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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#261

Dravid delighted by Sehwag recovery

AFP

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 21:57 IST

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PORT OF SPAIN: India captain Rahul Dravid breathed a sigh of relief that under-fire batsman Virender Sehwag made a timely return to form with a century against Bermuda.

Sehwag, who was dropped down the order to number three, had made just one half-century in his last 14 matches before Monday's 257-run win against Bermuda and was facing mounting calls for him to be dropped.

But Dravid stuck by the player and Sehwag responded in style with an 87-ball 114 with three sixes and 17 fours.

"Viru is a very good player and I'm happy he's part of my team -- a key member. He's back in form just when we need him before a very critical match," said Dravid.

Sehwag was named man-of-the-match after scoring his eighth hundred, but first in nearly two years.

"The effort he has put in is fantastic. All credit to him. We expect a lot from him. He has been picked to score more than one hundred for us," said Dravid.

Sehwag said a big innings from him was long overdue.

"I had the confidence. I knew the captain, coach and selectors were backing me and I had to deliver," he said.

"I was waiting for just one innings. It was due for a long time. Thank God, it has come at the right time. So I am happy with my performance."

India, who suffered a shock five-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in their opening Group B game, still need to beat Sri Lanka on Friday to boost their chances of advancing to the Super Eight stage

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1086076

Edited by anishma24 - 18 years ago

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#262

We still can make things happen: Dravid
20th Mar 2007 12:33 IST
Agencies

India will have to overcome huge odds to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the World Cup but a defiant Indian captain Rahul Dravid insists his side can still make things happen.

Stunned by Bangladesh in the first match, India pummelled Bermuda in their second group B match on Monday to stay in the hunt for a place in the Super 8 and they face Sri Lanka in a do-or-die match on March 23.

"There are something we can control and something we can't. We'll try to do our best to do things, which are controllable. We'll try to play to our potential and if we can do that, we can still make things happen", Dravid said after his side's 257-run win against Bermuda.

"Now we have this big match against Sri Lanka. Hopefully we can take some confidence from this match to that game", he added.

Dravid was visibly happy with the show of the frontline batsmen against Bermuda and said, "We needed a big performance after our last match's performance and the boys did well -- they laid a good foundation and then some good hitting towards the end."

Against Bermuda, India rewrote history by putting on 413 runs for the loss of five wickets -- the highest score in World Cup's history.

Asked about the pitch, the Indian skipper said, "You need time to settle in such tracks and get used to. It was bouncy and did quite carry."

Dravid also cautioned his teammates against any slip-up in their must-win game against Sri Lanka on Friday.

"There are some things which are not in our control, like the net run-rate. The other teams' matches and results are not in our control. What is in our control is to go and try to win the next game and win it as well as possible," Dravid said.

Dravid asked his boys not to sit on their huge win against Bermuda but look ahead for the bigger challenge of overcoming Sri Lanka.

"The real challenge is ahead of us. We had two must-win matches, but have won just one. The guys know what they have to do now," said Dravid, with man of the match and centurion Virender Sehwag sitting in tow.

India now need to put it across Sri Lanka to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Super Eight stage.

India posted the highest Cup total of 413/5 and then bowled Bermuda out for 156 to record the biggest victory in one-day internationals by run-margin. Dravid underlined the fact that not only his team needed to win but also do it handsomely to up the run-rate.

The Indian skipper saw it as a good sign that Sehwag returned to his swashbuckling ways ahead of vital clash against the Sri Lankans.

"Viru (Sehwag) is a very good player and I'm happy he's part of my team -- a key member. He's back into form just when we need him before a very critical match," said Dravid.

Sehwag, without a hundred in the last 61 games, smashed 114 off only 87 balls with 17 fours and three sixes and looked a relieved man.

"The effort he has put in is fantastic. It is nice for him to get runs. All credit to him. To be honest, we expect a lot from him. He has been picked to score more than one hundred for us," said Dravid.

Despite the heavy loss, Bermuda captain Irvine Romaine, however, was not really upset about it.

"I think we fielded exceptionally well but India played very, very well today. What we learnt from the match is that the bowlers need to be consistent with the line and length. We sprayed at times today.

"Anyway, someone (David Hemp) got 76 and we got past 150- I think it was a good day for cricket and we had fun", he said.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, who played a scintillating 46-ball knock of 83, said once Mahendra Singh Dhoni was out, he decided to play his shots.

"I had to go there and take a few balls to settle. Besides, the pitch was a bit slow as well. I got my eyes in and in fact wanted to bat till the 50th over.

"But once Dhoni got out, I started playing as many strokes I could", he said.

