CricBlitz

Indian selectors don't have the courage to tell Sachin to retire

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +0000

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones says that Sachin Tendulkar looked tired of One-Day cricket but no selector has the courage to tell him to retire from the 50-over format.

"Father time waits for no one, including cricketing greats Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. Both players are looking tired of the 50-over format of the game and this week enough was enough for the Australian selectors, who dropped Ponting from the one-day squad," Jones said.

"India, on other hand, has no selector with the courage to tell Tendulkar his one-day career is over, no matter how badly he might be playing. People are worried their homes could be damaged if they are seen to have removed Tendulkar against his will. He will keep playing for as long as he likes and thus lies the problem for India," Jones wrote in his column for 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Describing Tendulkar as the greatest ODI player of all time, Jones said that one of the reasons for not telling the iconic batsman to retire was the fear that sponsors might pull out of the game.

"Ponting and Tendulkar are massive 'brands' in their own right. If you kill off their careers too early, potential sponsors will pull out of cricket on a national basis, particularly in India. Tendulkar has also been great in ODI cricket - in fact he may be the greatest one-day batsman of all time. He has averaged winning one man-of-the-match award in every seven ODIs, proving his dominance over a 458-game ODI career," he said.

"Indian vultures are starting to appear above Tendulkar's head, but who will have the courage to end his career? He is looking in average form and is consistently putting his team under the pump with some poor dismissals of late at the top of the order.

"Mind you, it was only a year ago that he made an unbeaten 200 in ODI cricket. How time flies, with the great man looking vulnerable facing the two new white balls on bouncing Australian pitches," Jones wrote.

He said with so much money in cricket today, many players would want to play as long as possible.

"Let's be honest just for a minute. Players of today realise there is a huge amount of money to be earned in cricket and they will play for as long as possible to reap every cent. These guys will play until they are 50 if they are allowed to.

"The penny has finally dropped as cricket boards around the world are realising this. They are also concerned at when is the best and right time to retire star players. The responses from fans and sponsors are unpredictable when they retire a player 'too early'," the former batsman said.

On the criticism by former cricketers on the poor leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Australia, Jones said, "It is amazing how time has changed the place of power in world cricket today. It was only 10 months ago that India was No.1 in both Test and ODI cricket.

"M S Dhoni was king of the cricketing world then and now he has critics all over the place. In his homeland, past Indian greats are saying his days are numbered as captain. They believe that, after so many Test losses away from home it is time India had a new Test captain. But the consensus is that Dhoni should stay on as the one-day and T20 captain".
(PTI)

"All powerful teams go through a period of transition": BCCI President

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:15:00 +0000

"All powerful teams go through a period of transition" - this was BCCI president N Srinivasan's take on the future of Indian cricket team but he gave no indication as to when the much-talked about phase-out of seniors will happen.

"I do not know when it will happen. I am not a selector but history has shown that all powerful teams go through a period of transition. It is not fair to talk of seniors right now," Srinivasan said.

"They (the seniors) are still there and it is for the selectors to decide what they want to do," he told a news magazine in an interview.

The Indian team is going through one of its worst phases in recent memory, having suffered consecutive Test whitewashes in England and Australia besides strong speculation of rift between skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and senior members such as Virender Sehwag in the team.

Talking about the performance of the team, Srinivasan said, "On the field, we did well in India but our performance in Australia in Tests has led to lot of criticism. We should not make any comments while the tour is on. Let us wait and see."

Apart from the poor show on the field, Indian cricket is also grappling with sponsorship and broadcast rows but the BCCI chief was unfazed.

"On the broadcaster issue, the matter is before the court, so I cannot speak much except that it is a contractual matter and the BCCI has exercised its rights under the contract," Srinivasan said referring to the termination of the broadcast deal with Nimbus following which the company took the matter to court.

"As regards sponsorship, the BCCI has appreciated the role Sahara has played. In every relationship, there are stressful times. We have dealt with it, I think, to the sponsor's and the BCCI's satisfaction," Srinivasan explained referring to the recent row with the corporate giant during which it threatened to pull out both as India sponsor and an IPL team owner.

The BCCI is also at loggerheads with the ICC with regards to the recent Woolf Committee recommendations seeking an overhaul of the governing body's administrative structure.

"The report talks of fundamental changes in the way the ICC is structured. It wants the number of full members to be increased from 10 to 12. It proposes a Board of Directors which includes four independent directors.

"It also proposes that the ICC director cannot hold a post in the full-member board. The role and position of full members are being reduced, which is not acceptable to the ICC," he said.

Srinivasan brushed aside suggestions that he was arrogant in his handling of issues.

"I am not arrogant, I don't think so. I believe in systems and processes, coming from the background that I do. However, it is a fact that now BCCI meetings are of shorter duration, to the point.

"I have a tenure and I will move on after that. The BCCI is not my grandfather's company," he said.
(PTI)

"England is a good team and can come back strongly": Misbah

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:13:00 +0000

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq on Friday hit back at criticism after his side's 4-0 defeat in the one-day series against England, urging a change of mindset among detractors.

"I have said that even after the Test series win that we have to keep patience," said Misbah following his team's eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England on Thursday.

Pakistan routed England in the three-Tests 3-0 but suffered a 4-0 reverse in the following one-day series, prompting former cricketing greats and media commentators to call for changes in the team and captaincy.

"We should talk of the ground realities but we talk on other points," said Misbah in response. "We should talk of the bad performance (and) the areas where we showed weaknesses.

"We must talk of ground realities and the media should be positive. We committed mistakes: they scored four hundreds, we managed only four fifties and their bowlers took wickets, ours didn't," said Misbah of the one-day series.

The Pakistan skipper said the country had under-performed in the past because of such a response to defeats, insisting that his side had not become bad players overnight just because of the loss of the one-day series.

"We have to change this thinking if we are to lift Pakistan cricket," he said, calling for a more reasoned debate about strengths and weaknesses rather than a potentially counter-productive knee-jerk response to change personnel.

Misbah has not lost a Test series since taking over the Pakistan captaincy in October 2010 and the defeat against England was his first since taking charge as one-day captain in June last year.

Pakistan had won the preceding two one-day series before he took over.

