Wednesday, August 25, 1999
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S P O R T | Wednesday, August 25, 1999 |
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India look to raise game against
Lanka COLOMBO, Aug 24 — Stung by a below par effort in all departments that led to their embarrassing eight-wicket defeat against World Cup champions Australia, India will be under pressure when they take on Sri Lanka in their second tie of the AIWA one-day tri-series tournament here tomorrow.
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 AMMAN : Egyptian swimmer Rania Alwani carries the 10 gold medals she has won over the past week at the Arab Games. Alwani won the 10th medal on Monday — AP/PTI |
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Botham slams England team India
juniors swamp Egypt in opening tie Prabhjot,
Ajay set new records Not
a setback, says Baskaran
Usha wins 2 gold; India 6th India
face West Indies at Toronto Team
suffered due to ‘lack of nets’ Khalifman
on course for crown IHF
recalls Mukesh Boards
from Nepal |
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India look to raise game against Lanka COLOMBO, Aug 24 (PTI) — Stung by a below par effort in all departments that led to their embarrassing eight-wicket defeat against World Cup champions Australia, India will be under pressure when they take on Sri Lanka in their second tie of the AIWA one-day tri-series tournament here tomorrow. After the scrappy performance at Galle yesterday, Sachin Tendulkar and his men will have to raise their game by several notches as the race for a place in the final has become a straight contest between India and Sri Lanka as Australia, with two straight wins, have already qualified. India enter the day-night contest with an upperhand against the revamped host side with their skipper and top bat Sanath Jayasuriya less than fully fit after suffering a bad cut in his right hand during the 51-run defeat against Australia in the opening tie at Galle on August 22. Jayasuriya needed two stitches after damaging the webbing between his right thumb and forefinger while fielding, but the man who replaced veteran Arjuna Ranatunga at the helm and snapped up five wickets in a losing cause has said he was keen to lead the side tomorrow. India have dominated Sri Lanka in the last couple of seasons and thumped the 1996 World Cup winners by a whopping 157 runs in the World Cup league tie. Tendulkar’s first match in his second stint as captain was eminently forgettable as he contributed a paltry 14 runs in a top-order collapse against the determined Australians. Though a long rain intervention undermined India’s cause, the skipper would be concerned over the ordinary bowling and fielding which contrasted the professional approach that lifted their formidable rivals to their second straight win for a place in the final. The wicket at the Premadasa Stadium, where Tendulkar and Ganguly hoisted a 252-run opening stand in winning the Nidahas Trophy final against Sri Lanka last year, should be far more conducive to stroke-making, but the rustiness seen in bowling will have to be quickly overcome. Tendulkar came down on the short-pitched bowling that ended Indian hopes of making a fight of the tie at Galle — Australia were home and dry with 8.5 overs left in the truncated tie — and he will in particular be worried over the poor direction maintained by both leg-spinner Anil Kumble and off-spinner Nikhil Chopra. Amay Khurasia, who fell for 17 after starting well, will be under pressure to retain his slot with the more experienced fellow left-hander Vinod Kambli waiting in the wings. With tomorrow’s day-night encounter at the Premadasa Stadium, the tournament has moved to the Sri Lankan capital for good. Sri Lanka, apart from worries about their skipper’s fitness, will be looking for better efforts from their middle-order batsmen. Playing for the first time without stalwarts Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Roshan Mahanama in many seasons, Sri Lankan batting looked brittle against the Australians. Young batsmen Avishka
Gunawardene and Mahela Jayawardene will be determined to
make up for their failure at Galle if they are to step
into the breach left by the senior trio, who went out of
favour following the dismal World Cup performance. |
