Aussies thrash B'desh, keep hopes alive CHESTER-LE STREET, May 27 — Beleaguered Australia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a whirlwind chase to crush debutants Bangladesh by seven wickets in a lopsided group ‘B’ clash today. West Indies crush Scotland LEICESTER, May 27 — The West Indies steamrollered past hapless Scotland by eight wickets in one of the shortest matches in World Cup history to post their third victory and keep good pace for a place in the super six stage.

LEICESTER : Scotland's cricket captain George Salmond makes the walk back to the pavilion after West Indian bowler Curtly Ambrose (centre) dismissed him at Leicester County Cricket club, in the Midlands, England, on Thursday — AP/PTI

Dravid much nearer being a complete batsman
TAUNTON, May 27 — It was quite by chance that India found the best batting conditions and their best possible playing XI too.

British media praises Indian duo
LONDON, May 27 — The British media today described as "incredible" India's performance against Sri Lanka and sounded alarm bells for England two days before its crucial match against the 1983 champions.

Shell-shocked fans gun for Ranatunga
COLOMBO, May 27 — Shell-shocked Sri Lankan cricket fans, angered by the humiliating 157-run defeat of their team by India in Taunton, today blasted their cricketing heroes and inundated the cricket board headquarters here demanding that most of the ageing players give way to the younger generation.

• Ranatunga not to retire

Parore likely to open against Pak
DURBY, May 27 — New Zealand will consider rearranging their deck chairs, that is batting order, in its tomorrow's World Cup cricket showdown against Pakistan.

Srinath, Fazaluddin to clash in semis
MUMBAI, May 27 — Top seed Prahlad Srinath and his Davis Cup teammate and third seed Syed Fazaluddin will clash in the men’s singles semifinals in the ITF satellite tennis circuit (second leg) here tomorrow.

Aussies thrash B'desh, keep hopes alive

CHESTER-LE STREET, May 27 (PTI) — Beleaguered Australia kept their World Cup hopes alive with a whirlwind chase to crush debutants Bangladesh by seven wickets in a lopsided group ‘B’ clash today.

Opener Adam Gilchrist smashed 63 off only 39 balls and veteran Tom Moody plundered an unbeaten 56 off 29 balls as Australia raced to 181 for three in just 19.5 overs in their desperate quest to maintain demanding run equations ahead of their do-or-die last tie against the West Indies on Sunday.

A courageous Bangladesh refused to oblige the Aussies as they made a stubborn 178 for seven batting through their quota of 50 overs at the riverside ground. Minhazul Abedin scored his second successive fifty to remain 53 not out.

The Aussies, the pre-tournament favourites who are in grave danger of being knocked out, have logged four points from their second win in four outings.

Australia failed to reach their target in 16 overs to equal the net run rate of the West Indies, their hurricane chase put them above New Zealand on this front as the fight for two super six berths from group ‘B’ behind all-conquering Pakistan reached the final phase.

West Indies have six points from four ties while New Zealand (four points) have easy rivals Scotland left after tomorrow’s vital tie against Pakistan six points from three ties). The 1992 champions themselves have a last match against Bangladesh to make up for any reverse against the kiwis.

After today’s results, Pakistan have the best net run rate (+ .84) followed by West Indies (+.88), Australia (+.77) and New Zealand (+.42). But the Aussies, hoping to squeeze through in a scramble with the Caribbean's and Kiwis, are out if they lose to West Indies.

After their defeats to New Zealand and Pakistan, who beat them by 10 runs in a dramatic finish, Australia not only had to beat the ICC trophy champions Bangladesh but also do it fast keeping the net run rate calculations in mind.

Australian bowlers had their rivals reeling at 99 for six, but Bangladesh who beat fellow debutants Scotland for a creditable first victory in the tournament, once again found their man in Abedin.

The last minute choice who made a match-winning fifty against Scotland, once again frustrated the unimpressive Aussie attack where 33-year-old Tom Moody, a surprise omission in earlier matches, emerged main wicket-taker with 3 for 25 in his superb all-round contribution.

Opener Mehrab Hossain made a fine 42 before becoming one of Moody’s three victims. The Bangladesh tail wagged well to force the Aussies to chase a decent total.

Left-hander Gilchrist, a failure thus far, smashed 13 fours in an all-out assault after reaching fifty in only 34 balls. But wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud produced two stumpings to send back Gilchrist and Mark Waugh in quick succession.

But veteran Moody hit six boundaries and two huge sixes in his swashbuckling knock to propel the Aussies to their imposing win inside 20 overs, which helped them maintain their run rate differential. Left-arm spinner Enamul Haque took two for 40.

Bangladesh:
Mahmud lbw b McGrath 6
Hossain c Ponting b Moody 42
Ahmed c Ponting b McGrath 9
Rahman c Ponting b Moody 2
Islam b Fleming 13
Abedin not out 53
Khan lbw b Warne 0
Masood lbw b Moody 17
Hoque not out 17
Extras (b-2 w-10 nb-7) 19
Total (seven wickets, 50 overs) 178
Fall of wickets: 1-10 2-39 3-47 4-72 5-91 6-99 7-143.
Bowling: McGrath 10-0-44-2, Fleming 10-0-45-1, Moody 10-4-25-3, Julian 10-1-44-0, Warne 10-2-18-1.
AUSTRALIA:
Waugh st Mashud b Enamul 33
Gilchrist st Mashud b Minhajul 63
Julian b Enamul 9 Moody not out 56 Ponting not out 18 Extras: (w-2) 2
Total: (for 3 wkts in
19.5 overs) 181
Fall of wickets: 1/98, 2/98, 3/111.
Bowling: Hasibul Hossain 4-0-24-0, Manjurul Islam 3-0-23-0, Khalid Mahmud 2.5-0-39-0, Naimur Rehman 2-0-17-0, Enamul Hoque 5-0-40-2, Minhajul Abedin 3-0-38-1.