"Drastic changes will not help. These same players won us the last six series. Now if, on one defeat against a top team, we change players and captains then we could change six captains till the 2015 World Cup," he said.

"That can never bring improvement in Pakistan team."

Misbah said he hoped Pakistan will carry the momentum in the next two Twenty20 matches, which take place in Dubai on Saturday and Abu Dhabi on Monday.

"England is a good team and can come back strongly, so we have guard against complacency and do our best," he added.
(AFP)

"Big game for us against India in Sydney": Clarke

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:10:00 +0000

Australian captain Michael Clarke felt his bowlers were just not good enough on Friday after his side lost by three wickets to Sri Lanka despite posting a competitive 280 on the board in a league match of the ongoing ODI tri-series.

"Another tight one but unfortunately we couldn't get over the line, but full credit to Sri Lanka. Our execution with the ball wasn't good. The top four could also do better. They need to set it up for the rest," Clarke said after Australia by three wickets.

"Sri Lanka showed tonight that if you hang in, you can take it home," he added.

Clarke said now Sunday's game against India assumes greater significance for the hosts.

"Big game for us against India in Sydney, we need perform well in that," he said.

Back to lead the side after missing a couple of matches due to a hamstring strain, Clarke said his back is troubling him a bit right now.

"I am still a bit stiff in the back, but I will be fine. I will get treatment from the physio and will be fine," he said.

Clarke lauded young Peter Forrest, who took the number three slot in place of the axed Ricky Ponting, and responded with his maiden ODI hundred.

"Peter was excellent today, all credit to him," he said. His opposite number Mahela Jayawardene, who was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 85-run knock that set the tone for the successful chase, said his young team is shaping up well.

Sri Lanka are the unlikely table-toppers right now with 15 points from six matches.

"The youngsters are learning a lot from these games. We are top of the table, but we still need to do a lot of hard work," he added.

Talking about his own innings, Jayawardene said he was lucky to get more strike.

"I probably got more of the strike than Dilly (Tilakaratne Dilshan). I was in a zone and it was one of those days when most of your shots went to the gaps," he said.

"We needed a good start and we went through the history of this ground. One side of the ground is smaller, so it was a tough ground to defend on. We have to continue playing well, our goal is to get to the final," he added.
(PTI)

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 3 wickets , Forrest's ton in vain

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:14:00 +0000

Sri Lanka threw India's prospects of a berth in the tri-series finals into jeopardy with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Australia which pushed them to the top of the points table on Friday.

Chasing Australia's 280 for six built around Peter Forrest's maiden ODI century, the islanders overhauled the target with four balls to spare in a match which went down the wire.

Sri Lanka now top the table with 15 points from six games, one point more than second-placed Australia.

Sri Lanka's win on Friday, their third on the trot in the tournament, left India (10 points from six matches) with the arduous task of winning both the remaining matches to make it to the final.

All the three teams have two games to go and all of them have a chance to make it to the finals. If India win both the two matches, Sri Lanka and Australia will be fighting for the other spot in the final.

The highlight of Sri Lanka's win was the classy 85 off 81 balls by captain Mahela Jayawardene and a solid 80 off 100 balls by Dinesh Chandimal. The duo shared a crucial 63 runs in 12.3 overs for the third wicket to lay the foundation of their victory.

Down the order and coming out at number eight, Thisara Perera played a cameo of 21 not out from just 11 balls to take Sri Lanka to victory at the Bellerive Oval here. He hit a boundary and a six in the penultimate over off Daniel Christian to tilt the balance in Sri Lanka's favour.

Chandimal, on the other hand, anchored the Sri Lankan innings after Jayawardene's dismissal with a 49-run stand for the fourth wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne from 10.3 overs to take the islanders to the threshold of victory.

After Chandimal's departure in the 45th over, Sri Lanka looked like losing the plot towards the close with quick dismissals of Farveez Maharoof (5) and Angelo Mathews (2) but Perera struck a four and a six in consecutive balls in the penultimate over bowled by Daniel Christian to seal the match for the islanders.

Jayawardene was in his classy self as he hit Brett Lee for a four early on and then lifted the veteran pacer for a clean six over deep midwicket in the fifth over. Lee was taken off with his first three-over spell costing 22 runs and Ryan Harris replaced him.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (3), on the other end, was quiet allowing his captain do most of the run accumulation. He was the first Sri Lankan to fall as he mistimed an attempted pull shot off Ben Hilfenhaus which landed straight in Peter Forrest's hands at deep square leg in the eighth over.

Next man in, Kumar Sangakkara (22) was off to a flying start with the first ball he faced off Harris being dispatched to the boundary as Sri Lanka were well on course at 68 for one after 10 overs.

Jayawardene kept quiet for a while but then reached his 64th ODI half century in the 12th over with a three off Daniel Christian.

With the boundaries coming thick and fast, Sri Lanka seemed to be cruising along before Australia struck again in the 14th over with the wicket of Sangakkara.

Christian induced a leading edge from Sangakkara which went straight to backward point off a harmless delivery. Sangakkara hit two fours in his run-a-ball knock.

Australia got rid of the dangerous looking Jayawardene with left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty ending a scintillating knock that was threatening to take the game away from Australia, with a gem of a delivery.

Just short of a length ball outside off-stump, it spun sharply and Jayawardene stepped out of his crease to reach to the pitch of the ball but this time was beaten and Mathew Wade did the easy stumping. Jayawardene hit six fours and a six in his 81-ball knock.

It was then left to Chandimal, who hit his sixth ODI half-century, to shepherd the Lankan innings and he was well-supported by Lahiru Thirimanne (24). His dismissal in the 45th over suddenly created a sort of panic in the Lankan camp before Perera clinched the match for them.

Earlier, Peter Forrest smashed his maiden one-day hundred and skipper Michael Clarke hit a crafty 72 to guide Australia to 280 for six.

Forrest's first ODI hundred came only in his fourth match and when he took dropped Ricky Ponting's place in the Australian batting line-up at number three.

In his previous three tri-series matches, Forrest had batted at number four and hit two half-centuries.

Forrest scored 104 runs, first century of the tri-series, and with Clarke, he mustered a 154-run partnership for the third wicket after the hosts had lost both the openers.

Matthew Wade (5) and David Warner (7) were cooling their heels back in the pavilion after Australia had opted to bat.

