The New Nation - Internet Edition

India, South Africa to play series decider against terror backdrop

AP, Kanpur

India and South Africa enter the third and final test on Friday with the series on the line, and having to deal with the threat of a reported terrorist plot against the match.

Security was bolstered after police sources said that they had intelligence of a planned attack in the northern Indian city by Islamic terrorists.

Despite the threat, both teams must attempt to concentrate fully on a game that will decide the series. South Africa leads 1-0 after two tests, having drawn the series opener and won the second by an innings and 90 runs - India's heaviest home defeat since 1959.

The dry surface of the Green Park Stadium's pitch was already displaying cracks Thursday on the eve of the test, bringing smiles to the Indian team which expected the drying track to aid its spinners while negating South Africa's in-form seamers.

Having seen the pitch, India was considering playing three spinners, with Ramesh Powar and youngster Piwush Chawla options to join ace spinners Harbhajan Singh and captain Anil Kumble. South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the tourists may also play a second spinner, with Robin Peterson an option to partner Paul Harris.

Kumble is again uncertain to play due to a lingering groin injury, and faces a fitness test on Friday morning, and Smith said questions about his opposing captain's availability further bolstered South Africa.

"We're definitely more confident going into this test match," Smith said. "We're the team under less pressure. India is the team with more question marks, in terms of selection, in terms of injuries and in terms of being 1-0 down in the series."

South Africa, which is one of two teams to have defeated India in a home series in the past two decades, will move to No. 2 behind Australia in the ICC's test rankings if it can avoid defeat in Kanpur.

"The fact that only two teams have beaten India in India during the last 20 years proves how tough the Indian tour is," Smith said. "Our team waited a whole season before coming to the subcontinent, first beating Pakistan and then Bangladesh," said

Smith. "Now, we're prepared to go into this test and play the same brand of cricket."

By dominating India in the second test - including bowling them out for a dismal 76 in the first innings - Smith's side had eroded India's morale, but Kumble expected his home side to hit back.

"We have always come back strongly when pushed against the wall, we are hoping to do that again over the next five days," said Kumble.

Along with the captain, there was also doubt over the readiness of India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who was declared fit after an extensive workout in the nets Thursday. Sharma has not played since the tour of Australia ended two months ago.

Lineups:

India (from): Anil Kumble (captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Mahendra Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar.

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson and Monde Zondeki.

Under-dogs Germany look to topple Spain

AFP, Germany

Germany captain Patrick Kuehnen is hoping his side will prove to be the surprise package of the Davis Cup World Group quarter-finals when they face Spain in this weekend's last-eight clash.

Germany are without former world number two Tommy Haas but still face the might of Spain's top-ten players Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in the north German city of Bremen from Friday through to Sunday.

"We are outsiders, but we want to surprise them," Kuehnen told German sports agency SID as his team prepare to face the 2000 and 2004 Davis Cup winners.

"Things have been going well in training and the team are all 100 per cent fit."

Nadal, ranked number two in the world, lost the final of the ATP tournament in Miami last weekend 6-4, 6-2 to Russian Nikolay Davydenko and his presence in Bremen will boost the Spanish.

In contrast, Germany have Philipp Kohlschreiber, 25th in the world, as their highest- ranked player alongside the likes of Nicolas Kiefer, Michael Berrer and doubles specialist Philipp Petzschner.

"We know the Spaniards hit the ball well," said Kiefer, back in the Germany team for the first time since February 2006 because of a wrist injury.

"If the spectators get behind us in the stands, we have a chance.

"We have to use our home advantage."

Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez said his side fully respect their opponents.

"It is a difficult tie for us," he said.

"The biggest problem for us is that the Germans will be motivated in front of their home fans."

Although the Germans lead the Spanish 9-4 in matches played over the last 14 years, Spain are over-whelming favourites to reach the semi-finals.

Olympic torch relay detoured in San Francisco

Internet, San Francisco

The only North American appearance of the Olympic torch disintegrated into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse Wednesday when officials unexpectedly diverted the flame away from spectators and protesters and moved the closing ceremony to the airport.