West Indies crush Scotland

LEICESTER, May 27 (PTI) — The West Indies steamrollered past hapless Scotland by eight wickets in one of the shortest matches in World Cup history to post their third victory and keep good pace for a place in the super six stage.

Veteran Courtney Walsh led the Caribbean pace assault by capturing three for seven runs in an incredible seven over spell as debutants Scotland were bundled out for the second lowest World Cup total of 68 in just 31.3 overs.

Left-handers Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, who hit up 30 not out opening the innings, and skipper Brian Lara (25 n.o.) then made shortwork of the rival attack to hit up 70 for two in just 10.1 overs to complete the formality before lunch break.

The victory has left the Caribbeans, steadily showing ominous form after their 27-run defeat to Pakistan in the opener, with six points ahead of their crucial tie against Australia on May 30 at Old Trafford.

The brave Scots chose to bat first, but had no clue what hit them from then on as only the Yorkshire professional Gavin Hamilton with an unbeaten 24 and tail-ender Asim Butt (11), who hit paceman Reon King for a six to raise cheer, managing to reach the ‘magical’ double figures.

Scotland can take some heart that they managed to go past the lowest one-day total - 43 by Pakistan against South Africa - and the lowest World Cup tally of 45 by Canada against England in 1979 before losing their fourth straight tie.

Walsh returned amazing figures of 7-1-7-3 while his pace partner Curtly Ambrose was even more miserly (10-4-8-2) with Hendy Bryan (2/29) and Reon King (2/9) joining the fun.

Scotland were reduced to seven for 29 before the midway stage before Hamilton’s 18-run stand with Butt helped them escape the ignominy of being bowled out for the lowest one-day and World Cup totals.

Scotland crashed to the sixth lowest one-day total ever as the West Indies, looking to clinch a qualifying berth behind the all-conquering Pakistan, were relentless.

Wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs took the catches that got rid of the top four batsmen to add to his World Cup record equalling feat of five victims in the Caribbeans’ comprehensive win over New Zealand.

The West Indies, Australia and New Zealand are locked in a grim battle for two super six berths behind Pakistan.

Pakistan, with three straight wins, meet the Kiwis tomorrow, but can hope for two points from their last tie against Bangladesh.

The West Indies will have to beat Australia in the vital league tie to qualify, but today’s rapidfire chase was to have a good net run rate if it finally boiled down to such calculations.

The beleaguered Australia, with just two points from a win over Scotland and defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand, have to beat Bangladesh and the Caribbeans.

New Zealand, having logged four points, meet Pakistan tomorrow and can hope to make ground even if they lose as they have an easy last outing against Scotland.

West Indies:
Simmons c Allingham b Blain 7
Chanderpaul not out 30
Williams lbw b blain 0
Lara not out 25
Extras (w-4 lb-2 nb-2) 8
Total (two wickets, 10.1 overs) 70
Fall of wickets: 1-21 2-22.
Bowling: Blain 5.1-0-36-2, Butt 4-0-15-0, Hamilton 1-0-17-0.
SCOTLAND:
Smith c Jacobs b Simmons 1 Allingham c Jacobs b Ambrose 6 Stanger c Jacobs b Walsh 7 Salmond c Jacobs b Ambrose 1 Hamilton not out 24
Williamson c Adams b Bryan 1 Brinkley c Simmons b Walsh 2 Davies lbw b Walsh 0
Blain lbw b Bryan 3
Butt c Williams b King 11
Dyer c Williams b King 0
Extras: (w-9 nb-3) 12
Total: (all out, 31.3 overs) 68
Fall of wickets: 1-6 2-18 3-20 4-20 5-25 6-29 7-29 8-47 9-67
Bowling: Ambrose 10-4-8-2, Simmons 7-1-15-1, Walsh 7-1-7-3 Bryan 6-0-29-2, King 1.3-0-9-2

Ganguly's knock one of the greatest
By Sanjay Manjrekar

TAUNTON, May 27 (PTI) — The Indian team with its tail up is a very dangerous side.

It’s tail is now up after the crushing win against defending champion Sri Lanka yesterday. England beware!

Saurav Ganguly, to my mind, is the second most gifted player in the Indian side. We all know who is the most. Ganguly got that most gifted player to become an admiring spectator of his exploits here yesterday.

His knock was one of the greatest one-day innings you’ll ever get to see. People who watched it were privileged.

Individual brilliance has been a hallmark of Indian cricket and Indian victories. Players with their brilliance have conjured up victory.

It was just one such day again yesterday. It came about because of Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. It was incredible to see them go about their task in the manner in which they did.