Pointed out that he played quite a few shots in the mid-wicket area, Yuvraj said, "I felt confident after playing my first shot in the mid-wicket area and I got a few balls to hit through that area."

Happy that the knee injury was a thing of the past, Yuvraj said, "I'm happy that I'm batting well and I'm looking forward to the next match."

Sehwag said a big innings from him was long overdue and he was just waiting for his chance.

"I had the confidence. I knew the captain, coach and selectors were backing me up and I had to deliver," said the aggressive opener.

"I was waiting for just one innings. It was due for a long time. Thank God, it has come at the right time. So I am happy with my performance."

http://www.cricketzone.com/news/news_face_to_face/2007-03-20 -182.html

Edited by anishma24 - 18 years ago

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#263

Group B on tenterhooks

Agencies Port of Spain, Mar 20: Former Champion Sri Lanka takes on Bangladesh tomorrow in a do or die Group 'B' encounter in the Cricket World cup here.A nerve wrecking contest is in the offing as a defeat tomorrow will slim Sri lanka's chances of making it to the Super Eight as they have to fight it out with India in their last group match. Both teams have everything to play for. For Bangladesh who have tasted blood after scalping India, a win will land them straight in the Super Eight stage as they will thereafter only have group punching bags Bermuda to contend. The game plan for Tigers' skipper Habibul Bashar is very cut out. He wants a win so that he does not have to depend on net run rate calculations (NRR) to progress to the Super Right stage. India surged ahead to the second spot in Group 'B' after their record 257-run win over Bermuda in the cricket World Cup.India now has a net run rate of +2.51 and are second in the table after two games. Sri Lanka sits at the top with a net run rate of +4.86 from their only game against Bermuda. Following its upset win over India, Bangladesh is placed third in the table with a net run rate of +0.14. Bermuda, the fourth team in the group, have slumped to a net run rate of -5.00 after two heavy losses. Both Bermuda and India have played two out of their three league matches. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, on the other hand, have played just one game each. The group is still open with all the three teams on two points each after one win against their name. For India to advance to the Super Eight stage, they will have to beat Sri Lanka in their last league match on Friday and hope for things to go their way. Sri Lanka takes on Bangladesh tomorrow. Bangladesh will play Bermuda in the last Group 'B' game on Sunday. ''Sri Lanka are a more organised side than India. That is why we will have to play even better than we did in the first game,'' Bashar told media persons. Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene has been alerted about Bangladesh's capabilities, after Saturday's shock defeat of India and will correspondingly be more prepared than the Indians, who were caught napping by the likes of Tamim Iqbal and Mashrafe Mortaza. However Bashar is confident of his team's chances. ''We have come together well as a unit and the team for the rest of this tournament has already taken shape. We have the right players in the right slots and are confident of giving the Lankans a good fight. Also we would like to qualify for the Super Eights as quickly as possible and not leave it to the NRR calculations.'' Tending not to take any opposition lightly, he also admitted that Lankans are a far more formidable bowling attack than India with likes of Lasith Malinga, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, who are certain to test the Tigers' batting much more than Zaheer Khan and Co managed to do on Saturday. Sri Lanka too will cement their position considerably if they get the better of the Tigers ahead of the crucial group match against India on Friday. The real challenge is ahead: Dravid Port of Spain (Trinidad), Mar 20: After a record win against minnows Bermuda put its World Cup campaign back on track, Indian skipper Rahul Dravid cautioned his teammates against any slip-up in their must-win game against Sri Lanka on Friday. "There are some things which are not in our control, like the net run-rate. The other teams' matches and results are not in our control. What is in our control is to go and try to win the next game and win it as well as possible," Dravid said after India beat Bermuda by 257-runs. Dravid asked his boys not to sit on their huge win against Bermuda but look ahead for the bigger challenge of overcoming Sri Lanka. "The real challenge is ahead of us. We had two must-win matches, but have won just one. The guys know what they have to do now," said Dravid, with man of the match and centurion Virender Sehwag sitting in tow. India now need to put it across Sri Lanka to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the Super Eight stage. India posted the highest cup total of 413-5 and then bowled Bermuda out for 156 to record the biggest victory in one-day internationals by run-margin. Dravid underlined the fact that not only his team needed to win but also do it handsomely to up the run-rate. The Indian skipper saw it as a good sign that dashing opener Virender Sehwag returned to his swashbuckling ways ahead of vital clash against the Sri Lankans. "Viru (Sehwag) is a very good player and I'm happy he's part of my team -- a key member. He's back into form just when we need him before a very critical match," said Dravid. Sehwag, without a hundred in the last 61 games, smashed 114 off only 87 balls with 17 fours and three sixes and looked a relieved man. "The effort he has put in is fantastic. It is nice for him to get runs. All credit to him. To be honest, we expect a lot from him. He has been picked to score more than one hundred for us," said Dravid. Sehwag said a big innings from him was long overdue and he was just waiting for his chance. "I had the confidence. I knew the captain, coach and selectors were backing me up and I had to deliver," said the aggressive opener.

