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Kumble, Harbhajan should play
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Marykom books semis berth
WR, CR set up title clash
Sporting Club De Goa win
J&K beat Himachal
District Sports Office to hold races
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Will rain reign?
Durban, November 21 The first game at the Wanderers was abandoned without a ball being bowled and going by the met office prediction, the day-night encounter could be affected by rains. The local weather service predicts a fresh southerly wind on the morrow, suggesting there would be good rainfall in the morning as well as in the evening. Both the teams, in case the rain gods have similar bearing on this game as they had on the opening match of the series at the Wanderers on Sunday, would never know how weak or strong they actually are against each other. The Indian camp, however, had something to cheer about ahead of the match with opener Virender Sehwag expected to take the field having more or less recovered from a finger injury he sustained last Tuesday. In case it turns out to be a truncated match, Sehwag’s explosive strokeplay could come handy for the Indians who are determined to prove a point to their disappointed fans back home. History is overtly loaded against India who have never won a game against South Africa at this venue though its last two visits, against different rivals, have brought happy tidings. India were overwhelming winners against England in the 2003 World Cup at this venue when Ashish Nehra returned figures of 6 for 23, which remain the best bowling figures in Kingsmead in a one-day international. However, against the Proteas, India came a cropper in 1992, losing by 39 runs, and the two subsequent visits in 1996-97 and 2001-2002, resulted in defeats by 17 runs and six wickets respectively. Indeed, the first one-day international at this venue was played in 1992 against India and only two players, Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar, survive from that game. Kumble might not be chosen to relive the experience as only one spinner in Harbhajan Singh could be accommodated, but it might mean little since rain has invariably disrupted games in Kingsmead in recent years, with four of the last seven one-day internationals abandoned because of it. Since the Wanderers abandoned game, two outdoor sessions and the improvement in Virender Sehwag's injured finger are the two things which would delight the Indians. Sehwag still sports a stitch or two on his injured right ring finger, but he is almost certain to come out with Sachin Tendulkar at the start of the Indian innings whenever the rain gods relent. South Africa have not made any changes in the squad from the first game but they have let it be known that a player or two could be added in the group in Kingsmead ahead of the remaining games. Most likely, it implies a certain inclusion of Dale Steyn who terrorised the Indians with a five-wicket haul in the tour opener in Benoni last week. Steyn would surely stay in the background but his presence would be a confirmation that South Africa feels pace and more pace is the strategy against the Indians. As they did at the Wanderers, the South Africans are unlikely to field spinner Robin Peterson in tomorrow’s game giving seamer Charl Langeveldt, who can use his stock full-pitched deliveries well, another chance to make an impression. The South Africans feel that Indians, after their Benoni experience, are more likely to stay on the backfoot and bat from well inside the crease at Kingsmead. After the Wanderers wash-out, with a sigh of relief, the Indians must have utilised that extra bit of time to work out some strategies to counter the South African pacers.
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Kumble, Harbhajan should play
The washout at Wanderers in the first one-day match has certainly put the management of both sides in a bit of a quandary. The South Africans had selected the team only for the first one-dayer and were then going to have a think about the side for the rest of the series. The South African domestic one-day final was over just a couple of days before the first one-dayer and there also were the ‘Rest of South Africa versus the Indian team’s performances to consider for the selection of the team for the rest of the series.
The washout means that some players who were to be closely looked at, cannot be left out and so the players who have done well in the matches mentioned earlier, may have to wait a while before being given the break. The Indian team too would have liked to see how some of the batsmen fared on the Wanderers pitch and also how some of the bowlers bowled. But now they, too, have little idea of the combination for the next game, though of course the pitch will be a crucial factor, as also the weather. India’s best balance can be obtained by playing three seamers plus Kumble and Harbhajan, but in the past they have gone in with just one spinner and added the extra batsman. What the washout does do is give Sehwag another couple of days to recover from his injury. The pain will be that much less and so there’s a good chance he will be able to grip the bat, as he likes rather than being conscious of the stitches on his finger. Who bats at number three is also a vital question and we won’t know the answer till the game actually gets underway. The weather forecast for Durban isn’t good and that may again be to the advantage of the players on the chopping block because this pitch is supposed to be the bounciest in South Africa and would have tested the batsmen considerably. The indications are that India will open with the trusted combo of Tendulkar and Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer may have to wait a while. Playing Dhoni in Yuvraj’s spot is also a trial-and-error method and the jury will be out on that. The South Africans are also under huge pressure to perform as there’s a general disappointment at the performances of their sporting teams and the South Africans haven’t had much to cheer about in the sporting arena in recent times. The captain is under scrutiny too and though there’s no obvious replacement in sight, his form is a cause for concern. So both teams have their own areas of concern and not playing doesn’t help in finding solutions at all. It may be a good position to be in for those whose places are on the line, but it doesn’t help the team management in covering the few spots that are up for grabs for the World Cup.
— PMG
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Lara puts Windies on top
Multan, November 21 The 37-year-old left hander stood on the brink of his ninth double century in Tests as the visitors piled up 509 for five by the close of play on the third day. Lara and Dwayne Bravo (89) shared a record fifth-wicket partnership of 200 as West Indies chalked up their highest total in Pakistan after the home side had been bowled out for 357 in the first innings. Skipper Lara is enjoying a rich vein of form, having hit 61 and 122 in the first-Test defeat in Lahore. Bravo was caught at slip by Younis Khan off leg spinner Danish Kaneria shortly before the close. It was a rare moment of glory for Kaneria, who had been mauled by Lara. Lara, the highest scorer in Tests, became the fifth batsman to score a century before lunch as he compiled his fourth century in four Tests against Pakistan. He smashed 100 from 77 balls with five sixes and 12 fours to bring up his 34th Test century. Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar (35) has more. Lara, who was dropped twice in his 366-minute innings, and Bravo eclipsed the previous best fifth-wicket stand of 185 between Collie Smith and Everton Weekes at Bridgetown in 1957. The first chance was spilled by Imran Farhat at slip off Shoaib Malik with Lara on 131. Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal also fumbled a leg-side opportunity off Kaneria with the left hander on 183. Scoreboard
Pakistan (1st innings) 357 West Indies (1st innings) Gayle lbw Kaneria 93 Ganga lbw Kaneria 82 Lara not out 196 Morton lbw Gul 5 Chanderpaul c Razzaq Bravo c Younis b Kaneria 89 Ramdin not out 4 Extras (b-8, lb-11, nb-7) 26 Total (5 wkts, 147 overs) 509 Fall of wickets: 1-162, 2-220, 3-281, 4-302, 5-502. Bowling: Gul 33-12-80-1, Nazir 22-2-81-1, Kaneria 41-6-159-3, Razzaq 17-4-64-0, Hafeez 23-2-68-0, Malik 11-1-38-0.
— Reuters
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Marykom books semis berth
New Delhi, November 21 The world No. 2, who could not even take any medicines before the bout because of the doping tests after every match, however, hardly had any trouble in getting past the Sri Lankan, who just could not match up to the Indian’s agility. Marykom, who got a walkover till the quarterfinals, admitted to being rusty in her first bout of the tournament due to illness and lack of match practice. However, the two-time world champion still had enough fire to outpace Chandrika and move into the next level with ease. The Indian was never really in any sort of trouble and had established a formidable 13-3 lead at the end of the first round. The second round saw Marykom slow down a bit but she landed enough blows for the referee to call off the bout with the score reading 19-4. “I had beaten her (Chandrika) in the Asian Championship and knew her technique quite well. But to tell you honestly, I don’t think this was my best. This was not what I had expected,” a visibly exhausted Marykom said after her bout. “I have fever and severe cold but couldn’t take medicines because of the doping tests. And I am very tired,” she added. Marykom will take on North Korea’s Jong Ok in the semifinals. Meanwhile, in other quarterfinals, Chhotu Loura and L. Sarita Devi scored easy victories in the 50 kg and 52 kg categories, respectively, but Kalpana Choudhary crashed out of the 48 kg category. A clueless Kalpana was completely out-done by Argentina’s Yesica Bopp as she went down 4-19 after referee stopped the bout in the second round due to out-scoring. Chhotu, meanwhile, continued her winning ways and mauled South Korea’s Eun-A Jang 20-5 to enter the last-four stage. The Haryana girl will take on world number one Hasibe Erkoc in the next level. Sarita, also scored an easy 22-11 victory over Maarit Teuronen in her category to enter the medal round of the championship.
