The hosts could not have asked for a better start. The West Indies displayed spirit and panache to dispel memories of their loss to India in a warm-up game. Pakistan on the other hand did almost everything wrong. Why didn’t they bat first after winning the toss? How much of a difference does a wicket make in a one-day game that spans just eight hours? Not much, I can tell you. Inzamam should have given his batters first use of the track.

Let’s get one thing straight: When a team bats first and puts up a score, the team batting second then has to get those runs. There is always some pressure on the side that is chasing, irrespective of whether the target is 150 or 350. The Pakistani side wears a shaky look at the moment, and they would have been better off defending rather than chasing, with three spinners in the eleven.

I thought the Pakistani team was guilty of absent-mindedness. Their biggest asset in the recent past has been their deep batting line-up, with the likes of Razzaq batting at no. 8. But things are no longer the same, and they probably forgot that. They basically failed to adapt.

The bowlers did a decent job, although I would have preferred to see Sami play instead of Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. They were subsequently ‘outbowled’ by their West Indian counterparts. Pakistan lost three wickets very early and none for a long time thereafter, but the bowlers kept things tight.

It is not easy to sustain a run-rate of eight or nine for over fifteen overs even if you have wickets in hand, and the Pakistani batsmen allowed themselves to be pushed into precisely such a situation. They seemed to have forgotten one of one-day cricket’s fundamentals, which is to keep the scoreboard ticking without taking undue risks. If the required rate is five, a batting side should look to proceed at a rate of 3.5 – 4 per over. But scoring at less than three is asking for trouble.

The captain should be in charge of everything that happens on the field. But it is vital that a strong and forthright coach complements him. If the coach notices something amiss with field-placements, bowling changes, slots in the batting order, or anything else, he should not hesitate to bring it to the captain’s notice. The fact is that most cricketers are content to stick to their comfort-zones. The coach should be bold enough to command every player to fall in line with the team’s strategy.

That brings me to the obvious question – Is the current Pakistani management drawing up any strategies in the first place? In our time, the fast bowlers were made to practice Yorkers relentlessly, and people were encouraged to think on their feet on the field of play. I don’t see that happening today.

The job of the coach of a national side does not begin and end with the national team. It is his responsibility to nurture the ‘roots’ and unearth players for the future as well. ‘Coaching’ a national team of eleven players is easy, as those who make it to that level are quality cricketers anyway. The actual challenge is to identify and then prepare lower-level players for international cricket.

It was a mistake to persist with a pool of around 15 players in the four years since the last World Cup. More players should have been tried out, observed closely by the coach, and made match-fit. When you restrict yourself to a small group, you are bound to be in trouble if injuries strike. That is exactly what has happened. Imran Nazir and Azhar Mahmood, to name just two members of the squad, have played hardly any international cricket in the recent past.

The team needs to plan well and then perform accordingly. The players need to be more flexible. Let’s get another thing straight: If a laptop were really as potent a force as some claim it is, then every innings would finish in ten deliveries. — PMG

Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka prepares to bowl during a training session in Couva, in central Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday. — AFP photo

Ireland also have another set of brothers in the squad, John and Paul Mooney. John has also played against the West Indies taking three wickets in a match three years ago. — AFP

Port of Spain, March 14
India has acclimatised to the Caribbean conditions and was well prepared for the World Cup, according to coach Greg Chappell who says the few days of break from the game has put the team in “good fettle” for the challenges ahead.

Chappell said the cricketers, with a huge burden of expectation on their shoulders, needed the break as much as they needed practice before the showpiece event here.

“We’ve have been doing practice, relaxing, we’ve been swimming, sailing, snorkelling — things you would expect to do in the West Indies”, he told reporters.

“The guys have enjoyed just having a few days peace and quiet time before the tournament starts. So in a way that’s been good. It’s been a nice change of pace from the point of view of what happens on a normal tour, particularly in India where you are playing every three days”, he said.

Rahul Dravid’s men spent two weeks in the West Indies ahead of its opening match away from the media glare and the coach believes it helped the preparation.

“It has been a good preparation and it was a chance for us to get used to the conditions in a measured way, without having to rush anything.

