GEORGETOWN: Centuries by captain Steve Waugh and open Matthew Hayden yesterday ensured the touring Australians a fine opening day in their warm-up match against the West Indies Cricket Board’s Carib Beer XI team.

The visitors, who dominated the entire day’s play, were an imposing 377 for three at the close, with Waugh undefeated 106 and the left-handed Darren Lehmann 44 not out. The two have so far shared in an unfinished fourth wicket partnership of 112 in 121 minutes after coming together at tea with the score on 265 for three. Waugh, who is aiming to return Australia to the number one world ranking team in Tests, reached the three-figure mark just before the close of play and has so far struck 14 fours and a six in 215 minutes off 153 balls.”

The consistent Hayden had earlier slammed a brilliant 102, as all the top-order batsmen made full use of a good batting wicket, opener Justin Langer hitting 60 and Martin Love 56. Hayden and fellow left-hander Langer gave the visitors a rousing start of 105 in 95 minutes before Langer was adjudged leg before wicket sweeping at left-arm spinner Dave Mohamed. His knock included nine fours in 95 minutes off 61 balls. Hayden, who got to his 50 with three boundaries in one over, including two sixes off off-spinner Omari Banks, had struck seven fours and two sixes in the morning session.

At lunch, Hayden was on 70 and Love, who is vying for a Test place in the absence of the injured Damien Martyn, on two. Resuming after lunch at 133 for one, the visitors continued to punish the Carib Beer XI bowling attack, adding a further 132 in the two-hour session while losing the wickets of Hayden and Love for 56 in the final over before tea. The left-handed Hayden added 75 for the second wicket with Love before he was magnificently taken at wide mid-on by a leaping Marlon Black off the bowling of left-arm spinner Dave Mohamed, who had also trapped Langer LBW, sweeping at a full length delivery. Hayden’s 60th First Class century included 12 fours and two sixes in 153 minutes off 125 balls.

Love and skipper Steve Waugh continued to play a number of delightful strokes, but in the final over before tea Love edged off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh, who accepted the catch. Love’s 56 included six fours in 142 minutes off 115 balls. Australia, who is currently down to 13 players following the forced withdrawals of ace fastbowler Glenn McGrath and middle-order batsman Damien Martyn, opted to rest vice-captain Ricky Pointing and fast bowler Brett Lee after winning the toss and electing to take first strike. 

TERRY GALE blew around the Tobago Plantations and Country Club Golf Course, Lowlands, carding a seven-under-par 65 to pocket the ?18,750 winners’ cheque in the 54-hole Seniors Classic 2003 which ended yesterday.

And after receiving his trophy from Tobago House of Assembly’s Chief Secretary Orville London and cheque from Tourism Secretary’s Neil Wilson, the pint-sized Australian said: “Of course I am happy. I have had a wonderful weekend in Barbados and again here in Tobago.” “I look forward to coming back again next year,” he said. Gale, who won the Barbados leg of this three-part European Seniors Tour, fired six birdies and had an eagle on the ninth hole yesterday, completing the front nine in 32 strokes. He completed the 54-hole course in 13-under-par 203. Second day leader John Chillas of Scotland pushed Gale throughout but faltered to finish on 10-under-par 206.

And, for the second year in a row, the Scot had to settle for the runner-up cheque of ?12,000. Jamaican Delroy Cambridge, who was always in the top bracket throughout the tournament, played steadily again yesterday to card a round of 71 and shared third place with Guillermo Encinas of Chile, who was around in 70. Both men finished on seven-under-par 209. Trinidadian Allan Mew fared badly yesterday, hitting four bogeys to end the round with a 75 and a final score of two-under-par 214 to share eighth place with six other golfers. First round leader David Creamer (England) fired an even-par 72 yesterday for a final score of 212, four-under-par to be sixth overall. But last year’s champion Steve Stull ended on 214, two-under-par and was in the seven man bunch in eighth place.

Final Scores:
203 – T Gale; 206 – J Chillas; 209 – D Cambridge, G Encinas; 211 – Bob Cameron (England); 212 – D Creamer; 213 – Guiseppi Cali (Italy); 214 – A Mew, Mike Miller (Scotland), John Mashego (South Africa), Steve Stull (USA), Barry Vivian (New Zealand), Horacio Carbonetti (Argentina).

THE AMATEUR Boxing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ABA) are currently on an aggressive fund raising drive to send a full-strength national team to the Caribbean Championships in the Bahamas.

Yesterday Cecil Forde, vice-president of the ABA said they are currently $61,000 short of the $185,000 needed to take the 34-member team to the contest from April 20 to 27. Forde said the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs have generously contributed $94,000 while the ABA have solicited $30,000 from the business community so far. “So we are running out of time to get the rest of the funds if we are to have any realistic chance of making a clean sweep of the tournament this year,” said Forde.

He said the TT contingent will comprise, apart from the 22 boxers, 12 officials including referees and judges. They are Fitzroy Beckles, Errol Campbell, Dimitri Stroude along with coaches Gordon Hoyte, Anthony Waterman and Vincente Martinez. Dr Lincoln Harrison will accompany the squad also to attend to medical emergencies. “The judges and referees must go to test for their Caribbean Badge which is the first step for them towards attaining their Continental accreditation,” said Forde yesterday. Forde made an appeal to the busisness sector to assist in the venture which he said will go a long  way in providing opportunties in the sport for youngsters who come  mainly  from underprivileged backgrounds.

“We have some fighters from the orphanage and the Youth Training Centre while others we have taken off the street. But they are talented and have the will to attain the highest standards once we give them the means,” said Forde. He is optimistic the TT fighters will emerge victorious in the Bahamas after their recent sweep of the two cards against the visiting Martinique boxers last weekend at the Cosmic Gym in Marabella and the Lion’s Civic Centre in Siparia.

Forde said the boxers from Martinique have the strong support of their Government, having been transported to and from TT by a chartered plane. He said the boxers and officials are also handed a generous out-of-pocket allowance and afforded the best facilities to train. “They are off to France for another training and competitive stint in preparation for the Caribbean Championships. We can’t afford to do like them but we still manage to beat them so it is a good signal for the upcoming championships,” said Forde. He said the stiffest competition will come from home team Bahamas who apart from fielding the biggest contingent have a very ambitious programme to develop their amateur boxers.

“We are up against the odds but I am certain we will scale all obstacles and better our  achievement of the last championships when every one of our boxers came back with a medal. We will win the tournament this time,” said Forde. Today from 4 pm the amateurs bidding for places on the national teamn will get their last chance to impress the selection panel on a card at the Cosmic Gym in Marabella.

TRINIDAD and Tobago women’s coach Macsood Ali expressed confidence that the national junior team will retain the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior Championships title in Martinique. The championships, according to CAZOVAS president Mustaque Mohammed, will be staged in the French-speaking island from July 20 to 27.

TT’s junior men and women teams are expected to depart Trinidad and Tobago on July 18.  Each team comprises twelve players and three officials. Macsod Ali is head coach for the female team while Saleem Ali (who is also the successful coach of the St Joseph’s Convent school team, which has won the Petrotrin-sponsored Secondary Schools Volleyball Under-20 title for the past ten years) is his assistant. Saleem has emerged as the “Best Setter in the Caribbean.” 

Ronald Ramkissoon is the head coach for the male team while his assistant is Kanhai Sirjoo who served as the assistant to Cuban coach Juan Carlos, coach of the TT senior men’s team at last year’s Caribbean Senior Volleyball Championships. Both teams have been in training and the coaches have whittled down their teams to 18 each after a group of over 30 players started their respective training programmes with a view of making the final 12 for the showdown in Martinique.

Ali’s confidence is based on the star players still eligible for selection. Among those returning from the gold-medal 2001 team in Suriname are newly-appointed captain Aisha Sealy (setter), outside hitter Kelly-Ann Billingy, universal player Marina Camps, middle blocker Danya Augustus, libero Jenna Ferguson, middle blocker Melissa Tang and middle blocker Nadiege Honore. Sealy copped the “Best Setter” award, Camps the “Best Passer” and Tang the “Most Valuable Player” award in Suriname. But as much as he would wish to keep all the top players in his line-up, he remarked that the players will only make the final 12 providing they train regularly and show the same type of commitment and improvement necessary to maintain their position as the number one junior team in the Caribbean. “We have a very strong nucleus of those who won in Suriname. I also have Madonna Bedenoch (Glamorgan) and Shanna Ferreira (RMC Challengers) who were members of the senior women’s team, which finished second last year.

