14 Saturday 8th January, 2011

BY S. RAM MAHESH his guard, settled into his bal- hour and a quarter, asked uncom- Barring a short period after Qualifying School Golf 2011 anced stance, and resumed. fortable questions with his left- lunch when he seemed to lose con- CAPE TOWN: Neither India nor Sehwag batted with greater cir- arm orthodox from both over and centration and aimed rash shots at South Africa deserved to lose this cumspection than common. Only around the . Him not being Steyn and Harris, Gambhir batted Mithun turns pro most even of series; neither did, as on occasion did he attempt to light a big turner of the ball added to with clarity. His scoring strokes the third Test here in Newlands the ‘firecrackers' the difficulty, for the batsmen were were often an extension of his final qualifying stage to earn concluded in a draw on Thursday. thought he might. forced to delay their decision to defence, bat held soft and straight full cards. Four days of animated , He left as just as the hour was play or pad the ball away till the till contact before a turn of the Perera missed the top spot where the momentum swung less about to be marked, a speeding, last possible instant. wrists or a punch of the arms by one stroke when abruptly than at Durban, but no length ball from Morkel accosting The odd ripped and timed and placed the ball. Australia’s Blair Wilson less dramatically, had reduced the a defensive stroke even as it was bounced from the rough, main- Steyn ended Gambhir's four- carded a final round par 72. Test to this: India had a day to bat forming to take the edge to first taining the air of uncertainty. and-a-half-hour vigil, a bouncer Mithun was ahead of Wilson out, 340 to chase if it could man- slip. Harris should have had Dravid from around the wicket grazing by 4 strokes going into the Sehwag's wicket, which com- ‘lbw': one that hurried on with the the glove en route to the ‘keeper. 3rd round. age the brio; South Africa had ten pleted a lean series for the opener, arm from around the wicket beat This left India in the capable, However, his 75 to to take on a ground where Wilson’s 68 was too much of the last such endeavour, against a turnaround to catch up on England, had ended in heartbreak. the final day despite carding India, by choosing not to hazard a 2 under which was the best even a token attempt at the chase, score for the day.Wilson held allowed South Africa to encircle his nerve despite a shaky its batsmen in ring fields for much start with a double bogey on of the fifth day. But and Dravid the 2nd and a bogey on the Gambhir (64) and Rahul Dravid 9th which was compensated (31) resisted the push for wickets, by bogies on the 5th, 11th Mithun Perera and 15th to end the day even making easier the lives of those who followed as India held on to ’s best amateur par and total 285 to Mithun’s draw its first series (1-1) in South golfer Mithun Perera was 286. runner-up in the Qualifying Rashid Khan of India, Africa. take India to a draw School for the 2011 Aircel who was joint leader after Professional Golf Tour India round 3, faltered badly with Crucial hour (PGTI) Season and was a double bogey at the 15th to The first hour was crucial — brought together two of India's the cut-stroke, hitting pad first; it reassuring hands of Tendulkar among 39 players from the slip into 3rd place. the new ball a pivot on which the best at time. For two and a was a difficult decision because and V.V.S. Laxman, who, despite contest could turn. and half hours, punctuated by the bat and pad were close together, the odd moment that spiked the Morne Morkel began like they've break for lunch, Gambhir and and the ruled in the bats- heart-rate, guided the side to safe- been known to, Steyn swinging the Dravid did just that: they batted man's favour. ty, batting 82 minutes together Air Force chief pays tribute to ball and moving it off the seam at time, rationing their concentra- But South Africa didn't have before the match was stopped. fast-medium speed, Morkel raising tion, switching on, applying their long to despair. Dravid fell shortly South Africa's Jacques Kallis Asanka and Pubudu it from a length at high pace. organised techniques to the ball at thereafter, caught at wide third was adjudged the Man of the Steyn beat Sehwag in the first hand, switching off, and then slip off a delivery from Tsotsobe Match as well as the Man of the Air Chief Marshal Roshan and Pubudu received a hand- over; Morkel hit Gambhir in the doing it all over again. that kicked and moved. Series. Gunathilaka honoured on some sum of Rs.100,000 each. second. The luck that is essential for Gambhir and Tendulkar played (The Hindu) Monday (Jan. 3) Asanka Speaking to ‘The Island’, survival on a wearing fifth-day out an anxious period to tea. Pradeep and Pubudu Squadron leader and media Gambhir needed a canteen of wicket was also with them. Gambhir was reprieved on 62 Ekanayake of Sri Lanka Air spokesman for the Sri Lanka ice to press to his left arm, a limb Brief scores: already battered by a rapid ball in Lonwabo Tsotsobe