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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#321

B Y THE time you read this, the country will be glued to the run-up to Friday's face off. Tonight, India take on Sri Lanka in what everyone knows is a do-or-die game — only as far as India's Cup campaign goes, not anything else. Even as I write this, my thoughts are with my friends and colleagues in the Caribbean, I know just what it feels like to be in this situation, on a stage as big as the World Cup. The fi- nal nets session will perhaps be more serious than usual and some- what subdued, the seniors and coach will discuss strategy through the day and everyone else will try and fill the rest of the hours by doing whatever they can do. There will be early dinners, some will hardly sleep, a few will have fitful dreams. There will be a fair bit of jitteri- ness, some nervous laughter and sil- ly jokes. And even while everyone will tell everyone else to relax and not think about the media or what people back home are saying or do- ing, nonetheless, everyone will think about it and wonder, 'what if ?' In pressure terms, there is nothing like being an Indian cricketer. For while we receive overwhelming love and support from our fans and are thankful for what the game and those who support it give to us, this obses- sive following also has a fanatical edge that can be quite chilling. I will not forget the thoughts that raced through my head when the news of the vandalising of my Alla- habad home reached me when things weren't going well for us during the last World Cup in South Africa.

A MAJOR amount of advertis- ers' money will be at stake in the India-Lanka match on Friday . According to Mindshare In- sights, broadcasters have pegged between Rs 100 and Rs 150 crores on the game. This estimate is based on a base figure of pur- chase of adspace on the package of 12 matches (9 India matches, 2 semifinals and a final) or a pack- age of 27 matches (all matches the Super 8 stage onwards). In anticipation of the big busi- ness opportunity that an event like the World Cup affords, premi- ums were built in at the time of selling airtime. Punitha Aru- mugam, Group CEO, Madison Me- dia, said, "It all depends on how much inventory Sony has kept aside. Probably 5 to 10 per cent of the inventory may be affected." Arumugam said if India don't make it to the Super 8, most of the clients may consider resolving the issue by re-opening deals. However, there is a larger con- cern that surrounds the tourna- ment. According to Shashi Sinha, CEO, Lodestar Universal, "There are many launches that are riding on cricket." He adds that cricket and entertainment are the only things that deliver big in India and if India fail to go through, the status of cricket as a great deliv- ery platform will be in question. Sinha also feels that there will be an industry- wide issue of the premi- um that was built in in anticipation of higher viewership, which may be affected in case India lose. He feels that the pre- mium will be magnified by the extent of 20 per cent. Around 4500 to 5000 seconds a day have been reportedly sold at a rate of Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs per 10 seconds. Spots for India matches and other key matches would have been sold at higher rates. If India don't get through the Super 8 stage, there will be six matches that they would not be playing. Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman & National Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather India, made an important point. "It has to be noted that money invested in the players is not just for the World Cup but for the whole year," he said. "Additional- ly, people have gone into the con- tracts with their eyes wide open. There was no guarantee offered at that time. You win some, you lose some." Television manufac- turers may also be hit if Friday's match produces an unfavourable result. LG expects to sell close to 6 lakh television sets dur- ing the World Cup. How- ever, in case India lose, it may not be that easy The . DTH players seem to have acquired quite a few subscribers before the World Cup by wooing them with free subscription of- fers. A total of Rs 1000 - Rs 1500 crores have been pumped into marketing activities in and around the World Cup. saurabh.turakhia@hindustantimes.com 2l Rs akhs The average cost of 10 seconds of ad space on TV during a World Cup match telecast.

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#322

Indians weigh-up impact of early World Cup exit

Reuters | Friday, 23 March 2007

MUMBAI: If India fail to reach the Super Eight stage of the World Cup, analysts and businesses have already started to weigh up what the impact would be in the cricket-crazy nation.

