Australians arrive for World Cup in bouyant mood

LONDON, May 2: Australia’s World Cup cricketers arrived in Britain today in bouyant mood, saying that although South Africa were favourites for the trophy they felt they had a good chance.

I think we are better prepared for this World Cup than the last one and that’s partly to do with having a specialist one-day squad, said captain Steve Waugh.

We’ve been preparing for 18 months and I think the side is starting to come into its own, which is just what you want now you don’t want to be playing your best cricket before the World Cup.

Waugh said South Africa were the most fancied for the tournament starting on May 14, but I hope the star of the show comes from our side. The tournament will be won by the most consistent team and I think we have a good chance.

The Aussies have just finished a controversial one-day series in the West Indies, where games were twice interrupted by crowd invasions.

Waugh has been served with a writ for defamation by the Barbados chief of police, for alleged comments that his team’s safety could not be guaranteed. It’s obviously a bit unsettling, but legally everything is now in the hands of the lawyers so I can’t comment any further, said Waugh.

The Australians drew their series in the Caribbean 3-3 and have just had a week off relaxing in Barbados.

Australia begin their campaign against Scotland on May 16 in Worcester. (REUTERS)

Hrbaty to play Dosedel in final

CZECH REPUBLIC, May 2: Fifth-seeded Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia beat Czech qualifier Michal Tabara 6-1, 7-5 to reach the final of the 475,000 dollar Czech Open.

Hrbaty will play for the title today against Slava Dosedel who overpowered German Puentes of Spain in straight sets 7-5, 6-2.

Hrbaty, Rankee 35th by the ATP tour, quickly established his supremacy over the Czech qualifier, taking the first set in 25 minutes yesterday.

"I had no idea what was happening in the first set. He (Hrbaty) played so fast and served so well," the 19-year old Tabara said.

In the other semifinal, Puentes used dilligent basetine play to lead 4-2, but Dosedel rallied with more aggressive play at the net.

"I worked very hard in the first set, running like crazy," Dosedel said. "I finally won through constant pressure on his backhand."

After Dosedel got his bearings, he routed Puentes in the second set. Dosedel felt confident about playing Hrbaty in the final. (AP)

Rajinder Memorial Tourney
Akhnoor Club registers 99 runs victory over Hammers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 2: Akhnoor Cricket Club bowled out Hammers Cricket Club to register 99 runs victory in the ongoing 2nd Rajinder Memorial Cricket Tournament being played at Parade Ground, here today.

Earlier, Hammers’ Skipper after winning the toss decided to field first. The decision of fielding was considered to be the right one as their opening bowlers managed to clinch some quick wickets.

At the end of the 16 overs, Akhnoor Club was struggling at 82 for the loss of six wickets. But the batsmen had some other plan in their mind and they started hitting the ball here and there to add runs in their total.

Deepak (Jr) and Rakesh added 50 runs for the ninth wicket partnership, which brought the Akhnoor Club to 166 in complete 25 overs. Deepak remained not out at 25, while Rakesh contributed 15.

Rajesh Gupta and Bharat took four and three wickets respectively for Akhnoor Club, while Rajesh Mehta and Rakesh Gupta shared one each.

Chasing the run-rate of over six runs per over, Hammers could score only 67 runs thus losing the match by 99 runs.

Rakesh Gupta was the highest scorer with 13 runs followed by Raj, who made 12 runs, while no other batsmen could enter double digit mark.

Deepak(jr) was the most successful bowler from Akhnoor Club, who clinched valuable five wickets for 19. Whereas, Bindu and Deepak bagged two each.

Later, Deepak was adjudged man of the match for his all-round performance.

In tomorrow’s fixture, KCCC will clash with ICC.

Dangerous Club beat FCC by 22 runs to enter semis

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 2: Dangerous Cricket Club, Shakti Nagar defeated FCC, Talab Tillo by 22 runs to enter the semi-finals of the ongoing day-night cricket tournament being held on the eve of Tri-century celebration of Khalsa Sajana Divas at Munshi Chak, near here today.

Dangerous Club won the toss and elected to bat. They were all out at 95 in 20 overs.

Chasing the target, FCC openers made a good start when they were at 45 without losing any wicket in eight overs. But the tight bowling by Dangerous bowlers stalled the FCC innings at 73 and won the match by 22 runs.

India beat Korea to finish third in Women’s Hockey

CANBERRA, May 2: India chalked out their first win to finish third as they humbled Asian champion South Korea 3-1 in the four Nation Women’s Hockey Tournament here today.

Neha Singh, Pritam Rani and Manjinder Kaur scored a goal each for India.

Earlier striker Alyson Annan scored two goals as host Australia kept their record intact overpowering South Africa 5-3 for a 3rd straight win.

The world and olympic champion Australia finished the tourney with nine points, followed by by South Africa on six, India on three and South Korea ended last without any points. (AP)

Venus Williams wins first clay-court title

HAMBURG, May 2: Venus Williams today captured the first clay-court title of her career by crushing Mary Pierce 6-0, 6-3 in the final of the Betty Barclay Cup.

The third tournament title this year vaulted Williams two places to no. 5 in the WTA tour computer rankings, matching her career best.

"It’s been a great week," Williams said. "I always play well in Germany."

The 18-year-old american used her tremendous power to blast past pierce and subdue the Canadian-born Frenchwoman.

Pierce, who was playing her second final of the year, called for an injury time out after the first five games to treat a sore back.

It didn’t seem to matter. Pierce, who will remain no. 8 in the world, won only nine points in nine games as Williams raced to a 6-0, 6-3 lead in the one-sided match. The first set took only 22 minutes including three for Pierce’s injury timeout.

Pierce, who got a wild card to play here, mounted more of a challenge after winning her first game in the fourth game of the second set.

But Williams didn’t let up, pounding punishing ground strokes and volleying accurately.

Williams let two match points slip away but then ripped a powerful serve that pierce could only hit back long. The match lasted 61 minutes.

Williams picked 80,000-dollars for her fifth career title, while pierce took home 40,000 dollars.

The American never dropped a set in four matches during the week.

She won the Grand Slap Cup in Germnay last year and was in the final of this year’s indoor tournament in Hanover. (AP)

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |