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Gavaskar writes
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Miandad writes
India’s Australia tour from Dec 26
Fletcher quits Sachin set to be retained
Dempo down Churchill
Parimarjan off to a flier
PM’s explanation
sought on Aiyar’s remarks
169 junior coaches to be recruited
Atwal to tee off at Zurich Classic
Doping courses at NIS end
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Windies whip B’desh Bridgetown, April 19 Earlier, Bangladesh bowlers kept the West Indies batsmen on a tight leash, allowing the home team to put up a reasonable score. The Bangladesh seamers as well as spinners bowled a tight line and length aided by some energetic fielding and it was only due to Ramnaresh Sarwan (91 in 90 balls) that the men from the Caribbean reached 230. Put in to bat, the hosts were in early trouble when they lost both openers with just eight runs on the board. The impressive Mashrafe Mortaza bowled Devon Smith for five with a beauty before new-ball partner Syed Rasel trapped out-of-form Chris Gayle in front with just a single to his credit. The run rate was reduced to a crawl as Shivnarine Chanderpaul (50 in 85 balls) and Marlon Samuels (31 in 66 balls) tried to rescue the innings. The 50 came in the 21st over as the left-arm spinning trio of Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzaq and Saqibul Hasan did not allow the batsmen any liberties. The 47-run third-wicket partnership was broken when Samuels edged Saqibul to wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim. Sarwan, who is tipped as one of the favourites to take over the West Indian captaincy from Brian Lara after the World Cup, joined Chanderpaul at the crease and tried to break free. Chanderpaul played across the line in search of quick runs and was bowled by part-time medium pacer Aftab Ahmed, bringing the 81-run fourth-wicket stand to an end. Skipper Brian Lara, playing his penultimate one-day match, then gave the innings much-needed impetus as he smashed one four and two sixes in his quickfire innings of 33, which came off only 27 balls. Scoreboard West Indies Gayle lbw Rasel 1 Smith b Mortaza 5 Chanderpaul b Aftab 50 Samuels c Rahim b Saqibul 31 Sarwan not out 91 Lara c Omar b Razzak 33 Bravo not out 9 Extras (lb-3, w-7) 10 Total (5 wkts, 50 overs) 230 FoW:1-8, 2-8, 3-55, 4-136, 5-196. Bowling: Mortaza 10-2-39-1, Rasel 10-2-48-1, Razzak 10-0-44-1, Rafique 10-0-46-0, Saqibul 8-0-38-1, Aftab 2-0-12-1. Bangladesh Omar c Gayle b Powell 16 Iqbal run out 7 Aftab c Ramdin b Collymore 6 Saqibul c Ramdin b Collymore 0 Ashraful c Samuels b Powell 2 Bashar c Bravo b Powell 21 Rahim not out 38 Mortaza b Bravo 37 Rafique lbw Gayle 0 Razzak c Lara b Bravo 1 Rasel b Gayle 2 Extras (lb-1, w-7, nb-2) 10 Total (all out, 43.5 overs) 131 FoW: 1-13, 2-21, 3-23, 4-34, 5-35, 6-52, 7-110, 8-111, 9-114. Bowling: Collymore 7-1-11-2, Powell 10-0-38-3, Taylor 9-1-25-0, Bravo 9-2-28-2, Gayle 8.5-0-28-2. — Agencies
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Lanka look menacing
The Irish team has shown a lot of spark in this event, but the clobbering that they have got from the teams that have qualified for the semifinals will have no doubt conveyed the message that they still have a long way to go. Still, it is exciting to see a non-regular one-day team playing with this refreshing eagerness, and it reemphasises the point that it is only regular match-play that will help them grow and get better. The Irish team also has plenty of youngsters unlike the other minnows, who had players over 40 or nearing that age, rather than youngsters who would take this participation experience and use it to develop the game in their countries. India plays three one-day matches against South Africa in Ireland in June, and if both teams go earlier and play a couple of warm-ups against Ireland, it will certainly boost the game there. The Lankans certainly did not want to waste too much time, and though Malinga was still not picked, the attack, with Vaas and Muralitharan back in the side, looked far more menacing than in the previous game against the Australians. What Vaas and Murali bring to the table, apart from their undoubted skills, is experience, and though Vaas was not among the wickets, he did not give anything away. Murali was just too good for the Irish, who had little idea of what was coming at them. Maharoof picking four wickets will have given the Sri Lankan team’s think-tank a pleasant headache, as to who to pick for the semi-final. Malinga will be back for sure, and with Fernando having kept his nerve in the tight last over against England, the fight for the third seamer’s spot may well be between him and Maharoof. The latter, who is a handy bat and definitely a better fielder, may well get the nod ahead of the quicker Fernando. This is the kind of dilemma selectors love to have, but don’t often get. The other problem area for Lanka is the form of Upul Tharanga. He has a good one-day record, but in this tournament, he has found ways of getting out even to bad balls. The experienced Marvan Atapattu is in the reserves, and has not played a single game. It is unlikely, with just two matches left, that the Lankans will bring in the former skipper. If anything, they had a chance to get him some match-practice by playing him against Ireland and resting Sanath Jayasuriya. Perhaps they did not want the same pleasant headache for their batting line-up that they have for the new ball. Skipper Jayawardene has batted well in the last couple of games, but the lack of runs from Tharanga and Sangakkara will be a worry, as they prepare to tackle the in-form Kiwis in the semifinal next week. — PMG
