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Winning Asia Cup our top priority, says Ganguly Sehwag eyes double ton in
one-dayers
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Greene gives red signal to rivals Austria shatter
Martina’s dream
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Cairns (Australia), July 12 Australia was 194 for two when bad light stopped play and stumps were drawn on the fourth day. The home side bowled out Sri Lanka for 455 earlier today after a two-hour rain delay, the visitors chasing Australia’s first-innings total of 517. A scheduled 105 overs are scheduled to be bowled tomorrow to make up for lost time. Australia lost the wicket of Justin Langer (8) in the second over when he was caught behind off the bowling of Nuwan Zoysa. Ricky Ponting made a seamless 45, with three fours and a six, but was out when he guided a catch to Sanath Jayasuriya at gully to give Zoysa his second wicket. Earlier, Sri Lanka resumed at 411 for 5 and lost wicketkeeper Romesh Kaluwitharana (34) in the third over of the day, caught by Shane Warne at first slip off Glenn McGrath (2-79). Sri Lanka’s last four wickets fell for 10 runs, a collapse sparked by the loss of Thilan Samaraweera for 70. He was caught by Ponting at second slip off the bowling of Jason Gillespie. Scoreboard Australia (Ist innings): 517 Sri Lanka (Ist innings): Jayasuriya c Gilchrist b
Atapattu c Hayden b
Sangakkara c Gillespie b
Jayawardene c & b
Samaraweera c Ponting b
Dilshan c Kasprowicz b
Kaluwitharana c Warne b McGrath 34 Chandana st Gilchrist b
Vaas c Ponting b Gillespie 2 Zoysa not out 0 Malinga run out 0 Extras
(b-3 nb-17 w-2 lb-10) 32 Total (all out, 144.4 overs) 455 Fall of wickets:
1-18 2-156 3-280 4-280 5-345 6-420 7-445 8-455 9-455 Bowling:
McGrath 34-10-79-2 (nb-3), Gillespie 37.4-6-116-3 (w-2), Kasprowicz 32-5-113-1 (nb-13), Warne 38-7-129-3 (nb-1), Lehmann 3-0-5-0. Australia (2nd innings) Langer c Kalu b Zoysa 8 Hayden not out 68 Ponting c Jayasuriya b Zoysa 45 Martyn not out 52 Extras
(lb-16, w-1, nb-4) 21 Total (2 wkts, 49 overs) 194 Fall of wickets:
1-10 2-105 Bowling: Vaas 13-3-52-0 (nb-4), Zoysa 12-5-22-2, Malinga 5-0-23-0 (w-1), Samaraweera 6-0-20-0, Chandana 10-1-53-0, Jayasuriya 3-0-8-0.
— AP/Reuters |
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Winning Asia Cup our top priority, says Ganguly
India kick-off with their first match of the tournament against UAE on July 16 at Dambulla. After a 10-day camp at Bangalore followed by a three-day session in Chennai, the Indian captain again got back to the field yesterday, doing some rigorous workouts and tough practice to tone up his body and mind ahead of the series. After a two-hour session of strenuous practice, when quizzed by the media, an upbeat Ganguly said, ‘’The Asia Cup has eluded us on the last two occasions. We will give in our best to bring it home this time.’’ He also talked about the collective resolution of Team India ahead of the new season, ‘’We cannot sit back on the past laurels. We need to set fresh goals and achieve them.’’ ‘’Last year we had a fabulous season and we would like to better upon it this time. We know that is not impossible if we try hard enough,’’ the Indian captain added. “We gained a lot from the tips given by former English cricketer Geoffrey Boycott. He talked to the players individually and I think everyone gained from the experience he shared,’’ Ganguly said. Asked to comment on his personal form, Ganguly said, ‘’I have only one advice just— see my record book.’’ Ganguly had averaged more than 40 runs in ODIs and above 50 runs in Test Matches last season. The captain was indeed in high spirits as he was seen sharing a few light moments with his state team colleagues. He even had a tea session with them on the grounds. Asked if he professed a two-tier system in the shorter format of the game also, he said, ‘’I always felt that way. But that is up to the cricket administrators and the ICC to decide on it. I am not going to propose them anything. They are the ones who will decide.’’ The six-nation Asia Cup limited-overs tournament will begin in Sri Lanka on July 16. India have been placed in Group B along with the hosts and the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Hong Kong are in Group A. — UNI
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Sehwag eyes double ton in one-dayers