Jones wins opening heat in 200m SEVILLE (Spain), Aug 24 (AP) — A day after losing her bid for a record four gold medals, world 100-metre champion Marion Jones continued her pursuit of a sprint double today by winning her opening heat in the 200 metres. Jones, who settled for bronze in the long jump last night, eased up over the final 20 metres and crossed the line in 22.69 seconds, the fourth best time of the seven heats. Jones, who hasn’t lost in the 200 since 1995 and has won 21 consecutive finals in the event, said she was tired after getting only five hours’ sleep. “When I was standing behind the blocks, I should have been visualising the race,” she said. “Instead, I was visualising going back to my hotel and going back to bed.” Fellow American Inger Miller, who took the silver behind Jones in the 100 and figures to be her main challenger in the 200, comfortably won her heat in 22.92. The fastest time in the women’s 200 heats was run by Jamaica’s Beverly McDonald (22.52). Defending 200 champion Zhanna Pintusevich of Ukraine finished only fifth in her heat (23.19) but still qualified for the next round. The 200 quarterfinals were set for tonight. Maurice Greene, the men’s 100 champion, also was running in 200 heats today in his bid for a rare sprint double. He’s seeking to become the first man to win the 100 and 200 at the worlds, and the first at any major championship since Carl Lewis at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. In the decathlon, defending champion and world record-holder Tomas Dvorak of the Czech Republic got off to solid start, posting the second fastest time in the 100 metres (10.60 seconds). Chris Huffins, the US and Pan American Games champion, clocked the best time (10.43). Dvorak broke Dan O’Brien’s 7-year-old record in the decathlon on July 4 in Prague, amassing 8,994 points, just short of the magical barrier of 9,000 points. A day after winning the 100 metres in 10.80 seconds, Jones settled for bronze in a long jump competition on Monday that ended in dramatic and controversial fashion for the top two finishers. “I set my goals very high,” Jones said. “The bronze is not going to cut it for me. I’m very disappointed. I need to get back to the drawing board and get ready for next year.” For next year’s Sydney Olympics, the American star has her sights set on an unprecedented five: in the 100, 200, long jump and two relays. Perfecting the long jump will be Jones’ biggest challenge. She’s got the speed; it’s the mechanics that need work. Jones dismissed suggestions that she put too much pressure on herself by proclaiming her intention to win four or five gold medals. “I don’t regret it at all,” she said. “It blows my mind that people can’t understand that when I’m entered in four events I’m not going to say I’m going to win three golds and a bronze.” Jones, with a career-best 7.31 metres in the long jump, never got untracked Sunday. Her best effort was 6.83. British-born Italian
Fiona May, the 1995 world champion, was leading until the
next-to-last jump. Then Cuban-born Niurka Montalvo of
Spain soared 7.06, a career-best, but her toe appeared to
be past the foul line. |
Organisers face criticism SEVILLE (Spain) Aug 24 (AFP) — The local organisers of the world championships have come under a storm of criticism from athletes, international team officials and spectators after just four days’ competition. Even the IAAF was making noises of dissatisfaction, though only in the most diplomatic of terms. The athletes were the most voluble in their complaints about the officiating, especially after the controversies of last night in the women’s long jump and men’s 110 metres hurdles. Mark Crear, the American sprint hurdler, described his disqualification for two false starts as “scandalous”. Italy’s Fiona May felt forced to quit the sport altogether after she lost the long jump gold over a final effort by Niurka Montalvo, of Spain. The silver medal-winner and other long jumpers, including American Marion Jones, indicated that they saw Montalvo’s last jump as a foul. Both Italy and the USA had their appeals against the results rejected. But also worrying for the organisers is the string of poor attendances at the championships. Last night, the organisers put out a release that stated that the new, 60,000 stadium had been attended by 37,815 for that session, although observers did not notice a significant increase in the number of spectators from the first two nights of finals, when the stadium was only one-third full. Even Friday night’s “spectacular” opening ceremony failed to be a full-house. Senior IAAF officials admitted they are concerned that the world’s best athletes have proved to be less of an attraction for the Spanish public than the city’s many Tapas bars and restaurants, its football teams and its elegant architecture. A lack of hotel accommodation for Spanish visitors from outside Seville is one of the reasons cited for the poor turn-outs. Yet those spectators that have bothered to buy tickets to attend the as-yet unfinished stadium have had series