BOMBAY, 28 September 2005 — India coach Greg Chappell and captain Saurav Ganguly assured the Indian cricket board yesterday they would work together in future after a bitter row which threatened to split the national team.
Board President Ranbir Mahendra told reporters after a special committee meeting that the pair had been urged to bury their differences.
“The coach and captain were together in the concluding hours of the meeting and have assured the committee they will work together in the interests of cricket,” he said.
“The committee was of the view that cricket is to go forward. Both coach and captain have to work as a unit and a professional working relationship is to be maintained.”
Australia A End Pakistan
Tour on High Note
In Lahore, Australia A clinched the one-day series yesterday to finish their three-week tour of Pakistan on a high.
“It was a beneficial tour for the future of Australian cricket,” coach Tim Nielsen said, after Australia A beat Pakistan A by 97 runs in the third and final one-dayer to take the series 2-1. The tourists won the first one-day match on Friday by seven wickets but Pakistan A leveled the series in the second on Sunday, cruising to victory by eight wickets.
Phil Jacques cracked a brilliant 114 and Cameron White a quickfire unbeaten 59 in Australia A’s total of 273-7 in 50 overs in the decider.
Pakistan A were shot out for 176 in 39 overs with Test batsman Bazid Khan topscoring with 95.
Inzamam Takes U-Turn on
Decision Over Super Series
Pakistan captain Inzamam ul-Haq has finally agreed to play in next month’s Super Test against Australia.
The 35-year-old, who replaced injured Indian star Sachin Tendulkar, has been involved in a series of rows with international selectors and Pakistani cricket authorities, including a dispute over a parking space.
Inzamam said he agreed to feature in the Super Test to improve Pakistan’s image.
“I did say that I would not go but after being convinced by the chairman that my participation is necessary for the better image of the country, I have decided to tour Australia,” Inzamam told reporters.
Indian Women Promise
Series Will Be Friendly
The captain of India’s junior women’s cricket team said yesterday their first-ever cricket series with Pakistan will be a friendly encounter, unlike the bitter contests between their male colleagues.
“I don’t think there will be as intense a rivalry as the men’s teams show,” captain Karuna Jain told AFP. “We are here for a friendly competition.” Jain’s 14-member Indian Under-21 team arrived for their landmark tour in Lahore late Monday, accompanied by coach Kalpana Venkatashar and manager Anjali Pendharkar.
