Sports Section

An insult to Schumi

Schumi’s good but unsporting: Alonso


Madrid: Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso believes that for all his talent, German championship rival Michael Schumacher has been the most unsporting driver in the history of Formula One.
Schumacher announced his end-of-season retirement after his victory in the Monza Grand Prix in Italy on Sunday, but not before reducing his deficit on the Spaniard to just two points with three races remaining.
It means Schumacher is now in contention for an eighth world title — however that has failed to impress Renault driver Alonso.
Schumacher’s critics talk of his questionable racing ethics, and purists argue that the German should not be included in the pantheon of greatest racing drivers alongside Juan Manuel Fangio of Argentina, Scotland’s Jim Clark or Englishman Stirling Moss. And Alonso, who had a disastrous weekend of racing at Monza, was keen to join those who have often questioned the less sporting aspects of the 37-year-old German’s statistically impressive career.
“He’s been the most penalised and is the most unsporting driver in the history of Formula One,” Alonso said in daily sports paper Marca on Tuesday. Alonso even claimed that French football legend Zinedine Zidane, who capped his retirement from football with an audacious World Cup final headbutt on Italian rival Marco Materrazzi, had gone out with more glory. “Despite his headbutt, Zidane even left with more glory,” added Alonso.
In Saturday’s qualifying Alonso was relegated from fifth to tenth on the grid for an infringement which Renault contested vehemently, and he then failed to finish the race on Sunday when his engine blew.
The Spaniard did give his German rival some credit, however. “He’s been the best driver in the sport, and competing against him has been an honour,” said Alonso. AGENCIES
 
i believe that Alonso should give much more credit to Schumi than that coz he is the undoubted champion . He belongs to the class of Sachin, Lance and Michael Jordan. Critics may criticize him as much as they want but when you are sitting in that small cockpit racing at such an amazing speed , i don't think that all the things that are against him is that deliberate

Long Live Schumi.......

Ferrari Rulez.....
 
Paes to partner Sania

Paes to partner Sania


New Delhi: Finally team captain Leander Paes seemed to have had his way.
There was a tussle going on between Paes and his former doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi on who would partner Sania in the mixed doubles at the Doha Asian Games in December.
Paes, who won the US Open men’s double title on Sunday, had partnered Mirza as India won a mixed doubles bronze in Busan four years ago.
Paes will also lead India’s campaign in both, the individual and team tennis competitions, of the Asian Games to be held in Doha in December.
Paes, who last played a singles match as Davis Cup captain against Pakistan in Mumbai in April, will be joined by Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Harsh Mankad, Karan Rastogi and Prakash Amritraj in the individual event.
Mankad, who was not available for Davis Cup duties this year, has been chosen ahead of Amritraj by virtue of his better ATP Tour ranking in the team event alongside Paes, Bhupathi and Bopanna



Well its a great news and now its gonna be a deadly indian combo.....world here comes the indian duo....
 
Ponting apologises to umpire Rauf



Kuala Lampur: Ricky Ponting, who was fined his entire match fee for breaching the ICC code of conduct, has apologised to umpire Asad Rauf for showing dissent over a decision during the DLF Cup Tri-series match against the West Indies.
"Having had the opportunity to sleep on the incident I know I made a serious error of judgment. I regret the approach I made to umpire Asad Rauf and realise I should not have behaved in the way I did,'' Ponting said in a statement released by Cricket Australia.
In a hearing after the match on Tuesday, match Referee Chris Broad, found Ponting guilty of having breached level 1.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for 'showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse'.
"International cricket matches are passionate affairs, but as the captain of the Australian cricket team, I understand it's my responsibility to uphold the spirit of the game and I know that through my actions I let myself and my team down,'' he said.
Ponting queried Rauf's call of a wide ball given in the 33rd over off Shane Watson. Since it was the second such incident in the past 12 months that Ponting was involved in --the other happened during the Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong in April.

Flintoff’s appointment is a surprise

The Australian captain also made his feelings on the England team picked for the Ashes series. Ponting expressed surprised that Andrew Flintoff got the nod to lead England in the Ashes but sees nothing in their squad to force Australia to alter its preparations. "It doesn't really matter whatever squad they have named. It won't change what we do at all,'' he said. "I did think that Strauss would get the nod but obviously it hasn't gone that way -- I don't know why. We will have to wait and see what sort of job Flintoff does,'' he said.