It was a critical game, the penultimate one in the league against Sri Lanka, and both batted brilliantly. It was two incredible knocks to see India through.

One could sense the tension in the air arriving at the Somerset county ground yesterday morning.

Two Asian teams playing against each other under immense pressure of staying alive in the World Cup. Also, two captains with their heads on the block and answerable to the fanatical expectations from millions of their respective countrymen. Such is the significance of the World Cup.

Round one of the match-up went to Arjuna Ranatunga when he won what looked like an important toss. All the rounds thereafter went to Mohd Azharuddin. As many as 373 runs in 50 overs, the second highest ever made in a one-day international as well as in World Cup. Something that you only dream of.

But it became a reality at lunch break. It was quite obvious that the Lankans would have to contend with a buoyant, charged up Indian team waiting out after the interval.

The target, 374, was always going to be near-impossible for the defending champions, especially when they are having a nightmare of a World Cup. What’s more all the big guns are now a little rusty.

So it wasn’t surprising to see the Indians leave Taunton celebrating, after this big win in a big game built only through the brilliance of Ganguly and Dravid.

Ganguly is now the proud holder of the highest one-day score by an Indian and the third highest ever made in limited overs cricket.

The man, who till date was the second highest one-day score-maker in World Cup, Viv Richards, was sitting next to us waiting for Ganguly to achieve the landmark.

Most of us cricketers who saw Ganguly play before he played for India were struck by the extraordinary talent this young man had. It was only his approach to the game that baffled us.

For a cricketer so naturally gifted, his mental conditioning was disappointing. He connected all that in this very country, in England, three years back.

He hasn’t looked back since. His attitude to the game these days is admirable.

Today, even the man himself will be enlightened as to what he is capable of when that talent he has is put to good use. He provided a feast of batting to all those who were watching the prince of Calcutta in action yesterday.

It is not the time to forget Rahul Dravid once again. The way he started off the innings it looked pretty clear here is a man in supreme form and making the most of it.

It is this admirable quality of this honest, committed batsman from Bangalore. When he is playing for his team, he’d like to think he has given nothing less than his best.

His consistency and excellence in one-day cricket in recent times is going to be one of India’s strengths in this World Cup.

It was nice to see India score 373 runs and to know that Sachin Tendulkar scored only two of those. It augurs well for the future for this team.

By scoring in excess of 300 runs in both the last two games the Indians have done their cause no harm at all. But if I were the Indian captain, I wouldn’t want to look at the run-rate or the calculations. I would look at winning the game against England at Edgbaston and qualify with a clean slate for the super six round.

As so often has happened in the past, the Indian team yet again kept their fans on the toes and gave their best when all looked lost.

The Indian team deserve to celebrate yesterday for yesterday has been the first impressive performance in this tournament.

They now go to Edgbaston with each member of the side now believing that they are good enough to beat the hosts, something they weren’t quite sure until yesterday. That more than anything is the biggest gain from today’s match.

Dravid much nearer being a
complete batsman

TAUNTON, May 27 — It was quite by chance that India found the best batting conditions and their best possible playing XI too.

There were two accidents that took place before India's crucial class with Sri Lanka.

The first but not the most pleasant one was the injury that Nayan Mongia sustained. In his absence, and with Rahul Dravid to keep wickets, India were able to accommodate the all rounder Robin Singh and hence stumbled upon their XI for the day.

The second was the coin landing, in Sri Lanka's favour. It is often believed Arjuna Ranatunga's choice is right. But on this occasion it certainly was not. It was blunder in opting to bowl first which meant that things have come a full circle in just two World Cups. Ranatunga may have returned the favour Azharuddin had done his team in the semifinal of the 1996 World Cup at Eden Gardens.

Cricketing logic can be read into Ranatunga's decision. He was playing to his team's strength of chasing. But that may have applied to the World Cup of 1996, not of '99 in which his batsmen are yet to find any semblance of form. The conditions that have been favouring teams bowling first would also have weighed heavily with him. In fact, it was being freely said in the Indian team camp that Azharuddin would have chosen to field had the coin landed in his favour.

It is unusually dry in England for the month of May. The cloud cover in the morning can also be very deceptive if the pitch and its surroundings are dry, the ball does not swing around as much as they would if there is a suggestion of damp on the square. There is generally more seam movement to be had than swing which must be particularly true of the western counties. Given the general weakness of the Sri Lankan attack, Ranatunga may have been kicking himself for the runs that were being given freely by his faster bowlers.

The other great benefit from India being asked to bat is Dravid could come in to bat when fresh and not after keeping wickets for 50 overs. He proved at Taunton today that he is much nearer being a complete batsman. The form he attained in a century against Kenya was carried over into what was truly brilliant innings. The fact that there were ten boundaries in his first 50 off 43 balls was illustrative of the strides he has taken in the limited overs game. He completed his second successive and his career's fifth one day century in 101 balls hitting 12 boundaries.

Going into the World Cup, Dravid's name was in the top three of the Coopers and Lybrand rating for Test cricket, just below those of Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar. But, often enough the past, it was believed Dravid was not capable of forcing the pace in one-day cricket and that was why he was omitted so many times from one-day eleven's. In this knock he gave a fitting reply.

