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July 17, 2001
Cricket |
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The Ashes Test series
Australia wrapped up the tour match against Somerset by a huge margin of 176 runs. Somerset who began the day at 52-1, chasing 417 for a win were bowled out for 240 on the last day of the match. Major contributions came from Aamer Sohail (36), skipper M Burns (59), and M Wood (51). The Australian back up bowlers were all amongst the wickets with Miller claiming 3-89 and Katich 3-21. Damien Fleming (2-38) and A Noffke 2-92 chipped in with wickets as well. Michael Slater and Mathew Hayden did not take any part in the final days proceedings as they were nursing injuries. 
India touring Sri Lanka New Zealand got of to their tour of Sri Lanka on a winning note with a crushing 164 run win in a practice match against Sri Lanka A at Colombo. The Kiwis rattled up 293 including 64 from M Sinclair, 48 from Astle, 58 from McMillan and 28 from C Harris. The Sri Lankan A side could only muster 128, as Tuffy (2-32), Mills (2-8) and Harris (2-31) shared the spoils. Sachin Tendulkar is expected to join the team for the fourth match on the one day series. Tendulkar had been left out of the side following a foot injury and is being rested for a while. Each of the three teams will play six matches, 3 against each side before the final. Skipper Ganguly said Tendulkar's absence would be felt in the beginning of the tournament. Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Zoysa is likely to miss the triangular series involving India and New Zealand following an ankle injury. Zoysa has taken 62 wicket in the 50 odd matches he has played
West Indies to Zimbabwe
Match Fixing The lawyers of the banned South African skipper Hansie Cronje said that he would never play representative cricket again even if he succeeds in having the ban imposed on him lifted. The lawyers were reacting to reports in the media since yesterday that the former skipper was planning his come back to cricket. Cronje is reported to have given an undertaking to this effect and his lawyers say he has no intention of breaking that. He is however, keen to take to coaching, especially coaching youngsters. Indian bookie Mukesh Gupta is reported to have visited the famed Himalayan temple of Vaishno Devi. Gupta is reported to have made the trip with his friends perhaps to relieve the tension and stress he may have undergone leading up to the ICC deadline of July 1st to appear before the Anti Corruption Unit. Gupta ignored the deadline possibly on the advise of friends who may have felt that he could be in trouble with the income tax department if he confesses to the ACU. Gupta is reported to have been considering bringing out a book on the entire episode. The Sri Lankan cricket Board (BCCSL) have said that the findings of the lone investigator, Desmond Fernando into the allegations against former skippers Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De Silva cannot be taken as final. The Board said it needed 3 weeks for a final ruling on the outcome of the probe.
Miscellaneous : The Kashmiri militant organization based in Pakistan Lashkar e Taiba denied ever to issuing threats to Indian sports persons like hockey captain Dhanraj Pillai and cricketers Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar. They alleged it was false propaganda by India to malign the militant group. They denied any animosity towards the civilian people of India saying their fight was against the Indian army who they claim are committing atrocities in Kashmir. Newspapers early this week reported the threats to the life of the above sports persons after the police nabbed some Lashkar members and questioned them. Four trainees of the National Cricket Academy Deepak Choughule, Vinayak Mane, Parthiv Patel and Arindam Das returned to Bangalore following a training programe under the Gavaskar-Border Training Foundation. The trainees were in the Australian Academy from June 4-14. The players all echoed similar sentiments on the fitness sessions, leadership training and all round aspects aspects of the game that were touched upon during their visit. The International Cricket Council is to award the junior nations that are to compete in the 2003 World Cup with a cash award of one million dollars to help them in their preparations for the big event. Netherlands and Namibia are ensured of the award after having qualified for the final. The third ICC affiliate team to join the 2003 tournament will be determined by the winners of the Canada Scotland tie. Kenya, another team knocking on the doors of Test status will also be given the award. ICC development manager Andrew Eade said the award is being given nearly 18 months in advance so as to enable the countries to chalk out their development programe for the World Cup. The chief of the World Cup organizing committee Ali Bacher says he would like to bring in the spirit of the Sydney Olympics into the World Cup 2003 in South Africa. He said the remarkable feature of the Sydney games was the feeling of pride every Australian took about being a part of the event and wanted the same feeling to be brought out in the minds of every South African. Bacher was clearly thrilled by Namibia's qualifying to the event as he has been instrumental in introducing a competition for emerging black players in Namibia.
Quick Single In a Pakistan vs England match at Perth in 1987, Ramiz Raja was caught of a no ball. Failing to hear the umpires call he left the crease to return to the pavilion. The square leg umpire RA French erroneously, gave him run out. Law 38 (2) however states that a batsman can be given out in such circumstances only if 'he attempts to run'. Yesterday's News ......................... News Roll archive |
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The all conquering Aussies may have a minor worry or two leading up to the second Test beginning on Thursday at Lord's. Brett Lee, Michael Slater and Mathew Hayden have all been troubled by niggling injuries, with Lee causing the biggest concern. Lee is suffering from an inflammation and bruising of the ribs and could be out of action for a month. Lee's fitness will be tested the day before the Test and he will be rested if required. Damien Fleming could replace Lee in the final line up for Lord's.
Chris Gayle and Carl Hooper made 99 (72 balls) and 95 (130 balls) respectively as West Indies amassed 395 in the second innings on the third and final day of their tour match against Zimbabwe A. Marlon Samuels also looked in good nick with a well-complied 84 of 114 balls. The tie was drawn. Wicket keeper Ridley Jacobs was unable to take part in the match following an attack of influenza.