Saturday, May 29, 1999
today's calendar
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S P O R T | Saturday, May 29, 1999 |
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South Africa meet Zimbabwe today Richards
takes over as Windies coach India
short of a bowler: Gatting Ambrose,
Walsh, Glenn set for showdown Technique
‘no burden’ in one-dayers Ganguly
satisfied with performance Scotland
score 2nd lowest total |
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Paes, Bhupathi toil to enter 2nd
round
37 wickets fall in two days Fazaluddin
stuns Srinath Punjab
schools sports calendar |
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Pakistan outplay Kiwis by 62 runs DERBY, May 28 (PTI) — Formidable Pakistan main-tained their relentless surge for World Cup glory, outplaying New Zealand by 62 runs to seal their super six berth with their fourth straight victory here today. Young paceman Shoaib Akhtar rattled the Kiwis in an early two wicket burst and Azhar Mehmood unlined Pakistan’s pace bowling depth by capturing three for 38 after being on a hat-trick as New Zealand were restricted to 207 for eight wickets in 50 overs, chasing an imposing 270 for victory. The result gave Pakistan, rated favourites with group ‘A’ stalwarts South Africa, eight points and the luxury of taking on unheralded Asian rivals Bangladesh in their final tie slated for May 31. Burly Inzamam-ul-Haq cracked an unbeaten 73 off 61 balls and hit most of his seven fours in a late acceleration after Ijaz Ahmed had made a solid 51 as Pakistan batting came through left arm paceman Geoff Allott’s fine haul (4 for 64) to hoist 269 for eight after being asked to bat first. Their pacemen then reduced the Kiwis, searching for an upset to clinch their berth within the distance, to 71 for 6 as Akhtar and Mehmood bowled with admirable control in windy conditions and tied them up with tight bowling throughout. Fleming top-scored with 69 in an 83-run fifth wicket stand with Chris Harris (42), but the revival came too late and once the skipper fell in the 39th over to Mehmood Pakistan’s sixth win out of seven World Cup ties against New Zealand was just a formality. New Zealand have four points from two wins and can still hope to qualify as they meet debutants Scotland in their last league tie on may 31. If the West Indies (6 points) beat struggling Australia (4 points) on May 30, the Kiwis should make it without trouble. An Aussie win will produce a three-way tie and the net run rate will then decide the two qualifiers behind Pakistan, but the Kiwis will clearly know the equation going into the Scotland tie. Fleming’s first substantial knock of the tournament ended when he pulled Mehmood to Akram at midwicket in the 39th over. But the Kiwis kept up a desperate, though unsuccessful, search for runs with an eye on their run rate. Express paceman Akhtar (2/31) made early inroads by having both openers Matt Horne (1) and Nathan Astle caught behind by Moin Khan before Wasim Akram foxed Craig McMillan (20) with a slower delivery which the batsman miscued to Salim Malik at mid-on. Fleming and fellow left-hander Roger Twose (13) added 35 for the fourth wicket before Twose pulled off-spinner Saqlain Mustaq straight to Inzamam-ul-Haq at midwicket. Mehmood almost ended hopes of a meaningful Kiwi revival when he trapped all-rounder Chris Cairns and Adam Parore leg before for noughts off successive balls to be on a hat-trick. Parore looked to be unlucky adjudged out by South African umpire Rudy Koertzen as slow motion TV replays showed he had got a faint inner edge before the ball struck his back pad. Earlier, Saeed Anwar (28) and young all-rounder Abdul Razzaq (33 off 82 balls) made useful runs before Ijaz Ahmed and Haq took over. Haq ran out Ijaz Ahmed with a bad call, but made up with lusty hitting in the end to give the formidable Pakistan attack the runs to counter the Kiwis. Pakistan: New Zealand: |
India to go all out against EDGBASTON, May 28 (PTI) — A resurgent India will have to come out firing on all cylinders again to put hosts England on the mat in their crucial last World Cup tie tomorrow for a victory that will propel them into the super-six stage without any worry over run-rate calculations. With the team management allaying fears over wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia’s fitness, the upbeat Indians are determined to produce yet another commanding batting display to maintain their recent sway over the hosts at the Warwickshire ground.Skipper Mohammad Azharuddin announced that he would be looking to beat England to avoid any complications. “We are not looking at net run-rate or those kind of things,” Azharuddin said. “As far as I am concerned, and also what the boys want to do, is to win the tie against England.” India have four points and an excellent net run-rate of plus 1.29, after their massive win over Sri Lanka, which is second only to favourites South Africa (+1.32), who have already made it with eight points from four straight wins. England (-0.08) have six points and will qualify even if they lose but the run-rate will come into play if India win and Zimbabwe pull off an improbable upset against