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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#291

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#292

JUST AFTER 9 am on Tuesday, Bob Woolmer's body was brought to Kingston Public Hospital for an autopsy. The lone Pakistan team offi- cial accompanying it was train- er Murray Stevenson, autho- rised by Woolmer's wife Gil to be present there and then take the body back to Woolmer's home in Cape Town. Though local authorities had said that the process normally takes up to an hour-and-a-half, till noon, it had not yet been completed; leading to immense conjecture about what exactly was going on. Police spokesman Karl An- gell told the waiting media — mainly Indian and West Indian — that the result would first be conveyed to Gil, then the Pak- istan team, and only then would a statement be issued to the media. The Pakistan team's depar- ture for home has also been pushed back by a few days — whether this is connected to the investigative process or not, is unclear. Inzamam-ul Haq's men were scheduled to leave on Thursday, a day after their last Group D match against Zimbabwe at Sabina Park. Sources close to the team said they would now leave on Saturday . The last 24 hours have wit- nessed a number of theories about the causes of Woolmer's death, and the most popular of these have revolved around the coach having "ODd" (over- dosed on a combination of pre- scription drugs and alcohol), either inadvertently or inten- tionally, by his own hand or someone else's. But at the moment, this is all just speculation. Meanwhile, Pakistan plan to give their late coach a fitting Jamaican farewell on Wednes- day, under the tutelage of Woolmer's assistant, Mushtaq Ahmed, who wept openly on getting the news. "We had initially thought of not playing this match, but changed our minds because we thought this would be the best way to pay tribute to Bob," said team manager Talat Ali. It will also be Inzamam's last bow on the one-day interna- tional stage. On three counts, for himself, for his country and for the man he called 'a friend', he will want to make this one count. atreyo.mukhopadhyay@ hindustantimes.com Family did not travel to Jamaica,

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#293

India-Bermuda match garners record viewership

SHAUVIK GHOSH

Posted online: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 0000 hours IST

NEW DELHI, MAR 20: The India-Bermuda match in the Cricket World Cup 2007 garnered a peak viewership rating of 12.47 and an average rating of 5.51. This was higher than the India-Bangladesh (India's first match in the World Cup) match that saw a peak rating of 11.46 and average rating of 5.88, according to television audience rating agency Amap's daily viewership statistics. But for India's shocking loss to Bangladesh, debutants Bermuda could have never got a viewership ratings in double digits. Ordinarily a match with Bermuda would not even be a blip in the data but because India lost to Bangladesh, putting at risk their chances of making it to the final eight, the match garnered an unexpected viewership. The time spent by each viewer was 88.64 for the match. Perhaps, also because India ended up pummelling the minnows, scoring 18 sixes in the biggest score of 413 in World Cup history. The time spent in minutes (usage per viewer) was 89.10 for the C&S4+ group.

The first match oftheWorld Cup (West Indies - Pakistan) was only able to garner a 2.84% average rating and a 53.3 viewer time spent. India's shock defeat at the hands of Bangladesh sent shivers down most advertisers' spines with many talking of pulling out. For advertising on the India matches SET had a special package that assumed India would make it to the super eights. The broadcaster charged Rs 4 lakhs for 10 seconds and the advertiser had to buy in all twelve matches that India is expected to play. This includes three matches in the group stage, six matches in the super eights, two semi finals and the finals. But if India lose in the group stage itself then the average Indian has no interest in the rest of the World Cup and the advertiser loses more than just the mileage of an India match. SET's original plan to sell its unsold inventory, which is about 5% of the total ad space according to Rohit Gupta of SET, at a high premium (Rs 5 lakh per 10 seconds for high-interest matches such as India-Pakistan or the super eights) may be a lost gamble. SET has sold air-time worth roughly Rs 350 crore for the World Cup and the farther India goes the higher their prices go.

•The first match of the World Cup (West Indies - Pakistan) was only able to garner a 2.84% average rating
• SET charged Rs 4 lakhs for 10 seconds and the advertiser had to buy in all matches that India may play

In a country where cricket is not only a sport, but also a great business opportunity as can be seen by the money that went into the Cup, India's failure to reach the Super Eight will translate into huge losses not just for sponsors and advertisers but also for exhibitors and commercial establishments. Many sports bars, pubs and lounges have paid huge monies as licensing fees to show the cup. Post the Bangladesh defeat, the establishments saw huge losses but are hoping for a return to normalcy after the Bermuda defeat though if India is ousted there the losses incurred may come to Rs 6,000 crores.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id =158458

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#294

Live: Bangladesh elect to bowl against Sri Lanka
INDIATIMES CRICKET

NEW DELHI, March 21: Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar won the toss and decided to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the Group B match at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene informed that he had retained the team which played their opening match against Bermuda.