Forrest and Clarke then combined forces to negate the early advantage that Sri Lanka had gained through pace duo of Nuwan Kulasekara and Farveez Maharoof.

Kulasekara drew the first blood by having Wade caught by Jayawardene in his fifth ball of the innings while Maharoof had Warner caught behind.

Forrest, who had started his ODI career with a 66 against India at Adelaide, hit 10 fours and two sixes in his knock.

He completed his century in the 40th over when he took a single of Thisara Perera but was out two balls later when he ballooned a catch to deep extra cover of Angelo Matthews.

Matthews had removed well-set Clarke in his previous over and two quick strikes brought Sri Lanka back in the match.

Clarke's 72 came off 79 balls with seven boundaries, including two sixes.

However, Sri Lanka did not get any respite with Mike Hussey (21), his brother David (40 not out) and Brett Lee (20 not out) played handy cameos to get Australia to a very challenging total.
(PTI)

I'm happy with how the ball's coming out : Mitchell Starc

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:57:00 +0000

Australia's left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc hopes that his current form for New South Wales will help him get back into Australia's one-day squad before the tri-series finals.

Starc, who took just one wicket in the last three one-day internationals, was replaced by Ryan Harris in Australia's 13-member squad for the Friday's match against Sri Lanka and next game on Sunday against India.

But 22-year-old bowler took it in his stride and went on to claim 4-39 in NSW's four-wicket one-day win over Western Australia.

"If I can keep taking wickets and the ball keeps coming out all right, then anything can happen," Starc told 'Australian Associated Press'.

Starc, who has played three Tests and seven ODIs, will next play for NSW in the Sheffield Shield against Queensland at the SCG, to be held from March 1-4.

But with the first final of the tri-series to be played in Brisbane on March 4, Starc knows he would have to keep performing well for NSW.

"I'll be ready to go if called upon. I've just got to keep learning...and if I can keep contributing to wins for NSW, that's the main thing.

"If I start focusing on trying to get back into the team, it's not going to do me any good. I'm happy with how the ball's coming out and the body's feeling good," he said.
(PTI)

GS Walia distanced himself from BCCI president's comment

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:54:00 +0000

Stung by widespread reports of a rift within the Indian team in Australia, the beleaguered side's media manager on Friday urged the media to move ahead and focus on the positives.

Media manager GS Walia, however, distanced himself from BCCI president N Srinivasan's comment that the media reports were "exaggerated", saying he had never blamed the media for the situation.

"Let's not analyse the same situation, why this was generated, how it came to this. Let us forget it and be positive for the future," he said after the reporters asked about the dressing room atmosphere in the wake of BCCI's assertion that all was well within the unit.

While BCCI had claimed that the team unity was alright and reports of dissension was media's creation, based on what it has gathered from the media manager Walia.

Walia himself wasn't too keen to blame the media for the mess.

"I am not blaming the media. At a distance, if the president has said it, it may be his views. But I have never said it. I have never blamed the media," clarified Walia.

On different opinions conveyed by BCCI, Walia said it could be a matter of communication gap.

He also said he had never conveyed to BCCI that media reports were exaggerated and players were misquoted.

BCCI's reaction had come in the wake of media reporting that Dhoni and two seniors - Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir - were not on the same page.

A section of the media reported that the three senior cricketers had a meeting on Thursday and an attempt was made to resolve the differences. But Walia denied any meeting ever took place.

"All we had was the meeting among all 17 on the day of the match, after the game, after the press conference.

"When I went back to that place, I conveyed it to everyone. Everybody said, 'sir we don't have any differences'. I have been along with them for 75 days. But there shouldn't be a chance given to anybody, not only to you but anybody else to feel there is a communication gap. I have conveyed that to the players in simple terms," said Walia.

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan also claimed that there are no differences in the team.

"Everyone is working hard. There is no difference of opinion in the team. I have been hearing things, but it's nothing like that. Things are pretty good. It's a matter of winning big games. Once we start winning the big games, these things are going to vanish," said Pathan.
(PTI)

1st T20I : Pakistan beat England by 8 runs , Gul the star

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:27:00 +0000

Pacer Umar Gul took 3/18 to inspire Pakistan to a thrilling eight-run win in the first of three Twenty20 internationals against England at Dubai stadium on Thursday.

England, the reigning Twenty20 world champions, were cruising at 120/4 after 17 overs, chasing 145 to win, but Gul took two wickets in the 18th over for just three runs to change the complexion of the game, eventually restricting England to 136/6.

Graeme Swann rocked the middle-order with a burst of three wickets off eight balls to restrict Pakistan, put into bat, to 144/6 with Shoaib Malik making 39.

Ravi Bopara (39) and Jonny Bairstow (22 not out) had added 33 for the fourth wicket but Gul dismissed Bopara with the fifth ball of the 16th over and then had Jos Butler (3) and Samit Patel(nought) in the next to bring Pakistan closer to victory.

With 18 needed off the final over bowled by Junaid Khan, England managed just nine.

England were set on the chase by Kevin Pietersen (33) as they reached 48 by the sixth over but Pakistan came back when Shahid Afridi dismissed the in-form Pietersen.

Pietersen, who made back-to-back hundreds in England's 4-0 win in the preceding one-day series, holed out to Shafiq.

Off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez, who finished with 2/18, chipped in with the wickets of Craig Kieswetter (14) and dangerous looking Eoin Morgan (14) to leave England at 80/3, a position from where they should have won but Gul's spirited bowling made the difference.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said the win was pleasing after being routed in one-dayers.

"I had to face a lot of criticism after the one-day defeats, so it's pleasing. Every win brings joy," said Misbah. "We did put up a challenging total and then Gul was outstanding in the final overs."

England captain Stuart Broad said his team lost wickets at crucial times.

"We were well set but then lost some crucial wickets at bad times and that failed us on the finish line," said Broad. "We will have to review this match to show improvement."

Pakistan too made a flying start with debutant Awais Zia hitting a four and six during his 12-ball 18 but Pakistan lost four wickets in the space of eight runs as Asad Shafiq (19) fell run out,Mohammad Hafeez (23), Shahid Afridi (seven) and Umar Akmal (nought) followed each other, with Swann taking the last three.

