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Friday, November 16, 2001, Chandigarh, India
  
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Ganguly, Das to open innings Saurav Ganguly writes
Sangakkara hits century |
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Career-best 112 by Gripper World
Cup: Germany, Brazil qualify Chandigarh’s loss is Punjab’s gain PU qualify for C’wealth
meet Andaman & Nicobar team arrives
Ambala range win weightlifting trophy
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Ganguly, Das to open innings Port Elizabeth, November 15 Captain Sourav Ganguly’s decision to take the bull by its horns and come in as an opener has already generated a lot of interest in both camps. With Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman reluctant to open the innings and Connor Williams, who was flown in for the Test series as a specialist opener, still untested after India’s both first-class fixtures were washed out, Ganguly decided enough was enough and announced his intention to open the innings along with Shiv Sunder Das. “I am not an escapist. Whatever happens out there, I am willing to face,” Ganguly said today. A regular opener in one-dayers, Ganguly has opened the innings just once in his 47 Tests. But he said the need of the hour was to set an example for the team. “Sometimes the captain has to take extra responsibility and lead by example,” Ganguly said. South African coach Graham Ford did not read too much into Ganguly’s decision. “It is an interesting choice... but we still have to get his wicket,” he said. Ford said the Indian captain was a class player and “it doesn’t matter whether he comes at number one or six”. Ganguly’s decision has removed a headache for Dravid, who has never been successful as an opener and flopped in both innings of the first Test. Now that he has been relieved of that burden, Dravid can be expected to play his usual pillar role in the middle order. Laxman too will have to advance beyond the attractive 20s and 30s and make a big score. He has been throwing away his wicket after getting set and such suicidal instincts is doing no good either for him or to the team. Sachin Tendulkar was in ominous touch in that magnificent 155 he produced in the first innings of the Bloemfontein Test to rescue his team from deep trouble. As usual, his performance would be central to India’s prospects in the match. India’s latest star Virendra Sehwag showed tremendous temperament and adaptability in compiling that debut hundred in the first Test. He is in terrific nick and, coming at number six, lends solidity to the middle order. The visitors are all set to include Harbhajan Singh in the side and go into the match with two spinners. The absence of the Punjab off-spinner in the first match was felt acutely as the Indian bowlers were thrashed by the home team. There were indications that Ajit Agarkar may be included in the eleven while both left-arm seamers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan would be left out. After the nine-wicket defeat in the first Test, both coach John Wright and Ganguly had admitted that it was probably a mistake to leave out Agarkar, who had an impressive one-day series, and they look all set to rectify it. Veteran speedster Javagal Srinath took a five-wicket haul in Bloemfontein and also completed 200 wickets in Tests and is a certainty for tomorrow’s match. Teams (from): India: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Shiv Sunder Das, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Virendra Sehwag, Deep Dasgupta, Ajit Agarkar, Ashish Nehra, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. South Africa:
Shaun Pollock (capt), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Boeta Dippenaar, Lance Klusener, Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Jacques Rudolph, Makhaya Ntini and Mornantau Hayward. Umpires: Ian Howell and Russel Tiffin Match Referee:
Mike Denness. PTI |
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Saurav Ganguly writes THE
opening slot has been the talking point in the Indian media as well as here ever since the last Test. As of today, I have decided to do the job myself. Plenty of thought and consideration has made me come to this decision, and unless things change dramatically by tomorrow morning I will come out to bat with Das. Last Test, I was very pleased to play a full-strength side, but freak injuries to Harbhajan and Dighe changed all that. This is why I say things can offen change dramatically on the morning of the match. We have had a good look at the wicket here at Port Elizabath since we came here earlier than scheduled. They have left some grass on the wicket, but the pitch is on the slower side. Fortunately there is plenty of sunshine here, and that means the pitch is getting drier every passing hour. In fact, the nature of the pitch will keep changing till the morning of the match, and we are keeping our bowling options open till the morning of the game. The wicket will seam a little to start with and will take some spin only from late on the third day. Another factor that is supposed to make a big difference here is the strong wind that often changes direction. Harbhajan has recovered from his infection, but is a little short on match practice. However, he has become an integral part of the team contributing with the bat as well. He made valuable contributions with the bat both in Zimbabwe and in our victory at Kandy. We have chosen our twelve by omitting Venkatesh Prasad, Samir Dighe and Zaheer Khan, but the final decision on which bowler to leave out will be taken on Friday morning. Our bad luck with the
whether continued in East London, where incessant rain prevented even a ball being bowled at the Buffalo Park. We could have got some useful practice since the South Africa ‘A’ side was a good one and would have given us a complete workout. To look at the brighter side of things, this gave us a good break from cricket, and all the boys are a lot fresher and more enthusiastic after the lay-off. Some interesting cricket is being played in Australia as well. The Test at Brisbane had been badly affected by rain, but Stephen Fleming’s fantastic declaration set up a nail-biting finish. He showed great leadership qualities. Cricket is played with the aim of winning and not wanting to draw Tests. He set an example of positive cricket and Chris Cairns almost rewarded him with a sensational win. Glenn McGarth eventually had to bowl wide outside the off-stump to stop the Kiwis from romping home. More than McGrath’s lone, it was poor batting from Craig McMillan that robbed the team of a win. If he had just managed a single, Cairns may have taken the Aussie strike bowler to the cleaners. Interestingly, it was Australia’s crisis man Steve Waugh who put his team into a crisis situation by dropping a crucial catch. It shows that everybody makes mistakes on the cricket field, even Steve Waugh. Before I end, there is an interesting statistic that all of us can take heart from, India have won the second Test in their last two three-Test series. We can definitely do the same here if we lift the standard of our game. The South Africans are a strong outfit, but if we could beat the mighty Australians, anything’s possible.
