Friday, June 4, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Friday, June 4, 1999 |
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Get rid of ‘hangers on’:
Illingworth Azhar
fears fans, not Pakistan Speed
guns installed From
pretenders to contenders Cronje
reprimands players for loss I
don’t think I’ll retire: Ranatunga Greatest
spinner vs greatest batsman |
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Srinath, Derepasko in last 4 Venkatesh
emerges U-14 champion Pele
renews attack on Brazil's bid |
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Sachin likely to open innings LONDON, June 3 — A buoyant India will have to produce their inspirational best when they take on a tough and equally desperate Australia in a battle of two last-gasp qualifiers in the opening Super Six World Cup tie at the Oval here tomorrow. Both India and Australia made the final stages of the group league their own by brilliantly rallying to vital wins and reach the second stage, but have not carried forward any points and a defeat could well kill any realistic hopes of a semifinal berth either team entertains. Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar looks likely to be restored to his favoured slot as opener as India brace themselves to take on the formidable Australian attack spearheaded by lanky paceman Glenn McGrath and wily leg spinner Shane Warne. Tendulkar has not looked his old self batting at number four - despite his glorious 140 not out against Kenya to pull India back into their winning mode. The team management might adopt this ploy to add further pep to their mighty batting displays though stumper Nayan Mongia can also be called upon to do the job. Skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and coach Anshuman Gaekwad have hinted that the star batsman could return to open. That could mean the return of all-rounder Robin Singh and the omission of left-handed opener Sadagopan Ramesh. Indians also have the option of playing off-spinner Nikhil Chopra. Azharuddin and his men enter the tie with their confidence boosted from their exhilarating victory over England at Edgbaston on May 29, where competent batting and exemplary bowling paid dividends as they made it on better net run rate. But Tendulkar and fellow centurions Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid will have their task cut out against McGrath and Warne in particular, who claimed eight wickets between themselves to send the West Indies hurtling to their doom in their final league tie to qualify. Despite collecting all accolades for their fabulous batting, India will be conscious that they have time and again failed to lift themselves after early loss of wickets and their long tail has not helped their cause. Azharuddin, yet to get a substantial score, and his deputy Ajay Jadeja will have to play vital knocks in such situations to give the bowlers the confidence to go after the formidable Australian batsmen. Opener Mark Waugh is yet to reach anywhere near the form that saw him crack three centuries in the 1996 edition, but the Indians will be wary of him as well as one-day specialists Michael Bevan and Tom Moody. Veteran all-rounder Moody made an immediate impact to his team’s fortunes on his belated inclusion and his slow seam bowling will be a major aspect India will have to counter, apart from Australia’s aggressive fielding. The under-rated Indian attack, which struggled at the outset to gain control of the white duke ball on pitches vastly different from those in the sub-continent, finally settled down in India’s superb win over the hosts. Pace spearhead Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad with Debashish Mohanty, who has emerged an effective third seamer after replacing the erratic Ajit Agarkar, will have to be at their accurate and aggressive best. India will hope leg-spinner Anil Kumble grows further in stature and Ganguly maintains his wicket-taking act to peg down the Australians. The Oval pitch might produce problems for batsmen early in the morning, but overall the conditions may not be as one-sided as they were in mid-May and the team which displays steady batting and outstanding bowling will carry the day. Australia had injury worries going into the tie as Warne was treated for a stiff neck and shoulder strain and paceman Damien Fleming was nursing mild shoulder stiffness. However, both are expected to be fit to play. Fleming captured five wickets as Australia pulled off a narrow win over India when the two last met in the World Cup, at Mumbai in the league stage of the 1996 competition. Australia hold a 4-2 advantage in the tournament. But Tendulkar, who subdued the Australian attack and Shane Warne in particular last year to propel India to a Test series win at home and a tri-series triumph in Sharjah, will be ready to take on his old adversaries once again. India will have one significant advantage of having consultant Bob Simpson on their side. The former Australian captain, who coached Allan Border’s men to the 1987 title, has made significant contributions in the Indian tactical planning and aggressive approach on the field. Simpson praised India’s all-round effort in their 63-run victory over England and said they should go into their upcoming matches will the confidence and team spirit. At the nets, Azharuddin did not commit whether Tendulkar was certain to open, but said a final decision would be made after having a final look at the pitch. Australian skipper Steve Waugh, who celebrated his 34th birthday with twin Mark yesterday, hinted he would go into the match with the same side that beat the West Indies by six wickets. Waugh commented "India rely on a few players. If we can knock them over early it would expose their mid and late order." The teams: India: Mohammad Azharuddin (capt), Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad, Debashish Mohanty and Nikhil Chopra. Australia: Steve Waugh
(capt), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren
Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Brenden Julian, Shane
Warne, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath and Paul Reiffel.(PTI) |
