Martin, Courier to do singles duty for USA
BROOKLINE, (Massachusetts), July 16 — Pete Sampras, the World’s top singles player for the past six years, will play only doubles for the USA in their Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against Australia.

Woods catching up with leaders
CARNOUSTIE, (Scotland), July 16 — Underlining his supremacy as the world’s best and in-form golfer, Tiger Woods defied the tangling rough and nagging rain at Carnoustie today with three early birdies to challenge the leaders at the British open.

Manchester United beat Aussies
MELBOURNE, July 16 — Nicky Butt scored a goal 30 minutes into the second half yesterday to help Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Australia in an international soccer match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Ijaz Ahmed denies visiting casino
KARACHI, July 16 — Pakistan’s experienced batsman Ijaz Ahmed has strongly denied having visited a casino in London before the World Cup final at Lord’s last month.

Atherton hits double ton
LONDON, July 16 — Former England captain Mike Atherton completed a record-breaking 268 not out for Lancashire in their English County Championship match against Glamorgan at Blackpool yesterday.

Aparna breaks into top 20
BANGALORE, July 16 — National champion Aparna Popat has broken into the top 20 in world ranking in the women’s singles list released by the International Badminton Federation.

Bhutia set to play in Europe
CALCUTTA, July 16 — Star Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia is all set to make his maiden appearance for a foreign club with Fulham FC seeking a no-objection certificate from the All India Football Federation AIFF.

Ramesh outplays Arvind
AURANGABAD, July 16 — West Bengal’s Pranjal Das held highly rated double IM norm holder Sandipan Chanda (GNCA) in the second round of the Rs 1.77 lakh Omkar Buddhibal Mandal Open international rating chess tournament here today.

Footballer Kosal Raman dead MUMBAI, July 16 — Former international footballer. J. Kosal Raman, died of heart attack at a private nursing home here yesterday. He was 47.

International calendar to be discussed
BCCI working panel meeting on Aug 3

MUMBAI, July 16 (PTI, UNI) — The forthcoming international calendar featuring India would come up for discussion in the cricket board’s (BCCI) working committee meeting at Calcutta on August 3, board President Raj Singh Dungarpur said today.

“Obviously the cricketing ties with Pakistan too will form part of the discussion,” the board chief said when queried on this issue in the wake of his Pakistan counterpart Khalid Mahmood’s statement in Islamabad yesterday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mahmood had said the PCB had no problem playing against India at home or elsewhere and that it will host India for a full Test series in 2001 according to a 10-year schedule prepared by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Mahmood had also said as per a decision taken at the PCB council, the Pakistan team will also tour Australia to play a triangular series involving India early next year.

The PCB council had met in Lahore on Sunday to review things in the post World Cup scenario amidst doubts raised about Indo-Pak cricketing ties in the background of the Kargil situation and the pull-out by the sponsors of the annual five-match bilateral series between the two countries at Toronto.

One day before the working committee meeting the marketing and sponsorship committee as well as the cricket academy committee which has been formed to look into the proposed setting up of a national cricket academy will meet on August 2 also in Calcutta, the BCCI said.

However, the BCCI refused to divulge the details of the agenda of these meetings.

The board is also expected to take up the matter of cricketing ties with Pakistan in the background of the Kargil conflict and the pulling out of the Sahara India from sponsoring the annual five match series in Toronto, Canada.

Another thorny matter which is most likely to come up is the contravening of the rules by three players namely Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and Robin Singh by airing their views on the World Cup so soon after the event got over. Whether any action is to be taken against these three players will in all probability come up for discussion in the working committee.

The marketing and sponsorship committee which will be meeting a day before the working committee meeting is expected to discuss the awarding to television rights for the forthcoming tri-series tournament in Sri Lanka.

The marketing committee is likely to decide on the awarding of the TV rights and the same will be informed to the working committee.

The TV rights issue has come up due to the fact that the previous contract with Trans World International has come to an end.

Sony TV has seemed to have made the best bid, which, however, the BCCI honorary secretary Jawant Lele refused to confirm. The contract for TV rights may be of three years or five years, Lele had said, adding that the Trans World contract was for five years.

Indian challenge ends

NEW DELHI, July 16 (PTI) — Indian challenge in both boys’ and girls’ singles of the Asian Junior Badminton Championship ended when all four shuttlers bowed out tamely in the pre-quarterfinals at Yangoon, Myanmar.

V. Diju, Abhishek Bakshi and A Prithvi lost in straight games in boys singles while Parul Priyadarshini, the lone Indian player to reach the girls last 16, lost to Chiu Yi Ju of Chinese Taipei in matches played yesterday.

Former national under-16 champion Bakshi and India number two junior Prithvi put up some fight before succumbing.

Bakshi, who beat Liao Sheng Shin of Chinese Taipei to reach the third round, fought hard in the first game before losing 13-15, 3-15, according to information reaching here.

Prithvi’s tough resistance in the second game went in vain as South Korea’s Heo Hoon Hoi beat him 15-9, 17-14. Diju was beaten 7-15 1-15 by Zhang Yang of China.

Parul, who put up a strong show to beat Singapore’s Melissa Claire in second round, was downed 2-11, 6-11 by her Chinese Taipei opponent.

Earlier, four of her team-mates tumbled out in straight games in the second round.

Mugdha Bhagwat lost 6-11, 1-11 to Joo Hyun Hee of South Korea while promising Trupti Murgunde went down 8-11 5-11 to Indonesia’s Enny Entangga. A. Vahini was overwhelmed 1-11, 0-11 by South Korean Hwang Yoo Mee while Pooja Patil showed early fight before going down 10-13, 2-11 to Korean Kim Hee Jung.

Aparna breaks into top 20

BANGALORE, July 16 (PTI) — National champion Aparna Popat has broken into the top 20 in world ranking in the women’s singles list released by the International Badminton Federation (IBF).

Two-time national champion Aparna Popat has achieved her career-best world ranking of 20 as per the IBF list of July 15, Badminton Association of India (BAI) said in a release here today.

Men’s national champion Pullela Gopichand is ranked 37 in the men’s singles and the men’s doubles pair of Jaseel Ismail and Vincent Lobo is 55.

Commenting on the latest rankings, Prakash Padukone, Executive President of the BAI said: “We have set realistic goals for our players. We would like Gopichand to be in the top 25 and Aparna in the top 20 by the end of the year.

“Now that Aparna is already in the 20s she has to maintain her current ranking and try to be in the top 15 by December 1999.

“I would consider it as a good achievement if she can make it to the world’s top 12 and qualify to play in the year ending World Grand Prix finals which features the top 12 women’s singles players in December 2000.

Padukone said apart from Gopichand and Aparna Popat, the aim would be to get at least two men’s singles players, two women and top men’s doubles pair to qualify for the Sydney Olympics in September 2000.

The other Indian players in the IBF world ranking list are:

Men’s singles: Nikhil Kanetkar 86, Abhim Shyam Gupta 94, Ajit Wijetilek 132, Sachin Ratti 160, Srikant Bakshi 183, Mangirish Palekar 190, Chetan Anand 209, Thomas Kurian 229, and Anuj Gupta 243.

The women’s singles: Neelima Choudhary 85, Manjusha Kanwar 149, B.R. Meenakshi 183, P.V. Lakshmi 209, Divya Ramesh 221, Sampada Shettye 232, Nirmala Kotnis 278 and Pooja Parekh 302.

Betting definitely takes place: Jadeja

NEW DELHI, July 16 (PTI) — Indian cricket vice-captain Ajay Jadeja has defended beleaguered skipper Mohd Azharuddin and said a man who has led India for nearly 10 years cannot be blamed that he has not been carrying the team along in the last one year.

Jadeja, one of the captaincy aspirants, criticised media comments on Azhar’s leadership saying the same newspapers that voted him the best captain when he won and “broke records” earlier were now writing against him.

“He has been the captain for the last 10 years. It cannot be that in the last one year he has not been carrying the team along with him. Ten years ago he was captaining the same team. When we won the series in 1993 and 1997, he was the captain who broke records,” Jadeja told Star TV’s Janata ki Adalat programme slated to be telecast on Sunday.

Asked about his own captaincy aspirations, Jadeja who showed dynamism leading India to victories in a few matches at Sharjah earlier this year, said it was any cricketer’s dream to lead his country, but there was no guarantee he on anyone else can perform miracles.

“I don’t believe Ajay Jadeja or KYZ is a magician that India will not ever lose. It was fortunate we won three matches that I led. No team wins because of one man,” he said.

Asked about betting and match-fixing in Indian cricket, he said betting does take place but did not commit himself when asked whether he has been approached by bookies.

“Betting hoti hai. Eis country mein agar koi bolta hai humein nahi pata betting ke baare mein, to woh jhoot bolta hai, (betting does take place. In this country, if anyone says there is no betting, they are lying). Betting definitely takes place,” he said.

When asked whether he had ever been approached by bookies, he said “all kinds of people keep meeting me”.

Martin, Courier to do singles duty
for USA

BROOKLINE, (Massachusetts), July 16 (AFP) — Pete Sampras, the World’s top singles player for the past six years, will play only doubles for the USA in their Davis Cup quarterfinal tie against Australia.

Jim Courier and Todd Martin must repeat their heroics from a dramatic first-round victory over Britain or squander the triumph that inspired Sampras to end a two-year Cup gap.

The risky choice to bench the Wimbledon winner and 12-time Grand Slam singles champion came here yesterday at the draw at Longwood Cricket Club, site of the first Davis Cup tie in 1900.

“It’s our decision. We all feel good about it. If other people don’t that’s their problem,” said Tom Gullikson, whose six-year run as the US captain will be in jeopardy should Australia advance.

“I probably wouldn’t want to be in Gully’s shoes if we win,” Australian captain John Newcombe said.

Sampras said he would have felt uncomfortable replacing Martin or Courier, who beat Tim Henman on the first day and Greg Rusedski in the final match of the US opening-round tie at Manchester.

“I’m very sensitive as far as being here this week,” he said. “After what Jim and Todd did in England, the last thing I wanted to do was jump on the bandwagon. Jim and Todd deserve to play singles.

“It’s Todd and Jim’s show. I don’t think it was right for me to come here and play singles. I didn’t feel comfortable doing that. They have shown their commitment to Davis Cup. I haven’t been in the same boat.”

Sampras said he would not feel bad about playing singles in later rounds if the US team advances. But he could be a singles substitute here only if Martin or Courier were hurt or in a dead rubber.

“Pete and I talked about it privately,” Gullikson said. “We had a team meeting to discuss some options. This is the decision that was agreed upon. It was a consensus. We all had input. This was the decision.”

Martin hinted not everyone agreed with the choice, saying: “We have come to a decision most of the guys are very comfortable with and we will make the most of it.”

Sampras will join Alex O’Brien to face Mark Woodforde and Sandon Stolle in tomorrow’s doubles on the hardcourts, where the Australians spoke confidently in part because Sampras has limited doubles experience.

“I just can’t see how he can walk out there and believe he can play good doubles,” Woodforde said. “He’s the best singles player at this moment. That doesn’t mean he’s that great in doubles.”

“I don’t think Pete is as comfortable playing doubles,” Stolle added. “I much prefer seeing him across the net in doubles instead of singles.”

Sampras laughed off any potential problems, saying: “It’s still the same sport, keep it inside the lines and serve big and return well. I can play good doubles. I know I can.”

Gullikson threw the pressure onto Stolle, who was paired with Woodforde when Todd Woodbridge withdrew.

“It’s not like playing the Woodies,” Gullikson said. “This is Sandon’s first Davis Cup experience. I’m sure he will be a little nervous playing against the best singles player in the world.”

Eighth-ranked Martin opens the tie against 32nd-ranked Lleyton Hewitt, the 18-year-old Australian pressed into duty after Mark Philippoussis suffered torn knee ligaments against Sampras at Wimbledon.

“It’s a must-win situation for them in the first match,” Newcombe said. “It puts a lot of pressure on Todd, Pete not playing and on paper he’s supposed to beat Lleyton. There’ll be some anxious moments for him.”

Two-time reigning US Open champion Pat Rafter, ranked second in the world, takes on 41st-ranked Courier in the second singles.

Rafter is 2-0 against Courier, winning on grass at Queen’s club in 1997 and Indian Wells hardcourts in 1994, and 5-3 against Martin, having won five of their past six meetings, including a 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 Wimbledon quarterfinal victory earlier this month.

Martin beat Hewitt in January at Sydney in their only meeting while Courier has never played the teenager.

Sampras is 2-0 against Hewitt and 8-4 against Rafter. But Rafter has won their past three meetings, most recently at the World Team Cup in May and most notably in five sets in the 1998 US Open semifinals.

Woods catching up with leaders

CARNOUSTIE, (Scotland), July 16 (AP) — Underlining his supremacy as the world’s best and in-form golfer, Tiger Woods defied the tangling rough and nagging rain at Carnoustie today with three early birdies to challenge the leaders at the British open.

Winner of three of his last three tournaments — the US Open being the exception — Woods rolled in a 30-foot putt at the first, parred the next three holes and then birdied the fifth, to pick up two early strokes and move to one over.

