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20 SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA New , January 12, 2003 SPORT

Leave more outside the off Quick footwork and swaying needed Go back and across Watch your backlift

Graeme Pollock on : It’s naive ’s coach Yograj Singh on : Anshuman Gaekwad to look for technique in Sourav Ganguly’s batting. AN Sharma on his ward: I’d like to see him In New Zealand, Yuvraj has got on : He was never renowned for that but is a class act play his drives close to the body. He’s out to some brilliant catches. When I was the coach in ODIs. He needs to leave more balls outside stretching his luck a little too far which We did talk about how he could of the Indian team, the offstump. Indians love to hit boundaries can run out against quality fast counter the movement which will once or twice I did and none more than in . He also needs to have a be there in South Africa as well. I point out to Rahul Ganguly himself. good defensive technique to last on suggested that he stand a little Dravid about his He gives his away if the fast . Though, he has got outside the crease and then go backlift. I think there’s he can’t hit big shots which runs in New Zealand, I’d have liked to back and across to meet the ball. too much bottom-hand won’t be there early in the in- see some fast footwork and even By doing that a batsman can count- in it. Consequently, he nings in South Africa. He’d be more importantly swaying away er the late movement. For the slot tends to miss the ball, his tested with short balls and being from the line of the ball as it was kicking from a he’s batting at, it’s imperative to play head falls over and gets out an instinctive puller and hooker length. But it won’t be wise to shuffle him in out the entire 50 overs. If he can do that lbw. You’d notice that he should look for a trap from fine leg to the batting order and should open the innings India will invariably post a big total. He also mistimes the ball square leg region. against one and all. He being needs to play more in the ‘V’ and with because of this. a good square cutter of the the punch in his strokes he doesn’t need He’ll have to play a number of strokes In general, I’d say our ball should help him but can’t say the flourish which takes batsmen should leave as many

A FEW DOs AND DON’Ts off his chest and the waist area. The the same about the hook and the his bat away from the balls as possible in SA. key is patience. pull. body.

By Bobilli Vijay Kumar & ...And what the others must do Dinesh Chopra WHEN & WHERE Punjab Ranji coach Bhupinder Singh Sr. on Dinesh Just when the entire world WILL TWO SWALLOWS MAKE AN Indian cricketers are bad Mongia: He’s making a comeback and looks visibly tight in was giving up on tourists, a fact illustrated the middle. I’ve seen him as a youngster coming up in them, the ma- once again in New and normally, he’s a very free-flowing batsman harajas have Zealand. TNN looks at with a good cricketing brain. I’d like to see him leave more gone and set two the venues and the alien balls outside the offstump and let the bowler bowl at him matches on fire. conditions that India will rather than chasing it. There’s also a tendency to play more towards The sombre play their six pool match- cover and extra cover than midoff and midon. That too needs to be clouds have al- es in the World Cup: plugged. He’s played most of his on Mohali, one of the fastest ready started INDIAN SUMMER? oland Bank Park, Paarl (Vs tracks, and is a good player of horizontal bat strokes but should try to running for cov- BHolland on Feb 12): India’s play the pull stroke down. er; the abuses and curses The Indian team is back in business. Two victories in the last two matches have reinstated the players Cup opener will be played at the Cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar on the Big have even made way for bou- picturesque setting of the Four — Ganguly, Dravid, Tendulkar and Sehwag: The way they quets and praises; and ac- as heroes. Experts in South Africa too believe that the condition in the World Cup will be better for Park. While the modest batted in New Zealand will have no bear- cording to last dispatches, In- Tendulkar and company. Times News Network sees if the team still needs to go in for an operation resources of Holland are not a worry, the Indians will get a fine ing on how they’ll perform in South dia were finally spotted, alive opportunity to launch their cam- Africa as conditions will be different. In- and kicking. More interest- burly all-rounder Brian line. As I see it, 240-250 should bowlers theory.“The wickets Wessels has a piece of advice ingly, the cricket fan is also McMillan agrees. “The Indi- be a winning score. Anything will afford good bounce and for the Indian openers: “They paign on a bright note. India dia open their campaign against Holland played the first-ever ODI played back in business. an fast bowlers should enjoy less than that and a decent movement and India are have to be wary early on and a hundred by Sourav Ganguly can at this smallish ground, a sensa- the conditions if they don’t team would scale it,” says clubbed with the two most when there will be some set things for him. Rahul Dravid will be Never mind that their he- tional tie against Zimbabwe in perhaps the most consistent. He’s rotating the strike well, manoeuvring roes literally gasped to victo- get carried with the pace and Bacher. potent new-ball attacks (Aus- movement.” That is, of 1996-97. And the last time they the ball and helping India win matches. is one bats- ry at Auckland; never mind bounce.” Srinath, Nehra and But the ghosts of New tralia and Pakistan). They course, anathema to our ma- figured here, they ran up a mas- man we don’t need to talk about, he should do well. Virender Sehwag that they again took the old, Zaheer have proved that they Zealand are still lurking in will suit bowlers like Mc- harajas: they believe in the sive 351/3 against Kenya in has all the strokes and can be really destructive. I don’t think anyone tortuous route home: canter, don’t always get carried the dark. Master batsman Grath, Gillespie and Razzaq lofty concept: Have-bat-will- 2001-02 with Tendulkar-Gangu- can make him or Ganguly change their games. cave in, crash and almost col- away; they, in fact, usually Graeme Pollock says he is who hit the deck and land the swing. More importantly,the ly amassing a record 258 for the seem to bowl better when the not too convinced about In- ball consistently on the think-tank will probably be Former India cricketer Yashpal Sharma on Mohammed Kaif: lapse near the finish line. first wicket. Hopefully, the condi- The good news is that Jav- team is defending small tar- dia’s batting. “I see a problem seam.” arguing over the line-up even During my days as the Ranji coach for Uttar Pradesh, I’ve worked very tions will help leave the memo- agal Srinath survived two de- gets. (for India) as apart from Ten- He sees the only silver lin- when the team is landing in closely with Kaif. Though he’s technically sound I can see ries of New Zealand behind. liveries at the death; the good “I see Ashish Nehra play- dulkar and Dravid, there ing for the Indian batsmen in Durban. certain flaws creeping into his batting. These are more to do omen is that Ashish Nehra ing the role that Kallis plays aren’t any good backfoot the overhead conditions. Dr Bacher agrees. “India uperSport Park, Centurion with One-day cricket — things like opening the face of his (Vs Australia on Feb 15 evaded the closing trap and for South Africa as a swinger. players.” “They don’t play much of a S bat or playing around his front pad. He’s a tough character have one of the most destruc- and Vs Pakistan on Mar 1): In smashed the penultimate He keeps the ball full and He even sees a corollary to role in day matches but cer- and should soon overcome the problems. May be he needs to tive batting lineups. They all probability, India’s fortunes in ball for a boundary. Srinath moves it around as good the good-wickets-good-for- tain venues can really be talk to the seniors. Generally, I’d like to see the team get together for a should enjoy the conditions the Cup will be decided in this and Nehra looked pretty as pace.” He feels Agarkar and our- windy in the evenings. And camp before the World Cup and practice under lights. Any place which here as most of their batters small city. India play their tough- they punched the air in the Ganguly too can be handy if the ball can dart around has floodlights can be an option. like hitting on the up or est adversaries in Pool A — end. It looked like they had they put the ball at the right a bit there.” India through the line.” He is only Australia and Pakistan — here. Pat Symcox, former Test off-spinner on Kumble and Harbhajan: just conquered the Everest. spots. should just not think worried about their ability to The good thing is that India have For my money should be a bigger The bad news is that the The big problem for the that they’ve wok- won all their three ODIs here. play under