Tendulkar is best: McGrath LONDON, June 3 (PTI) — Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, whose all-conquering batting laid leg spin wizard Shane Warne low, has added yet another fan to his unending list of admirers — Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath. The Tendulkar-McGrath confrontation is expected to be the high point of India’s vital Super Six World Cup clash, but the lanky paceman today declared that the Indian batsman was the best he had bowled to. "He is definitely very tough to bowl against and to me at least he appears to be the best batsman I have ever faced," McGrath told reporters as the Australian team held its nets at the Oval today. McGrath was also aware Tendulkar has usually launched a premeditated attack against the Australian bowlers. "There is no doubt he seems to do better against us. And he seems to do better when he is facing up to the best bowlers of the world. He has got hundred after hundred against his name which is a concern," he said. McGrath, who touched peak form capturing five for 14 in Australia’s superb win over the West Indies that lifted them into qualification, however, was not too worried about the prospect of running into Tendulkar straightaway if he opens the batting tomorrow. "I am not sure if we have any specific game plan against him. But it would be nice to knock over the best batsman of the world," he said. "But there is no need to alter our game plan, though he rates high in our priority," he said. The fast bowler, who was Australia’s leading wicket taker on their engrossing Caribbean tour and also accounted for West Indian skipper and star Brian Lara a number of times, paid handsome compliments to Tendulkar, describing him as special. "I think you are always conscious when bowling to him. He is someone special and when I am bowling to the best batsman in the world, I enjoy it," he said. McGrath’s superb in-coming ball in the 1996 one-off Test in Delhi bowled Tendulkar through the gate and also forced the batsmen to make minor corrections in his technique. The 29-year-old McGrath was also all praise for Rahul Dravid, the leading batsman in the current World Cup having aggregated 369 runs from five innings with brilliant knocks of 145 and 104 not out so far. "He has always been a very good player. He is a good player on tough decks and his records back him, they suggest he is good there as well," he said in what can be rated the best possible compliments from a fast bowler to a batsman. The vital cog in Australia’s plans to win the Cup, he was a bit unhappy with the overcast conditions, preferring the sunny conditions under which his team plays back home. McGrath refused to blame the points system which has put both India and Australia in a win or exit situation. "I think it is a fair system. Now we have five games ahead of us. We win those and everything would be alright," he said. The temperamental
paceman, twice pulled up for too much show of aggression
recently, said: "There is a thin line (between)
being fired up and being too fired up. I get fired up
when it is a big game". |
Sachin on verge of two milestones MUMBAI, June 3 (PTI) — India’s Sachin Tendulkar is on the threshold of two major milestones in his illustrious career when he goes in to bat against Australia at the Oval tomorrow in the first clash of the Super Six stage in the World Cup. The master batsman has not been among the runs in the Cup barring an emotion-packed unbeaten 140 against minnows Kenya in group "A" on May 23 at Bristol soon after attending his father’s funeral in Mumbai. But the little champion is expected to bat at his favourite position on top of the order against Australia in his 20th World Cup match and that itself should fire up his enthusiasm multifold not to speak of India’s do-or-die situation and his nearness to two personal landmarks. Tendulkar started the Cup campaign needing 194 runs to become only the third player in the history of the mega event to compile 1,000 runs. He has accumulated 192 runs in the first phase of the tournament. He is just two runs short of joining the elite two-member club of Pakistan’s Javed Miandad (1,083 runs from 33 matches) and West Indian Vivian Richards (1,013 runs from 23 matches), the only two batsmen to have made 1,000-plus in the World Cup. Tendulkar also needs just seven runs to complete 8,000 runs in the limited overs internationals and become only the second Indian after his skipper Mohammed Azharuddin to do so. Tendulkar’s
aggregate of 7,993 runs have been compiled in 215 matches
with 143 being his highest individual score. He has 22
centuries and 43 half-centuries to his credit. |
Get rid of ‘hangers on’: Illingworth LONDON, June 3 (UNI) — Former captain Ray Illingworth yesterday lashed out at the English team describing them as a bunch of "soft losers" and asked the ECB to get rid of the "hangers on’’ around the dressing room. Illingworth, who is also the former Chairman of the selection committee, criticised the English team for showing no guts. "We have gone too soft on the players. If England batsmen need sports psychologists to help them score runs, we must be picking the wrong people,’’ he said. Illingworth, who was sharply criticised for the way he led the England World Cup campaign three years ago, denounced the "expanded back room staff under successor David Graveney.’’ "Every time I try to make the point, I am accused of being out of touch. But you can not tell me that Boycott, Barrington or Graveney needing any one to mollycoddle them before they batted,’’ a visibly angry Illingworth told The Mirror. "If you want to play for England, you need to make yourself mentally strong because other people cannot hold bat for you once you are at the crease. Last year the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sent Christmas card from the England side and there were eight signatures of non-players inside.’’ Illingworth warned that soon there are going to be more hangers on than players. "Some of these people talk a good game and talk themselves into a job, but I am not sure they are the answer.’’ "When England got knocked out in the quarterfinals three years ago, I was accused of muddled thinking. But we still got further than we did this year — without home advantage and all the hangers-on’’ he added. About England’s batting failure, Illingworth said "some of the people who played while I was in charge and who have been given numerous opportunities, showed they still have the same old failings.’’ "Instead of going back to them again, we should have looked elsewhere" he said adding "one of the best allrounder available to England has been playing for Scotland and doing better than most of those we picked. I would certainly have Gavin Hamilton in the squad because he has more to offer than Adam Hollioake.’’ The former captain also tore apart Alec Stewart’s captaincy for choosing to bowl first in every match. "Thus starving his middle order of chances to find form.’’ "I said from the very start that against the weaker sides like Kenya, England should bat first if they win the toss to make sure the middle order all had a knock. So when it came to crunch against South Africa and India, too many of our batsmen had been kicking their heels in the nets,’’ Illingworth said. According to the veteran skipper: "Throughout this World Cup, conditions have favoured the bowlers, not just in the first over, but all day.’’ "When you win the toss five times on the trot, you should be brave enough to bat first at least once. Doing that would have improved our overall run rate and might have saved us from being knocked out,’’ he said. Despite criticising
Stewart, Illingworth was of the view that this was not
the time to sack the captain. "If Stewart wants to
keep wicket, he should bat at six, where he would solve
England’s difficulties with the allrounder
slot.’’ |
Azhar fears fans, not Pakistan LONDON, June 3 (PTI) — Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin is not concerned taking on the formidable Pakistan in their second Super Six World Cup clash, but fears the volatile fans who can mar the June 8 tie at Old Trafford, British media reports said today. As the countdown to the Super Six stage began, the tabloids headlines warn that the India-Pakistan clash would prove to be "explosive both on the pitch and off the field." "It may be the most explosive cricket match ever staged on English soil", said the ‘Daily Mirror’. "Be warned it is a high risk match", declared the ‘Sun’. The tabloids said they were running warning stories after cautions sounded by rival captains, Wasim Akram and Mohammad Azharuddin and other team officials. As the police and community leaders in Manchester appealed for calm next Tuesday, Azharuddin was quoted admitting, "It is not the Pakistani players that we fear — it’s the fans." "Azza" as he is labelled by the tabloids, said: "Even before the last wicket falls, players are thinking about the quickest and the safest way to make a dash for the pavilion." "We don’t want to reach a stage where somebody could get killed. It is not the Pakistani players we will be fearing next week, but the fans." Pakistan team manager Zafar Altaf conceded that tensions were running high between the two nations, but called for peace at Old Trafford, "in the spirit of the game". "Whatever is happening at the political level, we must adopt a different approach for this game — cricket should not be discredited at Old Trafford." The police and community leaders are reported to have spent the last 48 hours holding urgent talks with the host county, Lancashire, and massive police reinforcements are expected. There is expected to be as many uniformed personnel on standby as is normally deployed to tackle hooligans during matches at the Manchester United club’s home ground half a mile down the road. The Greater Manchester police chief has been quoted as saying that appropriate resources would be available to meet any eventuality. "We are aware this fixture is a sensitive one and it will be policed accordingly to ensure enjoyment and safety of all spectators." Carrying banners with political slogans into the stadium has already been banned, but tournament officials denied earlier reports that spoke of plans to segregate the fans of both countries saying it was physically impossible as all 22,000 tickets have been sold out well in advance. Lancashire officials,
however, are concerned as three years ago, rival fans
came to blows at the Lord’s as India defeated
Pakistan in the Under-15 World Cup final. |
Can Sachin make McGrath behave? LONDON, June 3 (AFP) — When Australia meet India in the World Cup here tomorrow, cricket’s top ‘sledger’ will come face to face with the sport’s most polite player. It should be fascinating to see if Glenn McGrath gets Sachin Tendulkar to rise to the bait — or if the Indian batsmen convinces the Australian pace bowler to behave. McGrath, among the top fast bowlers in the world, is adept at unsettling batsmen and tempting them into injudicious strokes with his glares and insults. He was given a suspended fine for abusive language at the end of last year in the Ashes series, then punished again after spitting near a West Indians player at the start of this year. Tendulkar, widely accepted as the best batsman in the world, has never said boo to a goose. Pakistan pace bowler Aqib Javed, who is not playing in the World Cup, recalls how the Indian batsmen managed to shut him up for good. Aqib had sent down a volley of abuse at Tendulkar during a one-dayer in Sharjah when the young Indian came up to him and asked innocently: "Why are you sledging? What do you get from it?" Aqib said: "I have
never sledged anyone since." |
Speed guns installed LONDON, June 3 (PTI) — India’s Javagal Srinath and Aussie Glenn McGrath will have the first crack at the fastest bowler’s tag in tomorrow’s World Cup Super Six match after the measuring devices, speed guns, were installed here today. Srinath and McGrath, who bowl at an approximate speed of 93-94 miles per hour while operating flat out, will know their pace at the Oval tomorrow, while Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan will have to wait till Saturday to find out whether he can claim the tag of the first 100-miles-per-hour bowler. Pakistan take on joint cup-favourites South Africa in the second Super Six match at Trent Bridge. Akhtar, who has captured the public imagination during this event, was timed at 97mph during the Sharjah Cup one-day tournament in April. Jeff Thompson of Australia still holds the record for the quickest delivery on record, a 99.70 ball in 1975 in Perth. He was at the Oval today along with Srinath and McGrath, to unveil the speed gun. "I think it’s a great idea," he said. "It’s another angle on the match and we will be able to see how quickly a few different deliveries go through. It’s like serving at tennis. You see one go through quick and you want to know how fast it was." The gun, which measures
