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England wins SA thriller
NEW DELHI: Spanish hockey player Xavi Lleonart (left) vies for the ball with Pakistani hockey player Sohail Abbas during their World Cup 2010 match at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. —AFP
World Cup results/standings NEW DELHI: Collated results from the third New Delhi yesterday: Group B England 6 (Richard Mantell 15, 58, Rob Moore 23, Ashley Jackson 43, Nick Catlin 50, Iain Mackay 51) South Africa 4 (Marvin Harper 10, 53, Lloyd Norris-Jones 25, Thornton McDade 67) H-t: 2-2
day of the men’s field hockey World Cup in Pakistan 2 (Abdul Haseem 30, 68) Spain 1 (David Alegre 65) H-t: 1-0 Au s t r a l i a 5 ( L i a m d e Yo u n g 2 , G l e n n Turner 10, 43, Desmond Abbott 26, Luke Doerner 42) India 2 (Vikram Pillay 35, Rajpal Singh 53) H-t: 3-1
League table after the third day of the men’s field hockey won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Group B Group A England Netherlands 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 Australia New Zealand 1 1 0 0 3 2 3 Spain Germany 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 India South Korea 1 0 1 0 2 2 1 Pakistan Canada 1 0 0 1 2 3 0 South Africa Argentina 1 0 0 1 0 3 0
World Cup yesterday (played,
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 1 1 1 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 1 1 2
9 7 5 6 3 6
6 5 4 6 5 10
6 3 3 3 3 0
Morgan fires England to series-clinching victory DHAKA: Irishman Eoin Morgan hammered a gutsy century under pressure to power England to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second oneday international yesterday. Man-of-the-match Morgan hit a 104-ball 110 not out for his second one-day hundred as England surpassed Bangladesh’s 260-6 with seven balls to spare in the daynight match for an unbeaten 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The 23-year-old also became the first batsman in one-day cricket to score centuries for two countries, his first hundred coming for Ireland against Canada in Nairobi in 2007. “It got a bit close for our liking, but Eoin came in with a fantastic knock. He was calm under pressure,” said England captain Alastair Cook. “We came here to win and have won the series. We have to try to win the series 3-0.” Left-arm spinners Shakib Al Hasan (3-32) and Abdur Razzak (3-52) raised hopes of a Bangladeshi maiden oneday win over England before left-handed Morgan steered
his team home in a close finish. England were struggling at 108-4 and then 229-8, but Morgan kept his cool to finish the match with his second six, off seamer Shafiul Islam. He also hit eight fours. “When they lost eight wickets we thought it was our best chance to pick up a win, but Morgan stood tall,” said Bangladesh skipper Shakib. “I thought we batted well, but Morgan played really well and according to his plan. Full credit to him.” Morgan put on 90 for the fifth wicket with wicket-keeper Matt Prior (42) before Shakib removed Luke Wright and Graeme Swann. He eased the pressure with his brisk knock, pulling Shafiul for the first six and reverse-sweeping the spinners for fours on a few occasions. Bangladesh posted their highest one-day total against England after being put in to bat, thanks to impressive halfcenturies from wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim (76) and opener Imrul Kayes (63). England’s troubles began when spin was introduced after seven overs on a slow pitch, with Razzak trapping
Kevin Pietersen (18) and Paul Collingwood (seven) legbefore. The tourists suffered another setback when Cook (60) was caught by wicketkeeper Rahim on the second attempt off Shakib. Cook looked in good touch, hitting three successive fours off Shafiul early in his knock before going on to complete his second successive halfcentury. The England skipper then hit off-spinner Mahmudullah for his lone six in a 61-ball knock before falling in the next over. Bangladesh earlier lost opener Tamim Iqbal (30) and Af tab Ahmed (four) in the opening 11 overs before being propped up by Kayes and Rahim, who added 90 for the third wicket. Paceman Tim Bresnan (351) and off-spinner Swann (252) were the main wicket-takers for England. Rahim, dropped on 24 by Stuart Broad at deep square-leg off Collingwood, went on to complete his sixth half-century before falling in a bid to step up the run-rate, caught by Wright at mid-wicket off Bresnan. —AFP