I have confidence that we will win again but I want the players to remain focused and train even harder because the opposition this year will be stronger. We cannot take anything for granted,” said Ali. The Female training squad comprise: Kelly-Ann Billingy, Dayna Augustus, Aisha Sealy (captain), Jenna Ferguson, Marina Camps, Nadiege Honore, Stephanie Woodrooffe, Pauline Woodrooffe, Melissa Tang, Madonna Bedenoch, Shanna Ferreira, Ria Elcock, Jonelle Gurley, Taila DeSouza, Ayana Dyette, Aisling Camps, Karina Moore and Kemba Noel-London.

The Male junior training squad comprise: Sean Morrison (captain), Mark Honore, Esil Seecharran, Dave Ragoonanan, Shervon Calliste, David Caton, Keron Jack, Rohan Ryan Deonath, Karesh Mahabir, Adrian Paul, Kevin Nimrod, Kalid La Pompe, Navi Lall, Bruce Lawrence, Travis Carrington, Colwayne Babb, David Novoa and Rahim Ali.

Trinidad and Tobago interim football coach Zoran Vranes had a near one hundred percent turn out from his players for his first training  session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

Only three of the 27 local based players called were not part of the session which attracted  Arnold Dwarika, Reynold Carrington, Keyeno Thomas, Ansil Elcock, Cornell Glenn, Cyd Gray, Ian Gray and others.  Defender Brent Sancho is in the United States and is expected to arrive home later today. Meantime, midfielder Aurtis Whitley is slightly injured and Defence Force goalkeeper Selwyn George was excused due to work purposes. Assisting Vranes were interim assistant coach Jamaal Shabaaz, goalkeeper coach Ross Russell, trainer Wayne Lawson and equipment manager Ikin Williams. Manager, George Joseph was also present.

“The first session went well. The majority of the players turned up and I know Aurtis has a slight injury and should  recover soon while Sancho is coming in from the United States. We should have a full turn out at the next session and we’ll pick it up from there,” Vranes said. TT has called seven overseas-based professionals. Already confirming their interest for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup playoffs with Martinique and Honduras are Avery John, Brent Rahim and English-based goalkeeper Mikhel Peters.

EAST RUTHERFORD: Jason Kidd scored 13 of his 30 points in the third quarter to hold off a Miami rally and lead the New Jersey Nets to a 99-83 victory over the Heat in the NBA.

Coupled with Philadelphia’s loss to Houston, the first-place Nets opened a one and a half match lead over the 76ers in the Atlantic Division on Friday night. Richard Jefferson added 18 points and Rodney Rogers came off the bench for 12 as the Nets swept the four-match season series from Miami for the first time. Brian Grant had 23 points and eight rebounds and Caron Butler had 15 points for Miami, who lost their fourth straight overall and seventh straight on the road. Rockets 88, 76ers 79

IN PHILADELPHIA: Yao Ming had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets capitalised on an injury to Keith Van Horn and a poor match by Allen Iverson to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 88-79. Iverson missed 19 of his 23 shots, including his final 16, and finished with just eight points —- all in the first quarter. He wasn’t fouled and missed his only free throw. The Sixers lost Van Horn to a sprained left foot in the second quarter. X-rays were negative, but Van Horn was to have an MRI and didn’t return. James Posey added 19 points and 12 rebounds as the Rockets moved within one match of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

NEW YORK: Argentina eliminated defending champions Russia from the quarter-finals of Davis Cup tennis tournament yesterday while Australia and Spain also advanced to the semi-finals after taking unbeatable 3-0 leads. Also, Switzerland took a 2-1 lead in their quarter-final tie against France.

In yesterday’s doubles, David Nalbandian and Lucas Arnold of Argentina defeated Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Mikhail Youzhny 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3; Spaniards Albert Costa and Alex Corretja defeated Ivan Ljubicic and Lovro Zovko 6-2, 6-3, 6-4; and Wayne Arthurs and Todd Woodbridge of Australia beat Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Enqvist 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. In the other tie, Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Marc Rosset downed Nicolas Escude and Fabrice Santoro of France 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4). Spain will host Argentina on clay in the semi-finals while Australia take on either Switzerland or France on Sept. 19-21. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nalbandian again proved to be the steadying force for Argentina, providing the spark when Arnold struggled.