of complaints from tour groups from Germany and Britain. Some tourists have bought expensive tickets and have still found themselves in dusty, uncleaned seats which have their views obscured by new scaffolding stands for press photographers. “I feel insulted,” was the reaction of one tourist. Complaints have even been made to senior IAAF council members. “We have spoken to the Spanish federation about the attendances,”Giorgio Reinari, spokesman for the IAAF, said. “They have assured us that the attendances will improve. We are expecting a very big crowd today, when there are three runners from Spain in the 1500 metres final.” It was a similar story on last night, even though two of the sport’s biggest stars — Michael Johnson and Marion Jones — were competing simultaneously, and four gold medals were being decided, including the women’s long jump in which Montalvo provided the host nation with its first chance of a medal. “Perhaps there it is a different culture,” Reinari offered, “that in Spain, they do not consider going to athletics in the evening, but prefer to spend their time in other ways.” So small have been the crowds here that the organisers took the extraordinary steps of amplifying the spectator noise. An IAAF official has admitted that microphones, directed at those spectators who are present, are being used for the purpose. In the high jump final, bronze medallist Martin Buss complained of inept officiating after the referee had removed his step marks away. “I was very upset. I cannot understand that. High jumping is a game of nerves, and it did affect my jumping,” Buss said. Even the superfast, new
Mondo track — similar to that used in Tokyo,
Barcelona and Atlanta — has not met with universal
acclaim. While favouring sprinters and horizontal
jumpers, who prefer an unyielding surface to help them to
faster times or longer jumps, other athletes, such as
distance runners, find the hard track can even cause
injuries. |
Botham slams England team LONDON, Aug 24 (AFP) — Former England allrounder Ian Botham yesterday slammed the current national team after their dismal 2-1 home series loss to New Zealand. “What I’m sick of is people saying there is nothing wrong with English cricket,” said Botham after England slumped to defeat in the fourth Test at the Oval. “I wish these people would wake up or do us all a big favour and get out of cricket. “There is absolutely no point in continuing down the same path that we are now, because that is going nowhere and it is going very quickly nowhere.” Botham is disappointed at the decision of Graham Thorpe to pull out of this winter’s tour to South Africa, where he fears England could be in for even more humiliation unless the right players are picked. “England are going through what is probably the worst period in the history of the game — we’ve never been bottom of the pile before — and you have a world-class player who would have been one of the players you would have taken to South Africa,” he said. “He has left a big hole in the side and I just don’t think the timing is very good.” “What you want is players who want to be there — people like Nick Knight, who want to go out there and perform.” As well as Warwickshire batsman Knight, Botham backed Sussex captain Chris Adams and Lancashire all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as the type of players he thinks should be representing England. “I think people would rather see these guys who want to go out there and hopefully can learn from this experience,” he said. If his words are not heeded, Botham believes the outcome of the series in South Africa could be even more damaging to English cricket than what has gone before. “I think if they play like they have in this Test match we will be getting three days off in South Africa,” predicted Botham, who is commentator for Sky TV. “This is just not right. To me whenever we are expected to perform, nine times out of 10 we collapse.” “At The Oval, Thorpe and Atherton were going well and then the only player who got double figures after that was Stewart - the rest were just a procession.” But no English batsman made a century and, despite the poor batting form of Nasser Hussain, Mark Butcher, Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe, Graeme Hick and Mark Ramprakash, the selectors gave little encouragement to younger batsmen hoping to get into the team. Now the England selectors sit down to choose a squad for a tour of South Africa during the winter and team captain Hussain, who was booed by his own fans when he stood on the balcony at The Oval yesterday, now has the task to turn things around. “I don’t think
sweeping changes are the way to go,” he said.