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Trans-Tasman tie may see ‘carefree’ cricket
The semifinal stage is the one wherein all the hard work and homework of the last four years will be tested. I think both camps might opt to rest some of their key players who might be feeling the odd niggle or pain. They cannot afford injuries at this juncture, and questions, if any, over a prominent player’s fitness, are best answered before the knockout phase of the competition gets underway. I know several people have flayed the Sri Lankans for resting Muralitharan and Vaas against the Aussies, but I personally felt it was a smart move. Had Murali played and the Australians got runs off him, it wouldn’t have done wonders to the confidence-levels of the bowler and his team. There is every possibility of the two sides clashing in the final, so why not hold your warheads back for the final assault? Why give your prospective opponents an opportunity to watch and analyse your key men before the critical, make-or-break stage? Australia’s performance in the competition has only emphasised the massive gap between them and the other teams. Everyone thought that their bowling attack was weak after their pre-tournament losses to England and New Zealand, but how well have they responded to the criticism? They have planned their strategies astutely and executed them to perfection. When the management sensed that Hussey and Symonds weren’t getting adequate time in the middle, they promoted both batsmen to the top of the order. Not surprisingly, the duo got runs. One of the best qualities of Ponting’s side is its uncomplicated approach. The sole and simple priority of every single member of the team is to go out, give it everything, and win. An attribute common to all four semifinalists is the number of seasoned players in their respective line-ups. The members of the Australian, Sri Lankan, New Zealand and South African have played with each other for a fairly long time, and have fused an effective combination. Here, I am not referring to their main XI, but the entire squad of fifteen. The youngsters who were blooded in 2004-06 have become automatic selections like their seniors. Of course, it is not that they have cemented their spots without doing anything worthwhile. New Zealand have improved tremendously in the last three years. They have proved themselves in one-day cricket all over the world, and deserve to be within striking distance of the World Cup. A win over the Australians will boost their confidence before they take on Sri Lanka, whom they lost to in the Super 8s. Stephen Fleming and his players will have their 3-0 annihilation of Australia in February at the back of their minds. But they would also be aware that the Australians would be eager for revenge, for no player from ‘Kangaroo-land’ likes to lose to New Zealand. That he doesn’t like to lose to anybody is another matter altogether! The batting reserves of the Australians stretch all the way down to No. 8. With Watson sidelined, I think they will persist with playing five specialist batsmen, a wicketkeeper-batsman in Gilchrist, a utility player in Symonds, and then, four specialist bowlers. Hogg, Bracken, Tait and McGrath will bowl 10 overs each, and Clarke and Symonds will share the fifth-bowler’s duties. Australia will start as favourites. Both camps will have one eye on the semifinals, but given their fierce rivalry, it will still be an eventful game. — PMG
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India’s Australia tour from Dec 26
Sydney, April 19 The money-spinner Boxing Day Test in Melbourne becomes the first match of the series against India (Dec 26-30), followed by Sydney (Jan 2-6), Perth (Jan 16-20) and Adelaide (Jan 24-28). The CB tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka starts on February 3 in Brisbane with the best-of-three finals on March 2 (Sydney), 4 (Brisbane) and 7 (Adelaide). The unusual schedule, announced by Cricket Australia today, has been caused partly by the inaugural Twenty20 world championship in South Africa in September, which means Pakistan’s tour of India has been put back to November. Hectic times are ahead for Ricky Ponting’s side as they have a seven-match one-day tour of India scheduled shortly before the two Test match home series against Sri Lanka which starts on November 8. Australia’s two Tests against Sri Lanka are in Brisbane on November 8-12 and Hobart on November 16-20. Australia is also hosting the annual Chappell-Hadlee Series against New Zealand in Adelaide, Sydney and Hobart on December 14, 16 and 20, preceded by a Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in Perth on December 11.