The 1983 winners need to beat formidable Sri Lanka in their final Group B match on Saturday to stay in contention for one of the two berths. Indian media were already predicting advertising losses in the World Cup telecast if the team were knocked out this week. Times of India newspaper quoted advertising agency sources saying a 10-second slot, which was sold between INR 250,000 ($NZ8150) to INR 350,000 ($NZ11,410) for matches involving India in the Super Eight may be forced down to less than half if the Indian team fails to qualify. A shock defeat to Bangladesh opened the door for a possible early exit for India along with sub-continent rivals Pakistan. But victory by a record margin over debutants Bermuda saw them improve their chances of qualification on net run-rate - the deciding factor in the event of a three-way tie. But for that, they need to beat Sri Lanka first. If India reach the Super Eight, 300 million viewers are expected to tune in for the matches. But if they go out, companies fear the numbers are likely to fall by 60 per cent. "Without India in the Super Eights, the television ratings will come down to something between 2.7 to 3 and this will enable the cost-per-rating points to go higher, which will not be conducive to advertisers," MK Machaiah of Mindshare, which deals with media buying and planning, told the same paper. Restaurant and pub owners around the country, who were cashing in on the late evening live telecast due to time difference, fear a drop of at least 15 per cent in expected revenue if the team flop in the Caribbean. "It will be disaster in all sense, emotionally and commercially," John D'Souza, manager of Sports Bar in Mumbai told Reuters. "In the earlier days people watched cricket in their homes, but now they don't mind spending in bars and restaurants to watch cricket with others who follow the game as passionately." A first-round exit would impact sales of items such as colour televisions. Tour operators and travel agents, who were confident a large number of fans would travel to the West Indies if India reached the semifinals, would also be counting their losses. But the worst hit will be the ordinary cricket fan who has been gripped by World Cup fever, fuelled by a multitude of television channels and media houses who have touted the team as favourites. "India will qualify," Niraj Suresh told Reuters, keeping faith in his national team. "The defeat to Bangladesh was just a bad day," said the 27-year-old businessman who stays up through the night to watch India's matches.

"All teams are bound to have bad days. It's part of the game."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/eveningstandard/4003159a1823.ht ml

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#323

India Vs Sri Lanka pressure builds up

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2007 10:30:09 AM]

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< id=fr1019 title=Advertisement name=fr1019 align=center marginWidth=0 marginHeight=0 src="http://ads.indiatimes.com/ads.dll/getad?slotid=1019" Border=0 width=250 scrolling=no height=18></>

You could not have asked for a more thrilling end to the group stage than the India vs Sri Lanka contest today. While India will be fighting for life, Sri Lanka will be fighting for two points to be carried forward. So the real action begins now. With two big wins against Bermuda and Bangladesh, we have assured ourselves of a place in the Super 8.

The margin of victories have also ensured that we will not be found wanting if it comes down to a stage where we have to look at run-rates . Our all-round performances have ensured that we are untouchable as far as the run-rates are concerned. With the situation they are in the group, India will be under more pressure than us because they are yet to qualify.

A win will be a bonus for us. If we go through we may have to just win three of the six matches in the Super 8 to qualify for the semis. But we have no doubt that India will come hard at us. They obviously will depend on their batting line-up which is one of the most experienced in the world. With over 2000 ODI matches between them, they have the experience and class to unsettle the best.

Of course, we too have experience in our line-up so it will be a good match-up . It will be a challenge for me particularly, because I have had reasonable success against the Indians. Of course, they have thrashed me as well.

One player to watch out would be Yuvraj Singh, because he is coming back into form. People say he doesn't play me well, but he is a good player. You can't say that he struggles against me.

Some might point to the recent series when India won at home against us. But few of our players were missing, India was also looking to change and try out players. It was a preparatory run for the World Cup and nothing much should be read into it.

The pitch too might not play as much of a factor as it is being made out to be. In our two matches we have piled over 300 runs so it is a good cricket pitch. You can score runs and there is something in it for the bowlers too. But the fast bowlers will have a bigger role than the spinners.

Those who said that the pitches in Caribbean have slowed down need to just look at matches here in Port of Spain and in Kingston. It's been the faster bowlers who have done all the damage and this will make the first 15-20 overs mighty crucial. So who is going to win? I can't predict, but can only say this much 'we want to win'.

By Muttiah Muralitharan

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/India_Vs_Sri_Lanka_press ure_builds_up/articleshow/1796568.cms

