OID‹‰‰†KOID‹‰‰†OID‹‰‰†MOID‹‰‰†C The Sunday Times of India, New Delhi, January 19, 2003 ...but wasn’t it cricket first? Quote pe quote Award pe award Men in Blue got more blue by I, my family, my friends, the people At this rate Virender Sehwag battering in NZ. They would and whom I know, the people who know will soon have to move house. should have headed for the me or those who don’t, each and It’s bursting with trophies. drawing board. And they did that. every South African were waiting for Another one made its way 20 They went to the board but only to this moment. I wish I could cage it. in: Samsung ESPN cricket days to go check their moolah statements — Kepler Wessels, before 1992 WC award for best ODI batsman COUNTDOWN TO THE 8th CRICKET WORLD CUP SA SAFARI ON THE ROAD outh Africa and diamonds Pace power: Gone with the Windies Sbecame almost synonyms after the great find at Kim- berly.The city today boasts of SLOG OVERS the Big Hole which happens to be the biggest excavation How the teams have fared over the last year in ODIs made by man with pick and shovel. Consolidation of dia- ince the start of the ’90s, West Indian teams have been mond claims led to the cre- trying to catch up with their glorious past. If one goes ation of the huge De Beers S by their results over the last year, it looks like they still monopoly under the control have a lot of catching up to do. of Cecil Rhodes who went on The calypso charmers played just 23 One-dayers in 2002 to become the conqueror of and managed to win 12 of them, with two of the matches be- present day Zambia and Zim- ing washed out. Looks healthy? Yes, but the crucial point is babwe. In fact the latter was that they have not played Australia or even England and Sri earlier named Rhodesia after Lanka. And their him. De Beers continue to be only match recognised for their quality Scorecard 05 Played 23, won 12, against South stones. The De Beers Dia- lost 9, no results 052 Africa too ended mond Oval at Kimberly hosts 02 in a defeat. West three World Cup duels. 04 Indies will be 02 fighting with the ance Klusener is often re- latter two, be- Lferred to as the White 01 01 sides New Zulu hailing as he does from Zealand, for a Kwazulu-Natal province. The place in the Su- allusion is to one of the per Six at the up- mightiest indigenous people coming World known for their diverse Cup. The positive WEST INDIES 01 01 05 skills: from combat to bead- indicators are work and basketery. The Na- 02 against New tal province’s dealing with 04 Zealand whom their black population left no they trounced room for assimilation. It’s thrice in five system of political and legal South Africa Pakistan New Zealand Bangladesh India Kenya LOSSES WINS matches with dualism possibly provided a Results since 1 Jan '02 one of them get- model for the segregationism ting washed off. of the 20th century.The Zulu But their final flourish against India whom they dramati- nation or the ‘People of Heav- cally tamed in the One-dayers probably makes them the dark en’ now throb to the cosmo- horses. Especially if you look at the electric stroke-play of politan beat of Durban, the Marlon Samuels, flamboyance of Chris Gayle and flair of fit- economic hub. Famous for its again Brian Lara. The experience of Carl Hooper and con- outdoor lifestyle and the sistency of Ramnaresh Sarwan gives them an even more ex- relaxed, laid-back attitude of citing look. the people the city is a The main problem, however, is the bowling department. must-visit for water sports Merv Dillon, Vasbert Drakes, Pedro Collins and Nixon enthusiasts. McLean have been inconsistent and unreliable throughout throughout the year. But the speed of Jermaine Lawson major tourist spot in the might well be their cutting edge. Aprovince is the city of —B. Shrikant West Indies’ batting looks vibrant but their bowling doesn’t look too bright with the likes of Vasbert Drakes (above) and Pedro Collins sharing the pace burden. Pietermaritzburg, the place where in 1893 Mahatma THE PITCH FOR THE RECORD Gandhi was thrown off a train for refusing to move to STAROSCOPE ewlands has never THE BATTLEFIELDS Moments a third class carriage. Indi- welcomed fast What Indian stars can hope for during the Cup N Newlands, Capetown ans should be thankful for bowlers, and while the ● In the tournament opener of the ’92 World Cup vs England at Lord’s on May 14, the incident as the disgrun- VIRENDER SEHWAG pitch has certainly quick- BIRTH Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga, during his innings of 32, hit Graeme