Some batsmen do tend to take a while to adjust to the harsh demands of one-day cricket and Dravid may have had his own problems a few years ago. It is as much question of form as adaptability. When he is middling form, Dravid has never found it a problem to force the bowling. He has played some higher class innings against quality fast bowlers like Allan Donald and his century as India chased without great hope a total against Pakistan in Chennai two years ago was an innings marked by great innovation.

It was, however, not until today that Dravid graduated to the highest class of batsmanship in the one day game. The boundary hits flowed through the gaps which is a clear indication of not only class but of the greater ability to be inventive in one day cricket. It is the litmus test for one day batting and Dravid came through it to move on from being a very good player to becoming a great batsman.

There is reason to believe that Dravid can keep wickets well enough for him to take on the job in one day internationals and so make one place available for either an extra bowler or an additional batsman. To keep wickets and bat is not an impossible twin demand as Alec Stewart has proved. The job might be his now for the duration of the World Cup which cannot be such a bad thing since he can cope when standing back to the faster bowlers and can be effective enough against Kumble since he is very familiar with his Karnataka skipper's line and mode of attack.

Accidents can sometimes be blessings in disguise. — UNI

British media praises Indian duo

LONDON, May 27 (UNI) — The British media today described as "incredible" India's performance against Sri Lanka and sounded alarm bells for England two days before its crucial match against the 1983 champions.

Besides Manchester United historic win in the European Champions Football Cup at Barcelona, which completely dominated the front and sports pages in all the papers here today, pushing the cricket World Cup to one or half page, the only other sports story to hog the limelight was India's fantastic win over defending champions Sri Lanka.

"Taunton onslaught sounds timely warning to England" said the Daily Telegraph. "The thunder that England heard yesterday came from Taunton, as India's batsmen went on rampage against soon to be deposed world cup holders."

"Ganguly and Dravid run riot as India press claims," it added saying it is going to be a cliff hanger at Edgbaston on May 29.

"The champions bow to grace of swinging Ganguly", said The Times. "With its short, straight boundaries and true surface, Taunton has bestowed lavish hospitality upon big hitters from Arthur Wellard through to Ian Boatham and Beyond. Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid became the latest to prosper yesterday as they constructed a one-day international record partnership of 318 that leaves Sri Lanka preparing to bequeath the World Cup trophy".

"To judge by the excited reaction of the Indian supporters in the crowd of around 5,000, the first partnership of 300 in the one-day international ranked along side Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon as a moment of history", it said.

"Ganguly and Dravid shatter the champions" said the independent adding Sri Lanka devastated as Indian batsmen run riot with biggest one day international stand of all time".

"Slaughter does not begins to describe it. The 7000 or so crammed into the county ground were witnessed to one of the most murderous assaults ever seen in one-day cricket as Ganguly and Dravid cut loose on Sri Lanka's attack," it said and added. "The message is clear. India is motoring and ready to take on anyone. Unfortunately, England are next up on Saturday".

"Rampant India warn England" was Daily Mail's verdict on this win. "Any thought that England might have entertained about having a relaxing weekend were rudely blown away by yesterday amid welter of records set by India against Sri Lanka".

"Suddenly awoken from their early tournament slumbers, the 1983 World Cup winners brought the defending champions to their knees with by far the biggest runfest this tournament has seen to date", The Mail said.

"Ganguly hit the heights" this is how the Guardian described the Indian win. "Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid filled the Somerset ground with wonderment. Here were two buoyant, technically gifted batsmen at times mocking at the benign bowling and fielding that reflected the mounting imbalance of the match. Sri Lanka on their part, did their best to revive the receding optimism with unrealistic lbw appeals, at least once off a wide."

Daily Star said: "It was one of the most exhilarating display of batsmanship in the 24 year history of the World Cup".

The Express said: "Ganguly runs riot to stun holders" and added. "The victory ended a long wait for revenge for the Indians, famously vanquished on the semifinals on their home pitch in the last World Cup."

Sun's headline said: "India are on a roll, though, and now they face England at Edgbaston on Saturday, looking to ensure their place in the super six stage".

Shell-shocked fans gun for Ranatunga

COLOMBO, May 27 (PTI) — Shell-shocked Sri Lankan cricket fans, angered by the humiliating 157-run defeat of their team by India in Taunton, today blasted their cricketing heroes and inundated the cricket board headquarters here demanding that most of the ageing players give way to the younger generation.

Irate fans were calling up the board abusing selectors for persisting with the ageing cricketers, who were unable to perform, and demanding their replacement, a cricket board official said.

At the centre of their anger were 35-year-old skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and ageing star batsman Aravinda De Silva.

Defending champions Sri Lanka have been virtually eliminated from the World Cup tournament after rampaging Indian batsmen Saurav Ganguly (183) and Rahul Dravid (145) annihilated the islanders by piling up 373 runs through a record-breaking 318-run partnership.

Yesterday’s match was "akin to putting the lambs to slaughter as Ganguly and Dravid flogged the Lankan bowlers all around the park," the Independent Island newspaper said.

Sri Lankan cricket writers and commentators, reticent in the past in criticising their cricketers, today demanded that the team be overhauled.

"I have been asking for Ranatunga’s replacement. But it has fallen on deaf ears," said Palitha Perera, a noted radio commentator in Sinhala language.
"Sri Lankans have lost their capacity to bat and fight," he said.