It was left to Misbah (26 not out) and Malik (39) to put on 71 for the sixth wicket to take Pakistan to a respectable total.

Malik hit four boundaries and six off 33 balls before he fell to a superb catch by Bairstow off Jade Dernbach off the last ball of the innings.

Misbah gave Malik good support during his run-a-ball innings, hitting one four and a six. Swann finished with 3/13.

Pakistan brought in Zia and all-rounder Hammad Azam while Bopara and Swann returned for England after missing the fourth one-dayer due to fitness problems.

The second match will be played on Saturday, while the final match is in Abu Dhabi on February 27.
(AFP)

"I would like to see Pakistani players in the IPL": Azhar Mahmood

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:10:00 +0000

A British passport helped Azhar Mahmood get into the Indian Premier League this year and now the former Pakistani all-rounder is keen to see that the players from his native land are not denied the chance to play in the Twenty20 league for long.

Pakistani cricketers have not played in the league since featuring in the inaugural edition in 2008 due to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries in the wake of Mumbai terror attack.

IPL Franchisees have avoided picking Pakistani players since then and Mahmood was selected this year since he is now a UK citizen.

Mahmood urged the BCCI and PCB to sort out all the issues to pave the way for the participation Pakistani cricketers in the highly popular league.

Mahmood will feature in the fifth edition of the league for Kings XI Punjab.

Mahmood, who last played for Pakistan in 2007 cricket World Cup, believes that his participation in the IPL may contribute in normalising the strained relations between the two nations.

"I would like to see Pakistani players participating in the IPL. The BCCI and the PCB should sit together and sort out the issue. There is no problem in picking the Pakistani players as they would like to participate in a tournament like IPL," Mahmood told PTI from Dhaka, where he is playing for Dhaka Gladiators in the Bangladesh Premier League.

"I believe that my playing for the Kings XI Punjab team would lead to IPL franchises situp and take notice of Pakistani cricketers as that would help in normalisation and resumption of bilateral ties. Don't deny them the chance to play in the IPL," he added.

Rejected last year from being put on sale by the IPL Governing Council, Mahmood said, "I don't know why it took me so long to qualify for the IPL auction. I have no idea what happened last year. This year, I got listed as a British player and picked by Kings XI team. May be there were some doubts in the minds of franchises," he said.

Mahmood, who joined English county team Kent in 2010, has been consistently doing well in the English conditions and believe that his experience of playing there would hold him in good stead in the IPL-V.

"My county experience will definitely help me in the IPL. I have been playing county cricket for past seven years and now I am also part of the Bangladesh Premier League, so I will bring all my experience and talent into play while turning up for Kings XI Punjab.

"I am very excited about it. It feels really great to be associated with a tournament like IPL as it is the biggest tournament after international cricket. I always wanted to feature in the League," he said.

Mahmood, who has more than 2000 runs in the T20 format, also plays for Auckland Aces in New Zealand and considers his match-winnng knock of 44 in his team's 44-run victory over Canterburry in the HRV cup final as one of the special knocks of his career.

"I had a great Twenty20 season both in England and New Zealand. We won the HRV cup finals where I performed very well. I am confident of doing well in IPL too," he said.

Mahmood played for Surrey before joining Kent in 2007.
(PTI)

Sahara Pune Warriors in all likelihood will have to settle with existing rule

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:52:00 +0000

The Sahara Pune Warriors in all likelihood will have to settle with existing rule of having four overseas cricketers in their playing XI instead of their demand of an additional foreign player for the fifth edition of Indian Premier League.

"The IPL governing council has made it clear that Pune Warriors' demand can be considered if all the other franchises agree in-principle. As of now atleast two franchises are there who may not give their consent and Warriors will then have to play with four overseas players. TheBCCI can then hardly do anything in this regard," said a senior BCCI official preferring anonymity.

The last date for submitting the teams to GC is February 29 which is six days from now.

"Even if Warriors manage to get consent from eight other franchises, the GC would refer the matter to Working Committee who would then have to ratify it. It might not be possible to do it within the existing time-frame," he added.

Meanwhile, Warriors have recruited West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels and Railways' seamer Krishna Kant Upadhyay in their line-up.

The Sahara group owned franchise is also likely to get a replacement for injured Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh.
(PTI)

Ensure unity : BCCI to Sehwag , Dhoni

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:50:00 +0000

The BCCI on Thursday stepped in to bring about harmony in the Indian cricket team in Australia, telling skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and vice-captain Virender Sehwag to ensure that there was unity.

Although the BCCI had claimed that there was no rift in the team and there was nothing to be "concerned about", it is learnt that secretary Sanjay Jagdale has been entrusted with the task of talking to the team management and helping restore peace in the dressing room.

No BCCI official was, however, willing to comment on the development. BCCI sources said Jagdale has spoken to Dhoni, Sehwag and coach Duncan Fletcher, and has told them to play as a team.

There were also reports that Dhoni and Sehwag could address a joint press conference to convey the message that all is well in the team and there was no division among senior players.

Reports of dissensions surfaced mainly after the team management introduced the rotation policy for only three openers - Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, a move which sparked off a heated debate on its merits.

The first signs of the rift came into the open when Gambhir took a dig at Dhoni for not finishing matches early enough with the skipper retorting that it was a matter of perception.

Dhoni then dropped a bombshell by publicly snubbing the fielding abilities of the three openers and said they were not being played together as they were slow fielders and could cost the team 20 extra runs.

But Sehwag countered his captain by saying that the seniors were never told that fielding was an issue when the rotation policy was introduced.

The verbal duel between the seniors, who have used the press conference to take jibes at each other, has not gone unnoticed by the media, which has constantly highlighted the poor performance of the players in what has turned out of a nightmarish tour of Australia.
(PTI)

India has a player of Sachin's class ??

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:32:00 +0000

Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar on Thursday slammed suggestions in the media and views of another former captain Kapil Dev that Sachin Tendulkar should quit one-day cricket, saying that the master batsman needed no advice on this issue.

"There is no need to advise a legend to hang his boots when he himself, I am sure, will do so when the time is right for him to do so," said Vengsarkar, a former chief selector, in a statement issued here.

Kapil Dev had said that Sachin should have quit after the World Cup victory.