"I was waiting for just one innings. It was due for a long time. Thank god, it has come at the right time. So I am happy with my performance," he said

http://www.centralchronicle.com/20070321/2103221.htm

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#264

Angry fans protest loss to Bangladesh
Monday, 03.19.2007, 04:28am (GMT-7)

NEW DELHI: Cricket fans in several cities gave vent to their anger at the Indian team's embarrassing loss to Bangladesh in the World Cup, burning posters and effigies of players and shouting slogans against their fallen heroes.

In wicketkeeper M S Dhoni's hometown Ranchi, about two dozen people gathered near a house being built on a plot of land given to him by the Jharkhand Government and set alight an effigy to which the player's poster was pasted.

The jeering people shouted slogans and asked the government to take back the plot allotted to Dhoni, who was out for a nought in the game in the West Indies. Following the protest, police stepped up vigil at the site and Dhoni's home at Mecon in Ranchi.

In Kanpur, cricket lovers assembled in Lal Bungalow and torched effigies of the out-of-form Virender Sehwag, Dhoni and others, while disappointed fans in Jalandhar held a protest march and burnt posters of several players, including local boy Harbhajan Singh, Sehwag, skipper Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. India suffered a shocking five-wicket loss to the minnows and Dravid's decision to bat first drew flak from protestors in many places.

"Such a poor performance by the Indian team in its first match, that too against a weak team like Bangladesh, has broken our hearts as we organized havans for the success of the team in the World Cup," said a fan in Jalandhar. Protesters in Allahabad called for the re-inclusion of Mohammad Kaif in the team in place of Sehwag.

Fans held protests in several parts of the city, lambasting the team for its "shameful defeat" at the hands of Bangladesh.

http://indiapost.com/article/sports/125/

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#265

News

Dravid asks team to ignore fan fury
AGENCIES

PORT-OF-SPAIN, March 20: India captain Rahul Dravid has called on his players to stay strong and ignore the boorish behaviour of their supporters back at home.

Irate fans pelted stones at a house being built by Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi and burnt effigies of Dravid and coach Greg Chappell following India's shock defeat to Bangladesh.

"We should be used to it, effigies get burnt every day,'' Dravid said after the Bermuda win.

"You don't lose sleep over somebody shouting 'Dravid hai hai ' (down, down),'' he said.

"People should get on with life and be resilient. We have got some important games coming up."

Dravid said players were mainly concerned about their families. "The worrying thing is the safety of our families, we have some young families out there."

http://worldcup.indiatimes.com/Dravid_asks_team_to_ignore_fa n_fury/articleshow/1785541.cms

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#266

Pakistan consider future after Inzy and Woolmer
AFP

BASSETERRE (St Kitts), March 20: Bob Woolmer's tragic death, Inzamam-ul-Haq's retirement as a One-day player and the team's disastrous World Cup has left Pakistan with a host of problems as they seek to regain their place as a serious cricket force.

The squad arrived in the Caribbean against a background of turmoil. Last August's infamous forfeited Test match against England and the doping scandal which engulfed Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif had already eaten away at Pakistan's credibility.

The humiliating World Cup exit at the hands of Ireland's part-timers and the sad loss of Woolmer have left the game's rulers with plenty to ponder. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Naseem Ashraf, whose job is also on the line, has promised a complete overhaul of the sport.

"We maintained a short-term option for the World Cup, but now a comprehensive new structure and plan will be launched for the development of Pakistan cricket," Ashraf said.

However, Ashraf, a former first-class cricketer who took over in October last year, has been accused of failing to come up with a new PCB constitution.

"Pakistan cricket has been run on an ad-hoc basis since 1999 and an ad-hoc set up is a cancer for any set up. We had a ad-hoc body when we fared poorly in the last World Cup and now we see abysmal results in 2007," said Sirajul Islam Bukhari, secretary of the Karachi Cricket Association.

Former captain Imran Khan has been critical of a process which allows the Pakistan president, who is also the patron of the PCB, to appoint the head of the cricket body.

"The recent mess in Pakistan cricket is to be blamed on the patron who appoints the cricket chief," said Khan.

