The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Ganguly misses pre-event function

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Ganguly misses pre-event function

COLOMBO, JULY 14. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly's absence was conspicuous during the pre-event function of the Indian Oil-Asia Cup 2004 six-nation competition held at the Taj Samudra here on Wednesday.

When asked about this, coach John Wright said, "Sourav sends his apologies. We were told that the function was at 5.30 p.m. We both were here. As you know, there was a half-an-hour delay, and Sourav didn't want to keep the team bus waiting."

The Indian team, which defeated Sri Lanka Cricket Academy by seven wickets in a practice match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club ground, left for Dambulla in the evening.

In the 50-over match, the home side was bowled out for 187 with L. Balaji, Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar taking two wickets each. India made it a no-contest as Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag scored half-centuries, and Ganguly and Yuvraj remained undefeated on 37 and 39 respectively.

India, four-time Asia Cup champion, opens its campaign with a day/night contest against UAE at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on July 16.

Describing the team's chances of regaining the title as bright, Wright said, "We expect to be competitive. As you know, we are back from a break. The tournament promises to be tough."

While mentioning that the $1,80,000 prize money for this competition was the highest in the history of this championship — in its eighth edition — Syed Ashraful Haq, Chief Executive of the Asian Cricket Council, said, "the response from the six cricket boards has been wonderful. We are happy that the ICC has accorded the competition One-Day International status.

"The reason why the championship has not quite been a biennial event, that it was meant to be, is due to the inability of the region's Test nations to participate together for one reason or the other. To conduct the championship without them all would defeat the very purpose of the tournament. The theme is solidarity."

Pakistan's new coach Bob Woolmer said he was pleased to be back with an international side. Asked if the differences within the team have been sorted out, Woolmer, who moulded South Africa into a top unit in the 90s, said, "I'd like to know what the differences are. The boys are combining well and with a lot of team spirit."

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq said his team was keen to retain the crown. "We have trained very hard for the past 15 days. It's a balanced side. Everything is fine. We have nothing to worry about. You'll notice it when we are playing."

The Sri Lankan team was scheduled to arrive from Down Under early on Thursday morning.

Dav Whatmore, Sri Lanka's coach for many years and during the 1996 World Cup triumph, is with the Bangladesh team now. "While I agree that my knowledge of the prevailing conditions will help the side, I really cannot say to what extent," said the Australian.

Former Indian Test cricketer Syed Abid Ali is the coach of the UAE team and said his boys were looking forward to the competition. UAE gained international exposure during the 1996 World Cup while this will be Hong Kong's first appearance on the big stage.

"We'll be competitive. The boys want to prove that we aren't weekend cricketers alone," said Rahul Sharma, the skipper, who has played in the Delhi league. — Sanjay Rajan

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport