Tuesday, June 1, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Tuesday, June 1, 1999 |
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Azhar emerges with flying colours Mohanty
emerging India’s trump card
Indians start with big
disadvantage Tight
security for India-Pak match Spectators’
interest may decline
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B’desh pull off World Cup coup NORTHAMPTON, June 1 (PTI) — Bangladesh last night pulled off a World Cup coup by stunning formidable Pakistan by 62 runs in a historic verdict in group ‘B’ that left the debutants overjoyed for more reasons than one. In a tie of no consequence for qualification, but holding much significance for both teams as Bangladesh were part of Pakistan till 1971, the debutants bowled out Pakistan for just 161 runs in 44.3 overs after making a fighting 223 for nine wickets against the formidable attack on being asked to bat first. Pakistan had already qualified for the Super Six by topping group ‘B’ with eight points and Bangladesh were out of contention as the ICC Trophy champions had only a lone win over fellow debutants Scotland going into the final group tie. Pakistan had to reach the target in 49 overs after being docked an over for slow over-rate. Bangladesh came right on top by reducing Pakistan to five for 42 before pulling off the super win. Medium-pacer Khaled Mehmood claimed three for 31 and Bangladesh fielders effected three brilliant run outs to shape the improbable win. Bangladesh fielders erupted in joyous celebrations at the fall of Saqlain Mushtaq, whose run out signalled victory, and the huge number of Bangladesh fans ran onto the ground even before the third umpire declared the batsman out. Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam said: "This is amazing. Today we played well both in bowling as well as in batting," and heaped praise on opener Shahriar Hossain in particular for his 39. "This is a historic day for us. I expect our Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) to announce special prizes for us," he added. It was the biggest win for Bangladesh, who were given one-day status only last year, and the team finished their World Cup engagements with a creditable tally of four points. "I am happy we lost to our brothers," said the Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram as he lauded Bangladesh for their superb win. Akram said: "It was a difficult match for us to play after winning all the matches," and did not accord much significance to the result as his team geared up for tougher battles in the Super Six stage. But Bangladesh officials delivered a stunning news amidst celebrations by axing the team’s outspoken West Indian coach Gordon Greenidge from his post. Bangladesh came up with an inspired batting display as Hossain, the seasoned Akram Khan (42) and all-rounder Khaled Mahmud — who hit up 27 and bagged three wickets to emerge Man of the Match — took on the Pakistan attack well. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq captured five for 35 and speedster Waqar Younis finished with two for 36 playing his first tie in the tournament. The Pakistan batting never clicked with none of the top five batsmen managing to reach double figures. The Pakistan batting lost its way from the outset. The explosive Shahid Afridi (2) and fellow opener Saeed Anwar, who was run out for 9, fell cheaply and Ijaz Ahmed was bowled by medium-pacer Shafiuddin without scoring. Mahmud then trapped the in-form Inzamam-ul Haq and veteran Salim Malik leg before to raise visions of a major upset, just two days after Zimbabwe’s stunning victory over South Africa in group ‘A’. Azhar Mehmood (29) and skipper Akram (29) added 55 runs for the sixth wicket, but once Mehmood was run out to a brilliant piece of fielding by Aminul Islam and Akram followed five runs later, the writing was on the wall. Akram hit a six and two fours but fell five runs after Mehmood when he holed out to Shahriyar at square leg off Minhazul Abedin to make it 102 for seven. Moin Khan (18) and Waqar Younis (11) alongwith Saqlain Mushtaq (21) kept the chase going before Bangladesh made it 160 for nine and clinched the tie when Saqlain Mushtaq was run out to another good fielding effort by Aminul Islam. SCOREBOARD PAKISTAN |
B'desh celebrates win DHAKA, May 31 (AP) — Thousands of jubilant fans took to the streets tonight to celebrate the national team’s historic victory over Pakistan in the cricket World Cup. Bangladesh, which made its World Cup debut this year, defeated former champions Pakistan by 62 runs in a thriller of a match in Northampton, England. As the Bangladesh players staged the biggest upset in the current World Cup, Bangladeshis back home compared the match to the country’s battle for independence from Pakistan in 1971. "This is as if we have won a second independence war against Pakistan," said Zaidul Hasan, a student who was among thousands of revelers in Bangladesh’s capital. Sent into bat, Bangladesh made its best World Cup score of 223 for nine, its openers becoming the first opening pair to notch 50 for the first wicket, against Pakistan in the current edition. It was the last match of the tournament for Bangladesh, which lost three other matches. But the players go out with their heads held high. Waving huge green and red national flags and chanting "Bangladesh, Bangladesh," revellers in Dhaka danced, beat drums and burst crackers. They sprayed coloured water onto passing cars and offered sweets to passers-by. "It was like winning the World Cup itself," said Atif Ahmed, student who came out with friends to celebrate in the city’s Malibagh district. Bangladesh tasted its first-ever World Cup victory a week ago by defeating fellow minnows Scotland by 22 runs in their third match. Today’s win was
Bangladesh’s first against Pakistan. Their last
one-day encounter was in Dhaka in March this year.