The continuing chaos after tumultuous demonstrations in Paris and London earlier this week raised concerns about keeping the global part of the relay.

"I think under this circumstance, it will be questioned in the future," said U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth. "I think it will depend on the country, depend on the history."

The torch is on a 130-day, around-the-world journey that began in Greece and ends in Beijing. Its next stop is Buenos Aires on Friday.

Protesters of China's human rights record have disrupted the relay. In London and Paris, demonstrators swarmed the runners and the flame was put out.

Police came out in force in San Francisco, where thousands of people massed along the planned 6-mile route hugging the waterfront.

Activists supporting Tibetan independence and other causes faced off against pro-China groups.

After the torch was lit about 1:20 p.m. PT, officials drove it about a mile from the planned route, far from reporters and protesters, startling passersby.

Torch bearers, flanked by police on motorcycles and bicycles and on foot, jogged and walked along the truncated path, stopping short of the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said city officials altered the route because of security concerns.

"The route as published was not going to accommodate people's First Amendment rights and our public-safety concerns," he said. "We t made a judgment to move the torch to a safe location." He added, "I certainly respect that people were disappointed in the decision."

Tempers flared among spectators.

"I feel I've been betrayed," said Tempa Wangchuk, 36, from Minneapolis, who came to San Francisco on his way to a bike race in Los Angeles. "Why are they afraid?" asked Wangchuk, who is of Tibetan descent.

Alan Howe, 56, of Oakland came to protest China's failure to pressure Sudan, its economic partner, to end the conflict in Darfur. He says the route change proved the protest worked. "They can't face the fact that so many people are against this," he said.

SA Academy 243/7 in 1st innings on day 2, bowled out BCB Academy for 324

UNB, Dhaka

Visiting South Africa Academy team responded well in the 2nd four-day match against GP-BCB Academy team, scoring 243 for 7 in 75 overs in their first innings at stumps on the 2nd day after bowling out the hosts for 324 in 102.3 overs on Thursday.

One down batsman Reeza Hendricks, who made 131 in the first four-day match, hit another ton with not out 101 off 170 balls that featured 15 fours to help his side near the hosts' 1st innings total. Number nine Neil Wagner was the other not out batsman with 15.

Openers Sammy Joe Avontuur and Shadley van Schalkwyk gave a decent start to the tourists' innings putting up 67 runs in the 1st wicket before Shadley was bowled by Rubel Hossain scoring 36 runs off 46 balls with seven fours.

Sammy also returned to the pavilion scoring 44 runs off off 94 balls with seven boundaries leaving the team total at 119.

Left-arm spinner Mehrab Hossain Jr. claimed three wickets for 36 runs, while Rubel Hossain took two for 78 runs.

Earlier, resuming the 1st innings with overnight 295 for 8 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Khulna, the BCB Academy team added another 29 runs before being all out for 324.

Apart from Mehrab Hossain Jr's 102 and Shamsur Rahman's 58 runs, overnight batsman Suhrawardy Shuvo remained not out with 46 off 92 balls that included five fours and a six.

Richard Das Neves and Neil Wagner claimed three wickets each for 43 and 75 runs respectively.

In the first four-day match, the home team outclassed the visitors by an innings and 68 runs at the Jessore District Stadium.

Brief Score:

GP BCB NCA 1st innings - 324/10 in 102.3 overs; Mehrab Jr 102, Shamsur 58, Suhrawardi 46, Nayeem, 32, Imrul 23

SA Academy 1st innings 243/7 in 75 overs; Reeza 101*, Wagner 15*, Sammy 44, Shadley 36; Mehrab 3/36, Rubel 2/78

National Judo Competition starts today

Sports Reporter

The 28th National Judo Competition starts today at the Gymnasium of National Sports Council (NSC). Bangladesh Judo Federation will arrange the two-day long judo meet under auspices of the City Bank Limited.

