in the first round. Defending champion Serena Williams turned on a power-packed display in the second round today to defy predictions she would be unable to cope with the Melbourne Park heat. Instead of wilting in the afternoon sun, the tournament 13th seed gained momentum as the match progressed and dominated France’s Camille Pin 6-3, 6-1 in just 49 minutes. American James Blake recovered from a disastrous first set to oust French qualifier Jean-Charistophe Faurel 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in the second round today. Two days after stunning former number one Venus Williams, Bulgarian teenager Tszvetana Pironkova crashed back to earth today with a 5-7, 2-6 defeat at the hands of American Laura Granville. Second seed Andy Roddick outslugged South African Wesley Moodi 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round today, but is to seek treatment for a slight ankle strain he picked during the match World number three Roddick said he “jammed” his right ankle during the first set and expected to be fit for his third round match on Friday. Lindsay Davenport got a tough workout from Karolina Sprem in the second round before advancing today with a 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory. Davenport next plays 25th-seeded Maria Kirilenko, who has a 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over fellow Russian Galina Voskoboeva. French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenee had a 7-6 (2) 6-1 win over Hana Sromova, who badly turned her right ankle after the second game of the second set and lost he next five games. On the men’s side, No 7 Ivan Ljubicic, No 8 Guillermo Coria, No 11 David Ferrer and No 18 Mario Ancic advance. Number 13 Robby Ginepri failed to reproduce his successful marathon efforts of the US Open, falling in five sets to German qualifier Denis Gremelmayr 6-2, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, 3-6. Croatian Davis Cup hero Ivan Ljubicic limped into the
third round after beating unseeded Philipp Kohlscheriber 7-5, 6-2, 6-1. Seventh seed Ljubicic needed treatment for an ugly blister on the little toe of his left foot at the end of the first set and again after the second set, but put the pain aside to wear down the German on Rod Laver Arena. Former French Open champion Gaston Gaudio eased into the third round today with an efficient 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 defeat of German Lars Burgsmuller. |
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India have psychological edge
What an aimless draw! To watch the first Indo-Pak Test at Lahore was a painful experience. To sit through the entire spectacle (with or without the inclement weather) was an achievement.
A little surprise then that Gaddafi Stadium looked so mournful on all days. No amount or variation of shorter version of the game can kill Test cricket. Only Test cricket can annihilate itself by having dead playing surface like the one in Lahore. The PCB deserves all the flak from all corners for laying out such a lifeless track where only eight wickets went to the bowlers after toil and sweat. Some lame excuses are being offered. None too convincing at all. Let us accept the fact that the Pakistan gameplan was to save the first Test and then formulate any strategy later on. Little does the home team realise that they may have inadvertently helped the Indians gain confidence as well as the much desired togetherness. First, the PCB pressed the panic button fearing Indian batting and swing bowling. Now they are likely to press another one and go all out for a ‘faisla’ in Faisalabad. There is no doubt confusion prevails unabashedly in the home camp and the Indians must capitalise on the psychological gains in the remaining two games. There was glut of runs and famine of wickets — easily the most imbalanced contest to watch. There are too many mediocrities in our lives. Test cricket should not be one of them. It has to be mad and extraordinarily passionate. In the final analysis, I thought the Indians stuck to their job pretty well — first while fielding and then captain courageous Dravid walked in himself along with Sehwag. This is what I would call leading from the front. Admittedly, Rahul left himself open to much ridicule. But his decisive mental strength needs to be applauded, without missing out on the problematic slot for a regular opener. For sheer determination to take on all odds, Rahul is peerless. Sehwag gave plenty to Woolmer and Inzy to think. The two Indians went about their job most stoicly to which none of the Pakistani bowlers appeared to have any answer. Suddenly, Indian scoreboard read 400 for no loss. And then it occurred to Dravid and Sehwag they are close to a very coveted record although Sehwag wasn’t quite sure whose record they were going to erase! Both India and Pakistan have an onerous responsibility on their broad shoulders. They must keep alive the spirit of Test cricket if the subcontinent has to emulate the following of the Anglo-Australian Ashes. Fear of losing will not produce positive cricket. Playing cricket for the love and fun of it will throw up entertaining characters, something modern cricket needs awfully badly. — UNI |
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Shoaib’s boots don’t come cheap
Faisalabad, January 18 Injuries have been Shoaib’s bane, given his long run-up and the pressure that is exerted on his ankle and knee. But the fast bowler is now hung up with these shoes which are open from the front to reduce the pressure on the feet while landing. The ‘Rawalpindi Express’ has been involved in several controversies concerning his fitness in the past but since his comeback during the England series recently, he has played in all the games for Pakistan except when he was rested for the final one-dayer against England that Pakistan lost at Rawalpindi. Pakistan need Shoaib to fire in the series against India and the bowler himself is keen to atone for his failures when the Indians last visited Pakistan in 2004. And his insistence on wearing the special shoes might have something to do with this fact.
