Monday, May 17, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Monday, May 17, 1999 |
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Scots
beaten, but not disgraced
Manhandling
of Azhar, Dravid: Tight security sought
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Lazio
held to a draw |
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Pak bounce back to score impressive win BRISTOL, May 17 (PTI) — Strong contenders Pakistan made a bright start to their World Cup campaign by scoring an absorbing 27-run victory over the West Indies in a low-scoring group ‘B’ league tie between two former champions yesterday. Rookie Abdur Razzak struck crucial blows atop a splendid Pakistan pace bowling performance as they bowled out the twice champions for 202 with seven balls to spare, defending a modest 229 for eight made under overcast conditions perfect for bowlers at the Neville Road ground here. The Caribbean batsmen were undone by their penchant for free shotmaking when Pakistan’s sharp attack called for caution and once the 19-year-old Razzaq began his World Cup claiming rival skipper Brian Lara (11) first ball playing a reckless shot, Pakistan never really let go their grip. Left-hander Shivnaraine Chanderpaul waged a lone battle compiling 77 before being the last man out with the target virtually of their grasp. Razzaq, who showed superb control and movement both ways to trouble the West Indian batsmen finished with a haul of three for 32 bowling his 10 overs unchanged. Fellow pacemen Azhar Mehmood (3/48) and Shoaib Akhtar (2/54) also played their role to perfection. Earlier, skipper Wasim Akram led a late charge smashing a top-score of 43 off just 28 balls to lift Pakistan after fast bowler Courtney Walsh (3/28) and Merwyn Dillon (2/29) combined to leave Pakistan reeling at 135 for six at one stage. West Indies began their chase well as opener Sherwin Campbell edged world’s fastest bowler Akhtar’s first ball for a six. Though Akhtar had revenge soon after by comprehensively bowling Campbell, left-handers Ridley Jacobs (25) and Jimmy Adams (23) built a neat 58-run second wicket stand. Seamer Azhar Mehmood provided the breakthrough having Adams edging a drive to Inzamam-ul Haq at slips. But the West Indies struggling to recover their stature in world cricket were struck a body blow when Lara was cheaply. The flamboyant batsman nursing a wrist injury smashed Mehmood for two fluent fours but tried to dominate the accurate attack too early, recklessly swinging and edging Razzaq’s away seamer. The skier off the leading edge was taken by coverpoint fielder Mushtaq Ahmed, substituting for an injured Ijaz Ahmed. Razzaq struck another blow by dismissing the aggressive Ridley Jacobs and West Indies went on a downward slide never to recover. Chanderpaul completed a fighting half-century, but ran out of partners and fell last man to Akhtar in the penultimate over as the Pakistan fans raced into the ground in joy. The Caribbeans were dealt a further blow when all-rounder Keith Arthurton badly twisted his left ankle while fielding. Though he batted with a runner he could not last long. Pakistan next meet minnows Scotland at Chester-le-Street on May 20 while the West Indies move to Irish capital Dublin where they take on the other lightweights in their group Bangladesh on May 21.BRISTOL, May 17 (PTI) — Strong contenders Pakistan made a bright start to their World Cup campaign by scoring an absorbing 27-run victory over the West Indies in a low-scoring group ‘B’ league tie between two former champions yesterday. Rookie Abdur Razzak struck crucial blows atop a splendid Pakistan pace bowling performance as they bowled out the twice champions for 202 with seven balls to spare, defending a modest 229 for eight made under overcast conditions perfect for bowlers at the Neville Road ground here. The Caribbean batsmen were undone by their penchant for free shotmaking when Pakistan’s sharp attack called for caution and once the 19-year-old Razzaq began his World Cup claiming rival skipper Brian Lara (11) first ball playing a reckless shot, Pakistan never really let go their grip. Left-hander Shivnaraine Chanderpaul waged a lone battle compiling 77 before being the last man out with the target virtually of their grasp. Razzaq, who showed superb control and movement both ways to trouble the West Indian batsmen finished with a haul of three for 32 bowling his 10 overs unchanged. Fellow pacemen Azhar Mehmood (3/48) and Shoaib Akhtar (2/54) also played their role to perfection. Earlier, skipper Wasim Akram led a late charge smashing a top-score of 43 off just 28 balls to lift Pakistan after fast bowler Courtney Walsh (3/28) and Merwyn Dillon (2/29) combined to leave Pakistan reeling at 135 for six at one stage. West Indies began their chase well as opener Sherwin Campbell edged world’s fastest bowler Akhtar’s first ball for a six. Though Akhtar had revenge soon after by comprehensively bowling Campbell, left-handers Ridley Jacobs (25) and Jimmy Adams (23) built a neat 58-run second wicket stand. Seamer Azhar Mehmood provided the breakthrough having Adams edging a drive to Inzamam-ul Haq at slips. But the West Indies struggling to recover their stature in world cricket were struck a body blow when Lara was cheaply. The flamboyant batsman nursing a wrist injury smashed Mehmood for two fluent fours but tried to dominate the accurate attack too early, recklessly swinging and edging Razzaq’s away seamer. The skier off the leading edge was taken by coverpoint fielder Mushtaq Ahmed, substituting for an injured Ijaz Ahmed. Razzaq struck another blow by dismissing the aggressive Ridley Jacobs and West Indies went on a downward slide never to recover. Chanderpaul completed a fighting half-century, but ran out of partners and fell last man to Akhtar in the penultimate over as the Pakistan fans raced into the ground in joy. The Caribbeans were dealt a further blow when all-rounder Keith Arthurton badly twisted his left ankle while fielding. Though he batted with a runner he could not last long. Pakistan next meet