“If we went for sweeping changes, we wouldn’t
have had Mike Atherton. We’ve got to pick people
like him and bring in younger players around him who can
learn from his example of having the right
attitude.” |
Gillespie, Fleming were excellent THE Australians have hit the ground running in the first two games of the triangular tournament in Sri Lanka and are, no doubt, enjoying the tag of world champions. In the opening match, the Aussies looked a little rusty but still played a good solid game to account for the new look Sri Lankans. Sanath Jayasuriya won the toss and invited Australia to bat. The Sri Lankans always seem to prefer to bat second and chase a target. Given that the wicket looked very flat with the likelihood of becoming increasingly uneven in both pace and bounce, this decision seemed a little strange. The Australians got off to a good start with both Gilchrist and Mark Waugh finding the middle of the bat. With the score on 60, Waugh was the first to go — caught behind square. Then, in one of the more puzzling umpiring decision I’ve seen, Adam Gilchrist was adjudged run out. Having watched the replay, I can only assume the third umpire pressed the wrong button! The replay confirmed that, not only did Gilchrist make his ground before the wicket was broken, but the keeper, little Kalu, had dropped the ball as well! Both Ponting and Lehmann were watchful against some very good bowling from Nuwan Zoysa and Suresh Perera. I was impressed with this pair, particularly Zoysa, the tall left-armer. If he can stay free of injury, Sri Lanka look to have an excellent prospect. As is customary in these parts, the rains came, interrupting the game. I’m not sure why this tournament is played at this time of the year as in the past maches have always been interrupted. It must be something to do with the tight international schedule. Nevertheless, the match resumed with Australia 110 for 3 after 23 overs, the game being reduced to 42 overs per side. This situation throws the side batting first out of kilter and the Australians began to lose momentum and wickets in the chase for quick runs. As usual, Michael Bevan was the mainstay late in the innings guiding Australia to 9-206. He finished on 42 not out. Is there a better finisher in the game? Maybe the pocket battleship, Lance Klusener might get the nod! The Sri Lankans were impressive on the field, the influence of Trevor Chappell immediately evident. The surprise packet were the excellent figures of Jayasuriya, who bowled beautifully for a return of 5-28. The Sri Lankan reply was stopped dead in its tracks by a brilliant and hostile opening spell by Gillespie and Fleming. The pair helped reduce the Sri Lankans to 5-78 and little hope of overhauling the Australian total. There was some late resistance from Kalu, Chandana and Perera which helped the total to 160 but, overall, they were never in the hunt. Game two for the Aussies against India saw Australia again play a very professional game of cricket. Once the Indians (having won the toss and electing to bat) had lost their big guns, Ganguly, Dravid and Tendulkar before the end of the fifteen overs, they were always going to struggle. Once again Gillespie and Fleming were excellent up front. Tom Moody continues to do a great job in the middle overs and Shane Warne is getting back to his best. The flipper that got Prasad was an absolute ripper! The regulation rain interruption didn’t help the Indian cause and, when play resumed they struggled to 7-151 the game having been reduced to 38 overs per side. The Australian reply was awesome. On a wicket that was really showing signs of wear and tear, Gilchrist and Waugh were unstoppable, Adam Gilchrist was again involved in a bizarre run out situation. On this occasion Robin Singh’s brilliant backhand flick hit the stumps with Gilchrist obviously short of his ground. Unfortunately for the Indians, the bail took an age to dislodge itself from the stumps, by which time Gilchrist had made his crease. The umpire had a difficult decision to make and, in the end, ruled in favour of the batsman. Unlike the previous day, the cricketing gods were smiling on Gilchrist. Mark Waugh was dismissed by a beauty from Prasad, but that was the only highlight for the Indians. Andrew Symonds was promoted to No 3 and the experiment worked a treat. He bludgeoned a quickfire 68 in a century-plus stand with Gilchrist and in the process snuffed out any chance of an Indian fightback. Overall, the Australians were the better side in both games. All this was achieved without the services of Glen McGrath or contributions from Australia’s other World Cup hero, Steve Waugh. Quite simply, the Australians are tactically more aware and have more options with both bat and ball. There will have to be a
major turnaround in form for either Sri Lanka or India to
stop the Aussies from taking this tournament. — PMG |
India juniors swamp Egypt in BERLIN, Aug 24 (PTI) — Halfback Arjun Halappa slammed in four goals as India got off to a flying start by swamping Egypt 8-2 in their opening match of the eight-nation Junior Challenge Hockey (under-21) Tournament in the Polish town of Poznan yesterday. The Indian colts, who led 3-1 at half-time, completely dominated their group “A” game as forward Gursewak Singh struck a brace and centre forward Inderjit Singh and half-back Bimal Lakra completed the rout with a goal apiece. Mahmood Fathi and Walid found the consolation goals for Egypt. In another group “A” tie, formidable Germany swamped Belgium 8-1, producing a second half blitz after leading 2-1 at half-time. Captain Max Landshut scored two goals while his team pumped in four goals in the last 10 minutes. In pool “B”, strong South Korea routed England 6-0 (half-time 2-0). Forwards Hong Kwang Jian, Jung Sion Lee and Zion Jin Jung helped themselves to two goals each, with all of them field conversions. Hosts Poland rallied well from a 1-2 first half deficit to overcome Scotland 3-2 in the other group “B” encounter. Indian coach C.R. Kumar said he was “very happy” at the victory over Egypt, but felt India’s deep defence needed improvement. “They (deep defenders) were committing mistakes and a lot of unforced errors,” Kumar said. Centre forward Inderjit Singh drew first blood in the 18th minute through a field goal and India stretched the lead in the 24th and 31st minutes through field efforts by Gursewak Singh and Halappa. With a minute left for
the half-time hooter, Egypt pulled one back when Mahmood
Fathi converted a penalty corner and the African side
made it 2-3 briefly with another penalty corner goal by
Waled three minutes after resumption. |
Prabhjot, Ajay set new records JALANDHAR, Aug 24 — Prabhjot Kaur and Ajay Raj Singh of host Jalandhar created new meet records in the opening day of 76th Open Punjab Athletic Champion-ship here today. In long jump (women under-22) Prabhjot Kaur created a new meet record with a distance of 5.68m. The old record was in the name of Bhupinder Kaur of Ludhiana (5.45m). Ajay Raj Singh completed the 200m race in just 21:31 sec. He broken the old record of Rajeev of Kapurthala (21:5 sec). Kashmir Singh of Amritsar (under-22) finished the 800-metre race in 1:57:16 sec and broken the previous record of 1:57:16 sec. Jogga Singh of Jalandhar created a new record in men’s under 5000m race while Dhapinder Kaur of PAP created a new record in women long jump covering a distance of 5.92m. The results: Men’s 5000m: 1. Shinder Pal (Jal.) 2. Balwinder Singh (PP), 3. Harjeet Singh (PP). Women’s 3000m (under-22): 1. Amarjeet Kaur of Fatehgarh Sahib (10:31 sec), 2. Beant Kaur of Bathinda (10:40 sec), 3. Naginder Kaur of Amritsar (10:45 sec). Long Jump (women): 1. Dhapin-der Kaur of PAP (5.92mtr), 2. Reeta Rani of Ropar (5.50mtr), 3. Bhupinder Kaur of PAP (5.16mtr). Long Jump Women (under-22): 1. Prabhjot of Jalandhar (5.68mtr), 2. Sunita of PAP (5.47mtr), 3. Aman-deep Kaur of NawanShahar (4.98mtr). Men’s 800m: 1. Harpal Singh of BSF (1:53:13 sec), 2. Amardeep Singh of PAP (1:53:69 sec), 3. Ajit Pal Singh of Jalandhar (1:54:74 sec). Men’s 800m (under-22): 1. Kashmir Singh of Amritsar (1:57:16 sec), 2. Ravinder Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib (1:58:48 sec) 3. Tejinder Singh of Sangrur (1:59:51 sec). Women’s 800m: 1. Inderjit of PAP (2:16:38 sec), 2. Tejinder of Jalandhar (2:17:99 sec), 3. Parpreet Kaur of Jalandhar (2:18:16 sec). Women’s 800m (under-22): 1. Gurkirpal of Jalandhar (2:22:22 sec), 2. Paramjeet Kaur of Ludhiana (2:22:80 sec), 3. Kawal Jeet Kaur of Jalandhar (2:24:79 sec). Men’s 200m: 1. Ajay Raj Singh of Jalandhar (21:31 sec), 2. Bhagwant of PAP (22:71 sec), 3. Gurmeet Singh of Jalandhar (22:74 sec). Men’s 200m (under-22): 1. Jagpreet Singh of Jalandhar (22:72 sec), 2. Lakhbir of Ropar (23:39 sec), 3. Gurbir Singh of Ldh (23:44 sec). Women’s 200m:
ManDeep Kaur of Jalandhar (25:22 sec), 2. Sagar Deep Kaur
of Fatehgarh Sahib (26:98 sec), 3. Rajwinder Kaur of
Jalandhar (27:26). |
Courier shocked in 1st round BROOKLINE (USA), Aug 24 (AP) — Seventh-seeded Jim Courier lost to 60th-ranked Sargis Sargsian 6-4, 6-4, in the first round of the US Pro-Tennis Championships at Longwood Cricket Club. Courier was hoping to make amends after losing last month in the Davis Cup quarterfinals on these same courts. Courier and Sargsian, who both live in Orlando, Florida, have been frequent practice partners. Sargsian’s serve had a lot to do with his success against the 36th-ranked Courier. He lost only 14 points on serve in the match and served the last three games at love. In the first set, after squandering six set points, Sargsian finally ended the set with a service ace. Sargsian broke at love for a 4-3 lead in the second set. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Cedric Pioline and eighth-seeded Jonas Bjorkman were easy afternoon winners. Pioline, No 1 in France and a two-time Grand Slam finalist, used a strong service and steady ground strokes to put away Argentine Gaston Gaudio, 6-4, 6-0. Sweden’s Bjorkman beat Slovakia’s Jan Kroslak 6-2, 7-6 (7-4). Also advancing to the second round was sixth-seeded Marat Safin of Russia, a 7-5, 7-5 winner over Italy’s Gianluca Pozzi. Other first-round
winners were France’s Arnaud Clement, who outlasted
Slava Dosedel of the Czech Republic 3-6, 7-6 (7-1), 6-2;
Australia’s Andrew Elie, who was leading Romanian
Andrei Pavel, 6-3, 1-0, when Pavel retired with an elbow
injury; and Cecil Mamiit edged Costa Rican Juan Antonio
Marin, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4. |
Not a setback, says Baskaran NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (PTI) — India’s bane of poor rate of goal conversions and inability to hold on to early leads by letting in “silly goals”, magnified by pathetic officiating by home umpires, marked their 0-3 defeat in the just-ended hockey Test series against South Africa in Johannesburg. “Penetration of forwards was good, but we could convert only five of the 39 tries we had at the goal in five matches. The umpiring was bad, but we have to work on certain key areas,” chief national coach Vasudevan Baskaran told PTI today on the “A” team’s return from the exposure trip. Hit by the cold conditions prevailing in the southern hemisphere winter and temperatures touching a minimum of six to four degrees, the Indian team drew the first and third of five match series goalless and 2-all respectively. But they lost the second Test and final Test by identical 1-2 margins and were downed 1-4 by the South Africans in the third Test to completing a disappointing tour. Baskaran said India should have won atleast three matches had they held on to early leads, but denied it was a setback to the preparations for next year’s Sydney Olympics. “It is not necessarily a setback. Logically none will accept my argument. But Baljit Dhillon’s absence due to injury deprived us a penalty corner expert and South Africa’s defensive game meant we gained only 14 corners in the entire series,” he said. He said despite the reverses, it was a good exposure trip and employment of the 2-3-3-2 and 2-4-4-1 patterns — in place of the age-old five forward style — was satisfactory. Asked to point out areas that required attention, Baskaran said fitness had improved drastically, but players should learn to maintain the rhythm for the full 70 minutes. “We should have been able to keep the lead. In three games we dominated and should have won, despite the umpiring. In the third match