|
|
India
register a HARARE, June 24: India put aside their disappointment in the second test and posted an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their opening match of the Triangular one-day series here today. .......more Waugh
a better test SYDNEY, June 24: Former Indian Master batsman Sunil Gavaskar rates Australia captain Steve Waugh as a better batsman in modern test cricket than India’s Sachin Tendulkar. ...more Thailand
eliminates KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 : Thailand denied India a semifinals berth in the Merdeka Cup today, chalking up a convincing 2-0 win on goals by Manit Noyvach and Nirut Sirasieng. ...more Tendulkar
attributes HARARE, June 24: Sachin Tendulkar, man of the match in India’s emphatic nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a Triangular series match here today, said the win was a result of meticulous. ....more |
|
Yasir, Tejpal guide Atman to 5 wkts win over Coach XI Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 24: A fine knock of 54 runs by Yasir and quick-fire 52 (off 26 balls) from Tejpal guided Atman Cricket Club to five wickets victory over Coach Eleven in the ongoing 2nd Kulbir Singh Memorial...more Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, June 24: Four-day long inter-school competitions of block Bani, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, concluded at the premises of Higher Secondary School, Bani.. ....more Ist Hot Weather Tamar Cup Cricket Cantt Club upsets JCC in pre-quarterfinals Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 24: In a major upset Cantt Cricket Club outplayed star studded Jammu Cricket Club by three runs to reach the quarter-finals of the ongoing Ist Hot Weather Tamar Cup Cricket Tournament being held at M A Stadium, here today......more Sampras hints at retirement bombshell if Wimbledon goes his way once again LONDON, June 24: Pete Sampras opens his title defence at the 12.1-million-dollar Wimbledon Championships tomorrow after dropping a massive hint that he might retire if he lifts an eighth trophy in a fortnight on his beloved grass......more |
 |
|
India register a nine-wicket win HARARE, June 24: India put aside their disappointment in the second test and posted an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their opening match of the Triangular one-day series here today. Captain Saurav Ganguly put Zimbabwe in to bat and the Indian seamers took full advantage of the near-perfect conditions to bowl out the hosts for a paltry 133 in 41.5 overs. And though Ganguly’s love affair with the fielders behind the stumps continued - he edged to wicketkeeper Tetinda Taibu in the first over itself after scoring two - India scored 137 without losing any further wicket. Sachin Tendulkar, who remained unbeaten on 70, and Hemang Badani, not out on 52, played in a relaxed manner and took the Indian total past the hosts’ score, their lowest against India in one-day internationals, in 26.2 overs. This was the second defeat for Zimbabwe in a row after they lost by 27 runs to West Indies yesterday in the opening match of the series. Zimbabwe’s slide started in the very first over when opener Alistair Campbell was caught behind by Samir Dighe off Ashish Nehra, who was included in the one-day squad as an afterthought on account of his brilliant performance in the test series. That started a slide that saw Zimbabwe slump to 39 for five in the 13th over and even the score they were finally able to reach looked quite unattainable. It was mainly due to the efforts of opener Dion Ebrahim and Heath Streak, back as captain after sorting out his problem with the national selectors, who added 38 runs for the sixth wicket, and the 17-year-old Taibu, who played a confident unbeaten knock of 19 coming in as number ten, that helped them reach within a run of their previous low against the Indians. For India, the good work of nehra, who dismissed Campbell with the very second ball of the innings, was continued by every bowler with Ajit Agarkar, who got plenty of movement today, emerging with the best figures of three for 26 from 9.5 overs. Nehra claimed two wickets and so did Zaheer Khan and Ganguly. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was the only Indian bowler to go wicketless. Once again Zimbabwe acutely missed the services of Andy Flower, as in the absence of a solid batsman to play the sheet anchor role, the hosts struggled to build on a partnership. Ganguly had no hesitation in opting to field after winning the toss and his bowlers justified their captain’s decision sending back half the Zimbabwe batting line-up before the first 15 overs were complete. Stuart Carlisle (6), Grant Flower (4), Guy Whittall (7), and Dirk Viljoen (1) made a beeline to the pavilion without making any substantial contribution. Ebrahim, topscorer with 32, remained a mute spectator to the regular fall of wickets as he tried in vain to build a partnership. At 39-5, Zimbabwe were in dire straits and desperately in need for a big stand. That never came, though Streak did put up a semblance of fight with Ebrahim. They lived dangerously, their edges and nicks taking the balls to the most unexpected positions which left the fielders clueless. They even survived a few difficult chances but the important thing from Zimbabwe’s point of view was that the scoreboard was moving. Agarkar, who bowled beautifully today, gave India the vital breakthrough when he had Ebrahim caught by V V S Laxman in the slips in the 24th over with the total on 77. Streak followed him soon, run out by a brilliant pick up and throw by substitute fielder Reetinder Singh Sodhi, after making 16. It looked all over for Zimbabwe but Andy Blignaut and Travis Friend made important contributions of 13 and 11 runs respectively. However, it was Taibu whose little gem of an innings won the hearts of the local crowd. The schoolboy, playing only his second one-day match, hit Ganguly for two fours in an over. The first one was an exquisite cover drive and the second was hit through the gully region off a short and wide ball. He negotiated the yorkers from Zaheer and top-spinners from Harbhajan with an ease that belied his age and experience. Taibu swept Harbhajan for a four and drove him towards long-off for three runs and added 29 runs for the last wicket with Bryan Strang before Agarkar brought the end by dismissing strang off a perfect yorker. The Indians had a start similar to their opponents’ with Ganguly edging the fifth ball of the innings by Streak for a regulation catch to Taibu. However, it was India’s show after that with Tendulkar and Badani offering no chances whatsoever to the Zimbabweans. Realising they had plenty of overs to reach a modest target, both batsmen allowed themselves to settle down before embarking on the big shots. Badani, who was promoted in the batting order because the regular number three V V S Laxman had dislocated his finger while taking a catch in the Zimbabwe innings, started cautiously but gained confidence in the company of Tendulkar. The maestro himself was in complete command displaying some trademark drives and pull shots in his run-a-ball innings. He hit 13 boundaries in all, three of them perfect straight drives off Andy Blignaut. He welcomed Travis Friend with two similarly executed hook shots for boundaries and flicked the last ball of the over down the legside for another four to take 12 runs from the bowler’s first over. Tendulkar reached his fifty with his tenth four off Streak and was simply unstoppable after that. Badani, who struggled with his timing early in his innings, got his touch back and he too played some beautiful cover drives. He hit five fours and a six off Bryan Strang in his 85-ball innings. (PTI) |
|
Waugh a better test batsman than Tendulkar: Gavaskar SYDNEY, June 24: Former Indian Master batsman Sunil Gavaskar rates Australia captain Steve Waugh as a better batsman in modern test cricket than India’s Sachin Tendulkar. Writing a syndicated column in Australian newspapers today, Gavaskar said that Waugh was superior because of his ability to deliver the goods for his team in tight situations. Gavaskar criticised Tendulkar for throwing away his wicket during the second test won by Zimbabwe in Harare last week, when the hosts squared the two-match series with a four-wicket victory. Tendulkar, on 69, carved a widish delivery to point to trigger an India collapse on the fourth day. The tourists slipped from the comfortable platform of 197 for three to 234 all out, leaving Zimbabwe with a modest victory target of 157. "It’s time to listen to the Australians, who rate their captain as the best test batsman in the world for his ability to either win or save matches for his team outside his home environs," Gavaskar wrote. "It was the batting that let the team (India) down. When batsmen who are set, (who) have done all the hard work, throw their wickets away to loose shots, then the team is never going to put enough runs on the board." "Why blame VVS Laxman when the best batsman in the universe (Tendulkar) gets a half-century and then gets out, when a big score from him is the crying need of the team." (REUTERS) |
|
