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Vivian
still looks a picture of fitness He still looked a picture of his cricketing days and even fit to play a 30-over game in a lighter vein. An easy going guy off the field he minced no words.To Viv, truth is the greatest religion. Yes. It is good for West Indies cricket that his services have that been harnessed for the betterment of the game by being appointed as the Chairman of the Selection Committee. One has to forget about the past and look forward for a better future. The West Indies had a glorious past when the Windies hurricane hit the cricketing world. Well one can't live forever in the past, but must strive to work for a better future. There are ups and downs in life. West Indies at present is undergoing a period of transition. Before long the Calypso singing willow wielders are bound to make an impact. Being the chairman of the selection panel Viv may have planned an infrastructure with the Windies Cricket Board. The other two members of the panel are Gordon Greenidge and Joey Carew.The trio are knowledgeable and has played the game at the highest level. They have done proud for the country and command a lot of respect. The youngsters have to work on a format. The Board will assist them to go places to improve their levels. Don't you think there should be total commitment and self belief. Yes. They have to work hard then they will have much to gain for their future and the country in general. Ricky Sirikitt, who was present at the confab said, the boys are shaping up well and learning fast. After the first tour here early this year losing the Tests 3-0, the revamped team is performing well. It takes time to improve, he said. Sirikitt said former West Indian gangling fast bowler, Rev. Wesley Hall will be here today, to watch the final. Richards has two children - a daughter named Matara - a name similar to the Southern Province City Matara - the hometown of Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya. His 19-year-old son Mali plays for the Antigua youth team. He is good, but he has to work hard. Nothing is given on a platter Viv. said. The Windies under Carl Hooper are preparing for the forthcoming tour of India and they are regularly practicing at the NCC grounds. They leave on Oct. 1, said Sirikitt. This writer was fortunate to have seen one of Richards great knocks at Lord's in the World Cup final against England in 1979. The Windies were in trouble with the top order gone including skipper Clive Lloyd. But with Collis King sewed up the innings with a superb display of attacking strokeplay King made 80. Richards went to make 136 not out. In the last ball of the innings (49.5) he hooked Mike Hendrick for a six to the boisterous Taverners stand. The Windies won the match with Joel Garner taking 5 for 14 after a slow and prolonged stand between Geoff Boycott and skipper Mike Brearley. Any comments, about present day cricket. Natural play is good, but technique is vital even when it comes to pinch hitting. When it comes to pulling and hooking proper technique plays a decisive role. Play the wrong line then you are in trouble, Viv added. Shewag-
a model of Sachin Simplicity, is the codeword for the maestro.He never lost his balance and stood firm by its principles, but not for mere material gain. Being a father of two children- a daughter Sara and son Arjun he leads a contended family life with his wife Dr. Anjali. He hails from the country of the greatest philospher (Lord Gautama Buddha), has loving kindness and compassion for fellow beings especially for the have nots - the poor kinds be it in India or otherwise. Despite a tight schedule he had the time to meet his numerous fans at the Taj Samudra - including the kids, over a cup of tea and cuddled them though being harassed with his autograph or posing for a pix. Tendulkar handled them with care. He said, he was happy to be with them. Here is a player even at his height of his career who has not forgotten his humble beginnings. He climbed the cricketing ladder via an escalator thanks to his parents . Both Sachin and left-hander Vinod Kambli, hailed from the same school. They played together for the school and for the country with distinction. But sad to mention Kambli fell on the wayside for reasons best-known to him. Sachin always adhere to the golden words: 'First a gentleman and then a cricketer'. He has faced setbacks (bad decisions), but always looks in the correct spirit. .He has never held his ground when he knows that he is out. He has won for himself and his country much admiration, as a result. He captained the Indian cricket team and led the side with dignity. To Sachin, it was a temporary assignment. Today he's an ordinary player in