the bowler’s speed of delivery from the moment the
ball leaves his hand until it bounces, was not used in
the first round and was installed to bring more interest
to the game. |
From pretenders to contenders LONDON, June 3 (UNI) — From pretenders to contenders, Zimbabwe has come a full circle in the world of the willow. When they renew their campaign in the seventh edition of the World Cup on June 6 at Headingly against New Zealand the team would be morally upbeat thanks to the four points they garnered in the preliminary league from victories over India and title favourites South Africa. A win could easily put them in the last four. The transformation of the team during the last one year was a dream run, notwithstanding the fact that they were considered the darkest horse for the title. The three-run success against India made a world of difference to their campaign in the current edition. Their spectacular victory against South Africa was instrumental in shutting England out of contention. Zimbabwe which made its debut in 1983, had just won only thrice in the 25 matches before this edition. Their successes were against Australia (by 13 runs) in 1983 in England, against England (by nine runs) in the 1992 edition in Australia/New Zealand and against Kenya (by five wickets) in the previous edition in the Asian subcontinent. Before the team began the campaign their coach and former captain Dave Houghton commented: "I do not think we can still be considered as just making up the numbers at the World Cup because we are now more experienced" And he has proved right. What would have been a wild dream has now become a reality. The team moved to the elite group with a four point advantage, as was the case of former champions Pakistan, in view of their wins over India and South Africa. The team’s success here was the continuation of its rapid strides as the team considerably lifted its game buoyed by a series of wins. They included two wins last year at home against India and then trouncing Pakistan by seven wickets for its first Test win abroad. In March the Africans dominated the triangular one day tournament in Bangladesh in which Kenya and Bangladesh were the other two teams. It not only won all its matches but also crushed Kenya in the final by 202 runs. In the elite group, the team which had won 60 per cent of its one day matches during the last 12 months must be dependent heavily on its all rounder Neil Johnson who had come good both with the bat and ball in the preliminary league. He scored 59 vs Kenya and 76 vs South Africa, besides claiming ten wickets. A swing bowler and an opening bat, Johnson had been knocking at the doors of South Africa but his entry into the Zimbabwe had helped the team a lot. Andy Flower had also contributed an useful and unbeaten 68 against India. The team would be looking to its captain Alistair Campbell and Grant Flower also for contributions from the bat with the bowling being dominated by pace attackers Heath Streak and Henry Olonga apart from Johnson whose crucial dream over against India saw him claim three wickets and upset India. In the words of its coach Houghton "Zimbabweans would love to have the last laugh" and it would not be surprising they do it here. The team plays New
Zealand on June 6 at Headingly, against Australia at
Lords on June 9 and against Pakistan at the Oval on June
11. |
Cronje reprimands players for loss TRENT BRIDGE, June 3 (AFP) — South Africa’s stars have been given a World Cup tongue-lashing by skipper Hansie Cronje in the run-up to their high-profile encounter with new tournament favourites Pakistan. Cronje, whose players regrouped yesterday after a mid-tournament break with their wives and girlfriends, said he had told the squad they had failed to perform in going down to a shock first-round defeat to Zimbabwe. "I told the players there were so many reasons why we lost," said Cronje. "We didn’t bat well, we didn’t bowl well and we were outplayed." Cronje was concerned his side, who began the event as favourites, had thrown away two points for the Super Sixes. Pakistan, the 1992 champions, and South Africa have looked the best two sides of the World Cup by far, with many expecting them to meet again in the final. Pakistan took four points into the second phase after beating both their fellow qualifiers, while South Africa have two. Cronje’s men must win two out of their next three games, against Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia, to put them into the semifinals. South Africa are seeking to extend an astonishing sequence of 12 successive wins against Pakistan when they meet at Trent Bridge on Saturday. Cronje hoped the Zimbabwe scare could act as a wake-up call. "It is good for them to see that if you are not 100 per cent switched on, then any team can beat you," he said. Pakistan also lost one game in the first round but that was a meaningless affair against minnows Bangladesh. By then, Wasim Akram’s side had ensured their place in the Super Sixes with maximum points. Cronje dismissed
Pakistan’s defeat, saying: "I’m sure they
weren’t switched on. Once you have to win you switch
on." |
