Centurion, September 22
South Africa’s decision to field in the Champions Trophy opener backfired and the world was again witness to why their ability in major tournaments has long been questioned. A promising start by Dale Steyn swiftly turned into a run-fest in Centurion as Tillakaratne Dilshan set the tone with an exceptional century, which was followed by some more fine batting as Mahela Jayawardene ensured Sri Lanka didn’t lose steam after a double blow.

Lanka have lost only once after posting a 300-plus total in ODIs and, with Muttiah Muralitharan back, the masters of asphyxiation will take the field extremely confident.

Smith had a smile on his face when the toss went his way and Steyn nipped out Sanath Jayasuriya, but it was soon replaced by a frown. While Steyn bowled four tidy overs, the rest of the pace attack sprayed the ball around. The first to feel Dilshan's force was Wayne Parnell, whose opening spell suggested he was a tad awed by sharing the new ball with Steyn in the tournament opener.

Parnell, preferred to Makhaya Ntini, struggled to hit a consistent length and went for 39 in five overs. When he dropped fractionally short Dilshan hammered him through midwicket and slashed past backward point; when he tried a slower ball Dilshan scooped him from off stump over Mark Boucher for four. It was a recurring leitmotif in those early overs, Parnell dragging the ball down and Dilshan pinging the deep point and midwicket boundaries.

The first ten overs yielded 70 yet Smith opted for the second Powerplay and introduced Albie Morkel. Dilshan welcomed him with a four, raised his half-century with another thrash, and finished off the 14th over by smashing a free hit for six over midwicket.

South Africa went in with two spinners and, while they stemmed the flow of boundaries, Sri Lanka ticked along at more than six an over. Johan Botha and Roelof van der Merwe bowled decently but lacked bite; Sangakkara eschewed the risks and was the ideal second fiddle to Dilshan. — Agencies

Scoreboard
Sri Lanka:
Dilshan c Morkel b Steyn 106 (92)
Jayasuriya lbw b Steyn 10 (9)
Sangakkara c & b Duminy 54 (74)
Jayawardene c Duminy b Parnell 77 (61)
Samaraweera c van der Merwe b Parnell 37 (47)
Mathews b Steyn 15 (14)
Kandamby c Duminy b Parnell 6 (5)
Kulasekara run out 1 (1)
Muralitharan not out 0 (0)
Extras (lb 5, w 5, nb 3) 13
Total (8 wickets; 50 overs) 319
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-174, 3-181, 4-297, 5-297, 6-314, 7-317, 8-319.
Bowling: Steyn 9-2-47-3, Parnell 10-0-79-3, Kallis 7-0-43-0, A Morkel 4-0-39-0, Botha 9-0-53-0, van der Merwe 10-0-42-0, Duminy 1-0-11-1.

New Delhi, September 22
With little over five months left for next year's FIH hockey World Cup, India chief coach Jose Brasa said it would be unrealistic to expect anything extraordinary from the eight-time Olympic champions in the mega event to be held here from February 28 to March 13.

Although the Spaniard is optimistic about the hosts' good showing in next year's three major tournaments -- the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, Brasa said his goal is to come out victorious in at least two out of the three events. “We will try to win all three or atleast two tournaments. But the World Cup is too close and there is hardly any time left to assure you something extraordinary,” Brasa told PTI.

“We are doing everything that is in our hand. We are utilising every single minute of training. The swine flu has hampered our camp in Pune for two weeks but now we are training well in all the aspects,” he said.

Incidentally, it was Brasa who roped in Jesus Garcia Pallares as the physical trainer of Indian team but barely three months after his appointment, Pallares quit the job citing lack of professionalism in the working of the Sports Authority of India.

An annoyed Brasa, however, termed his decision as a wrong one and said by doing so Pallares broke his own promise. “He took the wrong decision. Nobody take such a severe decision without notice. He broke the 30-day notice clause of his contract. He left me here alone without the support of any physical trainer and broke the word given to me,” Brasa said.

Interestingly, Brasa himself is unhappy with the slow functioning of the SAI, but said he is trying hard to adapt to the system and hoped that his association with India would be longstanding. “Things are very slow in India in general but adapting to them will be beneficial to us rather than just getting desperate,” the veteran coach said.

“The equipments are coming. The Sports Minister, MS Gill has promised me face to face that all the equipments will be here in our hands when we will comeback from Canada in the beginning of November,” he added. The Indian team, which is presently undergoing a camp in Pune, will be flying to Canada next month for seven Tests starting October 9. — PTI

Chandigarh, September 22
Indian Railway got the better of ITC by 23 runs in a truncated match of 39 overs each side at PCA Stadium, Mohali. ITC won the toss and elected to field. Railways started with Faiz Fazal and Chelburaj and duo put on 90 runs for the opening partnership before Chelburaj was caught by Pradeep of Hardevinder for 46 off 36 balls with 8x4s. Former Test star Sanjay Bangar did not last long being bowled by Sumit Dhiman for 5. T.P Singh (24) Yere Gouda (24) not out were the ones who helped Faiz Fazal to reach his business like century (115) off 97 balls inclusive of 11x4s and 2 sixes. The Railway innings ended at 252 for 8 in 39 overs.

