OID ‰‹‰ † K OID ‰‹‰ † OID ‰‹‰ † M OID ‰‹‰ † C

The Sunday Times of , New Delhi, September 28, 2003 Family over tennis Olympic assurance Joe comes out fighting Family comes first for Andre Agassi. The countdown to the Athens Former heavyweight champion Joe The Las Vegan has pulled out of the Olympics has already begun. But Frazier plans to have some heavy- Stockholm Open and two other tourneys chief organiser Gianna Daskalaki hitting friends with him in a three-day to be at wife Steffi Graf’s side. The has assured that irrespective of march as he continues his fight over couple are expecting their second difficulties, all work would be 140 acres of suburban land he child in mid-November completed ahead of schedule contends was swindled from him Henry brace keeps Arsenal on top

BRIEFLY BCCI sets Nov. 1 SPORT India aim to break Asian jinx AFP Kuala Lumpur: Having brought themselves Asia Cup final: Can India come up trumps? deadline for GCC within sniffing distance of their maiden TIMES NEWS NETWORK While two of the major Asia Cup hockey title, India will seek to re-es- The arch rivals are once again face to face. Will India be able to win its sponsors of the 2003 World tablish their regional supremacy when they : The tussle between maiden Asia Cup on Sunday? For the record, the two teams have clashed 8 Cup — Pepsi and Hero Honda take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the final here the Board of Control for — have already withdrawn on Sunday.The final, which promises to be a times in the last 12 months, with India winning 4 ties, Pakistan 3 and both Cricket in India (BCCI) and their damage claims against mouth-watering proposition, would be the drawing one game. Here’s how it went: Global Cricket Corporation BCCI, negotiations are on ultimate in the game of one-upmanship with (GCC) — the marketing wing with the other major sponsor, of the International Cricket the Asian giants getting a chance to meet in Champions Trophy 2202, Cologne: India won 3-2, lost 3-4. LG, and in all probability,they Council (ICC) — over the the final of the quadrennial event after 14 The revival started with an exciting win in the round robin; but Pak- too will fall in line, said World Cup guarantee money long years. istan came back to win in the bronze medal round Dalmiya. The GCC damage worth $6.5 million of the In- While Pakistan won the last encounter be- claims of a total of $47 million. Asian Games 2002, Busan: India won 4-3. dian cricket Board is set to tween the two in 1989, India are yet to win The other important devel- intensify even further with this prestigious title since its inception in 3-nation meet 2003, Perth: opments on the first day of the BCCI on Saturday setting 1982 and this hunger to win the maiden Asia the AGM included the accept- India won 2-0. Pakistan a November 1 deadline for Cup might just give the them an edge over ance by the Board, in princi- were without their star GCC to release the funds. their continental rivals. ple, the system of graded players. And India literally “All damage claims made On paper, however, Pakistan enjoy a slight payments to the players and advantage with India missing the services of danced to victory by GCC, ICC and ICC Devel- also a new points system for ace penalty corner expert Jugraj Singh and opment International (IDI) 3-nation meet 2003, domestic ties. their forward line not exactly in peak against BCCI, over the World Sydney: Drew 4-4. It didn’t He also informed that For- form.But to predict the outcome of any India- Cup Players’ Terms issue, take long for Pakistan to show mer India player Shivlal Ya- Pakistan match is foolhardy as both are ca- have been found baseless and their fighting abilities. In a close dav will be the manager for pable of raising their games to an altogether frivolous by the Board. As match, India could only draw India’s tour to Australia. different level when pitted against each other. such, BCCI has set a Novem- The last time that the arch-rivals played a Champions Trophy 2003, Am- ber 1 deadline for GCC to re- The ‘new’ team Canadian gymnasts in action during final of a major tournament was in the SAF the 26th Rhythmic Gymnastics World stelveen: India won 7-4, lost 3-4. After a lease the Indian Board’s Games in in 1995 when India out- President: Jagmohan Dalmiya Championships in Budapest on Friday. string of poor games, India hit pay dirt. guarantee money,with inter- played Pakistan 5-2 for the title. They literally thrashed Pak to bury ghosts of est. Failing which, BCCI will Secretary: S K Nair But the