Report
Baroda make first Ranji final since 1957-58
With the result of the match a foregone conclusion there was little interest in the last day's play of the Ranji Trophy semifinal between Baroda and Orissa at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground in Baroda on Monday
Staff Reporter
09-Apr-2001
With the result of the match a foregone conclusion there was little
interest in the last day's play of the Ranji Trophy semifinal between
Baroda and Orissa at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground
in Baroda on Monday. About the only interest was whether Baroda would
win outright or enter the final on the basis of their first innings
lead. Ultimately Orissa's batsmen, with an improved performance,
comfortably foiling Baroda's bid to register an outright victory.
Requiring an impossible 698 for victory, Orissa ended at 361 for five
off 82.4 overs when stumps were finally drawn.
Baroda were all out in the second innings in the first over after
resumption for 409. There was a brief while when Baroda looked capable
of winning the match and this was when Orissa were 53 for two with
skipper Shiv Sundar Das (19) being among the batsmen dismissed. But
thereafter it was Orissa all the way. First, RR Parida (71) and Sanjay
Raul (36) added 67 runs for the third wicket off 21.3 overs. This was
followed by a 73-run fourth wicket stand off 19.5 overs between Parida
and Pravanjan Mullick. Parida, one of the leading batsmen for the
state this season, faced 162 balls and hit nine fours. Then Mullick
and P Jayachandra (82) made merry as Baroda captain Jacob Martin tried
out some irregular bowlers. The two figured in a 168-run association
for the fifth wicket which lasted 22 overs. Jayachandra was finally
out after facing just 75 balls and hitting nine fours and four sixes.
At close, Mullick remained unconquered with 131 off 121 balls. He hit
15 fours and six sixes. The match was called off when Jayachandra was
dismissed.
Baroda, who are entering the title round for the first time since
1957-58, will play Railways in the five day final commencing at Baroda
on April 19.
Full postRailway storm into Ranji Trophy final for second time
Railways stormed into the final of the coveted Ranji Trophy championship beating Punjab by 5 wickets at the PCA stadium in Mohali on Monday
Staff Reporter
09-Apr-2001
Railways stormed into the final of the coveted Ranji Trophy
championship beating Punjab by 5 wickets at the PCA stadium in Mohali
on Monday. This is the second entry of Railways into the title clash
and comes after a gap of 13 years.
Resuming at six without loss in pursuit of a target of 199, the
visitors began on a cautious note as they scored only 55 runs in the
first session in which 36 overs were bowled. This was primarily done
to ensure that the Punjab team did not get an early breakthrough and
run through the Railways innings. The overnight batsmen Amit Pagnis
and Sanjay Bangar successfully negotiated the opening spell of
Gagandeep and Vineet Sharma.
Spin was introduced as early as the 11th over to make use of the
bowlers' footmarks. The opening pair took the score to 47 runs before
Pagnis, who struck two elegant boundaries of Sandeep Sawal, offered a
simple return catch to the left arm spinner Babloo Kumar, as he tried
to play the bowler towards midon.
Tejinder Pal Singh who joined Pagnis, struck Sandeep Sawal through
covers to open his account. A spanking straight drive by Tejinder off
Munish Sharma was the shot of the day; none of the fielders budged as
the ball raced to the fence. The partnership between Tejinder and
Sanjay Bangar tilted the match in favour of Railways but with the
score on 110, Tejinder (34, 4x4) offered a simple catch to substitute
Dinesh Mongia, who was the lone fielder in the slip cordon.
Full post12-year old Sajjida leads Pakistan Women to thrilling one-wicket victory against Holland
Pakistan Women beat the favourites Holland by one wicket in a cliff-hanger of a match, played under lights at Karachi's National Stadium, to take a 1-0 lead in the seven match series
Mahmood Ahmad
09-Apr-2001
Pakistan Women beat the favourites Holland by one wicket in a cliff-hanger of a match, played under lights at Karachi's National Stadium, to take a 1-0 lead in the seven match series. However, it was wayward bowling by the Dutch women more than anything else that led to their own demise. Failing to get their line and length right, they gave away 66 extras, of which 45 came in wides.
Requiring 157 in the allotted 50 overs, Pakistan Women struggled initially, losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Sajjida Shah, the 12-year-old middle-order batswoman, kept her cool in these adverse circumstances and saw her side home safely.
She added 50 for the 6th wicket with Khursheed Jabeen (16) to take the side to 137 by the 41st over. However, at this juncture the visitors seemed to be running away with the match, taking four Pakistani wickets for the addition of just eight runs.
Huda Ziad (1*) safely saw off the remaining overs from one end, whereas the valiant Sajjida kept scoring from the other, until the target was reached on the second ball of the last over bowled by Rambaldo.