Kapil congratulates Ganguly

LONDON, May 27 (PTI) — Legendary all rounder Kapil Dev yesterday congratulated opener Saurav Ganguly who hit up a brilliant 183 to break his record of the highest individual scorer for India in the World Cup.

Ganguly's magnificent knock against Sri Lanka at Taunton bettered the historic 175 made by Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe at Turnbridge Wells in the 1983 which India went on to win.

Kapil Dev, the world's highest Test wicket taker, was also full of praise for Rahul Dravid who made a superlative 145 and partnered Ganguly in breaking records galore.

"We are all very proud," the former India captain, who is here for the World Cup, said.

Bookies put India ahead of Aussies

LONDON,May 27 (PTI) — British bookmakers today placed India higher than Australia, slashing its odds from 20-1 to 8-1 after their spectacular 157-run victory over defending champions Sri Lanka at Taunton yesterday.

India, who started the world cup as 10-1 favourites, had slipped to 20-1 after two successive losses to South Africa and Zimbabwe.

India's emphatic 94 run triumph over World Cup minnows Kenya in Bristol, where batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar hit a magnificent 140 not out, however, did not inspire the London bookies to make any changes.

Yesterday's comprehensive win against Sri Lanka, in which Indian batsman tore apart the opponent's bowling, forced the bookies to shed their conservative attitude towards India and place the 1983 champions above Australia and West Indies.

India next play England in a crucial match on Saturday at Edgbaston.

World Cup favourites South Africa continue to lead the bookies chart as 5-4 favourites followed by Pakistan (5-2) and England (15-2).

Before the start of the World Cup, Australia were second on 7-2 followed by Pakistan and England at 8-1. South Africa were 5-2 favourites and with their three straight wins, the Proteas have consolidated their position to 5-4.

Sri Lanka, who started along side India on 10-1, have now slipped to 100-1 after their humiliating defeat against India yesterday. Sri Lanka have only one win — against Zimbabwe — to their credit from four matches.

The islanders also lost to hosts England and South Africa in their previous encounters. They meet Kenya in their last league tie at Southampton on May 30.

Latest odds: 5-4 South Africa, 5-2 Pakistan, 15-2 England, 8-1 India, 9-1 Australia, 14-1 New Zealand, West Indies, 100-1 Sri Lanka, 200-1 Zimbabwe, 1,000-1 Bangladesh.

Azhar all praise for Ganguly, Dravid

TAUNTON, May 27 (UNI) — Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was all praise for the world record breaking innings from Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, which fashioned India mammoth 157 run victory over defending champions Sri Lanka here yesterday.

Speaking after the match Azharuddin said: "Both Sourav and Dravid batted really well. They took the game away from Sri Lanka."

"We did not want to lose wickets in the first 15 overs and Saurav and Dravid did really well. The team rallied around after the first two defeats and had known the importance of the game."

Azharuddin also had a word of praise for medium pacer Robin Singh, who took five wickets to hasten India’s victory.

About the next match against England, Azharuddin said: "We need to win it."

However, a despondent Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga summed up his team's performance as "pathetic".

"It was the worst bowling performance by the team." Both Ganguly and Dravid batted well initially. The ball was moving but the bowlers failed to capitalise on the early breakthrough and bowled too many loose deliveries.

"Even the fielding was also not good," he said in an exasperated tone.

PTI adds: Opener Sourav Ganguly, who struck masterful knock of 183 to become the higher individual scorer for India in one-day internationals, praised Rahul Dravid for providing the needed impetus to go for a big innings.

"He was positive and really went after the ball right from the word go. It boosted my confidence and around that I built my innings," Ganguly, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, said at the presentation ceremony here.

"If we keep doing well. We can go a long way in the tournament," Ganguly, who burst onto the international scene with his 1996 England tour performance, said.

"It's (England) like a second home for me," the left-hander said.

About the strategy he had in mind after Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga put India in to bat, Ganguly said he was focused on keeping the scoreboard moving. "Though the first wicket fell early on, Dravid gave me good support and it really helped," he said.

Referring to the last league match, Ganguly said India had "very good" chances against England. "We are spurred up," he said.

A delighted skipper Azharuddin was full of praise for Dravid, Ganguly and Robin Singh, who joined South Africa's Lance Klusener as the second man to achieve a five-wicket haul in this World Cup.

Azharuddin said: "Team rallied well to come back into contention. We may be slow starters, but now we are focused on doing the job."

Ranatunga not to retire

TAUNTON, May 27 (Reuters) — Sri Lanka’s reign as World Cup champions is effectively over but Arjuna Ranatunga has no plans to step down as captain.

The Cup holders are licking their wounds after suffering crushing 157-run defeat by India yesterday.

Even if results now favour them and they finish level on four points with India and Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka’s net run rate would count against them in qualification for the super six.

Ranatunga, who led the island nation to its greatest sporting triumph by winning the Cup three years ago, is adamant Sri Lanka are not finished as a force in the game and he wants to stay in place to lead them back to the top.

"I think I’m feeling fairly okay compared to some of the others so why should I go. It may depend on the selectors but don’t think I will retire.

"When we go back home we have to regroup and try and get back to what it was. If we are going to say Sri Lanka cricket is finished, no, I don’t think so," he said.