Since the Oval forfeit and Inzamam's ban for the Champions Trophy held in India in October, controversies have shrouded Pakistan cricket.

Younis Khan refused to lead the team for the Trophy, saying he did not want to be a dummy captain. Mohammad Yousuf replaced him.

The following day the then-PCB chairman Shahryar Khan was forced to resign and barely hours after taking charge Ashraf reinstated Younis as captain.

Two days later, Pakistan cricket was plunged into a doping crisis as their spearheads Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif tested positive for nandrolone.

Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year but their bans were controversially lifted on appeal, a decision widely criticised by the cricket world and challenged by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Pakistan named the doping tainted duo in their 15-man World Cup in the hope that they would clear second dope tests. They were finally withdrawn hours before the team's departure for the Caribbean on fitness grounds.

"The whole build-up was poor and created fears that Pakistan might not do well in the World Cup. Now heads must roll to bring Pakistan cricket back on track," said former captain and chief executive Ramiz Raja.

Pakistan has time to pick up the pieces.

They do not have a major assignment until the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September this year. They also host South Africa in October before welcoming Australia early next year.

Younis Khan is likley to take over as captain from Inzamam and Pakistan has depth of talent in reserves to get back on top of their game.

However, finding a new coach could prove difficult.

"Bob's greatest strength was that the atmosphere in the changing room was harmonious. The team was well knitted together and that was to his credit," said Imran.

There were reports that the PCB has contacted former New Zealand opener and ex-Indian coach John Wright to take the job after the World Cup.

http://worldcup.indiatimes.com/News/News/Pakistan_consider_f uture_after_Inzy_and_Woolmer/articleshow/1782439.cms

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#267

Sehwag pledges to repay debt to Dravid
Sunday, 03.11.2007, 11:10pm (GMT-7)

Aggressive strokemaker Virender Sehwag has pledged to repay a debt to skipper Rahul Dravid for his unwavering support. Going through the leanest streak of his international cricket career, the struggling Sehwag's selection in India's World Cup squad was not assured until Dravid insisted on having the belligerent opener in the team.

"The backing I've received from Dravid has been a huge morale booster. I now want to justify the faith in me and live up to the expectations," Sehwag told reporters. "I was confident of staging a comeback and the time I spent away from international cricket helped me get my focus back, I did a lot of meditation."

Sehwag was dropped from the Indian team in January for the limited-overs internationals against the West Indies, but recalled for the one-dayers against Sri Lanka. After his recall to the national team, Sehwag had not made a big impression in the few batting opportunities he got against Sri Lanka before the selectors picked the World Cup squad.

Dravid and Coach Greg Chappell had attended the selection panel's meeting in Mumbai last month. Dravid's support ensured that the impetuous opener was in the squad, even if listed among the middle-order batsmen. Chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar later disclosed that only Dravid's insistence compelled the selectors to include Sehwag in the squad.

Two days after his inclusion in the Caribbean-bound World Cup squad, Sehwag posted a strokeful 46 - batting as an opener - in the last one-dayer against Sri Lanka that won India a 2-1 series triumph. The team management appears keen to promote Sehwag back to his opening position for the World Cup.

It is batting at the top of the order that Sehwag's aggression provides the impetus to India's batting. "I'm quite happy with my form; it's getting better and better with every session in the nets. I want to stay longer at the crease," said Sehwag, indicating that he was now looking to settle down before unleashing his array of strokes.

Sehwag was India's vice captain until a few months ago, but his position in the squad became doubtful during the one-day series in South Africa and he was dropped. "I was not expecting the vice captaincy when it was given to me, nor was I disappointed when it was taken away." That was not a major issue, Sehwag said.

http://indiapost.com/article/sports/102/

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#268

Queen's Park Oval Makes ICC CWC 2007 History

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad -- March 20, 2007 -- Just a week into ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad has earned itself a place in cricket history and in the statisticians' record books.

Monday March 19 it became the venue where the highest score was amassed by a team in an ICC Cricket World Cup match as India walloped newcomers, Bermuda , to the tune of 413 runs in their Group Stage encounter. This record-breaking total - eclipsing Sri Lanka 's 398 for five versus Kenya in 1996 - was achieved for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs.

Though the day was overcast and grey, the action on the field was lightning-charged and breath-taking with Indian fans soaking up every minute of the masterful batting display put on by their team's top order.

"After our loss to Bangladesh on the weekend, it's good to see the boys back to winning ways and in so emphatic a manner, even though it is not against one of the stronger sides in the tournament. It's also a good batting pitch," said one Indian supporter after his team's turn at the crease.

