Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Aussies threaten boycott
LONDON: Australian players might boycott matches if a player is hurt in a crowd invasion, their chief representative Tim May warned on Monday. Australian captain Steve Waugh is livid at security arrangements for the cup and Australian Cricketers8217; Association chief Tim May said he could not rule out a boycott. As the last Australian wicket in Sunday8217;s loss to Pakistan, hundreds of Pakistan fans overwhelmed a large security presence to storm the field.
LONDON: England World Cup batsman Neil Fairbrother, a famously nervous starter to his innings, tends to go missing in the pavilion before going out to bat 8212; and now everyone knows why.
Former England captain Mike Atherton has flushed out the truth on his Lancashire colleague. quot;You know when he8217;s in next,quot; says Atherton. quot;Because he8217;s always in the loo. I8217;ve lost count of the times we8217;ve had to get him out before an innings.quot;
Croft8217;s priority
LONDON: England spinner Robert Croft and his wife Marie are expecting their first child on June 20 8212; the day of the World Cup final. Guess which parent will not be present at the birth if England were to make it to Lord8217;s for the tournament climax? Croft has made it quite clear where his priorities lie by telling his wife, quot;in the nicest possible way I8217;m hoping I won8217;t be able to be there.quot;
Zulu8217; likes heavy bat
LONDON: South Africa8217;s big-hitting all-rounder Lance Klusener is wielding the heaviest bat in the World Cup. His willow weighs a mighty 3lbs and 2ozs about 1.5 kilos 8212; heavier even than the one West Indian captain Clive Lloyd used in the 1975 final against Australia when he he scored 102. It seems to work for him. Klusener, nicknamed quot;Zuluquot;, hit 48 not out from 40 balls against England and 52 off 43 balls against Sri Lanka. India8217;s Sachin Tendulkar, regarded as the best batsman in the world, uses a 3lb bat. West Indian Brian Lara, however, favours a much lighter blade.
Quicker than Akhtar
LONDON: Wasim Akram claims that Pakistan have another bowler quicker even than SHoaib Akhtar. The Pakistan captain will not reveal the bowler8217;s identity but commentators believe he is referring to Mohammed Zhahid, who signed for English county Nottinghamshire but never played because of a back injury. The 23-year-old Akhtar has been recorded bowling at 97mph but is expected to break into three figures soon.
Govt announces conditional cash awards
NEW DELHI: The Government today announced a cash award of Rs. 7.5 lakh to every member of the Indian cricket team if they win the World Cup. Sports minister Uma Bharati made this announcement in keeping with the Prime Minister8217;s policy of boosting the morale of Indian sportspersons in international events.
