Wednesday, June 2, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Wednesday, June 2, 1999 |
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We were not tough enough : Lloyd England
"done in" by fear of failure Go-slow
Waugh wishes Kiwis well World
Cup run-rate rule draws flak Match-fixing
issue to the fore Pak
fans stunned, B’deshis celebrate Bangladesh
win raises questions B’desh
should get Test status: Akram
Has the sun set on calypso
cricket? |
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Punjab sportspersons honoured Srinath,
Derepasko in second round |
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Have faith in team: Azhar LONDON, June 1 (PTI) — A buoyant skipper Mohammed Azharuddin has called for all Indian supporters to have faith in the abilities of his team at the World Cup and "leave them to do the job". "Please have trust in the players. They had made it happen when everybody was predicting doomsday. Leave them to do the job," Azharuddin said at a reception accorded to the team by Indian High Commissioner Lalit Mansingh at the "India House" here last evening. Coach Anshuman Gaekwad said the team was not unduly worried over fears of crowd trouble in their crunch super six tie against Pakistan at Old Trafford on June 8. Gaekwad said the boys were "totally focused on upcoming challenges". "The boys are focused on working out game strategies against top opponents they will face the anything outside the playing field remains at best only secondary," he told PTI. India, who made a sensational entry into the group six with a thrilling 63-runs victory over England yesterday, will take on Pakistan in their second super six tie and officials are stepping up security to ensure there is no crowd trouble due to tension over the situation in Kargil. Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh, West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, famous author Lord Jeffrey Archer, former skipper Kapil Dev and Indian board president Rajsingh Dungarpur were among the dignitaries present at the reception. Former Aussie skipper and team consultant Bob Simpson was happy the Indians had begun to click as a team after two early defeats against South Africa and Zimbabwe. "We have struck good rhythm right in the middle of the tournament, unlike our fancied opponents. Who after a bright start appear to be faltering," he said. Asked who would be the toughest opponents for India, Simpson said "at the super six stage, any opponent is good as any other. Any side can be dangerous in this stage of the tournament." Asked about the performances of the formidable Pakistan attack, Simpson said "no doubt Pakistan have been given a dream start by their bowlers. But it is too early. Look what happened against Bangladesh. You can’t say what will happen tomorrow." "Pakistan no doubt are tough customers, but look at our recent record against them. We have beaten them and are capable of doing it again." Simpson was confident of the Indian bowling which has remained in the shadows of their batting brilliance. "People only talk about wonders of our batting. I would tell them don’t underestimate our bowling. Mohanty is shaping well into a good one-day bowler and Srinath, Prasad and Kumble are also going great guns." He said Saurav Ganguly had also come on very well as a bowler. "Saurav is proving quite a handful. He is getting good swing and is becoming harder to bat against." Mr Dungarpur said people were commenting after the defeats that the team lacked killer instinct. "I don’t bother as long as the team has the winning streak." On their upcoming tie against Australia, Simpson, who led the Aussies to the 1987 World Cup title as coach, said "they are finding it hard to meet their pre-tournament ratings. The world Cup does that to teams." It was the first social get together for the Indian team since arriving in England for the World Cup and the players looked totally relaxed. Many walked up to Tendulkar to offer their condolences for his recent bereavement. Welcoming the players Mr Lalit Mansingh recalled a similar reception held for the Indian World Cup squad in 1983. "The great team had also been dismissed as a wash out and look what wonders they did," he said referring to that unheralded team under Kapil Dev going on to triumph. "This summer we hope our boys may also pack a few surprises for their countrymen here and millions back home", he added. The famous author Lord Archer said "my team (England) failed to make it. I wish all success to the Indian players, whose success I have been keenly following." A keen cricket enthusiast, he said "watching the two youngsters (Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid) batting in two hours of glory at Taunton last week. Young cricketers world wide would get to learn what a sweet touch and timing can do. It proves you don't have to slog all day." Sri Lankan High Commissioner Lal Jayawardene, Mr Keith Vaz the first Asian member of Commons to become a junior minister in the British Government, were among others present. Pakistan High
Commissioner Riaz Samee, a special invitee did not turn
up. |
Indian batsmen, Pak bowlers
steal LONDON, June 1 (PTI) — Indian batsmen’s flair and the sheer depth and variety of Pakistan bowlers combined to make the World Cup a truly Asian show as the group matches wound to a close yesterday. Rahul Dravid struck two centuries to emerge on top of the batting honours with an aggregate of 369 runs while Saurav Ganguly smashed the second highest World Cup score of 183 to be number two with 342. Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s willow was relatively quiet, but his glorious 140 not out overcoming grief of his father’s death was not only the World Cup’s first century but also lifted India’s sagging spirits and set them on a winning roll. Indian batsmen have accounted for all the four centuries struck in the seventh world cup which pundits expected to be a bowlers’ affair. The white ball with extra lacquer has produced prodigious swing under ideal seam conditions provided by the English weather. Pakistan, in contrast to India making the Super Six in a last win over England, have won all their matches that mattered to carry forward a maximum possible four points. With their batting working in fits and starts, it has been the Pakistan bowling of skipper Wasim Akram and tearaway Shoaib Akhtar at the top of the best all-round attack that has laid their opponents low time and again. Indian batsmen did not really capitulate even in their defeats to South Africa and Zimbabwe, but they fired on all cylinders against Kenya