— UNI
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Fletcher quits London, April 19 The ECB said it has accepted Fletcher’s resignation and he would be guiding the team for the last time on Saturday when England take on West Indies in their final World Cup match in Bridgetown, Barbados. Fletcher said he had made up his mind to resign during the course of the quadrennial event. “I discussed stepping down as head coach with the ECB prior to England’s game against Bangladesh,” he said in a statement issued by the ECB. “I feel it is in the team’s best interests over the long term that I should move on and seek a new challenge elsewhere. This has been a difficult winter for the team and for me, but I believe that my record over the past eight years is one in which I can take great pride.” Zimbabwean Fletcher took over the England reins in 1999 when Nasser Hussain was appointed the captain following a dismal World Cup performance at home. The start was as bad as it could get with New Zealand beating England 2-1 on their own soil for the first time. But the team picked up steam and went on to beat Pakistan in Pakistan, winning a Test there for the first time in 39 years, and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in 2000-01. Then, against all odds, the team came close to drawing a Test series in India in 2002. Having lost the first Test at Mohali convincingly, Hussain’s men held themselves on a dust bowl of a pitch at Ahmedabad. The team remained a weak one-day team and failed to make an impact in the 2003 World Cup. But the side continued to blossom in the Test arena and a change in leadership, with Michael Vaughan taking over from Hussain, brought even better results. Fletcher’s career as coach reached its high point when he masterminded England’s Ashes victory in the home summer of 2005. That Ashes triumph was their seventh successive series win, beginning with a 3-0 defeat of the West Indies in the Caribbean and included a 2-1 away success against South Africa. Fletcher, as were the rest of the team, was acknowledged for his effort with an OBE. But England’s fortunes nosedived. A spate of injuries, particularly to skipper Vaughan, saw them lose 2-0 in Tests on their visit to Pakistan. And although the team rallied under Andrew Flintoff to draw India 1-1, they were thrashed 1-5 in the one-dayers. There was some improvement the following summer, with the team holding a resurgent Sri Lanka 1-1 and beating Pakistan 3-0, including the forfeited Oval Test. With Vaughan on a lengthy layoff due to a chronic knee injury, the team failed to make it to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy in India. The worst was in store. A pumped-up Australia crushed them 5-0 to win back the Ashes Down Under. The return of Vaughan as captain seemed to work some magic as the team, without the dangerous Kevin Pietersen, bounced back to win the CB tri-series, beating the world champions 2-0 in the finals. But that failed to silence the voices calling for Fletcher’s head and a dismal performance in the mega event sealed his fate.