— UNI
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WR, CR set up title clash
Ludhiana, November 21 In the first semifinal, Western Railway scored four goals in the first half to stamp their dominance. WR’s Sanghai Chau put her side ahead in the 3rd minute. Three minutes later, Northern Railway’s Balwinder Kaur restored parity. Rijltha Malick of Mumbai struck in the 10th minute to make it 2-1. Suraj Lata and Chan Chan Devi sounded the board in quick succession to consolidate the lead (4-1). Balwinder Kaur found the target in the 43rd and 65th minute to complete her hat-trick. Defending champions NR eves pressed hard for the equalizer. However, the Mumbai outfit managed to hang onto the one goal lead. In the second semifinal, CR went into the lead in the 30th minute through Kanti Baa. Pepo of South Eastern Railway neutralised the lead in the 56th minute. As the score remained one-all at the end of the regular period, the sudden death rule was applied during which Kanti Baa of CR scored the all-important goal (81st minute) to help her team come out triumphant.
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Gaganjeet shines on windy day
Donald Banerjee
Chandigarh, November 21 Just one-stroke behind the leader were Simarjeet Singh of Noida and Anirban Lahiri of Bangalore who returned an identical one-under card of 71. Eighteen-year-old Gaganjeet played a par first nine, shooting a birdie on the par-5 second hole and conceding a bogey on the fourth. He almost got a birdie on the difficult eighth hole, which he conquered with a par score. The back nine saw the Kapurthala teenager shooting a birdie on the 10th hole. He continued a steady game till the 13th hole, which proved slightly unlucky. Yes, he snapped his tee shot out of bounds and ended up losing two strokes. But thereafter he struck birdies on the 14th, 16th and the 18th holes to return a card of 70. Gaganjeet said because of the winds the going was tough. The greens were slow and it was difficult to make uphill putts. “I struggled with my driver and missed the fairways on three occasions,” he added. Jasjeet Singh and Balpreet Singh Ghuman shared the fourth spot with par cards. Moin Malik and Sudhir Sharma returned cards of 74 and 75, respectively. Simarjeet scored a series of pars till he conceded a bogey on the eighth to finish the first nine at one over. In the return nine Simarjeet executed a 30-footer to shoot a eagle on the 13th hole. He dropped a shot on the 16th, but added a birdie on the 17th to finish the first round with a one-under. Simarjeet said: “The course is in great shape. My driving and putting was better and I was simply lucky on more than one occasion”. Anirban Lahiri, currently ranked No. 1 on the Royal Challenge Order of Merit began on an aggressive note with birdies on the second and fourth holes. He dropped a birdie on the fifth to turn at one-under. On the return nine he scored three birdies, but then he conceded an equal number of bogeys to finish the day with a one-under score. Lahiri said: “The greens were soft and the course played tough.” Scores (after 18 holes): Gaganjeet Bhullar 70, Simarjeet Singh and Anirban Lahiri 71, Jasjeet Singh and Balpreet Singh Ghuman 72, Moin Malak 74, Sudhir Sharma 75, Arshdeep Tiwana, Raj Randhawa, Aman Guron and Pawan Kumar 77, Joseph Chakola,Abhishek Jha, Tarun Ghogale, Tashi Dhendup Kidwai, Karun Vasudeva and Saurabh Bahuguna 78.