we gave away a 2-0 lead and allowed them to draw which showed slightly casual approach by the defence. “We should learn to hold even a one goal lead, because such silly mistakes cost us the series. We should also perfect zonal play and off the ball running,” he said. About umpiring which was a constant issue during the series, Baskaran said he felt the two home officials were not consistent in their interpretions and kept on conceding the advantage to the South Africans. “In the fourth match, they simply gifted two late goals to South Africa. The bias was absent only in the last tie, telecast live,” he said. Forward Brojen Singh — he was struck badly on his back in a stick hit where the offender went unpunished — and Deepak Thakur suffered injuries in the first Test while forward Gagan Ajit Singh was struck on his chest in the fourth game. “I am sure the boys can work on the grey areas in the camp and we will do far better in Australia,” he said. India, Australia, Canada and South Korea play in a double leg four-nation tournament at Canberra and Sydney to be held from September 12 to 26 in the next posure phase. “Domestic hockey is too slow, playing abroad in the only way,” he said. The camp will be held at
SAI southern centre, Bangalore from September 1 to 11. |
Usha wins 2 gold; India 6th NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (UNI) — Kerala’s M. Usha hogged the spotlight winning two gold medals to enable host India finish sixth as Chinese Taipei retained the overall title with 136 medals, including 46 gold, in the 13th Asia-Pacific Swimming and Diving Championship which concluded here today. On the last day, India bagged 14 medals to take their tally to 48 (4 gold,18 silver and 26 bronze). Of the four golds M. Usha claimed three and Rakhi Mehra one. Thailand finished runners up with 43 medals (21golds,9 silver and 13 bronze), while Hong Kong took the third place with 45 medals (18-14-13) and China were placed fourth with 32 medals (15-12-5). In morning session, Usha clinched the gold in 200m butterfly with a time of 2:38.45 while her teammate Rajshree Chakrbarty took the silver clocking 2:44.25. Stuti Singh of Nepal was third for bronze in 3:27.43. Usha struck another gold
in the evening, when she timed 3:06.02 in the 200 m
breaststroke (open). Her compatriot Rakhi Mehra was
second in 3:09.52 while Li Shih-Yu of Chinese Taipei
bagged bronze in 3:15.27. |
India face West Indies at Toronto MUMBAI, Aug 24 (PTI) — India will afterall go to Toronto this year, not to revive the one-day cricket series against Pakistan that has been scrapped, but instead will face the West Indies in a three-match limited over series next month. According to cricket board (BCCI) sources today, India and West Indies will line up against each other in a three-match series at the Canadian city on September 11, 12 and 14. Later, Pakistan are also scheduled to play against the Caribbeans on September 16, 18 and 19, board sources said. The six one-day internationals are being organised by the International Management Group (IMG), who hold the rights for the Indo-Pak five-match annual series that began at the venue in 1996 and have conducted it for the last three years. The six ties are
presumably to be played as compensation for the cancelled
five-match series between India and Pakistan following
the government’s refusal to grant permission to the
BCCI to play against Pakistan under the present
circumstances. |
Team suffered due to ‘lack of nets’ COLOMBO, Aug 24 (PTI) — Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar today said his team wanted to forget the bad defeat against Australia and go into tomorrow’s tie against Sri Lanka in the triangular cricket tournament on a positive note. “We want to forget what happened yesterday. Everyone is looking to put their best effort and everyone is enjoying themselves here,” Tendulkar said at the Premadasa Stadium. Rain in the afternoon denied net practice for both the Indian and Sri Lankan players who had planned to work out under floodlights for the day-night contest. Left-handed batsman Amay Khurasia was seen limping a bit, but coach Anshuman Gaekwad said there was nothing serious and that he was expected to play tomorrow. Gaekwad said the Indian