"It's certainly not easy to score a double century in one-dayers but it's also not impossible. Being an opener, if I can stay on the crease for 50 overs, I can score that. In fact a lot of others can score it, but they need to bat the full 50 overs," Sehwag told reporters here today. The upcoming Asia Cup cricket tournament, where the field includes Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Hong Kong besides India, could provide the perfect platform for Sehwag to launch his assault for a place in the record books. But the opening batsman declined to acknowledge that a weak opposition is required for recording the first-ever double century. The highest one-day score of 194 was made by former Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar against India in 1997 in Chennai. "You cannot take any team lightly. It takes just one ball to dismiss a batsman," said the player on the sidelines of a function here to announce a sponsorship deal of the batsman and his wife Aarti with 'Dabur', an FMCG major. Sehwag said the team was well-prepared to establish its supremacy in the region by winning the Asia Cup. "It's a tough competition with some tough sides. No one can predict who is going to win. But we have had some good preparations in the two camps held recently and we are looking to win the tournament." The aggressive right-hander also said the players had got some valuable tips from former England captain Geoffrey Boycott who attended the conditioning camp at Chennai for two days. "Boycott spoke to all the players during his stint in the camp. His tips would definitely benefit the players." The dashing stroke-maker said he was not worried about how to tackle Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan in the six-nation competition. "I have played him before, so I have not done anything special on how to tackle him. I have just had normal preparations." — PTI
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Graf, Edberg enter Hall of Fame
Newport (USA), July 12 The other member of the Class of 2004 was Dorothy “Dodo” Cheney, the first American to win the Australian National Championship in 1938.
Graf was presented in an seven-minute moving tribute by her husband, future “Hall of Famer” Andre Agassi. “As I attempt to find words worthy to introduce the person who has changed my life, I realise the words have yet to be invented that are large enough, colourful enough and true enough to express the heart and soul of this woman I love, Stephanie,” said Agassi. Graf, who arrived in Newport with Agassi, her father (Peter) mother (Heidi) and brother (Michael) had difficulty regaining her composure when it was her turn to speak. “Not that this occasion isn’t emotional enough, but to hear that you are loved so much is amazing,” she said. Graf had her own message to Agassi, “The best part of my journey in tennis is it led me to you.” Graf has won the Golden Grand Slam in 1988, which included all four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in Seoul. She is the only player to ever win all four Grand Slams at least four times in her career. In all, she won 22 singles titles at the Grand Slams — four Australian Opens, six French Opens, seven Wimbledon, and five US trophies. Edberg, 38, who retired in 1996, was introduced by his long-time coach, Tony Pickard. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame by virtue of winning six Grand Slam singles titles, having been ranked No. 1 in the world in singles for 72 non-consecutive weeks and also ranking No. 1 in doubles, and being a part of four Swedish Davis Cup winning teams.
— AFP |
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Chiclayo, Peru, July 12 Paraguay full-back Ernesto Cristaldo salvaged a point with a dipping long-range shot as they held Chile 1-1 in the second half of the Group C double bill in Arequipa. Brazil, who have brought a second-string side, had struggled to a 1-0 win over Chile in their opening game. This time, they looked far more like world champions as they demolished the Central Americans, who are taking part in the tournament for the third time as guests. The game was reminiscent of the last meeting between the pair at the 2002 World Cup when Costa Rica created at least as many chances as Brazil but were outgunned 5-2. Once again, the Ticos were made to pay dearly for missing chances and getting caught at the back. “We were careless and the Brazilians took advantage, converting four of their six chances,” Costa Rica’s Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. “And we missed our chances when we were in front of their goal. It’s a tough blow.” Costa Rica were the better side until Alex picked out Adriano, who scored his first goal one minute before halftime. It was a crucial blow.
