S P O R T S

Allrounders drive the Proteas
Chandigarh, June 1
All rounders have always been the strength of the Proteas. And this South African squad is no different. Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong and Roelof van der Merwe are all all rounders capable of lending solidity to the sqaud, though with varying degree of success.

India favourites with bookies
At 7-2, British bookmakers have bravely reposed faith in India to win the ICC World Twenty20 (WT20) competition. South Africa, the number one ranked one-day side, are the second favourites at 9-2. “Bravely” because, considering the dark uncertainty of Twenty20, it would be quite remarkable if India retained the title.

Aussies win warm up match
Australia, spurred to a daunting total by a thumping opening partnership, clinched a facile victory over Bangladesh in Nottingham. 

India begin on losing note
India lost to New Zealand in their warmup match at Lords’ by nine runs despite a spirited bowling effort by Ishant Sharma and some fine batting display by Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.

Ireland win in Super Over
Ireland 135 for 7 (Botha 35, Seelar 3-28) tied with Netherlands 135 for 9 (ten Doeschate 29, McCallan 3-32, Rankin 2-24). 

Federer survives Haas scare Paris, June 1 World number two Roger Federer had one foot in the grave before rediscovering his touch to down Germany's Tommy Hass 6-7 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Monday. Roger Federer reacts after winning his match against Tommy Haas at Roland Garros on Monday. Federer won 5-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. — AFP

Allrounders drive the Proteas
Gopal Sharma
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 1
All rounders have always been the strength of the Proteas. And this South African squad is no different. Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Justin Ontong and Roelof van der Merwe are all all rounders capable of lending solidity to the sqaud, though with varying degree of success.

Among other factors, it is the presence of such two-in-one players that makes South Africa a serious contenders as they go into the fortnight-long ICC T20 World Cup starting this week. The team that replaced Australia as No 1 ODI team recently, has been on a roll. With impressive victories, including those against Australia in both the forms of the game, under their belt, the Proteas will be the team to beat in the competition.

Led by daughty Graeme Smith, the team has a fine blend of youth and experience as it begins quest to win any major ICC world title that has eluded them for long. Formwise, the Proteas look set to remove the ‘anomaly’.

In fiery Dale Steyn the South Africans have a perfect bowling spearhead having the ability to cut through any top order batting line-up on his day. In Morkel brothers and Yusuf Abdulla they have fine back-up seam options for Steyn.

Morkel is out and out a fast bowler having the wherewithal to rattle any batting line-up with sheer pace, Albie is somewhat like Lance Kluesener or an Andrew Hall, capable of clean hitting besides getting crucial breakthroughs for his side.

Roelof van der Merwe is an orthodox left-arm spinner having immense control over his deliveries. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate with some big hitting, could be a boon for the side.

It is the inclusion of Kallis, who was controvercially omitted for the 2007 edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa, that restores a fine balance to the squad. Highlighting his importance to the side SA coach Micky Arthur reportedly observed that Kallis was two players rolled into one. Comes off the back of a useful outing at the IPL where he made 361 runs at 27.76 for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kallis will be raring to go and vindicate his selection to the T20 squad.

Young Wayne Parnell, who skippered under-19 squad last year, is a seamer capable of notching runs in the middle order.

For someone like Yusuf Abdulla the success has been meteoric. Within a short time span, the 26-year-old Abdulla first established himself as the most consistent seamer in South Africa and then gave Kings XI Punjab bowling attack some bite, finishing his IPL stint with impressive 14-wicket haul.

The IPL proved a boon for an out-of-form Gibbs. The hard-hitting opening batsman and a fielder par excellence, Gibbs played some crucial knocks for his team. He would be too keen to carry his IPL form that saw him amass 371 runs, the second highest from Deccan Chargers after skipper Adam Gilchrist, at 33.72 per match with four fifties.

Smith himself didn't enjoy as productive a tournament managing 212 runs at 19.27 in his 12 matches for Rajasthan Royals. But he is too good a player to be kept quiet for too long. The dashing South Africa captain is a big occasion player and unlikely to miss out on the opportunities in a competition as big as this.

With players like Smith, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, JP Duminy, Herscelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Yusuf Abdulla, Albie Morkel, Morney Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Styne and Roelof van der Merwe gaining initial match practice in the Indian Premier League, South Africa will will not find it tough to find the momentum.

Coach Mickey Arthur revealed his satisfaction with the squad saying that it had everthing needed to take the team far. All rounders, a batting line-up which extended up to No 9 or 10, flexibility and strong fielding were the reasons listed by the coach. Surely, any team taking the Proteas taking the team lightly will do so at its own risk.

India favourites with bookies
Ashis Ray writes from London

At 7-2, British bookmakers have bravely reposed faith in India to win the ICC World Twenty20 (WT20) competition. South Africa, the number one ranked one-day side, are the second favourites at 9-2. “Bravely” because, considering the dark uncertainty of Twenty20, it would be quite remarkable if India retained the title. They embark on their first warm-up game against New Zealand on Monday; and play their opener versus Bangaladesh on 6 June.

