The World Cup Weblog - Feb. 4-Feb. 10
Cricket, the destroyer It takes a brave man to decry cricket just as the World Cup kicks off with a sizzler of a match between South Africa and the West Indies, but Francois Gautier has never been one for mincing words
04-Feb-2003
Monday, February 10, 2003:::
Cricket, the destroyer
It takes a brave man to decry cricket just as the World Cup kicks off with a sizzler of a match between South Africa and the West Indies, but Francois Gautier has never been one for mincing words.
Source: Rediff.com, India
It takes a brave man to decry cricket just as the World Cup kicks off with a sizzler of a match between South Africa and the West Indies, but Francois Gautier has never been one for mincing words.
Source: Rediff.com, India
If superstition can make us win, so be it
Francois Gautier would hate it all. Cricket rules the hearts of Indians, and loyalists will do anything to see their team win -- even if it means sitting through the match watching TV at a neck-breaking angle of 60 degrees, or playing a particular song just when the coin is tossed.
Source: The Indian Express, India
Francois Gautier would hate it all. Cricket rules the hearts of Indians, and loyalists will do anything to see their team win -- even if it means sitting through the match watching TV at a neck-breaking angle of 60 degrees, or playing a particular song just when the coin is tossed.
Source: The Indian Express, India
World Cup cricket a bonanza for South Africa
South Africa's tourism industry made one of its most spectacular catches at the weekend, setting aside for a moment the high politics of boycott and posturing around the cricket World Cup to get down to the real business of cashing in the global sporting showcase.
Source: Business Day, South Africa
South Africa's tourism industry made one of its most spectacular catches at the weekend, setting aside for a moment the high politics of boycott and posturing around the cricket World Cup to get down to the real business of cashing in the global sporting showcase.
Source: Business Day, South Africa
posted at 11:53 p.m. IST
Sunday, February 9, 2003:::
Sherry, you are the pineapple of perfection
Is it a coincidence that Navjot Singh Sidhu - Sherry to friends - spouts malapropisms, a word that derives from a character in a play by another Sherry - Richard B Sheridan?
Source: The Hindustan Times, India
Is it a coincidence that Navjot Singh Sidhu - Sherry to friends - spouts malapropisms, a word that derives from a character in a play by another Sherry - Richard B Sheridan?
Source: The Hindustan Times, India
When cricket's worlds collide
Cricket without Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath? Not at all a pleasant thought, as Andrew Ramsey discovers.
Source: Scotland on Sunday, UK
Cricket without Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath? Not at all a pleasant thought, as Andrew Ramsey discovers.
Source: Scotland on Sunday, UK
Lights, cameras and lots of action
World Cup security forces are on the lookout for two Indian mob bosses - Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel - who may just drop in to enjoy some cricket.
Source: Allafrica.com
World Cup security forces are on the lookout for two Indian mob bosses - Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel - who may just drop in to enjoy some cricket.
Source: Allafrica.com
Gayle a force to fear
In much the same way as emerging English cricketers have to handle comparisons with Ian Botham, so promising young West Indians are depicted as heirs to a noble tradition of batsmanship and fast bowling. When a 6ft-4in left-hander starts to hit through the line of the ball with power and consistency at international level, as Chris Gayle has been doing over the past few months, an immediate observation comes to mind.
Source: The Guardian, UK
In much the same way as emerging English cricketers have to handle comparisons with Ian Botham, so promising young West Indians are depicted as heirs to a noble tradition of batsmanship and fast bowling. When a 6ft-4in left-hander starts to hit through the line of the ball with power and consistency at international level, as Chris Gayle has been doing over the past few months, an immediate observation comes to mind.
Source: The Guardian, UK
posted at 2:17 p.m. IST
Saturday, February 8, 2003:::
Canada a long, long shot at the World Cup
What are Canadians expecting from their side at one-day cricket's premier tournament? Apparently not a lot! No one is going to get rich betting against Canada at the World Cup, says the Canadian press.
Source: The Toronto Star, Canada
What are Canadians expecting from their side at one-day cricket's premier tournament? Apparently not a lot! No one is going to get rich betting against Canada at the World Cup, says the Canadian press.
Source: The Toronto Star, Canada
Does Tendulkar really want to open the batting?
Pundits vociferously argue that Sachin Tendulkar should - and wants to - open the batting in one-day cricket, but ask him that question and he tactfully avoids the question.
Source: Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
Pundits vociferously argue that Sachin Tendulkar should - and wants to - open the batting in one-day cricket, but ask him that question and he tactfully avoids the question.
Source: Gulf News, United Arab Emirates
Only the rain can rain on this parade
Forget Mugabe's thuggery, forget creased English brows, forget interminable meetings in luxurious waterfront hotels. All side issues; so far as most South Africans are concerned this is their tournament and their party, and everyone wants a slice of it.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Forget Mugabe's thuggery, forget creased English brows, forget interminable meetings in luxurious waterfront hotels. All side issues; so far as most South Africans are concerned this is their tournament and their party, and everyone wants a slice of it.
Source: The Guardian, UK
How to survive the World Cup
For deadbeats who want to avoid the manic cricket fever that will entrance India for the next few weeks, here are a few tips to get away from it all.
Source: The Times of India, India
For deadbeats who want to avoid the manic cricket fever that will entrance India for the next few weeks, here are a few tips to get away from it all.