minnows Scotland at Chester-le-Street on May 20 while the
West Indies move to Irish capital Dublin where they take
on the other lightweights in their group Bangladesh on
May 21. |
Scots beaten, but not disgraced WORCESTER, England, May 16 (AP) — Australia defeated minnows Scotland by six wickets in a World Cup group B match today, but the win fell a long way short of the thrashing that skipper Steve Waugh had promised. A first-choice Australian team was expected to crush the Scots, who’re playing in their first World Cup and are considered 1000-1 outsiders. The Australians overhauled Scotland’s score of 181 for seven in the 45th over for the loss of four wickets with captain Steve Waugh unbeaten on 49. Opener Mark Waugh top scored with 67 before he got a leading edge to a slower-ball and popped a return catch to off-spinner Nick Dyer. Adam Gilchrist (6) was an early casualty, well caught by Iain Philip at short fine-leg while attempting to hook left-arm seamer Asim Butt in the sixth over. Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting combined to take the score from 17 for 1 to 101 for 2 before Ponting was caught in the outfield by Mike Allingham off the bowling of Blain for 33. The Australians lost a second wicket within three balls when Darren Lehmann chopped the ball onto his stumps off Dyer’s bowling without addition to the total, bringing Steve Waugh to the crease. The Waugh twins took the score along to 141 in the 36th over before Mark became Dyer’s second victim. Steve Waugh continued with Michael Bevan (11 not out) to steer Australia to victory. Australia: |
India were sluggish in slog
overs Although India lost to South Africa cricket was the winner. The match was exciting with a lot of good batting, bowling and fielding from both teams. India didn't do anything wrong they were in the contest with a chance of winning until the last few overs. It was South Africa's strength in depth from their batting line up that got them home. It is vital that in the disappointment of losing that the Indian players do not go soul searching too much and finding fault or blame because they lost. They should look at the positive aspects. Even with Tendulkar getting out reasonably early the quality of stroke play from Ganguly and Dravid was excellent. The fast bowling from Prasad and Srinath was a real handful for South Africa. In fact Srinath bowling downhill was quicker than Donald and very hostile. Kumble gave his usual unflappable professional performance and the fielding was good. So why did India not win? I think that if you want a constructive thought where a little improvement could be made then the last 10 overs did not produce enough runs. With lots of wickets in hand-a lightening fast outfield and good batting pitch then a run a ball is not enough sixtythree runs came off the last 10 overs. The South African quick bowlers rarely pitched the ball up. They banged it in short of a length and got the ball to rear into the body of the batsmen. Too many times batsmen hit the ball at the fielders or flashed and missed or just mistimed the shot. Fifteen to Twenty more runs or even 25 more runs was par for the course and just might have done the trick. Give South Africa credit they are a magnificent seam bowling team. I have always felt that the fifth bowler is a weak area. Too many times Robin Singh has to be helped out to complete those 10 overs. In English conditions it is not so easy for Tendulkar to confuse good batsmen with his "liquorice all sorts" so may be Ganguly needs to do more bowing. My other point is Srinath is a wicket taking bowler not a defensive bowler. I don't think he bowls as well at the end of an innings when he tries to get the ball in the block hole. He is at his best banging it in just short of a length-getting bounce and making the opposition batsmen jump around a bit. The opening match at
Lord's was a tame affair because Sri Lanka were
disappointing. England didn't have to be special to win
easily. Anyone who has seen Sri Lanka play these last few
months knows that they are a shadow of the champion team
that won the World Cup in 1996 and won many friends with
their exciting stroke play. Against England they wasted a
good start with some awful shots by Mahanama and
Atapattu. A lack of discipline and application presented
England with the initiative. Kaluwitharana counter
attacked in terrific style to lift their spirits but by
that stage they were in deep trouble It was sad first
watching the batsmen make mistakes and then the bowling
attack lacking the penetration. Except for the class of
Muralitharan the seamers looked very ordinary. England
didn't need to be special. They gave a competent
professional performances and caught all their catches.