Gameplan |
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No worries except Sachin: Hussain Mumbai, November 15 “People may feel that we have an inexperienced side but I think this can be to our advantage and I have no worries except Sachin Tendulkar”, the English skipper said here, a day after arriving for the 39-day tour. Admitting that the three-Test series would be a big challenge, the Chennai born Hussain said “the returns (from the tour) will be even more greater and satisfying”. “To bowl to guys like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and
V.V.S. Laxman and face bowlers like Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh will be a good education. “Many of us haven’t played these players. We are depending on video analysis to study them,” Hussain said.
PTI |
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Sangakkara hits century Galle, November 15 Sangakkara struck 15 fours in seven hours at the crease as Sri Lanka continued to pile on the runs at the Galle International Stadium in reply to the West Indies first innings of 448. When rain brought an early finish to the third day’s play with 23 overs still remaining to be bowled, Sangakkara was still at the crease on 126 partnered by Russel Arnold on 18. Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene made the most of a slow pitch to share in a record third-wicket stand of 162 either side of lunch. The partnership, the highest for either side in tests between the two countries, surpassed the previous mark of 160 achieved by West Indies openers Sherwin Campbell and Stuart Williams at Antigua in 1996-97. Jayawardene — the more aggressive of the two batsmen — cut, drove and pulled the West Indies bowlers at will and looked to be in sight of his fourth consecutive hundred, but fell just short when he was run out on 99. Scoreboard West Indies (Ist innings): 448 Sri Lanka (Ist innings): (overnight 103-1) Atapattu c Lara b Ramnarine 61 Jayasuriya c McGarrell
b Dillon 25 Sangakkara batting 126 Jayawardene run out 99 Arnold batting 18 Extras: (lb-8, w-2, nb-4) 14 Total:
(for three wickets, 110 overs) 343 Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-146, 3-308. Bowling: Dillon 30-7-83-1, Stuart 20-2-91-0, McGarrell 16-2-47-0, Ramnarine 29-7-75-1, Hooper 14-2-34-0, Samuels 1-0-5-0.
AFP |
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Career-best 112 by Gripper
Chittagong, November 15 Gripper gave Zimbabwe a solid start in their bid to win the two-Test series after bad weather denied the tourists victory in the drawn first Test at Dhaka. Gripper, 25, whose previous best of 60 came on his debut against Australia at Harare two years ago, was involved in a 108-run opening partnership with Dion Ebrahim. Zimbabwe (1st innings) Ebrahim b Mortaz 41 Gripper run out 112 Carlisle lbw b E. Haque 14 Flower c N. Rahman
b E. Haque 33 Flower not out 15 Wishart not out 9 Extras: (b1, lb3, w1, nb7) 12 Total:
(for four wickets) 236 FOW: 1-108 2-145 3-210 4-214 Bowling: M. Mortaz 20-3-67-1, M. Sharif 15-6-38-0, E. Haque 35-12-65-2, N. Rahman 10-1-31-0, M. Ashraful 10-0-31-0.
