 |
|
|
It’s time to learn lessons: Chappell
Bermuda post fighting total Dejected Team India makes departure plans
Commitment was lacking: Kapil
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Mark Waugh lashes out at Gavaskar
Vincent out of World Cup
Martin to replace Tuffey in Kiwi team
Bolt from the blue for advertisers
Tikolo pleads for more matches
East Bengal hold Air-India
Jagadhri rly grapplers win title
|
|
It’s time to learn lessons: Chappell
New Delhi, March 25 Chappell said instead of being driven by “knee-jerk reactions,” it was time to learn lessons and find ways to move forward. “The message that I would like to get across is that knee-jerk reactions and emotional responses are not going to solve the problem. “Sure, the coach will take the brunt, the captain will take the brunt, the players will take the brunt, its deeper than that. There are issues that needs to be addressed and I think this (media) is not the forum to talk about them,” Chappell said in an interview to CNN-IBN. The Australian said blaming individuals for the poor performance of the team would not change the fortunes of the side. “Casting aspersions and putting blame on this area, that area, this individual, that individual in not going to change the scene. There is a need for a through investigation into all aspects of what has led to this happening and if we can do that, we can move forward. “There is no doubt that there are lessons that need to be learnt, but I am not going to pick one particular aspect of it. There are many issues that need to be addressed,” Chappell said. On his appraisal of the Indian team’s performance in the World Cup, Chappell said, “I am happy to go back to India and meet the BCCI and talk about the issues as I see them. And I think, if we can learn some lessons from it, then in the long run, it could well do god things for Indian cricket.” Chappell said though the team’s show has disappointed the followers of Indian cricket, it should be taken in the right spirit. “It is very disappointing, it is very sad for all of us who were involved and it is a sad day obviously for people who support Indian cricket. But it happens in sports,” he said. — PTI 
|
|
Port of Spain, March 25 The tie was reduced to 21 overs a side after the start was delayed by 2-1/2 hours followed by four stoppages, the last of them about an hour and 25 minutes, due to rain. Bermuda smashed 49 runs in the last six overs to set a respectable target for the Asian team which needs a win to qualify for the Super Eight. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dean Minors (23) led the charge while Lionel Cann (16) provided suitable support. Opener Oliver Pitcher (22) was the other notable contributor. Bangladesh made early inroads into the Bermuda line up and reduced the minnows to 17 for three by the eighth over. Right-arm pacer Mashrafe Mortaza struck in the first over when left-handed opener Steve Outerbridge tried to hook him and was caught by Mohammad Rafique at fine leg for zero. Mortaza followed it up with the scalp of Deylone Borden, caught by captain Habibul Bashar for two, in the first ball off the fifth over. David Hemp, the lone professional in the Bermuda team, then cut Syed Rasel straight to Aftab Ahmed at point. A win for Bermuda could see India, the other team in the group, sneak through to the second round of the quadrennial event on a better net run-rate. India, who have completed their group engagements, have just one win from three matches. Scoreboard Bermuda Outerbridge c Rafique b Mortaza 0 Pitcher c Bashar b Hasan 22 Borden c Bashar b Mortaza 2 Hemp c Aftab Ahmed b Rasel 0 Romaine lbw Razzak 11 Minors c Iqbal b Razzak 23 Cann b Hasan 16 Tucker c Iqbal b Rafique 9 Hurdle b Razzak 0 Mukuddem not out 0 Extras
(lb-5, w-4, nb-2) 11 Total (9 wkts, 21 overs) 94 Fall of wickets:
1-2, 2-8, 3-11, 4-35, 5-52, 6-73, 7-86, 8-94, 9-94. Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 4-0-8-2, Syed Rasel 5-0-14-1, Abdur Razzak 4-0-20-3, Mohammad Rafique 4-0-18-1, Saqibul Hasan 3-0-12-2, Aftab Ahmed 1-0-17-0.