Although he bogeyed the seventh, Woods birdied the eighth and that put him one stroke off the lead held by overnight leader Rodney Pampling of Australia.

David Duval, winner of four tournaments this season and Woods’ biggest rival on the US tour, had another roller-coaster round on a course he has severely criticised.

Starting at eight over, he double bogeyed the sixth and eagled the 14th with a 10 foot putt that curled round the inside of the rim before dropping in.

But it all went wrong after that. He dropped to 12 over to finish with a 75 and halfway score of 154 and in danger of missing the cut.

The American has said the course, with his knee-length rough and narrow fairways, is bordering on unplayable although the tournament organisers have denied media suggestions that fertiliser has been used to make the rough grow tall and thick.

Colin Montgomerie, satisfied with his 3-over 74 yesterday, dropped shots at the first, seventh, eighth and 11th. But birdies at 10 and 14 brought the Scot — considered the home nation’s biggest hope to end the USA’s run of four open titles in a row - back into contention.

Like Duval, he then ran into a storm of bogeys and three in row from 15 meant he finished with a 76 for a two-round total of 150, eight over par.

Greg Norman, a two-time Open titlist, picked up three strokes from five over with birdies at four, 12 and 13 to go within two strokes of the lead.

Davis Love III, one of the Americans aiming to make it five in a row and starting three off the lead, double bogeyed the eighth after birdies at four and six.

Lee Westwood, England’s top player since the recent decline of Nick Faldo, started five over and bogeys five and six spoiled his chances before a birdie at nine brought him back to six over.

Faldo, meanwhile, looked in danger of missing another cut after starting seven-over and dropping seven more strokes in the first 12 holes.

He started bogey, double bogey and, despite a birdie at three, bogeyed the sixth, double bogeyed the ninth and bogeyed 10 and 11.

Bhutia set to play in Europe

CALCUTTA, July 16 (PTI) — Star Indian striker Bhaichung Bhutia is all set to make his maiden appearance for a foreign club with Fulham FC seeking a no-objection certificate from the All India Football Federation AIFF.

Fulham FC, a first division club in England, has shown interest in recruiting the Indian youngster and has asked the Football Association of England to obtain Bhutia’s clearance from their Indian counterparts.

The AIFF President, Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi confirmed that Fulham had sought a no-objection certificate for Bhutia.

“We have received such a communication and I also had a telephonic talk with the concerned officials. I will let you know the details tomorrow,” Mr Dasmunshi said.

The Indian Football Association (IFA), which governs football in the state, has already given its no-objection certificate to the parent body AIFF virtually paving the way for the star striker to fulfil his dream of playing in Europe.

Fulham FC has roped in Bhutia for two matches initially which are scheduled to be played in the next 10 days.

Bhutia, who undertook a special fitness training programme in Sweden, had appeared for trials for a few clubs in Europe in the past few months.

The Sikkim footballer had gone for trials last year also but could not play for any club.

Ranatunga vows to expose enemies

COLOMBO, July 16 (UNI) — Deposed Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has vowed to make public the people working underground to tarnish his image.

‘The debacle in the World Cup is not the reason for my ouster. If it were so, captains of other countries would also have been sacked. No other country has made such hue and cry as Sri Lanka, he said.

Ranatunga made these observations last night during a public debate which was telecast live on a private channel.

Former vice-captain Aravinda de Silva and team manager Duleep Mendis who were sacked by the new selection committee last week were also present.

Replying to a question why the selection committee took the drastic step of changing the captain, vice-captain, coach and manager, Ranatunga said: “The selection committee members know more about cricket than me. I have nothing to say or find fault with their decision.’’

Asked whether he would feel humiliated, while in playing under captain Sanath Jayasuriya, he replied: “Why should I? I have played under Aravinda and earlier also under Sanath. Now again I will play under Sanath.’’

Ramesh outplays Arvind

AURANGABAD, July 16 (PTI) — West Bengal’s Pranjal Das held highly rated double IM norm holder Sandipan Chanda (GNCA) in the second round of the Rs 1.77 lakh Omkar Buddhibal Mandal Open international rating chess tournament here today.

Candidate international master Vishal Sareen (LIC) and Rahul Shetty (IA) suffered shocking defeats at the hands of Saptashree Roy (GNCA) and Rashwin Pulekar (Maharashtra), respectively, while another seed Sriram Jha (LIC) fell prey to Sashikant Kotwal (Maharashtra).