"We have tried a lot of youngsters in the last year or so but it didn’t come off. Now I think we have to work really hard. Everyone has to get in and work on this (recovery).

"We were a very good side for so many years and now we must regroup and try and win once again.

"We may be out of this competition most likely but there are so many tours coming up and we have to work really hard to get back to our normal standard."

The Sri Lankan skipper attributes his side’s decline to one factor. "It’s mainly the batting which went down in the past year. It was depending on Aravinda (de Silva), Sanath (Jayasuriya) and myself but now it’s good to see that people like (Marvan) Atapattu and (Mahela) Jayawardene getting runs."

De Silva, the side’s most accomplished player in English conditions, endured wretched form with scores of 0, 1 and 6 in his first three games until he belatedly hit 56 against India.

Opener Jayasuriya, whose explosive batting on the sub-continent three years ago was a key element in Sri Lanka’s success, found the dampness in the early-season pitches and the movement of the white ball were not conducive to an uninhibited approach. His innings of 29, 5, 6 and 3 have reflected the struggle to come to terms with English conditions.

Duleep Mendis, the Sri Lanka manager, denied the squad had been distracted by the troubles surrounding the election of the cricket board’s president.

The losing candidate had alleged gun-toting intruders had prevented a free and fair election and the affair has been in and out of the courts over the past two months.

"That didn’t affect the players," Mendis said. "And with the selectors there were no problems at all because the selectors come under the Sports Minister and so that had nothing to do with this."

Parore likely to open against Pak

DURBY, May 27 (UNI) — New Zealand will consider rearranging their deck chairs, that is batting order, in its tomorrow's World Cup cricket showdown against Pakistan.

The recent loss to the West Indies has apparently prompted a rethink over the top order and in particular their ability to handle genuine pace.

Serious consideration is being given to pushing Adam Parore, who is confident of facing the pace bowling than most of his team-mates, up the order to counter the Pakistan new ball threat of Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar, considered the fastest in the world.

The fiery 23-year-old Akhtar tends to concentrate on getting the ball from A to B in the shortest possible time and will present a massive challenge to whoever faces him, while Akram's swing promises to be just as difficult from the other end.

"We're thinking about a change", coach Steve Rixon said last night, although not wanting to elaborate. "An option would be to bring someone up the order, though against Pakistan that would have to be someone who could cope with the quicks".

Going by the effort against the West Indies that would safely rule out the entire side, but Rixon questioned whether that game provided an accurate gauge of New Zealand's form. "We had a long talk about our batting after that game and though I don't want to be making excuses, the toss had an awful lot to do with what happened.

"From our point to view, we've been laying some good cricket lately and we're not going to allow that one loss to set us back". The message to the team is the stay positive. Don't dwell too much on what happened at Southampton and look forward to the next game.

The other point being emphasised by Rixon was that Pakistan were beatable and that a win at the Derbyshire county ground would guarantee New Zealand a berth in the super six.

Pakistan are unbeaten in group play so far after accounting for the West Indies and Australia and have quickly been installed as the most likely team to meet favourites South Africa in the final. If New Zealand failed to live up to their surprise-package billing tomorrow, there could easily be a situation where three teams end up sharing the same number of points and wins, at which stage the net run rate would decide the qualifiers."We've learned all the different scenarios possible", said Rixon, "But we know that we can write our own tickets into the second round if we can upset Pakistan".

"They're class outfit with a great blend of youth and experience, but can be beaten on any one day, just like anyone else".

"And if we can win on Friday, then we all be hoping Australia can knock over the West Indies on Sunday, because if Australia make the cut, he carry forward the points we won against them".

New Zealand arrived in Derby yesterday afternoon and were unable to inspect the pitch, but Rixon said it had a reputation for playing low and slow. The weather is cold in the midlands, with an expected high of 9 degree celsius today and similar conditions forecast for tomorrow.

The only injury worry for the Black Caps for the Pakistan game is medium pacer Dion Nash, who hurt his ankle trying to save a boundary at Southampton. The ankle was still tender yesterday, but he is expected to be fit. Rixon said Chris Harris would be getting in plenty of fielding exercises during practice. "Chris is not hitting the stumps as regular as he used to be. I consider him to be among the top three fielders in the world, behind Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting".

Manchester United's great escape

BARCELONA, May 27 — (Reuters) Manchester United staged one of the most remarkable escape acts in soccer history with two goals deep into injury time to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 in yesterday’s European Cup final.

The German side, leaders from the sixth minute through a direct free-kick from Mario Basler, were only seconds away from winning the cup for the fourth time and the first time since 1976, when substitute Teddy Sheringham equalised with a right-foot shot after Bayern failed to clear a corner.

Even United’s stand-in skipper, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, playing his last match for the club, came up for that corner to add to the turbulence that finally crashed through an awesome Bayern defence which had handled almost 25 minutes of unrelenting United pressure.

Then, with Italian referee Pierluigi Collina looking at his watch to herald extra time, substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer swept in the winner from close range after a David Beckham corner had been headed on by Sheringham.

The victory meant that United, who completed an English Cup and league double on Saturday became only the fourth team in European history to complete the treble. Only Celtic (1967), Ajax Amsterdam (1972) and PSV Eindhoven (1988) had reached such giddy heights before.