“We’re in good fettle, both physically and mentally. The guys are ready and looking forward to the first game coming up. But that’s not till March 17 and so we’ve got a few days to prepare between now and then,” the former Australian captain said.

Chappell also ruled out a big stage fright for the youngsters who would be playing in their first World Cup.

“It’s their first World Cup, so people talk about it. But it’s a cricket tournament and they have played cricket tournaments before. They are ready”, he said.

He was also happy that there was no injury concern for the team.

“We’re ready to go. Most of the niggles are gone, so that has just given us a chance to get ripe. That’s what this time was meant for and we’re looking forward to our first game.” He was not worried about the newly laid pitches either.

“Whatever they are, we’ll have to bat as every other team will. Conditions will vary from venue to venue and thats going to be part of the challenge for this series, as it is in any World Cup”, he said.

Chappell also had no complaint about Team India’s performance in the warm-up matches.

“I dont think you can take anything from the results as such, but we got an opportunity for the bowlers to bowl and the batters to bat. Got used to some of the local conditions.” When pointed out that India got easy wins in the warm-up matches, which did not really test the side, Chappell was visibly irked.

“People who want to find negatives can go ahead and find it but the players think differently and they are happy”, he shot back. — PTI

Port of Spain, March 14
Three days after ridiculing the Indian cricket team’s performance in recent years, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting opened the floodgates of admiration for Sachin Tendulkar, rating him above Brian Lara as the best batsman among his contemporaries.

Comparing the two batting greats, Ponting said Lara could be more destructive on his day but Tendulkar scores above the West Indies skipper in technique and is the most complete batsman he has seen.

“West Indian Lara and Indian Tendulkar are the two best batsmen I have played against. I have rated Sachin slightly ahead because technically I thought he was a bit tighter, but Lara on his day is probably more damaging,” Ponting wrote in his column for an Australian paper.

Tendulkar had the best technique and performed well in all conditions, Ponting said: “He is the most complete batsman I have seen. His technique is so good and he has played well in all conditions.

To have 41 one-day international tons shows what an appetite he has for scoring runs.

As for Lara, Ponting wrote, “everyone can see his class, but he is also tough. When the West Indies have been down and out, he has stood up. And he has had to do it all himself a lot of the time.” While Lara mixes with the Australians after matches, Ponting said he had rarely spoken to Tendulkar outside the cricket arena.

“The Indians tend to keep to themselves and don’t hang around very long after play. It is amazing how he has to live his life because of his popularity at home. We have heard stories of him having to do his grocery shopping at 3 a.m.”

Ponting said that Tendulkar, Lara, Pakistani Inzamam-ul-Haq, Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya and South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock - had dominated the game for more than a decade and are playing in their last World Cup.

“Perhaps this tournament should be rebadged the Farewell Cup,” he wrote in ‘The Australian’.

Inzamam, despite impressive career figures, had rarely performed against Australia, he said.

“Inzamam has a great record, averaging 50 in Tests and almost 40 in one-dayers, but he has never done anything against us. I am not sure what that says about him, because he is actually a pretty good player of fast bowling.” Pollock will be remembered as one of the great all rounders, Ponting said.

Jayasuriya was instrumental in helping Sri Lanka beat Australia for the title in 1996, when Ponting made his World Cup debut.

“Jayasuriya has won Sri Lanka plenty of games with his dynamic batting, while his bowling has also been important in his team’s plans.,” Ponting said. — PTI

Kingston, March 14
Seventeen surviving World Cup winners who brought glory to West Indies in 1975 and 1979, including Clive Lloyd, Sir Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Michael Holding, were honoured for their contribution to Caribbean cricket.

Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, Rohan Kanhai, Collis King, Larry Gomes, Faoud Bacchus, Deryck Murray, Maurice Foster, Bernard Julien, Lance Gibbs, Vanburn Holder and Collin Croft were the other greats who were honoured.

The galaxy of legends were presented mementoes at a brief but nostalgic ceremony at the Sabina Park here before the start of the World Cup lung opener between hosts West Indies and Pakistan.

Overcome by emotions, Lloyd, who captained both the 1975 and 1979 Cup-winning sides, described it as “a special moment” while speaking on behalf of the yesteryear stars.