to force a turnaround in fortunes. Tendulkar blasted the innocuous Kenyan attack and hit up the third fastest World Cup century — off only 84 balls — and pushed the classy Dravid to make 104 not out as they put on a World Cup record stand of an unbroken 237 runs. Ganguly and Dravid then came together to hammer the first ever partnership of over 300 runs in a world record 318-run effort to pulverise the ragged attack of defending champions Sri Lanka. The left-hander went past Kapil Dev’s Indian record of 175 not out, made against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. With a mammoth 183, studded with a World Cup record-equalling seven sixes in a one-day knock — Viv Richards has struck as many in a single inning — and second highest number of 17 fours. Dravid emulated Australian Mark Waugh with his second consecutive century, a brilliant 145, that saw the Indian duo decimate the Sri Lankan bowling. Their batting success not only helped India post 329 against Kenya and 373 against Sri Lanka — second highest one-day score behind Sri Lanka’s 398 against Kenya at Kandy in the 1996 World Cup — but also helped take much pressure off Tendulkar’s shoulders. Indian batting did not flower against the accurate seam attack of English bowlers after being put in, but Ganguly (40) and Dravid (53) made vital contributions before Ajay Jadeja (39 off 30 balls) showed his one-day value with a cameo knock that lifted India to make a fighting, and eventually match winning, 232. Tendulkar looks set to revert to opening the innings as India gear up for tougher battles in the Super Six, needing to win all three matches after making it without any points. Pakistan, on the other hand, have displayed the best attack of the tournament as they subdued one major opponent after another to qualify. The strong title contenders unleashed 23-year-old Akhtar, aiming to break the 100 mph (160 kph) barrier, who had some of the world’s best struggling to cope. Akram remained as deceptive as ever with subtle variations adding to the batsmen’s woes. Pakistan have shown the most complete attack at the World Cup as young support seamers Azhar Mehmood and teenager Abdul Razzaq have bowled with exceptional control and Saqlain Mushtaq, the wily 22-year-old off-spinner, has not only taken wickets regularly, but made run-making off his bowling almost impossible with his variety. Pakistan showed their bowling class in their 27-run win over the West Indies defending a modest 229 and again tripped Australia by 10 runs with exemplary bowling in the slog overs. Swirling rumours of chucking over Akhtar’s action and accusations of ball tampering to produce reverse swing — that arose in their nail-biting win over Australia — has not taken the gloss off the Pakistan bowling performances. Akram has captured nine wickets in five matches and Akhtar, who has kept veteran Waqar Younis out of reckoning, has eight against his name. Saqlain joined South Africa’s lance Klusener, India’s Robin Singh and Australian Glenn McGrath with a five-wicket effort against Bangladesh yesterday. That took his haul so far to a superb 12 wickets. He has maintained a flat trajectory to telling effect to brush aside the theory that early English summer only helps the medium-pacers. The 19-year-old Razzaq, who has vindicated Akram’s faith in him as an all-rounder with useful knocks, had a dream start to his World Cup when he dismissed West Indian star Brian Lara with the first ball he sent down and his seven wickets so far have gone a long way in making Pakistan the team to beat. India and Pakistan meet in a much-awaited Super Six tie at Old Trafford on June 8 in what promises to be a great battle between the world’s best set of batsmen and bowlers.
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Hosts without a party London, June 1 (IANS) — English cricket woke up in a funereal atmosphere after England’s World Cup defeat by India at Edgbaston. "Super Six? We would be lucky to make the average fourteen", The Times screamed in a front-page headline. "England’s world is turned upside down," said another daily on its sports page. The defeat now leaves England in the World Cup "as a host without a party," The Times wrote in an editorial comment titled "Ashes to Dust". A Guardian front-page headline read: "English cricket leaves its own party early." The loss was tinged with much anger against umpire Javed Akhtar for his lbw decision against Thorpe. Using uncharacteristically strong language for cricket, The Times spoke of demands for the umpire to be "horse-whipped." Cricket isn’t coming home, The Times wrote, adding that "it is post-mortem time once more." It said: "The World Cup, that great festival of sport which was supposed to put English cricket back on the map, enthuse a new generation of youngsters and sell millions of pairs of gruesomely coloured pyjamas, will have to make do without the host nation." Few will mourn their passing outside the shores of England, The Times wrote. "Nor will the Scots, who are still embarrassingly in the competition." In the end only rain could have saved England, the newspaper wrote. Which meant that "only by not playing cricket could Alec Stewart and ‘the lads’ have any hope of bringing us joy." But despite the weather and the umpire, The Times wrote that "in truth, the hotchpotch of modestly talented allrounders in the middle order were never likely to outscore a team that has Tendulkar, Dravid and Ganguly." English batsmen, it said, were "mentally weak and technically incompetent." The Daily Telegraph wrote that "English cricket is in turmoil." It said the English players can now return to their counties "having been exposed as mere pretenders." English cricket, it wrote, "needs "a new coach, probably a new captain and certainly a new identity." The carnival of cricket has turned into "desolation row" for England. The English play more one-day cricket than any other country but their "lily-livered" performance against India is only another sign that they are "getting progressively worse at it," the daily wrote. About the Indians, the Daily Telegraph wrote that "after losing their first two matches India picked themselves up in a manner that does them credit." It expressed surprise that Tendulkar now comes in at No: 4. "No disrespect to Sadagopan Ramesh, who can play a bit, but who would you rather spend 50 overs bowling to?" The Guardian wrote in a headline on its sports page: "Edgbaston is not the end of the world but England glimpsed it there." It observed, "England leave the competition sheepishly at the same stage as Kenya and Bangladesh." "Genuine tears" were shed in the England dressing room, the newspaper wrote. England’s chances ended emphatically when Srinath shattered Mullally’s stumps "as if they had been dynamited." England were knocked out of the competition the day before the release of the official cricket song. The Daily Mirror wrote that "Stewart and his dejected side will have to swallow hard on Wednesday when they attend the Queen’s reception at Buckingham Palace with the other teams." The Daily Mail said