defeated both when A.B. de Villiers failed to hold Force by elevating their Volleyball Federation (SLVF), South Africa 362 (Kallis 161, Amla the match. But it only seemed to batsmen's edges — his a sharp catch at silly-point, the ranks from Corporal to Padman D. Costa, said that 59, Sreesanth 5-114) and 341 Sergeant as a tribute to both Air Chief Marshal sharpen the left-hander's focus. from left-arm around when he leading edge off Harris travelling spikers who won bronze Gunathilaka should be com- Pain brings to life the senses bet- straightened the ball was particu- too quickly for him. (Kallis 109*, Boucher 55, medals in the AVC Xianning mented on his meritorious ter than anything else, which is larly impressive — and Steyn De Villiers, this time at back- Harbhajan 7-120) drew with Asian Beach Volleyball conduct that not only help why the injured batsman is always nearly had Gambhir edging a ward short-leg, put down another India 364 (Tendulkar 146, Gambhir Championship, which was volleyball but also all other feared, especially if his movement drive onto his stumps from a ball tough one; it wasn't clear if 93, Steyn 5-75) and 166 for 3 held in October, 2010, in sports at Sri Lanka Air Force. isn't unduly affected. Gambhir, that burst through the top surface. Tendulkar had touched it — (Gambhir 64) China. who lives for such days, marked Paul Harris, introduced after an Harris' anguish suggested he had. In addition, both Asanka (MP)

Pakistan took four wickets in the middle ses- BY DOUG FERGUSON with everything going on - trying to magazine. "But we have decided it's sion. work on his swing and other now time for a break. I wish my McCullum hit an delivery to KAPALUA, Hawaii (AP) - Tiger things." friends at Golf Digest continued at backward point to trigger a suc- Woods has one less endorsement The announcement comes two success." cession of wickets. deal, ending his 13-year relation- weeks after Gillette said it would top-edged an attempted cut off ship with golf's biggest magazine not renew its contract, which Rehman to wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal, and when they couldn't agree on how expired at the end of 2010. That was unluckily out lbw when a many hours he should devote to the brings to five the number of Guptill drive was flicked onto the stumps by job. endorsements Woods has lost since he was caught in extramarital bowler with Ryder out of his Golf Digest, with a circulation affairs. The other three are crease at the non-striker's end. of 1.65 million, announced Thursday the mutual end of a rela- Accenture, AT&T and Gatorade. Guptill made a laborious 50 - his fifth in tionship that began at the 1997 Golf Digest put his column on tests - facing 164 balls before he fell in the final Masters. He made his debut in the hold last February while Woods over before tea, hitting a full toss straight to magazine in June that year, and the took time off to sort out his person- cover. endorsement had been his second- al life, resuming the column in The home team sank into further strife longest, behind Nike. September. soon after the break when Young missed an "We appreciate the insights Woods' last column will be in attempted sweep shot and was out lbw. Tiger has provided to our readers," the February issue, an indication also fell lbw, missing a Jerry Tarde, chairman and editor- that both sides had been negotiat- full-pitched delivery from Tanvir Ahmed when in-chief of the publication, said in ing a new deal. playing across the line. a statement. Woods' articles mainly Other playing Young is the 250th test player for New were instructional tips. Zealand, setting the mark in his 100th first- Golf Digest never class match. disclosed terms of the Youngsters Southee and Williamson stuck deal, although it was together for 25 overs to give the some believed to be among the substance. smallest financially for Williamson, who scored a century on Woods - no more than $2 debut against India in November, was watch- 260-7 in

1st Test vs. million a year. The value came editors at Golf from exposure, along with some Digest include HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) - A half-cen- SCOREBOARD content provided for Woods' web- Arnold Palmer, tury by tailender Tim Southee boosted New site. Jack Nicklaus Zealand to 260-7 at stumps on Friday's first day New Zealand, 1st Innings "The reality is his deal was up and Phil of the first test against Pakistan, putting the Tim McIntosh c Younis b Tanvir 5 at the end of the year," said Mark Mickelson. "I enjoyed my match back on an even keel. Brendon McCullum c Azhar Ali b Gul 56 Steinberg, his agent at IMG. relationship with Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman took three c Misbah b Rehman 50 "Because we're living in this digital Golf Digest," Woods wickets to help reduce New Zealand to 177-7 Ross Taylor c Akmal b Rehman 6 world, they needed more time from said in a statement after sending the home team in on Friday, but Jesse Ryder out 22 him. He wasn't ready to commit to Tiger Woods released by the Southee (56 ) and (44 Kane Williamson not out 44 any additional time at this point not out) then combined for an unbeaten 83-run Reece Young lbw b Rehman 14 stand. Daniel Vettori lbw b Tanvir 0 Rehman received a call-up to play his fifth Tim Southee not out 56 test in the absence of regular spinner Saeed Extras: (6lb, 1nb) 7 Premier Tier ‘B’ semis Premier Limited-over Tier ‘A’ Semi Ajmal who returned home after the death of TOTAL: (for seven wickets) 260 his father. Overs: 90. When Pakistan captain Misbah ul-Haq won Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-92, 3-99, 4-135, 5-158, Moors Warnapura guides Colts to final the toss and chose to bowl, it was in the expec- 6-176, 7-177. BY ROSHEN STEELMAN three wickets including two in the tation that the three-pronged pace attack Still to bat: , Brent Arnel. enter final very first over of the innings, became would find early swing in humid conditions, Bowling: Umar Gul 20-3-78-1, Tanvir Ahmed Right-hand bat Sameen Chasing a low score, Clots Cricket the best performer for the Chilaw but instead it was Rehman who profited on a 15-2-54-2, Wahab Riaz 17-4-47-0 (1nb), Kandanearachchi scored a fifty Club made their life difficult losing Marians apart from Mahela Udawatte bare, mostly placid pitch. He dismissed Martin 6-1-20-0, Abdur Rehman 30-13- and right-arm bowler Anil half of their side just for 55 runs but who made 40. Guptill (50), Ross Taylor (6) and debuting wick- 51-3, 2-1-4-0. Rideegammanagedera picked up number four bat Malinda Warnapura, Colts displayed their strength restricting the inform etkeeper Reece Young (14) to finish the day Umpires: Daryl Harper and Rod Tucker, four wickets for Moors Sports playing a lone hand, made sure that Chilaw Marians batting line-up to a Australia. Club as they reached final beat- Colts secured a spot in the final of the with 3-51. Premier Limited-over Tier ‘A’ low score. Chilaw, who chose to bat TV umpire: Gary Baxter, New Zealand. ing Sri Lanka Army Sports Club Brendon McCullum gave the New Zealand by 23 runs in the semi-final of Tournament when they recorded a first, lost wickets at regular intervals innings early impetus, scoring 56 from 77 balls Match referee: Roshan Mahanama, Sri the Premier Limited-over Tier four-wicket victory over Chilaw before totaling a modest 147. though his opening partner, Tim McIntosh, Lanka. ‘B’ played at Colts Cricket Marians CC in the rain-affected semi- , , was out for 1 in only the second over of the Grounds, yesterday. final played under lights at the R. Warnapura, Dilruwan Perera and day, caught by second slip Younis Khan off Moors SC, put into bat first, Pramadasa Grounds in Colombo, yes- Sanjeewa Weerakoon performed well ful but stylish, halting the decline of the scored 256 runs for the loss of terday. for Colts picking up two wickets Tanvir Ahmed. each. innings while also playing some superb drives eight wickets and in reply, SL Chilaw Marians, batting first, were McCullum survived two confident appeals Army were bundled out for 233. bundled out for 147 runs and, in reply, for catches behind the wicket. Replays showed off the back foot. Brief Scores: Colts reached the target for a loss of Brief Scores: he might have feathered an edge flashing at a Southee gave him vital support, hitting Moors SC 256 for 8 wkts in 50 six wickets with six overs to spare. Chilaw Marians CC 147 all out in wide delivery from Umar Gul and gloved an eight fours in his accomplished half century - overs (Sameen Wanrnapura, who scored a fine 47.3 overs (Mahela Udawatte 40, attempted hook off Wahab Riaz. the third by a New Zealander on the first day. Kandanearachchi 50, half century inclusive of four fours, Milinada Siriwardena 17; Thisara Chaturanga de Silva 40, Amila Perera 2/10, Chaminda Vaas 2/14, Australian umpire Rod Tucker adjudged Pakistan failed to capitalize on a strong played the key role for Colts. On his Jayasinghe 34; Janaka Sampath Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/20, Dilruwan position, bowling and fielding lethargically way to posting the highest individual McCullum not out on both occasions and he 2/35, Ravindra Palleguruge 2/33) score of the match, Warnapura Perera 2/24, Malinda Warnapura was reprieved because the umpire review sys- after taking the second new ball in the 82nd SL Army SC 233 all out 48.2 shared a vital 37-run partnership 2/25) tem is not being used in this series. over. Tanvir, who shared the new ball with overs (Manjula de Zoysa 68, with Roshen Silva and added another Colts CC 151/6 (Malinda By lunch New Zealand was 78-1 and Gul, looked tired and bowled below his usual Chandima Prasad 63, Dilan unbeaten 52 runs with all-rounder Warnapura 56 n.o., Thisara Perera 35 Misbah's decision to bowl first seemed mistak- pace as Pakistan failed to press on from a Soysa 33; Anil Thisara Perera which turned out to n.o. , 21, Roshen Rideegammanagedera 4/37). Silva 20, Gayan Wijekoon 3/18, en. But Rehman made his presence felt as dominant position. be the turning point of the game. (RS) Gayan Wijekoon, who picked up Shaminda Eranga 1/23).