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#324

March 23: India vs Sri Lanka; Ireland vs West Indies

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	India vs Sri Lanka
	For a nation that loves its cricketers as supernatural being, the Indian team will be in extreme mental pressure when they play the match against Sri-Lanka in this do-or-die situation. This match is crucial for moving into the next round and everyone knows that taking it lightly would be a serious mistake. The planetary position on the day of the match suggest that the transit of Sun in Pisces, Moon in Taurus, its exalted sign, exalted Mars but under the aspect of Saturn, Jupiter in Scorpio, Rahu and Mercury in Aquarius. Rahu aspect over Mercury and Mars under the influence of Saturn indicates uncertainty and unpredictability. Especially those players who are born under the sign of Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn and Aquarius need to concentrate on their game. Sri Lanka seems to edge higher but Indian team can perform at their best when under pressure. Some of the favourite players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and of course Rahul Dravid will be at the peak of attention.
	By Astrologer Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
	March 23 will be another auspicious day for Team India as Indian team will be able to register a victory over Sri Lankan team. Transit on March 23 presents a rosy picture for Indian team as Moon transits in third and Mars in 11th from captain Rahul Dravid's natal Moon. Indian team will be in full form and spirits. Team India will try to give its best performance. However they shouldn't be overconfident. The Moon transits in ninth and Mars in fifth from Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardane's natal Moon. So Sri Lanka team, being aggressive, will fight well. Cricket lovers will definitely witness a good game.
	By Astrologer Neeraj Joshi
	The match between India and Sri Lanka holds the key for India's future in the World Cup. The chances are bright for India as Moon is going to be exalted on Friday. The focus will be on Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Our captain, Rahul Dravid needs determination and more focus on the deliveries of fast bowlers of Srilanka. The score may be below 250 runs. Munaf Patel may be able to perform well in the bowling front. Team India should understand the aspirations of its side and gear up their vigor to fulfill its ambitions.
	By Pt Suresh Kumar

	West Indies vs Ireland
	The match between West Indies and Ireland is scheduled on March 23, 2007. Both teams would play well in this game. West Indies' numeric total comes to one and Ireland holds number three as its lucky number. In my opinion, the team captains have a lot to do for a match-winning situation. And in this calculation West Indies scores high, as its captain's lucky number is five while Trent Johnson's lucky number is six. I see West Indies in a winning position.

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#325

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/26356.html

I'm not sure if playing 4 bowlers is the way to go

Harsha Bhogle

Sri Lanka look a better side now and one major reason for that is they have a better bowling attack

There is too much anger in the air. Anger. Hostility. Abuse. In public, on blogs, in social gatherings. And it is either derived from or aimed at the game that we profess to love. We claim to be admirers but we are fickle and those that are fickle are not really friends. We rave and we rant and we beat our breasts and we throw stones and pull walls down and believe that is acceptable. And then a day later, we go overboard; we queue up to sign meaningless messages, we tell our young cricketers that they are superheroes and we create comic strips. But it's only a cricket match and the other team wants to win it as well. And has a right to.

But we fail to use the one weapon that we possess that is deadlier than any other. It is the off button on the remote control. But we can't do that, we cannot treat triumph and disaster as impostors. We need our daily fix. Cricket is our punching bag and our calming pillow. And our cricketers are the bewildered recipients of both. We accept conspiracy theories without evidence and we bestow supernatural powers on young men. I think it is time to see what the younger generation thinks; a generation that we have let down with our irrationality. They are saying "just cool it, man" and I cannot think of four better words. So, maybe, we should all 'just cool it', sit down and watch India vs Sri Lanka if we want to, and should India lose, be large-hearted to say well played to our soft spoken, less hyped and polite neighbours. And accept the fact that if opponents win they do so because they played better, not because we played badly. The idea that we are the centre of the universe was found to be flawed many hundreds of years ago!! And let's face it, Sri Lanka are looking the better side at the moment and one major reason is that they bowl better. And because we are a suspect bowling side, their batting is likely to look better too. But more than anything else, I think Sri Lanka will start favourites because they look more relaxed, less anxious. The team that is too tense and too pumped up will make it difficult for itself. I must confess I am a little worried about India's bowling. Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel are bowling quite well but Ajit Agarkar has looked fragile. He is at his best when he swings the ball back into the left-handers early on and at the moment, he is merely hitting the deck behind a good length. And Anil Kumble, big hearted and clever, just seems to have lost the "rocket" ball, the one that fizzes out of the pitch at an uncomfortable pace. It is a bowling side that needs support, and that is why I am not sure if playing four bowlers is the way to go. Yes, Sehwag and Tendulkar exist and they are fine as back-up bowlers but should one of the lead bowlers have a bad day and they have to bowl more than three or fours overs, the team is in trouble. However, if India persist with playing seven batsmen, they are better off chasing a target rather than setting one. Ideally, if a team is worried and anxious it is better to get the runs on the board first but given the bowling weaknesses it might be better for the stronger arm to take the pressure of winning a match. It was interesting that when Sri Lanka played Bangladesh the pitch did not do as much as it did during the India-Bangladesh game. These 9.30 a.m. starts are giving the bowling side a half hour head start, especially if is a bit cloudy in the morning. But on Wednesday the track looked a lot more settled and if that is the case on Friday morning as well, it might take away some of the advantage of winning the toss. I will also be interested to see if India bat freely even if they lose a couple of wickets early on. One of the reasons teams play seven batsmen is to guard against this but the moment India lose wickets they tend to stiffen up. And since twos are becoming ones and threes are becoming twos with alarming regularity, the scoreboard tends to stiffen up as well.

It is a game that India must win, but then, if you want to win the World Cup, you have to win crunch games. This one has just come a little early, that's all.

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#326

'Cricket rocked for years by Woolmer death'

March 23 2007 at 02:27PM

By Mitch Phillips

London - Former South Africa pace bowler Allan Donald says cricket will be rocked for years by the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer.

Jamaican police have launched a murder enquiry after announcing that the 58-year-old Briton had been strangled in his hotel room.

There is widespread speculation that Woolmer's death might be connected to a "betting mafia" involved in match-fixing but Donald said he "would be gob-smacked if he was involved in anything to do with match-fixing or corruption".

'I'd say they were talking rubbish'

Woolmer was coach of South Africa from 1994-99, a period in which their late captain Hansie Cronje was implicated in match-fixing, but Donald, close to both men, dismissed a further connection.

"If anyone suggested Bob had anything to do with bookmakers or match-fixing I'd say they were talking rubbis <>top.DisplayAds('SquarLAV',12,17); < =1.1 src="http://adsrv.iol.co.za/adz/getAd.php?ord=629671869&pos=SquarLAV&site=12&section=17&undefined"> < =1.1 src="http://ad.adtech.de/addyn|3.0|585|1098612|0|165|ADTECH;loc=100;target=_blank;key=key1+key2+key3+key4;grp=17;target=_blank;misc=1174655669453"> < src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" =text/>
"There have been rumours that Bob might have received death threats in the past and there's no doubt fans from Pakistan and India are fanatical," he told Britain's Sun newspaper before the confirmation that Woolmer had been murdered.

"The only possible link I could see to match-fixing is that someone who lost a lot of money misguidedly sought revenge on Bob.

"It would be enormous if he was murdered, just an incredible shock. If foul play was the cause then cricket will be rocked for months and years to come."

Pakistan have been eliminated from the World Cup after their shock defeat by Ireland last weekend but Donald said Woolmer would have been philosophical about the setback.

"Defeats and bad results just didn't affect him in the same way they did some people," he said.

The paceman said Woolmer had been hugely supportive in the aftermath of South Africa's excruciating defeat by Australia in the semifinals of the 1999 World Cup when Donald was run out off the last ball.

"Bob tried to calm us down. 'We've only lost a game of cricket,' he kept telling us, and he was right of course.

"Bob was very close to me for the majority of my cricketing career. When his wife rang me to break the news I was ice cold.

"He was extremely professional, extremely soft. He gave his life to cricket and probably paid for it with his life." - Retuers

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=6&click_id=17& amp;art_id=nw20070323125447677C397197

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#327

India face red hot Sri Lanka for Cup survival

Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:06AM GMT

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By N.Ananthanarayanan

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Reuters) - India face the tough task of having to beat a rampant Sri Lanka in their final World Cup Group B game on Friday if they are to avoid the ignominy of a first round exit.

The 1983 champions need to overcome a team possessing all-round skills comparable to champions Australia or face the fate of traditional rivals, Pakistan, who were knocked out after their shock defeat to debutants Ireland.

Sri Lanka are poised to qualify for the Super Eights following a pair of easy victories, but India's surprise loss to Bangladesh in their opening fixture could help their unfancied neighbours to progress with a win against lowly Bermuda.

The Bangladesh defeat has already led to intense reaction in cricket-mad India, where millions of fickle fans will be glued to Friday's game hoping their team can advance by defeating a side now rated as a leading contender.

With so much at stake, Friday's showdown will be considered the biggest of the tournament so far, overshadowing Saturday's group game between Australia and top-ranked South Africa after both teams ensured qualification with two easy wins apiece.

Indian coach Greg Chappell has urged his players to overcome their fear of failure, which appeared to work in their record 257-run victory margin against debutants Bermuda.

