Wednesday, May 26, 1999
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S P O R T | Wednesday, May 26, 1999 |
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Azhar led the side well: Dungarpur Imran
Khan lauds Tendulkar's innings Kenya
desperate to shore up bowling Pakistan
unpredictability to the fore Time
running out for Aravinda Lanka’s
bowling and fielding excellent: Mendis Lanka
fans fail to strain power supply
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Korda to quit if banned Indian eves win 3 bronze in
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England overwhelm Zimbabwe TRENT BRIDGE, May 25 — (PTI) Hosts England overwhelmed Zimbabwe by seven wickets to virtually seal a super six berth in the World Cup and severely dent the aspirations of the emerging African side today. Left-hander Graham Thorpe hit a stylish 62 off 80 balls and shared a breezy 123-run third wicket stand with opener Nasser Hussain, who remained unbeaten after a patient 57, as England coasted to 168 for three wickets in 38.3 overs after curtailing Zimbabwe to 167 for eight in 50 overs on putting them in. England logged six points for their third victory to go on top of the table with favourites South Africa with a tie left against India while Zimbabwe with four points and a last clash against the invincible protease. The result should gladden India, who meet England in their final tie on May 29 at Edgbaston. India have to beat both Sri Lanka and England to qualify. But Zimbabwe’s loss meant India can hope to carry some points to the next stage as well if they win. England pacemen Darren Gough, Allan Mullally and Mark Ealham captured two wickets apiece in controlled seam bowling in helpful conditions to set up the victory. Zimbabwe batting was dented early and could never recover as left-armer Mullally in particular bowled brilliantly to return a dream analysis of 10-4-16-2. Hussain ran out the steady Andy Flower cheaply with a breathtaking direct hit from point to highlight their alert fielding as England smothered their tormentors, who had won five of their last six ties. Chasing a modest 168 for victory, England suffered early jolts to be reduced to 36 for two as both skipper Alec Stewart (12) and Zimbabwe-born Graeme Hick (4) fell cheaply to medium-pacers Neil Johnson and Mpumulelo Mbangwa respectively. Stewart flicked straight to Murray Goodwin at midwicket while Hick edged to wicketkeeper Andy Flower. But Nasser Hussain, who has sealed a shaky spot in the side with anchoring knocks, once again proved his capability as he and the enterprising Thorpe stepped up the pace. Left-hander Thorpe faced just 52 balls for his fifty, hitting some glorious shots including an inch-perfect straight drive off fast bowler Henry Olonga, and brought up the century stand as England raced towards victory. But he fell in the 34th over, with the target just eight runs away, when he edged Mbangwa to rival skipper Alistair Campbell in the slips to give the medium-pacer his second wicket. Thorpe’s 62 came off 80 balls (7x4’s). But Hussain (57 n.o. - 93 b, 7x4’s) reached his fifty and with left-hander Neil Fairbrother (7 n.o.) completed the job. Earlier, man of the match Mullally, Darren Gough, who captured two for 24 and Mark Ealham (2/35) shared the bowling honours as England reduced Zimbabwe to 86 for five and made them graft for every run. Opener Grant Flower’s cautious 35 was the top-score and Campbell (24) and Guy Whittal (28) made modest contributions, but the Zimbabwe batsmen found runs coming in a trickle faced with tight bowling by the England seamers on a greenish pitch and overcast conditions. ZIMBABWE: England: |
India need disciplined bowling
performance TAUNTON, May 25 — There is always an undercurrent of tension when India and Sri Lanka meet. The cricketers have a standard phrase to deny this undertow. They say they play each other so often that they get along very well. Scratch the surface of that regular PR exercise and what is seen is that eddy. The sparks will fly when the two Asian giants of group A meet at this pretty country ground here in the relaxed western county of Somerset. Both World Cup champions of 1983 and 1996 may not be melding into great winning combinations in this event, but they can ensure this will be a match to remember. Consider the fact that the loser will virtually be out of the 1996 World Cup on Wednesday and there is sufficient reason why it is going to be a tense, noisy affair. There is a scenario by which three of the four contenders for the two places below South Africa can still tie on four points each. But that is a far-fetched one and involves England winning two matches and qualifying as the second team leaving India, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe tied on two wins each. To venture an opinion, India is the better side on current form. But that is something the team has to prove on the day of the match. There are only two things wrong with the Indian team's performance in this World Cup. Their bowling is wayward and the fielding is, to say the least, relaxed, as laid back as a man taking his wife's favourite dog out for a morning constitutional in the park. It is something of a relief then that with the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, the batting is solid. The batting was good enough in the opening game and it was fine up to a point in the second game. Still, it needed a Sachin to wake the team up to the reality of the grave situation of being knocked out of the World Cup. That may still happen but what he has given the side in that massive century of his is an injection