JOHANNESBURG, 15 March 2003 — Cricket legend Kapil Dev has flown in to South Africa to cheer Saurav Ganguly’s India to World Cup glory, a feat he himself achieved 20 years ago. Kapil’s Devils stunned the rest of the cricket world when they ended the West Indian domination of the sport’s showpiece by winning the final at Lord’s in England in June, 1983. It remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian sport alongside the hockey team’s World Cup triumph in 1975, the Davis Cup heroics of Leander Paes and the Test series win over world champions Australia at home two seasons ago. Kapil now hopes Ganguly’s team can rekindle the magic of 1983 after India qualified for the semifinals by winning seven of their eight matches in the tournament. “They look good, the spirit is there, what is there for me to say?” Kapil said when asked what his advice to the Indian team will be. “The best thing is to leave the boys alone and let them concentrate on the job at hand. I am now the cheerleader No. 1. It is now their turn to take over. Let them enjoy the spotlight.”
Sri Lanka Lacks Tigers, Says Ranatunga
JOHANNESBURG, 15 March 2003 — Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga lashed out at the current side yesterday, saying a lack of quality bowlers could spell the end of the team’s hopes in South Africa. “The main problem is that we are really struggling to find quality fast bowlers,” said Ranatunga, adding the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka must carry some of the blame. “Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake did a good job by grooming youngsters like Dilhara Fernando and Prabhat Nissanka,” he said. “But we didn’t look after him well and he left. We have enough talent in Sri Lanka but our board officials are mismanaging the game.”
Anwar Pledges to Carry on Batting
ISLAMABAD, 15 March 2003 — Veteran Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar has reversed his decision to retire from international cricket in an effort to help lift his country out of its World Cup hangover. “I have consulted my family, friends and religious scholars and on their advice have decided to continue playing in international cricket. I have conveyed my decision to the cricket board,” Anwar said in a statement. The 34-year-old devout Muslim was one of the few Pakistan players to emerge with any credit from the disastrous World Cup campaign in South Africa in which the 1992 champions were eliminated in the first round.
Gilchrist Tips Ponting as Next Test Captain
DURBAN, 15 March 2003 — Adam Gilchrist has tipped Australia one-day captain Ricky Ponting to take over the leadership of the test side when Stephen Waugh retires. Gilchrist, vice-captain of both the Test and one-day sides and who has led Australia in two Tests when Waugh was injured, said yesterday: “It’s pretty obvious who will be Test captain when the opportunity comes. “Punter (Ricky Ponting) is the main man there,” he told reporters after a training session.
