28
7DAYS
WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 2009
Got a view? Send your opinions to sportletters@7days.ae
Cricket
“If he remains fit and healthy for the next ten years, I won’t have to give him too
much of my pension when I retire,” - Umpire and former Test batsman Chris Broad is
hoping his son and paceman Stuart can make some good money playing for England
It’s all in the mind for
On the Bag
With European Tour caddie Iain McGregor
Pakistan coach Alam
We’ll all need some luck of the Irish
at County Louth if the wind picks up
Younis Khan and Co take positive
W
e all love our home comforts don’t we, and although
approach to T20 finals in England
life on tour suits me fine, it’s only a short hop from
Scotland to County Louth, Ireland this week. It’s PAKISTAN have chosen to “I think sometimes it is the
even closer to home for my man Michael Hoey, and he will go for brain over brawn in fear of failing that makes a
be desperate to put on a good show. We’ve enjoyed a week their bid to claim Twenty20 sportsman crack under
off as Michael decided to skip the Italian Open but we’re World Cup glory in England pressure,” Alam said. “The
back, ready and raring to go for a big one on his calendar. next month. idea is to improve the
Well, that’s the theory anyway. The fact of the matter is The Asian powerhouses self-belief in our players so
I’m full of the cold and battling a wee bit just now to tell finished runners-up to India they can perform to their
you the truth. And surprise, surprise, the weather looks two years ago in the optimum abilities.”
like it’s going to do me no favours this week either. It was inaugural tournament which There is method behind
great when I arrived on Monday but it’s blowing hard now was held in South Africa. Pakistan’s decision to
and that’s what I believe it will be like for the rest of the But since then they have decamp to the high altitude
week - not great for someone battling with a thick head. been struggling to fill their of Bhurban, though.
But what’s bad for me is certain to be good for Michael. calendar with top-class Alam admits his side have
After all, as a native Irishman he just loves the links cricket because of the been put on the back foot by
conditions in Drogheda, and the windier the better for security situation in their their relative lack of action
him to be honest. He won in similar conditions at Portugal troubled country. compared to the cream of
remember, so I fancy he can do well this week on a course Younis Khan and Co did not world cricket in recent times.
that is very familiar to him. We’ll have a chat about his appear to be all that rusty as And Pakistan chiefs believe
plans at a barbeque overnight before heading to the range. they lost 3-2 to Australia in fitness is a priority ahead of
Michael opted out of Italy last week, and missed the cut the UAE recently, before the tournament which starts
in Spain the week before. But don’t let that fool you, I romping to a seven-wicket at Lord’s on June 6.
reckon that was all down to the shock of hitting the course win over cricket’s superpower “The players need to be ready
as a first-time winner. The amount of attention he got for in the Twenty20 format at to cope with the pressure and
his play-off win in Portugal really would have been Dubai Sports City. expectations,” Alam said.
enough to put anyone off their game. But despite of that morale- But all-rounder and fans’
Although Michael has a good chance this week, there is boosting win, coach Intikhab favourite Shahid Afridi is
such a strong Irish field that it is difficult to call. Anyone Alam has called on Dr confident his side will not be BRAIN POWER:
with experience of links golf, the Brits as well, is going to Maqbool Babri to work on the undone by a lack of action. Shahid Afridi in action
be in with a shout. The course is in great condition and it’s players’ mindsets during a He said: “We are still a strong against Australia in the
going to suit someone who hits the ball low, long and conditioning camp in the hill Twenty20 side. We have a UAE earlier this month
straight. Hopefully Michael! resort of Bhurban this week. pretty similar team to last
One player who won’t have a problem hitting it long is Alam explained: “He will hold time with only a few changes
John Daly. There may be a big following for all the Irish one-to-one sessions with the and we have Younis as now the offspinner has World Twenty20 on condition
players, what with the likes of three-time Major winner players and also conduct captain now. headed for Perth, where his he does not bowl his
Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy among a huge list of group therapy. “He has done well and taken technique will be reviewed by controversial delivery.
top home talent. But expect Daly’s group to be a big draw. “The World Cup is an the team along with him Australian biomechanics He said: “For me it is just a
The ‘Wild Thing’ worked hard to get here, he really did important event for us. so far and he will be vital expert Dr Bruce Elliot. great relief to be cleared at
well to finish runner-up in Italy last week, and he loves the People have lot of come England.” The 31-year-old has been last and able to play.
European Tour. He may be playing here because of his ban expectations from us and the Meanwhile, spinner Saeed named in the T20 squad but “With this kind of situation,
in America but believe me, he’s happier on this side of the team must do well.” Ajmal has left for tests in could be replaced if his you’re 90 per cent sure that
pond. Here he doesn’t get any of the hassles and Although reasonably satisfied Australia in an attempt to get action is not cleared. you’ll get through, but there
harassment he might in America, and he can get on with with his side’s efforts against his action cleared before next Another spinner in a similar is always that little bit of
what he does best - grip and rip. the Aussies over five day- month’s finals. situation is South Africa’s doubt. I have not yet heard
nighters in Dubai and Abu Ajmal was reported by the Johan Botha. He too was about the final results and the
SWEDE DREAM COMES TRUE FOR STENSON Dhabi, Alam still believes they umpires to the ICC over his reported for a suspect doosra measurements, but I know
While I was busy packing my bags for Ireland, Henrik need to be more confident. doosra during the series against Australia earlier this they have said that I am not
Stenson was taking America by storm with a flawless final Hence the reason for Dr against Australia in the UAE, year, but he has been given allowed to bowl the doosra at
round to win the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Babri’s expertise. but continued to bowl. But the green light to play in the the moment.”
He may have raised a few eyebrows earlier this year for
playing a shot in his underwear at the Honda Classic, but
I’m sure he will get much more attention now he’s won the
‘fifth Major’, coming through such a strong field.
It will give Stenson some serious confidence with the US
Injury driving Oliver barmy
Open six weeks away. Ian Poulter is another who will be
able to draw from the experience having finished runner- EUROPEAN Ryder Cup star this morning, but it’s still not play-off hole last year. And he
up, while for Tiger Woods Oliver Wilson is taking it day right. It’s a shame because I’m said: “I have fond memories of
the weekend brought more by day before deciding really excited about playing the BMW PGA Championship
questions than answers
GOT A
whether to tee it up at the Irish again after my rest. and what it did for my career.
and that’s got to be good
COMMENT?
Open tomorrow. “I flew to Florida last Thursday, “In one week I moved from
for the rest of best. www.7days.ae The Englishman is still practiced at Lake Nona and 11th to second on the Order of
searching for his first ever then went to Sawgrass. Merit and into the top 50 in the
European Tour win after seven “But after one hole on world at No 45. I achieved
finishes as runner up. Wednesday I felt the neck go some big objectives there.
But the 28-year-old revealed again,” he added. “BMW know how to put on
he may have to wait a little Whatever happens, Wilson will awesome tournaments and
longer because of a recurring be hoping to be clear of his with the combination of the
neck injury which kept him out injury problems in time for the Tour’s Flagship event on their
of the Players Championship BMW PGA Championship at own doorstep, great TV
last week at TPC Sawgrass. Wentworth the following week. coverage and big crowds, it
Wilson explained: “I’m flying He narrowly missed out on a generates an aura and
to Dublin, will have some maiden title there last year excitement which isn’t
physio on it and then just see when he lost to Miguel Angel replicated at many other
how it is. I played nine holes Jimenez on the second events,” added Wilson. DOUBTFUL: Oliver Wilson
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31