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SPORT SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA New Delhi, January 12, 2003 19 BRIEFLY Same old tail: India almost lose their head SPORT AFP Reuters By Ahmed Abbas Rizvi TIMES NEWS NETWORK SCOREBOARD Auckland: If you ever won- New Zealand: dered what the Japanese S Fleming c Dravid b Nehra 14 Kamikaze pilots were like, M Sinclair b Srinath 18 C Harris lbw b Agarkar 0 watch a rerun of Saturday’s C Cairns b Srinath 13 One-day International S Styris c Bangar b Ganguly 42 between India and New Zealand L Vincent 53 at the here. The eras B McCullum run out 0 K Mills c Dravid b Srinath 0 are different and the two per- A Adams b Zaheer 2 formed on different spheres, D Tuffey run out 1 but the intentions of the Indian S Bond not out 31 Extras: (b 4, lb 11, nb 8, w 2) 25 batsmen and the Japaese were Total: (For 9 wkts, in 50 overs) 199 identical: suicidal. Fall of : 1-26, 2-28, 3-47, 4-50, 5- And no, it can’t be called 130, 6-131, 7-134, 8-144, 9-147. hara-kiri, for that was a ritual : Srinath 10-2-13-3, Zaheer 10-0- 53-1, Nehra 10-1-31-1, Agarkar 8-0-34-1, to avoid disgrace; the Indians Bangar 4-0-22-0, Ganguly 8-2-31-1. were instead dying to embrace India: disgrace. It’s just fate, and S Ganguly c McCullum b Adams 23 V Sehwag c Fleming b Mills 112 Virender Sehwag’s virtuosity, R Dravid lbw b Styris 21 that defeated their efforts and S Tendulkar c McCullum b Tuffey 1 Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Y Singh c Fleming b Harris 8 Garnett reacts to a foul call during their M Kaif b Adams 7 NBA game against the Sacramento S Bangar lbw b Adams 1 A Agarkar run out 0 Kings at the Target Centre in Z Khan run out 1 Minneapolis on Friday. Minnesota won J Srinath not out 0 115-109 in overtime. A Nehra not out 1 Extras: (lb 4, nb 9, w 12) 25 Maldives thrash Bhutan: A brilliant Total: (For 9 wkts, in 49.5 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-70, 2-142, 3-159, 4-182, hat-trick by Ali Shiham helped Maldives 5-187, 6-194, 7-194, 8-197, 9-198. trounce newcomer Bhutan 6-0 in the Bowling: Tuffey 10-0-46-1, Bond 6-1-20-0, South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Adams 9.5-0-41-3, Mills 10-1-43-1, Styris 10-1-40-1, Harris 3-0-6-1. soccer championship in Dhaka on Satur- New Zealand’s is airborne as he is run out by Rahul Dravid at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday. India won by one . day. Host Bangladesh defeated Nepal 1-0 in the second match.Maldives dominated taking India to victory single- batsmen had struggled against Styris, which brought to an end with four goals in the first half of the match handedly, and he actually did. some disciplined Indian bowl- a defiant 80-run fifth wicket at Bangabandhu National Stadium. The The second highest contributor ing, led once again by the many- partnership. Viru da jawaab nahin Bhutanese, playing their first international to the Indian score was Mr Ex- medalled Karnataka speedster Srinath finished with an im- match, were helpless against the Maldives India emerged victorious by tras at 25. The end did no justice Javagal Srinath. Even the slog pressive analysis of 10-2-13-3 — MAN OF THE MATCH If there is one Indian who attacks, led by striker Ali Umar. PTI one wicket and a ball to spare. to Sehwag’s majestic effort. overs didn’t prove too produc- the most economical effort by has redeemed himself in the It was the most thrilling Rarely do you see such mag- tive for the Black Caps as they an Indian against the Kiwis and one-dayers against the Kiwis, it’s Virender Sehwag. The Kerala on top: In Shimoga, three new match of the tour, bizarre nificent, nah contemptuous, crawled from 132 for six at the the 10th against any country. It dashing opener hit his second century of the series in Auck- national records were set in hepthathlon, though. Chasing 200 for victory, land to ensure that India made the scoreline respectable at 2- javelin and penthlon events on the final batsmanship as the 21,000-week- end of the 40th over to 147 for wasn’t surprising because he Sehwag with a masterful 112 day of the 18th National junior athletics end crowd witnessed on Satur- nine in 46.4 overs. has been the one constant Indi- 4 with one to go. Batting was by no means easy on the Eden and an opening partnership of meet on Saturday today with Kerala win- day as Sehwag blasted away to But Bond’s career-best, un- an success story on this tour, Park track and was breathing fire from the word ning the team championship with a haul 70 with Sourav Ganguly,had set his fifth One-day International beaten 15-ball 31 — and his 52- having taken 16 of the 43 New go. Sehwag who has shown definite signs of maturing on this of 56 medals, including 20 gold. Hosts the stage for an emphatic win. century and the third against run partnership for the last Zealand wickets to fall in the six difficult tour, not only weathered the early storm, but also Karnataka took the third spot in the medal When Sehwag departed, the Kiwis. His 139-ball knock of wicket with off One-day Internationals of this kept the scoreboard moving in typical fashion. The unique tally with 28 medals, behind Tamil Nadu fourth out, the Indians needed 112 was a kaleidoscope of bril- just 3.2 overs — took the Black series — the highest thus far on aspect of his innings on Saturday was the amount of runs he just 18 runs from seven overs. It who bagged 50. (PTI) liant, blazing strokeplay — the Caps score zooming to 199. either side with Daryl Tuffey accumulated behind the wicket on the off-side with trade- seemed that the one over that bat sashaying down in an arc The Kiwis scored 48 runs second at nine wickets. His mark slashes over the slips and ferocious cuts towards the Enev wins title: Fifth seed Todor Enev the Indians were docked for and ruthlessly dismissing the from the last three overs of combined bowling figures read point region. When he was dismissed for a brilliant 112, India of Bulgaria won the ITF men’s futures ten- slow over-rate wouldn’t matter ball from its presence. And the their innings and 37 from the 57.4-8-173-16 — that means a were only 17 runs adrift of the target which was achieved de- nis tournament in Lucknow with an upset at all. But the notorious Indian three maximums he hit — each last two as Bond hauled Sourav wicket every 21.62 balls at an av- spite a late-order collapse. It was clear that for India Sehwag straight-set victory over third seed Satoshi witlessness came to the fore and one of them high into the Ganguly high into the stands erage of 10.81. was the difference between victory and defeat. Iwabuchi of Japan on Saturday. Enev they lost the next five wickets stands — were cruel excesses of twice in the penultimate over, The other success story for dominated proceedings right from the for just 16 runs. And Shane his mastery. and then he and Vincent took a the Indians has been Sehwag. word go for a 6-2 6-2 win. PTI Bond wasn’t even there to bowl! Aside Sehwag, the only other maximum each off Zaheer in He has scored two centuries and The wickets just fell inexpli- batsman to make an impact the final over which was worth 295 runs in this series when BETTING METER cably in a heap and defeat was, rather surprisingly, Shane 19. most batsmen have looked TENNIS loomed large. But last man Bond. His fearsome reputation Ganguly,whose strike-rate in weepy and apologetic. All the Ashish Nehra pulled the penul- Australian Open with the ball walks before him, limited overs cricket (42.2) is as other Indian batsmen combined Hewitt 5/2 timate to the ropes for but few, if any, had any inkling good as Harbhajan’s (41.2), fin- have scored 631 runs. Sehwag Agassi 5/1 victory and saved India from of how frightening his willow ished with one for 31 from eight also leads the run aggregates Safin 10/1 disgrace. could be. overs. But he had much impres- for the One-day series by far Sehwag is off side king Srichaphan 16/1 Who would have envisioned It was probably just a sive figures earlier with just with second at such an end when Sehwag was as per ladbrokes.com slugfest, but even then it was eight runs from his first five 143 runs. Third man at the crease? He seemed to be impressive. For all the Kiwis overs and the scalp of Scott On to Hamilton now. Fine leg 39 runs 5 runs

Point Square leg On Side On I played my natural 10 runs Side On India will participate despite row: Dalmiya 7 runs Off Side Off Cover Mid wicket game, says Sehwag TIMES NEWS NETWORK out the vexed issue. that they can persuade their in- stated by the IDI (the marketing 20 runs 12 runs Kolkata: BCCI president Jagmo- Addressing a press conference dividual sponsors not to adver- arm of the ICC). TIMES NEWS NETWORK han Dalmiya a day after the Indian players tise their products with them Reacting to the possibility of Mid off Mid on agreed to sign the PNA condi- (the players) as models only for the controversy being settled by 14 runs 5 runs Auckland: Virender Sehwag, who scored a put a most un- likely item on tionally,Dalmiya said: “The Play- the duration of the World Cup arbitration in the CAS in Luz- blazing 112 at the Eden Park on Saturday for his wishlist to er Terms were modified twice by (47 days) and not 30 days before zane and not through third par- India, said he was delighted with his effort as * Sehwag c Fleming b Mills 112 solve the con- ICC on December 23 and January and five days after their exit ty mediation, the BCCI presi- it had helped India win the match. ‘‘I am very tract tangle on 6, but none of the amendments from the tournament (for final- dent said: “ We are ready for it. happy because this time India won the Saturday. He