Tuesday 15th November, 2011

Police spokesman Capt. Frederick van Wyk said it was suicide but would not give further details on the nature of the death and could not elaborate on reports that Roebuck had been questioned by police at the hotel earlier in the evening. “I can confirm that an incident took place at about 21:15 last night where a 55-year-old British national who worked as an Australian commentator committed suicide,” Van Wyk said. “The circumstances around the death are being investigated and an inquest docket has been opened.” Roebuck, a former opening batsman who cap- tained the famous 1980s Somerset side that included and West Indies great , wrote widely for the Australian press and also worked as a radio commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. India’s Rahul Dravid, right, plays a shot, watched by Educated at Cambridge, Roebuck was known as West Indies wicketkeeper during the an incisive writer and analyst, but also had a reputa- second Test match in Kolkata, India, tion as a complex character and was closely involved Monday, Nov. 14, 2011. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) in the dressing room problems at Somerset that led to the exits of Richards, and, eventually, Botham. Dravid half-century He played 335 first-class matches between 1974-91 and was considered unlucky to never play for takes India to England, although he once captained an England “A” Peter Roebuck team. 212-3 at tea He was named as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1988, but later became more famous as a journal- KOLKATA, India (AP) — Rahul Dravid Peter Roebuck suicide ist and broadcaster. After ending his playing career, completed a fine half-century to help India reach he moved to Australia but also spent much of his 212-3 at tea on Monday’s opening day’s of the time in South Africa. second test against the West Indies at Eden In 2001, Roebuck pleaded guilty at a court in Gardens. England of three charges of common assault involv- Dravid was batting on 62 and V.V.S. Laxman ing three 19-year-old South African men who had was on one at the interval, as India positioned been staying with him. He was given a suspended itself well to push for a series-clinching win. QUESTIONED BY jail sentence of four months for each charge. Australia’s cricket body offered its condolences SCOREBOARD to Roebuck’s family and said it was shocked to hear of his death. India 1st innings “Peter was a familiar face around Australian G. Gambhir c Barath b Edwards 65 POLICE ON SEXUAL cricket who had been with the team only hours V. Sehwag c Barath b Sammy 38 before his sudden death,” Cricket Australia chief R.l Dravid 62 executive James Sutherland said. “He bought partic- S. Tendulkar c Samuels b Bishoo 38 ular insight to his commentary based on his lengthy V.V.S. Laxman not out 1 experience as a first-class cricketer and , and Extras: (4lb, 4nb) 8 HARASSMENT CHARGES combined that with a singular flair for the written TOTAL: (for three ) 212 Overs: 57 CAPE TOWN: Former Somerset captain and He was 55. and spoken word. Fall of wickets: 1-66, 2-149, 3-205 renowned cricket writer and broadcaster Peter The former opening batsman turned journalist is “He spoke his mind frankly and while one didn’t To bat: Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Roebuck committed suicide at a hotel in South believed to have jumped to his death from the sixth necessarily always have to agree, you always Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Africa on Saturday soon after reportedly being ques- floor of his hotel in Cape Town, where he was cover- respected what he had to say.” Sharma, Umesh Yadav tioned by police. ing the Test series between South Africa and Cricket South Africa also offered its condolences : Fidel Edwards 10-0-38-1 (1nb), Darren A report by the Sydney Morning Herald, one of Australia. and said it had lost “a good friend.” Sammy 11-0-59-1, 12-1-38-0 the newspapers Roebuck wrote for, said he had been Police said he was found dead outside his room at Roebuck had been a harsh critic of South (3nb), 5-0-19-0, Devendra questioned at his hotel at about 9.00 on Saturday, by a his hotel, minutes from Newlands cricket ground African cricket during the apartheid era, but had Bishoo 19-0-54-1 uniformed police officer and a detective over an where South Africa beat Australia by eight wickets become one of the country’s “best supporters” Umpires: Rod Tucker, Australia, and Bruce alleged sexual assault. in the first Test on Friday. since, CSA said. Oxenford, Australia The newspaper said Roebuck was in an agitated South African police released a statement on “He was a fiercely independent critic but one TV umpire: S. Ravi, India state and suggested one of the police officers was Sunday confirming Roebuck had taken his own life who always endeavoured to serve the best interests Match referee: Jeff Crowe, New Zealand. still in his room when Roebuck jumped to his death. on Saturday night, while Australia’s cricket body of cricket and he set a new standard for cricket Series: India leads 1-0 Police would not comment on any of those said Roebuck had been with the Australian team just columnists around the world,” CSA chief executive details. hours before his death. Gerald Majola said. “We will all miss his contribu- tion to the game.” (AP) Dravid notched his 62nd half century, strik- ing seven fours off 128 deliveries to tea as he shared in partnerships of 83 for the second Australian team with Gautam Gambhir (65) and of 56 for the third with Sachin Tendulkar (38), who left shaken by Former Springboks flanker remains stuck on 99 international centuries. Tendulkar pulled a short from leg- Roebuck’s spinner straight to Marlon Samuels at mid-wicket after surviving a close death Tyibilika killed lbw appeal against the same bowler when on 25. Australian team members Tendulkar came in to bat in the second ses- BY GERALD IMRAY Tyibilika played