NEW DELHI: England recorded their second successive win in the men’s field hockey World Cup yesterday as Australia and Pakistan joined the race for semifinal berths from group B. England defeated South Africa 6-4 in a high-scoring thriller, while Australia and Pakistan bagged their first points in the tournament after losing their opening matches. Abdul Haseem scored once in each half as Pakistan, stung by the 1-4 defeat to arch-rivals India on Sunday, recovered to beat Olympic silver-medallists Spain 2-1. Pre-tournament favourites Australia brushed aside the 2-3 loss to England as they swept aside India 5-2 in front of a sellout crowd of 19,000 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The Kookaburras, watched from the stands by visiting Australian foreign minister Stephen Smith, ran up a 3-0 lead by the 26th minute and pumped in two more goals despite Jamie Dwyer missing a penalty stroke. England emerged group B leaders with six points from two matches, while Australia, India, Pakistan and Spain were lying in second spot with three points each. Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. European champions England edged past the South Africans in a game where both sides suffered defensive lapses. Richard Mantell scored two penalty corners, while Rob Moore, Ashley Jackson, Nick Catlin and Iain Mackay chipped in with a goal each for England. Marvin Harper scored twice for South Africa, and Lloyd Norris-Jones and Thornton McDade netted one each. It was the first time in World Cup history that England pumped in six goals in a single match. They had scored five against Pakistan in 1998, but still lost the match as their rivals netted seven. “Scoring six goals means a lot and I am happy with the win, but we were not consistent enough,” said England captain Barry Middleton. “We should have played well throughout the 70 minutes, but we did not do that. Our defence was not up to the mark. “We have a tough game against Pakistan on Thursday and really need to work on our game,” he added. Pakistan led 1-0 at half-time through a goal by Haseem, before David Alegre drew level for Spain in the 65th minute after the goal was referred to the video umpire. Pakistan earned their first penalty corner two minutes before the final whistle and veteran Sohail Abbas’ shot was deflected into the goal by Haseem for the winner. “The World Cup started for us today,” said Pakistan coach Shahid Ali Khan. “I hope this is going to be the turning point for us in this tournament. “We played to a plan and it worked.” Australia’s Dwyer said beating India was “a relief” after losing to England. “It was good to play the way we normally play,” the striker said. “I think we played brilliant hockey in the first 20 minutes. It was important to score early goals.” India’s Spanish coach Jose Brasa admitted Australia deserved to win. “They were in a different league as far as fitness and speed were concerned,” said Brasa. “We also conceded at least two goals due to stupid faults. “The team needs to learn from its mistakes and play aggressive hockey in future games.” The group’s next matches will be played tomorrow when Australia meet South Africa, Pakistan take on England and India clash with Spain. —AFP
MEMPHIS: Portland Trail Blazers’ Andre Miller (left) is hit on the head with the ball while battling Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley (right) during the second half of an NBA basketball game. —AP
Suns scorch Nuggets as Hawks overpower Bulls PHOENIX: The Phoenix Suns bench players keyed a second-quar ter comeback from a double-digit deficit to beat the Denver Nuggets 101-85 in the NBA on Monday. Goran Dragic scored 10 first-half points off the bench and the reserves scored 24 of 33 second-quarter points. Amare Stoudemire had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who won their fifth straight at home and their sixth in seven games overall. Phoenix has won 10 straight at home against the Nuggets dating to 2003-04. Hawks 116, Bulls 92 In Chicago, Atlanta pulled away after being challenged in the four th quar ter and comfortably beat Chicago. Jamal Crawford scored 21 points and Josh Smith added 17 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Hawks, whose 18-point, second-quarter lead was cut to five early in the fourth. Der rick Rose led the Bulls with 24 points despite missing most of the first quar ter af ter hur ting his right knee.
