Short corner 8212; Chandigarh

Professional Australia claim World Cup
Australia overwhelmed Pakistan by registering a crushing eight-wicket victory to script their second World Cup triumph after a most one-sided final in the 24-year history of the championship. Giving an incredible bowling performance inspired by leg spin wizard Shane Warne8217;s magical haul of four for 33, the super-charged Aussies simply wiped out the Pakistani batsmen for a paltry 132 in 39 overs, the lowest in a World Cup final.

Venkataraghavan
There is an intriguing story behind the appointment of the umpires for the final of the cricket World Cup. Steve Bucknor and David Shepherd, who are standing in their Third and second finals respectively, fully deserve the honour. But the reason for making Srinivas Venkataraghavan the TV umpire may have been for reasons other than cricket. It is understood that Venkat was offered the chance to stand in the final which he may have declined because of the very sensitive political situation between India and Pakistan.

Australia champs
Australia won their seventh men8217;s Champions Trophy with two spectacular goals from Stephen Davies in a 3-1 win over South Korea in the final in Brisbane. Davies enhanced his reputation as one of field hockey8217;s great forwards by scoring in the 24th and 52nd minutes and five overall in the tournament as the Australians surged to victory.

Gopichand in semis
Top seed P Gopichand stormed into the semi-finals of the Oil India Grand Prix8217;99 when he defeated Sushant Saxena of Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-finals which went into late last night at the Kanaklata Indoor Stadium in Guwahati. The India No. 1 Gopichand had little problem in dispatching Sushant who however managed to pick up six points in both the game which lasted less than an hour.