AFP |
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World Cup: Germany, Brazil qualify London, November 15 As Germany reached its 15th World Cup finals in 15 tries, tiny Slovenia clinched it first-ever berth with a 1-1 draw at Romania, and Turkey will appear for the first time since 1954 after a 5 -0 victory over Austria. Belgium grabbed the fourth spot up for grabs from Euro playoffs yesterday, defeating the Czech Republic 1-0 in Prague to advance 2-0 on aggregate. Belgium will be playing in its sixth straight final. Germany, after a 1-1 draw over the weekend in Ukraine, scored three goals in the first 15 minutes — Michael Ballack, Oliver Neuville and Marko Rehmer — to deny Ukraine its first berth in soccer’s No 1 championship. Ballack scored again in the second half. Ukraine and AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko scored late to save some face. “We were under great pressure,” Ballack said. “Failing to qualify would have been a huge disappointment for the entire nation.” Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn repeated the pressure theme. “It’s a great relief. We exploded today and showed what we are really capable of.” Slovenia, with the deciding goal from Mladen Rudonja in the 57th minute, drew 1-1 against Romania on a rainy night in Bucharest to advance on a 3-2 aggregate. Slovenia won the first leg of the playoff on Saturday at home 2-1. A country of only two million, Slovenia broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991 and reached its first major international tournament when it qualified for the 2000 European Championship. Romania last missed the World Cup finals in 1986. Turkey, which reached its only World Cup final in 1954, smashed Austria 5-0 in Istanbul after winning the first leg in Austria 1-0. Turkey got first-half goals from Yildiray Basturk, Hakan Sukur and Okan Buruk, and two others later from Arif Erdem. Austria had reached two of the last three finals, last missing out in 1994. Belgium, which last missed the World Cup finals in 1978, used Marc Wilmots penalty late to clinch the victory as its traditionally stingy defence stymied the Czechs. SAO LUIS (BRAZIL):
Brazil snapped out of its slump in style, trouncing Venezuela 3-0 in its final World Cup qualifier to earn a berth in soccer’s biggest pageant. Luizao scored a pair of first-half goals and Rivaldo added one last night to help Brazil keep its perfect record intact as the only country to have qualified for every Cup since the first in 1930. Despite its worst qualifying campaign ever, Brazil finished even with Paraguay on 30 points, trailing Argentina and Ecuador. The top four qualify for the Cup, while the fifth-place team, Uruguay, plays Australia for the final spot.
AP |
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Chandigarh’s loss is Punjab’s gain Chandigarh, November 15 Then there were others like Jaspreet Dhaliwal another national shooter, who said it was good that at least Punjab got its first range which was centrally located. Dhaliwal said he did not face any problem while shooting and the temperature was also very conducive to shooting. Sabeeha Dhillon, another prominent international shooter who also began her career at the Sector 25 shooting range, said though she had on indoor range in her own house, even then such a range of was essential. Gurbir Sandhu, the
Arjuna awardee in shooting today said though the time frame set was less, even then
efforts were made in the right direction to complete the ranges so that National Games could be held. Sandhu, also president of the Punjab Rifle Shooting Association, said “the ranges may not hold international events like Commonwealth meets but in any case the national camps and other national shooting meets possible here.” Sandhu said earlier the only place never Chandigarh where trap and skeet events could be organised was at Delhi but now this place will have such events. Sandhu said “we cannot hope to have hundred per cent results every time but depending on the availability of finances and the time frame the best possible had been done . He said it was the only range which Punjab could proudly proclaim to be its own since Phillaur was under police control. Gurbir informed that the range w being built as per International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) norms with meagre budget. He said they were fully prepared to hold the National Games, which include 10 metre for air weapons (both pistol and rifle), 25 metre (pistol) and 50 metre (rifle events) and the trap, skeet events. Raja K.S. Sidhu, secretary-general of the PRSA said the positive attitude of the state government helped in speedy completion of the range for which Rs 60 lakh was sanctioned. |
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PU qualify for C’wealth
meet Chandigarh, November 15 Three other Indian universities have also qualified for the above meet. They are winners of the All-India Inter-University Inter-Zonal Handball Championship Poona University, runners-up Nagpur University and Kerala University. Panjab University were placed third in this meet which concluded at Pune on November 12. Earlier, the Panjab University handball team were declared champions in the North-East Zone Inter-University Handball Championship prior to this meet. In the Pune championship, Panjab University put up an impressive display. According to coach Narinder Singh, Panjab University beat Kerala University 46-33, Rajasthan University 20-15 (conceded) and Pandit Ravi Shankar University 25-8 ( conceded). In the semifinals against Nagpur University, only one point prevented the Chandigarh team from entering the final. The score in regulation time was 30-30 and at the end of extra time it was 35-34. In the fight for the third and fourth positions, Panjab University trounced Kerala University 25-9. “We hope to be among the title contenders at Kuala Lumpur,”
said Narinder Singh exuding confidence. |