Source: The Times of India, India
posted at 12:04 p.m. IST
Friday, February 7, 2003:::
Kallis: Our Mr Indispensable
If a cricket team could be compared to a puzzle, then Jacques Kallis would be the biggest and undoubtedly the most valuable part of the South African team's puzzle.
Source: The Star, South Africa
If a cricket team could be compared to a puzzle, then Jacques Kallis would be the biggest and undoubtedly the most valuable part of the South African team's puzzle.
Source: The Star, South Africa
Match-fixers see chance of a killing
When India play Pakistan at Centurion on March 1, there will be more than just national pride riding on the outcome - millions of pounds in the unofficial betting market across the subcontinent, to be exact.
Source: The Guardian, UK
When India play Pakistan at Centurion on March 1, there will be more than just national pride riding on the outcome - millions of pounds in the unofficial betting market across the subcontinent, to be exact.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Gold adds sparkle to World Cup
South Africa's gold companies have, in a show of generosity, donated Rs 57 lakh worth of gold for coins at the toss, watches for Men of the Matches as well as the crowning trophy.
Source: The New Indian Express, India
South Africa's gold companies have, in a show of generosity, donated Rs 57 lakh worth of gold for coins at the toss, watches for Men of the Matches as well as the crowning trophy.
Source: The New Indian Express, India
posted at 11:27 a.m. IST
Thursday, February 6, 2003:::
Shoaib takes aim at the top
"I already know what I'm going to do. I'm going to get the main guys out, all the top order, and then I'll leave the rest to the other bowlers," says Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar.
Source: The Guardian, UK
"I already know what I'm going to do. I'm going to get the main guys out, all the top order, and then I'll leave the rest to the other bowlers," says Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Bacher bowled over by dress rehearsal
There might still be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 2003 World Cup. But at least one major event went off without a hitch - the dazzling dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony.
Source:Cape Times, South Africa
There might still be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 2003 World Cup. But at least one major event went off without a hitch - the dazzling dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony.
Source:Cape Times, South Africa
Kallis: I'll be fit for World Cup
Good news for South Africa. Their premier all-rounder Jacques Kallis shall be playing in the World Cup opener against West Indies on Sunday.
Source:Ananova, UK
Good news for South Africa. Their premier all-rounder Jacques Kallis shall be playing in the World Cup opener against West Indies on Sunday.
Source:Ananova, UK
posted at 1:03 p.m. IST
Wednesday, February 5, 2003:::
Teen scorer having a run of success
She used to find cricket extremely boring, but 16-year-old Chantal Sunpath found herself the official scorer at the KwaZulu Natal-India warm-up game and may even feature in other Durban games during the World Cup.
Source: The Star, South Africa
She used to find cricket extremely boring, but 16-year-old Chantal Sunpath found herself the official scorer at the KwaZulu Natal-India warm-up game and may even feature in other Durban games during the World Cup.
Source: The Star, South Africa
Sachs may have the final word
So who is likely to make the final judgement on whether England's World Cup game can be legitimately moved from Zimbabwe? It may fall to a little-known veteran anti-aparthied activist called Albie Sachs.
Source: The Guardian, UK
So who is likely to make the final judgement on whether England's World Cup game can be legitimately moved from Zimbabwe? It may fall to a little-known veteran anti-aparthied activist called Albie Sachs.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Surgeon: Shane Warne 'might have had a nip and tuck'
South African tongues wag as to whether Shane Warne's slim new silhouette owes something to outside assistance.
Source: Natal Witness, South Africa
South African tongues wag as to whether Shane Warne's slim new silhouette owes something to outside assistance.
Source: Natal Witness, South Africa
posted at 11:03 a.m. IST
Tuesday, February 4, 2003:::
Afridi backs Pakistan
"We have lost almost three one-day tournaments in a row, two out of three Test series, and it's too much. It's not something we are used to," says one-day dynamo Shahid Afridi, confident of his side's chances in the World Cup.
Source: Iafrica.com
"We have lost almost three one-day tournaments in a row, two out of three Test series, and it's too much. It's not something we are used to," says one-day dynamo Shahid Afridi, confident of his side's chances in the World Cup.
Source: Iafrica.com
Miracle man works his magic on Bevan
Australians will hope that one-day specialist Michael Bevan will not have to watch from the sidelines for much longer as his team-mates limber up ahead of the World Cup.
Source: The Star, South Africa
Australians will hope that one-day specialist Michael Bevan will not have to watch from the sidelines for much longer as his team-mates limber up ahead of the World Cup.
Source: The Star, South Africa
Anderson proves age is no barrier
The James Anderson experience is not meant to happen in English cricket. A virtually unknown fast bowler plays a few games for Lancashire, gets a surprise call-up for the Ashes series as an entire bowling attack is injured and in the twinkle of an eye leaves the Australians nodding with respect.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Related CricInfo links: James Anderson
The James Anderson experience is not meant to happen in English cricket. A virtually unknown fast bowler plays a few games for Lancashire, gets a surprise call-up for the Ashes series as an entire bowling attack is injured and in the twinkle of an eye leaves the Australians nodding with respect.
Source: The Guardian, UK
Related CricInfo links: James Anderson
posted at 12:39 p.m. IST