"In my opinion, he should have quit ODI on a high after India won the World Cup....But it's for him to decide," Kapil had said.

Vengsarkar, said that even at the age of 39, Tendulkar was as fit as anyone in the Indian team.

He also said that Indian team's bench strength was poor, and there is none to fill in the boots when great players like Tendulkar leave the scene.

"I really wonder whether India has a player of Sachin's class in its midst at the moment. Our bench strength is not at all that solid whereby we can hope to fill the void left by some great players in time to come," he said.

"Sachin may be nearing 39 years, but I strongly feel that he is as fit and as charged up, if not more, than any of the players playing for India at present. His focus, dedication, and commitment to the team is unparalleled to say the least.

"Sachin's sheer presence can mould the future generation of Indian cricketers....the Mumbai team of yesteryears was strong because we had Test players playing club and inter-office cricket regularly in Mumbai. This helped upcoming, young cricketers immensely," Vengsarkar said.
(PTI)

Australia begin life without Ricky Ponting

noreply@blogger.com (SrK) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Australia begin life without two-time World Cup winning former captain Ricky Ponting in the ODI format, aiming to consolidate their position at the top of the points table when they take on a spirited Sri Lanka in their tri-series league clash on Friday.

Adopting a perform or perish policy, Australia dropped an out-of-form Ponting from the squad despite his massive reputation and the record of being the country's top run-getter in the one-day format with 13,704 runs - second only to Sachin Tendulkar in the all-time list.

The Australians sit atop the table with 14 points after winning three out of their five matches. The Lankans are three points adrift after a couple of wins, equal number of losses and a tie from their five games so far.

Head to head, both the teams have beaten each other once in the competition and with India struggling to stay afloat, they could be the eventual finalists as well.

On the face of it, Australia can be termed favourites because of the home advantage but given how the Sri Lankans have adapted and exploited the conditions to their advantage is also hard to ignore.

The islanders have been unexpectedly tough and have not gone without a fight even in matches they have lost.

Against India in their previous match, the Lankan batting order gave a good account of itself and their bowlers were bang on target when it came to extracting the best out of a friendly track. The result was a comprehensive win which has given them a real chance of making the finals.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene has led a sprightly group well ably backed by a line-up which may not boast of too many heavyweights barring the likes of Kumar Sangakkara and Lasith Malinga, but has shown the spunk to punch above its weight.

Australia, on the other hand, will have their regular skipper Michael Clarke back after he sat out of the previous two matches because of a leg muscle injury.

The hosts would miss the colossal presence of Ponting but given that he was woefully out of form, the "weird" feeling of playing without him, as Clarke put it, would not be too difficult to deal with.

Also expected is the return of fit-again all-rounder Shane Watson as deputy to Clarke. The imposing cricketer was missing in action for past many weeks because of a calf injury.

Given the form, both teams would battle it out as equals in the match aiming to put a seal on the final berth.

(PTI)

"It is tough not having the great Ricky Ponting out there"

noreply@blogger.com (SrK) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:10:00 +0000

Australian captain Michael Clarke has said he was partly responsible for the sacking of former skipper Ricky Ponting from the one-day squad.

Clarke wrote about how difficult the decision had been in a newspaper column on Thursday, while adding that the 37-year-old Ponting remained a "huge part of our Test team."

"I'm 100 per cent part of the selection panel - that's part now of the captain's job," he wrote in a New Ltd column. "We've made this decision as a panel.

"It is tough not having the great Ricky Ponting out there... playing one-day cricket for us but that's the decision we've made."

Clarke replaced Ponting as captain after England completed a 3-1 Ashes series win on Australian soil in January last year, becoming part of the national side's selection panel.

Ponting's axing from the one-day side earlier this week as Australia build for the 2015 World Cup triggered fierce debate in the country.

Without peer in the 50-overs game, Ponting has racked up 13,704 runs in 375 matches at an average of 42, also winning three World Cups in his 17-year career, two as skipper.

After accepting his one-day international career was over, Ponting said he would continue in Test cricket and hoped to play in the 2013 Ashes.

His Test place had also been under pressure at the end of last year but he responded with 544 runs at an average of 108 as hosts Australia whitewashed India 4-0.
(Reuters)

"If Sachin can't get an answer to these questions, he has to go"

noreply@blogger.com (SrK) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:09:00 +0000

India's cricket greats have begun talking about a topic that was considered unthinkable a year ago - Sachin Tendulkar's retirement from the sport.

Or, at least, the need for the record-breaking batsman to quit one-day cricket to prolong his Test career, like former Australian captain Ricky Ponting did this week.

"Maybe his time has come," former World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said of the "Little Master" on the news channel. "Every player has his time. Age is not on his side as it was earlier."

Tendulkar, who turns 39 in April, is not only the world's leading batsman in both the Test and one-day formats, but also the longest-serving international cricketer, having made his debut in 1989.

Fans have been left on tenterhooks as Tendulkar, who has scored a record 51 Test and 48 one-day centuries, struggles to reach the unprecedented milestone of 100 international hundreds.

Tendulkar has now gone 11 Tests and nine one-day internationals (ODIs) without a century since making 111 against South Africa in the World Cup in March last year.

It is the longest gap for the prolific batsman without a three-figure knock, even though scores of 85, 91, 94 and 80 in the interim suggest his form has not deserted him.

The immediate spark for talk of Tendulkar quitting is his indifferent run in the ongoing tri-series in Australia where he has managed just 90 runs in five games at an average of 18.

Former captain Sourav Ganguly, who played alongside Tendulkar from 1992 to 2008, said his ex-teammate's decision to pick and choose one-day matches was costing India dear.

"Sachin has to ask himself whether it's helping him as a one-day player or if it's helping the Indian team," Ganguly told a new channel.

"If Sachin can't get an answer to these questions, he has to go."

Tendulkar, who has played a record 458 one-day internationals, has turned out in just 18 ODI matches in the past two years, including nine in India's triumphant World Cup campaign in February-April 2011.

He still managed to record the first ever double-century in ODIs - 200 not out against South Africa in February 2010 - and was the star performer in India's World Cup win with 482 runs, second only to Sri Lankan Tillakaratne Dilshan's 500.