Delighted with McGrath’s comeback

Ponting was also encouraged by spearhead Glenn McGrath's return. "It was his first game for nearly 12 months so he will probably have been a bit disappointed with how many wides he did in his first spell.'' AGENCIES
 
Schumi’s the best, says Woods

Graham Otway


Even though he is out on in his own when it comes to golf, Tiger Woods believes there is one world sporting superstar bigger than himself. Put on the spot in London on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after sitting courtside to watch Roger Federer win the US Open tennis, Woods had just one name in mind — Michael Schumacher.
“It’s because of his consistency over the years,” said Woods. “I think it may be his last year, or maybe one more, I don’t know. But it’s for what he has done year in and year out in the most globallywatched sport. “The pressure he has had to deal with is immense. It’s really phenomenal to see him succeed at the level he has done for so many years.” DAILY MAIL

Alonso gets flak

Michael Schumacher’s manager has accused Fernando Alonso of “pitiful behaviour” after the Formula One world champion described the German ace as the least sporting driver of all time.
Bild newspaper quoted Willi Weber on Wednesday as saying that Alonso’s comment to Spain’s Radio Marca was an “unbelievable insult, totally below the belt”. “I regard Alonso as a brilliant driver, but his behaviour right now is just pitiful. Michael will give him a suitable answer on the track.” AGENCIES
 
India win at last, finish 11th

India win at last, finish 11th

Monchengladbach: Pol Amat’s spectacular golden goal a minute into extra-time helped European champions Spain beat Korea 3-2 and win the bronze medal at the 11th FIH men’s hockey World Cup here on Sunday.
Japan defeated Argentina 2-1 to take ninth place while South Africa were landed with 12th and last place after losing 0-1 to India.
It was a big jump for Spain who had finished 11th in the 2002 World Cup while the Koreans suffered another heartbreak, having lost to the Netherlands at the same stage four years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Amat turned out to be Spain’s hero as he set up both the earlier goals. He relayed the ball to Eduard Tubau via Alex Fabregas for the first goal in the 10th minute and then set up Santiao Freixa for the next in the 40th.
The Koreans, after being on the defensive until then, threw everything into the game and Jong Hyun Jang converted a penalty corner in the 42nd. Jong Ho Seo shot home a rebound in the 60th for the equaliser.
A 54th minute goal by Rajpal Singh set up the Indian win, which was the first in seven matches and came against a team they had drawn 1-1 in the league last week.
The 11th place finish meant that India, number six in the FIH World rankings, earned the right to play in the 2007 Champions Challenge tournament in Boom, Belgium (June 23-July 1), the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Champions Trophy.
Japan’s third appearance at the World Cup equalled its ninth place in the first World Cup in 1971. AGENCIES
 
Lee-Sania pairing decided by AITA

‘Lee-Sania pairing decided by AITA’


Saibal Bose I TNN


Kolkata: Teaming up Sania Mirza with Leander Paes for the Doha Asian Games was the All India Tennis Association’s (AITA) decision and Mahesh Bhupathi is gracious enough to accept it, even though he may sound hurt. “I spoke to Anil Khanna (ITA chief) today morning,’’ Bhupathi said here on Wednesday. “He said that he had nothing to do with the decision. The AITA placed the issue to its panel of selectors, who decided that it would be good for Sania to pair up with Leander.’’
The reasons given to Bhupathi was that Leander and Sania had done well at the last Asian Games, they were playing together at the Asian Cup in Hyderabad and on current form, Leander appeared better than Bhupathi. “I have nothing to say about that,’’ said Bhupathi, although the last reason might not have gone down well with him. “I accept the decision,’’ he added.
Sania has indicated that she was ready to pair up with anyone. “If AITA tells me to play with Karan (Rastogi) or Rohan (Bopanna) I have no problems with that either.’’
Bhupathi said he must have been considered for the pair-up with Sania. “There were only three players me, Leander and Sania. I’m sure I was considered.’’
He reiterated that he was not consulted, betraying a slight feeling of hurt. The doubles title with Ancic in Beijing confirmed that he was in as good form as Leander.
He will play in the Mumbai ATP doubles with Ancic too, but the Croat will not commit for the future. “After all he is a top singles player and would not be able to commit for doubles.’’ Bhupathi is in search of a steady doubles partner. “I haven’t settled on any one yet,’’ he said.
He might pair up with Leander once again, for a few tournaments before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “We did that before the Athens Olympics and might do so before the Beijing Games too.’’
As far as mixed doubles is concerned, the partnership with Martina Hingis was a one-off thing. “She is through with mixed doubles.”However, Bhupathi is still open to pairing up with an Indian in the mixed event.
With Sunitha Rao wanting to play for India, Bhupathi is certain that things are looking up for women’s tennis. “Right now, our Fed Cup team is looking better than the Davis Cup team. That’s really a positive sign.’’
 