the team and gives Ganguly 100 percent support as a batsman. He is also a source of inspiration to the younger members of the team to emulate. Eye-Catching When Sachin walks to the middle, he is accompanied all the way by a roar as if he has won the battle single handed. It could be a fiesta to the fans if both Sachin and Sehwag at the middle together. Then the fans will go berserk be it at Eden Gardens or at the Southern Stand at the MCG (Australia). He has the mental toughness of another legend in Aussie cricket- Steve Waugh. He says he was fortunate to have visited Don's home on Aug. 27, 1998 on his 90th b'day in Adelaide. To him it was a dream come true. Not many had the opportunity. He will never forget that experience for the rest of his life. Sachin has played in 84 test matches- scored 6916 runs todate. Highest 217 n.o. against the Kiwis. 25 test 100s, Av. 57.18. One day cricket: 280 matches - over 10,000 runs, thirty one 100s, highest 186 against New Zealand. His 186 n.o is the highest score by an Indian batsman in a ODI/331- run partnership with Ganguly the highest for any wicket in a one-day game. Total of 376 runs - the highest by India and the second best in ODI history. Three records were achieved on 8th Nov 1999- in an ODI Sachin never went chasing for records, but they just came his way. This was one reason he says that late Sir Don's records will be hard to touch even among the present generation of cricketers, despite several newcomers playing at test level. Bradman played in an era where there were no covered pitches with some of them resembling a glue pot after deluge. No third umpire or the electronic eye to assist the man in the middle or body protections (helmets). Even during the Larwood- Vorce bodyline era, he stood firm.- BW Opatha
continues to help Netherlands
Imagine Netherlands played only five Int. ODIs since 1996 World Cup. The Dutch team was grouped with S. Africa, England, Pakistan, UAE and N. Zealand. That was the only Int. ODIs the team had before this ICC Champions Trophy. This tour was a good exposure for the players to gain experience and for our build up towards the World Cup 2003 in S. Africa. The ICC must be commended for giving Netherlands this opportunity of playing. We lost to Sri Lanka and Pakistan - two good teams with tremendous experience in the shorter version of the game. Our bowlers hadn't the know-how or the experience to bowl against top class batsmen (line and length) which is very vital to contain them. Cricket was introduced by the Englishmen in 1860. But Netherlands took to serious cricket in 1883 when the Cricket Board was formed. How many clubs are there. 75 clubs. Over 6500 members are playing cricket. Each club is allowed to draft an overseas player to coach and play. Sri Lanka's first Test Captain Bandula Warnapura, all rounder Tony Opatha (now domiciled in Holland) and S. Africa's Barry Richards were among them. Opatha, is a cog-in-the-wheel. He is still coaching and regularly takes teams on overseas tours, especially to Sri Lanka. Tony, is promoting Sri Lanka's image via cricket - in its wake boost tourism here said Hans. The present coach, Emerson Trotman - West Indian from Barbados. In what way does your cricket board encourage the youngsters. Every year the Dutch Academy sends about 12 youngsters to Cape Town (S. Africa), to play club cricket for three to four months. This exposure helps them immensely to improve their image and to be in continuity. Some of them are in the present team. Despite limited international exposure the players are given all encouragement to enjoy the game. The end result is not a winning trophies, but to learn what cricket is all about, to bring about understanding and fellowship. This ICC championship helped them to know much about Sri Lanka. Of course we were working on a tight schedule and hadn't the time to move around to see some of the tourist attractions, in going to grounds and back to the hotel, he said. The team was afforded to play in Test venues and the pitches were good for cricket. We will be, too delighted to be here again given the opportunity Hans said. The organisation was pretty good and the ICC should be commended for looking into all aspects and make this tour - a one to be remembered staged in your beautiful country. The boys watched exciting limited over cricket where some of the best willow wielders were on show. It was a rare opportunity all playing under one umbrella. Pinch hitting was at its best. The Netherlands bowlers had a good taste of it, when they had to confront Shahid Afridi - 55 runs in 18 balls most unforgettable - made at a big venue (the SSC grounds). The best in any brand of cricket. |
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