England’s course had ended "in tears and
humiliation" because they were let down by their
"marshmallow middle order." England, it wrote,
had failed to bat under pressure. "Dad’s Army
beat a humiliating retreat," The Daily Mail said in
a headline on the sports page. |
We were not tough enough : Lloyd LONDON, June 1 (UNI) — David Lloyd ended his three-year term as England coach by accusing the World Cup squad of not being tough enough as they bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle. LLoyd felt that Alec Stewart's side did not stand up and the 63-run reversal at the hands of India at Edgbaston confirmed their fate and meant they failed to quality for the Super Six. He pointed the finger firmly at England's batsmen for the way they under-achieved in the crucial matches against South Africa and India when chasing modest totals of 225 and 232. "We were not tough enough and it's big area, getting hold of a game by the scruff of the neck and doing the business." "To win the World Cup you need to win games against sides like South Africa and India and we fell short. In the two games we lost we were found wanting as a batting unit and that will come down to pressure. We needed to perform against India regardless of what happened in the Zimbabwe-South Africa match on Saturday," Lloyd said. "But in that match, and against South Africa, the contest effectively ended at the 38-over stage because of the way we batted and that is completely unsatisfactory. It was not as if we were chasing big totals of around 300 in either of those games. They were decent totals to go after and we've not been up to it in that department. In terms of the run rate, which cost us at the end of the day, the 103 all out against South Africa did untold damage." He said: "I'd like to pay tribute to Alan Mullally, Darren Gough, Angus Fraser, Mark Ealham and Ian Austin. We bowled really well, fielded excellently and basically took every chance that came our way. It comes back to the batting which didn't perform when it mattered. We won three matches in style by seven, eight, nine wickets and it is a nonsense to say that because of that it meant the middle order didn't have a chance." Earlier, Lloyd admitted England had provided a painful end to his career as national coach. Defeat, when it mattered most, against group winners South Africa and India brought down the curtain on Lloyd's tenure as England coach. "It's very sad, this is hurting like stink. I can promise you," he said. "We didn't want to go out of the tournament in this way and we have not played well enough in two crucial games. In the next two or three days we will get the backlash". Lloyd also insisted that despite England's exit, the country can taken heart from the next generation of players coming through. "We have not an
under-19 team which hasn't been beaten for six years. The
next challenge for us is to get the senior side on an
even keel and winning matches, and then the Test series
(against New Zealand)". |
Go-slow Waugh wishes Kiwis well MANCHESTER, June 1 (AFP) — Australian Steve Waugh, whose questionable tactics in attempting to get New Zealand knocked out of the World Cup provoked a storm, today wished his intended victims well in the next round. Waugh had tried to exploit a loophole in the rules by deliberately delaying his team’s victory against the West Indies. Had he succeeded, New Zealand would have been eliminated from the World Cup on run rate, giving Australia an extra two points to take through to the second phase. Waugh’s men were booed by the Old Trafford crowd after taking 78 balls to score 19 runs, eight of which were gifted to them by wides or no balls. But New Zealand managed to sidestep the trap door, beating Scotland in double-quick time yesterday to boost their run rate and scraping through just ahead of the West Indies. Waugh said: "Good luck to them," he said. "It was good play by them — that’s what it’s all about." Pakistan qualified from group B in first place, ahead of Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said Waugh’s tactics had been the "tournament organisers’ worst nightmare" but had conceded he would have done the same thing in his position. Many neutrals, however, felt Australia had infringed the rules of sportsmanship by not trying, with some suggesting the West Indies had colluded in making their game drag on. Waugh had resonded: "I don’t know about morals, I’m here to win the World Cup. They make the rules, we have to do as we see fit." West Indies Skipper Brian Lara angrily refused to answer questions on whether he and Waugh had acted together in delaying the result. Australia and New
Zealand are keen sporting rivals. The Kiwis pulled off a
shock by beating their trans-Tasman rivals in the first
round, after which New Zealand match-winner Roger Twose
branded Waugh’s side as "bullies". |
World Cup run-rate rule draws flak LONDON, June 1 (UNI) — The rules and regulations of the seventh World Cup, which were appreciated and approved by the cricket fans just before the start of the tournament, are now being criticised after England's elimination on the basis of run-rate. The system is a bit complicated and before the start it seemed fair as it rewarded consistency at the expense of 'sporadic' brilliance. The system is far better than what was in 1992 World cup won by Pakistan, who had lost four of their five earlier games. Group A, in which only Kenya was a weak team, was believed to be more tough than group B, which included Bangladesh and Scotland. But England still hoped that three victories would be enough to make the last six but were halted in their tracks by minnows Zimbabwe, who upset the calculations by managing a lucky three-run win over India and then trouncing South Africa. South Africa topped the group A by winning four of their five matches. But three teams — Zimbabwe, India and England — were clubbed with six points each and only two of three could make it to the super league. England had a net run rate of minus 0.33 compared to Zimbabwe's 0.02 and India's 1.28. They now must be regretting that they let go the chance to improve their run rate against Zimbabwe, whom they had beaten by seven wickets at Nottingham on May 25. The system thus developed for helping the consistent teams was abused by Australia against the West Indies with skipper Steve Waugh admitting that his side had planned their go slow tactics for the match. The idea was to block the entry of New Zealand from making to the Super-Six but New Zealand finally made it. But it is clear that system is not flawless. The West Indies were bundled out for paltry 110 and Australia, who were 92 for four in the 28th over, could have easily scored 19 runs in the next three or four overs. But they went on batting till the 41st over, scoring 19 runs in 13 overs. Victory ensured the
Australians a place in the Super-Six, but having lost to
Kiwis earlier in the league match, they were keen to see
the West Indies make it to the super league to ensure
that they went through with two points. Rather than none
if the Kiwis made it. |
Aravinda's restaurant robbed COLOMBO, June 1 (PTI) — Out -of -form Sri Lankan veteran batsman, Aravinda De Silva, who had a miserable run in the World Cup in England as Sri Lanka failed to qualify to Super Six stage, suffered yet another set- back at home when thieves broke into a posh restaurant owned by him and stole Rs 10 lakh in cash. Aravinda’s restaurant in central Colombo, ‘Curry Leaves’ — which specialises in Indian cousin - was robbed by four armed men in the early hours yesterday, local media reported today. A security guard and an employee were in the restaurant at the time of the robbery. The robbers bolted with the cash box, which reportedly had over Rs 10 lakh, the state owned ‘Daily News’ said. Meanwhile, De Silva and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, under fire over the poor performance of the defending champions, would not be returning here along with the team on Thursday, after the Lankan team was eliminated from the World Cup losing three of their five group ‘A’ matches to England, South Africa and India. Press reports said both cricketers would stay back in England for some time even as arrangements were being made to provide the World Cup team members a warm welcome on their return home. Arrangements were being made to welcome them at the airport, a Sports Ministry official, Mr R M K Ratnanayke said. Mr Ratnanayke, however, said it was up to the cricket board to decide about the fate of Ranatunga, facing calls for axe after failing to inspire the Lankan World Cup team. Asked to comment on Ranatunga’s statement that he would not resign from his post, Mr Ratnanayke said the captain was appointed by the Sports Minister on the recommendation of the national selectors. It is not a permanent job," he added. He also said the
government would consider appointing a committee to look
into the reasons for the failure of the team in World Cup
after hearing the views of the team members. |
Match-fixing issue to the fore The revelation by Australian skipper Steve Waugh that the Australians batted slowly in the last group "B" league match of the World Cup against the West Indies to prevent a possible entry by New Zealand into the Super Six, brings into sharp focus the ongoing allegations of "match fixing". Of late the British media, probably in an effort to divert attention of the nation from the miserable performance of the national team in the World Cup, is crying for Pakistan's blood over allegations that the Pakistani bowlers are indulging in tampering with the ball, specially the mercurial Shoaib Akhtar, whose pace has been found uncomfortable by one and all batsmen who have faced him in the World Cup group "B" matches. But the same British (read white) media has remained a mute spectator to the Australians effort to keen their neighbours out of the next stage of the tournament. The British media has also alleged that the Pakistani authorities are deliberately keeping the report of the one-man probe which went into the allegations of match fixing by Pakistani cricketers under wraps so that it does not affect the performance of the team in the ongoing World Cup in an apparent effort to keep the morale of the Pakistanis from going team down. On current form Pakistan seem to be one of the forerunners for the title. Steve Waugh admitted after the match that he along with Michael Beven slammed on the brakes to boost the West Indies run rate and make life difficult for New Zealand. It is a different matter that New Zealand ended the hopes of the West Indies by their performance against Scotland in their last Group "B" league match on Monday. " I don't know about it being moral but it was within the rules and we needed the two points," Waugh said afterwards. Under the World Cup rules teams reaching the Super Six stage take with them points earned in the first round against other Super Six qualifiers. Having lost to both Pakistan and New Zealand in the league Australia, like India, go to the Super Six with zero points in their kitty. Pakistan take four points and the Kiwis two. In spite of the fact that the West Indies captain Brian Lara admitting that his team had nothing to do with the Australian run crawl, the time has come for the International Cricket Council to step in and conduct a full enquiry into the whole episode. Of late terms like "match fixing" and "illegal betting" are making the rounds in cricketing circles. The Australian example is a case of "match fixing" if ever there was one and the international body should deal it with iron gloves because if Australia can get away with the blatant violation of the spirit of the game what prevents other teams from going in for such "match fixing" in the second stage of the tournament. What prevents, say for example, Pakistan from throwing away the match against neighbours India so that a second team from the subcontinent can also make the semifinals of the World Cup ? Or for that matter Australia, knowing the mindset of skipper Steve Waugh, from losing to Zimbabwe so that the African nation (which is entering the Super Six with four points in its kitty having defeated both South Africa and India in the group "A" league) can enter the last four at the expense of say India or their arch rivals New Zealand. The International Cricket Council instead of chasing such British red herrings like ball tampering should get down to the task of really governing the game. After all the game has such golden traditions. Would it not be injustice if the traditions are given a go-by ? While speaking about the
role of the ICC, the powers that be must give a thought
to the slow overrate of many teams in the World Cup.