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Andaman & Nicobar team arrives Ludhiana, November 15 Mr Abdul Azeem, Chief-de-Mission, Andaman and Nicobar team while talking to The Tribune said that though they were here after a long and gruelling journey and were uncomfortable due to the chilly weather condition in this part of the country, they were quite excited about this sports extravaganza. Some of the members of the team are first timers in the National Games , he added. “This team comprising some international players in its ranks such as Shrimati Sardar and Abha Manjula (canoeing), Suchitra Mandal, Merry Monica Minz and Manjula Rai (rowing) and Cicily (cycling) is expected to fare well in these Games”. After the formal inauguration 28 members of this team would proceed to Chandigarh, the venue of canoeing and kakaying, rowing, Mr Azeem said. More teams are expected to reach Ludhiana this evening. The Organising Committee of National Games has set up a reception centre at the Railway Station to recieve the teams. Meanwhile, rehearsal of the cultural programme to be presented at the opening ceremony of these Games was held today at the Guru Nanak Stadium. Giving details of this 45-minute-long programme prepared for the ceremony, Mr R.T. Jindal and Mr Devinder singh Chhina, convenor and coordinator, respectively, of the cultural and entertainment committee for the National Games, said that event like ‘Haike’ by Punjabi folk singer, Gurmeet Bawa, drum beating, tug of war, gidha, rural orchestra (traditional folk instruments ), mass bhangra by 250 dancers, ‘gatka by Nihangs’, jhumar, acrobatics by bazigars, rythmatic gymanstics by girls and daredevil show by motorcyclists from Punjab Police jawans would be held. International coaches Mr Bansi Kaul, Mr Balbir Singh Sekhon, Ms Sarbjit Kaur Mangat and Ms Sushmita Roy were busy in guiding the artists and students who were taking part in the rehearsals. |
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IPC to be co-sponsors of National Games Chandigarh, November 15 Though search is still on for the major or title sponsors of the Games, the OCNG officials are hopeful of the title sponsorship of Rs 2.5 cr coming through in a day or two. With these two major sponsorships coming in, the fund-starved OCNG, which has been cutting heavily on various areas of the Games may feel comfortable and better with regard to the conduct of all the events smoothly at all 21 venues in five cities. Indo-Petro Chemicals would get 25 per cent of the publicity area at all venues in Jalandhar besides putting up sponsorship gates there. They would also get some space for their hoardings at all other venues in the remaining four cities. The OCNG is still awaiting release of funds from the Finance Department as promised in the approved budget for the conduct of the Games. Some money promised by the Union Ministry of Sports is also expected to be released within this week or early next week. Meanwhile, the Manipur contingent became the first to arrive here. The visiting squad has been accommodated at the Sector 42 sports complex. Without revealing the names of athletes, the ceremonial and protocol committee of the 31st National Games announced today that recipients of Padma Shri in the field of sports would carry the Games torch during its last leg at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, on November 19. Mr R.S. Gill, Chairman of the committee, said for carrying the Olympic flag into the main stadium, former Olympic gold medallists in hockey had been chosen. Releasing details of the Olympic torch, he said that the Games torch would be formally lit at Yadavindra Stadium, Patiala, tomorrow at 7 a.m. in the presence of former international players and olympians. Others expected to grace the occasion would include some ministers, MLAs, officials of the district administration , sportsmen and women and others. The torch will be first taken to NIS swimming pool from where it would travel to polo ground, indoor stadium, rink hall from where it would travel to Rajpura and Zirakpur via bus stand and university. It will be then taken to the Chandigarh Golf Club, Sukhna Lake , Sector 10 tennis stadium and the shooting range at SAS Nagar. The night halt of the torch will be at the PCA Stadium, SAS Nagar. On November 17, the torch will reach Anandpur sahib and the night halt will be at Dasmesh Academy of Martial Arts. On November 18, it will travel to Jalandhar where after touching Guru Gobind Singh Stadium it will reach Burlton Park, Hans Raj Stadium and equestrian ground and indoor complex at PAP Complex. On November 19, the torch will travel to its final destination in Ludhiana where it will first be taken to the PAU hockey ground, cycling velodrome, indoor stadium before reaching Guru Nanak Stadium. Meanwhile, the following players will represent Punjab in judo, Mr T.C. Gupta, President, Punjab Judo Association, announced today: Men — Navjot Chama, Kanwaljit Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Pankaj Sharma, Jaswant Singh, Brij Lal, Devender Yadav and gaganjit Singh; Surinder Singh Sodhi and Harbans Singh will be the coaches while Mr Satpal Rana will be the manager of the men’s team. Women: — Priyanka Sharma, Namrata, Bharti Dogra, Jyotinder, Parvinder Kaur, Jagjit Kaur, Aarti Sharma and Daljit Kaur; Rakesh Singh and Birender Singh will be the coaches of the team while Mr Malkiat Singh Khangura will be the manager. |
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Ambala range win weightlifting trophy Ambala, November 15 The Ambala range team stood first in weightlifting, 200 metres race, hammer throw, discus throw, shot put, rifle/revolver shooting, and orchestra. The team stood second in 100 metres race, 100 x 4 relay race, javelin throw and pole vault. |
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GOVT TO INSTITUTE
HOCKEY AWARD SANTOSH TROPHY JOHL TO LEAD AIR-INDIA WIN DESAILLY INJURY 6 ANGOLANS LEFT TENNIS CELEBRITIES PUNJAB COPS CHAMPS |
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