Pakistan, using part-time bowlers, won a one-sided match
by 152 runs. Bangladesh, chasing 293-7, were dismissed
for 141. |
New Zealand clinch Super Six berth EDINBURGH, May 31 (PTI) — Giving a superb all-round display, New Zealand barged into the World Cup super six today to dash West Indian hopes and in the process leave the formidable Australia at the bottom of the table, below India. New Zealand thrashed debutants Scotland by six wickets, skittling them out for 121 in 42.1 overs and then rattling up 123 for four in 17.5 overs to comfortably meet the task of achieving victory in the 21st over to qualify on better net run rate over the Caribbeans. The Kiwis won the match to force a three-way tie with Australia and the West Indies with six points each and made it with a better net run rate. Pakistan topped the group with eight points with Australia (+0.73) and New Zealand (+0.58) squeezing through on better run rate than the West Indies (+0.50). In the overall Super Six chart, Australia are placed last with India ahead of them as the latter enjoy a superior net run rate of +1.28. New Zealand not only qualified but also ensured they would carry two points into the next stage which can prove crucial for claiming a semifinal berth. Australia, who had controversially plodded on during their easy win over the West Indies yesterday to try and help West Indies finish with a better net run rate and qualify, now will enter the Super Six without any points and can be certain of a semifinal berth only if they win all three ties. NEW ZEALAND: |
Aussies win match but not friends MANCHESTER, May 31 (AP) — Australia beat the West Indies to seal a place in the cricket World Cup's second round, but their effort to help the Windies qualify won Steve Waugh's men few friends. Cruising to the target of 111 with just four wickets down, Waugh and Michael Beyan slammed on the brakes on order to boost the West Indies net run rate and make life difficult for the last remaining group B contender and arch rival, New Zealand, which faces Scotland today. "I don't know about it being moral, but it was within the rules and we needed the two points," Waugh said afterwards. Under World Cup rules, teams reaching the Super Six stage take with them points earned in the first round against other super six qualifiers. "The bigger picture was that we are here to win the World Cup and if we don't win the World Cup or don't perform well and make it to the next round we are the ones that are going to cop it." The 20,000 crowd failed to see the bigger picture, booing and jeering both sides. The Windies were willing accomplices, knowing that Australia's ploy offered them a qualification lifeline, but captain Brian Lara angrily denied there had been any collusion between the teams. "I do not play
cricket like that," he snapped. "I don't
discuss matches with anyone. At the end of the day, we
still have to depend on Scotland." |
Kiwis reluctant to condemn Waugh LONDON, May 31 (Reuters) — Much as they might have wanted to, New Zealanders could not bring themselves to condemn Australia for their controversial go-slow tactics in World Cup match against the West Indies yesterday. New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming admitted: "We probably would have done the same in that situation because we would have had to put the self-interests of our team first." New Zealand coach Steve Rixon, a former Australian Test wicket-keeper, also found it impossible to condemn. "It was hard to watch but I can understand why ... (they) did it," said Rixon, who has often spoken about trying to instil an Australian will-to-win into the New Zealand cricketing psyche. Tim Murdoch, general manager of New Zealand Cricket, was almost admiring. "I think people are reasonably accepting of what happened. It’s probably pretty shrewd and it’s not against the spirit," he said. Even Brian McKechnie, the man on the receiving end of Chappell’s 1981 grass-cutter and always the first to be called on to adjudicate on trans-Tasman discord, said: "To a point I can see why they have done it." "At least (Australian captain Steve) Waugh has been honest about it," said McKechnie. "But it’s the same scenario as 1981 — it’s in the rules but mightn’t be morally right." Waugh had no argument there. "I don’t know
about it being moral but it’s in the rules and we
needed two points to go through the next round". |
Azhar emerges with flying colours EDGBASTON, May 31 (PTI) — Usually the target of brickbats from the public and Press, skipper Mohammed Azharuddin emerged yesterday with flying colours after leading India with aplomb to their brilliant World Cup group win over England. The 36-year-old Azhar, under constant attack for his own poor batting form and aloofness on the field, superbly marshalled the bowling as India beat England by 63 runs defending 232 in the last group ‘A’ tie they had to win to stay in the race for a super six berth. Normally satisfied with watching the proceedings, Azhar was rushing to advise his bowlers, gesturing to his fielders to stay alert and making quick field adjustments to prevent flow of runs. His bowling changes in particular, opening the attack with Debashish Mohanty and bringing on leg spinner Anil Kumble late, worked to perfection. Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar was all praise. "He was a lot more communicative. The way he was going up to the bowlers every three-four deliveries. He was also prepared to talk to other senior players and decide on the best possible option. That’s a very good sign," he commented on India’s win. Azhar’s first ploy on Saturday to open the attack with Debashish Mohanty proved an excellent move as he removed both the rival skipper Alec Stewart and Greame Hick to give India the upper hand. With heavy winds blowing across the ground, he brought on Saurav Ganguly and was immediately rewarded for the initiative with another wicket to leave the contest even when it was halted due to rain. Azhar has been at the receiving end of severe criticism as he failed miserably with the bat in India’s stunning loss to Zimbabwe by three runs. He advised his critics to be patient, but his own comment that some of India’s defeats were from "winning positions" only added to his problems. A defeat yesterday would not only have meant the end of the road for India in the World Cup, but Azhar’s own future would have been in question. But the skipper made the brave decision to omit veteran all-rounder Robin Singh despite his five-wicket haul in the previous match and persisted with S Ramesh as opener as one had to make way for fit-again stumper Nayan Mongia. Azhar was under fire coming into the World Cup after India went down badly to arch-rivals Pakistan at a tri-series tournament final in Sharjah, where Ajay Jadeja’s enthusiastic leadership saw India win two matches before the loss on Azhar’s return from an injury. The shock defeat to Zimbabwe and danger of India’s early exit saw the knives out for him, but three wins in a row and India’s brilliant batting against Kenya and Sri Lanka will leave Azhar confident he has been able to bring his team together when it mattered. Another three wins in a
row in the Super Six - a tall order though - and a
semifinal spot will definitely help the man leading his
team in the third World Cup add more converts to his
side. |
Mohanty emerging India’s trump card EDGBASTON, May 31 (PTI) — Brought into the Indian team almost as an afterthought, medium-pacer Debashish Mohanty has emerged a major trump card for India as they clinched a super six berth in the World Cup after a brilliant win over England. The 24-year-old was included for the championship from outside the list of probables by the national selectors to widespread criticism, but after his twin strikes in a fine show of swing bowling against the hosts, the team can ill-afford not to include the bowler in their strategy. Mohanty’s open chested action and friendly pace has seen him come in for stick on the pitches of the sub-continent, but he has proved lethal as a natural swing bowler in the English conditions. He struck a purple patch straightaway on being included against Kenya, snapping up four for 56 and returned one for 31 in India’s big win over Sri Lanka and his 2 for 54 against England gave India the early advantage. It has also solved the problem of an effective third seam bowler. Mohanty was a belated inclusion in the playing XI after young medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar proved too erratic and expensive in the first two ties. And he has grabbed the chance with both hands to claim seven wickets from three matches. "Mohanty has been brilliant," said skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, recalled he had pressed for his inclusion at the outset. "I knew he would be useful in these conditions and pressed for his inclusion even when he was not in the provisional list of 19," he said. Mohanty proved a big success two years ago in the annual Sahara Cup Tournament against arch-rivals Pakistan at Toronto and has kept up his good work despite the chances not coming his way. "He is a good bowler in these conditions and has been working hard. Only thing is he gets too excited when he takes a wicket and tries to bowl too fast and gets hit," said coach Anshuman Gaekwad on Mohanty. Mohanty proved himself with a tight line. Unlike Agarkar who has struggled to get into rhythm here and has been one of the culprits in the huge number of no balls and wides conceded by India in their first two ties which they lost to South Africa and Zimbabwe. In the make or break tie against England, the Indian management took the major gamble of dropping Robin Singh despite the veteran all-rounder capturing five wickets against Sri Lanka in an impeccable show. In a fine move, Azhar opened the attack with Javagal Srinath and Mohanty, ahead of seasoned Venkatesh Prasad. And Mohanty responded by removing both Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick in the same over to give India the edge. The confidence should
help him bowl within himself and continue to trouble
batsmen at the World Cup as a spirited India seek to go
all the way in the tournament. |
Indians start with big disadvantage MUMBAI, May 31 (PTI) — India have avoided an early flight home from the World Cup through some pugnacious display in their last three group "A" matches but the path to the semi-finals from the Super Six stage is strewn with quite a few pitfalls. The Indians will start with a big disadvantage in the Super Six stage having no points to their credit as compared to Zimbabwe’s four and group leaders South Africa’s two. The Indians will have to make a superhuman effort to overcome this big handicap which is due to the peculiar format of the league part of the tournament where points earned against fellow-qualifiers in the initial stage would be carried forward. The Indians will now hope the indifferent cricket played at some stage of their first two ties against South Africa (at Hove on May 15) and Zimbabwe (at Leicester on May 19) does not spell end to their hopes of regaining the coveted trophy after 16 long years. The Indians are not only without points but as per the rules and regulations of the tournament these two losses may come in their way of advancing to the semi-finals in case of a tie on points and in the number of wins (in the entire cup over Super Six qualifiers) with Zimbabwe and South Africa. Simply put, in a scenario where India ties on points and in the number of wins with either Zimbabwe or South Africa at the Super Six stage, the African teams would be placed above India as they have both beaten the sub-continental giant at the preliminary league stage. In the Super Six stage each qualifier in group "A" plays against each qualifier in group "B" once. The top four teams at
the end of the Super Six phase of the competition will
progress to the semi-finals where the team placed first
will play the team placed fourth and the team placed
second will play the team placed third on June 16 (Old
Trafford) and June 17 (Edgbaston), respectively. |
Tight security for India-Pak match LONDON, May 31 (PTI) — World Cup organisers are enforcing high security at Old Trafford when India play Pakistan in their crucial Super Six league match next week after alert warnings from security agencies that some pro-Pakistan Kashmiri groups may cause trouble. Scotland Yard, police and tournament organisers have been holding meetings to urgently discuss what is expected to be a volatile clash between two arch rivals at Old Trafford on June 8, under the heightened tension between the two countries over the Kargil situation. A ban on alcohol on the ground appears to be a distinct possibility. But Mr Michael Browning, organising event manager, said last night: "There is no question of match not going ahead. The tournament will run its course." The biggest problem that the organisers are facing is how to enforce rules to keep the fans apart. Cricket in England, unlike soccer, does not have a history of segregating supporters, while, in football, rowdy crowd behaviour is known, each stadium has block booking to keep fans apart. The cricket grounds have no such arrangements. Although most tickets have been sold out for the Old Trafford clash. It is believed that England’s elimination from the tournament could lead to tickets appearing in the black market. Already there are signs that many of the English-born fans supporting teams from the subcontinent are bringing soccer style rivalry to the matches. The security measures are also being geared up following western intelligence reports of recent stepped up activity among Muslim dissident groups in Britain. These groups, the British security agencies believe are front organisations for Islamic extremism funded by international network of wealthy Muslims and often sponsored by Pakistan and Arab intelligence agencies. British media reports said a group of British Islamic fundamentalists were among the mercenaries, which had intruded into the Kargil sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The cricket World Cup tournament has already been marred by a series of pitch invasions, leading to criticism of security. Though Indian skipper Azharuddin has personally complained to the organising committee, pitch invasions are still going on in Indian matches. After India’s victory over England yesterday, a number of Indian players were mobbed by their supporters, some even were carried on shoulders. "But it is a thin line dividing mobbing and jostling," an Indian team official was quoted as saying. Yesterday, as England stumbled towards defeat by 63 runs at Edgbaston, Indian fans started singing, "Stand up if you hate Pakistan". There were also cries of Pakistanis being cheats, The Telegraph reported. Greater Manchester police said: "We will be taking advice from all relevant bodies and put into place whatever increased measures are necessary." "It remains a cricket match and we will want it to stay that way," top Manchester police officials said. The High Commissioners of India and Pakistan have worked hard to defuse tension between the communities here. Indian High Commissioner Lalit Mansingh is hosting a reception for the Indian team this afternoon, where his Pakistani counterpart Riaz Samee is expected to be present. Last week, the Pakistani High Commissioner hosted a reception for the Pakistan cricket team, where Mansingh and his wife were guests. The Indian High Commissioner was introduced to the Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and other players. But leading community leaders who are also working hard to build bridges between the communities say they do not anticipate any trouble. "If there is
anything it could only be few hotheads." |
Spectators’ interest may decline EDGBASTON, May 31 (UNI) — England's ouster from the World Cup cricket tournament here yesterday could prove disastrous for the organisers with spectator interest expected to wane. England crashed out of the tournament, the show piece event of cricket, when they lost to India by 63 runs at the Edgbaston ground here packed with Indian spectators who came back to root for their team after the match had spilled into the second day due to showers last evening. The English fans were by and large conspicuous by their absence while the Indian team had immense support. Cricket observers here feel there could be an indifference among fans after England's defeat, which could hit the bottom line of the event. With the home team out it would depend upon expatriate fans to keep filling up the galleries in the biggest venues which have so far not seen many matches. The quadrennial World Cup has been hogging the limelight in several other parts of the world, but in England, which was hosting the prestigious event after 16 years, it remained in the shadow of Manchester United's unique treble. This is the first time that England, losing finalists on three occasions, had failed to get past the preliminary league. Three years ago, in 1996, England had made the quarterfinals without beating any major team. But with the format changed this time, the competition for entry into the second stage became intense. The hosts' promising start with impressive wins in the initial two outings against defending champions Sri Lanka and minnows Kenya had brought the World Cup into focus. Sports fans were increasingly getting hooked on cricket until Alec Stewart's team slumped against South Africa. The second defeat at the hands of India threw it out of the Super Six stage today. Will the Absence of England completely sweep the World Cup under the carpet? England's manager and chief selector David Graveney said the English fans would be disappointed by their team's absence from the latter stages but the tournament shall survive the shock. "It's difficult to see how the event will progress from here," Graveney told reporters. "I don't fear any ramifications for the World Cup.... I think the event itself will be a greater success but, regrettably, England will no longer be involved". Graveney said: "The fact there will be so much cricket on view and the world's top cricketers in action will attract people, but what will hurt is that England will not be participating in the later stages." he said England's decline was heartbreaking for people involved and all English cricket lovers. "There will be disappointment all around that their perceived heroes won't be playing any more. But you've not to accept that now," he said. As a sport, cricket lags behind soccer and rugby among team games. The spectator interest wanes when their side is not doing well. The organisers fear that this tendency could take the glamour away from the World Cup. — UNI
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English cricket at the crossroads LONDON, May 31 (PTI) — It is more than likely that most of the England batsmen would have heard little and cared to know even less about a lanky, skinny lad from Orissa who answers to the name of Debashish Mohanty. By the time the gathering gloom on the horizon had begun to reflect itself in the England dressing room, they knew better for their coach David Lloyd had made a tearful exit, captain Alec Stewart faced a sack and the very survival of English cricket was being questioned. For the first time in World Cup history, England have failed to cross the league hurdle. In this dire hour, they looked at Zimbabwe and then India - a few even at Pakistani umpire Javed Akhtar - as villains of the piece. In their heart of hearts most of them knew they were not good enough. A fortnight of World cup in this birthplace of the game has been enough to convince the doubting sceptics that the very survival of cricket in England is in grave peril. The game is no longer popular among the natives of this land. If packed stands and overflowing humanity is witnessed at the ground, it is only because a Mohammad Sheikh, a Weerasinghe or a Sharma finds cricket his opium. The consensus has been unanimous in media that not since Sir Donald Bradman’s days has one witnessed such crowd in distant, interior parts of the country. They also concede the Asian ethnic community alone has saved this World Cup from being a spectacular disaster. Thus for those who love and are concerned about English cricket, the defeat of Sunday could not have come at a worse time. The defeat though would have served its purpose if the administrators woke up and tapped this natural enthusiasm among Asians into the mainstream of English cricket. For too long have Asians been kept out of the mainstream. If England continue to do so, they would do it at a terrible cost. Mohammed Azharuddin was lucky for three matches in running. He was saved from the trouble of deciding the option of toss in the morning. On all three occasions, India batted first and won. And what is more, all the wins were achieved with runs to spare. It is a fair comment that Indians are better off chasing targets. They could never be good enough in chasing for the simple reason they are not good enough to handle pressure. And chasing targets is all about pressure. They have done well batting first, giving full vent to their talent, and unshackled by demands of run-rate. Big scores have thus followed and what is better it has allowed the bowlers to concentrate all that better on the job at hand. Coming to Mohanty, his virtue is basic and hence brilliant. He bowls up and moves it either way and his line and length are the best of all Indian bowlers. Only when he tastes success does he get carried away and try to turn into a McGrath - at the cost of his strength. His action is such that it suggests his primarily being an inswing bowler. Instead, he has the talent to make the ball leave its course towards the slips and it keeps batsmen endlessly worried. Mohanty has inspired others, at least Javagal Srinath, to turn himself into a remarkably extras-free bowler. Such influences are not admitted in print but are apparent in methods. Srinath’s return to form has made India into a potential bowling force. One gets the impression India can have a very useful five-bowler bench going into Super Six matches. More so now that Saurav Ganguly is beginning to settle as a fifth bowler. There is no doubt Indians are playing their best cricket in recent months. The bowlers are beginning to settle while the batsmen are beginning to do justice to their talent. Circumstances have pushed Sachin Tendulkar down to number four but if India do well in this tournament, this might be a great master-stroke to have come out of the brainstorming sessions of the team. Tendulkar at number four lends depth to India’s batting and what is more, permits the top three to bat freely, comfortable as they are in the knowledge that the "master" is still waiting for his turn in pavilion. The ball is doing extra in initial 15 overs and it makes no sense to risk your best batsman at the top. It is not a negative thought - on the contrary, it must be taken as strategy. If a mighty successful opener like Tendulkar is pushed to number four it doesn’t mean no confidence is being shown in him. Instead, an effort is being made to utilise him the most and that is what a captain must be looking for from his most useful player. Number four is still a specialist position and world’s best from time immemorial have batted in this position. Still India will need to win all three matches in Super Six to have a chance of entering the semi-finals. Their biggest clash yet could be with Pakistan and a war would be fought, as much in the middle as in the stands. It has the potential of