South Africa in their league tie tomorrow. Stupendous batting by Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid after the impetus provided by star batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s memorable 140 not out against Kenya has infused dynamism into the Indian ranks and their flagging bowling too suddenly looks sharp and disciplined. India tottered on the brink of early elimination after defeats of the Proteas and Zimbabwe, but their glorious wins over Kenya — riding on Tendulkar’s heroism despite personal grief — and Sri Lanka has put them back on the right track. The mighty success of left-hander Ganguly and Dravid has lifted much pressure off Tendulkar’s shoulders. The master is certain to come again at number four. Ganguly smashed 183 for the second highest score in the World Cup history and with Dravid — on a roll after his unbeaten 104 against Kenya and 145 against Sri Lanka in his 318-run world one-day record stand with Ganguly. He has brilliantly responded to the demand for top-order belligerence. The batting success has spurred their bowlers, who cut out the wides and no-balls drastically against Sri Lanka. The four-man Indian attack wears a settled look with Debashish Mohanty certain to remain the third seamer with Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. Mohanty, who captured four wickets against Kenya in his first tie, has made up for lack of pace with direction, and his swing should help keep the English batsmen on tenterhooks. With Mongia declared fit, India will have a problem in deciding who should be omitted for the tie. all-rounder Robin Singh, who came in after the stumper missed the Sri Lanka tie due to left palm injury grabbed the chance by capturing five for 31 and it will be a tough decision. The England camp is wary of India’s rising stature, but will be a tough nut to crack at home though the 1983 champions beat the hosts twice in the Sharjah triangular last month. England’s strength lies in its bowling with pacemen Darren Gough and lanky left-arm seamer Allan Mullally the pick of the lot and Mark Ealham providing the breakthrough despite bowling for slower than Gough and Mullally. The mighty South Africa was restricted to 225 for seven by the English bowlers, who have so far operated with great accuracy and exploited the home conditions to the hilt. Their batting crumbled against South Africa’s pace attack as they hurtled to a 122-run defeat for their only reverse so far. But England were impressive in their one-sided victories in their other three games. They began an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and eased past Kenya by nine wickets before subduing Zimbabwe by seven wickets in their last tie. The English top-order has shown good nick with opener Nasser Hussain impressive in making cautious 88 and 57 not out against Kenya and Zimbabwe, skipper Alec Stewart’s 88 against Sri Lanka and 50’s by Graeme Hike and left-hander Graham Thorpe has left Indian bowlers with a task on hand. England hold 3-1 advantage in World Cup clashes against India and won by nine runs when they last met in the 1992 World Cup at Perth. But India savoured a brilliant six-wicket victory at Old Trafford in the semifinal on the way to historic triumph in 1983. Teams: India: Mohd Azharuddin (capt), Sadagopan Ramesh, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia, Robin Singh, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad and Debashish Mohanty. England: Alec Stewart
(capt), Nasser Hussain, Graeme Hick, Graham Thorpe, Neil
Fairbrother, Andrew Flintoff, Adam Hollioake, Mark
Ealham, Angus Fraser, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Ian
Austin. |
How they fared in the past EDGBASTON, May 28 (AFP) — England vs India form guide: Group A: World Cup results to date: England — beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets, beat Kenya by nine wickets, lost to South Africa by 122 runs, beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets. India — lost to South Africa by four wickets, lost to Zimbabwe by three runs, beat Kenya by 94 runs, beat Sri Lanka by 157 runs. Head to head: The two met in the champions trophy at Sharjah last month. India winning both matches by 20 runs and nine runs. The conditions, however, were very different from those in England. The two have not played a Test match in the past year. World Cup: England have won three of the four World Cup meetings. India’s lone victory came in the 1983 semifinal at Old Trafford, and they went on to win the final against the West Indies. Players to watch: England — Graham Thorpe. The accomplished Surrey left-hander hit top form with an unbeaten 62 against Zimbabwe, uses his feet well against spin and drives fluently on both sides of the wicket, also a very safe slip catcher. India — Rahul Dravid. A year ago he was not considered suitable for one-day cricket because of his cramped style. He now has two successive centuries against Kenya and Sri Lanka. Put on a world record one-day stand of 318 with Saurav Ganguly against Sri Lanka. A good player against the moving ball. Venue: Edgbaston, home
of county side Warwickshire and a regular Test centre.
