It's a Test of steel nervesIt's been a long wait. From Sialkot in December 1989 to Chennai in January 1999. That's how long it has been since India and Pakistan played last in a Test match. The gap is next only to the over 17 years between 1961 and 1978 when cricketing ties were resumed as the relations between the two countries improved.Seles winsMonica Seles and Martina Hingis came out on top today as a quartet of champions battled it out for the last two women's semifinal spots at the Australian Open. In the men's draw, Russia's former French Open champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov ousted American Todd Martin 6-2, 7-6, 6-2 to become the only male seed still surviving.Baskaran's plansThe Indo-Pak hockey Test series from February 3 is one of the chapters the chief coach Vasudevan Baskaran plans to spot, train and prepare for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He has carefully prepared the two-year scheme which he has submitted to the IHF and the Government for approval. The Indo-Pak Test series, rectification camp, possible visit to Dubai and longer camp in March are part of the first phase of the training programme prepared by Baskaran.Curfew easesIt is just one game into Pakistan's tour of India (Pakistan versus India A) and the `curfew' imposed on the visitors has been relaxed. ``We were not comfortable with the heavy security and restrictions imposed. The best way to play cricket was to enjoy the game. Without any interaction with the Indian crowds, this tour could not have served its purpose,'' confessed a senior Pakistan cricketer in the midst of the match.Harper skipperFormer off spinner Roger Harper will lead the West Indies Masters in the World Masters cricket series, scheduled to be held from February 2 to 13 in North India.