Problems of being Virender Sehwag

It’s been a staggering 538 days since Virender Sehwag took off his helmet, pointed his bat to the dressing room and the four corners of the cricket ground and closed his eyes to salute the Almighty. Sehwag goes through these rituals whenever he bludgeons a hundred and passes every subsequent milestone. The 27-year-old has done all of that when dressed in whites. But it’s in the blues where the man, whose game was thought to be ideal for the shorter format, has hit a trough.
Experts and former players have always opined that a primal talent like Sehwag will never be a statistician’s delight and should be left alone. As true as it is, what is worrying has been the manner of his dismissals since Kochi. Thirteen of his 42 dismissals have been bowled. Four times he has got out leg before. Does that suggest a slowness in his reflexes, a chink in his technique, a delay in picking up the line and length, or a susceptibility to the incoming delivery?
The man who pioneered enterprising strokeplay in ODIs in India, K Srikkanth, doesn’t think so. He blames the team management for the predicament that Sehwag currently finds himself in. ‘‘Why disturb someone when he is comfortable batting at a certain number? Sehwag’s record as an opener is outstanding. He’s lethal when the ball is hard and new and the field restrictions are in place,’’ says Srikkanth.
The former skipper also feels that the captain or the coach should allow Sehwag to play his natural game. ‘‘I often got out playing rash strokes. But my captains, be it Gavaskar or Kapil, never told me anything. Even if Sehwag succeeds in five out of the 10 matches, he will win those games single-handedly.’’
Srikkanth also had a word of advice for Sehwag about how to avoid getting out bowled and leg before wicket repeatedly. ‘‘He should play the ball a little later than he’s currently doing. Because he is early into his stroke, he is subconsciously leaving a gap between the bat and pad. It is a typical problem strokeplayers face on slow, low wickets, like we had in West Indies and Kuala Lumpur. Once he plays on Indian wickets which are faster and truer, he will get back to scoring big,’’ Srikkanth said.
But how can one be so consistent in Tests and so inconsistent in ODIs? Is Sehwag trying to score quicker in the shorter format? ‘‘Yes,’’ says Srikkanth. ‘‘It is tempting to do that when you have a reputation of scoring quickly and the crowd is chanting your name after you’ve belted a couple of fours and the adrenaline is flowing. Maybe he can learn to respect the conditions initially.’’
It would be even better if Sehwag refuses to be a slave of his reputation. How about not playing to the galleries and playing for Team India? It certainly won’t be a bad addition to the plethora of experiments that are currently going on.

Consistently inconsistent

Sehwag’s last ODI hundred came 43 games back, against Pakistan on April 2, 2005.
Sehwag’s average till the Kochi ton: 36.56

Sehwag’s average after Kochi:

As opener: 30.00 (he has opened in 35 games, and has six 50s) At No.3: 16.66 At No.4: 41.33 (includes an unbeaten 77 against South Africa at Bangalore. His other scores at this position are 30, 9 and 8)
 
Problems of being Virender Sehwag

indrajit_v5 said:
It’s been a staggering 538 days since Virender Sehwag took off his helmet, pointed his bat to the dressing room and the four corners of the cricket ground and closed his eyes to salute the Almighty. Sehwag goes through these rituals whenever he bludgeons a hundred and passes every subsequent milestone. The 27-year-old has done all of that when dressed in whites. But it’s in the blues where the man, whose game was thought to be ideal for the shorter format, has hit a trough.
Experts and former players have always opined that a primal talent like Sehwag will never be a statistician’s delight and should be left alone. As true as it is, what is worrying has been the manner of his dismissals since Kochi. Thirteen of his 42 dismissals have been bowled. Four times he has got out leg before. Does that suggest a slowness in his reflexes, a chink in his technique, a delay in picking up the line and length, or a susceptibility to the incoming delivery?
The man who pioneered enterprising strokeplay in ODIs in India, K Srikkanth, doesn’t think so. He blames the team management for the predicament that Sehwag currently finds himself in. ‘‘Why disturb someone when he is comfortable batting at a certain number? Sehwag’s record as an opener is outstanding. He’s lethal when the ball is hard and new and the field restrictions are in place,’’ says Srikkanth.
The former skipper also feels that the captain or the coach should allow Sehwag to play his natural game. ‘‘I often got out playing rash strokes. But my captains, be it Gavaskar or Kapil, never told me anything. Even if Sehwag succeeds in five out of the 10 matches, he will win those games single-handedly.’’
Srikkanth also had a word of advice for Sehwag about how to avoid getting out bowled and leg before wicket repeatedly. ‘‘He should play the ball a little later than he’s currently doing. Because he is early into his stroke, he is subconsciously leaving a gap between the bat and pad. It is a typical problem strokeplayers face on slow, low wickets, like we had in West Indies and Kuala Lumpur. Once he plays on Indian wickets which are faster and truer, he will get back to scoring big,’’ Srikkanth said.
But how can one be so consistent in Tests and so inconsistent in ODIs? Is Sehwag trying to score quicker in the shorter format? ‘‘Yes,’’ says Srikkanth. ‘‘It is tempting to do that when you have a reputation of scoring quickly and the crowd is chanting your name after you’ve belted a couple of fours and the adrenaline is flowing. Maybe he can learn to respect the conditions initially.’’
It would be even better if Sehwag refuses to be a slave of his reputation. How about not playing to the galleries and playing for Team India? It certainly won’t be a bad addition to the plethora of experiments that are currently going on.