Thailand eliminates India in Merdeka Cup KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 : Thailand denied India a semifinals berth in the Merdeka Cup today, chalking up a convincing 2-0 win on goals by Manit Noyvach and Nirut Sirasieng. Uzbekistan meanwhile posted a second victory in Group B play - building on a 1-0 win over the Thais - and snuffed the Malaysian under-23 side, 2-0, dimming the glow of the Youth Squad’s Cup opening win over India. With the Uzbeks in the semifinals, the Thais and Malaysians will slug it out Tuesday to fill the other slot. The Thais, fielding their under-23 side in a tune-up for the Southeast Asian Games in September, read the Indian game well and came out gunning. In the 17th minute, manit met a cross from Narongchai Vachiraban and put the Thais on the boards. The Indians struggled to fight back but were not deadly enough. Thai goalkeeper Umarin Yaodam saved several long-range shots and Indian Marksman T.M. Vijayan was tightly marked throughout the match. Thailand lengthened the lead in the 71st minute, when Nirut received a pass from Manit, beat his marker and made a solo run to easily chip into the Indian goalmouth. After a scoreless first half, the Uzbeks came alive and piled in goals by andrey Vlasichev in the 62nd minute and Bakhodir Seytkamalov in the 71st minute. (AP) |
|
Tendulkar attributes win to pre-match game-plan HARARE, June 24: Sachin Tendulkar, man of the match in India’s emphatic nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a Triangular series match here today, said the win was a result of meticulous planning and its perfect execution. "We stuck to our task... What we had planned the previous day, we put in practice. We had our basics right today which eventually bore fruit," the batsman, who scored a brilliant unbeaten 70, said. Tendulkar admitted winning the toss was crucial, but said he did not want to "take away the credit from the bowlers" who performed very well. Now that India had started their campaign on a winning note, Tendulkar said, they would look forward to their match with West Indies who were "good competitors". "We would like to produce some good cricket and try and live up to the expectations of the audience," Tendulkar who received a cheque of $20,000 for his efforts, added. Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly, who yet again failed with the bat today while claiming two Zimbabwe wickets, too admitted that winning the toss was vital. (PTI) |
|
Yasir, Tejpal guide Atman to 5 wkts win over Coach XI Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 24: A fine knock of 54 runs by Yasir and quick-fire 52 (off 26 balls) from Tejpal guided Atman Cricket Club to five wickets victory over Coach Eleven in the ongoing 2nd Kulbir Singh Memorial Cricket Tournament being held at Government Model School, Satwari, here today. Earlier, Coach Eleven won the toss and opted to bat first. In the stipulated 20 overs, they made 164 runs, which in reply Atman Club chased in the 19.5 overs losing five wickets. Inderjeet Singh was the top scorer from Coach Eleven with 64 runs off mere 60 balls with one six and seven fours. Ravi and Raman Thaploo contributed 38 (6x2, 4x2) and 29 (off 26 balls, 6x1, 4x2) runs respectively. From Atman Club, Happy and Narinder secured one wicket each. Batting second, Atman Club, with the fine unbeaten knock of 54 runs (1x6, 7x4) from Yasir, achieved the target in the second last ball of the final over with three wickets in hand. Yash and Tejpal contributed 52 off 26 balls and 25 off 18 balls.. Manish from Coach Eleven was the most successful bowler, who claimed three wickets. Later, Yasir was declared as man of the match for his unbeaten 54 runs. In another match of the day, Azad Cricket Club defeated Nagrota Cricket Club by seven wickets. Earlier, Nagrota Club won the toss and batting first set a target of 138 runs for the loss of six wickets which Azad Club chased in 18.3 overs for the loss of three wickets. Jagdish was the main scorer with 40 runs off 29 balls, followed by Surjeet, who made 21 off 15 balls. Mini and Titu claimed two wickets each for Azad Club, while Jaggu and Romy took one each. Batting second, Azad Club chased the required target for the loss of just three wickets in 18.3 overs. Sudhir was the top scorer with 60 runs made with the help of four sixes and an equal number of boundaries, while Dhrub contributed 56 off 33 balls with ten fours. Darshan and Munish took one wicket each for Nagrota Club. Sudhir was declared as man of the match. Tomorrow’s fixture: Cantt Cricket Club V/s Khalsa Club at 7 am. |
|
|
Excelsior Sports Correspondent KATHUA, June 24: Four-day long inter-school competitions of block Bani, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, concluded at the premises of Higher Secondary School, Bani. Mr T R Gupta, Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Bani was the chief guest, who distributed prizes among the winners. In this tournament, 400 students drawn from six High Schools, 12 Middle Schools and a Higher Secondary School of block Bani participated. District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Kathua, B S Sambyal, presided over the concluding function.