of confidence and self belief. It can be said of the Sri Lankans that they have not put their cricket together except that with a win over Zimbabwe they are presently better off than the Indians. In his newspaper, column, Arjuna Ranatunga has been harping on the fact that their cricket has gone sour and the prime reason is not far to seek — over exposure of the same players who won the last World Cup and who still are the nucleus of the side. Just three years ago, the Lankans blazed a trail. Their World Cup campaign was actually kick started in the league match against India at the Ferozeshah Kotla when they chased with the speed of greyhounds going after the electric hare. Sanath Jayasuriya was to assume the avatar of the swashbuckling strikers that day. The rest is cricketing history. The one other World Cup match the Indians would like to erase from their memory is the semifinal at the Eden Gardens, the day the adulatory public turned their ire on them after Tendulkar was stumped and what looked like an easy amble to the target actually became a terrible rout. The one person who is yet to accept the blame for that defeat is the Indian skipper Azharuddin. And he could so easily have turned the match around if only he had stuck to more straight forward cricketing logic and batted first in a big game. He was to say his decision to put the Lankans in was a team decision. Yes, it was, but with the exception of Navjot Sidhu who was emphatic that India should bat first. Having lain under a canopy for a long time up to the opening ceremony, the pitch was not likely to play well enough for a day and yet the skipper and his crew chose quite a wrong path. The one lesson India is yet to fully comprehend is they must play to their strength which lies in the batting. To put a score on the board and defy the opponents to match that score will be India's best option. To start believing it is possible to deny an opponent his strength by putting him in is to stop believing in your own strengths. The memory of that semifinal which ended in chaos still rankles. But it is not to be forgotten that Sri Lanka were reduced to nil for two with both pinch hitting openers Jayasuriya and little "Kalu" dismissed before they could trouble the scorers. And what an innings Aravinda de Silva played from point to point, batting as if India were the team under pressure. India's current attack
is bolstered by the wicket taking ability of Debasish
Mohanty who must now play in place of the expensive young
pace bowler Ajit Agarkar if all the frontline bowlers are
fit. But the attack is so weak that it might the sleeping
lion in Sri Lanka. Their bhaila-singing fans will have a
busy time then. The Indian drums will beat and the Lankan
flags will be waved. The clash of two World Cup winners,
both of who are facing hard days now, will ensure this
will be another big clash of the big guns from the sub
continent. (UNI) |
Azhar led the side well: Dungarpur TAUNTON, May 25 (UNI) — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Raj Singh Dungarpur today stoutly defended Mohammed Azharudin’s leadership saying "tactically I don’t think he has made any mistake" so far. "He led the side well. It was sheer bad luck that we lost to South Africa. Twenty or more runs and we should have won the tie, there is no question about that" he told newsmen here. "We gave a best display against South Africa" he asserted stating "We need such spirited performance with a bit of luck". To a query that Azhar is not been very communicative in the field, Mr Dungarpur said he had been like that for the last ten years. "When he was winning, no body raised these questions. But now we are slightly low these questions are being raised". Asked whether India has a change to make it to the super league, the BCCI chief said: " We have a chance, we have to win next two matches. We can’t afford to lose any of them". Mr Dungarpur admitted that the match against Sri Lanka tomorrow would be crucial for India. He hoped that the players would rise to the occasion. "They are mature players and realise the importance of the game", he added. He was candid enough to agree that against Zimbabwe the team had no business to lose. It was a bad defeat and we squandered away a winning match" he added. He said it was not the capacity but the form of the skipper that was causing concern. He, however, hastened to add that against South Africa, Azhar came in the slog overs and he did what was expected of him. He was caught at the boundary and had that been dropped the ball would have gone for a four. He said "Return of Sachin will act as a tonic for other players. His knock against Kenya will inspire others to give their best", he said and described the master blaster as one of the best batsmen in the world at present. Mr Dungarpur said the World Cup is a very tough competition. Every player is under pressure to perform well and the public should realise. "There is a lot of difference between the one-day internationals and World Cup matches. Tension is too much and so we should encourage players rather than berate them," he added. Asked if he felt that
India was short of bowler, he replied: "No I
don’t think so. We have four bowlers more than any
other team, though Ajit Agarkar has not clicked". |
India vs Sri Lanka form guide TAUNTON, May 25 (AFP) — India v Sri Lanka form guide: Group A World Cup results to