Consistently inconsistent

Sehwag’s last ODI hundred came 43 games back, against Pakistan on April 2, 2005.
Sehwag’s average till the Kochi ton: 36.56

Sehwag’s average after Kochi:

As opener: 30.00 (he has opened in 35 games, and has six 50s) At No.3: 16.66 At No.4: 41.33 (includes an unbeaten 77 against South Africa at Bangalore. His other scores at this position are 30, 9 and 8)
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Kingfisher Airlines Open begins today

Mumbai: Come Monday and the CCI will witness high-octane tennis as the ATP bandwagon zooms into Mumbai.
Will towering Croat Ancic be Super Mario at the Kingfisher Airlines Open or will the redoubtable Spaniard Tommy Robredo stop him in his tracks? Their contrasting styles will make for compelling viewing.
The 6ft 5 inch Ancic’s bludgeoning power game can put any of the top players to shame. His booming serve and adrenaline-rushing groundstrokes have earned him major scalps during his career.
The World No.11 has been going through a lean patch this year. His lone title came at s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, on grass. Yes that is the same surface where he beat the invincible Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002, the great man’s last loss at the Big W. This year too he played the indestructible Swiss at Wimbledon in the quarters and the Croat fell in straight sets to the mesmerising Federer.
Ancic did not play after Wimbledon due to an injury. On his return in Beijing at the China Open he put up a strong showing going all the way to the final before losing to lionhearted Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
Given Ancic’s prowess on grass and hard courts he will definitely be the one to beat. Tommy Robredo, the World No.7, has been having a pretty successful year and showed that he is a player to reckon with on surfaces apart from his favourite clay. He reached the round of 16 at the US Open and got to the semis at Cincinnati.
While all his titles have come on clay this year he is slowly finding his feet on the hard surfaces. He is a tour de force from the baseline. One of his rare losses this year was to whizkid Rafael Nadal at the Barcelona Open final. This will be a golden opportunity for the suave Spaniard to show the world he is a tough nut to crack.
Former French Open Carlos Moya will look to continue his Indian success story. The Spaniard has already won twice at Chennai and is one of the outsiders for the title. Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych is another player to watch out for. The Czech put out Roger Federer in the Athens Olympics and is a dangerous customer.

TOP PLAYERS



TOMMY ROBREDO (Esp)

Date of Birth: May 1, 1982 Birthplace: Hostalric, Spain Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 1998 ATP singles ranking: 7 Career-High Singles: 5 (8/28/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 1

Mario Ancic (CRO)

Date of Birth: March 30, 1984 Birthplace: Split, Croatia Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2001 ATP singles ranking: 11 Career-High Singles: 7 (7/10/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding : 2

Tomas Berdych (Cze)

Date of Birth: September 17, 1985 Birthplace: Valasske Mezirici, Czech Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2002 ATP singles ranking: 13 Career-High Singles: 13 (9/11/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 3

Dmitry Tursunov (Rus)

Date of Birth: December 12, 1982 Birthplace: Moscow, Russia Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2000 ATP singles ranking: 22 Career-High Singles: 22 (9/11/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 4
 
Kingfisher Airlines Open begins today

indrajit_v5 said:
Mumbai: Come Monday and the CCI will witness high-octane tennis as the ATP bandwagon zooms into Mumbai.
Will towering Croat Ancic be Super Mario at the Kingfisher Airlines Open or will the redoubtable Spaniard Tommy Robredo stop him in his tracks? Their contrasting styles will make for compelling viewing.
The 6ft 5 inch Ancic’s bludgeoning power game can put any of the top players to shame. His booming serve and adrenaline-rushing groundstrokes have earned him major scalps during his career.
The World No.11 has been going through a lean patch this year. His lone title came at s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, on grass. Yes that is the same surface where he beat the invincible Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002, the great man’s last loss at the Big W. This year too he played the indestructible Swiss at Wimbledon in the quarters and the Croat fell in straight sets to the mesmerising Federer.
Ancic did not play after Wimbledon due to an injury. On his return in Beijing at the China Open he put up a strong showing going all the way to the final before losing to lionhearted Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
Given Ancic’s prowess on grass and hard courts he will definitely be the one to beat. Tommy Robredo, the World No.7, has been having a pretty successful year and showed that he is a player to reckon with on surfaces apart from his favourite clay. He reached the round of 16 at the US Open and got to the semis at Cincinnati.
While all his titles have come on clay this year he is slowly finding his feet on the hard surfaces. He is a tour de force from the baseline. One of his rare losses this year was to whizkid Rafael Nadal at the Barcelona Open final. This will be a golden opportunity for the suave Spaniard to show the world he is a tough nut to crack.
Former French Open Carlos Moya will look to continue his Indian success story. The Spaniard has already won twice at Chennai and is one of the outsiders for the title. Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych is another player to watch out for. The Czech put out Roger Federer in the Athens Olympics and is a dangerous customer.

TOP PLAYERS



TOMMY ROBREDO (Esp)

Date of Birth: May 1, 1982 Birthplace: Hostalric, Spain Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 1998 ATP singles ranking: 7 Career-High Singles: 5 (8/28/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 1

Mario Ancic (CRO)

Date of Birth: March 30, 1984 Birthplace: Split, Croatia Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2001 ATP singles ranking: 11 Career-High Singles: 7 (7/10/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding : 2

Tomas Berdych (Cze)

Date of Birth: September 17, 1985 Birthplace: Valasske Mezirici, Czech Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2002 ATP singles ranking: 13 Career-High Singles: 13 (9/11/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 3

Dmitry Tursunov (Rus)

Date of Birth: December 12, 1982 Birthplace: Moscow, Russia Plays: Right-handed Turned Pro: 2000 ATP singles ranking: 22 Career-High Singles: 22 (9/11/2006) Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open seeding: 4
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Indian batsmen looked rusty