Hick straight into the pavilion which was nearly empty as MCC members were protest- tled young barrister chose to Born 20th October, 1978. Rohi- ened up over the last ewlands Cricket Ground until alterations were be- ing against the ECB directive which forced them to pay for watching Cup matches. abandon his practice and de- ni nakshatra of Taurus sign. decade, it remains gener- Ngun in the early 1990s stood alongside the Adelaide ● February the 29th comes along every four years and when a side like Kenya veloped one of the most fear- ally a medium-paced wick- Oval as the most beautiful ground in the world. With a dismisses West Indies for 93 (‘96 World Cup), it’s almost once-in-a-lifetime hap- ehwag was born in Rohini some weapons British impe- et with below-average panoramic vista of Table Mountain behind the old brew- pening. Michael Henderson of The Times called the West Indian batting response nakshatra of the 3rd quarter in rialism came to confront: S bounce and carry. The eries, and the row of old oaks trees along its grass banks, worse than an unspeakable mess. ‘It’s like winning the World Cup. It’s a dream Taurus. He is sharp and active by come true,’’ emoted a thrilled Kenyan captain, Maurice Odumbe. passive resistance. slowness of the pitch also it was an idyllic place to play and watch cricket. SA Tourism virtue of lagna Sun, Mercury, makes strokeplay diffi- ● The refusal of the Australian Board to address players’ growing resentment LIFELINES Mars and Venus. In the 10th house cult, and batsmen who are against embarrassingly low wages fuelled the rise of the breakaway World Series is the exalted Jupiter and in the 11th an inimical Sat- prepared to work singles Capacity: 25 000 Cricket troupe, led by media magnate Kerry Packer. Accordingly, the Australian se- lectors did not consider Greg and Ian Chappell, Rod Marsh, Dennis Lillee and Jeff urn. Moon is in the 8th house, Rahu in 12th and Ketu in and wait for poor balls Highest innings score: 354/3 (50 ovrs), SA v Ken, 2001 6th. As per the composition of this planetary position, Thomson for the 1979 World Cup squad. Lillee, working as a journalist, had all generally do better at the Lowest innings score: 43 (19.5 ovrs), Pak v WI sorts of trouble getting into Lord’s when he tried to wish the Australians good luck presently he is having Rahu dasa and Venus sub-period venue, evidenced by the Top scorer: 131* Neil McKenzie (SA) v Ken, 2001 before their opening clash with England. After being denied entry thrice, he finally up to July 2003. success of Australia’s Best bowling: 6/19 Henry Olonga (Zim) v Eng, 2001 made it to the dressing room. The response of the players: distinctly chilly! In the World Cup 2003, Sehwag’s performance will be Michael Bevan at New- ● In the 1987-88 Reliance World Cup, Indian batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu posted more than expectations. Although his experience is not lands. Spin has tradition- four consecutive half-centuries in what were his first innings in ODIs. He hit 73 on much compared to senior players of the Indian team, ally played a part at New- debut against Australia, 75 against New Zealand, 51 vs. Australia and 55 against Zimbabwe before finished the tournament with 276 runs at 55.20. it’s beyond doubt he will score a lot of runs. He will be- lands, but despite Shane Diamonds: The rough and come a worldwide star, at par with Sachin and Sourav. Warne’s success at the —Rajesh Kumar the smooth at De Beers. Moreover, his ruling stars Venus and Moon will help venue the slow bowlers him to greater heights even after the World Cup. In the have generally struggled initial matches, he will score more heavily than others in One-day cricket: the and will also take a few wickets. In matches which India short straight boundaries will win, Sehwag may be Man of the Match and prove to and outfield offer scope to be a trump card for the nation. His worth will be at its batsmen looking to attack zenith during matches falling in the 3rd and fourth spinners, and with the weeks of February and first week of March 2003. south-easter blowing loft- —Pt Kewal Anand Joshi ed shots from the Wynberg (Senior astrologer and Columnist) end can carry the ropes GOLDEN MOMENT easily. When Zimbabwe was invited to be the third team in the an- IN THE FAMILY nual Standard Bank triangular series in South Africa, it NEWLANDS FIXTURES was never imagined that they would offer any resistance to Blessings and love from mother Krishna Sehwag favourites South Africa or number two team England.