I don’t think I’ll retire: Ranatunga COLOMBO, June 3 (Reuters) — Arjuna Ranatunga’s future as Sri Lankan captain looked more uncertain today as the country’s state-owned media joined demands for his dismissal following the team’s poor showing in the World Cup. Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to their famous victory in the 1996 World Cup, has been under tremendous pressure to step down following the Indian Ocean island’s humiliating defeats in the tournament. But Ranatunga has said there was no need for him to step down. "I think I am feeling fairly okay compared to some others so why should I go. It may depend on the selectors, but I don’t think I will retire," Ranatunga said after Sri Lanka’s crushing 157-run defeat by India last week. The state-owned Daily News said that while Ranatunga’s contribution to Sri Lankan cricket was immense, it was time he bowed out gracefully. "...Having been at the helm for over a decade it would be advisable if he stepped down honourably before he is shown the door. Such a dismissal he does not deserve," the newspaper said. "For sometime, Sri Lanka cricket could do without Ranatunga. He is getting flak from all corners because he has been hanging on to the job for too long." The government has a big say in Sri Lankan sports and all sporting activities, including cricket, are governed by the Sports Ministry. The ministry ratifies elections of officials to various sporting bodies and also approves the national teams. A senior Sports Ministry official said earlier this week it was not up to Ranatunga to decide whether he could continue as captain. "According to the sports law, a captain is appointed for each tour by the Sports Minister on recommendation of the national selectors," R.M. Ratnayake, a senior official in the ministry told the Independent Island newspaper. "It is not a permanent job." Ratnayake also hinted at the possibility of the appointment of a special committee to probe the team’s World Cup debacle. The Sri Lankan team return home tomorrow and are widely expected to be subjected to more criticism over their poor performance. But Ranatunga and vice-captain Aravinda De Silva have chosen not to arrive in Colombo with the rest of the team. The Daily News said cricket administrators over the years had made Ranatunga "a prima donna" of national cricket which made it difficult for selectors to ask him to go or sack him. The Daily News said it was time for change and the appointment of a new captain. "To persist with
senior cricketers whose contributions on the field are
not what they used to be...Is to invite frustration among
the many youths who are knocking of the door for
recognition,"it said. |
Can Simpson repeat ’87 success? NEW DELHI, June 3 (PTI) — When India take on Australia in a World Cup Super Six battle of survival tomorrow, there will be one key Australian on their side. Bob Simpson, team consultant, has seen it all as coach of the victorious 1987 Australian team, but his inputs will be cherished as India look to improve their inferior Cup record at the Oval. The 63-year-old, who was drafted in by the Indian board specifically for the World Cup, has added the cutting edge to Indian training and tactical approach that has paid dividends for a team that bounced back from close to elimination. Skipper Mohammad Azharuddin said having Simpson with them was a big bonus against the Australian and his Australian rival, Steve Waugh expressed confidence his team will do well despite Simpson’s in-depth knowledge of Australian tactics. As a 22-year-old all-rounder, Waugh was crucial to Simpson’s plans as Allan Border’s men claimed the Cup in Calcutta, beating England. Simpson has goaded the Indians to lift their fielding and sharpen strategies to bring in more teamwork, but this is India’s first tie against Australia with Simpson behind them. The veteran Australian, however, would like a point to prove to rival coach Geoff Marsh, the 40-year-old former opener who was another important member of the 1987 side. Marsh succeeded Simpson,
who formed one of the most successful and enduring
partnerships with Border before the Australian board
eased him out, and an Indian victory will be another
feather in his cap though the loss would be that of his
own countrymen. |
Greatest spinner vs greatest batsman LONDON, June 3 (AFP) — Shane Warne will not sleep much tonight. If he drops off at all, he will probably find himself counting Tendulkar boundaries rather than sheep. The cricket World Cup’s second phase will be launched on tomorrow at the Oval with a mouth-watering head-to-head — Warne versus Tendulkar, the greatest spinner in the world against the greatest batsman of a generation. To add gravity to their duel, neither Australia nor India can afford to lose. Both sides entered Super Sixes without retaining a point from the first round and must win all their next three games to have a strong chance of reaching the semi-finals. The two men go back a long way. When the young Warne made his Test debut in Sydney in 1992, he ran straight into Tendulkar’s bat. The Indian made a century, the Australian took one wicket for 150. One match later Warne was dropped. He returned, however, to become one of the greatest bowlers of all time, with more than 300 Test wickets. His first Ashes delivery, spinning over a foot from outside leg to clip Mike Gatting’s off stump, is remembered as "the ball of the century." Tendulkar, however, will go into the encounter with a psychological edge as awe-inspiring as a Mumbai traffic jam. His last three one-day innings against Australia have all ended in big hundreds. Warne watched two of them from 22 yards away. Tendulkar hit 143 and 134 last April as India won the Sharjah Cup. Warne, struggling at the time with a serious shoulder problem that later required surgery, had joked: "I can’t sleep at night. I have nightmares about the guy." Sharjah had come immediately after Australia’s tour of India, where Warne had also been mauled. Indians had decided to target him from first ball of first match. Warne left the country with 10 wickets costing more than 50 runs apiece. Tendulkar, meanwhile, made 1,130 runs in 12 innings against Australia over those two months, including a first-class double century, two Test hundreds and three one-day tons. He averaged 113. Rumour has it the Aussies tried to get hold of one of his bats after being convinced it was wider than rules allowed. Warne and Tendulkar share an enormous mutual respect but could not be more different. It is hard to imagine Tendulkar with peroxide hair and an ear-ring. Warne, while popular, has a reputation for speaking before engaging his brain. Tendulkar’s words are as well-considered as his forward defensive. It will snow in high summer in New Delhi before he resorts to sledging. The World Cup has already thrown up one fine individual contest between bat and ball, when Steve Waugh and Shoaib Akhtar went head to head at Headingley during the first round. Waugh eventually had his stumps scattered by the peace bowler and Pakistan won by 10 runs. This should be a second classic.
|
French
Open PARIS, June 3 (AFP) — Steffi Graf of Germany beat Monica Seles of the USA in a battle of former champions today and won through to the French Open women's singles final. Five-times champion Graf beat Seles, a three-times winner, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3, 6-4 and now plays 18-year-old top seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland in Saturday's final. For the first time since 1993, there will be no Spaniard in either of the two singles finals at the French Open and there was little Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario could do about it today. Players from Spain, who had started out as favourites to do well again at Roland Garros, were all unlucky as men's title-holder Carlos Moya bowed to an in-form Agassi while his runner-up last year, Alex Corretja, suffered an allergy. The same may be true of Sanchez-Vicario, who seems allergic to playing Martina Hingis. In her seven previous semis here, the 27-year-old defending champ had lost only twice but this time she was meeting her "bete noire", whom she has beaten but once in 11 matches. Hingis, seeking the only Grand Slam title still missing in her career, beat defending champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final. Hingis breezed into a 5-0 lead in the opening set, but then had a brief lapse to allow Sanchez-Vicario to cut the deficit. Hingis regained her composure and won in 63 minutes to reach her second final at Roland Garros. "I was very focused from the beginning, I played very intelligently," Hingis said. "It’s this time or never," Hingis said. Six years after reaching the semifinals of the French Open, Andrei Medvedev is in the final four again. In between, Medvedev rose to No. 4 in the world, enjoyed some of the finer things in life, but also had knee surgery, a fractured wrist, back injuries and shoulder problems. His interest in the game waned. He came to this year’s tournament ranked No. 100 in the world. But there had been a significant change: three months ago, Medvedev got reunited with his girlfriend, German player Anke Huber. Love helps, and Medvedev began his remarkable comeback by ousting Pete Sampras in the second round and then dispatching 1997 champion Gustavo Kuerten 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 yesterday. Now he is in the
semi-finals again and will face another Brazilian,
Fernando Meligeni, who upset Spain’s sixth-seeded
Alex Corretja 6-2, 6-2, 6-0. Corretja, last year’s
runner-up, said he was weakened by a mysterious allergic
reaction. |
Meligeni's close to shot at glory PARIS, June 3 (Reuters) — After letting an Olympic medal slip through his grasp three years ago, unsung veteran Fernando Meligeni has lined himself up for another shot at glory in the French Open. The unseeded Brazilian has already reached uncharted water by getting to the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, crushing last year’s losing finalist Alex Corretja of Spain 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 yesterday. Meligeni, looked ahead at his chances of beating Ukrainian Andrei Medvedev tomorrow for a place in the final, said he had no fears, having learnt all about pressure at the Atlanta Games. "At the Olympics, I lost a semifinal when I had a chance to give my country a medal. That’s the biggest pressure I have felt in my career," he said. "Now I know how to play under pressure, (against Medvedev) it will be a much more tactical match than against the Spanish," said Meligeni, who had already beaten 14th seed Felix Mantilla in the previous round. "Medvedev goes to the net. I’m going to have to chose my shots well," he said. Meligeni lost the Olympic semifinal to Sergi Bruguera of Spain and also the bronze medal match to India’s Leander Paes. "If I want (to reach) the final here I must play a lot better than today and before," Meligeni said. Medvedev eliminated Meligeni’s compatriot Gustavo Kuerten, the 1997 champion and favourite, in the quarterfinals. Meligeni said he was not surprised that three unseeded players had reached the semifinals for the second time in three years at Roland Garros because form and ranking mean little on court. He said he owed a lot to Kuerten and his success. "We (Brazilians) learnt a lot from Gustavo’s win two years ago," said the player ranked 54 in the world. "My time has come, just as it could have come in the Davis Cup match against France." Brazil meet the French in a world group quarterfinal in Pau in southern France in mid-July. The 28-year-old Meligeni, who has won three titles since turning professional in 1990, said if he reached the final he had no preference between Andre Agassi, the sole remaining seed, and Slovakia’s Dominik Hrbaty as a rival. "It would be better
for the fans and for tennis if it was Agassi," he
said. However. "When you see Agassi play, you say
how easy it is to play tennis. I’d love to play
him." |