"It affects everyone's form if Tendulkar keeps coming in and going out of one-day tournaments," Ganguly said. "I said after the World Cup that Sachin needed to look at his one-day career because he had achieved everything in one-day cricket."

Ganguly dismissed batting legend Sunil Gavaskar's suggestion that the selectors should talk to Tendulkar about his one-day future.

"I don't see any of the selectors stepping in," Ganguly said. "They are not going to stand in front of Sachin Tendulkar and say 'Listen little champ, you need to go'. That is never going to happen."

The Indian daily urged former players to lay off Tendulkar, saying the decision to quit or not should be left to him.

"A lot has been said - especially by former sportspersons who themselves stayed on well beyond their use-by date - about Tendulkar's ODI career," the paper wrote.

"Whatever the intentions, these gems of seemingly timely advice are clearly uncalled for. Sachin has served the country with exceptional pride and genius for far too long and he deserves the right to choose his own time of departure."

A poll published by the Times of India on Thursday revealed that 57 percent of 47,000 respondents wanted Tendulkar to quit one-day cricket and 41 percent urged him to continue.

In the immediate term, Tendulkar has two games - against Australia on Sunday and Sri Lanka next Tuesday - and a possible best-of-three-finals if India qualify, to silence his critics.
(AFP)

Wasim Akram backed Dhoni's controversial rotation policy

noreply@blogger.com (SrK) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:08:00 +0000

Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram has backed Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's controversial rotation policy, saying that there is "good reason" behind the move as senior players are either "not in his control" or they have become a "liability".

Dhoni's remarks about senior players being slow fielders has triggered speculation that there are dissensions in the Indian dressing room.

Akram said Dhoni's comments are an "absolutely genuine" opinion.

"In my opinion, Dhoni is a very intelligent person and I totally agree with him because he says what he thinks. There must be a very good reason behind his comments. I have never heard Dhoni speaking in such a manner," Akram said.

"I think either the seniors are not in his control or they are a liability," he said.

The former Pakistan captain feels Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag will have to be physically fit to sustain themselves in the ODI format.

"As the grounds are big in Australia, players have to be in the best of their health to play. Nobody questions Tendulkar's fitness, either you see him fielding at short third-man or fine-leg. You can hide your fielders in Test and T20s but not in ODIs," Akram explained.

Akram also questioned the role of coach Duncan Fletcher in team selection.

"If I am the coach, I will send the best batsman to open the innings. Gautam Gambhir has scored in 90s twice in the series so far and he is the best opener available. It is up to the team management to decide who will be his opening partner.

"That will also give you a left hand-right hand combination. In the match against Sri Lanka we saw both the out-of-form batsmen opening the innings and your best is coming at No. 3. So, what is the use of keeping a coach when he is not able to decide?" asked Akram.

(PTI)

Justin Langer lauded "perform or perish" policy

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Former Australian opener Justin Langer on Wednesday lauded the "perform or perish" policy adopted by national selectors, who dropped legendary Ricky Ponting after a no-show in the first half of the ongoing tri-series.

Langer said it was good to see that a selection culture has ended, that rewarded mediocrity.

"The thing about Ricky Ponting being dropped this week, if there is a positive to it, it's that the selectors are saying performance is everything," Langer said.

"Over the last couple of years, whether it's in Shield cricket or Test cricket, the competition hasn't been that strong and they have been rewarded for mediocre performances.

"The selectors have shown their hand; it doesn't matter if you're Ricky Ponting or a 21-year-old, you've got to perform. That's the system we want to get, a real cutthroat, tough system through Australian cricket," Langer was quoted as saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

Langer said time has come that the youngsters need to perform just superbly to be in the side.

"The next guys have to be smashing the door down, not just knocking on the door because they've got some talent and a fancy haircut and an earring, they've got to be knocking it down.

"It might give younger players an opportunity. There will be increased pressure because the expectation of being a No.3 batsman in Australia is huge. I'm looking forward to seeing who has got the steel and the resolve and the technique and the desire to become our next high-performance player."
(PTI)

"Ricky mightn't be the biggest bloke but he is a giant of the game"

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Australian skipper Michael Clarke on Wednesday said it will be a "weird" and "strange" feeling when he will walk out in Hobart to play against Sri Lanka without Ricky Ponting, who he says is "giant of the game".

Selectors have pushed Ponting to retirement from the One-day format.

The match against Sri Lanka on Friday will be first when Australia will play a One-day without Ponting, the two time World Cup winning skipper.

"It's going to be a weird feeling walking onto Hobart's Blundstone Arena on Friday without Ricky Ponting. He has been such an important fixture of Australian cricket from the time I was still at school. It's going to be strange when I look around the field during our one-day match against Sri Lanka and can't see him there," Clarke wrote in his column for 'Daily Telegraph'.

"Ricky mightn't be the biggest bloke in the world but he is a giant of the game. Statistics don't lie over a long period and no one in Australian cricket has come close to achieving what he has done."

Clarke said Ponting's sacking was a big message to the young cricketers in the side.

"Absolutely everyone is on notice. If Ricky Ponting can be dropped after such a magnificent one-day career then the simple message is perform or perish," he wrote.

Clarke also explained the influence of Ponting on his on-field life.

"We have played more than 200 one-day matches together and he has been such a big part of my cricketing life. There have been many times we have batted together in the limited overs game and I am delighted he has decided to keep playing Test cricket so our partnerships can continue.

"His experience and knowledge of the game is a driving force in our quest to be ranked the number one Test nation again. Ironically perhaps I played my first game for Australia without Ricky in the side," he wrote.

Clarke the recalled the time when he got a chance to play for Australia and how Ponting was connected with that.

"He rested in Adelaide, which gave me the honour of playing in Australian colours for the first time. If Ricky had not stood aside in that match I may never have been given the opportunity to play one-day cricket for Australia.

Clarke paid a tribute to Ponting's career, full of achievements.

"To be second in the world behind Sachin Tendulkar as the leading run-scorer in the one-day game is rare company. And it's not just Ricky's batting which has made him a stand-out cricketer.

Ever at the age of 37 he remains one of the best fieldsmen in the world. That is not only a testament to his ability but his work ethic to maintain such high standards."
(PTI)

"I think Dhoni is being misled"

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0000

Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have been forced to implement the rotational policy on senior players following a diktat by the BCCI, according to former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi who said the controversial policy has dented the team's confidence.