— PTI
|
|
Dejected Team India makes departure plans Port Of Spain, March 25 A day after the crushing loss to Sri Lanka, the Indian team stayed indoors in the team hotel with very few entertaining hopes of Bermuda upsetting Bangladesh and paving their surprise entry into Super Eight. Technically, India can still progress to second round if Bermuda prevails but the chances are remote, even if Bermuda had scored 200 in a warm-up game against Bangladesh prior to this World Cup or beat them in a representative game a few seasons ago. ICC is to provide Indians with their departure plans, which most expect, by tomorrow or the day after. Only a couple of cricketers indeed appeared on the breakfast table. It is learnt that within the team there was no showdown or remonstration after India had suffered the debilitating loss on Friday. The Indian dressing room had a funeral look to it with a few players, including most senior members, openly crying and even captain Rahul Dravid appearing tearful. Coach Greg Chappell, apparently, all this while kept a stoic front and same it was with Anil Kumble who hid his emotions well behind dark glasses. Others were not so discreet and thus the Indian dressing room on Friday evening had grown up men reduced to tears. Team manager Sanjay Jagdale’s report, which he plans to submit to the Board once the team returns home next week, is being eagerly looked forward to by the Board officials who want to know the reason for India’s debacle. It is understood that coach Greg Chappell, whose tenure is unlikely to be renewed, would give a damning report on India’s performance though for public appearance sake, he kept repeating that rather than any individual’s failure, the team collectively shares responsibility. Chappell believed that the team collapsed under “the weight of expectations” which started building up soon after the team had suffered a shocking loss to Bangladesh in their group opener on March 17. Chappell believed that the Indian players were under more pressure than any other international team members. “I think India is definitely under more pressure because of the weight of expectations back home,” said Chappell. “It does have an effect, and I would say from the experience of the last few weeks, it definitely had its effect. “Coming into the Bangladesh game, I thought the boys were a bit anxious at that stage, and the pressure built from there. That pressure had a bearing on what happened out there on Friday.” All the players, including captain Rahul Dravid and coach Chappell, are hoping that people’s anger would not go out of hand in wake of India's defeat. Cricketers are worried at reports emanating from home about angry reactions. They have learnt that a funeral of Indian cricket team was carried out in Indore and similar protests were held in Allahabad, New Delhi, Jammu and Varanasi. Most of them, according to a team official, spent yesterday checking with their family members if everything was fine with them in India. They also have apparently cautioned their family members not to move out of home often for the next few days. Meanwhile, all the plans of 30 Indian board officials to visit Barbados on April 10 apparently have been shelved. Board chief Sharad Pawar was due to visit West Indies on April 20 but it is unlikely to materialise now.
— PTI
|
||
|
Kolkata, March 25 Expressing utter disappointment with the side’s showing, Kapil said overconfidence caused the team’s downfall in the opener against Bangladesh. “I think there was a lack of commitment, drive and balance. I found them overconfident in the first match,” Kapil said when asked about India's shocking performance. Kapil said the cricketers deserved to be criticised, but appealed to the fans not to indulge in vandalism. “I know, all over India fans are angry. I am also disappointed. On behalf of the cricketers, I say sorry to them. These things happen in sports. We need to find out the reasons. And I think we need to work hard. “They need to be criticised. But it is not right to burn their posters or tar their photographs or damage their houses. How can you so quickly forget the runs scored by Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid all these years?” “When we fail in life, do we chop off our own hands or damage our homes?” Kapil asked. Kapil, however, refused to comment on whether it was time for senior players to hang their boots. “Who am I to say when Sourav or Sachin should retire? It is their choice. So they will decide,” he said. But Kapil disagreed with a scribe that Indian players did not put in 100 per cent. “Which player will not want to give his full for the team?” When asked whether Dravid should be sacked as skipper, he said, “If you now ask people, everyone will say yes. but did you all not say that Dravid is a very good captain when India made