International master and top seed R B Ramesh outclasseed C J Arvind (TN) in a nimgo Indian defence game with black pieces. Arvind transposed the game into a position akin to the Taimanov Sicilian and got slight advantage in the middlegame.

Ramesh equalised with a thematic pawn advance in the centre and succeeded in weakening white’s king position. There on a few lacklustre moves by Arvind resulted in a decisive kingside attack by Ramesh, who pocketed the full point without much ado.

Das played the Sicilian defence with black pieces and faced the Rossolimo attack of Sandipan who gained huge space advantage in the middlegame. Das put up a brave front and exchanged one piece after another to find himself in an endgame with bishops of opposite colour which he drew with perfect technique.

Results: Arvind (1) lost to R. B. Ramesh (2); Sandipan Chanda (1.5) drew with Pranjal Das (1.5); P. Pathak (1) lost to Neelotpal Das (2); C. S. Gokhale (2) beat N. Bhattacharya (1); K. P. Rao (1) lost to Lanka Ravi (2); S. K. Rathore (2) beat V. K. Solanki (1); K L Dave (1) lost to Shankar Roy (2); Swrajet Saha (1.5) drew with K. Gopalkrishnan (1.5); S. Babu (1.5) drew with Arif Ali (1.5); P. Brown (Scotland) (1) lost to S. Soman (2); S.K. Sinha (1) lost to S. Vijaylakshmi ((2); R.G. Shetty (1) lost to R. Pulekar (2); S.S. Ganguly (2) beat S. Satyakan (2).

Manchester United beat Aussies

MELBOURNE, July 16 (AP) — Nicky Butt scored a goal 30 minutes into the second half yesterday to help Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Australia in an international soccer match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A superb volley on the stroke of half-time by Jesper Blomqvist had given United a 1-0 lead. The teams play again on Sunday in Sydney

Blomqvist was a late replacement for Ryan Giggs in the starting 11 and showed the crowd a taste of the skill that won the British team a unique triple last season.

Blomqvist drifted clear of his marker after a corner and slammed an unstoppable volley past helpless Australian goalkeeper Michael Petkovic.

The first highlight of the game came when United defender Henning Berg hit the bar after a corner in the 14th minute, but it appeared referee Mark Shield had already blown for a foul.

Striker Dwight Yorke took a free kick just outside the box soon after, but his shot cannoned into the defensive wall.

Australia were close to opening the scoring in the 23rd minute when Stan Lazaridis whipped in a cross to Danny Tiatto, whose header was goal-bound before a save by Mark Bosnich, who tipped it over the bar.

Young United midfielder Jon Greening had an opportunity in the 28th minute when he intercepted a rebound and was clean through on goal. He only had the keeper to beat, but put his shot wide.

United were below their rhythmic best, trying to accommodate a couple of unfamiliar faces in the line up.

And both teams struggled to control a ball which was bouncing high off the firm surface.

Ijaz Ahmed denies visiting casino

KARACHI, July 16 (ANI) — Pakistan’s experienced batsman Ijaz Ahmed has strongly denied having visited a casino in London before the World Cup final at Lord’s last month.

Ijaz, who has kept silent ever since reports about his being seen at a West End Casino came up, said it was all rubbish. “The reports about me visiting a casino before the final are absurd. I am not worried about it or the reports that the Ehtesab Bureau is investigating into the matter because none of the players went out late night before the final,” Ijaz said. Such reports came out after a match was lost, he added.

“The factual position is that on the night before the final, we had a team dinner and everyone was back in his room by 10.30 p.m.” he explained.

He maintained that being a professional, he realised when he had to rest and when to relax. “No one needed to tell us what to do before the World Cup final. It was a big occasion for us and everyone was keyed up for it.”

Asked whether he had ever visited the casino at anytime during his stay in London, Ijaz made it clear that like other teams, Pakistani players had friends and on the rest days they usually went out to relax and unwind a bit.

The Pakistan batsman also made it clear he was actively pursuing legal action against the radio station which had initially reported him being seen at the casino into the late hours before the final.

Indications are that the Ehtesab Bureau headed by Senator Saif-ur-Rehman is carrying out its investigations into the conduct of the Pakistan team on this one incident.

Investigations confirm that the Senator is now trying to have Khalid Mahmood removed as the Chairman of the board on the basis of the report which is expected to be filed by the bureau. And the players might have to face the possibility of having to contend with a board run by Senator’s brother Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, with Majid Khan as Chief Executive.