team had suffered due to lack of nets ever since they
landed in here on August 20. “The last proper nets
we had was back in Chennai,” he said in laying most
of the blame for the uninspiring performance to absence
of proper nets. |
Khalifman on course for crown LAS VEGAS, Aug 24 (PTI) — Russian grandmaster Alexander Khalifman stayed on course for the crown when he opted for a quick draw in the second match of the six-game finals in the World Chess Championships here last night. Khalifman, who took a clear one-point lead with a first-game demolition of Armenia’s Vladimir Akopian on Sunday, drew the second in just 18 moves while playing with an advantage of white pieces at Caesars Palace. The Russian, who now has 1.5 points to half point of the Armenian, was a bit defensive not wanting to risk losing with the world title in sight. The 33-year-old Khalifman opened the attack with pawn move (d4) and Akopian faced it with a knight (nf6) move and after the Russian opted ‘no move’ on the 10th, indications were clear that Khalifman was playing it safe. The 27-year-old
three-time junior world champion Akopian, playing black,
was also content with a draw. The former under-16, u-18
and u-20 world champion is hoping to strike back when he
plays white tonight. |
IHF recalls Mukesh NEW DELHI, Aug 24 (PTI) — Veteran forward Mukesh Kumar, one of the six senior players controversially omitted from the Indian squad since the Bangkok Asian Games gold medal victory last December, today made a return to the Indian squad. The right winger is part of the 18-member list of probables announced by the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) to take part in a double-leg four-nation tournament to be held at Canberra and Sydney from September 12 to 26. Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar, Sandeep Somesh, Sabu Varkey, Ashish Ballal and A.B. Subbaiah had not been considered for selection by IHF since the Asian Games triumph. Key deep defender Dilip Tirkey, who missed the just-ended test series in South Africa on medical advise has also been included in the list released by IHF Secretary K. Jothikumaran. The camp for the tournament featuring India, Australia, Canada and South Korea will be held at SAI centre, Bangalore from September 1 to 12, it added. The probables: Goalkeepers: Edward Aloysius, Jude Menezes. Defenders: Dilip Tirkey, Lazarus Barla, Anurag Raghuvanshi, Dinesh Nayak. Halfbacks: Baljit Singh Saini, Md. Riaz, Thirumalvalavan, Sukhbir Gill, Deepak Thakur, Daljit Singh Dhillon, Anwar Khan. Forwards: Kamal Horo, Mukesh Kumar, Gagan Ajit Singh, Sameer Dad, Baljit Singh Chandi. Coaches: V. Baskaran and Ramesh Parameswaran. Physio: Sampath Kumar. Stand-byes: Boppanna,
Chandersekhar Zalco, Virender Singh and Ammar Ayyamma. |
Boards from Nepal NEW DELHI, Aug 24 — As Sports Authority of India diving boards — one and three metres — were unserviceable, the Swimming Federation of India SFI had to take two boards on loan from Nepal (Kathmandu). Had the boards not arrived on time by road, the organisers would have been compelled to scrape the springboard diving. As the competition ended
today, both the boards were dismantled and were returned
by road to Kathmandu. |
H
Lakhbir sparkles CHANDIGARH, Aug 24 (BOSR) — Punjab State Electricity Board XI downed Panchkula District Cricket Association XI by five wickets in the Major Sandeep Sagar Memorial Cricket Tournament being played here at the Gursagar Grounds here today. Batting first, PDCA XI were helped by a good knock of 82 runs off 61 balls from skipper Gautam Sharma which included three sixes and eight boundaries. He was ably supported by Munish Joshi who contributed 49 runs. PDCA were 190 for 8 at the end of 30 overs. In reply, the PSEB team reached the target runs in 28.1 overs. Brief scores: PDCA XI: 190 for eight
in 30 overs (Gautam Sharma 82, Lakhbir Singh 4 for 39,
Ajay Joshi 2 for 34) PSEB XI: 191 for five in 28.1 overs
(Lakhbir Singh 59, Kulwinder 47, Sandeep 31, Vinod Banta
3 for 26). |
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