date: Sri Lanka — lost to England by eight wickets, lost to South Africa by 89 runs, beat Zimbabwe by four wickets. Head-to-head: India have won six out of their last seven one-day encounters. They won twice in a triangular competition in February/March and twice in November, in the Champions Trophy in Sharjah. Sri Lanka’s last win came nearly 12 months ago at home but they still lost two games to one at the Independence Cup. The last Test between the two, in February 1998, ended in a draw. World Cup: They have met four times since their first encounter in 1979, with India still looking for their first victory. Sri Lanka won in 1979 and twice on their way to winning the trophy in 1996. The match in 1992 was abandoned. Players to watch: India — Javagal Srinath. Spearhead of India’s pace attack and capable of producing genuine pace. He has performed creditably, taking five wickets from 30 overs for 135 runs. He is only the third Indian fast bowler to take 100 Test wickets after Kapil Dev and Karsan Ghavri. He has also topped 200 one-day wickets. Sri Lanka — Sanath Jayasuriya. The star of the 1996 World Cup, whose pinch-hitting heroics transformed one-day cricket. He has struggled for form on England’s slower wickets, scoring 29 against England, five against South Africa and six versus Zimbabwe. He boasts the fourth highest individual Test score of 340. Venue: Taunton. Home of county
side Somerset whose former star players include such
world stars as Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Joel Garner
— who all played in the same side — as well as
Sunil Gavaskar, Jimmy Cook, Mushtaq Ahmed, Steve Waugh
and Martin Crowe. Capacity: 7,500. |
Azhar hopes to wish away ghost of Eden TAUNTON, May 25 (PTI) — Fighting to keep afloat his career and captaincy, Indian skipper Mohd Azharuddin will hope the ghosts of Calcutta will not return to haunt him when his team takes on Sri Lanka in the crunch group ‘B’ World Cup tie. The 36-year-old Azhar, under severe criticism for his lacklustre leadership and batting failures, will be eager to beat the islanders not only to remain in the race but also to atone for India’s semifinal ouster by the islanders in 1996. Azhar had earned the wrath of millions of Indian fans when he squandered the advantage of winning an all-important toss by shockingly putting in the rivals on a crumbling Eden Gardens pitch. Sri Lanka accepted Azhar’s largesse with glee to post a fighting 251, riding on Aravinda de Silva’s classy 66, and Indian batsmen simply caved in on a bumpy and uneven pitch towards defeat at 120 for eight in 34.1 overs. Crowd trouble erupted and Sri Lanka were awarded the tie by West Indian match referee Clive Lloyd to leave a permanent scar in the psyche of the cricket-crazy Indian. Any such recurrence here tomorrow might mean virtually the end of the road for the Indian captain. But his Sri Lankan counterpart Arjuna Ranatunga, held in esteem for his astute leadership, also faces the end of a chequered career if his team fails tomorrow. Into the tournament as defending champions, Sri Lanka have been a pale shadow of the past and Ranatunga himself has been unable to inspire the ageing side. Azharuddin, a delightful and wristy batsman, and Ranatunga are easily the two most experienced international captains. Azhar has played a world record 316 one-day ties and Ranatunga has 264 against his name. The Indian has led his team in 166 matches, winning 86 and losing 72 with two matches tied and six others ending without a result. Ranatunga in comparison has a record of 188-87-92-1-8. But comparisons end there as the portly Sri Lankan has proved his dynamism time and again unlike Azhar, who has remained an aloof character despite nearly a decade as captain and has seldom come up with any on-field initiative when the situation demands one. Unlike Azharuddin, Ranatunga has shown the courage to take on officialdom which even saw him briefly divested of his place in the side. The way he totally backed off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan when the bowler faced "chucking" charges despite ICC clearing his bowling action, brought him many enemies but showed him as leader of men. The Sri Lankan has also been impressive handling his bowlers, encouraging them to the hilt while Azhar has been blamed for letting this drift when a bowler is failing to deliver the goods, including the current tournament where the Indian attack has been anything but impressive. Azhar will hope to
silence his detractors while Ranatunga will be eager that
history repeats itself. |
‘Mr Cool’ refuses to hit panic button LONDON, May 25 (AFP) — Australia are just one defeat away from a humiliating elimination from the World Cup. No one, though appears to have said that to captain Steve Waugh. "We are capable of winning our next seven ganes on the trot — and that would win us the crown", said Waugh. It's an optimism majority of his compatriots as well as the bookmakers and commentators do not share. Back-to-back defeats to New Zealand and Pakistan have left the joint pre-tournament favourites with South Africa needing wins over Bangladesh on Thursday and the West Indies on Sunday to have any chance of reaching the second stage. Even then, the Australians will only scrape into the super six on the strength of their run rate. The worry for Australian fans is that their national team is looking anything but "super" after the first three matches. Unconvincing against minnows Scotland, Waugh's designer one-day side — half the team do not feature in the Test line-up — were outplayed by New Zealand and outfought by Pakistan. But Waugh, the man they call "Mr Cool" because of his calmness in a crisis, is refusing to press the panic button — at least not in public view. "A lot of people have written us off but that has motivated our players", he says. "We are on