Indian batsmen looked rusty


Ricky Ponting


When we entered the DLF Cup, our main aim was to give each of our core group of 18 players good exposure before a crucial season. That we were able to experiment with various combinations and still come out winners is a great feeling. It’s even more satisfying since we are coming out of our offseason and many of us had not played cricket for several weeks before this tournament.
I think it’s a testimony to the class of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee that they hit the right line and length after such protracted breaks and even our batting, particularly the lower order, has been really effective.
The final might look a little one-sided when one sees the scoreboard, but the West Indies bowling really tested our top order, and it was left to Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds to get us back on track. I knew that a 225-plus total would be tough to overhaul, but I also knew that the wickets of Chris Gayle and Brian Lara were absolutely crucial.
I had mentioned earlier that Chris is the one player who has been really turning around games for his team. On Sunday, his first-ball dismissal was the turning point. Lee was really fired up after that and put up his second standout performance in three days — a remarkable achievement for a
fast bowler, under sapping conditions.
As for the Indians, I think their normally consistent batsmen looked a little rusty. While we would have taken plenty of positives from this tournament, it also gave the other two sides a chance to reassess their team selection and strategy. GAMEPLAN
 
Indian batsmen looked rusty

indrajit_v5 said:
Indian batsmen looked rusty


Ricky Ponting


When we entered the DLF Cup, our main aim was to give each of our core group of 18 players good exposure before a crucial season. That we were able to experiment with various combinations and still come out winners is a great feeling. It’s even more satisfying since we are coming out of our offseason and many of us had not played cricket for several weeks before this tournament.
I think it’s a testimony to the class of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee that they hit the right line and length after such protracted breaks and even our batting, particularly the lower order, has been really effective.
The final might look a little one-sided when one sees the scoreboard, but the West Indies bowling really tested our top order, and it was left to Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds to get us back on track. I knew that a 225-plus total would be tough to overhaul, but I also knew that the wickets of Chris Gayle and Brian Lara were absolutely crucial.
I had mentioned earlier that Chris is the one player who has been really turning around games for his team. On Sunday, his first-ball dismissal was the turning point. Lee was really fired up after that and put up his second standout performance in three days — a remarkable achievement for a
fast bowler, under sapping conditions.
As for the Indians, I think their normally consistent batsmen looked a little rusty. While we would have taken plenty of positives from this tournament, it also gave the other two sides a chance to reassess their team selection and strategy. GAMEPLAN
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Inzy cleared of tampering; banned for defiance

New Delhi: Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq was on Thursday cleared of the ball tampering charges. Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson Abbas Zaidi confirmed the acquittal as the ICC Disciplinary Hearing concluded in London at the Oval.

However, it was not all-good news for Inzamam as he has been banned for four One-Day Internationals for bringing the game into disrepute. This means that he will miss the Champions Trophy that will take place in India next month.

"Inzamam has been cleared of ball tampering but was found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute. It is a Level 3 offence and he has been banned for four ODIs with immediate effect," ICC spokesperson James Fitzerald said.

The 36-year-old had 24 hours to appeal against the verdict that was given after the Code of Conduct hearing by ICC Chief Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle, but he chose not to raise a voice.

Umpires Darrell Hair of Australia and Billy Doctrove of the West Indies had leveled the charge after Pakistan forfeited the Oval Test.

Hair had penalised the team five runs for ball tampering on the fourth day of the match and Pakistan protested by refusing to take the field after tea that led to the first ever forfeiture of a Test.

Inzamam and the two umpires were among 11 witnesses, who gave evidence in the closed hearing.

Ranjan Madugalle during a press conference following the hearing, said: "Inzamam is not guilty of ball tampering. But on the second charge of bringing the game into disrepute, Inzamam is guilty on two ocassions on two times he did not come to play with the team. The issue has been an unforunate one but we have to move forward. There was no concrete evidence against Inzamam to prove the charges of ball tampering."

“I have taken into account Mr Haq's expressions of regret and apology. I decide that Mr Haq should be banned for four One-Day matches with immediate effect,” Madugalle said.

The punishment means Inzamam will miss the first four of Pakistan's matches in the October 7-November 5 Champions Trophy in India, which includes all major cricket-playing nations.

The other witnesses were fourth umpire Trevor Jesty, match referee Mike Procter, ICC referees and umpires' manager Doug Cowie, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan, Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and three experts for the defence -- Geoffrey Boycott, Simon Hughes and John Hampshire

IBNLive.com
 
Hair out of Champions Trophy
AFP
Thursday, September 28, 2006 20:18 IST



LONDON: Controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair will not officiate in next month's Champions Trophy in India because of security concerns.

Hair was at the centre of a damaging row last month over the ball-tampering allegations against Pakistan that led to the Oval Test against England ending in a farce.

Pakistan, incensed that Hair accused them of ball tampering by penalising the team five runs, refused to take the field after tea on the fourth day.

Hair and fellow-umpire Billy Doctrove of the West Indies awarded the match to England, resulting in the first forfeiture in the 129-year history of Test cricket.