— PTI |
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Sachin set to be retained Mumbai, April 19 The national selectors have an unenviable task given the turmoil in Indian cricket following the team’s dismal performance in the World Cup and the subsequent exit of coach Greg Chappell. The BCCI’s directive, after the meeting of the all-powerful Working Committee here on April 7, to choose a young team has put the “five wise men” under severe pressure. Selection panel chief Dilip Vengsarkar and his colleagues Venkatapathy Raju, Bhupinder Singh, Sanjay Jagdale and Ranjib Biswal will hold discussions with captain Rahul Dravid, already appointed skipper for the tour as well as the subsequent visit to England and Ireland, and newly appointed manager Ravi Shastri before deciding the squads for the tour from May 7 to 29. Vengsarkar has indicated that around 20 players would be chosen for the two teams, but a wholesale sacking of the seniors appears unlikely. Tendulkar is expected to be chosen — along with another ex-captain Ganguly — after having given a satisfactory explanation to the BCCI for his outburst in the media against Chappell. However, other experienced campaigners, including Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar, might not escape the axe. The selectors would be focusing on the balance of the team, both in terms of age and cricketing abilities. Among the young guns waiting for national recognition are middle-order batsmen Manoj Tiwary of Bengal and Rohit Sharma of Mumbai.
— PTI
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Malinga set for semifinal return
St George’s, April 19 Malinga, who has taken 15 wickets at under 15 apiece at the tournament, has missed Sri Lanka’s last three matches after damaging left ankle ligaments. His latest absence didn’t prove costly, Sri Lanka dismissing Ireland for 77 in their final Super Eights match at Grenada’s National Stadium here yesterday with paceman Farveez Maharoof (four for 25) and Muttiah Muralitharan (four for 19) doing the damage. But while Sri Lanka quick Dilhara Fernando was nursing an ankle problem that saw him miss the Ireland match, Jayawardene was confident that Malinga, whose slingy action makes him difficult to face, would return for a last four clash where the 1996 champions are likely to face New Zealand. “He’s probably 90 per cent okay,” Jayawardene said of Malinga. “We probably should have played him on Wednesday but we didn’t want to take the risk. “We have almost a week before the next game. He’s bowled 10 overs in the nets on Wednesday morning. We just need to make sure he gradually comes up. We don’t want to take too many risks. He should be ready to go in the semifinals, definitely.” However, Jayawardene was less certain regarding Fernando’s fitness. “Dilhara played against Australia with an ankle problem. He had two injections in it and he needs to prove his fitness before the semifinals,” said the skipper. The Sabina Park pitch is likely to be the bounciest Sri Lanka have encountered so far during a World Cup played on mainly slow, low tracks. But Jayawardene said his side would relish the conditions. “We like bouncy wickets,” said the top-order strokeplayer, 39 not out against Ireland. “Like any other cricketers in the world, our batsmen love to play on bouncy tracks when the ball is coming on. “Obviously it’s very hard for batsmen to score runs when it’s not coming on and we’ve got a very decent bowling attack to complement those conditions. “We just need to go to Jamaica and have a look at it and adjust to it. That’s what we’ve done all through the World Cup.” — AFP
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Karachi, April 19 "We have spoken to Wright on this issue and he was interested," the official said. The PCB is finding a suitable replacement for Bob Woolmer who died while in the West Indies with the World Cup squad last month. The Board has still not ruled out the possibility of appointing a foreign coach in place of the late Woolmer. The official confirmed that several foreign and local candidates were under consideration, including Wright, also a former captain of the New Zealand team. Wright was coach of the Indian team from 2000 to early 2005 and led the team to its first series win in Pakistan in 2004. The PCB official said Tim Boon who is with Leicestershire was another contender for the post. — PTI
