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Coaching India will be a challenge: Whatmore
Bangladesh’s outgoing coach Dav Whatmore addresses a press conference in Dhaka on Monday. — AFP
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Aussie Test player Ron Archer dead
England’s Ryan Sidebottom celebrates after dismissing Devon Smith of the West Indies on the fourth day of the second Test at Headingley, Leeds, on Monday. — Reuters photo
FICA plans to boycott 2008 Champions Trophy
Henin advances
Hockey team didn’t misbehave: ADGP
Sania back in top 50
Chidi, Gawli sign up for Dempo
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Coaching India will be a challenge: Whatmore
Dhaka, May 28 “It is a logical extension to a bigger challenge. It is the right step forward in the learning process as a coach,” said outgoing Bangladesh coach Whatmore. “After four years you need a different challenge. I was asked by the Bangladesh Cricket Board to continue, but I thought it was time to move forward,” the Australian said. Whatmore in an interaction with the media said he had not yet taken over as the India coach, despite speculations to that effect. “I am not India’s coach. There have been speculations. It is just that a talk with the BCCI. To say that I have already been appointed is not true,” Whatmore said. Whatmore said the fact that several boards had approached him was a “humbling” experience. He said coaches did have a shelf life. “Sure they do. It relates to the success they have had and not necessarily deal only with the World Cup every four years,” he said. Whatmore said the basic differences in coaching sub-continent teams from England and Australia was that of the cultural difference. “There is a basic difference in the cultural upbringing,” he said. Whatmore, however, rejected the idea that other teams should follow Australian style of playing to rise up to the level of the world champions. “The idea is not to bring their game and philosophy or playing style here. They have a style that suits them in their country. “India, Sri lanka and Pakistan have their style and Bangladesh is learning to understand what style suits them best. The countries should perfect their respective styles and then they can hopefully do well. “The basic fabric of cricket India Sri Lanka and Pakistan is not going to change,” he added. Whatmore also believes the captain is the boss of a team. “Definitely, captain is the boss. He is in-charge of the team,” Whatmore said at a media interaction here. Pointing out that the job of a cricket coach was still evolving, Whatmore said, “it’s the players who make a coach. They are the ones who have to go to the battlefield. The coach creates an environment where the best in the boys come out.” Asked if it was proper to put the blame on the coach if a team loses, he said, “when a team wins, the players get the accolades. And so, when a team loses, everyone should share responsibility.” To a query if he was in favour of the coach having the voting right in selection committee meetings, the former Australian batsman said he had a flexible stand on that. “I had a vote in selection meetings in Bangladesh. But if you ask me whether I subscribe to that, I will say I don’t. It all depends on the situation in a particular country,” he said. Whatmore, on how he would handle the Indian superstars and their varying egos, said a coach should be able to communicate to all sorts of players. “Part of the coach’s job is to be able to communicate differently with all sorts of players with the single aim of enabling the team to win,” he
said. — PTI
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It was a cakewalk
India did what all Indians believed they should have done in the World Cup; beat Bangladesh quite easily in both the one-dayers as well as the Test series. Since Bangladesh had played well against the Indians in the World Cup and sent them packing, it was expected by many in Bangladesh that this would be a close contest. Even in India, there were some who thought that India would not find it easy, at least in the one-day games. In the event, India carried just too much firepower, especially on the flat pitches in Bangladesh, and with that neutralising the Bangla bowling, it was a cakewalk for the batsmen to make merry against an attack, which had no teeth and very little by way of variety and imagination. It’s here that Bangladesh suffered the most, for even allowing for the fact that Habibul Bashar is not the wiliest of skippers, it was clear that he had little help, and if anything, the lack of tactical input was exposed by the decision to field first in the last Test as well as that of not trying for a win in the first Test when the target was achievable with some bold batting. Mohammad Ashraful showed in that counterattack in the second innings in the second Test how the initiative could be taken from the Indians, and the fact that he was not promoted as well as Mashrafe Mortaza in the second innings of the first Test showed that Bangladesh had little tactical help. Habibul Bashar can be blamed for bowling changes or field-placing because that’s a decision taken on the field and according to the situation that exists then, but to decide to promote a batsman, especially while the captain is at the crease, is taken in the dressing-room, and that didn’t happen. The decision to field first also is one that is taken by the captain along with the think-tank, and it’s again not a spur-of-the-moment one, but a considered one. India’s batting, which had let the team down in the World Cup, came good with a vengeance, and the top five batsmen got centuries in the two-Test series. Sachin Tendulkar, who had copped most of the flak for the debacle in the World Cup, got two tons in the oppressive conditions, which is a tribute to his staying power, though it may not have been a great