The big plus was a return to form by captain Alec Stewart
who for a long time has been making small quick cameos
and then getting himself out. This time he controlled his
aggression-showed a lot of patience to make his first
half century in 17 one day innings and win the Man of the
Match. — PMG |
Defeat should not
‘dishearten’ India LONDON, May 16 — India did not begin their World Cup campaign with a win but they can draw immense satisfaction from the fact that they battled so well. There is only a wafer-thin margin between any of the top six teams in the world and India proved that as they made the tournament favourite stretch for a win. “We are always nervous playing India,” said Dr Ali Bacher, former captain and currently the Chief Executive of the South African Cricket Board. Despite the apparent comfort with which South Africa made the runs in through a typical flourish from Jonty Rhodes in the end overs, the contest may have gone right down to the wire. What India have established in just one match in the preliminary league is they are a dangerous floater, as capable of bating the best as of suffering the inconsistencies of the limited-overs game. Of course, the pitch at the county grounds in Hove on the Sussex coast may have been brought all the way from the sub continent, so slowly did it play. Indian batting flourished because it did not have to contend with what were typical English conditions as seen in the opening match at Lord’s when Sri Lanka, were asked to bat first by England. There is something about Lord’s that allows prodigious movement. The conditions were different at Hove where there was a dark cloud cover for much of the day but the atmosphere was dry rather than dampish and the South Africans seemed to suffer from their doubts over the white duke hall being used in the tournament. Kallis, who is a big mover of the ball and who is bound to be one of the stars of this World Cup, did not get as much movement out of the duke as he showed himself capable of in South Africa’s tour of England last summer. His innings was instrumental in making victory possible. On a day of collective bowling failure, the pace bowlers were seen in poor light, the South African’s suffered because too many in their attack believed in blasting the rivals out. England is more the land for the clever seam bowler than the out and out fast bowler, especially in the early part of the summer when the ball can swing, seam and duck and dip. If Allan Donald was economical it could be put down as much to the pace he generated as the bounce he extracted from that slow pitch. But the others did not find easily the more fullish length that England calls for. The problem with the slow pitch was it gave too little margin for error in length on the short or fuller side. The peculiar feature of the match was the failure of India’s seam attack whose frontline bowlers depend much more on movement than pace. Srinath was brilliant with the new ball, but he too wilted later in the face of the slow pitch that was bone dry and played well all day. Indian bowlers will be pleased if they come across the more traditional English conditions of swing and seam. The most expensive tactical error that the Indian captain may have committed is in not placing his trust in Saurav Ganguly’s bowling ability, he was brought on as an afterthought, in the 26th over and he promptly provided the break which set the South African chase back. Ganguly’s love affair with England continues. The century on World Cup debut was a distinct possibility when he was run out by the brilliance of Rhodes. The slow, seaming pitches suit Ganguly most because they are so similar to the ones that exist in Calcutta. Given Ganguly’s success with the bat in a model innings of a patient build-up and a step up to the offensive at the right time, Azharuddin should have placed more trust in his golden arm. Ganguly is going to be far more effective as a bowler of wobbly medium pace than Sachin Tendulkar, the conditions will not suit Sachin’s slow medium pace as much. Also, Sachin may be nursing some doubts about his back and cannot be expected to bend it in an effort to bring in more variations of pace with the odd ball bowled much quicker and banged into the turf. The burden may be more for him to bear but Ganguly has to be used as the fifth full time bowler. In conditions more helpful to movement, he will produce more breakthroughs. If he is firing smoothly, he will obviate the need for Robin Singh or Sachin to bowl too many overs. As the more innovative team which lays so much emphasis on tactical adaptability, the South Africans have discovered a pinch hitter for their number three slot who will deliver even better than Pat Symcox used to Mark Boucher is a resourceful young man capable of inventing shots when he is in good touch. It took the Indian bowlers a while to sort him out. It did take the ICC less
time to sort the issue of radio contact out. The South
Africans were stopped from using radio contact with their
coach Bob Woolmer through tiny radios that Cronje and
Donald had placed in their ears. “The World Cup is
not the time to experiment with new ideas without first
seeking permission,” was what Cronje was told by the
ICC. |