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Karachi, April 19 The 25-year-old Malik was formally named as the successor to Inzamam-ul Haq at a press conference in Lahore, pipping senior pro Mohammad Yousuf to do the job after first choice Younis Khan refused to take up the challenge for personal reasons. PCB Chairman Naseem Ashraf said Malik would be the captain till the end of the year in both Tests and one-day international cricket. "At the end of the year we will review his performance and decide for the future. But we have picked Malik with an eye on the future," he told reporters. "He is a unanimous choice. He is the best man to lead the team," said Ashraf, who was flanked by Malik himself. Malik has played 137 one-day internationals and 18 Tests and has been one of the most improving players of the country in recent years. He has earned the tag of being a useful utility player in both modes of the sport. Ashraf said he was confident that all the players including the seniors would support Malik. "These are difficult times for Pakistan cricket particularly after the World Cup. But we have to keep the future in mind and hopefully have a good team on its feet when the Champions Trophy is held in Pakistan in 2008," he said. Malik's selection over Yousuf is a clear indication that the Board is planning ahead for the future and in all probability Yousuf will not have a prominent role in Pakistan's one-day squad in the near future. PCB sources said they opted for Malik as the captain over more established names because they wanted a fresh start for the team. Malik came into the picture after Younis, who was deputy to Inzamam-ul-Haq since 2005, turned down the offer to lead the team few days back, saying that he was not in a position to take the pressure and stress of the job as he was disheartened with the response of the people to the players after the World Cup debacle. Inzamam stepped down as captain immediately after the team lost to minnows Ireland on March 17 in Kingston, Jamaica and were eliminated from the World Cup. He also retired from one-day internationals but was available to play in Test matches. Inzamam captained the team since November, 2003. — PTI
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Punjab enter Twenty20 final
Mumbai, April 19 Replying to an imposing Punjab score of 201 for 5, the bottom-placed Orissa succumbed to pressure and could manage just 130 for 7 at the Wankhede Stadium here today. Looking extremely comfortable on a true surface, Yuvraj belted eight boundaries and four sixes in his 39-ball knock of 70 to help Punjab record the highest total so far in the tournament. Giving Yuvraj fine support was another southpaw Dinesh Mongia (43), with the duo adding 91 runs in just 61 balls for the third wicket. Middle-order bastman Bipul Sharma with an unbeaten 26 off just 11 balls, played his part in helping Punjab cross the 200-run mark. With Punjab gaining their third victory in group A, the last match between Railways and Karnataka to be played later in the day remains of just academic interest. Brief scores: Punjab 201 for 5 in 20 overs (Yuvraj 70, Mongia 43); Orissa 130 for 7 in 20 overs (Jaychandra 39, Amit Uniyal 3 for 22).
— PTI
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Margao, April 19 Churchill Bros, who dictated terms in the first-half, scored through Odafe Okolie in the 24th minute. Dempo, who looked disorganised in the first-half, found their rhythm in the second-half as they scored through Ranty Martins (48th, 61st) and Roberto Silva (65th). The win put Dempo level with Mahindra United with 26 points from 14 matches. However, the Goan side moved to the top as they have a better goal difference of plus four against Mahindra United. Churchill Bros remained on fourth place with 19 points from 14 matches. Ranty was awarded the Man of the Match. Churchill Bros, after missing a couple of chances surged ahead in 24th minute through a penalty. The penalty was awarded after defender John Dias brought down George Ekeh inside the box when the striker was in a position to score. Okolie who took the penalty made no mistake in converting it. Dempo found the equaliser soon after resumption in the 48th minute. Defender Valeriano Rebelo sent a measured cross inside the box to Ranty whose powerful header found the far post beating keeper Vinay Singh all ends. The goal came at just the tight time and Dempo eventually took the lead in the 61st minute. Roberto Silva who controlled the midfield relayed the ball to Clifford Miranda on the left and the latter sent a goal mouth cross which Ranty tapped in from close. Roberto Silva than took advantage of a defensive lapse to increase the lead in the 65th minute off a pass by Valeriano Rebelo. — PTI
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Malmo (Sweden), April 19 Parimarjan, with his black pieces, played an imaginative game and cornered Hector in a long drawn endgame. The opening day of this category-13, 10-players round robin event, in fact, was a spectator’s delight as all the five games ended decisively. Winning in quick time was top seed Ivan Cheparinov of Bulgaria who cruised past highest rated Swede Emanuel Berg, while defending champion Jan Timman caught local hopeful Emil Hermansson in a tactical manoeuvre to romp home with ease. The other winners in the first round were Vasilios Kotronias of Greece and Tiger-Hillarp Persson of Sweden defeating Erwin L’Ami of Holland and Swede Pontus Carlsson, respectively. Parimarjan gave an emphatic all round display but towards the end he was a bit lucky to get a full point as Hector went haywire while trying to win. For the records, it was a Sicilian Nazdorf while Hector went for a topical variation that netted him little. Parimarjan got a better middle game with deft manoeuvres and should have been winning around move 25 itself but for a couple of inaccuracies. — PTI