lights. Maybe, he threat than . Traditionally on hard dark clouds haven’t really Indian bowlers, however,is en up by mis- History, thus, is on their side. and bouncy wickets in Australia and South Africa, vanished: they are just lurk- that there are going to be take in should worry about the Indi- The pitch is, however, one of the wrist spinners have excelled. Probably, one of the ing round the next seaming lot of runs in most of Wellington or an team’s ability to rebound. quickest in South Africa. It also things that the spinners need to do is bowl a little track. Srinath and his band the pitches. “They will Christchurch. Will the two victories turn gives ample opportunity to bats- slower in the air and keep it tight without experimenting too much. But of fast bowlers may have ex- mostly face batting Former them around? Or will they men, with the ball generally the key again would be how Indian fielders can bring pressure on the posed the Kiwi batting; wickets where batsmen South African return to complacency coming on to the bat. Tendulkar, batsmen in those middle overs when Kumble or Harbhajan are bowling. Virender Sehwag may have can hit through the Kepler mode? Sehwag and Co should like it. It Ajit Ninan I’d also be interested in seeing Dravid keep wickets to the spinners. scored another heart-in- would be important to keep up mouth hundred; but the rest the tempo here (and not wait till of the team is still flirting their last match) to ensure that a A seaming solution outside the off-stump and is New Zealand fiasco is averted. looking as dangerous and arare Sports Club, Former coach and selector on Nehra: In a tournament suicidal as ever. H(Vs Zimbabwe on Feb 19): like the World Cup the team that does the basics right ends Thank God that there is Politics permitting, Zimbabwe’s up winning more times than not. Our bowlers must keep this only one more ordeal to face premier venue is set to host in mind. They should bowl wicket to wicket and pitch it at a in New Zealand. three games, including one good length on the South African wickets. None of our The victories may or may against India. Zimbabwe, who bowlers are express and any error in line and length can not grasp the falling curve grievously hurt India’s chances prove costly. Ashish Nehra is a good potential and can get and give it an upward push; in the 1999 World Cup by breakthroughs for the team. His ability to move the ball is a huge asset the flurry of wickets and snatching a thrilling win, remain but he needs to focus on the job and not spray the ball all over the hint of runs may or may not a major irritant and will be even place. The real test would be when they are put under pressure — salvage the team’s reputa- more dangerous on home turf. either in the first 15 overs or the last ten. tion; but they have arrived as India they have a mixed record Graeme Pollock, former South African great on seamers: The little straws that the players here, having won 2 and lost 2. bowlers should be aiming to hit the top of the batsman’s pad. were desperately looking for. The HSC has swung between extremes of very high and low Srinath is the best bet for that. His back-of-the-length bowl- They may still need to totals. While South Africa’s ing is ideally suited for South African wickets. work on their techniques, 303/5 in 1995-96 is the highest Lately, he’s been bowling full and with change of their temperaments and here, teams have often strug- pace as well though there’s a definite scope of im- their fighting spirits; they gled to reach 200. The generally provement in his variations as he is susceptible may still need to keep those dry conditions will suit India when attacked. Srinath’s natural angle is an asset appointments with motiva- though as the ball will not seam against the lefties. too has that zing tors, experts and psychia- around much. while Ashish Nehra looks good enough to be running through trists. The only thing is that a side. has shown the spark but has seldom they can do all those with he Oval, Pietermaritzburg bloomed. It’s very important that all these bowlers to be disciplined. smiles on their faces. T(Vs Namibia on Feb 23): It’s only befitting that India play — The experts spoke to Dinesh Chopra The best news, however, is emerging from South Africa. Namibia, in the same city where Former cricketers and avid the real Mahatma Gandhi was born on a cold winter night in its lovers of the Indian team are railway station. The Oval is was not too worried about their recently upgraded at a cost of