JOHANNESBURG, 8 March 2003 — Pakistan coach Richard Pybus was on the verge of quitting yesterday, saying it was difficult to coach a side in which players were not willing to learn. “I tried my best but it was difficult. Some guys wanted to learn, but some were not interested at all,” Pybus told AFP after strong contenders Pakistan bowed out of the World Cup in the first round. The South Africa-based Pybus, 42, said it was time for someone else to take over. “I think I can still contribute to Pakistan cricket, but it is time to move on and let someone else do the job,” he said. “I would prefer to spend quality time with my daughter.” He said that Pakistan, World Cup champions in 1992 and runners-up to Australia four years ago, were a good side but some players lacked the passion and desire to perform at the international level. “I won’t name any individual but they get to the park and are part of the team but not of the plan,” a disgusted Pybus said. “They have old habits, they don’t want to change. There’s a reluctance to learn and change.” Pybus said he was not interested in appearing before a three-member panel appointed by the Pakistan Cricket Board to probe the debacle, but preferred to submit a comprehensive report instead.
Vermeulen Sustains Skull Fracture in Nets
In Bloemfontein, Zimbabwe batsman Mark Vermeulen suffered a hairline fracture to his skull while batting in the nets yesterday. Vermeulen was struck over the left eye by a rising delivery from Travis Friend and will miss Zimbabwe’s opening World Cup Super Six match against New Zealand here today. “I was trying to pull the ball but then suddenly it just got very, very big in front of me,” said the 23-year-old. “It was certainly a shock but I think I should be alright to play again next week.” Team spokesman Babu Meman told AFP that Vermeulen required five stitches in the wound. “He’s had five stitches inserted above the left eye and is ruled out for tomorrow. We’ve been told to keep him under check for three days,” added Meman, who said the Africans hoped to have Vermeulen available for selection for their next second phase match.
Indian Board Wants Green Light for Pakistan Tour
In Calcutta, India’s cricket board urged the federal government to allow the national team to tour arch-rival Pakistan next month to prevent India from being “totally isolated” on the world stage. “If India do not play against Pakistan, the equilibrium of world cricket will be severely affected because the world Test championship cannot be decided,” cricket board president Jagmohan Dalmiya said in a letter to Sport Minister Vikram Verma released yesterday. Dalmiya said each cricket nation was supposed to play four series against each other every 10 years and that if India did not play Pakistan it “may be totally isolated in the world cricket scenario.” Dalmiya sent the letter earlier this week and traveled Thursday to New Delhi to press his case, said a spokesman for his office in Calcutta.
Sobers to Hand Over World Cup Award
In Johannesburg, legendary Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest cricketer ever, will present the man of the tournament award after the World Cup final here on March 23. Sobers, named one of the cricketers of the 20th century by Wisden, will fly in from his home in Barbados to attend the final at the Wanderers, World Cup chief executive Ali Bacher said. The man of the tournament will be decided by a ranking system in which match referees pick the top three players after each match of the World Cup. India’s star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, the leading scorer in the tournament with 469 runs in the preliminary league, currently leads the rankings with 10 points, two ahead of Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas. Another Barbadian, Everton Weekes, will present the man of the match award at one of the semifinals in Durban or Port Elizabeth, Bacher added. Weekes is one of the famous three Ws, the others being Frank Worrell and Clyde Walcott, who dominated West Indian cricket in the post-war years. Bacher said it had not yet been decided who will give the man of the match award at the other semifinal.
No TV Threat to 2007 World Cup
In Johannesburg, Organizers of the next World Cup in the West Indies in 2007 have brushed aside fears the tournament could be shifted elsewhere since it did not suit television timings in Asia. The time difference between the Caribbean and cricket’s main financial backer India means games will start late in the evening in India which could affect television ratings. But Christopher Dehring, chief executive officer of the Windies World Cup 2007, insisted there were no problems on that front because all factors had been taken into account when the rights were sold two years ago. “There are no threats to the World Cup 2007 regardless of what other people’s concerns on television viewership may be,” Dehring told a news conference here. “The television rights were sold and a guaranteed amount reached after considering all factors.” The International Cricket Council (ICC) sold the marketing and sponsorship rights of two World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and three Champions Trophy events for $550 million to the Global Cricket Corporation.
I Should Have Gone Fishing, Says Klusener
In Johannesburg, Lance Klusener admitted yesterday that he was left so despondent by South Africa’s heartbreaking World Cup exit that he was tempted to give it all up and go fishing instead. For the second successive World Cup, the 31-year-old was at the wicket when the last rites were performed on his team’s hopes. Four years ago, he was involved in the run-out with Allan Donald in the semifinal at Edgbaston which left South Africa tied with Australia but knocked out of the tournament. On Monday, fate was conspiring against him again as he was stranded in the middle with Mark Boucher when the crucial Group B game with Sri Lanka in Durban was abandoned as a tie. Again it was a result which put South Africa out of the World Cup.
South Africa Caught in Vacuum Says Woolmer
In Cape Town, South African cricket is caught in a vacuum and failing to produce the quality players of old, according to former coach Bob Woolmer. “Club cricket used to be strong, but not anymore,” Woolmer told Reuters. “There are lot of little problems which build up into big ones. It is not an easy thing to manage. “Many cricketers, both black and white, are not sure what future holds for them.” Hosts South Africa suffered a shock first-round elimination from the World Cup after a series of unimpressive performances. The final blow came when their do-or-die clash against Sri Lanka ended in a tie, after rain intervened with South Africa one run short of forcing victory under the Duckworth-Lewis method. “There is a vacuum in South African cricket,” Woolmer said.
World Cup Organizers Expect $37 million Profit
In Johannesburg, Africa’s first cricket World Cup will generate a profit of 300 million South African rands ($37 million), chief organizer Ali Bacher said. “The projections are that, including gate receipts, we will have a surplus around 300 million rand,” Bacher told a news conference on the eve of the tournament’s Super Sixes phase. Bacher said about $25 million would come from the marketing and sponsorship deals of the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the remainder from gate receipts. The ICC signed a marketing deal worth $550 million with the Global Cricket Corporation (GCC) two years ago which covers all ICC events like the World Cup and Champions Trophy till 2007.