Novotna injured during doubles PARIS, June 3 (AP) — Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna may have trouble defending her title in two weeks after spraining her ankle severely yesterday. Novotna was playing in the doubles quarterfinals of the French Open when she collided with her partner Natasha Zvereva while trying to get to a ball Novotna misstepped to avoid her partner's foot and twisted her right ankle. The extent of the injury isn't know. Novotna was taken for x-rays immediately. Nice-guy Corretja Alex Corretza wanted to retire from his quarterfinals match against Fernando Meligeni because he wasn't feeling well. Asked why he didn't Corretja showed why he's well liked on the tour. Somehow you want to stay on the court, you want to be professional, you want to give the credit to Meligeni, who is in the semifinals and deserves to be there," he said. Corretja said that it was more important to be a good guy than a good tennis player." "That's why I always try to respect everybody and that's why I hate to retire," Corretja said. "You take some credit from the other guy and that is a pity also for him." Players e-mail Thanks to the French Open web site (www.RolandGarros.org) fans can send e-mail to their favourite players. The top three most-mailed players show that women's tennis is getting more and more attention. Anna Kournikova was slightly ahead of Martina Hingis and French woman Amelie Mauresmo. Springsteen fans Bruce Springsteen is loved among the players at the French Open. "The boss" is playing yesterday and this night in Paris and tickets are very much in demand with the players. Tournament organisers offer several outings in Paris for the players every year and this year they secured 50 Springsteen tickets. From the first days of
the tournament the office was flooded with demands from
players and a waiting list was put in place, yesterday.
The waiting list was still in place with 150 names on it. |
Medvedev 'happiest man on earth' PARIS, June 3 (AFP) — A little more than two months ago, Andrei Medvedev was out of love, out of luck and out of the world’s top 100. Worse still, the Ukrainian didn’t care. Then he sat down and asked himself why the man with the talent that had made him the fourth-best player in the world had let things slip to the point where life itself had become a drudge. "Too much, too young" is the phrase that fitted the Ukrainian like a glove as he rocketed to fame and misfortune after coming within an ace of reaching the French Open singles final in 1993 and playing in the US Open quarterfinals the same year. Six years on, and now a reflective 24-year-old, Medvedev says he’s the happiest man on the planet after reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros once again. He elected to do it in style, swamping 1997 champion and favourite Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil in straight sets with a brilliant mixture of accuracy and controlled aggression which had Kuerten clutching at straws from the outset. "After the tennis I played in 1993-94 to be back at 100 in the rankings and then still make the semifinals of the Grand Slam I love the most is incredible," Medvedev said. "I don’t think it’s hit me yet that I’ve won five matches in a row here, beaten Pete (Sampras) and beaten Gustavo. I’m just one very happy man." The key isn’t the game either. It’s love. Medvedev and German player Anke Huber were almost inseparable before drifting apart as his form and his appetite for tennis - and life as a whole - deserted him. Since they got back together two months ago, Medvedev says his life has been completely transformed - even if he says reports of their impending marriage are premature. "I don’t think there is anyone happier on earth than me right now. It’s like a second birth in tennis. In life, I feel good about myself - it’s fantastic," he said. While Huber gets much of the credit, Medvedev says, the on-court scales really fell from his eyes when he beat second seed Pete Sampras in the second round. "Beating Pete it doesn’t matter if it’s on clay or mud or water, you beat him in backgammon - it feels good," he laughed. "Beating him at a Grand Slam sure gives you confidence." "I was practising before the French Open. I told my friends - ‘Listen I’m ready’. It didn’t matter that I had not won two matches in a row since October last year. I just felt good about myself. I knew watching them on TV that I could beat them," added Medvedev. "Once my head was there, ready to work, ready to fight, ready to play, hungry for winning ... then I start worrying about the fitness and all the other things." Medvedev said he was all too aware how he felt this time last year, when he was a first-round loser, and how depressed he felt. "I was maybe half dead for the last year. I didn’t really care about my ranking. Then maybe six weeks ago I started to think that I’m 105 in the world. I thought that perhaps it’s not the position where I would like to see myself." He started the long road back but hadn’t got very far when Huber came back into his life. Suddenly life was worth living and tennis was worth playing. But being back in the spotlight does have one disadvantage, as Medvedev has found out - although he accepts it with good humour. "It seems like everybody else is worried about my wedding except me and Anke. When is it? We don’t know. It’s all over Europe. I even heard it on CNN." "People are calling me from Kiev saying ‘Congratulations - you’re getting married.’ Really? that’s nice."