The ground where Brian Lara 501 not out against Durham in
1994, the highest individual score in first-class
cricket. Will also host a super six match on June 10 and
a semi-final on June 17. Capacity: 17,000. |
South Africa meet Zimbabwe today CHELMSFORD, May 28 (PTI) — The mighty South Africa are expected to show no mercy when they take on their neighbours Zimbabwe in their final World Cup Group "A" tie, looking to post their fifth straight win and further sharpen their already imposing arsenal here tomorrow. The proteas, who faced some resistance only from India in their opening tie at Hove, have since brooked no opposition as their bowling in particular has left opposing batsmen in awe. South Africa have already qualified with four wins and eight points. But Zimbabwe’s hopes hinge only on a miracle upset victory at the Essex county ground. Considered the most complete team in the tournament, the favourites in search of their maiden title have found a new hero in all-rounder Lance Klusener who has emerged a major force capturing 12 wickets so far, including five for 21 in his team’s one-sided victory over lowly Kenya. Klusener cracked 52 off just 43 balls against Sri Lanka and hit 48 off 40 balls against England as South Africa recovered from batting slip-ups to overwhelm their rivals. Zimbabwe’s only hope of certain qualification to the super six lies in pulling off an unlikely victory. But they were convincingly beaten by England and Sri Lanka after coming into contention with a three-run upset over India. South Africa crushed Zimbabwe by seven wickets in their only previous meeting in the tournament, at Canberra in the 1991-92 edition and a similar result looks on the card. AFP adds: South African coach Bob Woolmer thinks his tournament favourites will beat Zimbabwe, only he’s not saying it. Zimbabwean coach David Houghton thinks it and is saying it. Listen to Houghton before the sides meet in their final game of the first phase and you wonder why his side is bothering to turn up at all. Perhaps they could send in a sick note and go to the cinema instead? Since the tournament began, Houghton’s initial optimism in Group "B" has been replaced by criticism that his side have been playing "schoolboy cricket" and that they cannot handle pressure. Now he has publicly declared that South Africa, with four wins out of four, look "unbeatable." It seems a strange way to motivate a team but it is hard to argue. Zimbabwe, with two wins from four, have never beaten the South Africans and will almost certainly be knocked out if they do not make history here. The South African line-up will be the same tomorrow. "We want to maintain the continuity," said Woolmer. "The team are playing well and we want to keep it going. There is a break of almost a week between the Zimbabwe game and our first super six match, so there is plenty of time for rest. "It is more important that the key players keep in form." Houghton believes only Pakistan’s bowling attack has the quality to kill off the South Africans. "That’s the only way to beat them, to get them all out," he argues. "You’ve got to knock them right over." Zimbabwe do not seem to have that kind of quality. Strike bowler Heath Streak may ruffle a few early feathers and leg spinner Paul Strang will make the South Africans think in mid-innings. Otherwise, it will take an extraordinary individual performance, similar to Henry Olonga’s three wickets in five balls against India, for Zimbabwe to win. Surely, in private at least, Houghton must be reminding his side that miracles do sometimes happen. South Africa (probable): Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, Darryl Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Steve Elworthy, Allan Donald. Zimbabwe (probable):
Neil Johnson, Grant Flower, Paul Strang, Murray Goodwin,
Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell (capt), Guy Whittall,
Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Henry
Olonga. |
Mafia blamed for Lankan debacle COLOMBO, May 28 (PTI) — Knives are out for Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga after Sri Lanka’s dismal show in the World Cup with a newspaper attributing the poor performance to the emergence of cricket mafia in the country. "What happened to Sri Lankan cricket is that mafia took control of it after 1996 (when the country won the World Cup). The tentacles of the mafia had spread deep," The Island daily said in an editorial headlined "From world champs to world chumps". Baying for Ranatunga’s removal, the paper said fielding a team of "ageless wonders" (nine members of the 1996 World Cup squad) robbed the team of "excellent fielding", the main factor which it said had made Sri Lanka the champions. It said cricket in the island has grown into "the playing field of thugs, bookies and sycophants" and was reflected in the recent election to the cricket board that turned violent and witnessed prolonged legal wranglings. In an obvious reference to Ranatunga and his family’s hold on the cricket establishment, it claimed "A cricket dynasty was emerging with plenty of cronies around. Big money was flowing in after becoming world champions." Ranatunga’s elder brother Dhammika was the chief executive of the cricket board, while his father Reigge was an influential deputy minister in the federal government. The Island, against whom Ranatunga filed a defamation suit last year after the paper criticised him for sending a second-string team to the 1998 Commonwealth Games, alleged the first act of the "evil forces" was the easing out of Australian coach Dave Whatmore who moulded Sri Lanka into world-beaters. The ‘mafia’ meted out similar treatment to the then board chief Ana Punchhewa, it claimed. The paper called for a thorough overhauling of the cricket set up in the country by lifting Sports Ministry control over the board and said "unless radical changes are made. We will continue to wallow in this mire." "Those remotely connected with shady professions and business should be debarred from holding office," it said. However, the Deputy
