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WORLD CUP Fans cheer cricketers as they reach Mumbai Fans cheer
cricketers as they reach Mumbai (Go
To Top) MUMBAI: Hundreds of cricket fans gathered at the international airport on Tuesday to welcome the Indian team despite its defeat in the World Cup final against Australia. Sachin Tendulkar's "Man of the Tournament" award came as a consolation to the team whose performance has improved since the last two years. India lost only two of their games in the World Cup tournament, and in both cases the Kangaroos were the victors. Fans cheered as master blaster Tendulkar, skipper Saurav Ganguly, Virendra Sehwag and others made their way amid the crowd. After facing public flak back home for their tame surrender to Australia and lacklustre performance against minnows Holland in the league stage matches last month, the Indians vastly improved their game as they advanced into the tournament. The squad had raised hopes of a second title by reaching the final for the first time since their 1983 victory, but lost by 125 runs against the defending champions. Ganguly
Confident of Beating Aussies and Lifting the Cup (Go
To Top) DURBAN: Buoyed by the 91-run victory over Kenya on Thursday night, Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly has said his boys were brimming with confidence and roaring to thrash the Aussies in the ICC World Cup final on Sunday. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Ganguly said Australia were not invincible and "India stood a good chance of toppling the defending champions." The "Bengal Tiger", who played a captain's knock by hitting an unbeaten 111 in the semi-final against Kenya, said that like any other team, Australia had some weak points and "India would exploit them to the fullest advantage." Ganguly said if the Indian pace attack succeeds in piercing the Aussies' top order, "it would definetely expose its middle order." Without discounting the theory that Australia was the best team in the world, Ganguly said the present Indian side was in good shape and are equally competitive as the Aussies. He said: "We are the only side to have beaten them before and stopped their winning run in the Tests. Of course we have to play really well to beat them and similarly they need to be at the top of their game to beat us." PCB Probe
Into Allegations of Misconduct Against Pak Players (Go
To Top) KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched a full-scale inquiry into serious allegations of misconduct against four members of the Pakistan team during their stay in Johannesburg in the World Cup. A PCB spokesman confirmed that on the instructions of chairman Tauqir Zia, contacts had been made with the International Cricket Council (ICC), its anti-corruption unit (ACU) and the hotel management where the Pakistan team stayed in Johannesburg. "The contact has been made because we have received disturbing reports from sources that some players had breached a strict tour guideline relating to wives and girlfriends being in the rooms of the players during the tournament', the spokesman said. The Sunday Times has reported that four players entertained female company in the days leading up to Pakistan's opening game against Australia. All four played in the match which Pakistan lost and three are among the best-known names in cricket. The newspaper has reported that according to the ICC register for visitors maintained at the team hotels in the tournament, one cricketer, a bowler, entertained a female guest on each of the two days before the Australia match. On one occasion the register shows that she checked in at 10 pm and checked out at 7.30 am. Another female guest visited a player on six different days. Three of the four players entertained female company on the evening of the defeat by Australia. The spokesman said that the PCB had been informed of the misconduct by the players but had kept quiet during the tournament and no immediate action was then taken because of the seriousness and importance of the tour. "Now, since the tour is over, the board is conducting investigations as to why the same players who had agreed on the decision, breached the agreement." But he stressed that if after the inquiry was completed it was found that the newspaper report was false then legal action would be taken against the newspaper and the concerned reporter. "At the moment the Board believes its players are innocent. But after the inquiry is completed and it is found they are guilty of misconduct then future course of action would be decided." He pointed out that prior to the World Cup five top cricketers, in their meeting with the PCB chairman prior to their departure for South Africa, had agreed that no wives will be allowed during the tour. "Nevertheless, during the tour, it was brought to the knowledge of the board that some of the senior players had brought their wives and the matter was noted with all seriousness." Normally, in Pakistan cricket in such incidents the norm has been to try to push the issue under the carpet and protect the players. But this time the present board, headed by Tauqir Zia, appears to have different thoughts and is intent on taking action against such misconduct. One such example is already being implemented with the decision to ban Shahid Afridi from the Sharjah tournament and fine him 50 per cent of his match fees for sledging against two Indian players and abusing the umpire. PCB Warning
to 'Flop' Players (Go
To Top) ISLAMABAD: Greatly annoyed by the national team's poor show at the onging ICC World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ordered the "flop" cricketers to quit honourably or be ready to be axed. PCB chief Tauqir Zia has said that a team has already been finalised for the three-nation Sharjah tournament. He, however, declined to reveal the details. The PCB statement came after the refusal by senior players, including skipper Waqar Younis, Inzamam Ul Haq, Wasim Akram, Saeed Anwar and Rashid Lahif, to quit after their ouster from the World Cup 2003. In an interview with a Pakistan-based TV channel on Saturday evening, Zia said, "the players are earning a bad name for the country by sticking to their places and they will not be included in the team in future." He added: "They will be given a choice to quit honourably." Commenting on his efforts to select a new team, he said, "producing a new team is a big challenge before me and I enjoy challenges." The PCB chief further said that he would resign only after putting the side on a winning spree once again. Smith Relaces
Pollock as Skipper (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: South Afica captain Shaun Pollock, who was sacked on Saturday night, has been replaced by opening batsman Graeme Smith. Pollock told reporters on Sunday he was sacked not for his team's debacle in the World Cup but because his style of leadership clashed with the curbs imposed on the captain since Hansie Cronje's fall from grace. Pollock felt his sacking did not have much to do with his team's ouster from the World Cup. "I don't think I have been sacked on the back of the World Cup. Over my tenure there has been a bit of criticism about the way I have handled certain issues. "I have been a captain who tried his best to lead from the front but that obviously is not the style of leadership they want," he said. Pollock also said he did not want to relieve captaincy but promised full support to his successor. Imran
Tips India to Dethrone Australia (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has tipped India to win the World Cup and Sachin Tendulkar as the man to deliver the golden goods. "I didn't think any team could challenge Australia at the start of the tournament - they were untouchable. "But after watching India's performances over the past few weeks, I think Saurav Ganguly's team now have a very good chance of winning the final in Johannesburg," Dawn quoted Imran as telling the BBC Urdu service. "The credit has to go to Sachin Tendulkar. His wonderful innings against Pakistan boosted team morale and, in turn, has since sparked a fantastic run of form for the rest of the team." Imran, who led Pakistan to the 1992 world title in Australia, also believes that India have the batting depth to take them to the championship. "Against New Zealand on Friday we saw Mohammad Kaif, who wasn't playing to his full potential, come good when India needed him to. "This is a sign of a world-class team. The Australians will have noted the Indians' strong all-round performances. And I think Ricky Ponting's team are missing the extra edge in the bowling department that Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie would normally give them. " And the way India are playing, they could well fully exploit that come the final." Javed
Miandad to be New Coach (Go
To Top) LAHORE: Former captain Javed Miandad will soon be appointed as coach of the Pakistan cricket team. The decision was taken on Thursday night at a meeting presided over by PCB chairman Tauqir Zia. Former captains Wasim Akram and Moin Khan are the two most powerful candidates for captaincy. Most probably Wasim Akram will be appointed as captain for the Sharjah Cup Tournament beginning April 1, according to sources. The squad for the Sharjah Cup will be announced on March 24. Waqar Younis, Inzamam-ul Haq, Shoaib Akthar, Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi will not be considered for the Sharjah Cup. Imran Nazir, Rana Naveed ul Hassan, Misbahul Haq, Shaoib Malik, Abdur Rauf and Fazl Akbar will be replacing the senior players. Meanwhile, opener Saeed Anwar has deferred his decision to retire from international cricket. "I have consulted my family, friends and religious scholars and on their advice I have decided to continue my international cricket. I have conveyed my decision to the Pakistan Cricket Board," Anwar said in a statement. Former cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has levelled corruption allegations against some senior PCB officials and urged President Pervez Musharraf to overhaul the present set-up. Addressing a press conference, Sarfraz said the Pakistan team had been tasting defeats regularly from the home series against England to the World Cup 2003 and now there was no justification for Tauqir Zia to head the PCB. Sarfraz claimed that he had brought some corruption incidents to the notice of the PCB chairman two years ago but no action had yet been taken. He said the PCB chairman had changed the name of the inquiry committee to review committee which was formed by the board to present its report on the debacle of the Pakistan team in the World Cup 2003. He said that Aaqib Javed, one of the members of the committee, had said that Wasim and Waqar were his favourite bowlers. How could he give his recommendation against them?. He asked why the three foreign coaches of the team, Richard Pybus, Dennis Waight and Daryl Foster, were not asked to appear before the review committee. He suggested that Moin Khan should be named as next captain of the team. Many Changes
in SA Squad for Sharjah Likely (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: Following the World Cup debacle, the South African selectors are all set to announce this weekend a 15-man squad for the upcoming triangular series in Sharjah, beginning April 1, and Bangladesh, starting April 11. Among the changes expected in the side, perhaps the most significant is likely to be the omission of all-rounder Lance Klusener, who had a disastrous World Cup. The 31-year-old has gone on record as saying that he "should've rather gone fishing" than participated in the disaster. This sort of attitude could see him on the selectors' "not-wanted" list, reports News24. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher could be stripped of his vice-captaincy. And while Allan Donald and Jonty Rhodes have retired, Gary Kirsten is still available for Sharjah. Although selection convener Omar Henry has said that talks with the veteran player are "ongoing," the team would certainly require his services at the top of the order. The batting line-up could see the inclusion of 21-year-old left-hander Jacques Rudolph, who has been in impressive form recently, and Neil McKenzie, especially if a new vice-captain is needed. Boeta Dippenaar, who had a solid World Cup against the minnows but made no impact in the crunch games, might not find a place in the team. As far as the bowling is concerned, left-armer Charl Willoughby looks set to finally add to his single ODI cap. Unorthodox left-arm spinner Paul Adams could also sneak his way back into the team. The following players are likely to make it to the squad: Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (capt), Andrew Hall, Robin Peterson, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Willoughby, Monde Zondeki, Charl Langeveldt, Neil McKenzie and Paul Adams. Kenya
Qualify to Take on India in Semi-final (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: Kenya easily entered the World Cup semis, beating Zimbabwe by seven wickets on Wednesday at Bloemfontein. Kenya, who still have to meet the unbeaten defending champions Australia, are the first non-Test nation to advance to the semis where they will meet India in Durban. Zimbabwe were eliminated. For Zimbabwe only Andy Flower came to terms with the slow pitch and accurate bowling, scoring 63 as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 133 off 44.1 overs. It was their lowest total in 15 matches against Kenya, who had never beaten their fellow-Africans. Wake Up
or Go Home, Warns Lanka Coach (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: Sri Lankan team were given a dressing down by their coach Dav Whatmore for the humiliating 183-run defeat by India at the Wanderers on Monday. The 1996 champions have all but bowed out of the tournament after losing their first two Super Six matches against reigning champions Australia and India, reports Dawn. The coach told the boys they themselves were to blame if they had to take an early flight home. Sanath Jayasuriya's men must now not only win by a big margin against Zimbabwe at East London on Saturday, but also hope the results of the other matches go their way. If New Zealand beat India, and Kenya defeat Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka may as well not play their last game. "It's a problem of our own making," said Whatmore, the former Australian Test batsman who guided the Islanders to their World Cup triumph seven years ago. "The boys got themselves into this situation and now they must get themselves out of it. "We've had a talk about it already. We can assist all we can but they know that ultimately you win or you lose by what happens in the middle. "We all take responsibility, but at the end of the day the ones that get the pats on the back or kicks up the bums are the guys in the middle. "They're going to have to really dig deep." Sri Lanka were completely outplayed on Monday as the fired-up Indians posted 292-6 after being surprisingly asked to bat and then shot out their rivals for 109 in just 23 overs. Asked if there were any positives to emerge from the game, Whatmore said: "Winning the toss I suppose." Sri Lanka have blown hot and cold during the last month, defeating New Zealand and the West Indies and forcing South Africa to a tie, while losing unexpectedly to Kenya. Jayasuriya's century against the Kiwis, Marvan Atapattu's strokeful hundred against South Africa or Chaminda Vaas' hat trick against Bangladesh with the first three deliveries of the match have receded to the background. Left-armer Vaas remains the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 18, but has been overshadowed by the dismal performance against the Indians when four of the top five batsmen fell for ducks. There was no respite for Mahela Jayawardene, one of Sri Lanka's premier batsmen, whose wretched form has given him just 16 runs in eight World Cup innings. Jayasuriya was clearly not fit to play after suffering a bruised left forearm and a broken thumb by Brett Lee in the previous match. -ANI |
WORLD CUP
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