removed our ists, it’s 20 The time has come to test the le- TURNING POINT match,’’ said the beaming Man of the Match, said that the concerns days after gality of the clauses.” who was disappointed at Napier’s despite CONTRACT ROW irender Sehwag was the difference between the Blues and ICC should di- about the ef- the meet). The BCCI had taken the first scoring 108 because India had lost the match. the Blacks. He gave the strong NRI presence at the Eden vorce commerce from cricket fects of the restrictive clauses. Similarly, the BCCI has step towards resolution of the V Asked about his gameplan for the match, Park some more reasons to be proud of the dual citizenship. and deal with both issues sepa- We sent the PNA to our players in backed the players’ condition dispute by adopting Clause Sehwag said: ‘‘I decided to play my natural But if the Black Caps had not missed two chances to run him rately. Stating that the Indian New Zealand and agreed to con- that the imaging clause (giving 31.4C of the PNA, seeking non- game and go for my shots, because the ball out when he was miles out of the non-striking crease early in team “will participate” in the ditionally sign the PNA”. official sponsors the right to use binding mediation. However, was doing a little and if I had decided to de- his innings, it could have been another story, another ending. World Cup irrespective of the He said that there were reser- images of any participating Dalmiya said that if the ICC fend, I could have nicked one.’’ Besides, the Najafgarh Bradman also had the luck going his outcome of the contracts contro- vations on both endorsements player for tournament-related wanted to speed up the process Sehwag virtually won the match on his way when some away-going balls missed the edge of his bat. versy,he would seek the arbitra- and the imaging issues. The promotion) be restricted to two by going in for arbirtation, the own for India, as the second-best contribu- However, it indeed was a special effort from him. tion route “if necessary” to sort players have already mentioned months and not three months as BCCI would agree. tion by an Indian batsman was Sourav Gan- guly’s 23. The Indian skipper Sourav Gangu- ly too was delighted with the win, their sec- ond in consecutive matches after a losing Englishmen succumb to their nerves streak of five One-dayers. ‘‘It’s good to get Hobart: Australia snatched a sev- tum was lost as spinner Brad Hogg back strain after bowling seven back to winning ways, he said, blaming the en-run win in a cliff-hanging One- took three wickets. overs for 31 runs. There was no im- tosses, which he won on Saturday,for defeats. day International against England In the final overs, Nass- mediate indication of the serious- ‘‘I kept losing important tosses, which made here on Saturday after the tourists er Hussain still threatened to hit ness of the condition. “I knew if a big difference in the series. I believe the toss squandered a magnificent open- England to victory. But medium- we could get a couple of wickets contributes about 10 per cent to the fate of the ing partnership. pacer Watson conceded only four we could put pressure on their match and that is a lot in One-dayers.’’ In a hectic finish, young all- runs while taking the wicket of new batsmen and turn this thing But Ganguly accepted that the Indians rounder Shane Watson held his Alec Stewart in the 48th over. around,” said a relieved Aus- should have won the match comfortably. nerve and helped restrict England Then, in the final over, he clean- tralian captain Ricky Ponting. Asked if the Indians had choked, Ganguly to 264 for seven wickets from their bowled Hussain for 43 to assure A crestfallen Hussain said it disagreed. ‘‘It’s not that we haven’t been in 50 overs as they attempted to pass victory. Australia were hampered was a disappointing but said they this situation.’’ Australia’s 271 for four wickets. by the loss of spearhead Glenn Mc- had not been outplayed and had He also defended Mohd Kaif, who was dis- Australia’s total was built on an Grath, who left the field with a produced some good cricket. AFP missed in the last over, attempting an ambi- unbeaten 101 by man of the match tious pull. ‘‘It happens. He is a young fella and Damien Martyn. He was helped by SCORE BOARD it was a pressure game,’’ said Ganguly. Michael Bevan’s 52 and Jimmy Australia: A Gilchrist lbw b Anderson 2, M Hayden tyn 82, N Knight b Bichel 85, I Blackwell c Gilchrist ‘‘I just thought he left it too late. If he had Maher’s 49 not out. c & b Harmison 21, R Ponting c Stewart b Ander- b Hogg 12, N Hussain b Watson 43, O Shah c to take a chance, he should have taken Harris The Australian total looked in- son 15, D Martyn not out 101, M Bevan b Black- Ponting b Hogg 8, P Collingwood c Maher b Hogg on.’’ The skipper was also happy with his adequate as England openers Mar- well 52, J Maher not out 49; Extras: (lb-9, w-22) 1, A Stewart c Martyn b Watson 16, R Irani not out 31; Total: (For 4 wkts, in 50 overs) 271 3,A Caddick not out 2; Extras: (b-2, lb-2, w-2, nb- own batting. ‘‘I thought today was the best I cus Trescothick (82) and Nick Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-25, 3-53, 4-171; Bowl- 6) 12; Total: (For 7 wkts, in 50 overs) 264 batted in the series,’’ he said. Knight (85) put on 165 runs to give ing: Caddick 10-0-54-0, Anderson 10-1-40-2, Fall of wickets: 1-165, 2-189, 3-193, 4-209, 5- ‘‘I was hitting the ball well. It’s going to England a marvellous platform. Harmison 8-0-58-1, Irani 9-0-55-0, Collingwood 211, 6-252, 7-262; Bowling: McGrath 7-1-31-0, come. I’ve been around for eight years with But as soon they were parted, 3-0-14-0, Blackwell 10-1-41-1. Lee 10-0-65-0, Watson 8-0-36-2, Bichel 10-0- England: M Trescothick c sub (Symonds) b Mar- 39-1, Hogg 9-0-55-3, Martyn 6-0-34-1. some runs behind me.’’ wickets fell regularly and momen- Indian cricket: Magic and madness continues THE SPORTING LIFE making it a Rs 2000 crore in- as the flat-track bullies flex though the latter refuses to dustry, the employment this their muscles, the spinners give up cricket even at 37. But Ayaz Memon industry generates for play- will scythe through oppo- that is only because Waugh ers, coaches, administrators nents on slow turners, the has been luckier with in- I was at the ting endorsements and mak- and other associates, and not matches will be won with juries than Rafter. Cricket Club ing excuses,’’ said a third. forgetting the wealth of tal- ease, fans and sponsors will On a different note, the of India on There were plenty more in ent. A Tendulkar is unique, a go into overdrive and all will success of Rafter and Waugh Saturday af- consonance with such senti- Sehwag makes the adrenalin be well with the world. (to name only two) makes ternoon when ments. Are these then the soar anywhere, a Dravid can Find a more fascinating one marvel at the Australian India were defining characteristics of find a place in the Hall of saga in sports anywhere else system that throws so many making a Indian cricket, or is it just Fame of any era. in the world? brilliant champions with hash of a sim- knee-jerk reaction to poor There are several more ✬✬✬ such amazing regularity.The ple run chase in the sixth performance? gifted players to suggest that Pat Rafter’s premature re- Aussies excel at cricket, ten- One-day International. Instant gratification is the India could be the leading tirement tinged my week nis, hockey, rugby, sailing, The buzz in the bar of the name of the game nowadays side in the world. with regret. A few years back athletics — and both sexes. In venerated CCI that, alas, sees where public expectation is Yet, currently we languish I saw him at Wimbledon population terms, they are a very little first-class cricket concerned, evoking instant in the bottom half, and look where he had the girls swoon- small nation. But a love was hardly gratifying. In fact rah-rahs or rebuke, depend- incapable of raising the level ing over his pony-tail and of the outdoors overrides caustic, as India fumbled, ing on the result. There are of performance above boot- bronzed body,and rivals fum- everything else, and with stumbled and then barely also many — and splendid — lace level when confronted ing over his ability to rifle in that comes a desire to excel, scraped through to the fin- virtues to Indian cricket with conditions that are not aces in crunch situations. to win. ishing mark. which can be easily obscured Kolkata, Mumbai or Chen- It takes some courage to The strong sporting ethos ‘‘We are masters at snatch- by a spell of poor perform- nai. Nevertheless, it would be quit the game at 29 — ignor- in many ways defines every- ing defeat from the jaws of ances, as has happened in folly to go by the results in ing the moolah and the fame day life, and then provides victory,’’ said an irritated New Zealand in the past few New Zealand. We are not a that chases high-ranking ten- champions. old-timer, finding solace in weeks. terrible side. We are only nis players even if they are You can’t put the cart be- another gin and tonic. For instance, the sport has mediocre, schizophrenic, un- not as swift and fit as they fore the horse. Before we de- ‘‘Badshahs at home, and a fanatical following, the ambitious. But once the ac- used to be — to enjoy father- mand champions and buddhus overseas,’’ said a huge commercial interest tion shifts to the Indian sub- hood and work for charity. medals, let’s get a sporting second. ‘‘We excel only in get- that follows this following continent, the runs will flow Shades of Steve Waugh here, ethos.

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