Full postHonours even after first day of 'Test'
Honours were just about even after the first day of the Youth Test between Australia and England Under-17's at Adelaide on Monday
Sean Beynon
09-Apr-2001
Honours were just about even after the first day of the Youth Test between Australia and England Under-17's at Adelaide on Monday.
Batting first after winning the toss, Australia declared their innings closed on 277-7 before leaving England a tricky 45 minutes to bat in which they lost one wicket, adding 33 runs.
The day was one for team contributions, rather than one player dominating the card. No less than six Australians passed 25, with the highest scorer being Kenneth Skewes. Skewes, who made 51, came in with the innings threatening to falter somewhat on 121-4. The right-hander sensibly added 59 with Simon Hill (45), then another 49 with Tim Paine before becoming Gary Scott's only wicket. Keeper Tim Paine made a grafting 37 before the Aussies decided to declare. David Stiff was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-20 in 17 overs.
In reply, England lost Andrew Gale, cutting Grant Sullivan to point. They should have picked up a second wicket before the close, as skipper Joe Sayers glanced a ball from Sullivan into the hands of Tim Paine behind the stumps. The celebrations were premature however, as the umpire had signalled a no-ball. It was one of eight no-balls from Sullivan.
Full postPatron's Trophy Grade I: National Bank take command in the Final
National Bank ended the second day of the Patron's Trophy Grade I final in a high note after reducing Pakistan Customs to 245 for seven in their first innings
Mahmood Ahmad
08-Apr-2001
National Bank ended the second day of the Patron's Trophy Grade I final in a high note after reducing Pakistan Customs to 245 for seven in their first innings.
Customs are still 120 runs behind the bankers and only have 3 wickets in hand. Barring miracles, they look certain to concede a first innings lead, which will have a marked effect on the outcome of the match.
However, they must be wondering what went wrong after an excellent 118-run partnership between Nasim Khan (76) and Aamer Bashir (70) had seen them reach 173 for 2 by the 48th over.
After the departure of Nasim for a well made 76 off 134 balls, they lost two more wickets with the addition of just 5 runs. Aamer Iqbal then joined Aamer Bashir at the crease and both added 44 for the 6th wicket before the latter was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Mohammad Javed.
Full postSlow going as SA build lead in Antigua
This was not an advertisement for Test cricket, not even a bad one
Marcus Prior
08-Apr-2001
This was not an advertisement for Test cricket, not even a bad one.
Explaining the torpor of the day three of the fourth Test between the West
Indies and South Africa at the Antigua Recreation Ground to the uninitiated
would have tested the patience of a saint and the wisdom of Solomon. Just
132 runs were scored in the day, as the West Indies went firmly on the
defensive and South Africa refused to hit back on the counter.
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McKenzie - slow going Photo AFP |
When stumps were finally pulled at the end of a day which was more about
pulling teeth, South Africa were 122-3 - a lead of 229 - with Neil McKenzie
44 and Daryll Cullinan 17.
It was painful stuff, as for much of the afternoon Dinanath Ramnarine
bowled with enormous control but zero attacking intent into the rough
outside the leg-stump and Carl Hooper kept things tight at the other end. At
times it was more of a football match as Herschelle Gibbs and McKenzie
kicked, kicked and then kicked some more at Ramnarine.
Full postARY Gold Cup glints for Pakistan
The opening encounter of the newly sponsored ARY Gold Cup at Sharjah between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for which Sri Lanka was generally thought to be the favorite was won by Pakistan after a very exciting finish
Col (Retd) Rafi Nasim
08-Apr-2001
The opening encounter of the newly sponsored ARY Gold Cup at Sharjah between Pakistan and Sri Lanka for which Sri Lanka was generally thought to be the favorite was won by Pakistan after a very exciting finish. Winning the toss and batting first, Pakistan scored a challenging 255 runs. Sri Lanka did their best to achieve the fighting target, ending the innings at 239, only 17 runs short of victory. The last 10 overs saw a very tough battle between bat and ball ultimately going Pakistan's way.
Witnessing some handsome batting feats, magnificent spells of bowling and facing a lot of anxious moments the spectators must have recovered their money's worth. Not only that Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis bowled his heart out, he led the team from the front to give his young outfit a new lease of life. While it was a prize winning team effort by Pakistan, Sri Lanka fought the battle with unflinching courage and determination.
The challenging encounter between a new look Pakistan team and a spirited Sri Lanka outfit commenced on a lush green ground, amidst a lively but smallish crowd cheering the two sides equally. From the upcoming youngsters, the Pakistan team included the medium pacer Mohammad Sami, brothers Humayun Farhat (a wicket keeper) and Imran (a batsman) as well as Shoaib Malik as the 2nd off spinner. Ganegama was the debutante in the Sri Lanka squad.
