India lose first Test by 12 runs
Sachin Tendulkar's monumental 136 went in vain as Indian batsmen fell in a heap at the doorstep of success to concede a 12-run defeat to Pakistan in the nail-biting first test with just over a day to spare. Tendulkar struck his 18th Test century in a stupendous show of sheer character and grit to take India to the verge of an improbable win, but once he perished it was all over as the last four wickets fell for just four runs and India were bowled out for 258 chasing a target of 271.Aussies win
Sri Lanka lost the game, their leading strike rate batsman and any chance of making the finals when they succumbed to Australia after a game run-chase on a spiteful WACA pitch. A nasty lifting delivery from Brendon Julian put an end to Sanath Jayasuriya's tour after a typical opening onslaught had given Sri Lanka an outside chance of hunting down a Michael Bevan orchestrated Australian total.
Kafelnikov champ
Tenth seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov won the Australian Open men's singles title today when he outlasted an erratic Thomas Enqvist of Sweden 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-6. The Russian threw his racquet into the crowd in joy after racing through fourth set tie-break 7-1 to end an absorbing final at Melbourne Park and claim his second Grand Slam title.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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