Monday, June 14, 2010

Super-charged Steyn leads South Africa to victory

STAFF WRITER 19:1 HRS IST

Port of Spain, Jun 14 (AFP) Fast bowler Dale Steyn starred again as South Africa secured a 163-run victory over the West Indies in the opening Test.

Steyn collected three wickets for 65 runs from 15.3 overs, as West Indies, chasing 457 for victory, were bowled out for 293, just before the rescheduled close on the fourth day at Queen's Park Oval.

The South African quick ended the match yesterday with figures of eight for 94 to earn the man-of-the-match award.

Steyn bowled Nelon Pascal off an inside edge for 10, when the West Indies tail-ender tried a flamboyant one-legged pull.

Morne Morkel supported Steyn with two for 49 from 12 overs, while left-arm spinner Paul Harris took two for 91 from 26.3 overs.

The victory gave the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, which continues on Friday in St Kitts.

Netherlands prevail over fighting Denmark 2-0

Fakir Hassen

Johannesburg, Jun 14 (PTI) Strong contenders the Netherlands launched their FIFA World Cup campaign with a scrappy 2-0 victory over a fighting Denmark in their Group E opener here today.

While the Dutch were gifted a self-goal in the 46th minute to forge ahead, striker Dirk Kuyt produced a goal just five minutes before the final whistle to give his team full points at the majestic Soccer City stadium.

The Dutch, boasting of a star-studded line up, were hardly convincing in their win in a match which seldom rose to great heights.

The Netherlands rode on a huge slice of luck to go into the lead barely a minute after the interval, courtesy a self goal from Denmark's Jakob Poulsen.

Maradona took Argentina job for the cash: Pele

SAO PAULO: Brazilian legend Pele on Monday launched a broadside against Argentina coach Diego Maradona, charging that he only took the job as he was out of work and needed the money, Brazilian media reported on Monday.

Pele and Maradona - widely considered as the two best players of all time - have regularly indulged in verbal sparring.

But Pele rose to the bait when the Brazilian media asked him about comments attributed to Maradona during the inauguration of the World Cup in South Africa.

Maradona allegedly implied that a "dark gentleman" - taken to mean Pele - had questioned the ability of the host nation to be the first African country to host the World Cup.

Pele hit back, saying: "I don't understand a few things. When he did his first television programme (in 2005) in Argentina and needed some help I went to Buenos Aires, played football with him and helped him out.

"Then I tried to help out with some adverts - but either he was late or never showed up."

The Brazilian continued sardonically: "I know he has remembered me now in South Africa. He must love me."

Former sports minister Pele, who said he had no intention of ever coaching Brazil "as I don't want to suffer the way (current coach) Dunga is suffering", took another swipe at Maradona, who took control of Argentina in November 2008.

"Maradona accepted the job as he needed work and needed the money. I saw how Argentina qualified with difficulty. But it is not Maradona's fault; it is the fault of those who put him in charge."

Earlier this year Pele criticised Argentine Federation President Julio Grondona for appointing Maradona, a volatile character with little coaching experience, albeit someone widely admired in his homeland for leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.

TOI

India aim to break 15-year Asia Cup jinx

DAMBULLA: India get a chance to make amends for recent debacles, climb up the ODI rankings and break a 15-year jinx in the Asia Cup which takes off on Tuesday with home favourites Sri Lanka facing the ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan in the opening match.

Four-time champions India, who come after twin debacles in the Twenty20 World Cup and the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe, last won the title 15 years ago in the United Arab Emirates and will open their campaign on June 16 against Bangladesh.

Before that, with a hat-trick of titles in sight, Sri Lanka would look to exploit the home conditions against Pakistan at the Rangiri Dambulla ground.

Considering the fact that Sri Lanka won the title in the previous two editions, the hosts are slight favourites over the others in the four-nation tournament.

The tournament opener between Sri Lanka and Pakistan holds promise as on paper both the teams are equally matched in terms of potential, though the buoyant hosts have the more experienced players, who have a reputation of being devastating in their own backyard.

The inclusion of wily off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who recovered from an injury sustained during the Twenty20 World Cup, has strengthened the Kumar Sangakkara-led Sri Lankan side.

Even though both Sri Lanka and Pakistan made it to the semifinals of the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, the hosts will draw confidence from their recent tri-series victory in Zimbabwe.

Like India, Sri Lanka too had fielded a second string team in Zimbabwe, but the Lankan young guns rose to the occasion to come out triumphant in the tri-series.

What would be a morale-booster for Sri Lanka is dashing Tillakratne Dilshan's return to form.

Leading a young side in the tri-series, Dilshan made a rollicking return to form with a delectable century in the title clash against hosts Zimbabwe.

To add to it, Sri Lanka would be bolstered by the return of regular skipper Sangakkara and senior batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who has been in sublime form this season.

If Dilshan and Jayawardene combine well at the top of the order, it could spell trouble for Pakistan who had last won the title in 2000 in Bangladesh.

The 21-year-old Angelo Mathews will be another Sri Lankan to watch out for over the next two weeks as the quality all-rounder seeks to prove his supremacy in the biennial event.

TOI