World Cup Notes

Tendulkar lauded

LONDON: Sir Clyde Walcott says he will not mind travelling half way around the world to see Sachin Tendulkar in action.

Sir Clyde, whose legendary deeds changed the face of West Indies cricket in the fifties, feels that though the game has undergone tremendous changes, still there are enough players in a number of sides who excite one8217;s self to travel half of the globe to see them, Tendulkar heads that list which includes Aravinda de Silva, Jonty Rhodes and Brian Lara.

Asked if any Englishmen finds place in his list, Walcott paused for a moment and then said 8220;No, I don8217;t think so.8221;

Anti-streaker squad

CANTERBURY: An anti-streaker squad has been set up as part of security measures for England8217;s cricket World Cup match against Kenya today.

Organisers have decided to take pre-emptive action following an increase in streaking at British sports events inrecent years. Two streakers raced across the outfield during Australia8217;s victory over Scotland at Worcester on Sunday.

Racist approach denied

LONDON: Britain, on Tuesday, denied a report suggesting it had subjected cricket fans from Asia to racist screening methods when they applied for travel visas to watch the World Cup.

The Guardian newspaper said British diplomatic missions had grilled hundreds of fans from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with questions such as 8220;who is the captain of Sri Lanka?8221; and 8220;who is India8217;s leading batsman?8221; as part of the vetting process.

The British foreign office said nothing racial was involved.

8220;They may well have been asked questions. The reason people from places like South Africa were not asked is because they don8217;t need visas,8221; a foreign office spokesman said.

Pak lose luggage

DURHAM: Pakistan8217;s preparations for Thursday8217;s World Cup match against Scotland were disrupted by the disappearance of their luggage onTuesday.

The team was flying up from Bristol, where they had beaten the West Indies in their opening game on Sunday, to their Durham hotel when the kit went missing.

They decided not to practice as originally planned at nearby Chester-le-Street, venue of Thursday8217;s match.

Irish welcome

DUBLIN: Cricket8217;s World Cup carnival is coming to Ireland for one game on Friday and the Clontarff Club is determined that West Indies and Bangladesh will never forget it.

8220;This is quite a coup and an occasion for the Irish cricket union and we are indebted to the ICC,8221; said Robin Walsh, the union8217;s public relations officer.

The game in the Republic has rarely gained the exposure it receives in British-ruled Northern Ireland whose teams dominate the new all-Ireland Cup competition.