— PTI, UNI |
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PCB promises better tracks in future
Faisalabad, January 18 Reasoning that the cold conditions did not give the ground staff enough time to prepare a more bowler-friendly pitch, PCB chief Shaharyar Khan said “we are not going to blame anyone for the failure to have a good Test pitch in Lahore.” Stressing that the Board was concerned with the overall state of pitches in Pakistan, Shaharyar said it would soon consult former players and pitch experts to try and rectify the matter. “The fact is we are now playing more domestic and international cricket at home in the months of winter. If there’s a need to relay the pitch and square anywhere, we will do it as we want good Test tracks,” he was quoted as saying by ‘The News’ today. Pointing out that the last Test series against England was played on good pitches which produced good cricket, Shaharyar said the PCB was keen to lure people to come and watch Test matches to revive interest in the longer version of the game. A few thousand spectators at best came to watch the weather-ruined India-Pakistan first Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, despite all the hype surrounding the current series between the archrivals. After leaving track preparation to overseas experts till last year, the job this season had been entrusted to former cricketer Agha Zahid who has already reached here with the missive to ensure a better track with some grass left on it for the second match of the three-Test series. “Certainly we would not like the same sort of tracks for the next two Tests against India,” Shaharyar said, according to the daily. The first Test pitch was so placid that over 1,000 runs were score in two incomplete innings and only eight wickets fell. Both teams expressed their disappointment at not getting a more sporting track, giving equal help to bowlers and batsmen.
— PTI |
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Dravid climbs to joint fourth
Dubai, January 18 Dravid gained 22 rating points, thanks to his first hundred in charge of the Test team, but with the gap between him and the players immediately above him a relatively smaller one, he has eased up two places to joint fourth. In the process, Dravid has leapfrogged his Pakistan counterpart
Inzamam-ul Haq and is now level with Australia’s Matthew Hayden. Sehwag would ordinarily have surged up the list after an innings of that scale b ut the relatively easy conditions for run-scoring meant he has to be content with holding his position at seventh in the list.
— UNI |
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Orissa Steelers crush Nawabs
Chandigarh, January 18 With this win Orissa Steelers remained on top with 18 points, whereas Lucknow Nawabs are at the third place with 6 points from seven matches. Chennai Veerans occupy the second position with 16 points. Today’s match started at a brisk pace and from the outset Steelers’ forwards showed excellent coordination with short passes and good stick work. Their efforts paid off in the seventh minute when Rajesh Chauhan scored the first goal. Earlier, Cyprian Aind and Sunil Ekka missed two golden chances to score. In the 11th minute, Birener Lakra increased the lead to 2-0 through a field goal. After conceding the goals, the Nawabs’ forwards pushed forward and earned their first penalty corner in the 13th minute. But it was wasted and so was the second penalty corner they earned two minutes later. In the second quarter, the Nawabs got some good chances but their forwards could not apply the finishing touches. But it was Prateek Srivastav, who took the advantage of a good move made by Hamza Mujtaba. After collecting a pass from Hamza, Prateek made no mistake in sounding the board in the 21 st minute of the game. Steelers won their first penalty corner in the 26th minute and Birener Lakra converted it successfully. In the 34th and 35th minutes, two penalty corners were earned by the Steelers, out of which the first one was successfully converted by Rajesh Chauhan for a 4-1 lead. In the last quarter, the Steelers again changed their strategy and made the most in the last minutes as the Nawabs seemed to give in. Rajesh Lakra sealed the victory for Steelers by converting two penalty corners. Veerans win thriller