dismal performances in New two million rand. Unusually, a gi- Zealand: they see Ganguly ant lime tree occupies a regal and boys rise from the ashes position inside the boundary. all over again. Hopefully, the Indians will use The brain, spirit and legs the serene setting to unwind behind the World Cup, Dr Ali and regroup in as they take on Bacher, has ensured that his the babies of international crick- sponsors and his country’s et. cricket fans would get full value for their money. ingsmead, Durban (Vs England on Feb 26): The “There’s no ambiguity,” he K sports-crazy city of Durban, told Times news Network. which will be India’s base during “The instructions to the cu- the World Cup, was founded by rators and groundsmen are Vasco da Gama in 1497. very clear. Make good One- Kingsmead boasts of a good day cricket wickets.” He cricket wicket that favours both adds, “By that I mean there’ll batsmen and bowlers. But swing be no lateral movement, just bowlers can thrive here as India true bounce and a good car- found out while getting shot out ry.” for 100 and 66 in a Test in The Indian team might as 1996-97. Caddick, Hoggard and well pack all their worries Co can look forward to the con- and apprehensions in their test. Thanfully, there will be no bags and throw them into the Bond or Tuffey to worry them. ocean. — Shashank Shekhar South Africa’s big and

Solution: BRIDGE CHESS Black won with Pravin Thipsay 1...Bxg2!! 2.Kxg2 Rg4+ Prakash Paranjpe 3.Kf1 (There is nothing better. 3.Kh3 loses to Kuiicov - Alexandrova 3...Rh4 ch!! 4.Kxh4, Qxh2 ch ouble Dummy, Single of these hands?’ was her West could hold a wide suits. Sabine judged that Ukraine, 2002 5.Kg4, Qg2 ch! 6.Kh4,Bf6 DDummy, and ‘Which query. range of strength for his 3D West was more likely to side would you bet on?’ giv- Here is the fourth deal bid after his partner passed hold the missing HK. he King in chess needs en all for hands and the from the set, posed as a usual in the first seat. At the ad- She had to tackle trumps Tto be guarded all the lead, are the well-known play problem. She opened a verse vulnerability, he was at the earliest, so she played time with Pawns and variants of Bridge prob- light 1Nt in the more likely to hold a small Heart to HA at trick Pieces. Slight negligence lems. Sabine Auken, one of South seat after E Deal- ♠ A Q T 8 a stronger hand three. The HK crashed! The in the safety of the King er ♥ J 7 4 3 the most enterprising East dealt and EW Vul rather than a very picture was getting clearer. can lead to disaster, as we ♦ K 4 women players in Interna- passed. West over- ♣ Q 6 2 weak one. Further, If West held three side-suit will see from the following tional Bridge, added a new called 3D, North the small Diamond Kings in addition to DAQ, he position. In the diagram, type to the list. While doubled to show card that he would have doubled 1Nt. material is equal but white Daniela von Arnim, her reg- values, Sabine took chose to play at Spurning the Spade finesse, has no pieces around his ular partner, is away from out to 3S, and North trick had to have Sabine played a Spade to King and this was exploit- the bridge scene looking af- raised to 4S. West ♠ some more infor- Dummy’s Ace and played ed by black with a brilliant mate! The other alterna- ter her baby girl Lara, led the DA and con- J 9 3 2 mation about his the SQ next. East won the SK ♥ A Q 6 sacrificial comibination. tive 3.Kh1 fails to 3..Qb7 ch Sabine decided to nurture tinued with the D6. hand. He had a and continued with a third ♦ 9 8 7 Position: 4.f3, Rxf3!! 5.Nxf3, Qxf3 ch.6 young bridge talent. In a re- Sabine won the DK ♣ range to choose trump. A8 3 White: Kg1; Qc2; R-d1,e2; Rg2. Rxg2 7.Qxg2, Qxd1 ch cent article, she presented while East followed from. He chose the At this point, Sabine was in N-d2,d2; p-a3,b3,f2,g2,h2. etc) 3..Qxh2 4. Re3 Bd4 four hands from a with the D3 and the DJ. At D6 from DQT652. Usually, a a position to make her con- 5.Qc4+ Kh8 6.Ke2 Qh5! tournament where she part- this point, Sabine paused to middle card from a long tract irrespective of the Black: Kg8; Qc7; R-d4,f8; B- 7.f3 Rg2+ 8.Nf2 Rxf2+! nered Martin Schaltz, an 18- consider her options and suit is more or less a neu- position of the Club King. b7,g7; p-a7,b6,c5,g6,h7. year old Danish player. tried to build a crude picture tral card. It indicates a lack How would you have Problem: Black to play 9.Kxf2 Qh2+ and Black ‘Where was Martin in each of the defenders’ hands. of preference for any of the continued? and win. soon won.

SUND120103/CR1/20/K/1