In his short address to the past cricketers, West Indies board president Ken Gordon said: “On behalf of the people of the West Indies and cricket fans worldwide, we thank your dedication, determination, passion, playing finesse, collective style, power and your grace and ultimately for the pride.” — UNI

Chandigarh, March 14
Besides cricket aficionados, unscrupulous elements are equally excited about the commencement of World Cup 2007 at West Indies on March 13.

Bookies and punters are all set up to cash in on this once in four year opportunity. According to a rough estimate, over Rs 10,000 crore will be put on speculations through thousands of bookies in India.

According to bookies, Australia would again clinch the trophy. Australia is hot favourite as its rate (if it wins the cup) in the speculation business is Rs 2.50 while South Africa is at number second with the rate of Rs 4.50. This means that if one put Rs 1000 on Australia, he will get Rs 2500 Aussies win the Cup. The bookies rate the other big teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and New Zealand almost equal as they have set their rate in the range between Rs 8 to 11.

Interestingly, the result of the first crucial match between the hosts West Indies and Pakistan came as per the predictions of these bookies, which put the hosts ahead of Pakistan. According to sources, the West Indies was the favourite team with 70-72 paise at the start of the match. That means the speculators, who betted Rs 10,000 on West Indies at the start of the match earned Rs 7,000 while on the other hand punters, who put Rs 7,200 on Pakistan, lost their amount. Bookies have their hands full with bookings open for toss, sessions and individual performances.

Honesty and reliability are the key words of this unlawful trade. There is no fear of forgery on the part of bookies. The bookies also do not accept bets from unknown persons. The whole trade is based on word of mouth. In Chandigarh, the business has been growing rapidly. According to sources, over 15 bookies have been carrying out illegal operation from the city.

Thousands of the city residents, including businessmen, industrialists, service class, housewives and even college students have involved in the business to make a quick buck.

“I have given Rs 5,000 to my friend, who is in touch with a city-based bookie. She made Rs 50,000 during the football World Cup last year,” said Somya, a housewife residing in Panchkula. Interestingly, her husband, who is a government employee, does not know that she is betting big time.

A college student, who did not want his name to appear in these columns, said, “I have had a fantastic start as I have earned Rs 21,600 from the first match. I put my bet on the West Indies. Now I will try my luck in the next matches between the main teams.”

Local businessman Rakesh Kumar, who made Rs 7,000 last night, said: “Undoubtedly betting is a risky business. But it adds to the excitement. I am a big fan of the game so I have decided to see all the World Cup matches. I would put money on some selected teams. If I am able to make some extra bucks through bets, that will be like icing on the cake.”

Karnal, March 14
With the start of the ICC World Cup, cricket betting cartels in Haryana have started their operations right under the nose of the state authorities. This time the betting “traders” and their sub-agents have expanded their network in all the suburban areas of the state.

Investigations made by this reporter revealed that the bookies are reportedly making the use of technical advancements, including the Direct to Home (DTH) service and the online cricket update.

Most of the bookies have preferred to run their multi-crore operations away from the crowded places.

Inquiries revealed that the bookies were working from nearly all the major townships across the state with Bhiwani being the epicentre of cricket betting.

Insiders said huge amount of money had been pumped in the illegal betting trade and the bookies are betting on Australia having the brightest chance to win the championship.

After losing the first match against the West Indies, bets on Pakistan had got down tremendously, said a source.

Sources said the multi-crore betting business ranges from political developments during the Assembly and parliamentary elections, cricket and even the weather forecast.

With the advent of the DTH, sources said the bookies now preferred to operate away from crowded townships.

Though smalltime bookies prefer to operate from the dhabhas and the lesser-visited places, says a police official.

To avoid being shadowed by the police, a senior official said DTH has emerged as a convenient option for the bookies. One can easily stay at any given place to run his business thus making it a challenge to nab the culprits, he added.

Insiders, however, said cricket betting was going on absolutely hassle free allegedly due to the political and official patronage in Haryana.

They informed that strangers were not welcome in the betting trade and a new entrant must have an “introducer”.

In a bid to curtain their identities sources revealed that the bookies were relying solely on mobile and fix-line phones for the dealings.