turning explosive and organisers could help defuse the
situation if they make Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar and
Wasim Akram issue personal appeals to legions of their
fans in this country. |
Stewart doubtful as skipper LONDON, May 31 (UNI) — England’s early exit from the World Cup has put skipper Alec Stewart’s job on the line. Tim Lamb, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board said: "Alec is the England captain until the selectors decide otherwise and the selectors will be sitting down to look ahead to the New Zealand series. "There will be a thorough post mortem over our World Cup performance and that’s a decision for them. "I don’t think it’s for me to comment on the merits of the England captain. That’s a matter for the selectors. "They’ll take a decision which they consider to be in the best interests of the England team". So far no successor to Lloyd has been lined up, and Lamb admitted the issue of a replacement was unlikely to be resolved before the New Zealand series. Lamb said: "We’ve said that we are in the process of drawing up a short list and we will then proceed to select a replacement for David Lloyd. "I think the chances are that we won’t have a new coach in place for the New Zealand series. "David Graveney (chairman of selectors) will continue with his existing responsibilities and we already have a number of specialist coaches working with the team so I think we can get by quite satisfactorily during that series," he told BBC Radio 5 live. Asked how long it would take to fill the post, Lamb replied: "It depends who we identify as the right man to take over and when he’s available". South Africa coach Bob
Woolmer has been strongly linked with the job but Lamb
insisted: "Bob is but one of the candidates we are
currently considering". |
England coach quits BIRMINGHAM, May 31 (Reuters) — David Lloyd bowed out as England coach yesterday with a stinging attack on his team’s mental approach after its elimination from the World Cup. "We have been found wanting when it really mattered," Lloyd said after England were dismissed for 169 by India at Edgbaston, losing the group A match by 63 runs. "We weren’t tough enough — getting hold of a game by the scruff of the neck and doing the business." England’s exit was the country’s worst performance at a World Cup and it is made worse by the English batsmen failing to perform in typically English conditions. Lloyd, standing down after the competition to take up a job in television, praised the form of his bowlers but said his team had failed to bat well enough in two first round defeats. "We bowled really well and fielded excellently but to win world cups you have to win those games against South Africa and India and we fell well short. "It is standing up and being counted ... We have not been up to it (chasing runs)." Although they had three
victories in group A, England’s run rate was not
good enough to overtake India and Zimbabwe who went
through to the second phase with the same number of
points as England behind group winners South Africa. |
Worst showing by England in Cup EDGBASTON, May 31 (AFP) — England’s exit from the World Cup here yesterday was their worst performance in the tournament and underlined their decline as a cricketing power. It was the first time they failed to reach the knock-out stage of the World Cup. In 1996 they had managed to reach a quarterfinal stage but their only victories had come against Holland and the UAE. England have hosted the tournament four times since the inaugural event in 1975 but have never won it. Their last performance of note came in 1992, when they lost to Pakistan in the final. They also reached the final in 1979 and 1987, losing to the West Indies and Australia. Yesterday’s failure
is likely to undermine attempts to try and win new
converts to the game in England, a nation of around 60
million where youngsters are increasingly flocking to
football. |
Conditions resembled ’83 World
Cup EDGBASTON, May 31 — It may have been Eden Gardens in Calcutta more than Edgbaston in Birmingham. So completely at home did India feel thanks to the presence of India fans who outnumbered England's by at least ten to one. But the playing
conditions were more like those existed during the World
Cup of 1983, in which India were gloriously triumphant. What England needed was more like a batting coach who could tell them how to negotiate swing and seam bowling over the weekend, when the conditions favoured the fast medium swing bowler. Of course, critics picked on Alec Stewart's choice of innings on Saturday, there, Stewart many not have been at fault because the pitch at Edgbaston invariably favours the team bowling first. It was the essential brilliance of Indian batting that allowed it to get past the early overs when there was so much lateral movement for Gough and Mullaly. Stewart may not have trusted the weather report which had predicted a bright start to Saturday and the rain in the afternoon. It proved accurate but long before then Stewart had followed the regular Edgbaston tactic of asking the opposition to bat first on a seaming track. The England bowlers did their job in restricting India to a manageable 232. This is not the first