Opening the innings with its traditional pair of Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi, Pakistan made a brilliant start. Both batsmen commenced with a flourish, hitting awe-inspiring shots all over the field which drew tremendous applause from the crowd. In the 4th over, Saeed did offer a chance when Marvan Atapattu fielding at mid on, missed the catch by just half a step. The scoreboard showed a total of 25 with Saeed playing at 18. With a flurry of ground strokes Saeed otherwise, remained in full command of the game.
Full postPakistan draw first blood in close encounter
Having whitewashed England 3-0 at home, Sri Lanka was thwarted by Pakistan in the thriller of an opening game of the three-nation ARY Gold Cup
Agha Akbar
08-Apr-2001
Having whitewashed England 3-0 at home, Sri Lanka was thwarted by Pakistan in the thriller of an opening game of the three-nation ARY Gold Cup. It was a close run thing, but eventually the Lankan challenge to a modest Pakistan total of 255 fizzled out, by a mere 16 runs. The new Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis was an inspiration on the field. He led by example, bowling fast and taking wickets, four in all, but more importantly when it mattered most.
Sharjah always has a rather refreshing effect on the Pakistanis, and Younis having a fresh start as captain, for the first time in his own right, couldn't have wished for a better one. He won the toss and took crucial wickets, the most important of them being that of rival captain Sanath Jayasuriya in the very first over, to stop the Lankan run chase in its tracks.
The Man of the Match award though went to Saeed Anwar, for his 90 off 117 deliveries, 10 short of what would have been his eighth hundred in the desert oasis, but still it was the highest innings of the match.
It, however, was the Pakistan attack, which lived up to its reputation of defending whatever totals its batting line-up had built. And surely, it was 25 to 30 runs short of what they would have liked to put on the board considering the kind of start they had. The so-called slog-overs, the last 10 of the 50, had yielded only 56 with five wickets lost in the bargain.
Full postBaroda compound Orissa's woes
After refusing to enforce the follow on, hosts Baroda piled on the runs and increased Orissa's woes at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground, Baroda
Staff Reporter
08-Apr-2001
After refusing to enforce the follow on, hosts Baroda piled on the
runs and increased Orissa's woes at the Gujarat State Fertilizer
Corporation Ground, Baroda. Beginning the fourth day on 69/1 after
making 568 in their first essay and dismissing Orissa for 280, Baroda
ended the fourth day on 409/9. The overall lead is now a stupendous
and equally pointless 697. On the fifth and final day, a minimum of 90
overs can be bowled and Orissa are looking at chasing a target around
the 700 mark.
Satyajit Parab and Himanshu Jadhav began the proceedings for the home side
and did so in fine style. Parab (56) notched up his half
century before being caught and bowled by Debashish Mohanty. The fall
of Parab's wicket brought Jacob Martin out to the middle to keep
Jadhav company. The pair added 70 runs for the second wicket before
skipper Martin (33) was snapped up by Sanjay Raul.
Himanshu Jadhav went on to make 78 (285 mins, 212 balls, 11 fours) and
top scored, even as everyone in the batting line up made
contributions. Tushar Arothe coming in at number five slammed a breezy
half century, knocking up 62 runs in just 51 balls. Arothe smashed the
ball to the ropes on 9 occasions and hit it clean over the ropes
thrice in the course of his innings.
Adding to his first innings 181, Mongia helped himself to a better
than run a ball 53 that included 9 boundaries. After Mongia was
dismissed, Ajit Bhoite continued the good work, clouting 45 off just
40 balls, (6 fours, 2 sixes).
Full postCampbell hits century in second easy win for Zimbabwe over Bangladesh
The second One-Day International between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh began under cloudy skies, but with no immediate prospect of rain
John Ward
08-Apr-2001
The second One-Day International between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh began under
cloudy skies, but with no immediate prospect of rain. Zimbabwe in their 50
overs were able to manage only 230 for seven, but the conditions made fast
scoring very difficult; Bangladesh were never able to mount a challenge and
were dismissed for 103.
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Campbell - 103 runs Photo AFP |
The pitch for the day was closer cut than that for the first match, so was
expected to be a little more favourable for batting, although the thick
outfield remained a handicap. However, due to the underlying moisture it
was again likely to help the seamers early on, and by winning the toss for
the second time Bangladesh had the chance to make amends for their error of
Saturday and this time put Zimbabwe in to bat. It is unfortunate that on
this ground the toss should so often be crucial to the course of the match.
Zimbabwe played the same team, while Bangladesh made the surprising move of
dropping their one Test centurion Aminul Islam to bring in all-rounder
Mehrab Hossain, in an effort to strengthen their bowling.
Full post