A number of bookies preferred using mobile phones to interact with their subagents offering free outgoing calls.

New Delhi, March 14
Kabaddi and kho-kho will not form part of the 2010 Commonwealth Games for which 17 events have been sanctioned, Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar told the Lok Sabha today.

Even though Kabaddi and kho-kho have not been included in the 2010 Games by the Commonwealth Games Federation, the government is giving special encouragement to the two disciplines, he said during the Question Hour.

Replying to questions, Aiyar said so far the government has sanctioned Rs 3,002 crore for the Games for which facilities and projects were expected to be completed well in time.

On whether adequate accommodation will be available for visitors from with in and outside India during the Games, the Minister said efforts were being made to create appropriate facilities and the matter was under constant review.

Asked if 15 km distance between the venues and the Games Village will not be a limiting factor for the sportpersons, he said the area for the village, being set up near the Akshardham Temple in the capital, had been chosen after taking permission of the authorities concerned and work on it was going on.

To a question about selection of talent for future international sporting events including Olympics, Aiyar said the government proposes to start a new system to provide facilities and attract talent at the panchayat level.

This proposal is expected to come up before the Cabinet shortly, he said.

Aiyar said that besides construction and upgradation of the major infrastructure facilities including the Games Village, the Delhi government has proposed construction of a number of flyovers and bridges and widening of roads in addition to betterment of general civic facilities.

“These include the project of the Link Road (Tunnel) from the Games Village site to the vicinity of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and bye-passes at Mahipalpur and Masoodpur (in the capital) for improvement in airport connectivity,” he said.

For expediting the required clearances of projects, an empowered committee has been set up with representatives from agencies and authorities concerned, he said, adding that it was meeting regularly to facilitate speedy clearances. — PTI

Manchester, March 14
Manchester United turned David Beckham into an international superstar and he bid an emotional farewell to Old Trafford before he quits European soccer for the United States.

Beckham joined United in 1991 at 16, debuted the next year, and transferred in 2003 to Real Madrid.

In July, he’s expected to start a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

“The time I spent at this club was the best time in my whole football career,” Beckham told the 74,000-sellout crowd at halftime of a charity match won 4-3 by United over a Europe XI yesterday.

Injury forced him to withdraw from a star-studded European side which faced United to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union and the Red Devils’ half century of play in continental soccer.

Since he moved to Spain, the 31-year-old had returned to the stadium in northwest England as England captain but hadn’t been able to personally thank United for 14 trophy-filled years.

“I’ve waited four years to actually come back and to actually say thank you to the fans and the people of the club,” he said.

Beckham won six English Premier League titles and a Champions League medal during his United career.

He told supporters that he was grateful for the strong support shown in his darkest hour. In 1998 he became a public hate figure after being sent off for England in a World Cup match against Argentina.

“I think I wouldn’t have got through many things without the people in this stadium,” he said.

On the pitch, he publicly supported his former manager Alex Ferguson who struck Beckhams eye with a football boot in a dressing room bust-up on the eve of his departure.

“Everybody knows here that you’ve got the best manager in the world at this club,” he told the crowd to rapturous applause.

Ferguson wasn’t surprised at the welcome for Beckham.

“I was in the changing rooms but you expect him to get a reception like that,” Ferguson said. “All players get a great reception when they come back here.

“David Beckham had some great years here. He came as a boy, all his formative years were here. It was a great learning foundation here before he went to Madrid.” — AP

Indian Wells, March 14
Vera Zvonareva sent world number one Maria Sharapova to a stunning 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 defeat in the fourth round of the Pacific Life Open. In one the greatest collapses of her career, the defending champion failed to close out the match when 5-3 ahead in the second set and then completely lost control, giving up eight games in a row.

“It’s strange,” said Sharapova yesterday. “Serving for the match, the only unforced error I really made was a swing volley. And after that I just deflated a little. I wasn’t moving well at all.

Sharapova ended the all-Russian contest with 47 unforced errors, including 13 double faults.

With the defeat, the 19-year-old is guaranteed to lose her number one ranking to Belgium's Justine Henin next week.

It was 22-year-old Zvonareva's first victory over Sharapova in her last four attempts. — Reuters