time that England's batting has collapsed in what are
generally called "English conditions". Many a
time have they come a cropper when the ball is doing
things. In such conditions, it was never going to be easy
to put on a fluent start. Azharuddin tended to place more faith in Sourav Ganguly yesterday than he did in earlier matches and was duly rewarded as the man with the golden arm produced three wickets and ensured that England were never going to be in the hunt when the match resumed with the home side still needing runs at around the 5.5 run mark in 30 overs. There is none better to make the ball wobble a bit and swing around than Ganguly, the slowest of Indian seamers. If conditions continue to be like this, Ganguly can play the role Mohinder Amarnath played on in the 1983 World Cup. There are many similarities in their orthodox approach in batting and the seriousness with which they take up bowling when they are called upon to do so. The chase was never on and certainly not after Graham Thorpe was adjudged led-before. But England cannot point to one doubtful decision and say their whole World Cup campaign had come off the rails because of that. Their batsmen were just unequal to the task of making runs under pressure. Anil Kumble may not be as accurate as he used to be, he does tend to stray a bit in direction nowadays. But his bowling style was well suited to the conditions, with him bringing the ball in. He was almost like a fifth seamer in the conditions. Flintoff and Holliaoke were not actually aiming to hit across the line as the ball was tilting in to them. They were just done in by the mode of attack and some pace off the pitch that Kumble works up when he gets the ball to keep coming into the batsman. It was an efficient collective bowling effort which brought India their win in three matches after two early defeats and already the team is looking good for that. India, who are placed second in their group by virtue of their better net run rate, will, however, have no points to begin with in the super-six. This means every game is like a key knockout from there onwards. The position of group A teams in the super-six will be Zimbabwe — 4 points, South Africa — 2 points and India-nil. India will have to win all the three to get to the semifinals but already there is a menacing look to a side that can always bat like a dream and when the bowling looks up as it did at Edgbaston the team can take on the world. The schedule of matches
in the super-six for India will be: June 4 at The Oval
— likely opponent Australia, June 8 at Old Trafford
versus Pakistan and June 12 at Trent Bridge likely
opponent West Indies/New Zealand. — UNI |
Teen brigade fizzles out at French Open PARIS, May 31 (AFP) — Venus Wiliams — gone, Anna Kournikova — gone, Amelie Mauresmo and Serena Williams — both long gone. The much-hyped teenage revolution in women’s tennis fizzled out in the first week of the French Open. Experience has proved far more of a weapon on the slow red clay of Roland Garros than youthful enthusiasm. While 18-year-old top seed Martina Hingis has made the last eight without any difficulty, she is a relative veteran with five Grand Slam titles already to her name. The Williams sisters, Mauresmo and Kournikova have yet to win a Grand Slam and the latter two haven’t won a tournament of any description Instead, tomorrow’s quarterfinals will have a largely familiar look about them. Five-time champion Steffi Graf and three-time winners Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Monica Seles are all there, along with Spaniard Conchita Martinez, whose been competing at the top for over a decade. The field is rounded out by second-seeded American Lindsay Davenport (22) and Austrian pair Barbara Schwartz (20) and Sylvia Plischke (21). Hingis is the only teenager. Serena and Venus Williams were both beaten by older, wiser and less cocky opponents while Graf accounted for Kournikova. Mauresmo, in contrast, was unlucky to run into Hingis in the second round. "You can see that the young players are playing with more aggression and are in much better shape than the players used to be," Graf said. "It gets harder much earlier in the tournaments now. May be we still don’t have as much depth as the men, but we are getting that way very quickly." That is a theme echoed by experienced American Mary Joe Fernandez, who beat Serena Williams. "A lot of the players are bigger and stronger and a lot quicker than they used to be. It is definitely getting harder." "It isn't a sure thing that you are going to win your first couple of rounds like it used to be. You come up against great athletes right off the bat," Fernandez said. Being a great athlete doesn’t necessarily translate to success in tennis. The Williams sisters and Mauresmo are among the most powerful players in the game and have yet to make the Grand Slam breakthrough. Hingis, though, says she knows the key on clay. "You just have to be patient, patient, patient," she said. "That’s not always easy. You don’t have to go for great shots, you just have to keep the ball in the game." "That’s why
Arantxa is so dangerous here. Arantxa just runs forever,
just hits the ball back. Doesn’t do anything
special." |
Qualifier Schewartz makes history PARIS, May 31 (AFP) — Barbara Schwartz is not lacking in confidence. "If I think I'm going to lose I don't go to the court", she says. The 125th-ranked Austrian described herself as "just normal, maybe a bit crazy". But she was very sensible indeed at Roland Garros yesterday. After being drawn against American power-machine Venus Williams in the fourth round of the women's singles, Schewartz could have been forgiven for thinking there was little point in getting up yesterday — save to do a little sightseeing before packing her bags and checking out of her hotel. Instead, she made history as she ousted fifth-seeded Williams, saving three match points in a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 win which made the 20-year-old the first ever qualifier to make the French Open women's quarterfinals. Schwartz, who only turned professional a year ago after finishing high school, stung the in-form Williams by coming from nowhere to hand her opponent one of her most humiliating defeats. "It was just a great match — the crowd was unbelievable. It was really great to play out there", said Schwartz, who afterwards joked she loved reading in her spare time but had run out of books "because I don't really think I'd be here so long. Schwartz's strategy to alternating sliced backhands with aggressiveness at the net paid handsome dividends as she bamboozled Williams, who cracked after squandering three match points in the second set. "At that point I just thought I'm still in the match and have a chance — I have to go for it", said Schwartz. "I said I would fight until the last point. I will fight until the end". Having destroyed Williams' title hopes, Schwartz is now confident of doing the same to world number one and top seed Martina Hingis, whom she now faces in the last eight. "I feel really
confident", she said. "I will try my best again
and may be I can win again. We will see. Again I have
nothing to lose. |
Kuerten, Meligeni in last 8 PARIS, May 31 (AP) — Playing better than anyone on clay this season, Gustavo Kuerten eased into the French Open quarterfinals with a straight-set victory today over Bohdan Ulihrach. Kuerten beat his Czech opponent 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 and appears ready to contend for the French title he won in 1997. I’m feeling more comfortable during points,’’ the Brazilian said. "I love to come back here. Everyone treats me so well." In the quarters, he faces either France’s Arnaud Di Pasquale or Andrei Medvedev, the much-improved Ukrainian player who toppled Pete Sampras in the second round. And Kuerten’s fellow Brazilian, Fernando Meligeni, also advanced, beating 14th-seeded Spaniard Felix Mantilla. Meligeni came on strong in the fourth-set tiebreaker, racing to a 6-1 lead before closing out the 6-1, 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) victory. In the quarters he is likely to face Alex Corretja, who was playing later today. Yesterday, two Americans took centre stage: one a young star on the rise, the other a veteran many think past his prime. Both came up with surprises. Venus Williams had been expected to go far in Paris this year, and perhaps no one expected it more than she did. But facing a qualifier about whom she knew nothing, she lost control, blowing three match points. Andre Agassi, seeded only 13th these days, took on the defending champion, clay-court master Carlos Moya. Trailing a set down and 1-4 in the second, most wrote Agassi off. But at just the right moment, he found his game, the aggressive one, the one that works best for him, and sent Moya to an early exit. Yesterday was a good day for experience and seasoning. It began with Steffi Graf holding back young Anna Kournikova, and culminated with Agassi’s intelligent victory. For Williams, like her younger sister Serena a few days earlier, it was a day for humility. In the previous round, she had exulted: "I’m ready’’ to win a Grand Slam, that is and told TV fans she was a good bet for the trophy. But Williams seemed nonchalant at the most important points against Barbara Schwartz of Austria, and afterward seemed nonchalant, too. Williams’ 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 fourth-round exit was her quickest in the last seven Grand Slam tournaments. Agassi, though, seemed to tap into some fierce desire that told him he could turn things around even though he was trailing badly in the second set. "Today was a huge, huge obstacle in my way, "Agassi said after his 4-6, 7-5, 7-5, 6-1 victory. "I felt good about not just winning, but how I won. I like the way I played." A first-round loser a year ago, Agassi is now trying to become the first American man in 61 years to complete a career Grand Slam. Sampras tries that every year in Paris. But for whatever reason, he has psyched himself out of playing well on clay. Agassi has done the opposite. Agassi suddenly turned the match around with offspeed shots, junk lobs, lunging retrievals and a go-for-broke offence that Moya couldn’t handle. "As long as I played tennis, everything was under control," Moya said. "Then I started thinking about something else." "When I wanted to
play well again, I couldn’t." |
Bhupathi-Sugiyama in quarters PARIS, May 31 (PTI) — India’s Mahesh Bhupathi and his Japanese partner Ai Sugiyama stormed into the quarterfinals of the French Open mixed doubles tournament with a straight set victory over an American pair. Third seeds Bhupathi-Sugiyama, playing together for the first time, beat 16th seeded duo of Corina Morariu and Francisco Montana 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 to make it to the last eight stage. The India-Japanese
tandem will meet the winner of third round tie between
Cara Black (Zimbabwe)/Lan Bale and K Srebotnik
(Slovakia)/C Norval (South Africa). |
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