While teams bowling first are penalised teams bowling
second can take as much time as they want to complete
their quota of overs. And one must remember that India
were at the receiving end on this count in their match
against Zimbabwe. |
B’desh should get Test status: Akram NEW DELHI, June 1 (UNI) — Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram yesterday said his team was looking forward to the much-awaited World Cup super-league match against its arch rivals India at Old Trafford on June 8. Speaking at the presentation ceremony after losing their last league match to rank outsiders Bangladesh at Nottingham, Akram said: "We are raring to go". "There are lot of expectations both in Pakistan and in India and we hope that we would win this time", he said. Pakistan had lost to India in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinals at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Though their stunning loss to Bangladesh did not have any impact as Pakistan had already qualified for the next phase, but only halted the 1992 champions’ winning streak. Akram was all praise for the Bangladesh team. "They really played well." "This should be a great day for Bangladesh", Akram said and applauded the performance of their Asian counterpart. Bangladesh should get Test status in a couple of years, he added. For Bangladesh its celebration time. An elated Bangladesh skipper Aminul Islam said: "It’s a historic day for us". All the team members contributed to it. "I didn’t find words to praise it. It’s excellent". Bangladesh, though did not qualify for the second phase, returns home with the happy memories, with two wins — against Pakistan and Scotland. Aminul Islam also
thanked the supporters, who cheered them right through
the match. |
Bangladesh win raises questions LONDON, June 1 (PTI) — Bangladesh has helped its chances of gaining Test status but its sensational win against Pakistan in the World Cup yesterday has given rise to a lot of questions and innuendo. To think of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Salim Malik, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul Haq, Moin Khan and Saqlain Mushtaq on one side and Inamur Rehaman, Inamul Haque on the other and the match ending the way it did defies description. Bangladesh has played 30 one-day internationals in its fledgling career so far. Of these, only two have resulted in wins, including the one against Pakistan yesterday. The previous was achieved against Scotland here. This Bangladesh team would struggle to beat even a reasonable Delhi side. That it did it against the most talented winning side in the world is unbelievable. "Something has been cooked up. Match fixing or some dispute between the players. How the hell can we lose to such a team after defeating the West Indies, Australia and New Zealand," an AFP report quoted Hasan, a cricket fan, saying in Karachi. For sometime now,
International Cricket Council has been harping on Test
status for Bangladesh should it beat a recognised
Test-playing country. Now it has happened, somebody is
sure to extract his pound of flesh from yesterday’s
game. |
Sharif felicitates Sheikh Hasina DHAKA, June 1 (PTI) — Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has congratulated his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina at Bangladesh’s upset win over Pakistan at the cricket World Cup. In a message from Islamabad, Sharif said the cricket team of "our brotherly country" Bangladesh played well yesterday and it deserved the congratulations. Debutants Bangladesh pulled off a stunning 62-run upset win over strong contenders Pakistan at the World Cup. The tie was inconsequential as Pakistan had qualified to the Super Six as group toppers and Bangladesh had been eliminated. But it was the biggest
win for the fledgling side and cause for unprecedented
celebrations at home as Bangladesh was part of Pakistan
till 1971 before gaining freedom. |
Pak fans stunned, B’deshis celebrate KARACHI, June 1 (AFP) — Cricket fans here were disgruntled today over Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the World Cup, while thousands of Bangladeshi settlers celebrated their victory in all-night revelries. Slogan-chanting Bangladeshis danced in Karachi’s slums and distributed sweets while Pakistani cricket fans were seen venting their anger, some smashing tea cups at roadside hotels, witnesses said. About 1.5 million Bangladeshis, mostly illegal immigrants, reside in this port city and work as house servants, maids, vendors and fishermen. "A great victory has given us an identity here. We were known as fishermen but now we will be considered as a cricketing nation which has defeated the most powerful team in the world," said 29-year-old Meezan-ur Rehman. "We congratulated our friends and families and we will send them gifts," he said. "Our team has saved us from humiliation," said another Bangladeshi, Abudr Razzaq, saying the team had pulled off "a giant killing act." Bangladesh beat Pakistan
by 62 runs in the group B match yesterday, leaving the
losing side’s fans shocked and disgruntled. "They should learn a lesson not to relax in the future," another fan Ahmed Shah said. However, former test cricketer Iqbal Qasim credited Bangladesh for its "deserving" victory. "Bangladesh proved that dedication, hardwork and confidence could bring victory against any team," Qasim said. DHAKA(PTI): The entire Bangladesh broke into spontaneous celebrations to mark its historic, well-deserved 62-run win over the mighty Pakistanis in the cricket World Cup, reviving memories of the december of 1971, when it broke away from the Islamic nation. As tens of thousands took to streets beating drums and bursting crackers to celebrate the ecstatic victory by the debutants at Northampton yesterday over a team that remained unbeaten so far in this World Cup, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described it as a "a dream victory". Hasina, who sent her greetings to the Bangladeshi squad, announced a bounty of one lakh taka for each player and coach and manager of the team. From her personal funds, Ms Hasina also gave out another one lakh taka each for the glorious win though the team has already been eliminated from the tournament. "On behalf of the nation, I congratulate the members of the Bangladeshi contingent which performed wonderfully and valiantly in fighting the Pakistanis, the powerful cricket team which had once won the World Cup and remained unbeaten so far in the tournament," the official BSS news agency quoted Mrs Hasina as saying. Dhaka dailies today ran