Minister of sports Mr Jeevan Kumaratunga defended the
players saying "I agree there are some shortcomings
in the team. But we must understand that cricket is a
game of glorious uncertainties. We must reorganise our
team and prepare for the future." |
Richards takes over as Windies coach ST JOHN’S (Antigua), May 28 (Reuters) — Former captain Vivian Richards will take over as coach of the West Indies team for the rest of the World Cup. Richards will replace Malcolm Marshall who underwent abdominal surgery last weekend and is expected to remain in hospital in Birmingham, England, for another week. Richards’ appointment was announced yesterday by West Indies Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Camacho. Camacho said the board
was fortunate to be able to secure the services of such
an outstanding former West Indian cricketer as Richards
in the current circumstances. |
India short of a bowler: Gatting LONDON, May 28 (UNI) — Former England captain Mike Gatting today praised Indian batting but said the team was short of a bowler and "I think that will make a big difference in their campaign for the World Cup. "India have most explosive batting side with Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid in good nick, but seamers Srinath and Prasad are over burdened and absence of another bowler is a grey are for the side," he added. Talking to UNI at the Lord's after supervising nets for his team — Middlesex — Gatting said the tie between India and England at Edgbaston tomorrow was going to be a "cracker of a match". "It will be a contest between Indian batting and English bowling", he said. "We have good bowling sprearheaded by Allan Mullally, Darren Gough and Mark Ealham and they should pose problems for the Indians", he said. "I think this is going to be the most exciting match of the tournament", he said but candidly admitted that to predict the outcome today was not possible. "It all depends how a team fare on that day." Though India have a solid batting line up, "It is not possible to win matches every time on the strength of batting alone. In one day cricket you can't score over three hundred every time and if your batting fails that what will happen," he asked. "This was not the case with South Africa and Pakistan. "They have on few occasions in the tournament survived top order batting failure with their all round display and I think this is the weak point of India." Gatting said at the moment both the teams were on the roll with India recording fascinating wins over Kenya and Sri Lanka and England having demolished Zimbabwe. But he cautioned that past performance had no relevance on a particular day. "A team may be on a winning spree but can lose at a crucial juncture. This is what precisely happened to South Africa and England in the previous World Cups." The former England captain said the toss might play a vital role in the match but in events such as World Cup a team's allround capability mattered. Hence he favoured South Africa and Pakistan, which according to him were complete sides not lacking in any department. Gatting, who now coaches Middlesex said the ongoing World Cup had demolished many theories. "Only the teams with allround capabilities will qualify". He, however, hastened to admit that once the super six league starts it would be extremely difficult to predict the outcome. "The format of one-day cricket is such that any team can surprise the fancied rivals." Asked if he rated Allan Mullally on par with Wasim Akram, Gatting said: "Well they are two different types of bowlers. Akram gets more swing, while Mullally extracts more bounce. Wasim is devastating with his inswing deliveries and that is what has helped Pakistan keep going in this tournament so far", he said.
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Ambrose, Walsh, Glenn set CHELMSFORD, May 28 (AFP) — Australia’s do-or-die World Cup confrontation with the West Indies at Old Trafford on Sunday will revolve around three pace bowlers all certain to end their careers as cricketing greats. In the red corner, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose of the West Indies; in the yellow, Australia’s Glenn McGrath. With the two West Indians fast approaching their dotage, this could be the last time that the trio appear on a pitch together. But while Walsh and Ambrose are thriving here, McGrath is struggling. If he should fail again on Sunday, Australia may be heading home before the second round. The pre-tournament favourite to top the wickets list, McGrath has managed five wickets for 173 from 38 overs, conceding four-and-a-half runs an over. The only side he has dominated were the part-timers from Scotland. Pakistan’s batsmen destroyed him and even Bangladesh cracked him for four-and-a-half runs an over. In contrast, Walsh has 11 wickets for 83 runs from 37 overs and Ambrose, while only claiming four victims, has shut up one end so effectively that his 30 overs have cost a mere 63 runs, the best economy rate in the tournament. Australian captain Steve Waugh says of McGrath: "He’s bowled okay without bowling really well. He knows he can bowl better, so I think you’ll see an improved performance." Before the tournament, Australian legend Dennis Lillee said McGrath, only 29 and with many years ahead of him, was already an all-time great after taking 239 Test wickets. But his continuing problem with controlling the white, swinging ball at the World Cup have made him look almost ordinary. He has become so frustrated that he has almost forgotten. Ambrose, the 35-year-old from Antigua, and Walsh, 36 and from Jamaica, have had not such trouble. The pair have been shoring up the West Indies’ cricket reputation for several years. While Brian Lara’s batting has been seen as the key to the team’s success in recent months, it has been the pacemen that have kept the team afloat. Walsh, with 423 Test wickets, is in spitting distance of the world record. Ambrose, whose mother is famous for ringing a bell outside the house every time she hears him take a wicket on the radio, has 369 Tests wickets and 217 one-day victims — exactly the same as his strike partner. A few more on Sunday
— against the West Indies’ greatest rivals over
the last two decades — would be a perfect way for
the two Caribbean giants to cap their World Cup careers. |
Technique ‘no burden’ in one-dayers TAUNTON, May 28 (PTI) — Not long ago, he was declared unfit for one-day cricket, but after his stylish 145 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday, Rahul Dravid asserted that "good technique is no burden in one-dayers". "It is sad," says the 26-year-old brilliant batsman, "if you are accomplished, you are labelled as no good for limited overs cricket". But, he says, he has no regrets about being dropped from the one-day India squad. "You can’t expect things to go your way all the time," he says philosophically in an interview. Q: Rahul, this must be your most satisfying hundred? A: I think yes, from the way it helped the team in such an important tournament. I also have very sweet memories of my hundred against New Zealand in the first one-dayer at Taupo earlier this year when I got 123. But looking at the context of the match and it’s importance, this must be the most satisfying of all one-day hundreds. Q: Since you were back in the side, you seem to be willing to shoulder more and more responsibility. A: I have played cricket from that objective only. No individual hundred can match the pleasure you derive when your team does well. If I get a hundred and the team loses, there is no joy. There is greater joy if I contribute nothing and the team wins. Q: In the past, you have been seen as too technically accomplished to be part of the one-day squad. A: It is sad that if you are technically accomplished you are labelled as no good for limited overs cricket. Q: And because of it perhaps you were sidelined? A: I have no regrets about it. I was dropped from the one-day squad and it was fair enough. You can’t expect things to go your way all the time. Q: How did you fight you way back in the side? A: I always backed myself. I had the ability but perhaps I was low on form. It can happen to anybody. What I did I went back to Ranji Trophy and worked hard on my game. I believed I was good enough to succeed in one-day cricket. I was hoping my form would return and it did. Q: How was it like, being on the sidelines with everyone, including the media, gunning for you? A: It affects you but I am wiser now. I know how to handle it. There is no point getting too carried away or worked up about what appears in print. In fact, I feel there were people writing good things about me when I was down. It kept me going. Q: What are the areas you think you could still work upon in one-day cricket? A: Frankly, there are quite a few areas. It is not easy to pinpoint. The thing is if you are not creative, if you are not good enough to improvise, the rival bowlers will work you out. They can plan with a certain strategy and they might succeed. But, if you are on top of your game, when you are looking to surprise them, then you have a greater chance of consistent success. In that respect, I would say I have to build upon a bit more on my creativity to keep the good thing going. Q: For the second match running, the media missed you in Press conferences because you were not man of the match? A: It
doesn’t bother me. My team winning is a reward in
itself. |