the up even though we have left it a little late." The Australian selectors came in for heavy criticism 18 months ago when they launched their controversial plan to foster a team — independent from the Test side — with the view to winning the World Cup. That plan, though, appears to have blown up in their faces. Waugh's specialists have fared no better with 1000-1 outsiders Bangladesh, who are also on two points in group B. Pinch-hitter Adam Gilchrist, dubbed Australia's danger man, has flopped miserably in all three matches and, without a flying start behind them, the rest of Australia's batting has lacked the confidence to go for their shots. The fielding, especially against Scotland and Pakistan has been untypically ragged. But it is the bowling that is causing the greatest concern. Against Pakistan the Australian attack conceded 108 runs in their final 10 overs. Part of the problem is that Glenn Mcgrath and Shane Warne, two of the greatest Australian bowlers of all time have struggled to find their rhythm. The lack of a tight fifth bowler is also being exploited by the opposition. The critics back home are getting louder but Waugh insists that his team needs no more than a little fine-tuning before they hit championship-winning form. "We still need to
improve in one or two areas, but we are nearly
there", he says. |
Bangladesh burst into ecstasy DHAKA, May 25 (PTI) — Jubilant Bangladesh cricket fans celebrated their country’s World Cup debut win against fellow newcomers Scotland with spectacular road show all over the capital and other parts of the country. Cricket crazy Bangladeshi’s burst into ecstasy after the Asian nation scored its maiden win in a widely-fluctuating encounter. Fans took to the streets beating drums and setting off crackers as their emotions exploded into thunderous cheers when Bangladesh sealed the 22-run victory. Coached by veteran West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge, the Bangladesh team pulled off the rare achievement, which was watched live on television by millions of fans throughout the country. In a marked departure from the animosities involving the rival political parties and agitations, Bangladesh witnessed an unprecendent scene of jubilation with thousands of people rushing to the streets holding national flags, cricket bats and posters of the national team. The celebrations were reminiscent of a similar occasion witnessed two years ago when Bangladesh scored a semifinal win against Scotland in the ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur, which earned them a berth in this World Cup. Bangladesh owed their success to Minhajul Abedin who rescued them from a precarious 26 for five by hitting a strokeful 68 not out to guide his team to respectability at 185 for nine. Scotland were then dismissed for 163. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated the team over telephone soon after the victory. On Dhaka streets, revellers sang, danced and chanted "Bangladesh, Bangladesh", blew whistles in a continuous revelry since midnight as the country’s cricket captain Aminul Islam scooped Scotland’s last batsman Asim Butt off an Enamul Haque delivery in Edinburgh. The government chipped in with one lakh taka (approx Rs 84 thousand) to each player for their spectacular victory, Sports Minister Obaidul Quader made the announcement on behalf of the Prime Minister, the state-run radio said today. Bangladesh’s main opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia in a message called it a spectacular success. Shafiqul Huq Hira, former Bangladesh captain said: "I am extremely delighted at Bangladesh’s first ever win in the World Cup. We have achieved our mission." The Bangladesh cricket board President Saber Hossain Chowdhury, now in England, told a Dhaka Daily that Bangladesh would now make a demand for Test status. "We have demonstrated our capability to compete with other cricketing nations. We no longer lag behind in the world of cricket," he said. Newspapers ran pictures
and stories on Minhazul, an all-rounder from the port
city of Chittagong who was drafted into the team at the
eleventh hour. |
Imran Khan lauds Tendulkar's innings LONDON, May 25 (UNI) — Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan yesterday lauded the magnificent display of Indian master blaster Sachin Tendulkar saying it was a magnificent innings. "We have seen one innings from Sachin so far, but I expect him to score more runs. His batting is magnificent he has such tremendous shots and such a cool head", Imran said. The former Pakistan legend was of the view that three most important players of this tournament are going to be Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar. He said though the South African coach Bob Wodmer considered Lance Klusener as the best but "I think three are three from the subcontinent — Sachin, Wasim and Shoaib". Though, Imran agreed that South African Lance Klusener was a superb player but "I consider Wasim is a wonderful match winner and marvellous bowler, the all time top wicket taker in the one-dayers and he can, do what Klusener does with bat". In both Pakistan's matches Wasim has played powerful knocks. According to Imran, other Pakistan seamer Shoaib is a potential star, while England (Darren Gough and Alan Mullally have been bowling consistently. He however, said the hosts do not have full bowling department, "England are a bowler short for the tournament and they regret for not picking up another bowler like Dean Headley". Imran said if only Inzaman-ul-Haq's concentration could match that of Sachin Tendulkar, he can also become a very formidable batsman, "When Sachin bats he is totally focused, he is full of concentration, while Inzamam loses his concentration. Imzamam is a wonderful batsman to watch. Against Australia we saw the very best and very worst of this big player. "Imzamam's running, between the wickets is appalling and yesterday he was involved in three moments of absolute chaos. One Pakistan somehow got away with, but the two others ended in outs — first for Yousuf Youhana and then for himself." This is the 29th time