On a high after their shock victory over the Indians, Bangladesh would be keen to repeat their giant-killing against Sri Lanka in the crucial Group 'B' tie of the World Cup.

Coach Dav Whatmore, who was brain behind Sri Lanka's success in 1996, has come with another efficient strategy for his new wards.

If 11 years ago he let Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana to have a go at the bowlers when field restrictions were on, Whatmore is asking the medium-pacers to exploit the damp morning conditions to restrict the opposition.

The prodigious line-up, comprising Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful, would take care of the rest.

It would be an exciting proposition to watch Iqbal, Rahim and Hasan, who scored half-centuries against India take on the seasoned Sri Lankan attack. While a win would confirm Bangladesh's berth in the Super Eight, Mahela Jayawardene and his team-mates have a double task on their hand.

Sri Lanka sit at the top on basis of a better runrate (+4.86) from their only game against Bermuda. India is second with runrate of (+2.51) after one and one loss while Bangladesh is placed third (+.14) following their upset win over India.

With the last match of the Group scheduled between Bangladesh and debutants Bermuda, the former would be in a position to know the permutation and combination required to go through.

Sri Lanka, who have won 17 of their 18 ODIs against Bangladesh, would therefore hope to post a crushing win tomorrow to get two points and swell their runrate.

Teams

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chamara Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Nuwan Kulasekara, Muttiah Muralitharan and Malinga Bandara.

Bangladesh: Habibul Bashar (captain), Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shahadat Hossain, Tapash Baisya, Syed Rasel, Rajin Saleh and Javed Omar.

http://worldcup.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1790259.cms

Bangladesh ask Sri Lanka to bat

Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:54PM GMT

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters) - Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first in their World Cup Group B game on Wednesday.

Both Bangladesh, who upset India in their opening game on Saturday, and group favourites Sri Lanka retained the same eleven from their previous games.

Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions, crushed debutants Bermuda by 243 runs.

Bangladesh, who failed to win one match in the 2003 World Cup but outplayed India by five wickets, are aiming to qualify to the next Super Eights round for the first time in their third World Cup.

Teams:

Sri Lanka - Upul Tharanga, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Russel Arnold, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan.

Bangladesh - Tamim Iqbal, Shahriar Nafees, Mushfiqur Rahim, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan, Habibul Bashar (captain), Mohammad Ashraful, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe Mortaza, Syed Rasel, Abdur Razzak.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/cricketNews/idUKL2118802320070 321

World Cup: Bangladesh wins toss, asks Sri Lanka to bat

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad: Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to bat first Wednesday in World Cup Group B match at Queen's Park Oval.

Both sides fielded the same teams from their opening wins.

Bangladesh upset India by five wickets and 1996 champion Sri Lanka won its first match against Bermuda by 243 runs.

Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

WORLD CUP, GROUP B, TRINIDAD: Sri Lanka 54-0 (9 overs) v Bangladesh

Sri Lanka made a watchful start after being asked to bat by Bangladesh in the important Group B game in Trinidad, reaching 24-0 after five overs. Paceman Mashrafe Mortaza and left-arm seamer Syed Rasel posed some early problems for the left-handed openers with some bounce and seam movement. But Sanath Jayasuriya took advantage of a short one from Rasel and pulled the first boundary in the second over.

He then clipped one effortlessly off his pads for six over square-leg.

