OID‰‰†‰KOID‰‰†‰OID‰‰†‰MOID‰‰†‰C 20 SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA New Delhi, January 25, 2004 SPORT Anand on home straight to title Sania crashes out Hyderabad: Sania Mirza Zimbabwe welcome a special guest Wijk Aan Zee (The went down fighting 1-6, 6-1, 3- Netherlands): Defending INDIANS ABROAD 6 to third seed Petra Rampre imbabwe had a special guest at Australian middle order is looking champion Viswanathan over nearest rival England’s Indian stalwart in one of the (Slovakia) in the quarter fi- the Adelaide Oval on Saturday: more and more fragile. Captain Ricky Anand took another stride Michael Adams. Anand’s vic- popular variation and did not nals of the Chris Evert ITF ZAndy Flower. Their former cap- Ponting, however, is not too worried. forward for his back to back tory in the tournament looks know what hit him when Women's championship tain spent some time with the team He agrees that Damien might be a lit- triumph with a crushing vic- a near certainty now. The In- Anand unleashed a rook sac- played at Florida, US. After during the break between innings and tle disappointed and feeling the pres- tory over GM Jan Timman of dian scored 8.5 points last rifice in the middle game. dropping the first set, Sania even offered encouragement as they sure. ‘‘But there is no pressure on him The Netherlands in the 11th year for a clear victory. Round 11 results: Viswanthan Anand (8) bounced back into the game chased 281 runs. from within the team,’’ he said. ‘‘We round of Corus Chess tour- Jan Timman learned the beat Jan Timman (4, Ned); Vladimir Kramnik scripting a fluent 6-1 win Andy, of course, has been on exile know what a class player he is and I (6, Rus) drew Veselin Topalov (5.5, Bul); Pe- nament. Anand took his tally nuances of tactical complica- ter Svidler (5.5, Rus) drew Loek Van Wely against the world number since his bold initiative against the am sure he will find the right moment to a whopping 8 points out of tions the hard way. Playing (5.5, Ned); Evgeny Bareev (5, Rus) beat Ivan 236 and levelled the score in- Mugabe regime at home during the to strike form,’’ he said. a possible 11 so far in the the Classical Sicilian as Sokolov (3.5, Ned); Alexei Shirov (5, Esp) fusing competitive spirit, ac- World Cup. He has settled down in this Yuvraj on the list too: There does- playing Vladimir Akopian (5, Arm); Viktor tournament and extended black, the Dutch was subject- Bologan (5, Mda) drew Michael Adams cording to information serene city while his partner in n’t seem to be an end in sight for In- his lead to a huge 1.5 points ed to a brilliant attack by the (6.5, Eng). PTI reaching here. PTI protest, Henry Olonga, is somewhere dia’s injury worries. First they lost in England. meeting, a team official said. their strike bowlers Zaheer Khan and The master of sweeps now plays for Martyn’s test: As the sun compet- Harbhajan Singh; then they found South Australia. He is, however, out ed with the wind at the picturesque their openers, Sachin Tendulkar and for some time with an injury.‘‘Oh, I’ve Oval, only a small weekend crowd en- Virender Sehwag, on the physio’s just cracked my thumb, mate. I won’t joyed the pristine batting of Venkast- table. The only positive word is that be playing for a little while,’’ he told sai Laxman. But on Monday, when both will be fit for the finals, if not be- Times News Network. Australia toy with Zim, there won’t be fore that. Captain Sourav Ganguly, Andy seemed to be in a cheerful a single empty seat. According to in- however, will be a little worried. Anil mood with his mates and brother formation, almost all the tickets have Kumble has already missed two Grant around. They had a special get- already been sold out. There will be a games, including the one against Zim- together earlier too when the team full house to watch Ponting’s punters, babwe on Saturday. As if all that was- was here for a practice game. an official announced. n’t enough, his blue-eyed batsman Yu- Grant had invited the boys on It will, probably, also be the last vraj Singh too had to rest here due to a Andy’s behalf for a barbecue. It was chance for Damien Martyn to meet his shoulder problem. He had hurt it an optional outing but every player form. The stylish right-hander has while fielding in the thriller against went. It was a nice and emotional suddenly run into a slump and the Australia on Thursday. ‘Javed is stretching it too far’ Waqar, Saqlain Adelaide: Legendary fast istan fast bowlers excel. er such matters were far- may be recalled bowler “Look what I am only wor- thest from his mind. “I am Wasim ried about is that he doesn’t only helping a budding INDIA’S TOUR Akram is give them tips on how to play cricketer, a young fast amused at reverse swing, I hope he is bowler, who has shown Islamabad: Pakistan’s new all the hell not doing it,” Miandad was promise and is keen to learn. selection committee may re- that has quoted in a Pakistan daily. It’s not as if I am on a mis- call experienced stars Waqar broken An exasperated Akram said sion or I am being paid for Younis, Shahid Afridi and out in his he was only helping a bud- my services.” Saqlain Mushtaq for the up- country ding cricketer and things Akram asserted he was coming cricket series against Pakistan about nationalities and oth- first and foremost a Pak- India beginning in March. over his istani and was honoured to Also in contention for a re- Wasim Akram assistance have represented his coun- call to the national side is to left-armer Irfan Pathan ‘I’ll save it for try for long years. “I take wicketkeeper-batsman and other Indian bowlers in pride in having played for Rashid Latif as the selectors recent times. Akram said it Pakistan and served my na- headed by former Test cap- was laughable even to think my column’ tion to the best of my ability. tain Wasim Bari sit down to finalise a pool of 40 players in he would be teaching Indi- TIMES NEWS NETWORK But I am no longer active ans how to bat out against and have to carry on living the first phase of the selec- reverse swing bowling. Adelaide: Wasim Akram as I deem fit. There is no in- tion process. “As a senior cricketer if probably knows more tention or motive in my ac- Bari had spoken to his fel- somebody comes to me for about swing and reverse tions other than help out low selectors Iqbal Qasim, tips, I am not to turn him swing that any other cricketers who approach me Ehteshamuddin and Sultan away.I did the same with Aus- bowler in the world. He is for bowling tips,” he said. Rana and also the Pakistan captain and coach and ex- tralia’s Nathan Bracken so believed to have spoken On Miandad’s fears that changed views with them on why only help to (Irfan) about Rahul Dravid and he could be giving tips to the the selection process for the Pathan is being turned into the use of lozenges—or Indians on how to play re- series. an issue?” Akram said. energy sweeteners as the verse swing, Akram said, The latest controversy Indian camp called the- “This is stretching the mat- “I can say for sure at this emerges from concerns of mon a television show ter too far. I am not on a mis- stage that we will be having former cricketer Javed Mian- back home. He confirmed sion to help out Indians.” the preliminary selection dad, who expressed worries to Times News Network on “It is another matter though process with an open mind that Akram could be letting saturday about its exten- that I am not holding any and seniors like Waqar You- out “trade secrets” by help- sive use on the English coaching assignment with nis, Rashid Latif, Saqlain ing Indians ahead of their county circuit. He, howev- Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi historic tour to Pakistan. er, refused to explain how and should be allowed to work are definitely under consid- Miandad in particular has it works, or what it does to as I feel best,” the former cap- eration for the India series,” shown concern that Akram the ball, saying: “I would tain said. “I wasn’t even of- Bari said. Bari said he want- could be giving Indians tips fered a cup of tea by them like to save it for my ed to basically adopt a horses on how to play out reverse when I retired but then that’s a column.” for courses policy for the In- swing bowling in which Pak- different story,” he added. PTI dian series. PTI Robin quits, says no regrets Chennai: Indian all rounder Robin Singh on Saturday announced his retirement from first class and international cricket. Announcing his decision at a press meet here, Robin Singh said: “I have no regrets and I was, perhaps, one of the very few to have come back after a seven-year gap at the age of 33 to serve Indian cricket.” Known for his athleticism, tenacity and com- mitment, Robin made his debut in the limited overs version of the game against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 1988-89.