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5 records rewritten on day three
Our Correspondent
Kurukshetra, November 21 Savita of Rohtak district broke her record in 5000m covering the distance in 18.05 sec against 18.5 earlier. In shot put, Saroj Sihag of Hisar established a new record of 15.7m breaking Sonepat’s Seema Antil’s record of 14.47m. Anu of Sonepat too broke record in 100m. Among men, Mr Bhartender broke the long jump record with a 7.29m jump. In triple jump, Manoj of Bhiwani district set the new record with a jump of 15.19m. Results: Men’s section: 100m: 1. Surender (Hisar), 2. Ajay (Hisar); triple jump: 1. Manoj Kumar (Bhiwani), 2. Raj Kumar (Bhiwani); 400m (hurdles): 1. Sunil (Bhiwani), 2. Bhagirath Yadav (Sonepat); 4X100m relay: 1. Sonepat, 2. Hisar; javelin throw: 1. Avtar Singh (Kurukshetra), 2. Om Naryan; discus throw: 1. Sukhbir (Sirsa), 2. Avtar Singh (Sirsa); 10,000 m: 1. Paras (Ambala), 2. Sanjay (Kurukshetra); 800m: 1. Jaskaran, SAI (Kurukshetra), 2. Beer Singh (Faridabad); 1500m: 1. Jagdeep (Sonepat), 2. Jaswant (Jind); high jump: 1. Vipin (Bhiwani), 2. Rajesh (Bhiwani). 60 km cycling: 1. Paramveer (Haryana Police), 2. Davender Singh (Haryana Police), 3. Anoop Singh (Hisar). 20 km walk: 1. Anil (Jhajjar), 2. Kuldeep (Sonepat); 400m: 1. Sunil Kumar (Sonepat), 2. Ajit (Kurukshetra). Women’s section: 100m: 1. Anu (Sonepat) 2. Poonam Gill (Hisar); 4X100m relay: 1. Hisar, 2. Sonepat; hammer throw: 1. Suman (Bhiwani), 2. Seema (Jhajjar); 100m (hurdles): 1. Suman (Kurukshetra), 2. Sumitra (Sirsa); 30 km team trail: 1. Yamunanagar (Rajni, Shilpa, Gurpreet, and Sarita), 2. Rohtak (Renu, Veena, Seema and Roobi), 3. Karnal (Ritu, Dipika, Priyanka). Hockey: 1. Kurukshetra, 2. Hisar. 10 km walk: 1. Meena (Jhajjar), 2. Surekha (Jhajjar); 1500m: 1. Meena (Jahjjar), Renu Joon (Sonepat); high jump: 1. Reena (Yamunanagar) and Arti (PPSS).
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Sporting Club De Goa win
New Delhi, November 21 Captain Jose Ramirez Barreto put Bagan ahead in the 27th minute but the jeepmen came back strongly after the breather to equalise in the 48th minute through Samson Fernandes in a nail-biting match. Earlier in the other match of the group, a late goal by Macpherlin Dudu (72nd minute) ensured last edition’s runners-up Sporting Club De Goa beat Air India 1-0 and collect their first points in the tournament. After today’s match, Air India are out of the tournament having lost to Mahindra 1-2 in their first match. Mahindra and Mohun Bagan topped the group with four points each from two matches while Sporting Goa have collected three. Mahindra play Sporting and Mohun Bagan take on Air-India on Thursday to decide on who go to the semifinal.
— UNI |
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J&K beat Himachal
Chandigarh, November 21 In another match, Jammu and Kashmir edged out Himachal Pradesh 2-1 to qualify for the semis. Although Delhi took the lead in the third minute through Manish Negi, Uttaranchal’s Ankit Srivastav restored parity in the 16th minute in similar fashion. Thereafter, Delhi once again forged ahead through a goal by Kulbhushan in the 58th minute but the lead was neutralised by Shailender of Uttaranchal in the 84th minute. Jammu and Kashmir, who beat Himachal Pradesh 2-1, made a promising start when Khalid Qayuum found the net in the 12th minute. Rohit buttressed the lead to 2-0 with another goal in the 60th minute. Yesterday, Punjab beat UP by a solitary goal scored by Dalbir Singh. Punjab, UP, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttaranchal have qualified for the semifinals which will be played on November 23 and 24.
— TNS
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District Sports Office to hold races Patiala, November 21 According to Mr Ravinder Kumar Rishi, District Sports Officer, all ministerial staff of the office and leading sportspersons of the city have been instructed to take part in the races.
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