a world record by winning 17 matches at a stretch while chasing?” “The problem is you ask questions based on the latest happening. But I look at things from an overall perspective. Let the team come back, then such things can be decided,” he said. In a veiled attack on the media and critics, he said, “The problem is when a team loses, you find lot of faults.” The skipper of India’s only World Cup winning squad of 1983 said, “Our team also had lots of drawbacks. But because we were winning at that time, people didn’t find faults.” Kapil also opposed any criticism of players’ endorsement deals, saying that, “Ok, I say stop their endorsements. But will you take their responsibility for life?” “Corporates only look for players who are performing. The companies do not look for players who have been dropped. Players also know that they need to perform. And I urge everyone, not to look at players’ pockets,” he said. “And also, do not compare what players of earlier years were getting with the amount of money earned by current players,” he added. Asked whether India should now opt for an indigenous coach, Kapil replied, “Why do you want to live in a well? If you say that we should not import coaches, what will you say about the products we sent abroad? People abroad may also say that we won’t let in Indian software professionals.” — PTI
|
|
Mark Waugh lashes out at Gavaskar
Melbourne, March 25 “The Australian teams I played for, and those I’ve watched since retiring, play hard but fair. They play within the rules while other teams, especially those from the subcontinent, don’t mind pushing the rules,” Waugh wrote in his column for Sydney Morning Herald. “I cite such things as their preparedness to call for runners when maybe the batsman doesn’t warrant one, or by fielding specialist fieldsmen as substitutes, as not being in the spirit of the game. And then there are examples of ball tampering,” he added. Waugh, however, admitted that the Aussies do “talk” to their rivals on-field, but maintained that they had never gone overboard. He said the Aussies came across tough as they play as a unit unlike their counterparts from the subcontinent, who were only bothered about individual records. “The difference between many teams is that Australia, South Africa and the Kiwis want to win as a team, so they play hard, whereas players from the subcontinent appear happy to play for individual performances, though with Tom Moody as their coach the Sri Lankans are developing some Aussie-style confidence,” he said. He also rejected Gavaskar’s criticism that the Aussies were an arrogant lot, and said far from being snobs, Ricky Ponting’s men were a confident unit, who played the game in the right spirit. “I can’t even consider suggestions the Australian team is arrogant,” he said. Waugh said Gavaskar should take a walk down memory lane and recall his own actions as captain of the Indian team before commenting on the behaviour of the Aussies. “Gavaskar, who seems to be trying to establish himself as the game’s custodian of righteousness, has little credibility in regard to onfield behaviour. In 1981, during the MCG Test, he used his position as captain to make his fellow opener follow him off the pitch as a form of protest for what he considered an unfair lbw decision,” Waugh wrote. “I don’t think Ponting, or any of the Australian team for that matter, have ever tried to pull that stunt,” he added. The former player felt instead of criticising the Australians, Gavaskar should focus on improving the Indian team, which had suffered losses to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the ongoing World Cup. “He’d be better off using his energy to help improve the Indian team. But maybe it is easier to slag off the Aussies,” he signed off. — PTI
|
|
Antigua, March 25 Vincent started the World Cup with two ducks but came back to form with 101 against Canada on Thursday. New Zealand, who won three Group C games out of three to reach the Super Eights, have suffered several injuries to their squad. Fast bowler Daryl Tuffey has been ruled out of the tournament with a right bicep problem and has been replaced by Chris Martin. Batsman Ross Taylor has strained a hamstring while paceman Mark Gillespie is still recovering from a shoulder problem which has limited his throwing ability. Two others players, all-rounder Jacob Oram and batsman Peter Fulton, had broken fingers. Their first Super Eight match is against West Indies in Antigua on Thursday.
— Reuters
|
|
|
Martin to replace Tuffey in Kiwi team
Port of Spain, March 25 Martin replaces his fellow fast bowler after medical reports indicated that Tuffey suffered a serious injury to his right bicep during the Black Caps’ 114-run win against Canada in St Lucia on Thursday. Martin is the fifth replacement player to be called up for the tournament.