9th over: 54-0
No real fireworks yet from Sri Lanka, they're happy to take ones and twos at this stage, but the fifty's up already. Jayasuriya looking good through the third man/gully area. I was at school with a chap whose hockey skills always came out in his batting, as he only ever rarely hit the ball in front of the wicket. You could set the field appropriately! "At Towcester Ladies cricket club we call them anything that is polite when they have a bat in their hands... it's far safer!"
Graeme Williams in the TMS inbox 8th over: 46-0
Tharanga sees one fly off the edge over gully, while Jayasuriya pulls a wayward ball to leg for four as the sun threatens to return. 7th over: 40-0
Tharanga is starting to get his eye in. He cuts Mortaza for four, and is also rapped on the pad by a ball that pitched outside leg stump. Tharanga has 17, Jayasuriya has 16. "There's a bit of a lack of communication between the batsmen. They've opened together many times, but only Jayasuriya's communicating well."
Colin Croft on TMS 6th over: 32-0
Three Bangladesh fielders combine to save a boundary from Jayasuriya, who takes three anyway, but Tharanga just edges the next one off his legs for four. Bangladesh have some very keen supporters in the stand, holding a cute toy tiger. 5th over: 24-0
Tharanga straight-drives past Mortaza, who falls to the turf trying to stop it. Let's hope he's all right after his fielding sprawl in the second over. Jayasuriya has suddenly crept up to 13 with a couple of dabs to third man. "Do women cricketers get called batsmen? Or are they batters, batswomen or batspersons? Or is this another example of political correctness gone mad?"
Neil Okninski in the TMS inbox 4th over: 20-0
Rasel strays down the leg side with a half-volley and Jayasuriya effortlessly flicks him over the square-leg boundary for six. Nice wrists, Sanath. Tharanga then charges for an attempted single which was never there - Rasel shies at the stumps at the bowler's end but misses. Tharanga would have been run out by about five metres but escapes. "Net run-rate is probably a fair way to decide the groups when teams are level on points, but it's not the easiest to follow at the ground. Run-rate's not my strongest suit!"
Kevin Howells on TMS 3rd over: 11-0
Tharanga nudges a single, while Jayasuriya clips Mortaza off his legs for two. A steady start for the 1996 world champions. 2nd over: 8-0
The southpaws are dominating the action as we've got Syed Rasel bowling left-arm seam to the two left-handers. He beats Jayasuriya's outside edge before the old campaigner pulls to leg and Mortaza slips on the turf just when it looked like he was going to stop the four. Mortaza then glares at the turf in the manner of a goalkeeper glaring at an imaginary divot as he looks to shift the blame for a soft goal. 1st over: 4-0
Mashrafee Mortaza opens the bowling for Bangladesh and swiftly finds a good length against Upul Tharanga, although he gets Sri Lanka off the mark with a wide from the second ball. Tharanga dabs a quick tip-and-run single, so he's off the mark too, while Jayasuriya adds a leg-bye off a no-ball. Four runs on the scoreboard - and three extras already. "Of course it's an absolute disgrace (saying "elect to bowl" rather than "field") along with the use of 'batters' rather than 'batsmen'. Cricket is not rounders, let alone baseball."
Richard Rosser in the TMS inbox 1328: The players are out on the field and we're almost ready to roll. 1317: Just my luck to get landed with the most mathematically challenging group. Take a deep breath, these are the permutations: If Sri Lanka win today, they are still not certain of reaching the Super 8 phase as if if they lose to India on Friday and Bangladesh beat Bermuda on Sunday, three teams would finish on four points and run-rate would determine qualification.
However, a Bangladesh win today would guarantee them a place in the second phase - as they would then have four points, leaving India and Sri Lanka in a straight eliminator on Sunday to claim the second qualification place.

A Bangladesh win would also end Bermuda's very, very faint chances of progressing. Poor old Dwayne Leverock. 1311: Both teams are unchanged, and Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar thinks it's a good toss to win. 1307: As a youngster learning the game, I was told that the accepted phrase was that you elected to "field" rather than "bowl" first. Many people say "bowl" now - when did it all change?

1305: A very good afternoon. It may be lunchtime in the UK, it's a bright morning in Trinidad and just after 7pm in Bangladesh - and the news is that the Tigers have won the toss and invited Sri Lanka to bat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/6471657.stm

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#295

Bangladesh's strategy against Sri Lanka

Yesterday, 08:53 PM | #1

This is interesting. This worked against New Zealand & India.

Port of Spain, March. 20 (PTI): On a high after their shock victory over the Indians, Bangladesh would be keen to repeat their giant-killing against Sri Lanka in the crucial Group 'B' tie of the World Cup here tomorrow.

Coach Dav Whatmore, who was brain behind Sri Lanka's success in 1996, has come with another efficient strategy for his new wards.

If 11 years ago he let Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana to have a go at the bowlers when field restrictions were on, Whatmore is asking the medium-pacers to exploit the damp morning conditions to restrict the opposition.

The prodigious line-up, comprising Shahriar Nafees, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, Aftab Ahmed, Saqibul Hasan and Mohammad Ashraful, would take care of the rest.