That victory has improved India's net run rate -- the difference between runs scored and conceded in a given number of overs -- over Bangladesh, which could prove crucial if three teams tie on points.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/cricketNews/idUKB9311020070322

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#328

Cricket world in shock as probe launched

Posted on 23 March 2007 - 12:21

The cricket world was in a state of shock on Friday after it emerged that Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer was murdered in his hotel room after the team's World Cup defeat to Ireland.

To get live international cricket scores sent to your cell phone, check out the SuperSMS page for country codes. Each SMS costs R2.

Jamaican police said that a post-mortem examination established that the former England player, who was also a former coach of South Africa, had died as a result of "manual strangulation". "In these circumstances, the matter of Mr Woolmer's death is now being treated as murder," police commissioner Lucius Thomas said. Police have meanwhile dismissed reports from Pakistan and India which said a suspect had been arrested in connection with the investigation. The head of the Islamabad office of Pakistan's Geo news channel, Hamid Mir, told India's NDTV that a person had been taken into custody and that the suspect's identity would soon be revealed. Mir, a prominent investigative journalist, cited sources close the investigation. However, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner Mark Shields told BBC Radio Five Live: "I don't know where that's come from. That's nonsense, as far as I'm concerned. There's actually no truth in that. "I can unequivocally dismiss that, unless someone's given themselves up in India and we don't know about it, but I think that's highly unlikely." Shields said there had been no sign of forced entry into the Pakistan coach's hotel room. Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious on Sunday, the day after his side's shock elimination at the hands of Ireland at the World Cup, which is being played in the West Indies until April 28. "That's one of the interesting facts of the case. There's no sign of any forced entry at all," Shields said. "Bob was a large man. It would have taken some significant force to subdue him," he said, adding that police were ruling nothing out and had "lots of lines of inquiry". "I have to say at this stage that it looks as if it may be somebody who's somehow linked to him, because clearly he let somebody into his hotel room and it may be that he knew who that person was." There has been speculation that Woolmer's death may be linked to gambling cartels. On Thursday, Jamaican police questioned and fingerprinted members of Pakistan's cricket squad over the death. Pakistan team spokesman Pervez Jamil Mir said the players were "in a state of shock" over the news that Woolmer had been killed. Cricket's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), said the World Cup would continue as planned to "demonstrate that cricket cannot be put off by a cowardly criminal act".

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said the entire cricket community was shocked by the death of the former England player.

http://www.supercricket.co.za/default.asp?id=209405&des= article&scat=supercricket/international

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#329

Former captain Latif suspects betting ring in murder

Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:58AM GMT

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KARACHI (Reuters) - Former captain Rashid Latif suspects the murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer at the World Cup in the Caribbean was carried out by someone with connections to an illegal international betting syndicate.

The 58-year-old died on Sunday after he was found unconscious in his Kingston hotel room the morning after his side's shock defeat to Ireland sent them crashing out of the tournament in the first round.

On Thursday, Jamaican police launched a murder inquiry, saying the Englishman had been strangled.

Latif, who exposed a match-fixing scandal in Pakistan 12 years ago that led to a life ban for former captain Salim Malik and fines for other players, told Reuters on Friday that Woolmer's murder could be linked to an illegal betting ring.

"I have always said cricket has never been cleansed of corruption despite the measures taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC)," Latif said.

"They (the syndicates) were still active in fixing results of some matches. Whoever murdered Woolmer was clearly desperate or else he would not have been killed in the middle of a World Cup."

Latif said he had written a letter to the ICC anti-corruption unit four years ago informing the sport's governing body that bookies were still "fancy fixing" matches.

"I wrote the letter when I was captain of the Pakistan team in England and I told them about my suspicions that some fixing was going." he said.

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43685

Hibernated

Posted: 18 years ago

#330

Sri Lanka destroys India's World Cup hopes
Friday, March 23, 2007, 21:12 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 23, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad- India's hopes of getting into the super 8 round in the World Cup cricket vanished today when Sri Lanka beat India by 69 runs at the Queen's Park Oval today. India was all out for 185 in 43 overs.

Opening batsman Upul Tharanga and Chamara Silva guided Sri Lanka to 254 for six against India in the decisive match to set a target of 255 for India.

India needed to win this match after losing to Bangladesh earlier to avoid elimination in the first round. India's only chance of entering the next stage is if Bangladesh lost to Bermuda in next Sunday's match which is an unlikely outcome. Neighbouring Pakistan was also eliminated in the first round.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/March23211239CH.html