numerous stories and pictures with headlines
"Bangladesh lay Pakistan low", "Memories
of 1971 revived", "Jubilation all over",
"Child David kills Goliath". |
Has the sun set on calypso cricket? LONDON, June 1 (PTI) — The inglorious exit of the West Indies from the World Cup at the league stage highlights the major slide of the former cricketing super power and the sad decline of the game in the Caribbeans. Unconquered heroes when they swept to victory in the first two editions in 1975 and 1979 and a fearsome proposition throughout the 1980’s, their premature exit leaves many questions on their future as a major team unanswered. Struggling to maintain their stature coming into the premier tournament, the West Indies were ousted on a narrow net run rate of point zero eight by New Zealand after a pathetic capitulation by Brian Lara and company to struggling Australia in a group tie they had to at least run their opponents close to survive. The Caribbeans were bowled out for 110 in yet another stunning batting collapse against the Aussies that virtually ended their hopes and the Kiwis ensured there was no escape when they battered Scotland to submission to move up. The major blame for the unpredictable batting should go to skipper Brian Lara, who contributed just 106 runs from five innings with a highest of 36 against New Zealand. Barring 31-year-old wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, who did an excellent job behind the stumps and aggregated 205 runs in four innings — he carried the bat against the Aussies making 49 not out as wickets fell steadily — none showed the needed application. It was a big let down for the two legends of Caribbean cricket, Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards. Lloyd led his team to two victories and to the final in 1983 when they lost to India, but his presence did little to motivate the team to better deeds. The seventh World Cup certainly will be the last for ageing fast bowlers, 36-year-old Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, 35, who gave a spirited display at the head of a four-pronged pace attack only to see their batsmen cave in meekly. Walsh, 12 scalps away from overhauling Kapil Dev’s world Test record of 434 wickets, and Ambrose are in the twilight of their glorious careers and may find it hard to motivate themselves much longer. However, Merwyn Dillon, 25, and Reon King, 24, worked up an appreciable pace and showed the Caribbean tradition will be kept alive even though it may not rise to the lofty heights achieved by Andy Roberts, Colin Croft, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Malcolm Marshall, their current coach. But Lara proved the biggest letdown for the West Indies, who managed to beat only New Zealand among the major group rivals and crumbled for 202 after the bowlers had done a great job to restrict Pakistan to 229 in their opening tie. Lara played two of the best Test innings ever to pull his team single-handedly to a 2-all draw against Australia at home and then finished level in the one-day series too. The results were seen as heartening for those hoping that interest in cricket would remain in the Caribbean, in particular after the 5-0 drubbing in Tests and 1-6 reverse in one-dayers in South Africa before the home series got under way. But the worst ever showing by the West Indies, who had made at least the semifinal barring 1987 and 1992, has only brought the fears of many true. Things have not exactly been rosy in the team, with Lara’s efforts to claim the captaincy leading to many cracks in it. Walsh magnanimously stepped aside and supported his successor, but the sudden retirement of enigmatic batsman Carl Hooper on the eve of the World Cup left the side without a player of great class. Squabbling over money with the board and sidelining of a splendid fast bowler like Franklyn Rose, apparently due to his strained relationship with Lara, have hit the team. Decline of interest in the game, thanks to growing popularity in profession basketball, athletics and football, has already led to a crisis and success at the World Cup was expected to lift the game in the islands. The Caribbeans ruled the world for long with flair and sheer depth of talent. Quality today is at a
premium and unless significant steps are taken, the West
Indies team as providers of sheer joy to cricket
connoisseurs world over might be lost forever. |
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LONDON, June 1 (UNI) — The following are the fixtures of matches in the elite Super Six league of the seventh edition of the World Cup beginning on June 4. Qualifiers: Group A: 1. South Africa 2. India 3. Zimbabwe Group B: 1. Pakistan 2. Australia 3. New Zealand. June 4: London (the Oval): India vs Australia. June 5: Nottingham (Trent Bridge): South Africa vs Pakistan. June 6: Leeds (Headingley): Zimbabwe vs New Zealand. June 7: rest day June 8: Manchester (Old Trafford) India vs Pakistan. June 9: London (Lords): Zimbabwe vs Australia. June 10: Birmingham (Edgbaston): South Africa vs New Zealand. June 11: London (the Oval): Zimbabwe vs Pakistan. June 12: Nottingham (Trent Bridge): India vs New Zealand. June 13: Birmingham
(Headingley): South Africa vs Australia. |
England "done in" by fear of failure LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) — Shane Warne said fear of failure may have cost World Cup hosts England a place in the Super Six phase of the tournament. The Australian leg spinner was quoted in the Times newspaper today as saying: "Perhaps England go into big games wondering what would happen if they lost whereas we never considered the consequence of losing to West Indies." England tumbled out of the tournament with an inept batting display against India in their final group game while the Australians qualified for the Super Six with an emphatic win over West Indies. "Unfortunately, they (England) didn’t play to their best when it really counted," Warne says in his Times column. "We seem to be a side for the big occasion as we proved (against West Indies). "By pressure, I mean the fear of failure, if you believe in your ability and the ability of your mates in the team then you can never fail. "Over the years we have been described as cocky or arrogant when all we really have is that confidence in ourselves," the star leg-spinner added.