The Queen's Park Oval, no stranger to record-breaking feats and nail-biting cricket, has undergone major transformation for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, including a new members' stand as well as media and player facilities. Its capacity has increased to 17,000.

The scenic ground, rich in history and tradition, will always be remembered as the venue where England were blown away for 46 runs in a Test match in 1994-95 by a fiery West Indian pace attack spearheaded by Curtly Ambrose. Queen's Park Oval is one of 12 stadia being utilised for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Source: windiescricket.com
http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/1475/1/Queens -Park-Oval-Makes-ICC-CWC-2007-History/A-good-batting-pitch.h tml

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#269

The uncertainties of cricket

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 21:40 IST

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Hats off to the Indian cricket team for their superb win in the match against Bermuda ('Sehwag's ton spurs India to record WC win', DNA Sport, March 20). The team has been breaking or equalling World Cup records, among them those for highest total by any team, victory by the highest number of runs , highest margin and the highest number of sixes hit by a team in a single innings. With Sehwag returning to form, there seems to be hope for success in the match against Sri Lanka, too. Although this latest win was against a 'minnow', it can boost the team's morale. —Manoj Jayantilal Shah, Mumbai

The 2007 World Cup, as it proceeds, will be remembered for a lot of upsets — Bangladesh beat India, Ireland beat Pakistan, Pakistan missed reaching the Super 8, and more; but the worst of all was the tragic death of Bob Woolmer ('Pak coach Bob Woolmer dead', DNA Sport, March 19). It was really sad news for every cricket fan, and particularly for us Indians — Woolmer was born in India. With Pakistan cricket mired in controversy in the recent past, he handled the situation boldly and bravely. Perhaps he could not digest the defeat of his team in the match against Ireland. May his soul rest in peace. —CU Venugopal, Mumbai

III

Bob Woolmer was a first class coach who created some of the most exciting cricket teams in the world. His premature death has upset many fans across the globe. The Kent county player was a dasher in his heyday; his square drives for England were memorable. Woolmer was also a great thinker; he introduced laptops into a rather old-fashioned system of looking at the game. May he rest in peace. —Altaf H Ladiwala, Mumbai

The triple tragedy that hit Asian cricket in the last week has come as a shock to all lovers of the game. India's loss to Bangladesh, followed by Pakistan's exit from the World Cup may be termed 'upsets', but the death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer, is tragic. Woolmer's methodical and meticulous approach was appreciated by all.
Surely the early exit of Pakistan must have weighed heavily on his mind. In addition, the humiliation and disgrace that awaited him in Pakistan, coupled with the slurs on
his coaching credentials was perhaps too much to bear. —Subhashish Chattopadhyay, Mumbai

It was shocking to hear about the sudden and unfortunate death of Pakistan's cricket coach, Bob Woolmer. This is an irreparable loss to the cricketing world, especially for budding coaches for whom Woolmer set the trend of tech-savvy, strategic and modern techniques. His best achievement has been in taking South Africa to the position of
the No1 cricket team of today. To Pakistan he was a coach; but to South Africa, he was a mentor. Cricket lovers will miss him. —Vidyanand Joshi, Navi Mumbai

The difference trees can make

'There is no billboard lovelier than a tree' (DNA, March 19) made interesting reading. The common complaint against urbanisation is that there is no place for nature in the city and trees provide some relief. Trees like the gulmohar spread their canopies wide and make the environs beautiful with their flowers. Casuarina and eucalyptus grow tall and can be used to convert long stretches of roads into shaded avenues. Organised planting of saplings will make all the difference between dreary roads and pleasant walks. —V Subramanyan, Mumbai

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1086071&CatID= 19

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#270

Sunil turns fortuneteller

Sunil Shetty is having the last laugh after Virendra Sehwag scored a century in Monday night's World Cup match against Bermuda.

Last week, Sunil had told us, "Once Sehwag finds his form, everything will fall in place."

That's not all. Shetty had also said that if Saurav Ganguly opens and Sehwag comes at No 3 or 4 followed by Yuvraj Singh, our batting line-up could be one of the strongest.

"(Anil) Kumble, Irrfan (Pathan), Zaheer (Khan) and Munaf (Patel) need to be brought in too, while the rest can remain the same," he had said.

When we called Shetty anna to tell him that his predictions had come true, he grinned and said, "See, I am better than our coach, Greg Chappell!

If we play with this kind of team, we will have a very strong batting line-up.

Dada opened the match and Yuvraj came at No 4 while Rahul and Sachin anchored. Sachin made 55 runs off 22 balls.

I'm telling you, our batting line-up can rip any team apart. We are giants!"

Edited by anishma24 - 18 years ago