Bayern’s players were devastated at the end of a final that could hardly have started better for them, but gradually tilted United’s way after coach Alex Ferguson abandoned his unsuccessful ploy of playing Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Jesper Blomqvist in unfamiliar positions in midfield.

Ferguson belatedly brought on Sheringham and Solskjaer in place of Blomqvist and Andy Cole and United suddenly found their spark.

Even so, Bayern still had two golden chances to wrap up the final when their substitute Mehmet Scholl hit the post after 78 minutes and Carsten Jancker hit the bar with an overhead scissor kick six minutes later.

Instead of being 3-0 down United were still in with a chance - and they grabbed it with both hands to record the most dramatic end to a European final since Bayern themselves lost to two late goals in the last 10 minutes of the 1987 final against Porto in Vienna. Even so, that ending pales into insignificance compared with the nature of this victory.

It was United’s first European Cup success since their only previous win in 1968 and coincidentally came on the 90th anniversary of the late Sir Matt Busby’s birth - their manager in 1968 and the man who created the modern dynasty which has seen United finally prove they are the greatest club side in the world - both financially off the pitch - and now on it too.

It was United’s 33rd match without defeat and also secured England’s first European Cup success since Liverpool in 1984.

The night was full of emotion for the fans of both sides and there was an added poignancy to the occasion as United’s obsession with the European Cup started on the night that eight Busby Babes were among 23 players killed in the snows of Munich after a refuelling stop on the way back to England after a European Cup quarterfinal in Belgrade in 1958.

Srinath, Fazaluddin to clash in semis

MUMBAI, May 27 (PTI) — Top seed Prahlad Srinath and his Davis Cup teammate and third seed Syed Fazaluddin will clash in the men’s singles semifinals in the ITF satellite tennis circuit (second leg) here tomorrow.

In one-sided quarterfinals, Fazaluddin crushed unseeded Vishal Uppal of India 6-3, 6-2 today in one hour 15 minutes while Srinath drubbed seventh seed and 827 ranked Indian Sandeep Kirtane 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and seven minutes.

In the other quarterfinals, qualifier Mohammad Khaliq of Pakistan rallied magnificently, after dropping the first set 2-6, to oust unseeded Anton Kokurin of Uzbekistan 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1) in one hour 55 minutes.

Second seed and world number 563 Artem Derepasko of Russia sidelined unseeded Indian Harsh Mankad 6-2, 6-3 in one hour 20 minutes to fill up the last semifinal berth.

In the doubles semifinals, top seeded Kirtane cousins Nitin and Sandeep crushed fourth-seeded-Russian pair of Andre Younzyi and Alexandre Sikanov 6-1, 6-3 in 57 minutes.

Fazaluddin, who played a solid baseline game, broke Uppal in the seventh game to lead 4-3 and with yet another break in the ninth game he took the set 6-3.

In the second set one expected a better show from the Delhi lad, but that was not to be. Though Uppal got an early break in the first game he dropped his own in the second and then in the fourth to trail 1-3.

Fazaluddin, who served with lot of power, held the next game with two aces in a row and then broke Uppal in the eighth game to win the set and with it the match at 6-2.

Srinath was a picture of confidence today. The Karnataka star, who won the first leg at Bangalore last week, broke Kirtane in the fifth game to lead 3-2, then in the seventh game to lead 5-2 and served out the set.

In the second, Kirtane, put up a semblance of a fight but failed to win points when it mattered most. With breaks in the seventh and ninth games, Srinath, won 6-3.

The second-seeded-Russian, Derepasko, toyed with his Indian opponent. He broke Mankad in the third game of the first set to lead 2-1. He again broke the Indian in the fifth game to lead 4-1 and served out the set at 6-2.

In the second set, the Russian broke Mankad in the first and ninth games to win the match 6-3.

Results quarterfinals: Syed Fazaluddin (Ind) b Vishal Uppal (Ind) 6-3, 6-2; Prahlad Srinath (Ind) b Sandeep Kirtane (Ind) 6-2, 6-3; Mohammad Khaliq (Pak) b Anton Kokurin (Uzb) 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-1); Artem Derepasko (Rus) b Harsh Mankad (Ind) 6-2, 6-3.

Knighthood for Alex ?

LONDON, May 27 (AFP) — British Sports Minister Tony Banks today joined calls for Manchester United’s triumphant manager to be made 'Sir' Alex Ferguson.

Mr Banks gave his personal backing for the mastermind behind United’s treble win to be knighted as the team began the journey home from Barcelona with their glittering prize, the European Cup.

A knighthood would see Ferguson follow in the footsteps of United’s last European Cup-winning manager, Sir Matt Busby.

Asked on BBC radio whether he thought Ferguson was in line for a knighthood, Mr Banks said: "You can’t negotiate the honours list over radio or television."

Demands for United’s inscrutable Scottish chief to be rewarded for his side’s unique triumph began almost immediately after the final whistle was blown at Barcelona’s Nou Camp Stadium yesterday.

As the 30,000-strong Red Army began a night of celebrations, chants of "Sir Alex, Sir Alex" could be heard reverberating around the ground.

Scottish First Minister Donald Dewar, who watched the nail -biting end of the game in a pub in his Glasgow constituency, also backed calls for Ferguson to receive public recognition.