Imzamam was run out in one-day internationals, which for
a top player is astonishing, he added. |
Aussie one-day team "over-rated" SYDNEY, May 25 (Reuters) — Australian media reaction to the country's disappointing form in the cricket World Cup was mostly subdued today, with many commentators agreeing selectors chose the wrong side from the conditions. The Australians were one of the favourites to win the Cup before the tournament began on May 14, but after losses to New Zealand and Pakistan they now face a tough campaign to even progress to the next stage. Writing in Rupert Murdoch's string of newspapers, respected Journalist Robert Craddock said the Australians looked tired and there was now a "growing suspicion the one-day side is slightly over-rated." "They are a good side who go well in most tournaments, but the core of their reputation is built on the lightweight Australian competition, the Carlton and United Series, where three teams compete for two spots in the final," he wrote. "Overseas teams which tour rarely seem as motivated as Australia for these matches so it is a bad year when Australia don't win the competition and a terrible one when they fail to make the finals." Craddock said there were many reasons for Australia's decline — the failure of wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist as an opener in English conditions, lack of a quality allrounder, the lack of a fifth bowler, the lack of a slogger with bat, poor fielding and fatigue. Craddock and other
commentators such as the Australian newspaper's Mike
Coward and the Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Roebuck said
the Australian selectors' policy of choosing separate
one-day and Test teams had failed. |
Kenya desperate to shore up bowling AMSTELVEEN (Netherlands), May 25 (Reuters) — Fresh from their destruction of England, South Africa undertake a one-game continental tour to face winless Kenya tomorrow with only one result possible. A defeat for the tournament favourites would be a shock measuring nine on the cricket Richter scale but the expected victory for South Africa would give them eight points and ensure their progress to super six round of the competition. Key members of the South African bowling line-up that ripped through England’s top order on Saturday on the way to a 122-run win are likely to be spectators at Amstelveen Cricket Club on the edge of Amsterdam. The South Africans have said they intend to use their full 15-man squad during the tournament so paceman Allan Donald, all-rounders Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis are likely to be rested. Spinners Nicky Boje and Derek Crookes, all-rounder Alan Dawson and Natal batsman Dale Benkenstein could get a game. South Africa also hope the game will help their middle order, which wilted at the Oval against England, get into the habit of scoring runs. Kenya have been far from disgraced in their three defeats but their attack, after an Sachin Tendulkar-inspired India destroyed them at Bristol, will be looking for some relief. Kenyan captain Asif Karim is desperate to shore up his bowling. But his hands have been tied by problems surrounding seamer Jimmy Kamande, who has not been selected since it was reported he had been accused of chucking in the opening match against Zimbabwe. "We will be back on Wednesday and we’ll be giving it our best shot," said Karim, who said he would be asking his batsmen for 30 or 40 more runs in their innings. "That’s an area where we have some true class," he said, adding Steve Tikolo could make it into just about any international team. Tikolo followed up his half century against England with another on Sunday, while opener Kennedy Otieno also scored a 50. Karim may call up pace bowler Tony Suji, younger brother of strike bowler Martin Suji who pinned down India’s openers on Sunday, taking one for 26 from 10 overs. The Dutch hosts had hoped their side would qualify for the finals as they did three years ago in India and Pakistan, but have had to settle for staging a first round game. For the one-off match the Amstelveen Club has erected a special stand to cater for an expected crowd of around 5,000 in a country where cricket is one of the larger minority sports. The South Africans again have the upper hand in terms of experience of the ground. For Kenya the location is new, but many in the South African side will fondly remember last year’s 83-run victory over the Dutch, particularly opener Gary Kirsten who scored an unbeaten century in that game. Team: South Africa (from): Hansie Cronje (capt), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Alan Donald, Dale Benkenstein, Alan Dowson, Nicky Boje, Derek Crookes, Steve Elworthy. Kenya (from): Asiaf
Karim (capt), Kennedy Otieno, Ravindu Shah, Steve Tikolo,
Maurice Odumbe, Thomas Odoyo, Alpesh Vadher, Hitesh Modi,
Sandip Gupta, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, Mohd Sheikh, Jimmy
Kamande, Deepak Chudasama, Joseph Angara. |