Australia have this time can be expected to be fully focussed. Matthew Hayden, the highest run-getter in the last WT20, asserted: “You don’t get to be test number one and one-day number one side in the world without great talent, skills, tenacity; you know all the characteristics that define great champions.”

If form in the Indian Premier League is any guide, South Africa with Hershelle Gibbs, Abrahan de Villiers and Jean Paul Duminy in their ranks, not to mention skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis, will be hard to subdue. But they need Dale Steyn’s bowling to be back to its best.

England, accustomed to their own conditions (where the ball can be expected to swing), cannot be ignored either. But they will miss the economy of Andrew Flintoff’s bowling; and also need the powerful Kevin Pietersen to fire.

Indian coach Gary Kirsten has expressed concern about the weariness of his players (who arrived here on Friday evening) after the exhaustive cricket they have indulged in. For years, this correspondent has exposed in these columns the insensitivity of the BCCI in respect of driving the national team, disregarding the importance of key series and tournaments.

Adam Gilchrist, captain of the victorious Deccan Chargers in the IPL, pointed out India will be the only squad in the WT20 who would have fully participated in the strenuous, just concluded 37-day IPL. He almost gleefully remarked he’ll be watching the WT20 with “great interest”.

But Sunil Gavaskar felt the strains of IPL engagement may not matter that much. “They (members of the Indian contingent) are all young and if the weather in England is cool (which it should when the matches take place in the evenings), it shouldn’t make much of a difference.”

India have inexperienced Ireland and relatively un-fancied Bangladesh in their group (one of four), which analysts think will mean a cakewalk into the “Super Eight”. But these prospective opponents, don’t forget, became giant-killers in the 2007 World Cup, including Bangladesh eliminating India. In the WT20 in South Africa, too, the Bangladeshis beat the West Indies.

However, assuming there are no early hiccups, India would proceed to a cluster in the Super Eight, which would otherwise comprise of England, Australia and South Africa. The winners and runners-up from this formation would qualify for the semi-finals.

Group C in the initial stage is the unenviable one, with Australia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in it. One of these three will naturally be ejected; whereas either Bangladesh or Ireland will enter the last eight.

Zaheer Khan, seasoned and ideal for English conditions, is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the IPL. Besides, Ishant Sharma’s lack of wickets in the same championship suggested he may be on the brink of overkill. Last but not the least, Gautam Gambhir shaped rather indifferently.

On the other hand, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha and R P Singh looked capable of running into top gear.

Aussies win warm up match

Australia’s Shane Watson returns to the pavilion after being dismissed against Bangladesh during a warm up match at Trent Bridge on Monday. — AFP

Australia, spurred to a daunting total by a thumping opening partnership, clinched a facile victory over Bangladesh in Nottingham. From the start it was apparent that Australia were going to dominate, what with Bangladesh's medium-pacers leaking runs and Tamim Iqbal reprieving Brad Haddin in the first over. Haddin and Shane Watson - who slammed a 21-ball half-century - made Bangladesh pay and though Mahmuddulah's four wickets ensured Australia didn't post a mammoth total, the favourites clearly had enough runs. Bangladesh's top order chased hard, but following Shakib Al Hasan's dismissal for a sprightly 54 in the 14th over the wheels fell off.

Brief Scores:

Australia 219/6 ( Watson 52, Haddin 47; Mahmudullah 4 for 37, S Al Hasan 1 for 31)

Bangladesh 181/7 ( S Al Hasan 54, Mahmudullah 31; Johnson 3 for 21, Bracken 2 for 32).

Australia won by 38 runs

India begin on losing note

India lost to New Zealand in their warmup match at Lords’ by nine runs despite a spirited bowling effort by Ishant Sharma and some fine batting display by Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina.

Brief Scores: 
New Zealand: 170 for 7 (Taylor 41, B McCullum 31; Ishant 4 for 25, Harbhajan 1 for 22).

India: 161 for 6 (Raina 45, Jadeja 41 n.o., Vettori 3 for 24, Oram 1 for 18).

Ireland win in Super Over

Ireland 135 for 7 (Botha 35, Seelar 3-28) tied with Netherlands 135 for 9 (ten Doeschate 29, McCallan 3-32, Rankin 2-24). Ireland won via the Super Over

Dirk Nannes had thought he had won it for Netherlands after bowling the Super Over which went for five runs, but alert fielding and four accurate deliveries from Trent Johnston ensured the honours belonged to Ireland.

It was a enthralling contest between the associates which resulted in a tie at Lord's. The entertainment was for all to see as Ireland failed to pull it off with nine needed off the final over from Pieter Seelar. Regan West's club towards deep midwicket with two required off the final delivery yielded only one and the match heading for Super Over.

Federer survives Haas scare

Paris, June 1
World number two Roger Federer had one foot in the grave before rediscovering his touch to down Germany's Tommy Hass 6-7 5-7 6-4 6-0 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the French Open on Monday. The 27-year-old Swiss, chasing the only grand slam title to have eluded him, was two sets and 3-4 down facing a break point when he recovered to hold serve and went on to win eight games in a row.

Paes-Dlouhy in semis, Bhupathi out