In the 2nd match at GMMS Sector 26 Indian Oil defeated HPCA by 98 runs and got five points including a bonus in a match reduced to 37 overs because of early morning showers. Winning the toss HPCA put Indian Oil Corporation in to bat and they scored 232 for 6 in 37 overs Ajinkya Rahane 42 of 76 balls with 4 fours Mandar Phadke 31 of 30 balls played an able foil to skipper Wasim Jaffer who scored a brisk 93 of 55 balls inclusive of 6 fours and 7 lusty sixes.

In the third match JLPL CM Eleven won by 137 runs against MACC at DAV sector 8 Chd. JLPl got five points for this win including a bonus point. This was their third win in the league stage in Pool C and now they have moved in to the quarterfinal.

Winning the toss and electing to bat JLPL Scored 278 for 4 in stipulated of 30 overs as the match was reduce to 30 overs due to early shoers. Replying MACC were skittled out for 141 in 28 overs. Amit Uniyal won the man of the match award.

Muktsar, September 22
The scarcity of quality players emerging from the plains of South West Punjab is being attributed to lack of astro turfs in the districts of Muktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda and Ferozepur.

There is just one astroturf at Badal village in this district-to cater to four districts and that too is not being utilised to optimum level. Hockey lovers have assembled under various forums and platforms on numerous occasions to demand an astro turf from either the Sports Authority of India (SAI) or the Punjab government. Laments S.S Mann, Secretary of the Muktsar District Hockey Association (MDHA) and a former International player,“We have enough talent in all these four districts. But the problem is boys grow up playing on grass where they have to bend their bodies to control the ball.

However, when they graduate to the astro turf, they loose their way because on astro turf you have to keep your body erect. This problem can be rectified only if the youngsters start playing on turf from the very beginning.” A SAI official disclosed that the decision to lay astro turfs by government agencies smack of impartiality.

Said Rozy Barcandi, Patron of the MDHA “ The Union Sports Minister M.S Gill inaugurated two newly laid astro turfs at the NIS in Patiala in February this year. However, after that, not even a single training session, leave alone a competitive match has been played on the surface and this despite that fact that nearly six months have elapsed ever since Gill pushed the ball into the netting to symbolically inaugurate the turfs.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), citing a technicality, has not handed over either of the turfs to the NIS till yet.

Two turfs at Patiala and both lying in a state of disuse has further infuriated hockey lovers of the region. “ Patiala has two turfs, just give Muktsar one undersized turf meant for six a side hockey and see what wonders we do. This year half a dozen of our boys have been selected by the Centre of Excellence, a SAI run scheme at Patiala.

These boys are following in the footsteps of players of the calibre of India captain Sandeep Singh, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh, all products of the Centre of Excellence,” said the MDHA patron.

Admits senior SAI hockey coach I.S Gill, who is in charge of the Centre of Excellence “We get good material from the districts of Muktsar, Faridkot, Bathinda and even Ferozepur, where hockey has picked up ever since Gagan Ajit Singh made waves in the international arena. All these four districts deserve at least one turf each.”

However, till an astro turf actually comes up at Muktsar or its adjoining districts, boys will continue to start their careers on grass and later fizzle out on grass itself.

BRIEFLY

Odafe guides Churchill to Durand Cup title
New Delhi: An extra time hat-trick from star striker Odafe Onyeka Okolie gave Churchill Brothers their second Durand Cup title, beating Mohun Bagan 3-1 in a dramatic summit clash here on Tuesday. Odafe scored in the 100th, 105th and 110th minutes after Mohun Bagan striker Chidi Edeh had put his side ahead in the 95th minute at the Ambedkar Stadium under floodlights. Churchill, who have been playing in the final of the tournament for the third successive year, finished runners-up last year to Mahindra United. Churchill were also richer by Rs five lakhs for the title victory while Mohun Bagan pocketed Rs three lakhs. — PTI

Sushil loses in playoff round
NEW DELHI: Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar failed to replicate boxer Vijender Singh’s feat and lost out on a medal opportunity in the World Wrestling Championship after losing the bronze medal play-off in the 66kg freestyle category in Herning, Denmark. Sushil was no match for his Japanese opponent Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu, losing 0-5 in the repechage. — PTI

Saina set for tough return
NEW DELHI: Back on the court after a month, Saina Nehwal will battle it out against a tough field while the mixed doubles pair of Jwala Gutta and V Diju will aim for a second title at the Japan Open Super Series starting on Wednesday in Tokyo. After reaching the quarterfinal of the World Badminton Championship last month, Saina missed the China Masters as she missed the deadline to send her entry. — PTI

Justine Henin to make comeback
BRUSSELS: Former world number one Justine Henin is to make a comeback, less than two years after retiring from tennis. “I think it is a good choice, a big decision in my life,” the 27-year-old Belgian said on Tuesday. “The past 15 months I have been able to recharge my physical batteries, mental batteries (and) emotional batteries. The aim is to return in January in Australia,” she added. — Reuters