Pakistan captain Inzaman ul-Haq was on Thursday cleared of ball-tampering but found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute and banned for four one-day internationals.
 
Last tango

Last tango



In the twilight zone of cricket, the clock has begun ticking for men who have for years basked in the sunlight of fame. Now, as the Champions Trophy and World Cup set the stage for their last hurrah, cricket prepares for the pain of having to bid them farewell. Siddhartha Mishra attempts a brief history of time marked by credentials and character that may never come again...




Nothing lasts forever. When reality intrudes on sport, even the age-defying Peter Pan of childhood vintage is reduced to one word: fiction.
At the risk of challenging the future, the 2007 edition of cricket’s World Cup may well persuade the end of careers as illustrious and sustained as those of Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Marvan Atapattu, Shaun Pollock and Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Each has become one of cricket’s stories. Yet in the evolution of sport, they too must pass. As always, the show will go on; only, it will be teased by the distraction of The Men Who Have Gone. Because in sport, a life’s work is not to be found in numbers but in memories that tell the future what these men represented.
While none of these men lends himself to convenient absolutes, each has made a unique contribution.
Lara’s life’s work occupies more than 400 runs in the light of an Antiguan noon. In this age of minimalism, marked by the checked drive, with him will fade the polite savagery of the golfswing backlift. So too will fade the over-ambition invested in a West Indian team otherwise of humble pedigree. Lara gives us the feeling that cricket is there for his pleasure, not he for its. Perhaps we will never feel so again.
From the Antipodean macho-land of fair dinkum, come McGrath, the epitome of hostility at friendly pace; and Gilchrist, the most audacious wicketkeeper-batsman ever, yet with the conscience to walk before the umpire’s verdict. For pop culture clothed in a Cricket Australia tracksuit, for a team that feeds on symbolism — wearing baggy green, guzzling Lager, snarling aggro — there could hardly have been more effective dismantlers of the stereotype.
Cricketers of Jayasuriya’s disposition are ever haunted by ‘what could have been’. Yet what would have been if such players had subscribed to the mostly homogenised game played today? Undoubtedly, cricket is a greater game for his desperado adventurism that changed the construct of ODI openers forever.
With due respect to the more successful and flamboyant, no jigsaw of Sri Lankan cricket would be complete without the bits and pieces of Vaas and Atapattu, both reapers of a long, patient haul. They ensure that modest talent, the perfect foil, lives on in the game.
In these times when utility men need to be jacks of two trades, Pollock is an original. Much as his tenacious bowling and clean hitting have been central to South African fortunes over the years, he has played a part in the bigger picture: the continuation of the true-blue all-rounder’s legacy.
For one who calls attention to his languid self only by the modesty of his methods, Inzamam, by appearance, is an unlikely batsman, and even less so a captain. With him and soon without, the position of ‘unlikely’ as the most deceptive word in cricket’s dictionary will stay secure, long after he mumbles how the boys played well for the last time.
Cricket thrives on nostalgia. After famous jerseys are packed into mothballed suitcases, it is inevitable that halos will be created which never existed. Conversely, little minds will tell us that Lara will leave West Indian cricket as he found it: in decline. That McGrath, Gilchrist and Jayasuriya — ironically by the success of their methods — have further expedited the extinction of the express bowler, the pure wicketkeeper with limited batting abilities, and the opener of safety-first bloodline. But only the ultramyopic will fail to see cricket’s evolution in all this, the contributions of these men, and their greatness in outliving the shortness of public memory.
Burdened with a vacuum to fill, cricket will mourn their departure, their greatness. Yet, life is a continuum and waiting for greatness anew is part of the pleasure of following sport.
In the departure of these men will be new beginnings, new memories. Yet there will always be regret at the end of an era. Regret for what exactly we will always be uncertain. Leaving The Men Who Have Gone to always be there in our minds.

Sunset boulevard

For these ‘retiring’ cricketers whose records speak for themselves, it is their stories that the game will inherit

Brian Lara (37)

An entry coinciding with the decline of the West Indies, once the superpower of the game. A career punctuated by clashes with authority, injury, loss of form and motivation. A responsibility to fulfil the dreams of disparate islands united by cricket. An embarrassing overdose of fame and, with it, a constant scrutiny of his private life. But he has always played his life like he played his cricket: with a simultaneous interplay of flourish and flaws. And so will his farewell be.

Inzamam-ul-Haq (36)

Seldom has such a paradox graced those green fields. Of humble background, demeanour and cricketing style, he exploded into the game’s active consciousness with a violent innings in a semi-final of the 1992 World Cup and will explode out of it carrying the controversy of the Oval Test. In between has been flux: he has been ridiculed for his generous physical proportions, criticised for his captaincy, run-outs and weird dismissals, and even been dropped from the Pakistan side. But each time he has proved the mocking birds wrong... and earned poetic justice. Now, at journey’s end, he is among the privileged few who decide the timing of their own exit.

Sanath Jayasuriya (37)

Many have more attractive statistics, few have changed the complexion of the game as he has. This, when behind the ecstasy his fours and sixes elicit, is another world hiding his agony at divorcing his wife and the captaincy, at questions being raised on his time-proven utility to Sri Lanka, at being forced into retirement, albeit temporarily. Today, as always, he is not only back where he belongs, but also how he belongs: with a bang. Jayasuriya’s adieu moment promises to be no different.