— AFP
|
|
|
Bolt from the blue for advertisers
New Delhi, March 25 According to industry experts, advertisers would face a loss of about Rs.3.5 billion in television ads alone if the Indian team fails to make it to the Super 8. There would also be losses of about a whopping $300 million of sponsorship money. Bids worth $60-$80 million would also be at risk for sponsors who have bid for ICC’s global sponsorships. “Cricket has always been accompanied by an opulence of optimism. I think sponsors must have a staggered penalty clause with the BCCI. Why must sponsors be left to carry the can?” Swapan Seth, CEO, Equus Red Cell, a Delhi-based advertising agency, told IANS. “I think the performance-penalty clause has to be invoked. Of course, the smart ones are the ones who get on to cricket without sponsoring it,” Seth added. Team India’s poor show would also impact the corporates, broadcasters, sponsors, besides the tour operators, who have brought out special holiday packages to the Caribbean islands, where the mega tournament is being held. Experts now fear that after India’s exit a large chunk of viewers would stop watching the World Cup till the end, which would have a direct impact on the visibility quotient of the various products advertised. According to Santosh Sood, former chief operating officer of Rediffusion DYR, “It is going to be a huge setback for the advertisers. From now on, any advertisement with the players on it will be watched in very ‘loose spirits’ by consumers.” “The worst hit would be the electronic companies whose businesses are going to suffer the most,” averred Arvind Singhal, chairman of Technopak Advisors, a retail consultancy firm. The number of advertisers on television for the World Cup is almost 70 as compared to the 45 during the last event. Industry gurus say the number would go up for the next event. “Cricket is too big a game for Indians. The impact of India’s exit would be a huge loss, no doubt, but that will be short-term. The euphoria will be there even for the next time and the advertisers will again put in money,” said Prasoon Joshi, executive chairman, McCann-Erickson (India) Ltd. Agrees Singhal, who said: “There would not be a dramatic hit after India’s loss. Most advertisers would continue with the existing channels, but yes they may shift to other programmes.” — IANS
|
|
Tikolo pleads for more matches
Gros Islet, March 25 Whoever won yesterday’s clash at the Beausejour Cricket Ground was assured of joining Group C winners New Zealand in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. But although the experienced Tikolo scored 76, after winning the toss and batting, no other Kenyan made more than 17 as they were bowled out for 177 in a match reduced by rain to 43 overs per side. “We need more games. I’ve been saying this since time immemorial,” a frustrated Tikolo told reporters. “You can’t come here without playing at this level consistently. Tikolo said the Test-playing nations had to make room in their own schedules, drawn up in response to the International Cricket Council’s 10-year plan if the likes of Kenya were to improve their standards. “I think our board has been talking to the ICC but the excuse we always get is that the Test countries are busy with their 10-year calendar. — AFP
|
|
Miami, March 25 The Indian could have ended the day among the top 10 but for two bogeys on the back nine. “But still I am happy with the progress and this is all a process of getting used to US conditions,” said Jeev. The seasoned pro is two-under 214 after striking five birdies against three bogeys at the Blue Monster course and is the highest-placed Asian Tour member in the tournament. The star-studded tournament has on offer $8 million in total prize money. Jeev started with two birdies on the first and second and added a third on the fifth, but a dropped shot on the third saw him make the turn at two-under. Returning to play his back nine, Jeev sank in two more birdies on the 10th and 12th but bogeys on the 13th and 17th meant that he had to be satisfied with a second successive 70. Meanwhile, world number one Tiger Woods opened up a four-shot lead going into the final round with a four-under 68. Tiger set the pace early with a four-iron that cut through the stiff wind and landed 10 ft away and the American made no mistake in knocking it in for an eagle. He made just one mistake on the windy day as he totalled 11-under 205 to put himself in contention for his third straight title at Doral. The world number one American is eyeing his 13th WGC title since the series began in 1999. Bhandari ends up tied 49th
Bintan: Indians put up a disappointing final-round show at the inaugural Motorola International Bintan golf tournament with Vivek Bhandari (74) and Digvijay Singh (72) finishing tied 49th at the $350,000 event. Uttam Singh Mundy (73) and Amardip Malik (77) were tied 53rd and 56th. In a lacklustre show, Bhandari fired three birdies, one bogey and two double bogeys for his 74 which took his four-round tally to two-over 290. Digvijay managed four birdies against a bogey and a triple bogey in his par round. Mundy sank in two birdies against three bogeys to sign off with three-over 291, while Malik, the best Indian after three rounds, had one birdie, four bogeys and one double bogey for a total of four-over 292. American Jason Knutzon fired a superb final round of six-under 66 to claim a one-shot victory over Australian Peter Fowler. Knutzon, two shots off the lead going into the last day, put on a sizzling show with six birdies at the spectacular Ria Bintan Golf Club to triumph with a four-day total of 14-under 274. Knutzon’s second AsianTour title made him richer by $55,475. “The first time is always special. But today was unbelievable. I played pretty good, putted great and was real steady with no bogeys. It’s just a great feeling to win again,” said Knutzon, who moved up to 15th place on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.