India still darkhorses: Waugh LONDON, May 16 (PTI) — South African batting legend Barry Richards has said that India failed to work on a formula being employed by successful teams these days in their fighting four-wicket loss to the Proteas in their lung opener at Hove yesterday. "The total of 30 overs to be doubled, more if you have wickets in hand. India were 133 for one after 30 overs and should have got 300," Richards, writing in the "Telegraph", said commenting on India managing to reach only 253 and going down by four wickets to the hot title favourites. "It was a thrilling encounter, which a superior side with better game tactics won," the "Sunday Observer" said as the English media discussed the tie between the 1983 winners and the maiden title aspirants at length. But star Australian batsman Mark Waugh warned: "The brave defeat of the Indians does not mean that Azhar and his batting machine are down and out. They have the necessary wherewithal and I still rate them as darkhorses," the aspirant for the seventh World Cup’s top batsman status commented in his column in "The Telegraph". The media were more or less unanimous in complimenting India for their fighting display but said South African efficiency helped them clinch the match despite hiccups. The "Sunday Times" said, "The Indians fought hard and occasionally held the upper hand before being overcome by all round efficiency that is the trademark of favourites South Africa." Analysing the high-voltage clash, Barry Richards said the Indians paid the price for not accelerating after Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid had laid an excellent foundation. "Perhaps the pressure of the whole country watching inhibited Ganguly and Dravid at a time when caution had to be thrown to the winds," he said. Ganguly, like the mindset of the sub-continent, was in pursuit of a 100 rather than the necessary throwing of the bat, especially with wickets in hand, he commented. Richards said it was the disappointing aspect of Indian cricket and it was why their cricketers haven’t fulfilled their potential in terms of results. He said South Africans are a stark contrast where peer pressure ensures that players have total commitment to the team first and individual aspirations come second. "Both skipper Hansie Cronje and coach Bob Woolmer would be mighty pleased as South Africans were wary of their opening encounter with India." Richards defended Cronje’s controversial use of an earpiece which the ICC asked him to remove. "Woolmer has always been a wonderful innovator and this is an extension of what other sports already do. Future generations will ask what all the fuss is about," he added. "The Times" said that India played competitively in the field was a testimony to their intensive coaching by their Australian consultant Bob Simpson. "But they look over-reliant on Srinath and Kumble to bring them wickets," Wilde said and added that Indian attack would have to sharpen, particularly Agarkar "who bowled a lot of loose deliveries", if they are to make the Super Six stage. The papers also commented on master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who fell for 28 after a cautious start playing his first international match in almost three months. "The Daily Telegraph" said Tendulkar who had the "most determined look on his face when he walked out to face the World Cup favourites must have been disappointed not only with his own performance, but that of his side’s upper order who squandered a wonderful start." "The Sunday Times" said: "It was not a good day for Tendulkar, he could not last to fulfil his ambitions of playing through India’s all 50 overs." The paper also said the
World Cup planners of hosts England were keenly following
the South Africa-India clash. "The tacticians were
noting the high and low points of their two other major
challengers in group `A’." |
Opener has toughened up Indians: Azhar LEICESTER, May 16 (PTI) — Indian skipper Mohd Azharuddin today defended his electing to bat first against South Africa though his team fell short of a big total, but felt the World Cup opener had toughened up the Indians despite the four-wicket defeat at Hove. "I think ideally we should have had a 270-plus total. We did fall 20-30 runs short of an ideal total," the Indian skipper said as the team moved here for the second tie against Zimbabwe on May 19 at the Grace Road venue. "Hopefully we have learnt our lessons. South Africa paced their innings and never gave up. That’s the way good teams play. "I get the feeling this match toughened us up. We knew this was going to be the most difficult game, and although we lost I thought we came out of it pretty well," Azhar was quoted by AFP as saying. But the skipper said a re-think on Indian bowling in the slog overs was required. "We need a re-think about the final overs. But the fact remains that 250 would be a winning score against most teams," he said. Meanwhile, Azhar backed his decision to bat first. "We had practised on adjoining squares for two days before the match and it was flat enough to prompt our decision," he said. After the tie brought out India’s strength of batting to the optimum and deficiency of undisciplined bowling and poor running between wickets, they will have their work cut out against the African team which has been boosted by a sound five-wicket win over Kenya yesterday at Taunton. India are in Leicester, at home with the conditions after being based here during their acclimatisation. India meet Zimbabwe at the Grace Road venue where they only international tie held previously also involved the two countries — a group match in the 1983 World Cup which India won comfortably by five wickets. On a slowish wicket and lightning quick field, India’s 253 for five was considered modest. "To me the outfield resembled a cemented track, so fast did the ball disappear past fielders," said former South African batting legend Barry Richards. The Indians batting in a
