England’s Kevin Pietersen plays a shot during the Group C match against New Zealand at the Beausejour cricket ground in Gros Islet, St Lucia, on Friday. — AFP

Gros Islet, March 16
Scott Styris and Jacob Oram guided New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over England in their opening World Cup Group C clash today.

In reply to England’s 209 for seven in 50 overs, the Kiwis reached 210 for four in 41 overs.

Earlier, England lost their three key middle-order batsmen, Paul Collingwood (31), Kevin Pietersen (60) and Andrew Flintoff (0), in rapid succession.

However, an unbeaten 71-run partnership between Paul Nixon (42) and Liam Plunkett (29) gave England at least something to bowl at when New Zealand bat on an extremely slow, sticky wicket.

Heavy morning rain forced the start to be delayed by half an hour, with the wet conditions leading New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming to put England into bat. But the bowlers needed little help early on with England’s top three getting themselves out with loose shots. Ed Joyce wafted away from his body and edged James Franklin behind for a duck in the second delivery of the first over. Ian Bell then made five before making the same mistake against Jacob Oram.

Scoreboard

England

Joyce c McCullum b Franklin 0

Vaughan b Franklin 26

Bell c McCullum b Oram 5

Pietersen c Franklin b Bond 60

Collingwood c McCullum b Styris 31

Flintoff c Styris b Bond 0

Dalrymple c McCullum b Styris 3

Nixon not out 42

Plunkett not out 29

Extras (lb-2, w-4, nb-7) 13

Total (7 wkts, 50 overs) 209

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-30, 3-52, 4-133, 5-133, 6-134, 7-138.

Bowling: Franklin 9-0-43-2, Bond 10-1-19-2, Oram 6-0-25-1, Patel 8-0-42-0, Vettori 10-0-53-0, Styris 7-0-25-2.

New Zealand

Vincent c Nixon b Anderson 0

Fleming c Joyce b Anderson 7

Taylor c Flintoff b Plunkett 0

Styris not out 87

McMillan c Dalrymple b Panesar 27

Oram not out 63

Extras (b-2, lb-11, w-11, nb-2) 26

Total (4 wkts, 41 overs) 210

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-3, 3-19, 4-72.

Bowling: Anderson 8-0-39-2, Plunkett 7-0-43-1, Flintoff 8-1-17-0, Collingwood 2-0-12-0, Panesar 10-0-47-1, Dalrymple 4-0-29-0, Pietersen 1-0-2-0. — Agencies

Port of Spain, March 16
Amerindians from South America, who were the first to settle here, christened it the “Land of the Humming Bird”. There is certainly a buzz in this island every time Indian cricketers set foot on it. From the East Indian taxi driver to the traders in this capital city’s high streets, persons of Indian origin, who constitute nearly 50 per cent of the population, excitedly enquire about Rahul Dravid team’s prospects.

Even the money changer at the airport, a polite Afro-Caribbean, was not immune to the chatter of his colleagues of Indian descent.

Quite simple, Queen’s Park Oval, venue of India entering the stage in the current World Cup today, is India’s happiest hunting ground in the West Indies. They have won three Test matches here and lost only on a solitary occasion.

But the record in one-day internationals is less inspiring, including defeats in both bi-laterals last year. Indeed, India’s overall performance in the West Indies is, in fact, five wins and 15 losses.

The Indians, therefore, have to banish any negative thoughts arising from previous displays if they are to stake a serious claim in the tournament.

The assignment for India since the opening ceremony on Sunday has been to adjust to the different pitch condition here as compared to Jamaica, where the wickets in the warm-up encounters were comparatively faster.

While the facilities and stands at the Queen’s Park Oval have undergone a massive makeover, the pitches and the outfield remain unaltered, except that the square has endured endless rolling and the rest of the turf more manicuring in recent months.

The nature of clay in the eastern Caribbean, other than in Barbados and perhaps to a certain extent in Antigua, render wickets to be soft and slow by Caribbean standards; and yet, the ball bounces as if pitched on a foam mattress. The heavy rolling, though, may have reduced the sluggishness.

India, though, have, fortunately, had four days of practice before tackling Bangladesh for the first time in a World Cup, during which they cannot afford to have an off-day, despite the odds on India’s eastern neighbours varying between 100-1 to 200-1.

Admittedly, the Bangladeshis, who had a disastrous experience at this level four years ago, have only beaten India once in 14 meetings. But their defeat of Australia at Cardiff in 2005 and success over New Zealand last week suggest they are steadily improving and are not incapable of upsetting a more fancied side.

Against India, for instance, their totals never reached 200 in the 1990s; yet, they have crossed this mark so five times in seven matches in the current decade. Also, they appear to be more comfortable chasing than setting targets.