Kabaddi boys: Government High School, Bhandar beat Government Higher Secondary School, Bani by 26 points. Kabaddi girls: Government High School, Bhandar beat High School, Sethi by five points. Volleyball boys: Government High School, Dullangal beat High School, Panyalag 2-0. Volleyball girls: Government High School, Panyalag beat Higher Secondary School, Bani. Kho-Kho girls: Dullangal beat High School, Panyalag. Under-14 yrs Kabaddi boys: Middle School, Barmota beat Middle School, Bani. Kabaddi girls: Middle School (boys), Bani defeated Middle School, Bani. Volleyball girls: Middle School, Duggan beat Middle School, Chandal. Kho-Kho girls: Middle School, Bani beat Middle School (boys), Bani. |
|
Ist Hot Weather Tamar Cup Cricket Cantt Club upsets JCC in pre-quarterfinals Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, June 24: In a major upset Cantt Cricket Club outplayed star studded Jammu Cricket Club by three runs to reach the quarter-finals of the ongoing Ist Hot Weather Tamar Cup Cricket Tournament being held at M A Stadium, here today. The JCC, who made a slow start with only three runs on the board in the first five overs, picked up their innings in the middle, but only to be bowled out just close to their target. Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Cantt Cricket Club scored 147 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 25 overs. Parshotam was the man behind Cantt Club’s victory. He scored 59 runs off 66 balls hitting two sixes and four boundaries. Vicky and Rajesh were other batmen with recognised score of 20 and 21 respectively. From JCC, Pauljit Singh took two wickets, while Raj Kumar, Vijay Sharma, Mohsin Iqbal and Jagtar Singh shared one each. Batting second, JCC made a poor start in reply to a required run rate of near six runs per over. At the end of five overs, JCC had just three runs on the board, however, they had saved the wickets. Later the whole side was bowled out for 144 runs in 25 overs. Guru Partap and Suresh Singh played good knocks of 40 and 34 runs respectively. Varinder was another batsman who scored in double figure with 14 runs in his account. From Cantt Club, Rajesh Gupta claimed three wickets for 29 runs in five overs, while Vicky took two for 15. Tony bagged one for 18 in five overs. Tilak Singh and Ashwani were umpires in today’s match, while Ravi Kant was scorer. Tomorrow’s fixture: Rehari Cricket Club V/s Luxmi (Sr) Cricket Club. |
|
Sampras hints at retirement bombshell if Wimbledon goes his way once again LONDON, June 24: Pete Sampras opens his title defence at the 12.1-million-dollar Wimbledon Championships tomorrow after dropping a massive hint that he might retire if he lifts an eighth trophy in a fortnight on his beloved grass. The 29-year-old top seed at the All England Club dropped the potential bombshell during an interview with fellow Grand Slam champion and ex-world number 1 Jim Courier during a pre-event interview for an American television network. Text of the conversation was picked up by a British Sunday newspaper. "I know this is not going to last for ever," said Sampras, who opens the Wimbledon proceedings in the first round against Spaniard Galo Blanco. "It’s about when I feel the time is right to stop, for me, not for anyone else," said the winner of a record 13 Grand Slam singles crowns. "In a perfect scenario, I’d love to play my last match here this year, win and call it a career." But that dream plan could be easily upset by a handful of top rivals like last year’s finalist Patrick Rafter, evergreen Andre Agassi, two years older than Sampras and still a threat at majors, and outsiders like Tim Henman, Australian Lleyton Hewitt and Sweden’s back-to-back grass title winner Thomas Johansson, among others. Sampras, who won a seventh Wimbledon crown last summer while playing in discomfort with Shin Tendinitis and carried along with distasteful pain-killing injections, told Courier: "who knows about the future? I’m keeping everyone guessing, I don’t even know." The American is clearly not the threat that he once was when he reigned for six straight years as number 1. The last time he lifted a trophy was here a year ago after outlasting rafer. "Tennis is a huge part of my life, it’s something I’m very passionate about," said Sampras, who married last autumn after taking a hammering in the final of the U S Open at the hands of rising Russian Marat Safin and staying out of the game for the next three months. "It’s different now from five years ago, when I was consumed about the idea of being number 1. "I’m resigned to the fact that that will never happen again, so I’m seeking the best schedule to give myself a chance in the slams." So far, 2001 has been a disappointment for Sampras. He again lost lost early in the French Open, returned to California and got back to some form on the grass of London at Queen’s Club last week, where he lost a semi-final to Hewitt. "I put a lot of time and energy into the French Open, even more so this year, and Paris was again a disappointment," the American told his former colleague. "Here I am back in London, back on the grass, which I love playing on. Still, it’s hard not to think about this year and how it’s been disappointing. But I know I have the ability to turn it around quickly. I’ve got the game. I’ve got the belief." Sampras has lost only once in his last 54 matches on the lawns of the All England Club, against Richard Krajicek, the 1996 winner. Sampras appears to be far from definite about his future, content to let the most important event in his tennis year dominate his thinking at the moment. "My ego is pretty big. I still want to win matches," he said. "As soon as you get to 30 (in August) the questions start. I get annoyed at being hounded about it so much, but I suppose it’s inevitable." "My body is holding up. I don’t have an exact time in my mind, it could be this year, it could be sometime way ahead. One thing I have in my corner is the way I’m able to serve. And that’s a shot that can win a lot of matches for me on grass." (DPA) |
|
| home | state | national | business | editorial | advertisement | sports |