Two quick goals by Juan and Adriano put Brazil 3-0 up early in the second half before the Inter Milan player completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute, slotting the ball under goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez. Luis Marin scored a late consolation for the Pinto’s team, their first goal of the tournament. Brazil, who joined Colombia in the last eight, have a maximum six points in the group, followed by Paraguay with four, Chile with one and Costa Rica with none. Mexican-based striker Sebastian Gonzalez put Chile ahead in the 72nd minute of the second match, making up for his penalty miss against Brazil. But Cristaldo hit back seven minutes later with the latest of the Copa’s long-range strikes as Paraguay, who are fielding their under-23 team and using the tournament as a warm-up for the Olympics, snatched a point.
— Reuters |
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Greene gives red signal to rivals
Sacramento, July 12 The reigning Olympic champion Greene earned a chance to defend his crown at the Athens Games by surging from behind to win the 100m final in 9.91 seconds with Justin Gatlin second in 9.92 and Shawn Crawford third in 9.93 here yesterday. Three-time world champion Greene could win back-to-back Olympic 100m titles, a feat only sprint legend Carl Lewis has achieved. Lewis won in 1984 and took the 1988 title after Canada's Ben Johnson was disqualified for doping. "I think I've surpassed all the people who came before me," Greene said. "I've done more than they have and run faster than they have. Put all of us in our prime and I'll come out ahead." Trevor Graham, who coaches Gatlin and Crawford and once guided Marion Jones and 100m world record-holder Tim Montgomery, said Greene has proven his point even without an Olympic gold medal repeat. "Maurice Greene is the master of the sprints and we all know it," Graham said. "He makes very few mistakes. He was injured last year but I never counted the guy out. He's already the greatest, even before Athens." John Smith, Greene's coach, has compared Greene's current form to his peak levels at the Sydney Olympics. "I have heard John say that this is how Maurice looked in 2000 and 2001," said Emmanuel Hudson, Greene's partner in guiding the HSI training group. Greene, who has struggled with injuries the past two years, has 47 career 100m races under 10 seconds. Second best with 19 such efforts is Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago, Greene's training partner. "Four years ago it was going good. The past two years were bad," Greene said. "I've had a tough time coming back from everything I've been through. But I didn't give up." Greene, who turns 30 on July 23, also strives to reclaim the 100m world record he owned at 9.79 before Montgomery, now fighting a possible lifetime ban for doping, ran a 9.78 in 2002 at Paris. "The world record will come," Greene said.
Greene is also confident about the chances for an American podium sweep at Athens. "Confidence is everything," Greene said. "If you don't believe you can win, you won't be able to. Now the thing is to go 1-2-3 in Athens. That's the goal. If we all stay healthy and do our best, we can bring home gold, silver and bronze."
— AFP |
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Austria shatter Martina’s dream
Paris, July 12 The 47-year-old could only watch helplessly as Barbara Schett and then Barbara Schwartz won their reverse singles to give Austria an unassailable 3-1 lead. That became 4-1 when Navratilova and Jill Craybas lost to Schett and Patricia Wartusch 6-3, 0-6, 6-3 in the doubles to mark Navratilova’s first-ever defeat in the competition in her 41st appearance. Austria’s opponents in the semi-finals will not be known until the re-draw of the four nations prior to the final round of ties, which are scheduled for the week commencing November 22, at a venue to be determined. Austria will be playing in the semi-finals for only the fourth time thanks to Schwartz’s dramatic 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 10-8 win over Lisa Raymond which followed Barbara Schett’s earlier 6-2, 6-3 victory over Chanda Rubin. The Americans, who had only lost once to Austria in seven previous meetings, went into the tie without the services of Serena and Venus Williams as well as Jennifer Capriati. Meanwhile, Amelie Mauresmo put her Wimbledon disappointment behind her beating Francesco Schiavone to help holders France into the semis with a 3-2 win against Italy. Mauresmo, who lost a marathon last-four clash to Serena Williams at the All England Club last week, won both her singles rubbers in Rimini having seen off Sylvia Farina Elia on Saturday. France already had an unassailable 3-0 lead before Italy scored consolation points with Silvia Farina Elia defeating Emilie Loit 6-3, 2-6, 6-2, and Tathiana Garbin and Roberta Vinci seeing off Mary Pierce and Tatiana Golovin in the doubles 6-0, 7-6 (7/5). — AFP
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Kolkata, July 12
New Delhi, July 12