Shahriar Nafees is averaging over 40 in ODIs; and captain Habibul Bashar and Mohammad Ashtabula (who, with a hundred, memorably notched up the famous victory over Australia) cannot be underestimated.

Mashrafe Mortaza is a lively fast-medium bowler, while experiences emanates from left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique. To cap these, they have a skilful coach in Dav Whatmore.

Nonetheless, India are likely to repose their faith in the recently non-performing Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan, who boasts impressive statistics against Bangladesh, in an endeavour to haul them back to form. This is a little harsh on Robin Uthappa. At the same time, it is sensible to adopt such a ploy against weaker opposition than Sri Lanka.

And, perhaps, only one spinner will play. The surface in Wednesday’s Sri Lanka-Bermuda match was by no means a turner; and there was moisture for quicker bowlers in the first hour.

Port of Spain, March 16
If anyone thought the World Cup in the Caribbean was the last hurrah for Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian batting great has hinted at playing in 2011 as well if his “body holds good”.

“I don’t know if this is my final World Cup. The one in 2011 is quite far from here but it all depends on how my body is holding up,” said Tendulkar as he graced a UNICEF function for fight against HIV-AIDS among children.

The 2011 edition, which would be Tendulkar’s sixth World Cup, will be co-hosted by four Asian nations — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The 34-year-old Mumbai batsman is set to play his fifth World Cup and currently holds the record for most runs scored in the mega event but yet to taste the glory of winning the Cup.

India had finished runners-up to Australia in the 2003 edition in South Africa.

Tendulkar said his team had the quality to reach the final but needed to gain an early momentum in the tournament.

“We can reach the final. Our chances are very good but all we need is to stick to basics and gain an early momentum.” He, however, cited the example of the West Indies to stress the point that one-day cricket was a game of uncertainties.

“West Indies were all out for 85 against us but they then defeated Pakistan. In one-day cricket, everyday is a new day.

“We can’t take any opposition lightly. We can’t afford to be over-confident. Since we would face very different oppositions, we need to have flexibility in planning,” he added.

Tendulkar played down all suggestions to his rivalry against Brian Lara and hoped the two batsmen, regarded by most as the best of the present era, will help inspire the next generation.

“I’m glad we both have been able to give some wonderful cricketing years to the world. We have extremely high regard for each other and are good friends and that’s what matters to us.

“Eventually, if we are able to inspire the next generation it would matter more to us than runs scored.”

He visited Robert Greenidge grounds in Gonzales, a parish in Port of Spain, where cheering children and youngsters were at hand to greet him.

Tendulkar cited a personal example to urge everyone to come together to fight against the deadly disease.

“Last year, I was in India in Chennai where a physically challenged boy was brought to me whose ambition was to play with my cricket bat. He was in a wheel-chair, supported by a couple of people but the moment he held my bat, he stood on his own. It completely motivated me and showed where there is will there is way.” — PTI

Dubai, March 16
When Shanthakumaran Sreesanth will take wickets during the World Cup in Caribbean, he will not only help the Indian cricket team but also as many as 11 Indians freed from Dubai jails to fly home.

A menswear chain will give air tickets to the Indians freed from jail in Dubai with every scalp from the Kerala paceman during the mega event.

Managing director of the company Hiroo Vassanani said the distribution of the tickets would be at the discretion of the Indian consulate.

“The money for the tickets as per the number of wickets taken by Sreesanth will be paid to the Indian Community Welfare Committee (ICWC),” Vassanani was quoted as saying by the Gulf News. — PTI

Debutants suffer setbacks

Bridgetown, March 16
Sri Lanka’s crushing victory over debutants Bermuda suggests that if the World Cup is a learning ground for cricket’s new boys, then the lessons will be of the stick rather than carrot variety.

Yesterday’s 243-run victory by the 1996 champions was the second biggest in nine editions of the World Cup.

Bermuda actually made 33 runs more than they mustered against England in a warm-up game by being bowled out for 78 in reply to 321 for six so it was progress of sorts, although such a defeat could hardly have improved their confidence.

Hot on the heels of a similarly one-sided trouncing of Scotland by champions Australia, the results have given more ammunition to critics of an ICC policy to allow as many as six non-Test playing nations into the World Cup mix.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene seems determined to cast himself as the sternest of school-masters to the untutored and often untalented who step in his way.

In 2003, he was part of a Sri Lanka line-up which bowled out Canada for a World Cup record low total of 36 runs and he is behaving in equally domineering fashion four years later, scoring 85 against Bermuda yesterday.

Somewhat surprisingly, though, Jayawardene is a big supporter of a stage, which allows the cricketing small-fry to be humiliated in such a public fashion.

“When Sri Lanka played in the 1975 World Cup we were thrashed as well by West Indies and a few other countries,” he told a news conference. “That is how you learn.” Jayawardene supported the International Cricket Council (ICC) move to add more teams, mainly aimed at globalising the game and building on the ever-growing television audience.

“We didn’t stretch West Indies or England in the 1975 World Cup,” he said. “We came back strongly to win in 1996.” “There should be a proper development and I’m sure ICC is monitoring the progress of these countries.

“As a Sri Lankan who has seen our progress, for us it is always good to have these countries playing in big tournaments”

Jayawardene’s argument is not supported by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was his usual unsentimental and ruthless self in hitting a fourth World Cup century against Scotland on Wednesday.

Scotland at least lasted till the 41st over before capitulating to a 203-run defeat, consolation for the team but a boring spectacle for millions of TV viewers. Bermuda folded in 24.4 overs.

Jayawardene’s argument would appear to have one major flaw. His nation and Bangladesh, to name another relative newcomer to the Test scene, have a cricket culture and a steady stream of fresh talent. — Reuters

Dhaka, March 16
National cricketer Manjural Islam Rana and first-division cricket player Sajjadul Islam Setu were killed in a road accident in Bangladesh’s southwestern district of Khulna today.

The police said a Khulna-bound microbus rammed into their motorcycle from the opposite direction near Basiakhali Bridge in Dumuria subdistrict at 4.15 pm. Manjarul, 22, died on the spot while his friend Sajjadul Islam Setu died at hospital.

Rana played six Test matches and 25 ODIs since 2003. His ODI debut in 2003 was against England in Bangladesh, while he made his Test debut versus Zimbabwe in 2004. The left-arm orthodox spinner took 23 ODI wickets and five Test wickets in his short career. — UNI

Melbourne, March 16
Double world champion Fernando Alonso lapped quickest for McLaren in the first practice session of the Formula One season in Australia today. Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa, winner of the last race of 2006, was second with BMW Sauber’s German test driver Sebastian Vettel third.

Alonso, 25, blasted to the top of the timesheets 22 seconds from the end of the opening 90 minute session, lapping the Albert Park circuit in 1:29.214.

Massa’s best time, on a drying track after overnight rain, was 1:30.707 with his quickest lap also his last of the session.

Kimi Raikkonen, his Ferrari team-mate following the retirement of seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, was 19th after completing seven laps—the same number as Massa.

Spaniard Alonso, champion for the past two seasons with Renault and winner last year in Melbourne, has switched to Mercedes-powered McLaren in search of that team’s first win since 2005.

He completed 23 laps, the second most of any driver on a humid and overcast morning. British rookie Lewis Hamilton, Alonso’s team-mate and the first black Formula One driver, was fourth fastest and compatriot Jenson Button fifth for Honda.

Renault rookie Heikki Kovalainen, stepping into Alonso’s shoes at the champions, was eighth quickest and his Italian team mate Giancarlo Fisichella was 12th.

Free practice has changed this season, with the two-race engine regulations in force only from tomorrow morning.

This allows teams to switch their cars’ engines without penalty for the Friday and complete far more laps than in the past, giving the crowd more for their money.

However, teams are only allowed to use two cars, rather than the three of last year, in either of Friday’s two expanded sessions.

That left some race drivers, such as Poland’s Robert Kubica and Germany’s Nico Rosberg, sidelined in the first session as test drivers took their places. — Reuters

Gurgaon, March 16
Irina Brar today secured her first international top-10 finish as a professional when she ended tied fourth at the inaugural $100,000 DLF Women’s Indian Open, which was won by Chinese Taipei’s Tseng Ya Ni here.

Irina shot 71 and totalled four-over 220, largely because of the disastrous second round of 79. Sharing the tied fourth place, but not entitled to any money was amateur Meghna Bal (78), who played to a 6-over 78 for a tally of four-over 220.

Thailand’s Titiya Plucksataporn was also tied fourth.

Irina can take comfort from the fact that she can indeed compete with the best in Asia and this result will go a long way in improving her confidence. She earlier finished tied 18th in Hong Kong and tied 35th in Thailand.

Smriti Mehra was tied 17th after a final round of 78. Her earlier two rounds were 74 and 76. The only other Indian to make the cut, Parneeta Grewal, was tied 48th after a final round of 82 with first two rounds being 79 and 79. She totalled 24-over 240.

Chinese Taipei’s Tseng Ya Ni clinched her maiden Ladies Asian Golf Tour title beating Thailand’s Russamee Gulynamitta in the first playoff hole.

The two players finished regulation play tied at one-under 215. Ya Ni ended her final round with a three-over 75 and Russamee finished with a two-over 74.

Ya Ni said the double bogey on the short par-four 15th affected her confidence. “From the 15th hole my match application was wrong all the way. I played stupidly. I should have used a three-wood but instead I was greedy and opted for the driver,” she said, adding it was her first win after turning pro 80 days ago. In third place was Korea’s Lee Bo-ri, who finished one-under today to tally 218. — PTI