It has largely been the method of Bangladesh who also stopped New Zealand in a warm-up game.

"The win against India has put us in a good position to enter the next round," said Bangladesh skipper Habibul Bashar.

It would be an exciting proposition to watch Iqbal, Rahim and Hasan, who scored half-centuries against India take on the seasoned Sri Lankan attack.

While a win would confirm Bangladesh's berth in the Super Eight, Mahela Jayawardene and his teammates have a double task on their hand. Not only do they have to avoid the banana skin, but also win comprehensively so that they have a better net run-rate in case of a loss against India.

"The word pressure just does not seem to exist for them. They are mostly young and have not been around long enough for opposition to work out their strength and weaknesses," said Sri Lanka's veteran batsman and former captain Marvan Atapattu.

"We haven't played against most of the Bangladeshi players, but we watched them against India and they looked very good," he said.

There is a potential three-way tie in the Group with the Asian teams managing two points each.

Sri Lanka sit at the top on basis of a better runrate (+4.86) from their only game against Bermuda.

India is second with runrate of (+2.51) after one and one loss while Bangladesh is placed third (+.14) following their upset win over India.

With the last match of the Group scheduled between Bangladesh and debutantes Bermuda, the former would be in a position to know the permutation and combination required to go through.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus...0703201551.htm

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Life_Rulezz

@WillSmith456

Inactive

+ 2

Posted: 18 years ago

#296

Pakistan begin emotional Cup game
World Cup Group D, Jamaica: Pakistan v Zimbabwe
Scorecard

Pakistan v Zimbabwe

Pakistan and Zimbabwe observed an immaculate minute's silence ahead of their World Cup match in front of a sparse crowd at Sabina Park, Jamaica.

The match is Pakistan's first following the death of coach Bob Woolmer, 58, which is being treated as "suspicious".

And, with a picture of Woolmer shown on the big screen, a clearly emotional two sets of players paid their respects.

Zimbabwe, who could give themselves an outside chance of qualification with a win, won the toss and opted to field.

In a sombre atmosphere, the Pakistan team returned to the dressing room to compose themselves before opening batsman Kamran Akmal and Imran Nazir took to the field.

Inzamam-ul-haq, who will lead the team for the last time before he retires from the captaincy, said before the start: "This is a tough time for me and my players - the whole team is disturbed.

"But we'll play our level best and try to win the game and honour Bob and his legacy.

I think both teams are struggling with the circumstances. But we have to be professional

Zimbabwe's Stuart Matsikenyeri

"I think our team is a great team and we should have qualified. We will do our best to show that."

Pakistan made two changes to the team that lost last time out to Ireland, with Danish Kaneria and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, available again after an ICC suspension, selected in place of Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Hafeez.

Zimbabwe made one change to the side that lost to the West Indies on Monday, with fast bowler Gary Brent returning in place of fellow seamer Anthony Ireland.

And batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri admitted the nature of the game was difficult for both sides, saying: "I think both teams are struggling with the circumstances.

"But we have to be professional. We have something to aim for and that is what we'll be doing."

Pakistan: Imran Nazir, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Rao Iftikhar, Umar Gul, Danish Kaneria.

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda, Friday Kasteni, Chamu Chibhabha, Brendon Taylor, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Elton Chigumbura, Gary Brent, Prosper Utseya, Tawanda Mupariwa, Christopher Mpofu.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Aus) and Brian Jerling (RSA)

TV umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)

ICC Match referee: Chris Broad (Eng)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/default.stm

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#297

Cricket-Sri Lanka v Bangladesh World Cup Group B scoreboard

Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:27PM GMT

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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, March 21 (Reuters) - Scoreboard in the World Cup Group B match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka U.Tharanga c Aftab Ahmed b Mohammad Rafique 26 S.Jayasuriya c Habibul Bashar b Abdur Razzak 109 M.Jayawardene c Aftab Ahmed b Saqibul Hasan 46 K.Sangakkara c Tamim Iqbal b Syed Rasel 56 C.Silva not out 52 R.Arnold not out 5 Extras (lb-11 w-10 nb-3) 24 Total (4 wickets, 50 overs) 318 Fall of wickets: 1-98 2-202 3-261 4-300 Bowling: Mashrafe Mortaza 10-0-66-0 (3nb, 2w), Syed Rasel 10-0-58-1 (5w), Abdur Razzak 10-0-86-1 (3w), Mohammad Rafique 10-0-48-1, Saqibul Hasan 10-0-49-1.