test of his undoubted skills, and these knocks will make him look forward to the bigger battles ahead. The crucial thing is, just like winning is a habit, so also is scoring centuries. The other important century was from the blade of Wasim Jaffer, because it came after a pair in the first Test and spoke volumes of the calm temperament of the opener. He and Dinesh Karthik make a good pair with the Tamil Nadu batsman batting with a great sense of responsibility and showing good technique too. Rahul Dravid missed out on two tons, having got out in the 60s in the first Test, but he made sure that he didn’t miss the next time, with a strokeful aggressive ton in the second Test, and the surprise was that he didn’t convert it into a double ton. That could be put down to the heat and humidity, and the conditions were such that even the fittest of guys would have struggled. Full credit though to the Indian bowlers, especially Zaheer who has shown what improved fitness can do. After he was left out of the side, he made a special effort to get fitter, and that has showed on the field with good incisive bowling with plenty of fire and the willingness to bowl long spells. With Sreesanth out due to injury, R.P. Singh grabbed his chance and was impressive with his line and length. He can be deceptive in his pace off the pitch, because he has such an easy run-up, and many a Bangla batsman was taken by surprise with the bounce that he got with good use of the wrist. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s task was probably the toughest, for a wicketkeeper has no respite at all, and he too showed what a magnificently fit cricketer he is by being lively at all times and snaffling some great diving catches. The Indian catching was generally of a high class, though some simple chances were grassed, but the ground-fielding needs a lot more work. India’s win should take away to some extent the bitter taste of the World Cup and put it in good heart for the long season ahead. — PMG
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Sachin pulls out of Afro-Asia Cup
Kuala Lumpur, May 28 Dilhara Fernando and Mashrafe Mortaza were the other two new faces in the squad after Shoaib Akhtar and Chaminda Vaas and Lasitha Malinga made themselves unavailable for the series. Selectors of the second Afro-Asia Cup — ASM Farooque, Chetan Chauhan, Mohsin Khan and Lalith Kaluperuma — named the revised squad. The three ODI matches will be held on June 6, 9 and 10, preceded by the Twenty20 match in Bangalore on June 5. Asian ODI team: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Yousuf, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Mashrafe Mortaza, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Rafique, Dilhara Fernando and Upul Tharanga. Twenty20 squad: Shoaib Malik (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imran Nazir, Mohammad Ashraful, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Abdur Razzak, Farveez Maharoof, Mashrafe Mortaza and S. Sreesanth. — PTI
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Aussie Test player Ron Archer dead
Sydney, May 28 Archer died of lung cancer at the age of 73, Cricket Australia said today. His death comes just two days after his former team-mate and “Invincibles” fast bowler Bill Johnston died at the age of 85. Archer played in 19 Tests as an all-rounder between 1953 and 1956, scoring 713 runs at 24.58, including a top score of 128 against the West Indies, and taking 48 wickets at 27.45, with best bowling figures of 5-53. The Queensland player was groomed to replace Keith Miller in the Australian team, but he was forced to retire after just 19 Tests by knee injuries at the age of 23. His older brother, Ken, now 79, played five Tests for Australia as an opening batsman. “Archer had a brief and very successful Test career which was tragically cut short by an injury of the type that modern sports medicine would today probably have overcome,” Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O’Connor said in a statement. “But while his international playing career was too short, he still devoted an energetic and cheerful lifetime of support to the game that he loved, contributing right up until his final summer.” Archer worked as a volunteer administrator, match referee, Code of Conduct Commissioner and through Lords Taverners. “His work was rewarded with life membership of Queensland Cricket, and with the deep affection of all those who knew him,” O’Connor said. — AFP
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Windies hit rock bottom
Leeds, May 28 The West Indies, following on after their first-innings total of 146, were all out for 141 in the third over after tea on the fourth day and never threatened England’s 570 for seven declared. Left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom claimed eight wickets for 86 runs in the second Test of his career and his first in six years after failing to take a single victim on debut. England required only nine wickets in the second innings as West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan was unable to bat because of a shoulder injury that may force him off the tour. The West Indies’ heaviest Test loss previously was by an innings and 237 runs against England at the Oval 50 years ago. Scoreboard
England (1st innings) 570-7 dec West Indies (1st innings) 146 West Indies
(2nd innings) Gayle c Prior b Plunkett 13 Ganga lbw Sidebottom 9 Powell lbw Sidebottom 0 Smith c Strauss b Sidebottom 16 Joseph lbw Sidebottom 1 Morton c Prior b Harmison 25 Bravo c Plunkett b Panesar 52 Ramdin lbw Harmison 5 Taylor b Harmison 0 Collymore not out 0 Sarwan absent hurt 0 Extras
(b-1, lb-14, nb-5) 20 Total (all out, 42.1 overs) 141 Fall of wickets:
1-20, 2-22, 3-30, 4-47, 5-57, 6-120, 7-141, 8-141, 9-141. Bowling:
Sidebottom 15-4-44-4, Plunkett 8-1-25-1, Harmison 13.1-3-37-3, Panesar 6-1-20-1.