Already a big debate has started on a possible rift in the Indian team after Dhoni began to rotate the senior trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir citing their lack of fielding skills.

"I think Dhoni is being misled. Who knows, he is just expressing BCCI's diktat. I am not convinced that the players are bad fielders. If players are being rotated just for the heck of it, I am not convinced," Bedi told reporters on Wednesday.

Sehwag had said that he was unaware that the reason for their rotation was because the seniors were slow fielders.

"Players such as Sehwag and Sachin have some stature. You can not just dust it. I don't think they are slow. How many (fast fielders) you have?" he asked.

Bedi said by this controversy, the "confidence of the team has been hit."

Bedi also begged to differ with his former teammate Kapil Dev's opinion that Tendulkar should have retired from ODIs after the World Cup.

"That's Kapil's opinion. It is Tendulkar's prerogative when he has to call it a day. I don't think, any of us here is in a position to say when Tendulkar should retire," he said.

He also lashed out at the media for putting enormous pressure on Tendulkar to get his 100th international century.

"I ask each of you. Why are you breathing on his back to get his hundred? It's not fair. Leave the kid alone."

Bedi also felt that the BCCI should own up for India's pathetic show in Australia, where they lost the Test series 4-0 and are not doing well in the tri-series either.

"I have not heard from BCCI on India's poor show. The Board should own up the responsibility. It does not need rocket science to know why they have lost?" he said.
(PTI)

"It's very important for us to come back": Misbah

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:41:00 +0000

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said his side are desperate to redress the balance in a Twenty20 international against England Thursday after a one-day series whitewash by the tourists.

Pakistan were Tuesday routed 4-0 by England, who showed a big improvement from their 3-0 defeat in the preceding three-Test series.

Misbah wants his side to regain the upper hand, but also wants to use the match as a stepping stone towards the World Twenty20 series later this year.

"This is a very important series for us, more so because we won the Tests, they won the ODIs and now it's almost the decider," said Misbah.

"And if you consider that this is World Twenty20 year, it's very important for us to come back."

England will defend the title they won in the West Indies in 2010 when Sri Lanka host the fourth edition of the World Twenty20.

"I think we need to learn from England on how they transformed their fortunes in ODIs, and I am confident that my boys can do that," added Misbah.

"I don't think we were dispirited, because the team wants a win desperately and that's why we were like that. Everybody was trying to give one hundred percent and when it slips out of your hand it seems you are disjointed."

Pakistan will ring some changes, with experienced batsman Younis Khan and Azhar Ali returning home while dashing uncapped left-handed opener Awais Zia joins the Twenty20 squad.

England have retained Alastair Cook, originally not named in the Twenty20 squad, after he showed great form in scoring back-to-back hundreds in the first two one-day matches.

England paceman Stuart Broad meanwhile said his side would be using every opportunity possible to help prepare them for the defence of their World Twenty20 title.

"Of course, we need to make use of every game we have because there isn't many leading to the World Twenty20. And that being in the sub-continent we need to really make use of these conditions," said Broad.

"It makes these games pretty important. We are not looking to these matches as a warm-up, we are looking to win this series and that is what we will be focusing on," added Broad.

"Cookie is keen to play Twenty20 cricket. He has made that pretty obvious. He has been kept on in the squad because obviously we have got some injury concerns in the squad," said Broad of Cook, retained as cover-up for injured Ravi Bopara.
(AFP)

Delhi Daredevils appointed Mahela Jayawardene as vice-captain

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:43:00 +0000

Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday appointed Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene as vice-captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).

Delhi Daredevils' Team Mentor TA Sekar said that it was an easy decision to make.

"He has an excellent track record as a leader of men and draws enormous respect from his team-mates," he said.

"We are aware of the immense value that Mahela brings to the table and are sure that the team will benefit from his presence in the leadership team."

Sekar said skipper Virender Sehwag welcomed Jayawardene's choice as vice-captain.

"Viru told us that he would find Mahela's experience as a leader very handy. We are confident that they will bring the best out of the squad this season. That will enable us stay competitive through the season - and have the chance to celebrate Mahela's 35th birthday on May 27," he said.

Delhi Daredevils successfully bid for Jayawardene at the IPL Player Auction on February 4.

He has led Sri Lanka in 11 T20 internationals, 102 one-day internationals and 28 Test matches. Of these, Sri Lanka have won eight T20 internationals, 59 one-day internationals and 15 Test matches.

Under him, Sri Lanka had reached the final of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
(PTI)

Its 'difference of opinion' not rift : Kapil Dev

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:41:00 +0000

Former captain Kapil Dev on Wednesday refused to believe that there was 'rift' within the Indian team in Australia but said the BCCI should step in to sort out the "difference of opinion".

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had defended the rotation policy of the three openers in the team on the ground that they are slow while fielding but Virender Sehwag said he and other two senior players were ignorant of the reason to rest one of them in a match.

Kapil said instead of calling it a 'rift' within the team, he would prefer to term it as difference of opinion.

"I would not want it to call a rift within the team but would prefer to term it as difference of opinion. It's difficult to comment on the issue because we don't know what exactly happened there in Australia," Kapil said.

Asked further how a senior player like Sehwag could not have been told about the reason for the rotation policy among the openers, Kapil said, "Even the parents have different opinions and we should not play it up.

"The captain (Dhoni) may have a different opinion and normally his opinion is respected. I think the BCCI will have to step in and sort out the matter with the players for the good of the team and country," said Kapil at a cricket clinic for youngsters at the Australian high commission.

"The players will have to understand that they are carrying the reputation of the country. If there is a misunderstanding it should be sorted out. They are playing for the country," he added.

Kapil said that in his opinion Sachin Tendulkar should have retired from one-day cricket on a high after India won the World Cup last year, but it was upto the player to call it quit or not.

"I am nobody to say when Sachin Tendulkar would retire. But in my opinion he should have quit ODI on a high after Indian won the World Cup. But that is my opinion. I think I can have my opinion? But it's him only to decide," he said.

"He (Tendulkar) enjoys playing cricket and has achieved so much for the team and for the country. What more we can expect from the little man.