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#298

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 09:21:13 pm

Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

And in some on-field action from the World Cup, Bangladesh have won the toss against Sri Lanka in a crucial 'Group B' encounter at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad and elected to field first.

Bangladesh are high on confidence on the back of 2 spectacular wins - the first against New Zealand in a warm-up game, and the other, a shock victory over India in their World Cup opener. The game is crucial for both the teams as the winner will take one more step towards securing a place for themselves in the Super 8s.

Crucial match: Beating the odds

The match between Sri Lanka & Bangladesh has a huge bearing on India's fortunes in the World Cup. But the odd favouring Sri Lanka is their superior run-rate and win will ensure them a place in the Super 8s. A key factor to that win will be -- Jayasuriya -- who needs to convert his starts to big scores that matter. The team has turned into a brilliant fielding unit and the return of -- Vaas and Muralitharan -- will no doubt add more steel to their bowling attack. And then, there is the return to form of skipper -- Mahela Jayawardene -- who scored his 1st fifty in 20 matches against Bermuda.

But Bangladesh have momentum on their side with 2 huge wins in the tournament - the 1st in a warm up game against New Zealand, and the 5 wicket win against India in their World Cup opener. The team is mixture of youth and experienced players and relies on their teenage batting trio of Tamin Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, & Saqibul Hassan. The experienced bowling of Mohammad Rafique and Mashrafe Mortaza is the key to their success. And to cap it all, there is the inspirational leadership of Habibul Bashar under whom they have won 9 out of their last 10 games.

The Times Now verdict, Sri Lanka have a 60% chance of winning this game and ensuring a place for themselves in the Super 8's.

Bangladesh: A force to reckon with

Bangladesh has won 18 of its last 21 games and neighbours and cricketing giants -- India -- have been their latest victim. And facing Bangladesh in a match of epic importance is a team they are attempting to emulate in this World Cup. Sri Lanka had come from nowhere to win the 1996 edition of the trophy and are now wary of a side that has adopted similar strategy under erstwhile -- Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore.

The Bangladeshi batting treated India's opening attack with scant respect, a throwback to the dare-devilry of Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana at the top of the order.

Dav Whatmore said: "Probably, a little bit premature to be labelling the Bangladesh team like a Sri Lankan cricket team, but I'll tell you that it was a very significant victory against India and it gives us a reasonable chance to go on and realise our first objective, and that was to get into the Super Eights."

Sri Lanka have come to this World Cup with a well-rounded side -- a good mix of aggression and solidity. The side has tasted success around the world and has held sway over previous battles with Bangladesh winning 17 of their 18 encounters. And even though they are the favourites for this match, the Lankans would do well to be wary of the Bangladeshi challenge.

When asked whether the match against Sri Lanka will be tougher as compared to match against India, Whatmore said: "No, I don't think so, because if we can bowl well, bat well and field well, we can beat them."

Several players in the Bangladesh side are unknown commodities to the Lankans. Players like -- Tamim Iqbal, Saqibal Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim -- who annhilated an attack consisting of Zaheer Khan, Ajit Agarkar & Munaf Patel, will be playing their first match against Lanka and their biggest challenge will be to tackle the wily Vaas -- an unorthodox off-spinner at the peak of his craft.

Mahela Jayawardene said: "We always knew that they were tough opposition. We played them quite a few times in the last year and they have improved a lot. Obviously, there are a couple of new guys, which we haven't seen, and who have added more value to their team.

And then there are the numbers which are at stake with the net run-rate expected to come into play, Team India will be tuned into this clash as the Group of Death heads for a climax.

http://www.timesnow.tv/Sri_Lanka_vs_Bangladesh/articleshow/1 790412.cms

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#299

Passion & fanaticism

Burnt effigies and vandalised homes: Modern day cricketers are learning to live with these and other pressures off the field

Back to Section Stories Posted On Wednesday, March 21, 2007


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Kunal Pradhan in Trinidad

The genesis of public protests in India can be found in the freedom struggle, back in those days when people raised their voice for something significant. It wasn't all that long ago.

How times have changed as we've entered the 21st century. Today, the same instrument of civil disobedience that was used to win the country back from British colonisers, is employed to protest against everything that is inane. The frenzy that our forefathers felt for freeing the nation is now stimulated by a bad performance by our cricket team. Thousands across the country walk the streets shouting "hai hai" while the Parliament debates for hours and seeks explanations. How mature of us.