Pakistan unpredictability to the fore LEEDS (England), May 25 (AP) — Pakistan's unpredictability couldn't have been more evident on Sunday when they pulled together one of their best all-round efforts to beat a highly fancied Australian side in a grudge battle at Headingley. Still smarting from the unexpected loss at home both in Tests and one-dayers to Australia last year. Pakistan recovered from a slow start to hit 275 and then bowl out Australia for 265 in a group B match. The win put unbeaten Pakistan at the top of the group with these wins while Australia, having started the tournament as second favourites, stand perilously close to elimination. Wasim Akram's talent-packed side, one of the two form teams in the 12-nation tournament, revealed in a home-match atmosphere, as thousands of Pakistani fans cheered, hooted and waved green and white flags. Outnumbering the handful of Australian supporters. Sunday's performance confirms Pakistan as one of the top title contenders alongside South Africa, the other rampant team in the tournament. Wasim led from the front with 4-40 after Inzaman-ul-Haq had produced the backbone of the Pakistan innings with a form-hitting 81, including six boundaries and a six. But the game more importantly belonged to the talented allrounder Abdul Razzaq, who hit a patient 60 in two hours off 100 balls and then claimed the crucial wicket of Mark Waugh to end a threatening second wicket stand in the Australian innings. In what was described by Australian skipper Steve Waugh as fantastic hitting, "Pakistan recovered from 130 for three after 35 overs to a match-winning 275 for eight. In all Pakistan belted six sixes, three of them by Moin Khan, and 23 boundaries in an awesome display of power hitting. In contrast, Australia hit a total of two sixes and 22 boundaries with just a solitary six in the final 10 overs. Razzaq helped Inzamam
add 118 for the fourth wicket after yet another top order
collapse had reduced Pakistan to 46 for three. Akram said his team had filed a written complaint about its lack of practice. Akram, who now has captured 378 wickets in 268 matches, said he was delighted with his personal achievements. Imran (Khan) has been a great bowler and an inspiration in my career. It's an honour overtaking him", Wasim said after becoming the leading wicket-taker in World Cup cricket. For Australia, it was the team's best batting effort in extremely difficult conditions. There's a lot of cricket left in this World Cup yet, Steve Waugh said. Australia, with one win from three games, must beat Bangladesh at Chester-Le-Street and the West Indies at Old Trafford to have an outside hope of qualifying for the second stage of the tournament. Even if they win, they have to win well. Maintaining high run rates and restricting the opposition to small totals. "Our boys gave a good account of themselves. I'm happy they gave 100 per cent", Waugh said. But credit to the opposition. They did some tremendous hitting late in their innings. It was fantastic". The defeat on Sunday followed a five-wicket hammering by New Zealand in Cardiff. "We're capable of doing that", Waugh said to the task ahead. "I still believe we're a good chance of doing very well". "A lot of people have written us off already, which is good that can motivate players". "We're on the way
up. We've left out run a little bit late. But if we can
just improve a little bit more in a few areas, I'm
confident we can win our next two games". |
Time running out for Aravinda LONDON, May 25 (AFP) — It was a shame, said an octogenarian ground steward at Northampton last week, about Sri Lanka's cricket World Cup form. And it was particularly a shame about "that chap De Silva". Aravinda de Silva, the steward announced authoritatively, was one of the world’s great batsmen - "he played here with Kent the other year, you know" - but had been injured a few months ago and, sadly, had missed the tournament. "Great pity, that," he said. The steward was half right. De Silva is one of the greats — as his match-winning 107 not out in 1996 final against Australia amply demonstrated — and he was injured recently. But the 33-year-old from Colombo, despite appearances, is at the 1999 World Cup. It’s just that hardly anybody outside his own changing room has noticed. If he doesn’t perform against India on Wednesday, Sri Lanka will probably be heading home after the first round. De Silva’s nightmare began at Lord’s on may 15, when he made a duck against England in the tournament opener after lasting six balls. At Northampton against South Africa, he made a single, five balls later and he was again heading back for the pavilion. Against Zimbabwe, he made six, then pulled his 15th delivery straight into the hands of short midwicket. It was all so very different in 1996, when de silva had been one of the building-blocks of Sri Lanka’s success. Coming in at four, the 5 feet 3 inches compact right- hander mixed aggression with clinical precision to build winning scores after the innings had been launched at high-speed by Sanath Jayasuriya. He had made 91 in his first match against Zimbabwe, 145 off 115 balls against Kenya at Kandy during a world record romp of 393 for five, and 66 against India in the semi-finals. His century at Lahore makes him one of only three men to reach three figures in a World Cup final. Here, he has been invisible. True, de Silva was sidelined at the start of this year after tearing a thigh muscle. But, after a highly, successful 1995 here with Kent, which included 112 off 95 balls in the Benson and Hedges cup final against Lancashire, and his knock of 152 in the one-off Test against England at the Oval last year, most thought he would soon rediscover his touch. Perhaps all the likeable Sri Lankan needs is a little fortune. The shot that got him out against Zimbabwe at Worcester had it gone five yards to the left or right, would have raced to the boundary. Time, however, is