very composed manner but could not shift gears in the
final stages both due to South Africa’s excellent
bowling and fielding and due to their own inability to
run briskly between the wickets. |
World Cup fever breaches Great Wall BEIJING, May 16 (PTI) — The World Cup cricket fever has gripped the South Asian community here with the Chinese authorities providing the Doordarshan channel for the first time to the diplomatic compounds. The authorities yielded to provide Doordarshan channel to the exclusive diplomatic housing complexes here following persistent demand from the cricket loving diplomatic community from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, sources said. China strictly controls satellite television programmes and only tourist hotels and housing compounds for foreigners are allowed to receive satellite signals. "It was house-full last night," one indian diplomat said as many South Asian expatriates flocked to the diplomatic compounds to watch yesterday’s India-South Africa match which was telecast by Doordarshan. A Pakistani diplomat was a trifle disappointed that Doordarshan would beam only India’s matches at the preliminary stage. "Though we are unable to watch Pakistan’s initial matches, we hope our team would reach the super six round which Doordarshan plans to telecast," he said. The decision of the authorities to provide an Indian channel to the diplomatic community has also enthused the small Indian community, living outside the diplomatic compound, to demand the same from hotels and housing complexes where they live. "If they can provide an Indian channel to the diplomats, I don’t see why the same facility cannot be extended to the non-diplomatic community," an Indian business executive said. Meanwhile, a leading Indian restaurant here has launched a special cricket menu to popularise the game and Indian food during the World Cup. "Response to the food promotion is highly encouraging, particularly from the Chinese people," said Aniruddha Kalele, executive sous chef with ‘Holiday inn downtown’. The cricket and curry menu includes smashing Sachin lobster in exotic, semi-spicy-record-breaking gravy, Ganguly grandeur spicy and tangy mixed vegetables as starter or opener, attacking Azhar lamb mince roll, finished with diced vegetables and spices, Kumble magic top spinning rice preparation and appealing Mongia variety of seafood finished in rich and creamy sauce. The restaurant has also introduced cricket and curry drinks in the form of amazing Akram cocktail made from the combination of fresh fruit juices, Warne googly Australian wine, Lara-Lara Jamaican rum with cola and jumping Jayasuriya beer, tea and orange cocktail. Kalele said this was the first-ever Indian food promotion event organised in Beijing here with a sporting event so dear to Indians. "Many foreign tourists flock to the restaurant to know the latest cricket news from England and we plan to play recordings of the matches on giant TV screens," he said. Cricket is not known in
mainland China. However, it has gained much ground in
Hong Kong due to its British legacy and large population
from South Asia. |
Zimbabwe aim to win three games TAUNTON (England), May 16 (AP) — Zimbabwe has grabbed a share of the lead in the World Cup group a standings following its five-wicket win over Kenya in an all-African encounter yesterday. After the opening games, South Africa, Zimbabwe and England share the lead with one win each. At Taunton, all-rounder Neil Johnson put in a Man of the Match performance, taking four wickets to reduce Kenya to 229 for seven and then opening the innings and scoring 59 off 70 balls as Zimbabwe coasted to 231 for five with nine overs to spare. Zimbabwe, one of the nine Test-playing nations in the 12-team tournament, has never qualified for the second-phase of a cricket World Cup but captain Alistair Campbell predicts that will change. The 28-year-old batsman says his aim is to win three games and qualify for the Super Six stage. "We have been around for a while and our opponents know what to expect from us", he said. "I don’t care about what’s said about other teams in the competition, we will play the game very hard". "We are batting with a lot of freedom, which will be very handy when you are chasing a total in the excess of 240 against the bigger teams". Zimbabwe has only won four of its 26 World Cup games to date, including two over minnows Kenya. Zimbabwe had caused a two major upsets in previous tournaments, beating Australia by 13 runs in 1983 and England by seven runs in 1992. Meanwhile, Kenya captain Asif Karim said his team was in a tough group, although the experience would be invaluable. "We played well in patches," Karim said after the match. "I am sure our boys will learn a lot from these sort of tournaments." In other group A games,
England beat defending titlist Sri Lanka by eight wickets
at Lord’s on Friday and tournament favourite South
Africa edged India by four wickets yesterday. |
Kiwis take on B’desh today LONDON, May 16 (Reuters) — Any team condemned to play regularly in Dunedin have nothing to fear from an English spring. Based partly on their familiarity with cool, damp weather, the New Zealanders, who open their World Cup campaign against Bangladesh at Chelmsford tomorrow, are considered a good outside bet at 20-1. Dunedin, the Scots settlement in the south of the south island, can be a grim place to play any sport. As one World Cup match in 1992 spectators lit fires to keep warm. New Zealand have yet to experience weather that cold this May and, in fact, have been lucky with the weather while winning each of their three warm-up matches. Captain Stephen Fleming agrees that the weather in the south island comes close to replicating an English spring. “We are obviously more suited to playing in these conditions than perhaps the teams from the sub-continent,” he said. “Twenty to one is a pretty good bet but we have got a lot of work to do, the other teams are playing very well.” New Zealand, a far more competitive team in the one-day game than the five-day, have genuine cause for optimism in the weaker of the two groups. They start with Bangladesh, finish with Scotland, and need to beat one of Australia, the West Indies or Pakistan, to grab a second round berth. New Zealand’s one-day successes have usually involved good bowling from a battery of medium-pacers, keen and reliable fielding, with the batting fireworks coming from the Canterbury quartet of Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Fleming himself and Chris Cairns. Opener Astle clubs the ball powerfully off the front foot in both one-day and Test cricket but even he has been overshadowed by McMillan in the warm-up matches. McMillan savaged the Surrey and Sussex bowling, hitting four huge sixes at the Oval, and with an average of nearly 49 in Tests he is one of the best young batsmen in world cricket. Cairns, a gloriously clean striker of the ball, may be used as a floater in the order. He will combine with Dion Nash and either Geoff Allott or Simon Doull plus the miserly slow-medium Gavin Larsen in the attack. They will be assisted by Chris Harris, one of the world’s more successful all-round one-day cricketers, who bowls medium-paced leg-cutters or medium-slow leg spin. Bangladesh, who make their World Cup debut, arrived in England three weeks ago and have spent a lot of time dodging showers and looking for practice matches. As with any team from the Indian sub-continent, they have some supple-wristed, attractive batsmen but their fielding is decidedly ordinary and the seamers should not trouble batsmen. “They can be pretty unorthodox,” Fleming said. “They’ve got a couple of handy batters. They can’t be underestimated but this is one game we should and must win.” Bangladesh coach Gordon Greenidge, who opened the batting for the West Indies in their 1975 and 1979 cup triumphs, has urged his team to play positive cricket. “I suspect to bat first and score 220 or 230 would be the strategy that will suit us best,” he said. Bangladesh can take heart from the example of Sri Lanka, who in the 1975 World Cup ran into a typhoon masquerading as Jeff Thomson. Thomson, bowling at
frightening speed, sent two Sri Lankans to hospital but
the new boys still managed 276 for four from 60 overs. |
Manhandling of Azhar, Dravid LONDON, May 16 — World Cup umpire Steve Bucknor today called for tightening of security after Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid were jostled by a drunken spectator at Hove last night. The man, who hurled abuses on the players after India lost to South Africa, was arrested and ejected from the ground. Bucknor said “you don’t expect to see this in England. The only answer is to increase protection for the players”. “The security issue has become very important”. “This sort of thing has started happening more and more”, Azharuddin later said. “We need to look very seriously at the increasing security for the players”, he added. Meanwhile, the organisers of the World Cup have come under attack from the media for the matches have been allotted to various venues without considering the press facilities or size of the ground. At Hove the capacity in the ground was about 6000 and more than that were outside. There were hardly any media facility. The press box had a capacity of 17 people while 60 pressmen were there to cover the match. It was terrible time for the reporters to send their copy. Imagine in the World Cup there was no scorer. The ground was so small that it was unbelievable to think that World Cup match was being played there. The Roshanara Club in Delhi is hundred times better than the one at Hove. If these conditions existed during World Cup in India, the whole western media would have blasted the Indians. There has been no apology from the organisers so far. The media is left to its own fate. Ironically, the International Cricket Council (ICC) at present is headed by Jagmohan Dalmiya, who personally takes lot of care about media facilities whenever matches are held in India. But here he seems to be helpless. Former champions Pakistan have also lashed out at the organisers for the “tiny” cricket grounds being used for the World Cup matches claiming that they are keeping cricket lovers away from the most important sports event. Team manager Zafar Altaf said his team’s first match is at Bristol where the Nevil ground has a capacity of only 8,500 while the demand for tickets was manifold. He was also of the view that May was too early a stage to conduct a tournament in England. ‘’What the hell is 8500 for a match of this importance (Pakistan-West Indies). Come to the sub-continent and I will fill a stadium with one lakh people for this type of match. We are keeping potential supporters away. These are tiny grounds,” he said. Interestingly, all the