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PM’s explanation sought on Aiyar’s remarks
New Delhi, April 19 “While the Prime Minister and his Cabinet decided to support India’s bid for the Asiad, a member of his Cabinet publicly opposed the bid which proved fatal for India’s chances to host the games,” Malhotra said in a statement issued today. The BJP leader said he would raise the issue in Parliament and bring a privilege motion. Aiyar had opposed India’s bid when the matter came up before the Union Cabinet which, however, approved it after which the IOA delegation flew to Kuwait. But the games were awarded to the South Korean city of Incheon by the 45-member Olympic Council Asia (OCA) at the conclusion of its two-day General Assembly there. Malhotra said in the past India’s bids were successful during the reign of the Janata government and the NDA government, respectively. The NDA had supported the IOA in 2003 in its bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games and in 1978 the Janata government had backed the bid to host the 1982 Asiad. — PTI
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169 junior coaches to be recruited
Chandigarh, April 19 Ranike said a sports cluster of five villages each would be set-up in Punjab, where sports infrastructure would be provided. He called upon the district sports officers to work in close coordination with village panchayats, sports and youth clubs, so as to identify hidden talent in the villages. Ranike said three new national-level stadiums would be established at Mansa, Barnala and Tarn Taran.
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Atwal to tee off at Zurich Classic
Avondale, April 19 Atwal, who has only a limited PGA Tour card this season, has played only three events on the Tour and made just one cut, way back in February at AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, where he was tied 36th. Since then he missed cuts at Maykoba Classic in Mexico and Honda Classic and has also suffered from back problems. This week Atwal is playing with Johnson Wagner and Grant Waite. Also in the field is Daniel Chopra
— PTI
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Doping courses at NIS end Patiala, April 19 The two courses, held for medical and non-medical officers were convened by Dr P.K. Ramesh, scientific officer (sports medicine). The DCO course for medical officers was held on April 16 and 17 while the DSO course for non-medicos was held on April 18 and 19. 20 doctors and 50 students from all over North India participated in the DCO and DSO courses respectively. The students were imparted exhaustive knowledge about the various aspects of doping in sports as per the guidelines laid down by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Dr Ramesh along with his students gave presentations and demonstrations along with his lectures. The students were told about the prohibited drugs in the field of sports and also about the duties of the doping officers. They were given video presentations of the sampling process at the Olympics, followed by two-hour practicals. They were also made aware of food supplements which are contaminated with prohibited drugs and which, if consumed by sportspersons, can make them test positive for doping. Students were also given detailed information about the WADA, the various courses it offers, how the samples are tested in the laboratories, what equipments are used and what is done if the samples test positive. At the end of the last session, students were given a questionnaire, which all the students cleared, with 80 per cent of them getting distinction and two obtaining full marks. "These courses were meant to help students and we would want such courses to be held regularly," said Dr Ramesh. "This is an initiative of the SAI and we want that everyone should be made aware of the menace of doping," he added. The participants were given certificates of competency at the end of the two-day courses. |
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London, April 19
Sri Lanka showed Ireland who the boss was with a display that would have also rung alarm-bells for New Zealand, whom they clash with next week for a place in the final of the 2007 World Cup. After beating Pakistan in their Group match and Bangladesh in the Super 8 encounter, Ireland may have thought that sub-continental teams are easy meat, but the Lankans demonstrated to them that they are temperamentally far stronger than other subcontinental teams.
The encounter between the Trans-Tasman neighbours may witness some attractive and ‘carefree’ cricket. Both sides have already entered the semifinals, and it appears that Australia will top the points-table even if they lose, thanks to their impressive net run-rate. New Zealand will play Sri Lanka on Tuesday and Australia will take on South Africa on Wednesday.