Mavericks 89, Bobcats 84 In Charlotte, Nor th Carolina, surging Dallas spoiled Charlotte’s first game since Michael Jordan agree to buy the team. Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points and Jason Terry had several key late baskets for the Mavericks, who notched an eighth straight win despite trailing by 12 points in the third quarter. Stephen Jackson scored 20 points, but also had six of Charlotte’s 20 tur novers. The Bobcats dropped to 0-12 against the Mavericks, the only team they’ve never beaten. Cavaliers 124, Knicks 93 In Cleveland, the hosts used a 74-point first half to hammer New York in the Cavaliers’ first game since learning Shaquille O’Neal will miss the rest of the regular season. The Cavs didn’t miss the 15-time AllStar, who had surgery on his injured right thumb Monday and is expected to miss two months. The team is hopeful he will return for at least part o f t h e p l a y o f f s . L e B ro n
T’ Blazers 103, Grizzlies 93 In Memphis, Tennessee, Portland erased a 14-point first-half deficit with a s t ro n g t h i rd q u a r t e r a n d defeated Memphis. Brandon Roy scored 25 points and Nicolas Batum added 21 as t h e Tr a i l B l a z e r s e n d e d t h e i r f i v e - g a m e ro a d t r i p with four victories. They also solidified their h o l d o n t h e We s t e r n Conference’s eighth playoff spot. The win was the seventh straight road win for Portland over the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Memphis’ home losing streak reached seven. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies with 22 points.
Magic 126, 76ers 105 In Philadelphia, Jameer Nelson had 22 points and 10 assists as Orlando downed Philadelphia. All five starters scored at least 14 points for the Magic. They reached the 100-point mark late in the third quarter and kept the pressure on in the fourth to match their highest point total of the season. Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis each scored 19 points. The Sixers played without Elton Brand and Allen Iverson.
NBA results and standings on Monday: Dallas 89, Charlotte 84; Cleveland 124, NY Knicks 93; Orlando 126, Philadelphia 105; Atlanta 116, Chicago 92; Portland 103, Memphis 93; San Antonio 106, New Orleans 92; Houston 116, Toronto 92; Phoenix 101, Denver 85; La Clippers 108, Utah 104. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L Boston 36 21 Toronto 31 28 Philadelphia 22 37 NY Knicks 20 39 New Jersey 6 53 Central Division Cleveland 47 14 Chicago 31 29 Milwaukee 30 29 Detroit 21 38 Indiana 20 39 Southeast Division Orlando 41 20 Atlanta 38 21 Miami 29 31 Charlotte 28 30 Washington 21 36
PCT .632 .525 .373 .339 .102
GB 6 15 17 31
.770 .517 .508 .356 .339
15.5 16 25 26
.672 .644 .483 .483 .368
2 11.5 11.5 18
Western Conference Northwest Division Denver 39 21 .650 Utah 38 22 .633 Oklahoma City 35 23 .603 Portland 36 27 .571 Minnesota 14 47 .230 Pacific Division LA Lakers 45 15 .750 Phoenix 38 24 .613 LA Clippers 25 35 .417 Sacramento 20 39 .339 Golden State 17 41 .293 Southwest Division Dallas 40 21 .656 San Antonio 34 24 .586 Houston 30 29 .508 New Orleans 31 30 .508 Memphis 30 30 .500
1 3 4.5 25.5 8 20 24.5 27 4.5 9 9 9.5
Clipper 108, Jazz 104 In L os Angeles, L os Angeles nearly blew a 17point lead in the final 61/2 minutes before beating Utah. Eric Gordon scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and ever y Clippers starter reached double figures before the third quarter ended. Drew Gooden had 19 points and 11 rebounds, helping Los Angeles end a sixgame losing streak against the Jazz. Carlos Boozer scored 20 points for the Jazz. Rockets 116, Raptors 92 In Houston, Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks scored 28 points each in three quarters as Houston rolled to a win over struggling Toronto. The Rockets led by 32 after three and both teams played mostly reserves the rest of the way. The Raptors dropped their fourth in a row in their sixth straight game without injured All-Star Chris Bosh. Marcus Banks led Toronto with 15 points. —AP