matches, which involve India or Pakistan have been fully
booked because they are being played at small centres and
the demand for tickets is far more. — UNI |
Fans praying for Lankan success COLOMBO, May 16 (UNI) — Even after the home team’s poor showing in the opening World Cup match against hosts England, the game of the willow still remains the focal point of everyone’s life here. Apart from the corporates who are treating the World Cup with all the reverence due to a big commercial venture, small businesses have not stayed far behind. Manufacturers of eatables, soft drinks, vehicles and textiles apart, even banks have been linking their services to the World Cup. Besides posters and banners, cricket enthusiasts are visiting all places of worship to ensure that the Almighty showers his blessings on the team. On Friday evening, the D-day, roads in and around Colombo were deserted and shops downed their shutters when the Lankans batted. However, after their poor showing, everyone wore a forlorn look. Sri Lanka’s Central Bank issued a new coin to mark the current World Cup and the home team’s success in the 1996 World Cup. Friday, being an
auspicious day, usually has many weddings slotted, but
this time around, even the muhurat’ times were
adjusted to suit the match timings. |
Murali’s bowling action cleared COLOMBO, May 16 (PTI) — Sri Lankan off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan has been cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) of charges of ‘chucking’ after he was no-balled for throwing during his team’s tour to Australia last winter, media reports here said. Fresh scrutiny of video footage of Muralitharan’s bowling action has not shown any evidence of throwing, ‘The Sunday Times’ quoted ICC Disciplinary Committee member Sir Clyde Walcott as saying. “Murali has been studied again since Adelaide and still there is no evidence that he is transgressing the law as it stands,” former ICC Chairman Sir Clyde told the weekend paper. Reacting to the news of ICC clearance, Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said “as far as we are concerned Murali has always been clean. But the announcement that the panel still sees nothing wrong with his bowling action could not have come at a better time.” Ranatunga told the paper that the ICC decision would remove the whispering campaign against Muralitharan. He said the off spinner was not under much pressure now as he was not being targeted by the English crowds unlike the Australian fans. Crowd chanted “chucker” every time he bowled in Australia last winter. Muralitharan, whose abnormal delivery style has been attributed to a congenitally deformed right elbow and forearm, was in the midst of a raging storm after Australian umpire Ross Emerson no-balled him during Sri Lanka’s triangular series tie against England last winter. Muralitharan, who was first no-balled by Aussie umpire Darrell Hair in 1995 to raise a major controversy, had been cleared by the ICC and Emerson’s action led to skipper Arjuna Ranatunga almost leading his side out of the ground. Ranatunga was slapped a
six-match suspended ban by the ICC and his relationship
with England skipper Alec Stewart also soured badly. |
Cricket lovers buying satellite decoders DUBAI, May 16 (Reuters) — Cricket-mad Asian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are desperately buying up satellite decoders to catch television coverage of their national teams playing in the World Cup. One newspaper in the Gulf Arab Emirate of Dubai estimates shops are selling as many as 100 decoders each a day. For those who cannot afford the 2.600 dirham, crowding around a television set in a shop showroom is the only option. The UAE is home to
hundreds of thousands of expat workers. Mainly from
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, who lap up any
news of their favourite sport. Local English-language
newspapers are filled with pages of cricket results. |
Hingis wins German Open title BERLIN, May 16 (AP) — Top-ranked Martina Hingis today captured her 23rd career title and one of the easiest at the German Open, needing just 42 minutes to rout Julie Halard-Decugis. Hingis beat the Frenchwoman 6-0, 6-1 at the $ 1.05 million tournament, whose draw was depleted by injuries and upsets after starting with 16 of the world’s top 20. The Swiss 18-year-old swept through the first set in just 19 minutes against Halard-Decugis, prompting one spectator to draw a laugh by yelling loudly, "not so fast, Martina." Halard-Decugis, playing in her first final after winning five minor events, will rise to 16th in the world rankings for reaching the final. Hingis showed in semifinals yesterday that she was in top form with a 6-4, 6-0 dismantling of defending French Open champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario. Halard had no answer to Hingis’ tactic of pounding her backhand, then driving a winner into the open court or against the direction the Frenchwoman was moving. For Hingis, it was the first triumph at the German Open, where she had failed to last beyond the quarterfinals in three tries. She has won all four of her finals played this year, including the Australian Open, Tokyo and Hilton head. The Swiss teenager, who