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Graf, Seles, Hingis, Arantxa in semis PARIS, June 1 (AP) — Showing power and resilience from years past, Steffi Graf defeated Lindsay Davenport in three sets today to advance to the French Open semifinals. There, she’ll be joined by three very familiar faces: top-ranked Martina Hingis, defending champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Monica Seles, whom she’ll be playing next. On the men’s side, a sluggish Marcelo Rios made a surprise early exit from a tournament he seemed primed to win. He fell 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 to Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia, one of this year’s big surprises who knocked out top-ranked Yevgeny Kafelnikov in straight sets in the second round. In the semifinals, Hrbaty could well meet another man having an exceptional run — Andre Agassi, who played later today. Graf, a five-time champion in Paris, missed last’s year’s French Open because of one of her many injuries. But against the world’s No. 2 player she produced one of her best victories of late. In their first meeting on clay, Graf was overpowering in the first set, but Davenport came back in the second, winning in a tiebreaker. Graf broke Davenport twice in the third set to win, 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, on her fifth match point. Afterwards, Davenport made no secret of her distaste for clay, which tends to limit her mobility. Graf will play Seles, a finalist last year, who had an easy time with Conchita Martinez of Spain, defeating her 6-1, 6-4 and closing it off with an ace. Martinez, who once won Wimbledon but is now ranked 22nd in the world, couldn’t match the powerful Seles groundstrokes. Hingis surged into the semis with a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over the player who upset Venus Williams, Barbara Schwartz, an Austrian qualifier ranked 125th. She’ll next meet Sanchez-Vicario. It’s the best match so far I’ve played,’’ Hingis said. I had to think a lot on the court.’’ Sanchez-Vicario had almost as easy a time defeating another Austrian, Sylvia Plischke, 6-2, 6-4. After Schwartz broke serve at the beginning of the match, Hingis won seven straight games and never was in trouble after that. "She’s very aggressive,’’ Hingis said of Schwartz, who toppled Williams in three sets on Sunday. "You never know where she’s going to hit the ball." Sanchez-Vicario was serving for the match at 5-2 in the second, but then faltered. Plischke, who earlier downed Jana Novotna, broke serve. Serving for the match again at 5-4, Sanchez-Vicario blew two match points but finally converted on her third, when Plischke netted her final shot. In his quarterfinal match, the ninth-seeded Rios never looked on form, making more errors than usual against a player serving well and playing at the very top of his game. Hrbaty never lost a service game, and Rios was never able to dominate from the baseline as he likes to. After a close first set, Hrbaty easily won the second. In the third, the players fought to 6-6, and Rios took an early 2-0 lead in the tiebreaker. Rios had two set points at 6-4 in the tiebreaker, but failed to capitalise on either one. But at 6-6, Hrbaty netted a shot and then hit a forehand long, giving Rios the set. In the final set, Hrabty rolled to a 5-2 lead. At 5-3, with the Slovakian serving for the match, Rios made three consecutive errors. The last a backhand that
hit the net cord and landed a few inches wide. |
Paes-Bhupathi in semifinals PARIS, June 1 (PTI) — India’s Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi cruised into the men’s doubles semifinals of the French Open tennis tournament, beating the South African-U.S. Pair of Elis Ferreira and Rick Leach here today. The top seeded Indians, who faced an established doubles combination of Ferreira-Leach, had a relatively easy match winning it 7-5 6-2 in the quarter-finals at the Roland Garros here. The top seeds showed their class in overcoming an early challenge from the fourth seeds before cruising to a convincing win. Paes-Bhupathi, who reached French Open semis last year are aiming for their first Grand Slam title.
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Punjab sportspersons honoured SANGRUR, June 1 — Gold medallists in subjunior, junior and senior national championships for the year 1996-97 were honoured with cash incentives of Rs 5000 each by the Punjab Sports Department at a function at Malerkotla yesterday. International players Mukesh Kumar (wrestling), Ashok Kumar and Pritpal Singh (basketball), Sushil Kumar ( powerlifting), S. Sharma and Ramandeep Kaur (gymnastics), Renu Bala (hockey), Harmit Singh, Ramandeep and Gurpreet (handball) were among 200 players who were honoured by the Sports Minister, Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, Ms Harsimrat Gill, secretary, Sports and Youth Services, presided over the function. Ms Gill in her presidential address elaborated on various schemes concerning the welfare of sportsmen. She said Punjab was the only state in India which had regular schemes of cash incentives for gold medallists and a sum of Rs 80 lakh had been disbursed among players since 1993-94. The rate of cash incentives had been revised from Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000 since 1997-98. The matter concerning pension to sportspersons was under active consideration of the government, she said. Mr Nusrat Ali Khan, Sports Minister, while lauding the achievements of the Sports Department, said sportspersons of the state always kept Punjab's flag flying in all National Games held so far. From 66 medals the state's tally went up to 113 which speaks volumes of the good work done by the Sports Department. He said Punjab would be hosting the National Games in 2000 and preparations had already begun. Speaking about the functioning of the department, he said it was the only department in the country which was being run by eminent sportspersons. Mr Khan assured that all required facilities would be provided to sportspersons of the state. Punjab was the only state which had two synthetic athletics tracks and three Astro-Turfs for hockey. Col Raminder Singh,
Director Sports, Punjab welcomed the guests and the
awardees. He emphasised the need for more facilities in
rural areas. Besides standard infrastructure at almost
all district headquarters except two, the state also had
three sports academies at Jalandhar, Mahilpur and
Ludhiana, which were grooming young players of the state,
Col Raminder Singh added. |
Srinath, Derepasko in second round NEW DELHI, June 1 (PTI) — India’s Prahlad Srinath scored a convincing 6-3 6-3 victory over Ashley Ford of Australia while top seed Artem Derepasko (Russia) struggled in beating Sandeep Kirtane 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7/3) in the singles first round of ITF men’s satellite tennis circuit third leg here. Second seed Srinath, winner of the Bangalore leg, came up with booming serves and controlled play to down Ford and set up a second round tie with Rohan Bopanna. Derepasko, who won the second leg at Mumbai, was stretched by Kirtane before losing in third set tie-breaker. The Russian will take on compatriot Dimitri Mazur, who beat Sanzruz Zaman 6-4 6-0 at the DLTA courts today. There were two more upsets with seventh seed Saurav Panja and eighth seed Shivshanker Kanbargimath being shown the door by their foreign counterparts. Panja won the first set 7-6 (7/5) but then lost his way going down 2-6 2-6 in the next two sets to Minh of the USA. Minh faces Steven Bourke of Australia in the round of 16. Uzbekistan’s Anton Kokurin also needed three sets before winning 6-1 6-7 (7/9) 6-2 against Kanbargimath. The Uzbek faces former national hardcourt champion Vasudev Reddy, who shut out wild card entrant Kamala Kannan 6-3 6-4. Third seed Syed Fazaluddin, who finished runners-up at Mumbai, was extended to three sets by Vijay Kannan before he prevailed 6-7 (1/7) 7-5 6-1 for an easy second round tie with upcoming Vijayendra Laad. Laad ousted Vishal Uppal 7-5 6-7 6-2 in another match in the top half of the draw. Anand Radhakrishnan beat Manoj Mahadevan 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 7-5 and will take on sixth seed Vinod Sridhar, a 6-4 7-6 (8/6) winner over Jay Uwadia. National hardcourt
champion Nitin Kirtane was clinical in his 7-5 6-3 win
over Kedar Shah and now runs into in-form Harsh Mankad,
who thrashed P Ravikrishna 6-2 6-0 for a second round
place. |
H
Ludhiana win LUDHIANA, June 1 (FOSR) — Manav Dhuppar (92) and Rakesh Saini (68) helped Ludhiana to six-wicket win over Amritsar in their opening two-day match of the Punjab State Inter-District (summer league) cricket tournament being organised by Punjab Cricket Association at the SD Government College ground here today. Yesterday, Amritsar piled up 394 runs for 9 in their allotted 90 overs. Because of rain, Ludhiana’s target was set at 197 runs in 45 overs. Ludhiana made the required runs in 42.1 overs. Brief scores:— Amritsar 394 for 9 in 90 overs (Ravneet Ricky 110, Munish Sharma 21. S.P. Singh 24, Tarun Gupta 25, Sanjay Kumar 112, Sarandeep 39, Bharat Bhushan 2 for 41, Rajesh Kumar 3 for 94, Ludhiana 201 for 4 in 42.1 overs (Ankur Kakkar 19, Manav Dhuppar 92, Rakesh Saini 68, Tejinder Singh 2 for 52. Amanjot, Chatwinder post wins AMRITSAR, June 1 (TNS) — Amanjot and Chatwinder Singh of Chandigarh posted wins at the Adidas Junior Tennis Circuit-1999 conducted by the Punjab State Lawn Tennis Association, at Ram Bagh Gardens, Amritsar. Results Boys U-16 (Singles): Amanjot Singh (Chd) b .D Rohit K Raju (Dli) 6/3, 6/1; Tushar Garg (Dli) b Nikhil Vijay Murli (Dli) 6/3; 6/4, Chatwinder Singh (Chd) b Navneesh Sharma (Pb) 6/2, 6/1, Wrik Ganguly (Dli) b Mahanandan Tyagi (Dli) 6/2, 6/1; Harneesh Randhawa (Pb) Varun Girl (Dli) 6/4, 6/2; Vivek Bhakuni (Dli) b Mayank Tyagi (Dli) 6/1,6/3; Dhrub Kumar (WB) b Gurdit Sing (Chd) 6/0, 6/0, Nipun Gupta (Dli) b Varun Walia (UP) 6/3, 6/1. Girls U-16(Singles): Sania Mirza (AP) b Geetanjali Sharma (Pb) 6/1, 6/1; Neha Singh (Chd) b Anjani Kant (Dli) 6/1, 6/1; Monika Goyal (Dli) b Neha Rana (Dli) 6/1, 6/1; Sanna Bhambri (Dli) B Kamalpreet Kaur (Pb) 6/0, 6/0; Tara Ayer (Dli) b Harsimran Kaur (Dli) 6/0, 6/3. Badminton camp CHANDIGARH, June 1 (BOSR) — An intensive three-week badminton coaching camp for boys below 16 years category of the states belonging to the Northern region will be organised at Chandigarh from June 10 to 20, according to Mr T R Tuli, Secretary of the Panchkula Badminton Association, the organiser of this camp. The move to start such a camp was initiated by the different secretaries of the seven states/UTs viz Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, J&K, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi at its meeting held in April at Panchkula. This will help in giving exposure to the upcoming players of this region. The camp would be held at Sector 42 indoor badminton hall which has three wooden courts and the lodging would be provided at the nearby sports complex hostel. Patiala win PATIALA, June 1 (FOSR) — Triding on a superb century by Reetinder Sodhi (109) coupled with a fine bowling performance by Lakhbir Singh (6 for 57) Patiala beat Minor Districts XI by four wickets in the Punjab State Katoch Shield Super League Tournament played at the Dhruv Pandove Stadium here today. Brief Scores: Minor
Districts: 244 all out (D. Thakur 68, Navdeep Singh 48,
Parveen 50, Sanjay Mahajan 39, Lakhbir Singh 6 for 57)
Patiala District: 248 for 4 (Reetinder Sodhi 109, Sanjeev
Kapuria 50 N.O. Ranjeev Sharma 35, Munish Bali 28, Raman
2 for 55). |
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