current Pakistan team has hardly 1982. But in the very next match, they had last seek arbitration,” said the Jt. secretary: Ratnakar Shetty Pugilists for Uzbekistan: A twelve- any player from that 1995 squad to carry the minute blues to suffer a numbing defeat BCCI president, Jagmohan Treasurer: Jyoti Bajpayee member sub-junior boxing squad will bitter memories of the final and the young Dalmiya, who was elected to Vice-presidents: Goutam Roy, leave for a month-long training in Uzbek- side is all charged up to put it across India Asia Cup 2003, Kuala Lumpur: India lost 2-3. The chinks the post of the BCCI presi- Kamal Morarka, Narhari Amin, Ranga Reddy and Ranbir istan on Thursday. “Keeping an eye on the whom they beat 4-2 in the league match on in the defence were again exposed in the dying moments. dent, unopposed, for one Wednesday. Indian coach Rajinder Singh India will have to break this jinx if they don’t Singh Mahendra 2004 World Cadet Championships, the more term on Saturday. The NCA chairman: said his side was keen to avenge its Champi- want it to become a boys will jointly train with their Uzbek IDI Board is scheduled to NCA vice c’man: C K Khanna counterparts,” coach Mohinder Singh ons Trophy setback when it lost 3-4 to Pak- recurring nightmare have a meeting in Barbados Times Graphic NCA director: Brijeah Patel Dhaka said. “the squad comprises of new istan in the bronze medal play-off. PTI on Oct. 30. boys with the exception of Inder Kumar, who reached the quarters in the World CRICKET UPDATE Cadets last year in Hungary,” he added. Balaji ready for second coming Incidentally, the junior squad will also leave for Uzbekistan for a month-long Second day’s play SL humble India by 9 By Madhu Jawali sistent of late,” he explains. camp on Sunday early-morning. TNN Colombo: defeated India by nine wickets in the TIMES NEWS NETWORK Did he try to bring in any change to his Juniors for Pak: A team of seven Indi- opening limited overs match of the Emerging Team Tro- Bangalore: Lakshmipathy Balaji is smiling bowling after the drubbing against Windies? an juniors will take part in two ITF Junior also washed out phy cricket tournament at the Premadasa Stadium here on again. After a string of good shows in the do- “Not really. I don’t think there has been any tournaments in Islamabad. The team did Saturday. Electing to field, the hosts bundled out Gautam mestic cricket, the spotlight is on him and the major change. May be I am concentrating not have visas till Saturday morning and is Visakhapatnam: Heavy rains played Gambhir led Indian side for a modest 136 in 40.1 overs. lanky bowler is savouring his moment of reck- more on line and length and be accurate. I am only making the trip as the Pakistan High spoilsport yet again, forcing abandonment Then, a century opening stand between Nishad Paranavi- oning. “I think my chances are brighter now,” constantly working on my fitness, too. The Commission processed their applications of the second day’s play of the three-day tana and Upul Tharanga sealed the match for Sri Lanka in he said wiping sweat off his face after a gru- conditioning camp for the probables here last as a special case even though it was an match between New Zealand and Board 32.2 overs.But the man of the match was Lasith Malinga elling three-hour fitness and net session prior month was fantastic,” he says. official holiday. President’s XI without a ball being bowled whose four for 16 in 7.1 overs wrecked the Indian innings, to his departure to Sri Lanka for the Emerging During the Challenger Series, playing for The team: Rupesh Roy, Sumit Gupta, Vivek Shokeen, here on Saturday. after Dinesh Nuwan Kulasekara (2/21) and Tharanga Lak- Team Trophy limited-over tri-series. Seniors, Balaji even outshone his senior Kaushik Das, GK Shwetha, V. Poojashree, Daksha Mulay, Overnight showers had rendered the shitha (1/19) had wiped out the the top order. The visitors It was with lot of promise that the right-arm bowling partner Zaheer Khan, both with his Birbal Wadhera (coach). TNN outfield at the ACA-VDCA Stadium soggy, struggled against the three-pronged seam attack of the medium pacer was inducted into the Indian -taking ability and accuracy. and a fresh spell of showers this morning side against the touring West Indies last year. His 50/5 haul would have been more mem- Harsh bows out: The Indian challenge Lankans, losing their top three batsmen within the first meant little prospects of resumption. But Balaji had a disastrous outing in the two orable had he not bowled a no ball that up- in the Asian tennis championships at eight balls of the match. The two umpires, Jasbir Singh and S K Brief scores: India: 136 in 40.1 overs (S Vidyut 25, A T Rayudu 34, D Karthik 42; Ma- matches he played -- three-day Board Presi- rooted ’s timber.