Sarwan, Bravo to miss first two ODIs against Zimbabwe
DHAKA: Complete scoreboard of the second one-day international between Bangladesh and England yesterday: England: A. Cook c Rahim b Shakib 60 C. Kieswetter c Kayes b Shafiul 4 K. Pietersen lbw b Razzak 18 P. Collingwood lbw b Razzak 7 E. Morgan not out 110 M. Prior lbw b Razzak 42 L. Wright b Shakib 7 T. Bresnan lbw b Mahmudullah 0 G. Swann b Shakib 2 J. Tredwell not out 2 Extras (b4, lb3, w2) 9 Total (for eight wickets; 48.5 overs) 261 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Kieswetter), 2-52 (Pietersen), 3-68 (Collingwood), 4-108 (Cook), 5-198 (Prior), 6223 (Wright), 7-224 (Bresnan), 8-229 (Swann). Bowling: Shaiful 6.5-0-55-1, Rubel 6-0-30-0, Razzak 10-0-52-3 (w1), Naeem 6-0-41-0, Shakib 10-2-32-3, Mahmudullah 7-0-30-1 (w1), Shuvo 3-0-14-0. Result: England win by two wickets
Spurs 106, Hornets 92 In New Orleans, George Hill scored 23 points to lead San Antonio over New Orleans. Tim Duncan added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, who shot 51 percent and led by 20 in the third quarter before holding on without much drama. Hor nets rookie Marcus Thornton was 6 of 7 from 3point range, setting a career high for 3s in a game, and scored 30 points.
NBA results/standings
Scoreboard
Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal c Cook b Broad 30 Imrul Kayes c Collingwood b Swann 63 Aftab Ahmed b Bresnan 4 Mushfiqur Rahim c Wright b Bresnan 76 Shakib Al Hasan c and b Swann 14 Mohammad Mahmudullah b Bresnan 27 Naeem Islam not out 18 Suhrawadi Shuvo not out 14 Extras (b4, lb3, w7) 14 Total (for six wickets; 50 overs) 260 Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Iqbal), 2-56 (Ahmed), 3-146 (Kayes), 4-166 (Shakib), 5-211 (Rahim), 6-235 (Mahmudullah). Bowling: Bresnan 10-0-51-3 (w5), Broad 6-0-34-1 (w1), Swann 10-0-52-2, Wright 9-0-38-0 (w1), Tredwell 10-0-52-0, Collingwood 5-0-26-0.
James had 22 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Cleveland, which notched its biggest winning margin of the season. The Cavaliers equaled a season high with its 74point first half as well as o u t re b o u n d i n g N e w Yo r k 60-31 and leading by as much as 49. They have won eight straight against New York. Reserve Bill Walker s c o re d 2 1 p o i n t s f o r t h e Knicks.
DHAKA: Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim (left) plays a stroke as England wicketkeeper Matt Prior (right) looks on during the second one day international (ODI) match. —AFP
GEORGETOWN: Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo will remain on the sidelines for the first two One-day Internationals against Zimbabwe, the West Indies Cricket Board announced late Monday. Media reports indicated that Sarwan and Bravo were excluded from a 14-member West Indies squad because the team management wants the two players to prove their fitness before clearing them for action. This follows a slew of injuries over the last three months that has gnawed away at the fabric of the side, and has been advanced as a contributing factor to their drab
performance in Australia, where they were swept in four of five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals. Sarwan has been out of commission for the last three months with a back injury that he sustained on the Test tour of Australia last December. But he made a hundred for his native Guyana against Windward Islands in a domestic first-class match over the weekend that appeared to show he had regained some degree of form and fitness. Bravo has been sidelined with a thumb injury he picked up during the Twenty20 Big Bash in Australia which forced him to miss the recent ODIs and T20Is there. —AFP