— Reuters
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FICA plans to boycott 2008 Champions Trophy
London, May 28 “Strike would be too strong a word. We are more or less satisfied with arrangements for the first Twenty20 World Cup in September, but unless we see signs of a will to change, players could withhold their support for the next Champions Trophy. It’s the tournament the players are least happy about,” FICA Chief Executive Richard Bevan was quoted as saying in The Times. The 2008 edition of the biennial event is to be held in Pakistan. Bevan said the players were concerned with the decision-making process of the ICC, the game’s world body. “Our frustration is that we have 10 Test-playing countries voting politically on some issues such as who will succeed Sonn,” Bevan said. “They take cricketing and commercial decisions that are often not linked with one another. A more independent administration is needed,” Bevan said. The FICA representatives - Bevan, Tim May of Australia and Tony Irish of South Africa - would meet with the ICC executives in Dubai later this week to find if there were efforts from the latter to reform its decision-making process. The latest crisis between FICA and the ICC arouse after a majority of international cricketers had shown dissatisfaction over the latter’s scheduling of tournaments which is resulting in players’ burnout. Moreover, the professional cricketers’ body also want that less of the income generated by game’s governing body should go to essentially amateur countries for the development of the game’s infrastructure. Earlier this month, FICA released a report stating 56 per cent of players were not satisfied and lacked confidence in the ICC’s ability to govern the game. ICC to appoint acting chief soon
Dubai: The International Cricket Council will soon appoint an acting president in place of Percy Sonn. The former South African board president died in Cape Town after developing complications from a colon operation. Sir John Anderson of New Zealand and Malaysian Prince Tunku Imran are said to be in the running for the post vacated after the demise of the 57-year-old South African. The acting president would chair the ICC’s annual meeting in London in the third week of June. Sonn’s tenure, originally up to 2008, was extended to 2009 after the ICC Executive Board failed to find a consensus on naming his successor. BCCI president Sharad Pawar and his England counterpart David Morgan are the two contenders.
— PTI, UNI
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Wentworth, May 28 The title went to Anders Hansen who edged out Justine Rose in the play-off. Hansen shot a final round of three-under 69 to catch up with Rose (71) as they both ended at eight-under 280. Hansen then won the play-off at Wentworth Club, Surrey, holing a tremendous 25-foot birdie putt. Jeev was going great gun after racing through a sparkling front nine at three-under 32. Resuming his journey, Jeev parred the 10th hole before dropping three shots over the next three holes following a bogey on the 11th and a double bogey on the 13th. Jeev parred the next five holes to complete his outing with an even-par round to total three-under for the tournament. He shared the 12th slot with seven others, including Paul Casey, Lee Westwood and Peter Lawrie. In his front nine, Jeev had back-to-back birdies on the third and fourth holes and another similar set on eighth and ninth. In between, he did drop a shot on par-three fifth but that was just an aberration. At six-under, Jeev was in title contention as overnight leaders Paul Broadhurst (80) and Ross Fisher (84) faded on the first few holes itself. Among Jeev’s compatriots, Jyoti Randhawa (78) and Shiv Kapur (81) ended tied 60th and tied 67th respectively, after signing off with nightmarish rounds. Randhawa had just two birdies against six bogeys and one double bogey, while it was worse with Kapur, who stuttered to his second successive round of 81. Atwal ends up
tied 14th
Mitchville: Arjun Atwal rediscovered his putting touch to return a second successive card of four-under 68 to finish tied 14th in the US Nationwide Tour at the Prince George’s County Open here. Atwal, who was tied 71st after the first round, fired an eagle and four birdies against a couple of bogeys to take his total to 11-under 277. Paul Claxton shot a bogey-free final-round 67 to win the title by one stroke over Jaco Van Zyl and James Driscoll.
— PTI
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Henin advances
Paris, May 28 In an opening-day programme decimated by a six-hour rain delay, Belgian top seed Henin, bidding for a third successive title here and fourth in all, saw off Russian 20-year-old Elena Vesnina 6-4, 6-3. Henin wrapped up victory in 89 minutes and will face Austrian 16-year-old Tamira Paszek, who took a set off her in Dubai in February, for a place in the third round. Paszek is the youngest player at Roland Garros this year. Vesnina, the world number 65, squandered her best chance of creating a shock when she had two points to lead 4-1 in the second set. But once the Belgian had rediscovered her composure, the result was never in doubt. “It was a hard, tough day and the weather will be like this for the rest of the week,” said Henin playing her first Grand Slam event since the break-up of her marriage. Former world number one Venus Williams overcame a stuttering start to beat teenage French wildcard Alize Cornet 6-4, 6-3 to reach the second round today. After a delay of almost three hours because of rain, Venus was out of sorts early on and the pair were locked at 4-4 before the American, seeded 26, reeled off eight of the next 11 games for victory. Cornet, the world number 118, twice recovered breaks in the first set but Venus, looking to win the title for the first time, then broke for a third time to forge ahead. Davydenko moves up
World number four Nikolay Davydenko stormed through to the second round of the French Open with a thumping 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 win over unheralded Italian Stefano Galvani in a rain-delayed contest today. Russia’s Davydenko, a quarterfinalist here last year and a semi-finalist the year before, was never in trouble in a match that started three hours late because of miserable weather in the French capital. Davydenko, 25, broke his opponent in the sixth game of the first set, which he later wrapped up with an ace after 32 minutes.
— AFP, Reuters
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Hockey team didn’t misbehave: ADGP
Chandigarh, May 28 Referring to a report received in this regard from Cdr Kehar Singh, honorary secretary of the Bombay Hockey Association Limited, Mumbai, Gupta has added that no untoward incident took place during the match, even though there “seems to have been some commotion about alleged misbehaviour” by the Punjab Police players. In a communication to The Tribune, Gupta has quoted the report to say that Punjab Police players were “well-behaved, mannered and disciplined throughout their outings in the Gold Cup and during their stay in Mumbai”. Describing the news item as “wrong”, he said the report appears to have been based on false information or is possibly a result of a “move by someone to discredit Punjab Police”. “Such news items cause irreparable loss of prestige in the eyes of the public,” he added.
— TNS
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Sania back in top 50
New Delhi, May 28 In the French Open, she will face Italian Alberta Brianti. In doubles, Sania and her new partner Eva Birnerova of Czech Republic will be up against top seeded American-Aussie duo of Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur in the opening round. She had won the doubles title in Morocco and reached the final in Istanbul with different partners.
— PTI, UNI
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Chidi, Gawli sign up for Dempo
New Delhi, May 28 “We have signed Chidi and Gawli for the new season and I hope this will further strengthen the side,” coach Armando Colaco said on the sidelines of the Super Cup match at Gurgaon yesterday which they lost 0-4 to Federation Cup winners Mohun Bagan. He said his club would have the services of most of the players from the just-concluded season which saw them win the National Football League. Dempo have had a fine 2006-07 season winning the Goa League, the Durand Cup and the NFL. They have also qualified for the AFC Asia Cup as NFL champions. Meanwhile, Viva Kerala, newly promoted from the NFL second division to the first one, are reportedly negotiating for Dempo’s Nigerian defender Majek Bolaji.
— UNI
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Dhaka, May 28
In video: Kapil
slams BCCI, senior players. (