“I was a bit Tashkent came to an end on Friday as Sharma, consulted New Zealand skipper linga 4/16, Kulasekara 2/21) lost to Sri Lanka: 137 for 1 in 32.2 overs (Paranavitana dent’s XI match and an ODI. disappointed. It would have been a memo- Harsh Mankad succumbed to third seed 55 not out, Tharanga 57). PTI and his Board President’s The wily bowler, however, putting behind rable wicket for me. But you can do only so Vadim Kutsenko. Though Harsh ran away AFP XI counterpart before the disappointment, did wonderfully well for much about it. These things happen in crick- with the first set 6-1, the Uzbek did not let calling it off for the day. his state team in the .The right- et,” he tells you. After seven wickets in two his home crowd down as he roared back Board President’s XI were 23 without arm fast bowler played one of the major roles matches Balaji’s selection to the Rest of India to clinch the next two sets 6-0, 7-5. TNN loss at the end of a truncated opening day, in TN reaching the final. side for the Irani Cup against Ranji Champs Jugraj to be shifted: Hockey star Ju- with Sehwag and Akash Chopra on 9 each. Nevertheless Balaji had claimed a bucket- Mumbai, was a foregone conclusion. graj Singh would be shifted from Ludhiana The umpires had announced on Friday ful of wickets by the end of the season and With left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra still re- to a hospital in New Delhi on Sunday, that the match would begin half an hour signs of a second coming were all too appar- cuperating from his ankle surgery,Balaji’s re- sources said. Jugraj, who suffered frac- early at 9 am to partly compensate for the ent. “I know I had a disastrous debut. But I call for the national side are indeed bright and tures early in the month, would be shifted time lost on the first day due to bad weath- never let it affect me. I came back very well to the bowler,who turns 22 on September 27 is all to the Batra Hospital by a helicopter of er.However,the low pressure which had de- claim 49 wickets. It definitely boosted my pumped up. “If I get a chance again I’ll give it the Sahara Group. PTI veloped over coastal Andhra Pradesh confidence. I can say I am mentally stronger my best. I have learnt from my past mistakes brought in another spell of overnight now and that’s the reason I’ve been more con- and hope not to repeat them.” Henry delivers again: Thierry Henry heavy showers in the steel city,turning the scored twice as Arsenal, playing for the newly-built stadium into puddles. The first time since six players were charged groundsmen, who did a commendable job by the Football Association, beat New- in making the ground fit for play despite in- castle 3-2 to extend its lead atop the Pre- termittent rains, got down to business mier League. AFP since early morning with all sincerity. PTI Ground staff collect rain water from Visakhapatnam cricket ground on the second day of the three-day warm-up tie be- BETTING METER tween Kiwis and the Board President’s XI on Saturday. FORMULA-1 Vettori looking for long spells 2003 US GRAND PRIX Visakhapatnam: After conquering the Sri J P Montoya 2/1 Benefit One-day game for Bari M Schumacher 9/4 Lankans, Daniel Vettori is ready to weave R Schumacher 9/2 his magic around the Indian bastmen. Un- Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket Board paid tribute to for- R Barrichello 5/1 daunted by the tough task — of bowling mer Test Wasim Bari on Saturday, awarding him K Raikkonen 9/1 J Trulli 16/1 against some of the world’s best batsmen the first One-day International between Pakistan and (as per ladbrokes.com) — ahead of him, New Zealand’s leading South Africa as a benefit match. LIVE ON TV spinner says he is prepared to bowl long ‘‘Bari is being honoured for his meritorious services to spells in India. “I am pretty excited and the game of cricket and the country,’’PCB chief executive ESPN: IFA Shield final: 1515 hrs: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal. English Premier Football League: 2030 hrs: Man- looking forward to getting a lot of overs. Rameez Raja said in a statement. ‘‘He is still one of the chester City vs Tottenham Hotspur. We know how tough the situation is going greatest ambassadors of the country.’’ A certain percent- DD Sports: 0930 hrs: Board President’s XI vs New Zealand to be and how hard it will be against India. age of the income from the first One-day International at (3-day match, Day 3). 1730 hrs: Asia Cup hockey final: In- dia vs Pakistan. But we have talked about that and we are Lahore on Oct. 3 will be awarded to Bari as his benefit, Raja Star Sports: 1030 hrs: National Rugby League:Telstra Pre- looking forward to getting out there,” Vet- added. Bari was initially awarded a Sept. 26 One-day Inter- miership. 2315 hrs: Formula One: United States Grand Prix. tori said. PTI national against South Africa at Karachi. AP Gavaskar is the right man to advise on openers THE SPORTING LIFE by our statistician Anant we have been here more than and Crowe. They are only too Gaundalkar. two months’’ said the great. well-known. But there is an Ayaz Memon But getting somebody like “I know,’’ said the hapless interesting anecdote involv- Gavaskar to identify openers well-known, “but this is the ing them off the field, which Fresh kudos than the first! is only the first step, and I as- first time we have stayed in might have an oblique lesson for Jagmo- Fitness and skill are com- sume that he would also be the same hotel, with my for Stephen Fleming. han Dalmiya plementary in modern sport, asked to advice them on how room right across yours.’’ Crowe was one of a bat- are in order. and by taking this agenda to improve, for what use his ✫✫✫ tery of speakers at the Not for being down to the grassroots the formidable experience and The New Zealand cricket launch of Hadlee’s book, re-elected as BCCI can ensure better qual- expertise otherwise? But team is here bringing back Rhythm and Swing, and BCCI presi- ity cricketers in the future. that has been the problemat- memories of two outstand- chose his words carefully: dent (is that a Some former players were ic part in the past as current ing crickets, Sir Richard “You are the greatest player I newsworthy event any- notorious in their approach players are usually reluctant Hadlee and Martin Crowe, have ever played against. more?), but for identifying to fielding, and there are nu- You surpassed your mentor two key areas for improving merous stories of farce and Period Years O OCs Dennis Lillee. Indian cricket: player fitness folly.But cricket was a differ- Gavaskar as opener (1970-71 to 1986-87) 16 20 19 You were a goal-setter and and finding a pair of settled ent ball game then. Post-Gavaskar era (1987-88 to 2003) 16 26 41 an achiever. Perhaps before openers. One can argue that you finish, I can give you sev- Lack of reliable openers Opening Partnerships I R HS Ave 100s this was long overdue, but has been a long-standing eral other goals to achieve. better now than never. lament, and I hope that With Gavaskar 203 8105 213 44.29 22 What about getting 10 wick- I believe that Sourav Gan- Dalmiya’s effort to rope in Post-Gavaskar 202 6720 201 33.29 15 ets in an innings. What about guly’s side could reach this Sunil Gavaskar’s assistance getting 20 wickets in a year’s World Cup final because in identifying such players is to consult former players for who between them virtually match. If you think that’s the players were stronger, more than just an exercise in advice — for reasons of ego, took their country to the easy to achieve, then try get- faster and more game-worthy name-dropping. Gavaskar’s lethargy or some such. zenith of international ting me out!’’ than cricketers from this credentials as a player are The story goes of a well- cricket in the 80s. These two This should help skipper country have ever been. They impeccable, his ‘reading’ of known Indian batsman who have doubtless inspired gen- Fleming, who is bereft of two ran out of steam against Aus- the game is extraordinary knocked on a former great’s erations of young New stars performer in Chris tralia, but there was a lesson and he is a wonderfully ar- hotel room one morning on Zealand cricketers, many of Cairns and Shane Bond, in in that too, for Ricky Ponting’s ticulate man. What he has an overseas tour and sought whom are perhaps in the motivating his young col- side showed more energy and meant to Indian cricket as an his advice because he was team touring India currently. leagues. For, when things get even more hunger to win the opener is clearly established struggling for runs. “But this I am not going to relate the tough, nothing works better last match of the tournament by the table below, provided is the fag end of the tour, and cricketing exploits of Hadlee than a sense of humour.

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