The pressure on cricketers in the sub-continent, rightly or wrongly, has come under the scanner because of the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer a day after his team lost to Ireland and were knocked out of the World Cup. His death may have been totally unrelated, but the spotlight has suddenly fallen on the difference between passion and fanaticism.

Rahul Dravid, often at the butt of such treatment because of the nature of his job, was on the receiving end of mass rage again after India lost to Bangladesh on Saturday. Dravid gave his own take on the madness on Monday.

"There has been a huge explosion in the media, who compete with each other for space, for eyeballs, for viewership," he said. "That's probably a trend that's going to be there, is going to only keep getting worse and worse. It's not for me to say whether it's right or wrong, there are people who make these decisions on what to out on air, what to write, or what sort of lines you want to take. It's for them to decide what sort of policy you want to take."

WORDS OF WISDOM
Whether you like him as a captain or not, Dravid is a well-read man who understands the historical and sociological background of Indian cricket better than most others. His words on this issue must be seriously contemplated, both by the people who take to the streets and by those of us in the media who play a part in inciting them.

"From my personal point of view, I believe that this is going to be the trend, and we have to accept it and learn how to cope with it and deal with it," Dravid said with a helpless shrug. "That's what we've got to teach our young kids, that's what we've got start teaching people from a very young age — how to handle certain amounts of pressure, the way they have to lead their lives, the way they have to react to various situations as international cricketers."
Every argument, naturally, has a flip side. Perhaps the only bone to pick is that when the players are doing well they lap up all the hysteria and the adulation without any reservations or appeals for more perspective. But that is human nature, and they can't be squarely blamed for it.

"The only thing we worry about is the safety of our families," Dravid said. "We don't really care about someone burning our effigy or screaming on the streets because we're pretty used to it by now. Too many effigies have been burnt in the past, so we're pretty used to it."

UNFAIR ASSUMPTION
Still, linking this sub-continental frenzy to Woolmer's death may be stretching things a fair bit. Who knows what all was going through the former England batsman's mind the night he passed away, reportedly because of an overdose of alcohol and prescription drugs. It is unfair that in the world's perception, somehow, the Pakistan team are being blamed for his demise.

We should have no time for articles highlighting how Greg Chappell, Tom Moody and Dav Whatmore are worried because Bob Woolmer, as we see it, did not "pay the price of passion". That assumption is as far-fetched as the reactions to the defeats in India are unnecessary.

From what we have seen of Pakistan, despite the perception in a large part of India, the reactions to cricket there are rarely so volatile.

Moreover, there is no media war there to fan such strong reactions that one may fear personal safety.

But, while we were on the subject, Dravid took a moment to pay a personal tribute to Woolmer. "It's really a very sad thing. Bob was a man of cricket. I had the opportunity to interact with him when he was in Scotland with the ICC. I spent a bit of time with him in that week. He lived his life for cricket, and at this point of time, rather than looking at other things, it's time to remember him for what he contributed to the game."

" That's what we've got to teach our young kids, that's what we've got start teaching people from a very young age — how to handle certain amounts of pressure, the way they have to lead their lives, the way they have to react to various situations as international cricketers.

" The only thing we worry about is the safety of our families. We don't really care about someone burning our effigy or screaming on the streets because we're pretty used to it by now. Too many effigies have been burnt in the past, so we're pretty used to it

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&am p;sectid=59&contentid=2007032120560000b445a084

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#300

Lanka's friend turned foe

Back to Section Stories Posted On Wednesday, March 21, 2007


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Seeing former coach Dav Whatmore in the rival ranks is some cause of concern for Sri Lanka ahead of their World Cup match against Bangladesh.

Before Whatmore took up the Bangladesh assignment, he had two stints as Sri Lanka coach. It was under his charge that Arjuna Ranatunga's Sri Lankan side won the 1996 World Cup.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene says Whatmore is a very good coach who can bring out the best out of his players. "Whatmore's a very smart guy. The way he has brought Bangladesh to this level shows what he can achieve," he said.

"Whatmore had a long stint as our coach. He knows a lot about us, but we too know the way he functions," he added. "We respect all opponents, but we concentrate on our game plan."

Whatmore is delighted with the performance of the Bangladesh team.

"I'm really pleased," says Whatmore. "I enjoy what I'm doing, I enjoy when the team performs well."

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