running out. |
Lanka’s bowling and fielding TAUNTON, May 25 (Reuters) — Phil Frost, rated the top groundsman in English first-class cricket three times in the last five seasons, may be the man to help Sri Lanka's out-of-form World Cup batsmen get back among the runs. Frost is head groundsman at Somerset's county headquarters in Taunton where holders Sri Lanka meet India tomorrow in group 'A' match that is a "must win" for both teams. A flat pitch at a relatively small ground with some invitingly short boundaries is likely for the game. Frost, who won the Groundsman of the Year award in 1994, 1996 and 1997, yesterday said: "It should be a good pitch for a one-day game. There will not be any moisture in it, although the white ball may move around if it is overcast early on." A key factor in producing a good pitch is an early start, according to Frost. "I begin to prepare a pitch three-and-a-half weeks before a match, "he said. The Asian rivals have a battle on their hands to qualify for the super six second stage after winning only one of their first three fixtures. Frost's work on the surface was watched with keen interest by Sri Lanka's manager Duleep Mendis as his squad, who are all fully fit, practised at the ground yesterday. Nothing would encourage Mendis more than a trud batting surface in view of the struggle most of the Sri Lanka top order have had to put together a big score. Mendis said: "Our
bowling and fielding is excellent but batting is the
problem. It used to be the other way round." |
Lanka fans fail to strain power supply COLOMBO, May 25 (AFP) — Sri Lanka’s electricity consumption has registered little change as television viewers show a lacklusture response to the opening matches in the cricket World Cup, officials said yesterday. Electricity consumption rose marginally to 18.1 million units on Wednesday when defending champions Lanka lost their qualifying match against tournament favourites South Africa. Three days later when Sri Lanka won against Zimbabwe, consumption fell to 17.4 million units, down from 17.5 million units a day earlier. Officials said the consumption pattern had hardly changed when the World Cup matches were shown live on a local television channel and broadcast over radio. "The daily average is about 17.5 million units and we have maintained that even during the matches with exception of Wednesday, when slightly more units were used," an Energy Ministry official said. Newspapers and advertisers have also reported little enthusiasm for the World Cup because of the national team’s poor performance in recent months. "The nation is in a despondent mood. The Lanka lion has its tail between its legs," the Island newspaper said last week. The situation is very different in nearby Bangladesh, where power officials are working overtime to ensure adequate Electricity supplies during the World Cup.
|
Kuerten, Seles move up PARIS, May 25 (AFP) — Former champion Gustavo Kuerten, one of the title favourites, made a sizzling start to his French Open campaign with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 first-round win over Spaniard Galo Blanco at Roland Garros today. The brilliant Brazilian,
who has won both the Monte Carlo and Italian Open titles
this season, dominated Blanco on centre court. The Brazilian used superb footwork, some searing groundstrokes and accurate service returns to stay in control against Blanco, who made the quarters here two years ago. Third-seed Pat Rafter of Australia and sixth-seed Alex Corretja of Spain, who was beaten by Moya in last year’s final, also progressed painlessly. Two-time US Open champion Rafter rallied from a slow start to beat Swiss teenager Roger Federer 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-2, while Corretja downed fellow Spaniard German Puentes, a qualifier who was playing his first Grand Slam tournament match, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-2. Rafter, a serve-and-volleyer, is looming as a possible threat on clay after making the final of the Italian Open and leading Australia to victory in the World Team Cup. He took 2hr 13min to finish off Federer, the world junior champion. Yannick Noah, in 1983, was the last attacking player to win the French Open men’s singles. In the women’s singles, five-time champion Steffi Graf of Germany and three-time winner Monica Seles of the USA both moved briskly into the second round. Graf beat Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria 6-2, 6-0 while Seles ousted Fang Li of China 6-2, 6-4. Graf, the winner here in 1987, 1988, 1993, 1995 and 1996, missed last year’s tournament through injury but is playing at Roland Garros for the 16th time at the age of 29. "The most important thing for me is that I am still enjoying myself," she said. Seeded sixth this year, the German lost in the quarters when she last played here in 1997. She took just 49 minutes to beat Maleeva. Graf was not at her best as she continues her comeback from a foot injury, but did hit several flowing groundstrokes, frequently leaving Maleeva flat-footed. Graf next plays either Argentine Ines Gorrochategui or Dutch player Seda Noorlander but admitted: "I’m not really thinking about winning titles right now." Graf has won almost 21 million dollars during her career and a total of 21 Grand Slam titles. Third-seeded Seles, the winner in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and runner-up to Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario last year, next plays Virginie Razzano of France or Lubomira Bacheva of Bulgaria. While Graf and Seles progressed, 14th-seeded South African Amanda Coetzer — a semi-finalist two years ago — was beaten in straight sets by AI Sugiyama of Japan. Sugiyama won 7-5, 6-1 as Coetzer joined Dominique Van Roost of Belgium on the list of women’s seeds to lose in the first round. Julie Halard-Decugis of France, the player who beat Graf in Berlin earlier in the month, needed three sets to clinch her spot in the final 64 of the second of the year’s Grand Slam tournaments. Halard-Decugis, seeded 16th, rallied to defeat Karina Habsudova of Slovakia 1-6, 6-4, 6-1. There was an early upset in the men’s singles with Magnus Larsson of Sweden - playing only his 10th match of the year -defeating 11th-seeded Karol Kucera of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. It was the fifth time in seven years Kucera had lost in the first round here. Kucera joined Goran Ivanisevic of Croatia, the 15th seed who lost yesterday, in making an early exit from the tournament. Larsson’s
16th-seeded compatriot Thomas Enqvist, an Australian Open
finalist earlier this year, also advanced with a 4-6,
6-0, 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Argentine qualifier Hector
Moretti. |
Korda to quit if banned PARIS, May 25 (Reuters) — Hounded by allegations of drug use and drained by the legal battle to clear his name, a weary Petr Korda says the French Open could be his last tournament. Korda yesterday said his decision to retire would effectively belong to the trio of judges who are expected to hear his case soon at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. If the CAS upholds a one-year ban imposed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the 31-year-old Czech said he will end his career in Paris where he played his first Grand Slam tournament 11 years ago. Korda, the 1998 Australian Open champion, said: "But if the French Open is going to be my last tournament, it’s not going to be from my decision." "I felt that this was going to be my last tournament before the trial and with whatever happened there it could be my last," he said. There were none of his trademark scissor kicks, nor any cartwheels — only a small smile of relief as the pencil-thin Czech yesterday claimed his first victory in almost three months with a 7-6 6-1 4-6 6-3 opening round win over Spain’s Alberto Martin on an obscure back court tucked away on the outer fringes of Roland Garros. Since failing a drug test after a quarterfinal loss at Wimbledon last year, Korda has been preoccupied with winning in another court. The ITF and Korda have
submitted their evidence to the CAS’s three-judge
panel, who will also hear from both parties before taking
a decision. |
Tyson released from jail ROCKVILLE (UNI), May 25 (AP) — Mike Tyson was yesterday released from a Maryland jail after serving 3-1/2 months on a one-year assault sentence. The former heavyweight champion was released after an Indiana Judge's decision to end his probation for a 1992 rape conviction was announced yesterday. Marion, Indiana, Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford approved Tyson's release on Friday, according to Becky Wagner, the Judge's assistant chief clerk. Tyson was granted parole
in Maryland on Friday. Indiana authorities needed to
approve the decision before Tyson could go home for the
first time since he was sentenced on February 5. |
Indian eves win 3 bronze in p’lifting NEW DELHI, May 25 (UNI) — India won three bronze medals at the Senior World Women's Powerlifting Championships which concluded in Denmark on May 23. Sarla Shetty, Raj Rajeshwari and Surya Prabha finished third in their respective categories to win bronze for the country, a release issued by the Indian Powerlifting Federation here today said. Raj Rajeshwari is the
current world junior and Asian senior champion while
Sarla Shetty has an Asian senior gold to her credit. |
Tearful adieu to Guru Hanuman NEW DELHI, May 25 (PTI) — Thousands of admirers, including disciples, bid a tearful adieu to the grand old man of Indian wrestling, Guru Hanuman, whose mortal remains were consigned to holy flames here today amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns. Minister of State for Human Resource Development Uma Bharati, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal, former Union Ministers Madan Lal Khurana, Jagdish Tytler and Sis Ram Ola were among the VIPs who joined the funeral procession from the late Guru’s akhara (gymnasium) in north Delhi to Nigambodh Ghat cremation site. The 99-year old Guru’s disciple and nephew Kamlesh Pehalwan lit the funeral pyre amidst the chanting of vedic ‘mantras’ by priests. Guru was a bachelor. A recipient of
Padmashree and Dronacharya Award, the patriarch, who had
produced many of India’s medal winning wrestlers,
was killed in a car mishap near Meerut in Uttar Pradesh,
60 km from here yesterday |
FC Mittal
dead CHANDIGARH, May 25 — Mr F.C. Mittal, vice-president, Punjab Cricket Association, who was also honorary treasurer of the association for 16 years, died today at Ludhiana, according to a message received here today. Mr Mittal, who hailed from Jalandhar Cantonment was known for social work in education for girls and in the field of sports. He was 67. Mr Mittal is survived by his widow, two sons and a daughter. Mr M.P. Pandove, H. Secretary, Punjab Cricket Association, expressed grief over the death of Mr F.C. Mittal. Mr I.S. Bindra,
president, PCA, who is abroad, has also condoled the
untimely death of Mr Mittal. |
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