"But if I was in his (Tendulkar's) place I would have said after India won the World Cup that I have achieved so much in cricket for the team and for the country and it's now time for some other player to come in," said the 1983 World Cup-winning captain.

Cricket Board president N Srinivasan had ruled out an inquiry on the Indian team's Test debacle in Australia but Kapil said that the BCCI and the selectors will have to find out what went wrong with the team.

"We should now encourage the players to play like world champions, play tight and win matches. They are the world champions. But after they return from Australia, the BCCI and the selectors should sit and find out what went wrong with the team," he said.

Asked if some of the senior players should be dropped from Test side after the Australian tour, Kapil said that it was for the selectors to take a call on this.

"It is for the selectors to decide. I think the right thing is the BCCI and the selectors should sit down after the Australian tour is over and decide on a future road map for Indian cricket. If the senior players are in the scheme of things, its okay. Otherwise the players will have to understand," said Kapil.

Asked if the selectors would have axed a non-performing Indian cricketer just like a player of the stature of Ricky Ponting was dropped from the Australian ODI team, Kapil said different systems work in different countries.

"The Australians have a different norm. They stick to performance or non-performance. But it does not work in India like that. There are different systems in different countries. India can't have the same norm as in Australia," said Kapil.

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones felt that Sachin Tendulkar will have to retire from one format soon.

"It's difficult for Sachin to consistently do well in all the formats. Sooner or later, he will have to retire from one format," Jones said.

Asked about the talk of 'rift' within the Indian team in Australia, Jones said, "Things heated up when the team is not doing well. That's what is happening in the Indian team now there."

He also defended the Australian selectors for axing Ponting, which ended the ODI career of the former captain.

"In his last six ODI innings, Ponting has not crossed 10 runs. Do you think the selectors will keep on selecting him?" Jones asked.

Meanwhile, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu said that his government will work to secure the 2015 Cricket World Cup final for the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Baillieu said Melbourne was the sporting and cultural capital of Australia and had been voted both the world's most liveable city and the Ultimate Sports City on numerous occasions.

"The MCG is one of the finest cricket grounds in the world and the only ground in Australia with the capacity to host a final of such monumental proportions, so Melbourne is the natural choice to host the 2015 ICC World Cup final," Baillieu said.

"Imagine one lakh people roaring inside the MCG with India and Australia playing in the World Cup final. Umpires there and Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in the opposite sides," he said, tongue-in-cheek.
(PTI)

"Hard work I've been putting in with Mushy has paid off": Kevin Pietersen

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:38:00 +0000

Swashbuckling England batsman Kevin Pietersen hailed his century on Tuesday as his best in one-day cricket, saying his hard work with spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed helped him overcome batting blues.

The 31-year-old hit a match-winning 130 to steer England to a four-wicket win after being set a 239-run target by Pakistan, giving his team a 4-0 clean sweep of the series.

Pietersen's knock was a total contrast from his tally of 67 during the 3-0 rout in the preceding three-Tests during which he struggled against Pakistan's spin duo of Saeed Ajmal and Abdul Rehman.

But since his transfer to Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils for this year's tournament was announced in January, Pietersen has hit back-to-back hundreds in England's wins.

Pietersen termed this week's as his best, surpassing his previous highest one-day score of 116 made against South Africa at Centurion in 2005.

"I am allowed to say it was probably the best one I've played," Pietersen said on Tuesday.

"The hard work I've been putting in with Mushy has paid off. I've spent hours and hours with him. I came in early today, early the other day (to practise)," he said of his work with the former Pakistan leg-spinner.

Pietersen said he knew he had to bat through the innings after England lost captain Alastair Cook for four in the first over in their run-chase.

"I like to really calm things down and just watch the ball and play it. I thought that the total they had, if I batted for 50 overs and took the game deep and batted with a bit of experience, we could come close.

"I just wanted to take the game deep, and I wanted to target bowlers as well. I think that was the key to the success. You need experience, lots of it, in order to keep the situation very simple -- and back your ability."

Nevertheless, Pietersen said he still has a lot to learn

"You need a lot of confidence in your ability. I am not the finished article by any stretch of the imagination. But wow, I thoroughly enjoyed it (the innings)."

Pakistan and England now play three Twenty20 internationals.
(AFP)

"On five foreign players issue, Sahara has to get the consent of all other franchises"

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:36:00 +0000

The IPL governing council on Wednesday asked Sahara Pune Warriors to get the consent of all the franchises for fielding five foreign players in the fifth edition of the tournament.

Indian Premier League Governing Council chairman Rajiv Shukla said all the issues discussed with Sahara, have been ratified by the GC.

"On the five foreign players issue, Sahara has to get the consent of all other franchises and that matter will be put before the working committee, which will take the final call.

"All the things which were decided with Sahara were ratified by the Governing Council," Shukla said after the Governing Council meeting.

Sahara Group, the Indian cricket team's longtime sponsor, had ended its financial ties with the BCCI and also pulled out of the IPL by withdrawing from Pune Warriors' ownership just hours before the players' auction earlier this month.

In a bid to break the stalemate, BCCI and the aggrieved Sahara Group reached a compromise after a series of hectic negotiations.

Shukla added that IPL's operational issues were also discussed in the meeting.

The dates for IPL 6 has been finalised and the tournament will be held next year from April 3 to May 26.

Asked about the 10th team for the next edition, Shukla said, "Nothing has been decided yet."
(PTI)

Giles Clarke settled libel case against him

noreply@blogger.com (crictr) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:34:00 +0000

England cricket chief Giles Clarke has settled a libel case against him stemming from allegations about secret plans for a rebel Twenty20 league in England, it was confirmed on Wednesday.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Clarke had been sued by international sports marketing giant IMG over suggestions in a 2010 email about plans for a breakaway T20 league that would "destroy world cricket's structure."

However a statement from the ECB on Wednesday said the case had now been settled after Clarke accepted IMG had not broken any ICC regulations.

"This statement confirms that Mr Clarke accepts that IMG did not act in breach of ICC rules and intended to act within the official structures of world cricket," an ECB statement said.

"IMG accepts that Giles Clarke was not intending deliberately to damage its reputation. On that basis the parties have agreed to settle the litigation on confidential terms."

Clarke, who is bidding to win a third term as ECB chairman, still faces legal action from former Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi over the claims.
(AFP)