Atherton hits double ton

LONDON, July 16 (AFP) — Former England captain Mike Atherton completed a record-breaking 268 not out for Lancashire in their English County Championship match against Glamorgan at Blackpool yesterday.

Atherton’s innings helped Lancashire compile 558 for six declared and leave Glamorgan shellshocked. Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan then dismissed the first five Glamorgan batsmen to send the visitors sliding to 193-6.

Atherton, back at his best after being troubled by a back injury, recorded his high first-class score.

He advanced after being 176 overnight to hit the highest-ever score at Stanley Park and the highest by a Lancashire batsman against Glamorgan.

Glamorgan are now in danger of suffering their fourth innings defeat in the last five matches. They will resume today still needing an other 214 to avoid the follow-on.

Muralitharan maintained his superb record in England. He has bowled in just four championship games and has already taken 42 wickets.

Essex established a massive first-innings lead of 316 as they continued to dominate Middlesex at Southend.

Resuming on 166 for three, they amassed 429, the second successive innings they have topped the 400-mark.

England skipper Nasser Hussain led the way for Essex with 99 from 249 deliveries.

Aftab Habib struck a painstaking unbeaten 160 as Leicestershire poured on the agony for Sussex by amassing a mammoth 566 for eight declared at Arundel.

Vikram Solanki, meanwhile, hit a career-best 171 for Worcestershire to pile on the misery for Gloucestershire on the second day at Cheltenham.

The brilliant exhibition of strokeplay brought the 23-year-old six sixes and 19 fours as he beat his previous best first-class score by one run.

While in Canterbury burly paceman Chris Cairns finished with figures of seven for 46 as New Zealand took command of the first day of their four-day match against Kent here yesterday.

Playing in their last match before the second Test against England at Lord’s, the Kiwis dismissed Kent for 201 after taking nine wickets during the second session.

Kent, were at 100 for one at lunch, but Cairns soon struck by taking four for nine in 12 balls.

Two more in the space of three deliveries in his second spell after the break earned the big all-rounder a seven-wicket haul.

New Zealand then moved to 103-1 at stumps with opener Mathhew Horne unbeaten on 57.

With swing bowler Simon Doull undergoing an exploratory knee operation on Wednesday, New Zealand need their bowlers in form in time for the more exacting tasks awaiting them at Lord’s next week.

English cricket scores yesterday:

English County Championship

At Riverside: Derbyshire 241 (K. Krikken 88, D. Cork 53; S. Brown 6-84) v Durham 89-1

At Southend: Middlesex 113 (R. Anderson 5-36) and 45-1 v Essex 429 (N. Hussain 99, R. Irani 70, S. Law 58, A. Cowan 52 n.o.)

At Cheltenham: Worcestershire 591-7 dec (V. Solanki 171, W. Weston 139, G. Hick 122) v Gloucestershire 150-6 (T. Hancock 58, K. Barnett 53)

At Blackpool: Lancashire 556-6 dec (M. Atherton 268 n.o. M. Chilton 71, N. Fairbrother 59, W. Hegg 53) v Glamorgan 193-6 (A. Dale 89 n.o.

Footballer Kosal Raman dead

MUMBAI, July 16 (PTI) — Former international footballer. J. Kosal Raman, died of heart attack at a private nursing home here yesterday. He was 47.

Raman, who represented India at Kuala Lumpur in 1973, played for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore, and Mohun Bagan (1973), Calcutta, before joining the Indian Railways. He was the chief ticketing inspector in Western Railway in Mumbai before his death.

Raman, who was also one of the regular coaches at the Bipin memorial football coaching camp, is survived by his wife, son and a daughter.

Ambedkar REC bags trophy

JALANDHAR, July 16 (FOC) — Dr B.R. Ambedkar Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar, has again declared overall champion of 1998-99 in Punjab Technical University (men and women) inter-college tournaments, securing 37 points. GNE, Ludhiana, finished second securing 34 points.

Hindu School win

AMRITSAR, July 16 (FOSR) — Local Hindu Sabha School beat DAV School by 113 runs to enter the semifinal of the Amritsar league cum knock out cricket tournament.

Brief scores:

Hindu Sabha School: 184 all out (Chander Mohan 52, Rajesh 27, Gangandeep Singh 2 for 20, Baljit Singh 2 for 22, Mukesh 2 for 20)

DAV School: 71 all out (Gaurav 3 for 16, Jyoti 2 for 8, Vikram 2 for 32).