37 wickets fall in two days LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) — Nineteen wickets tumbled on the second day of Worcestershire’s County Championship match against Glamorgan yesterday after 18 had fallen on the first day. The four-day match would probably have been over in less than half the time allotted to it if bad light had not stopped play yesterday. At that stage, Glamorgan, having been set 198 for victory, were in trouble at 105 for seven. Alamgir Sheriyar, the left-arm paceman, continued his fine run by taking two more wickets to add to his four for 49 in the first innings and Stuart Lampitt’s seamers brought him three for 10, giving him six in the match. So far 164 is the highest score in the match. Worcestershire, who have had a bad start to the season without their World Cup stars Graeme Hick (England) and Tom Moody (Australia), made that in their first innings, then bowled out their visitors for 127. On a suspect pitch that the umpires have reported to the authorities at Lord’s, Worcestershire managed only 160 in their second innings, Darren Thomas doing most damage with four for 48. If the pitch is ruled to be inadequate, Worcestershire could have points deducted, but the England and Wales Cricket Board pitch consultant, Chris Wood, said it was not a dangerous surface. Worcestershire would welcome a victory, having drawn two and lost the last three of their five championship matches so far. Durham, the only team below Worcestershire in the table, had another bad day after deciding to bat first at home to Yorkshire. They were dismissed for 114, with Chris Silverwood and Matthew Hoggard taking three wickets each. By the close Yorkshire had a healthy lead at 231 for six. The leaders Hampshire bowled Nottinghamshire out for 324 at Trent Bridge, then made 41 for one by the close. Sussex piled up 430 against Middlesex at Lord’s, their captain Chris Adams making 130. The home team replied with 155 for three. Matt Windows offered Gloucestershire hope of a first win of the season in making 118 of their 352 for seven against Essex, a lead of 79. He hit 23 fours. The day’s other century-maker was Darren Bicknell, with 114 for Surrey as they built a first innings lead of 226 over Somerset with two wickets in hand. At Canterbury, Australian pace bowler Mike Kasprowicz, not renowned as a batsman, made an unbeaten 32, enabling the champions Leicestershire to total 369 against Kent, who replied with 245 for five, Andrew Symonds remaining unbeaten on 81. Scores at the close of play in four-day English County Championship cricket matches yesterday: AT GLOUCESTER: Essex 273 (A.Grayson 62, P.Prichard 61; M.Smith 4-45). Gloucestershire 352-7 (M.Windows 118, J.Snape 75 not out). AT CANTERBURY: Leicestershire 369 (B.Smith 73, A.Habib 60, I.Sutcliffe 55). Kent 245-5 (A.Symonds 81 not out, D.Fulton 64). AT LORD'S: Sussex 430 (C.Adams 130, T.Peirce 98, R.Montgomerie 69). Middlesex 155-3 (M.Ramprakash 68 not out). AT THE OVAL: Somerset 199 (R.Turner 67; M.Bicknell 4-72). Surrey 425-8 (D.Bicknell 114, J.Ratcliffe 86, I.Ward 76). AT WORCESTER: Worcestershire 164 (P.Pollard 52) and 160 (D.Thomas 4-48). Glamorgan 127 (A.Sheriyar 4-49; S.Lampitt 3-14) and 105-7 (S.Lampitt 3-10).
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Ganguly satisfied with performance TAUNTON, May 28 (PTI) — Saurav Ganguly was a busy man yesterday, unable to find time to call his family back home in Calcutta, and when he tried, the phone lines had been kept busy by admirers. A day after he savaged
the Sri Lankan bowlers for a record 183, the left-handed
opener was a very satisfied young man. A: I am but I am hardly finding time. Lines were busy too. Q: What about your wife? She is not around..... A: She has gone back. She is having her course exam. She was here at the start of the tour but not any longer. Q: In the press conference you said you were reminded of Kapil Dev’s 175 by Mohammad Azharuddin when he arrived at the crease. It means you were not aware of it? A: No I was. I knew I was two short of Kapil’s target. But Azhar reminded me of it, all the same. Q: There is an opinion among a section of the crowd that Lanka’s bowling was not all that great.... A: These bowlers have also bowled to England and South Africa. So I think we batted very well. Q: Any thoughts for the coming match against England? A: If we play like this, we must have a great chance against England. The whole team knows how important it is to win and our morale is good. Q: How was this partnership like with Dravid? A: We kept helping each other. He showed me the way initially. We kept talking to each other, between overs and during drinks break. When he got his 100, I urged him to carry on and when I got mind, he asked me to hang around. I think our main aim was
to make the best of a good start and bat as long as we
could. Too often in cricket, you suffer when you are set
and you throw away your wicket. |
Scotland score 2nd lowest total MUMBAI, May 28 (PTI) — Scotland just managed to avoid the dubious distinction of being bowled out for the lowest-ever tutal in World Cup history yesterday against the mighty West Indian fast bowling attack in the group 'B' encounter. 'The Tartan army', playing in their first-ever World Cup folded up for a paltry 68 in one of the shortest limited overs internationals which lasted only three hours as Caribbeans smashed their way to an eight-wicket win in only the 11th over. Scotland's total was the second-lowest in the World Cup history after Canada's measly 45 all out against hosts England in the 1979 tournament at Old Trafford, Manchester. Five other teams had been bowled out for less than 100 in the World Cup. The complete list: 45 —Canada v England at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1979, 68 —Scotland v West Indies at Leicester in 1999, 74 —Pakistan v England at Adelaide Owal in 1992, 86 —Sri Lanka v West Indies at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1975, 93 —England v Australia at Headingely, Leeds in 1975, 93 —West Indies v Kenya at Pune in 1996, 94 —East Africa v England at Edgbaston, Birmingham in 1975.