ECO of Bangladesh Olympic Association Colonel (Retd) Md Wali Ullah will formally open the judo tournament today at 10.00 AM as the chief guest.

A total of 288 judoka from different associations, services teams, universities will take part in the judo meet. Of them, 182 men participants and 106 women competitors. Men and Women athletes will compete in their respective 10 weight categories.

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Mahbub Jamil will distribute the prizes and certificates among the winners tomorrow as the chief guest.

The winners will be awarded with handsome cash money.

Venus Williams pulls out of WTA event

AFP, South Carolina

Six-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams pulled out of the WTA's Family Circle Cup on Wednesday, saying she will miss the next four weeks with an illness.

"I regret that I will not be participating in the Family Circle Cup," said Williams, who declined to go into detail.

"I wish the tournament my best and look forward to returning to competitive play in Rome the week of May 12."

Azad Sporting earn 72-run victory over Indira Road KC

UNB, Dhaka

Azad SC earned a 72-run victory over Indira Road KC in a Super League match of the Metropolis First Division Cricket at the Dhanmondi Cricket Stadium (DCS) on Thursday.

Batting first, Azad SC scored 271 runs for 7 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs with Sajjad top scoring 61 runs. Tariquzzaman 57, Habib 51 and Rashed 44 also came up with handy scores to enable their side post a good total.

Rubel claimed three wickets for 43 runs.

In reply, Indira Road KC was restricted to 199 for 6 in 50 overs with Manik contributing not out 53, while Rakibul Hasan scored 46 runs. Mushfiqur took two wickets for 21 runs.

In the day's other Super League matches, Orient SC (212/5) outplayed Cricket Coaching School (207/9) by five wickets at the Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (NOS), Gazi Tank Cricketers (219/9) beat Bangladesh Boys Club (156/9) by 63 runs at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS) and Rupali Bank CC (234/10) defeated Brothers Union Club (233/9) by one run in a close match at the BKSP-2.

Prize distribution ceremony for swimmers to be held tomorrow

UNB, Dhaka

The Prize distribution ceremony for the swimmers, who achieved medals in the recently concluded 2nd Indo-Bangladesh Bangla Games will be held tomorrow (Apr 12) at the newly built National Sports Council (NSC) tower at 11.45 am.

Bangladesh Navy chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, also president of Swimming Federation, will distribute the prizes.

China pessimistic on Olympic chances

AFP, Beijing

China's head swimming coach has voiced pessimism about their Olympic chances, saying the country's once-powerful team lags far behind countries such as Australia and the United States.

His comments follow Chinese swimmers performing poorly at the recent National Swimming Championships, where just two Asian records were broken.

It comes after their worst performance in 15 years at last year's world championships in Melbourne, where they won just one silver and one bronze medal.

"We have the confidence to do our best, but we really have no specific event that will be able to produce a gold medal at the Beijing Games," head coach Zhang Yadong was quoted as saying by the China Daily on Thursday.

"So many world records have been set in Europe and Australia, but we only managed to break two Asian records in the tournament.

"So far there is no world record holder from China. It means we lag far behind the world.

""We did break six national records, which gives the athletes some sort of confidence. But it does not mean we'll be able to grab a gold. I tell you that so far I do not see any chance for gold in the sport."

Since its prime at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when China won four golds, the squad has managed just two golds in the following three Games-one in 1996 and one in 2004.

Wu Peng, who claimed silver in the 200m butterfly at last year's world championships, is their best hope, although he will be sharing the pool with US sensation Michael Phelps.

China also took a bronze in the women's 4x100m medley relay in Melbourne.

Many Chinese swimmers have publicly blamed closed-door coaching methods for their failure, with a lack of foreign coaches invited to help, but Zhang said the Chinese media were also to blame.

"The media put a lot of pressure on us, especially the younger swimmers. They were at a loss as what to do after it exaggerated their ability and potential."

There are 32 swimming gold medals up for grabs at the Olympics, making it the second most prolific sport behind track and field.