Adam Gilchrist (34)

For one who had to wait long years for a chance to sport national colours and has played captain ungrudgingly without the permanence of the job, walking before the umpire’s verdict shouldn’t be a certainty. But so it is. Because, if the purpose of sport is to provide entertainment — to both the viewer and the viewed — then here is a man for whom there is no corridor of uncertainty. For him, the bowler-batsman encounter is as much an exhibition as it is a contest. Australia will miss Gilchrist when he retires, cricket at large even more so.

Shaun Pollock (33)

Born of a gene pool of erstwhile greats and bred in the pressure-cooker of the accompanying expectations, this allrounder of considerable merit is the axis around which a team re-established itself in international cricket. And yet, he remains largely uncelebrated and was even stripped off the captaincy after South Africa faltered in the 2003 World Cup. He has never questioned why, always sticking to the straight and narrow as he so famously does as a bowler across 22 yards. When he quietly fades away, there is bound to be fond remembrance. It can be no other way for a cricketer and a gentleman.
 
England need Flintoff to do the star-turn


MUMBAI:

It’s no secret that England’s one-day team is in a shambles. They tied the one-day series against Pakistan at home in September, but that will provide little succour for them coming into the mini-World Cup. For starters, the English have never been good tourists in the sub-continent.

Whatever confidence they have gained by holding Pakistan 2-2 after a humiliating 0-5 loss to Sri Lanka, will be ground to dust when they arrive in India. The heat and hot curry have never suited their palate. When they visited in March-April this year for a seven-match one-day series, they played most of their tour with half their squad either sick or falling by the wayside injured.

Their star one-day batsman, opener Marcus Trescothick, left home crying even before the first game of that series — reasons are still sketchy — but what is certain is that he is not returning this time. Of greater concern will be the form and fitness of those willing to make the trip.

Captain and unarguably the world’s best all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is still mulling over whether he will have a bowl or not. His last one-day game was in April during the Indian tour and a lot will depend on how his ankle feels. He will have to get into his act straightaway both as the leader and the all-rounder.

England’s problems start right at the top. Without Trescothick around, there is a huge vacuum to fill beside Andrew Strauss’ name for the opener’s slot. Incidentally, Trescothick is the only batsman to have scored a century for the team in the past 27 one-day internationals, even that came against a lowly Ireland.

Trescothick has already committed himself to the Ashes, a series that is England’s priority. It’s no surprise that their best spinner Monty Panesar is being treated with kid gloves, given rest with the Ashes in mind. While England remain a competitive Test side — though they have not won a series since the last Ashes — they have been pretty indifferent to the shorter version of the game. One-day losses tend to draw less criticism than a Test defeat back home.

Failure to beat Australia in Jaipur on October 21 will be overlooked but not a loss of grip over the Ashes urn. Andrew Flintoff’s team seemed to be just going through the motions in the shorter version of the game when they last toured India. The inclusion of Jamie Dalrymple, an off-spinning all-rounder, and Michael Yardy should infuse some life into the England squad.

Twenty20 is gaining most popularity in England. The mini-World Cup could be where England incorporates the bold and positive approach of the shortest version of the game into its one-day scheme of things. The writing is on the wall - Andrew Flintoff and Co has to try something different to catch rivals off guard. Otherwise they will be steamrollered. Unless, of course, Flintoff and his ankle is game enough to play Atlas again.

Batting -

Kevin Pietersen is undoubtedly the side’s best player of spin and their best batsman. Although the South-African born batter hasn’t played a truly destructive innings for a while, any decent time he spends in the middle could mean trouble for the opposition. He is not averse to playing the sweep or the reverse sweep and has used the shots to take the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh out of the attack. Equally at ease off the front and back foot and against pacemen and twirlers, Pietersen is the one around whom England’s batting revolves. All-rounder Paul Collingwood too has shown a keenness to adjust to Indian conditions and will be useful down the order. Ian Bell, who has hit a purple patch, will be banked on for runs. Andrew Strauss’ form against the new ball is crucial. However even with Flintoff in the squad, the batting line-up somehow doesn’t give a sense of awe.

Bowling -

With no Monty Panesar, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones (unavailable due to injury), the bulk of the bowling will fall on Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff - both of whom can get the ball to reverse swing. But England will need to find inspiration outside their main acts too. James Anderson is one who has been promising to deliver the goods for a while. He will have to perform consistently, if not brilliantly, to justify his selection. Sajid Mahmood, the tall, lanky fast bowler, must be efficient. If Mahmood can ‘bowl in the right areas’, like all one-day bowlers strive for these days and contain the runs, he will do yeoman service to his team. But it’s the lack of a quality spinner that will hurt England the most.