Hamilton aims to play Tests for England

LEICESTER, May 27 (Reuters) — After England’s less than impressive start, their selectors could be forgiven for casting an interested eye towards Grace Road today to see how Scotland’s Gavin Hamilton gets on against West Indies.

With Andy Flintoff and Adam Hollioake yet to prove themselves as international class all-rounders, England may be regretting cutting the Yorkshire all-rounder from their provisional squad.

As he was born in Broxburn, 20 miles west of Edinburgh, the 24-year-old immediately threw in his lot with Scotland — once it had been clarified that he could still qualify to play for England after the World Cup.

Hamilton was reluctant to discuss his England situation yesterday, saying he was entirely focused on Scotland while they were still in the competition, but he has played for the England one-day side in Australia and hopes to force his way into the side on a regular basis.

"It’s a shop window for me but I will be giving my all for Scotland," he said before the tournament started and he has grasped his chance with both hands.

The left-hander began with confident 34 against Australia, cracked 76 against Pakistan and came within a whisker of leading the Scots to victory over Bangladesh with 63 before being run-out at the non-striker’s end.

Hamilton has also taken the wickets of Pakistan’s Salim Malik and Moin Khan with his controlled fast-medium right-arm bowling and has acted as the focal point for the Scotland team.

Just as important is that he has competed against some of the best in the world with real self-belief, something that is not always apparent with the English middle order.

England’s chairman of selectors David Graveney said of Hamilton before the tournament: "Gavin is an accomplished player and was close to making the cut with us.

"He did well for us in Australia and I didn’t want him to miss out on an experience that is sure to make him even better.

"We will probably reap the rewards in the long run, so I hope he has a belter of a tournament for them."

Hamilton, who took 56 championship wickets at an average of 20.4 for Yorkshire last season and also hit six 50s, says his long term aim is to play Tests for England.

It is a dream that could come true sooner rather than later.

French Open
Medvedev shocks Sampras

PARIS, May 27 (AP) — Failing yet again to win the one Grand Slam title that eludes him, Pete Sampras today lost in the second round in the French Open to 100th-ranked Andrei Medvedev, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The result was eerily similar to Sampras’ loss last year in the same round on the same court, when he fell to the 97th-ranked player, Ramon Delgado of Paraguay.

All day, Sampras appeared off his game, missing big shots he usually makes effortlessly — even his feet-in-the air overhead and hitting easy shots into the net.

On a steamy afternoon in Paris, urged on by a sympathetic crowd, Sampras looked helpless against an onslaught of accurate groundstrokes by Medvedev, a Ukrainian who once was ranked as high as fourth in the world.

Sampras clearly was suffering from the effects of his five-set, first-round match, which took four and a half hours. Medvedev, on the other hand, breezed through his first match in three easy sets.

In other action on Thursday, Jennifer Capriati, who reached the semifinals here nine years ago before off-court troubles derailed her career, advanced to the third round over fellow American Lilia Osterloh.

Seles, Kournikova advance

PARIS, May 27 (AFP) — Second seed Lindsay Davenport teetered on the edge of a catastrophe today before advancing to the third round of the French Open women’s singles with a three-set win over Belgian teenager Justine Henin.

American Davenport, a semi-finalist on the red clay at Roland Garros 12 months ago, beat 16-year-old qualifier Henin 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Three-times champion Monica Seles, the third seed, earlier scored a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4 win over Bulgaria’s 100th-ranked Lubomira Bacheva.

Grand Slam novice Henin served for the match at 5-4 before Davenport rallied.

Henin, ranked 121 in the world, captured the Antwerp title earlier this month in her first ever pro tournament. And she gave the experienced Davenport, the reigning US Open champion, the fright of her life on centre court before her nerves eventually betrayed her.

Davenport, deposed as world number one by Martina Hingis in February, found herself 3-1 down in the opening set but Henin then dropped serve with a double fault and Davenport quickly rattled off five straight games to take the set in 24 min.

But the tenacious Henin stunned Davenport in the second set, bagging three breaks and racing 5-0 clear before taking the set 6-2.

In the decider, Henin promptly broke Davenport in the opening game and held to go 2-0 clear.

Davenport then won three straight games before Henin pulled back to 3-3 before saving five break points on her next serve.
She then made a supreme effort to break to 5-4 with a thumping forehand.

But having pushed Davenport to the brink, Henin then surrendered her serve to love. Davenport held to 6-5 before wrapping up the marathon match in 1hr 45min.

Three-times champion Seles, the title-winner in 1990, 1991 and 1992 and beaten finalist last year, was also made to work hard on the Suzanne Lenglen court before booking her passage in 1hr 12min against Bacheva, who was making her Grand Slam debut in this tournament at the age of 24.

Bacheva started the stronger, winning the first two games. And the Bulgarian went to deuce on the Seles serve before the former champion, who went into the match with an intimidating 41-4 record for the event, finally got on the scoresheet.

Having gained a toehold, American Seles, making her eighth career appearance at Roland Garros, broke for 5-3 when Bacheva hit long and then held to love to take the set.

In the second set, Seles got the vital break for 5-4 and then served out for the match.

The 25-year-old Seles came into this year’s tournament on a hot streak after winning on clay at Amelie Island and also scored two Fed Cup wins on clay before missing the Italian Open with an ear infection.

Today’s win was her ninth on the trot.