|
Srinath, Derepasko in last 4 NEW DELHI, June 3 (UNI) — Finally it's a competition between the top four seeds in the third leg of the ongoing ITF Men's Satellite Tennis circuit here. On the fourth day today top-seeded Artem Derepasko of Russia headed for a semifinal clash with third-seeded Syed Fazaluddin. The two had last met in the finals of the second leg at Mumbai, where Fazaluddin lost. In the other semifinal two Indians are pitched against each other with Bangalore leg winner and second-seeded Prahlad Srinath running into fourth-seeded Harsh Mankad. The day, which saw wonderful tennis all around, began with Derepasko pitted against Uzbeki Anton Kokurin. The marathon match, which lasted two hours and 28 minutes, saw both the players playing some excellent shots and making the other run for points. But an excellent effort by Derepasko, who came up after losing the first set, deprived the Uzbeki of a semifinal berth. Derepasko, who equalised taking the second set, clinched the decider in a tie-break, winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6. Srinath, meanwhile, had an easy sailing against qualifier Minh Le of the USA. The Indian clinched his encounter in straight sets, winning 6-4, 6-3 to book a place in the last four. Commenting on his semifinal clash with Mankad, he said he expects it to be a good match. "I will just go and play my game, though I hope to play better than today." Srinath had defeated Mankad in the semifinals in the first leg at Bangalore. Mankad earned himself a semifinal berth by beating Andrei Youznyi. The match saw a late revival of the Indian, who put up a valiant effort, coming up after being a set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 in just over two hours. The last quarterfinal match of the day between Fazaluddin and sixth-seeded Vinod Sridhar, saw Fazaluddin playing some loose tennis in the later part of the match. After a dominating Fazaluddin won the first set 6-2 in style, the match saw Sridhar picking up his game and win the next 6-4. Finally the closely contested decider, which saw both players exchanging a break in the third and fourth games, saw Fazaluddin jump back in the game, breaking Sridhar in the seventh and the ninth games to win the set 6-3 and the match 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The semifinals will be
played tomorrow. |
Venkatesh emerges U-14 champion CALCUTTA, June 3 (PTI) — M.R.Venkatesh of Tamil Nadu maintained his lead right through to emerge champion with 7.5 points in the boys under-14 section of the 12th National Children’s Chess Championship here today. Former world under-10 champion and hot favourite p Harikrishna of Andhra Pradesh had to be content with second place with seven points while Bengal’s Saptarshi Roy took the third position also with seven points in the nine-round championship. Although both Harikrishna and Roy finished with seven points each, the tie was broken by taking into account the progressive score of the players. In the girls under-14 category, Shradha Samani of Maharashtra claimed the title with 7.5 points while C.Delphin of Tamil Nadu took the second position with seven points. The third place was taken by P.Magal of Maharashtra with 6.5 points. Maharashtra’s Eesha Karavade, who held on to her sole lead in the last few rounds, claimed the under-12 title by securing 7.5 points. R.Mahima of Tamil Nadu had to be content with the second position with seven points while her statemate B.Latha took the third position with seven points. In the boys under-12
section, Karnataka’s Sunil Rangarajan emerged the
champion with 7.5 points, while the second place was
taken by Tamil Nadu’s R.Siddharth. |
Pele renews attack on Brazil's bid RIO DE JANEIRO, June 3 (Reuters) — Pele has renewed his attack on Brazil’s 2006 World Cup bid as he claimed the President of the country’s football federation was talking nonsense. "The President of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) can’t keep on talking nonsense. He has to work for the benefit of sport," said Pele, who last week said he wanted no part of the Brazil bid. "If we had a project that was transparent and everything was being done in the open, then that would be okay. But we don’t have any of this," he said here yesterday. "Brazil has not got any stadium, any pitch, which is apt to stage a World Cup match or meet the conditions set down by FIFA," added Pele, who was speaking at the training ground of Santos, the club where he spent 17 years of his illustrious career. "It’s time to stop deceiving the people." Pele began his attack in Barcelona last week, shortly before the European Cup final. He described it as a lost cause and a waste of money and accused bid organisers of wanting "to get some money without doing much work for it." CBF President Ricardo Teixeira said at the time that he deplored Pele’s comments and claimed the World Cup, if held in Latin America’s largest country, would generate jobs, stimulate stadium modernisation and increase tourism. "All sportsmen, and
Brazilians in general, wish for the staging of the 2006
World Cup in Brazil," Mr Teixeira said in a
statement. |
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