March of minnows
Gopal Sharma

SUDDEN DEATH: Australian captain Ricky Ponting in a sombre mood after his team failed to make it to the Super Eight Photos: Reuters

Unheralded Ireland getting through to the Super Eight on the day top of the league Australians were bundled out of competition after suffering their second successive defeat — this sums up the state of ICC T20 World Championship that got off to a rapturous start in England on June 5.

It seems no team can be dubbed as minnows in this championship. That’s what the trend looked to be as the championship began with a shocking defeat of the hosts England at the hands of the Netherlands at the Lords. The results imply that the newest format of the game doesn’t allow even a momentary slip and any team can account for any other team on a given day.

In fact, the "minnows" sprang surprise every time they took field in the early stages of the fortnight-long event in which 12 teams are participating. Ever since England found out, to their horror, that blooding in someone like Robert Key (he had not played any warm-up matches, nor had he batted at No 6 where he had not played even in county cricket) required more thought even if the opposition was a team like the unfancied Netherlands. Lightweight teams have been playing a fearless brand of cricket with their tails up.

In the stunning opener, Tom de Grooth ensured that the Netherlands were in hunt with rollicking 30-ball 49, while other batsmen kept their nerves in check as the relatively unexperienced side from a country that is known more for its exploits in hockey, overhauled the 163-run target set by England with four wickets to spare in a nail-biting finish. Sharing the jubilation sitting at the hallowed Lord’s must be a lifetime experience for the Dutch, while the defeat is sure to be the darkest hour in the cricketing history of England.

The England outing having been spoilt, it was turn of New Zealand next, supposed to be a highly competitive side in the shorter version of the game, to get a fright at the hands of another minnow team — Scotland. Opener Ryan Watson set the tone for Scotland, unleashing a flurry of strokes as the seven-over contest (due to inclement weather) got underway. Though he was out early after making 27, Kyle Coetzer and Navdeep Poonia maintained the tempo with some crisp hitting as Scotland posted an impressive 89 for four to raise visions of a second upset in as
many days.

Kiwis kept their cool in the face of the daunting task. After the blistering start provided by stand-in captain Brendon McCullum and Jessy Rider, the finishing touch was provided by the free-scoring Ross Taylor. But for the inexperience of the Scotland bowlers, who bowled untimely no-balls, and some shoddy fielding allowing various slip-ups on the field, the task of the Kiwis could have been rendered tougher.

Not to be left behind, an intrepid Ireland sent Bangladesh out of the competition handing them their second defeat. Ireland, a non-Test playing nation, restricted Bangladesh to 137 for eight in their 20 overs at Trent Bridge and overhauled the target with 10 balls remaining. Kevin O’Brien swung the match Ireland way, striking four fours and two sixes clobbering 17-ball 39 when the fate of the match hung in balance.

Man of the match Niall O’Brien, Kevin’s brother, had earlier laid the foundation for Ireland’s victory with an innings of 40 from 25 balls, including three sixes. The defeat meant curtains for Bangladesh.

The Group C proved how aptly was it named the "Group of Death". The Australians were handed their second defeat by the Sri Lankans — their first loss was against the West Indies — as the Ricky Ponting-led side made a premature exit.

The success of the unheralded teams show that there is no dearth of talent. Dirk Nannes, the Dutch left-handed fast bowler, who played for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, made one sit up and take notice of the pace and aggression with which he bowled in the match against England, touching a speed of over 140 kmph frequently.

The early results go on to show that the ICC should think of broadbasing the game and take it to the countries that show some spark in such mega events.

Federer stands TALL
Paul Newman

It is the oldest debate in sport. Who is the greatest of all time? You can never, of course, produce a definitive answer, but when it comes to assessing the tennis player of all the ages you would find it hard to argue against the combined might of Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Billie Jean King.

In the eyes of many, Roger Federer was the greatest player ever to wield a racket even before his triumph at Roland Garros last Sunday. Now the statistics are supporting that view. In winning the French Open for the first time, Federer drew level with Sampras’ all-time record of 14 Grand Slam titles and became only the sixth man in history to win all four Grand Slam crowns.

"It ends the discussion of where he fits in the history of the game," Agassi said after handing Federer the TrophEe des Mousquetaires in Paris. Sampras, who watched Sunday’s final on television at his home in Los Angeles, agreed, "Now that he has won in Paris, I think it just solidifies his place in history as the greatest player that played the game." King, meanwhile, said that Federer’s achievement in equalling Sampras’ record and completing a career Grand Slam "firmly places him in a special place as the greatest player of all time". She added: "He has earned his place and he has proven he belongs. Roger is a champion for the ages."

For a man with deep respect for the sport’s history and traditions, there is surely nothing Federer would love more than to eclipse Sampras’ record when the tennis circus heads for the All England Club’s big top in 13 days’ time. The Wimbledon trophy has always been Federer’s most cherished prize and he will go there as the favourite. Should he fail to win a sixth Wimbledon title next month, it is likely only to be delaying the inevitable. At 27 Federer is in his prime.

Memories, nevertheless, can be short and sport can sometimes acclaim its heroes and heroines with undue haste. There will, no doubt, be those who would still put Rod Laver above Federer on the all-time tennis ladder. The "Rockhampton Rocket" would almost certainly have won more Grand Slam titles than anybody had he competed in any of the four majors between 1963 and 1967. He ended his career with 11 Grand Slam titles. If there is another challenger to Federer as the greatest in history it would be Sampras himself. If there is still room for debate, Federer has time to erase all doubts. He has already gone from one to 14 Grand Slam titles in half the time it took Sampras.

By arrangement with The Independent

Fit Zone
Get that golden glow
BHARAT THAKUR

Clear and glowing complexion, bright eyes and lustrous hair draw attention everywhere. Some people are born with a good skin, but others have to work towards maintaining that perfect and glowing skin. Cosmetic companies all over the world are selling make-up, facial creams and conditioners in order to give you a smooth skin and thick hair. Everyone wants to look radiant and appealing. But all these chemical treatments are done on the topmost layers of the skin. For truly improving the texture of skin nothing beats natural products like curd, haldi, sandalwood etc. In India we have an amazing ayurvedic tradition that works far better then any chemical that one may put on one’s face. I always say, "Don’t put on your face whatever you cannot put in your mouth." But for your skin to really glow, and your eyes to really sparkle, it takes more than surface layer treatments, be it natural or chemical.

Skin is simply a reflection of one’s internal system. Yogic kriyas are nothing but the art of cleansing one’s system.

Remember toxins build up in the body as a result of impurities present in the air and food that one consumes. If the body is not able to remove these toxins they surface on the skin in the form of pimples, boils and other such problems. If you are not getting enough sleep your face gets puffy and you get dark under-eye circles. The skin is almost a perfect indication of how well one’s digestive and circulatory systems are functioning. For good skin, digestive system and diet have to work together for the smooth elimination of toxins.

There are three things that have to function properly for the skin to glow — good digestion; good blood circulation; and ample sweating.

The techniques given below clean the entire system (lungs and stomach) from the inside and the postures improve the circulation of blood to head and face. Kunjal Kriya involves making yourself vomit after drinking five glasses of lukewarm salted water on an empty stomach. It may look unappealing in the beginning but this technique is a sure shot way to glowing skin. The asanas are to be practiced to increase the flow of blood to the face. As gravity pulls blood downwards, these asanas simply bring the head lower than the rest of the body so that the natural force of gravity brings blood flow to the head and face. Make sure that you practice the asanas and Kapalbhati Kriya which cleans the air in your lungs.