Chennai Veerans notched a thrilling last-minute goal win against Imphal Rangers in the Tier II match of the Premier Hockey League held at the Sector 42 Hockey Stadium, here, today. Veerans won 3-2. Veerans failed to convert a penalty corner in 68th minute, but managed to score the match-winning goal just seconds before the final hooter. V. Raja gave a brilliant pass to Adam Sinclair who dispatched the ball home locking the score 3-2. Earlier, Veerans started on a sound note and opened their account in the 13th minute. The move was from the right flank when V. Raja getting possession of the ball through Adam Sinclair scored the goal dodging rival custodian Herojit Singh. In 38th minute, V. Raja again sounded the board. Imphal Rangers retorted after the half time. In 48th minute, they forced their second penalty corner. Jayanta Singh sent a drag-flick into the goalpost making the score 2-1. In an attempt to bring parity, Rangers came back with zeal and achieved the target after getting a free hit in 52nd minute. K Hera Singh got the possession of the ball and sent a pass to Brojen Singh who sent the ball to his right place. Amused to see the tables turn, Veerans displayed some strategic moves with help of Ashwin , Jalwinder Singh along with Raja and Adam Sinclair assisting the attack. Finally they managed to score in the 70th minute locking final score 3-2. Tomorrow, Chennai Veerans will take on Delhi Dazzlers in Tier II at 2.05 pm, while Bangalore Lions will meet Maratha Warriors at 7.05 p m in Tier I. |
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JCT Academy shock BSF; PSEB win
Chandigarh, January 18 JCT Academy, who defeated BSF, owed their success to Sunil Kumar, who found the target in the 71st minute. In the college category, FA Hoshiarpur beat GNC Phagwara 8-7 via the tie-breaker. FA Hoshiarpur have qualified for the final. The last match of the women's league was played between Khalsa College, Mahilpur, and Khalsa School, Paldi. Khalsa College, Mahilpur, trounced the Paldi team 4-0. The final positions in the women's category are: Punjabi University, Patiala, winners; Khalsa College, Mahilpur, runners-up; Paldi School, third. Cash prizes of Rs 10,000 , Rs 8,000, and Rs 5,000, respectively, were given to these three teams. The trophies awarded to the winners and runners-up have been instituted in the memory of Harkishan Dyal Singh, a former president of the club. Tomorrow Sports Wing, Mahilpur, will meet FA Chandigarh in the final of the school category. In the college category, Khalsa College , Mahilpur, and Khalsa College, Garshankar, will meet in the semifinal. In the club category, JCT(B) will meet PSEB and Punjab Police will take on JCT Academy in the semifinals. |
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Railways clinch gold in olympic sprint
Patiala, January 18 The Railways team, comprising Sukhjinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh and K.Inder Kumar Singh, won the olympic sprint gold by clocking 1 minute 8.18 seconds while the Punjab Police team, comprising Sarabjit Singh, Pavittar Singh and Gurpreet Singh, came second with a timing of 1 minute 8.61 seconds. The hosts, Punjab, were third by clocking 1 minute 10.41 seconds. The cops might have come second in the race but slowly they have accumulated enough points to lead the pecking order in the overall champions table. Punjab Police have already clinched the 1,500 team trial title, have won the gold in the elimination race and one their best cyclists, Sarabjit Singh, has won the qualifying round of the 4,000m individual pursuit today by clocking the best timing among all participants. The Railways’ riders will have to pull out all the stops in the next three days if they are to halt Punjab Police’s march to the title. The main attraction for the crowd today, apart from the finals of Olympic sprints, were the qualifying rounds of team pursuit. The event is quite similar to individual pursuit, except that two teams, each comprising of four riders, compete with each other but both start on opposite ends of the velodrome. Results: Olympic sprints (all finals): Men — Railways-1, Punjab Police-2, Punjab-3; Women — Kerala-1, Manipur-2, Punjab-3; boys (u-17) — Punjab-1, Andhra Pradesh-2, Kerala-3; girls, (u-17) — Kerala-1, Manipur -2, Punjab-3. boys (u-19) — Punjab-1, Andhra Pradesh-2, Rajasthan-3; girls (u-19) — Kerala- 1, Punjab-2, Maharashtra-3. |
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