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Black cricketer jailed for rape EAST LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) — Top black South African cricketer Makhaya Ntini was jailed for six years today for raping a young woman, a conviction that had already seen him dumped from the World Cup team. Magistrate Deon Rossouw said he had to make an example of the 22-year-old, who made history as the first black African to play for South Africa. "I must send out a direct message that this (rape) will not be tolerated," Magistrate Rossouw was quoted as saying by the South African Press Association. Ntini was convicted on April 23 for the December rape of a 22-year-old woman in the toilets of the Buffalo Park cricket ground in this east coast town where he plays provincial cricket for the Border team. Ntini sat stoically throughout the sentencing as the Magistrate rejected his defence’s argument that he should be given a non-custodial sentence coupled with intensive community service. Ntini’s conviction dealt a blow to South Africa’s hopes of presenting a more racially balanced team at the World Cup. The United Cricket Board (UCB) withdrew, Ntini from the team after his conviction leaving only one player of colour in the squad, Herschelle Gibbs, who is of mixed-race descent. Ntini made his Test
debut in England last year and had been used as a
flag-bearer for multiracialism in cricket, a sport still
dominated by whites at all levels in South Africa. |
Spaniards sail into sight PARIS, May 28 (Reuters) — The Spanish armada sailed into sight at the French Open today, with Alex Corretja, Alberto Berasategui and Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario all advancing menacingly. Spaniards, who usually dominate the European claycourt season on their way to Paris, have been strangely quiet this year with Albert Costa claiming Spain’s only title on their preferred surface. But as Roland Garros moves towards the end of its first week, the Spaniards are once again making waves. Sanchez-Vicario, the seventh seed, defending champion and three-times winner in Paris, was the first player to move into the fourth round today sweeping past Romania’s Irina Spirlea 6-4 6-1. Sixth seed Corretja, who lost in last year’s final to compatriot Carlos Moya, needed a second day and five sets to slip past another countryman Fernando Vicente 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-7 6-2 in a second round match delayed by rain and fading light yesterday. Berasategui, the runner-up in 1994 to yet another Spaniard Sergi Bruguera, brought seventh seed Tim Henman’s unexpected clay run to an agonising end when he rallied from two sets down to beat the Briton 4-6 4-6 6-4 7-5 6-4. In another match carried over from yesterday, Australian third seed Patrick Rafter, battled past French escape artist Nicolas Escude 7-5 6-0 2-6 6-4 to move into the third round. Rafter, the highest remaining men’s seed, had looked to have complete control when he took a two-set lead overnight. But when they returned to a sun-drenched centre court today, Escude, who pulled back from two sets down three times to win matches on the way to the semifinals at the 1998 Australian Open, looked set to pull off another escape act. The 123rd ranked Escude took the third set and kept the pressure on in the fourth, going up a break 4-2 against the twice US Open champion. But in the end it was Rafter who engineered his own escape holding serve and breaking back to regain his grip and take the match. After a nervous opening match and tense second, world number one Martina Hingis moved into the last 16 with a relaxed 6-3 6-4 win over Kveta Hrdlickova. Booed and whistled off centre court on Wednesday after beating Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo in a super-charged contest, Hingis appeared completely at ease as she stepped on to the same court in front of a sparse morning crowd. So relaxed in fact, that the 18-year-old Swiss had trouble getting into the contest, spending far more time than she wanted, 74 minutes, disposing of her 84th ranked Czech opponent. "Three down, four to go," said Hingis, counting wins she needs to claim the one Grand Slam title to elude her. "It was tough match for me but more mentally. " The Czech girls react well to what I’m doing. Most of the time I win, but it’s still tough mentally. It wasn’t my best ever performance but I won." It moved Hingis one step
closer to a much anticipated quarters clash with fifth
seed Venus Williams who slid smoothly into round four
with 6-3 6-1 win over Aussie Alicia Molik. |
Paes, Bhupathi toil to enter 2nd round PARIS, May 28 (PTI) — Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were given a fright before the world number two pair fought back into the game beating their Spanish opponents to enter the second round of the French Open men’s doubles tournament here. The Indian duo, top seeds here, defeated Spaniards Juan Ignacio Carrasco and Jairo Velasco 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a two hour 15 minute battle on the Roland Garros’ red clay. Paes-Bhupathi now meet French pair of J. Lisnard and M. Llodra in their next round match. The first set was an easy affair for the Indians, who displayed some fine volleys and drop shots to shut their opponents. Velasco was broken early on as Paes-Bhupathi took a comfortable 2-0 lead before Paes made it 3-0 holding his serve. Left-handed Carrasco served much better than his partner and produced some excellent volley’s to win his serve. Bhupathi did not have problem in stretching the lead to 4-1 in the next game before winning the set. However, the Spaniards, especially Velasco came back strongly in the second taking a quick 2-0 lead breaking Bhupathi’s serve. The Spaniards appeared to have assumed control of the set by the sixth game, but Paes showed his quick reflexes employing perfect drop shots to level 3-3. But Paes-Bhupathi pair had difficulty in returning the Valesco’s serves, which enabled the Spanish pair to wrest the second set 6-4 from the Indians as Paes lost his serve for the first time. A possibility of rain threatened to mar the start of the deciding third set, but the slight drizzle did not intensify and players continued with the game. Paes smashed two booming aces as the Indians took an early 2-1 lead to firmly establish their control over the tie. Paes-Bhupathi, semifinalists here last year, raced to a 5-2 lead and were on match-point when two weak returns from Paes allowed the Spaniards to come back into the match. The clay court experts broke Bhupathi before holding their own to make it 5-5, making the handful of Indian supporters nervous. Paes hit some exquisite backhand shots in the final two games, for which Carrasco and Velasco had no reply.
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Fazaluddin stuns Srinath MUMBAI, May 28 (PTI) — Third seed Syed Fazaluddin shocked his Davis Cup teammate and top seed Prahlad Srinath 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 6-2 on way to the men’s singles final of the ITF satellite tennis circuit (second leg) here today. Srinath, who won the first leg at Bangalore last week, had to blame himself for the defeat. He had a firm grip over the proceedings when he was serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set after taking the first on tie-break. A couple of over ambitious shots which went wide helped his opponent come back into the match. Full credit should be given to Fazal for keeping his cool in the match which lasted two and a half hours. He rallied magnificently after losing the tie-break at 3-7 to win the next two sets at 7-5, 6-2. Srinath started off rather poorly losing his serve in the very opening game of the first set but broke back in the fourth to level 2-all. Fazal came up with some fine backhand passing shots to break the Karnataka star in the fifth game and then held his own to lead 4-2. Fazal dropped his serve in the 10 game to level the scores 5-5 but faltered in the tie-break to lose it 3-7. In the second set, Srinath had the upper hand after breaking his rival in the second game. However, Fazaluddin's tactics to just hang in there helped him to get crucial breaks in the ninth and 11th games to take the second set at 7-5 and storm back into the match. The decider was just a formality after, Fazal broke his opponent in the second and fourth games. Though Srinath broke back in the fifth, he could not stop the tall and lanky Fazal from winning the set 6-2 with a break in the eight game. Second seeded Artem
Derepasko of Russia, running-up to Srinath at Bangalore,
moved into the final without even taking to the court as
his semi-final opponent and qualifier Mohammad Khaliq of
Pakistan conceded a walk-over due to arm injury. |
Punjab schools sports calendar SANGRUR, May 28 — The Punjab schools football competition (under-16 boys) will start at Mahilpur on August 26, according to the calendar released by the Punjab Education Department. A spokesman for the department said the dates of these tournaments could be changed in view of the National School Games. The sports calendar:
swimming to, diving, water polo (under 11, 14, 17 and 19)
boys and girls at Amritsar from September 7 to 10;
basketball and handball (under 19) boys and girls at
Bathinda from September 7 to 10; judo and table tennis
(under 14, 17 and 19) boys and girls at Jalandhar from
September 7 to 10; kabaddi, kho kho (under 11, 14 and 19)
and archery (under 19) boys and girls at Moga from
September 21 to 24; football and boxing (under 19) at
Malerkotla from September 27 to 30; cricket (under 19),
lawn tennis (under 19) boys and girls at Patiala from
October 5 to 8; athletics (under 14, 17, 19) and fencing
(under 19) boys and girls at Bathinda from October 5 to
8; wrestling (under 11, 14 and 19) and Badminton under
14, 17 and 19) at Sangrur for boys and girls from October
5 to 8; gymnastics (under 14, 17 and 19), softball (under
19) and rhythmic gymnastics (under 11) boys and girls at
Gurdaspur from October 20 to 23; hockey, volleyball for
boys and girls and circle kabaddi (under 19) boys at
Patiala from November 5 to 21; handball (under 17) boys
and girls at Faridkot from November 9 to 12; cricket
(under 16) at Mansa from November 9 to 12; ball badminton
(under 19) boys and girls and football (under 17) boys at
Muktsar from November 15 to 18; handball (under 14) boys
and girls at Nawanshahr from November 26 to 29;
basketball, hockey, volleyball (under 14) boys and girls
at Kapurthala from November 26 to 29; kho kho, handball
and basketball for boys and girls at Ferozepore from
December 1 to 4; volleyball, hockey and kabaddi (under
17) boys and girls at Ropar from December 7 to 10;
football and cricket (under 14) boys at Fatehgarh Sahib
from December 14 to 17. |
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