>>> Top Dog -

Andrew Flintoff

Age: 28

Role: All-rounder

In recent times, England’s fortunes have dipped and risen with the form of Andrew Flintoff. He is an inspirational figure in the dressing room and his experience of touring India will be invaluable. He has shown in the past that the pressures of captaincy, batting and bowling do not affect his performance. He can turn a match around with the bat or the ball and carries a sense of confidence that can truly lift a team. Last time when he was in India, captaincy was thrust on him when Michael Vaughan flew back owing to a knee injury that flared up. This time he heads into the Champions Trophy with enough time to think over strategies but with little practice to fall back upon. There is no team in world cricket that depends on the form of one man as much as England does on Flintoff.



SO HOW MUCH CHANCES ARE THERE FOR ENGLAND TO WIN THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2006?
 
Another door closes on Dada

Another door closes on Dada


Jaffer To Lead Rest Of India; Zaheer, Kartik Included

TIMES NEWS NETWORK



Chennai: The doors are slowing closing one by one for Sourav Ganguly. The latest to shut on him denied an entry in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh to be held at Nagpur from October 9.
The Dilip Vengsarkar-headed panel has taken the former India captain's current form while omitting him.
"Of late, his performance has not been great. You have to score consistently to be picked. He has not scored consistently. We picked those who have showed consistency,'' Vengsarkar reasoned after the selection meeting on Wednesday.
Ganguly's scores have been far from impressive. In two matches of the Challenger Series here he scored 24 & 3. Earlier in the county matches representing Northamptonshire, he could only muster 19 runs (five innings) from three games. He fared marginally better in a one-day match scoring 71.
Yet, Vengsarkar wasn't willing to rule out Ganguly completely. "Players like him and a few others will be playing in the forthcoming domestic tournaments. Depending on their performances they will come in for contention.''
Keeping in with theme of the selection, most players made it on the basis of their performances, including Zaheer Khan and Murali Kartik. Among them were 20-year-old Hyderabad left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, 19-year-old Tamil Nadu medium-pacer Yo Mahesh amd 19-year-old Mumbai middle-order bat Rohit Sharma.
Injured VVS Laxman and pacers L Balaji and Ashish Nehra, who returned to the game after a long injury lay-off, have been overlooked from the squad to be led by opener Wasim Jaffer.
Board secretary Niranjan Shah informed that Suresh Raina, Mohammad Kaif and RP Singh will not turn out for UP as they will be busy with Champions Trophy campagin.
Asked about Zaheer Khan, who got the nod ahead of Tamil Nadu's L. Balaji, Vengsarkar said the seamer has performed well in the English county. "Both have bowled extremely well in the Challenger Trophy. The panel considered Zaheer's performance in county. And Balaji has just recovered from an injury.''
Rest of India squad: Wasim Jaffer (capt), Venugopala Rao (vice-capt), Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, S Badrinath, Dinesh Kaarthick, VRV Singh, S Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, Murali Kartik, Pragyan Ojha, Rohit Sharma, Sourashish Lahiri, Yo Mahesh.
 
Yousuf to captain Pakistan after Younis's refusal

Yousuf to captain Pakistan after Younis's refusal:SugarwareZ-064: ​


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Mohammad Yousuf will lead Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy after Younis Khan dramatically refused to captain the side.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) quickly promoted the batsman after Younis made his unexpected announcement this morning, only two days before the squad are due to depart for the tournament in Inida.

Abdul Razzaq, the all-rounder, is now vice-captain. The PCB did not say whether Younis would still play.

Yousuf, 32, has played 70 Tests and 223 one-day internationals. He has captained Pakistan in four one-day internationals, losing two and winning two. In his three Tests as captain Pakistan lost two and won one.

Younis, also a batsman, was chosen as a replacement for Inzamam-ul-Haq, the regular captain who was suspended by the International Cricket Council over the Oval Test affair.
However, at a press conference in Lahore, Younis said: "I don't want to be a dummy captain and the reason why I have refused the captaincy will be revealed afterwards."

"Whether I am made captain for four or six matches I am not willing to be captain and no one should ask me any questions."

It has been reported that he refused the role following a disagreement over the selection of Faisal Iqbal as Pakistan's14th squad member, replacing Inzamam. Pakistan officials would not comment on that.

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, admitted he was upset by Younis's decision. He said: "I am saddened by Younis's resignation and, having known him for two years and having a good relationship with him, I think he would have a number of personal reasons for his decision."

Saleem Altaf, however, the PCB's director of operations, was critical of the player. He said: "We don't think this is the way to do things. If he had any problems he should have discussed it with us first. We will talk to Younis about his behaviour."

Talat Ali, manager of the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy, and Altaf failed to convince Younis to fulfil the role during a 30-minute meeting at the Pakistan national cricket academy.

The ICC banned Inzamam for bringing the game into disrepute after he led his team's refusal to play in the fourth Test against England at the Oval in August. He was acquitted of ball-tampering, however, the allegation which prompted Pakistan's protest.

Younis has captained Pakistan before, in two Tests and two one-day internationals, winning and losing one of each.

Pakistan, meanwhile, open the Champions Trophy against a qualifier team in Jaipur on October 17 before taking on New Zealand on October 25 and South Africa on October 27 in Mohali.

The tournament starts with a qualifying round featuring West Indies, the defending champions, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Two teams will qualify for the main rounds, which start on October 15.


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