— PTI
|
|
Monaco, March 25 After playing out a disappointing draw in the blindfold, Anand went for the kill in the return game and caught Svidler unawares to register an emphatic victory. Anand’s victory over Svidler also helped him improve his combined standing and the Indian ace now has 8.5 points for the sole third spot overall. The Super GM is half a point clear of Armenian Levon Aronian, who went down to Alexander Morozevich of Russia in the seventh round. With four rounds to come, the race for the title has narrowed down to Kramnik, Ivanchuk and Anand. Svidler followed a path he had chosen against Aronian in the Corus tournament, but Anand was well prepared and came up with a new idea on the 18th turn in the closed Ruy Lopez as black. In the bargain, Anand lost a pawn but had adequate compensation in the form of piece-play and Svidler decided against taking any risk. The draw was agreed to vide repetition of moves in the middle game itself. The rapid game turned out to be one of the best efforts by Anand here as he outplayed Svidler in all departments of the game. Playing the white side of a Sicilian Najdorf, Anand got a tangible advantage out of the opening and Svidler failed to find the best resource. The Indian pocketed a pawn and then went for an exchanging spree to net a winning endgame after 42 moves. Meanwhile, world champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia continued his winning run, blanking Hungarian Peter Leko 2-0 to increase his lead to a full point in combined standings over nearest rival Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine. Kramnik moved to 10.5 points in all and looks set to annex the blindfold title for sure with his commendable 6.5/7 score. Kramnik surprised Leko in the blindfold game by opting for the Marshall Gambit as black. Uncorking a new idea on the 23rd move, Kramnik admitted after his triumph that he had gone through his notes in this position before the game and it was enough to equalise. Leko, on the other hand, made a King move believing it was a capture but realised to his horror when the screen did not show it as a capture. The Hungarian resigned soon after. Kramnik won the rapid game after Leko ended up worse after the opening. The Hungarian made the vital error on the 39th move and could not recover. — PTI
|
|
East Bengal hold Air-India
Kolkata, March 25 Falling back 0-1 in the 73rd minute, the local giants fought back to draw parity through their Brazilian recruit Edmilson Marques and take their points tally to 16 from 10 games. Earlier, Samson Singh drew first blood for the airmen. The red-and-yellow brigade upped the ante in a desperate bid for the equaliser as the clock ticked. They finally succeeded in the fourth and last minute of injury time when Snehasish Chakraborty’s measured flag kick was nodded into the net by Edmilson.
— PTI
|
|
Jagadhri rly grapplers win title
Yamunanagar, March 25 The Ferozepore division were runners-up, while the Ambala division had to be content with the third position, informed Bharat Bhushan, divisional sports secretary, Jagadhri Railway Workshop. R.S. Virdi, Chief Works Manager, Jagadhri Railway Workshop, distributed prizes among the winners.
— TNS
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Port of Spain, March 25
Kolkata, March 25
Melbourne, March 25