Teammate Gaudio Gaston sprinted onto the court after match point, uncorking two giant champagne bottles and spraying Nalbandian and Arnold as fans chanted “Argentina! Argentina!” “We played really well today and drew a lot of inspiration from the fans,” Arnold said. In a last-minute change by the Russians, Youzhny replaced world No 7 Marat Safin, who turned his ankle during training on Monday and later withdrew from singles play.

In the semi-finals last year, Russia topped Argentina 3-2 in Moscow. In Malmoe, Sweden, Arthurs and Woodbridge played nearly flawless tennis and were never broken during the two-hour match on Baltiska Hallen’s hardcourt. The Swedes — playing together for the first time in the Davis Cup — had only four break points during the match. Australia have reached the semi-finals for the fourth time in the last five years. The Aussies last won in 1999, but lost in the final in 2000 and ’01.

In Valencia, Spain, Costa and Corretja broke Zovko’s serve twice in the first set as the 22-year-old substitute for injured Goran Ivanisevic looked nervous. Ljubicic was also less than his best, moving awkwardly and making several unforced errors at the net. But while the Croats struggled, Costa and Corretja covered the court fluidly, rarely fell behind and won the key points. Spain last won the Davis Cup in 2000, beating Australia. Croatia, who have never won the competition, knocked out 31-time winners the United States in the first round in Zagreb.

In Toulouse, France, Federer and Rosset helped Switzerland take the advantage going into today’s reverse singles. Switzerland captain Rosset, who selected himself ahead of George Bastl and Ivo Heuberger, proved an able foil to the outstanding Federer and often troubled the French with his impeccable ground strokes. In today’s reverse singles, Federer faces Sebastien Grosjean and France’s Nicolas Escude takes on Bastl. France have not come back to win from 2-1 down in the Davis Cup since 1979. 

SONG OF Freedom left nothing for dispute yesterday by making all the running to win the Starter’s Allowance Feature on the Arima Race Club Day 10 card.

Last race day he was promoted to the winners’ slot after finishing as the runner-up to Sugar Mike, only to be placed back to his original position on an appeal to the Trinidad and Tobago Racing Authority,. The Grant Lourenco-trained four-year-old broke fast out the gates with Gold Master and the two had the race to themselves when they opened an early three-length gap on the field. The pair maintained the fast clip throughout and was only separated from the corner where Song of Freedom began to show his power, edging away up the stretch to win by three lengths.

Fortunate Flag, who was among the second bunch with Honour Bound, finished with determination to snatch third from Honour Bound. Earlier on, Isle Be There, who has been a big disappointment having failed to deliver the goods in six starts, came good yesterday, turning in his maiden certificate against a poor bunch of maidens over 1,750 metres. The gelding son of Kdanzc jumped smartly and was tucked in behind pacesetters Hyarima and Fire Storm for most of the race. He was asked to take closer orders from the 600-metre marker where he raced to cover a two-length advantage to join Fire Storm at the top turn. He then applied the pressure up the stretch to assume authority at the last 200 metres to come home by three-part of a length from Fire Storm in the pedestrian time of one minute 58.95 seconds. My Aphrodite, who was an early back-marker, raced up to have every chance at the corner but ran on at one pace up the stretch to deny Undisputed for third.

Maid of Honour could be definitely the most improved horse in the local circuit. The John O’Brien owned and trained filly, after knocking on the doors in her last three starts, banked the spoils in the Starter’s Allowance event. She won with some authority from Mandela and Carnival Messiah, who was against Scent Off as favourite. Messiah, who was a back-marker early, seemed to have no chance at the mid-way stage, but raced up on the rail from halfway to snatch third on the line from Kaser’s Gold, who weakened after making all the running. John O’Brien was the top trainer on the day with three wins —- Squee Zintru, Isle Be There and Maid of Honour. Nobel Abrego was the day’s best rider, piloting two of the winners Squee Zintru and Isle Be Three.