eight tests for offered condolences following a sion, after the opening pair of Virender Sehwag South Africa between 2004 and 2006, sombre training session just and Gambhir dominated proceedings to raise CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) scoring a try on debut against hours after the death of cricket expectations of a big total. — The South African Rugby Union Scotland. He also played 16 times in Left-hander Gambhir completed his 17th half- writer Peter Roebuck in Cape expressed shock and dismay at Super rugby for the Durban-based century in 43 games, striking eight fours off 103 Town. reports that former Springboks Sharks, but his rise from a poor town- balls after ensuring a brisk start in the company Roebuck toured regularly flanker Solly Tyibilika had been ship similar to the one he reportedly of the big-hitting Sehwag. with the Australian team and his killed in a bar shooting on Sunday. died in to South Africa’s national Sehwag clobbered West Indies captain standing and knowledge as a It was reported in South Africa team was significant. Darren Sammy for six of his eight fours during commentator on the game was that Tyibilika, 32, was shot and killed “Solly was a trailblazer among a 33-ball 38 but fell to the same bowler when he widely respected by the players in a poor township on the outskirts of black African Springboks and if the was caught by Barath at short mid-wicket. even if they didn’t always agree Cape Town. reports are correct, to lose him so Sehwag, who scored 55 in both innings of the with his strong opinions. A police spokesman confirmed a suddenly and in this brutal manner is previous test, smashed two fours off pace bowler They were clearly shaken by man in his early thirties died after very distressing,” SARU President Sammy’s first over and then three consecutive his death in a fall from his sixth two men entered a bar in Gugulethu, Oregan Hoskins said. “The casual dis- ones later in his innings: over mid-on, through floor hotel room on Saturday on the edges of the city, and “random- regard for life in our society is shock- the covers and through mid-wicket. ing. night. ly shot” at customers on Sunday after- South Africa’s Solly Tyibilika, right, under With Sehwag dominating the bowling, India Captain Michael Clarke, vice- noon. Police would not yet release the “His emergence was a demonstra- pressure from Australia’s Wycliff Palu during raced to the 50-run mark in only 10.2 overs, the captain Shane Watson and for- name of the victim. tion of what can be achieved when their rugby union test in Sydney, in this file opening stand ending with the first delivery mer skipper were Police spokesman Captain talent is combined with opportunity photo dated Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006. It was after the first drinks break. among those to pass on their con- Frederick van Wyk said two other in what is always a very competitive reported in South Africa on Sunday Nov. 13, Gambhir was out to a harmless delivery from dolences to other journalists cov- men were wounded in the shooting position in Springbok rugby. I remem- 2011, that Tyibilika, 32, had been shot and Fidel Edwards, jabbing it to Adrian Barath at ering the current tour of South and cases of murder and attempted ber a very talented player and an killed in a poor township on the outskirts of short cover, giving the fielder his second easy Africa on Sunday. murder had been opened against the immensely likable young man who Cape Town, in what is being reported as a catch of the day. Clarke said he was awoken in suspects, who fled the scene. rose far and fast to become a random act of violence. The final test will be held in Mumbai from the middle of the night to the Springbok early in his career.” (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, file) Nov. 22-26. news and was left shocked. He passed on his wishes to Roebuck’s many media col- leagues, primarily from his long- Top five emerge in vote for CEAT Peoples’ Player of the Year time work for Fairfax newspa- pers and ABC radio. Five of Sri Lanka’s cricketing heroes Tillakaratne Dilshan, colourful slinger scheduled for Tuesday,November 29. book.com/ceatsrilankacricketawards). Watson was ashen-faced as he have emerged as the ‘top scorers’ for the Lasith Malinga, vice captain Angelo Votes can be cast via SMS on five mobile As a special reward from CEAT Sri spoke about Roebuck’s death, 2011 CEAT Peoples’ Player of the Year Mathews and the classy Mahela networks — Dialog, Etisalat, Mobitel, Hutch Lanka, 10 lucky winners drawn from the while young fast bowler Trent award, as votes-based competition intensi- Jayawardene. and Airtel — and by employing the CDMA voters will be presented with tickets to the Copeland was another to express fies, organisers of the contest announced. Voting for the 2011 CEAT Peoples’ Player services of Lanka Bell, Suntel and SLT City CEAT Sri Lanka Cricket awards gala at the sympathy and sorrow. By last morning, more than 9,500 votes of the Year ends on Friday,November 25. Link. Voters should type CEAT (space) Waters Edge at the conclusion of the voting Team batting coach Justin had been cast online and via SMS and five The 100 cricketers on contract with Sri Name of the Cricketer and send to 6797 to period. contenders for the award had emerged. Lanka Cricket (SLC) are eligible to receive participate. Tillakaratne Dilshan won the CEAT Langer described Roebuck as a They were, in random order, the country’s votes for this award, which will be one of Online voting can be done through a Peoples’ Player of the Year award in 2009, “great writer” and a “talent lost.” elegant and eloquent top order batsman the highlights of the third edition of the dedicated website www.ceatsrilankacrick- while in 2010 it was won by Kumar , national captain annual CEAT Sri Lanka Cricket awards etawards.com and via facebook (www.face- Sangakkara. (AAP)

Tuesday 15th November, 2011