has never won the French Open beginning in eight days,
picked up $ 150,000 for her clay court title. |
Lazio held to a draw ROME, May 16 (AP) — Wrapping up a two-month pursuit, AC Milan overtook Lazio atop the Italian series A and made a decisive step toward the league title taking a one-point lead over the Roman rival into the last round of the season. In yesterday’s games of week 33, the Milan powerhouse vaulted to 67 points by defeating last-place Empoli 4-0 while Lazio, which had entered the next-to-last round with a one-point lead, was held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina and slipped to second place with 66 points. Lazio even came on the verge of collapse in the 72nd minute when Fiorentina was awarded a penalty kick. But the powerful shot by Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa from 11 metres was stopped by keeper Luca Marchegiani, who salvaged his net and the draw. AC Milan, owned by media tycoon and former premier Silvio Berlusconi, was paced by its German striker Oliver Bierhoff who scored three goals in front of 70,000 enthusiastic fans at the San Siro stadium. Brazilian Leonardo made it four with two minutes left to improve AC Milan’s record to 19-10-4. The Milan team, regaining the lead for the first time since May, 1996, could clinch its fifth ‘scudetto’ of the years 90s -but its first since 1996 - by defeating low-ranked Perugia in the closing round of the campaign on May 23. Lazio will host UEFA Cup titlist Parma at the Olympic Stadium. "Next Sunday’s match, against a team struggling in the relegation area, will be extremely difficult for us," said Milan’s coach Alberto Zaccheroni. "We will need a victory and we will have to rely only on our strength. So far we had been pursuing, hoping of false steps of Lazio. We are now in a different psychological situation," Zaccheroni added. In Florence, Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta tallied his 21st season goal as he put the home team in front with a powerful diagonal shot in the 14th minute, after wasting two earlier chances. Christian Vieri headed in Lazio’s equaliser 13 minutes later, fed by Sinisa Mihajlovic’s free kick. Chilean striker Marcelo Salas, a second-half substitute, hit the bar with a precise header in the 53rd as Lazio pressed on the attack in the second part of the match, without achieving the game winner. It was Fiorentina instead to come close to a sensational victory when Batistuta was fouled by Lazio’s captain-defender Allessandro Nesta. Rui Costa missed the penalty to the despair of AC Milan fans who were following the Florence match live on transistor radios and had been hopeful of a two-point advantage for the new league leader as a result of a would-be Lazio’s defeat. The Roman team, which at one moment led AC Milan by seven points overall, had its ninth season draw to add to 19 wins and five losses as it failed to cause Fiorentina’s first ever home defeat. "The title is not lost yet," said Sergio Cragnotti, the industrialist-financier who owns Lazio. "Milan is not a certain winner against Perugia. We can hope through the last minute of play." At San Siro Bierhoff,
much criticised for wasting easy scoring chances in the
previous game against Juventus, gave AC Milan a 1-0
first-half lead kicking in the ball from five metres in
the 31st. |
H
District cricket
tourney Accordingly, the PCA has made a draw for minor district tournament starting from May 24 at different district headquarters. The winner of this tournament will take part along with the major district teams in the senior group tournament for the Katoch Shield starting in the first week of June. This will definitely increase the competition amongst the players, according to Mr M.P. Pandove, secretary of the PCA. The draw is as following : 1. Bathinda Vs Ferozepore May 24, 25 at Bathinda; 2. Sangrur Vs Mohali May 24, 25 at Mohali; 3. Kapurthala Vs Hoshiarpur May 24, 25 at Hoshiarpur; 4. Gurdaspur Vs Ropar 24,25 at Ropar; Semi final: Match No.1 vs match No. 2 May 27 , 28 at Mohali; Match No.3 vs 4 May 27, 28 at Hoshiarpur. Final on May 29 and 30 at Mohali. Patiala cricket Brief scores: NICS CC: 141 all out (Ankur Jund 19, Parsant 57 n.o. Sandeep 3 for 30, Rajiv Sharma 1 for 29, Ravi 1 for 23). Financial aid to
sportsperson Mr P.S. Virk, treasurer, POA, who handed over the draft to the ace thrower Parduman Singh — afflicted with paralyses for the last two decades told TNS that financial aid had been extended to the medal winner as his condition was not good. Parduman Singh was also given a memento by the POA in recognition of his valuable (achievement in the field of discus throw and shot put events. Mr Virk said that draft of Rs 21,000 was also given to Parduman Singh by Mr Kulbir Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, on behalf of District Olympic Association. Hockey trials The trials to select the
players for the camp will be held at the Sec 42 hockey
stadium on May 24 and 25 at 4 pm. The players born on or
after 1.1.79 and registered with the CHA are eligible to
take part. |
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