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Timex looks to rope in Sachin Tendulkar

2010-09-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Brand Sachin Tendulkar fits into anything from watches to inverters

Endorsements are part of a cricket player's life and appearing on the television is too. We get to see a player at his creative best during the commercial breaks. At a tight situation, some players even tend to lose their common sense.

Sachin Tendulkar doesn't belong there. He approaches the other end of his career, but his appeal has not showed no signs of aging. Watch manufacturer Timex is hoping it can rope in Sachin Tendulkar to promote its products.

Representative from Timex on Sachin Tendulkar -

Yes why not. But he is expensive

Brett Lee was the watch manufacturer's brand ambassador, but in recent times, injuries have threatened Lee's career and managed to keep him out of action.

Source - Financial Express
Image Source - OLX

Daniel Vettori confident about 2011 World Cup

2010-09-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Daniel Vettori senses year end India tour will serve as a good build up

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori is confident about his side's prospects at the World Cup in India next year. Vettori's party will tour India during Christmas that should help in getting a good look at the conditions and the team's strengths and weaknesses playing the sub-continent.

Daniel Vettori -

For the New Zealand team, to win the World Cup would be the ultimate achievement. I know the preparations are going pretty well. The fact we have been to Sri Lanka, we're going to Bangladesh soon and then we play some one-dayers in India gives us the best preparation leading into such an important tournament.

New Zealand has never won a World Cup final despite managing to make it to the semis five times. Players like Guptil, Taylor, Ryder, Bond, McCullum and Vettori himself have to deliver king size if New Zealand are to come anywhere near the semis next year.

Source - Cric Info

Javagal Srinath - Leave Ishant alone

2009-11-16T20:21:00.000-08:00

Srinath posing with a fan; He asks many such to leave Ishant on his own

Match referee and former fast bowler Javagal Srinath has asked people to leave Ishant alone and allow him to correct his line and length on his own.

Javagal Srinath -

Ishant is playing quite a few Twenty20 and ODIs and on such flat wickets any bowler is bound to go for runs. But he has wonderful potential. He has set very high standards for himself. The Test series against Sri Lanka is a great platform for Ishant to hit the line and length. It is a great opportunity to experiment and get back his rhythm.

Source - CricBuzz
Image Credit - Pritesh

Justin Langer appointed Australia' batting coach

2009-11-16T18:51:00.000-08:00

In his role as coach, Langer will help the Australian batsmen perfect their batting skills

39 year old Justin Langer, who opened the batting in his 105 Tests that he played for Australia, is now appointed batting coach of the Australian cricket team.

Langer played for Somerset after his retirement from test match cricket. He was one of the treasured finds of Australian cricket.

Justin Langer -

I have been passionate about Australian cricket for many years so I am excited about playing a hands on role in the continued development of the Test team, particularly in the batting and leadership departments

Source - Yahoo News AU
Image Credit - Paulsh

Chanaka Welegedara says Sachin' wicket was the best of his three

2009-11-16T18:43:00.000-08:00

Sachin was undone by a beautiful in-swinger which crept to the stumps through bat-pad gap

28 year old Welegedera, who is playing only in his second test match, is excited on taking Sachin Tendulkar's wicket, a day after the legend completed 20 years in the international arena. Chanaka said the early morning moisture in the wicket promoted some movement which the Indian top-order batsmen were unable to counter.

Chanaka Welegedara -

Thushara was injured and I was told I am playing a few minutes before the toss. They did not want to take a chance with someone who was not hundred per cent fit at the start of the series. I bowled in good areas and Sachin's is the best of my three scalps.

Source - CricBuzz
Image Source - Geophin

Ind-Lanka series could be Muralidharan's last overseas tour

2009-11-16T07:01:00.000-08:00

Murali hopes to sign of overseas test cricket with a victory

Sri Lankan off spinner Muralidharan said yesterday that the ongoing tour could be his last in his illustrious career. The 37 year old Sri Lankan has picked up 783 wickets, the most by any bowler in this form of the game. Murali hopes to wrap up his last overseas series with a historic victory, but after seeing the performance of the Indian batsmen on Day 1 of the first test, it looks unlikely.

Muttiah Muralidharan -

I have played enough cricket over the years. This could be my last tour overseas.

Source - Cricket365
Image Credit - SJ Jagadeesh

Michael Clarke keen to compete in All stars T20 blockbuster game

2009-11-16T01:25:00.000-08:00

Clarke is interested in taking part in the blockbuster T20 game and celebrations.

Michael Clarke will compete against the likes of Warne, Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden in next week's All Stars Twenty20 blockbuster. Clark was keen to play in this one of a kind encounter and he requested the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch to include him in the Australian side.

Michael Clarke -

I've spoken to Andrew Hilditch and told him I'm really keen to play. I think he's happy for me to play

The All Stars match will be conducted next Sunday, with four days left Australia's opening Test match against the West Indies in Brisbane.

The All stars eleven will have all the big hitters and former greats of Australian cricket. The Australian XI will be named only on Thursday.

Source - Yahoo cricket
Image Source - Kevin MCC

Gayle confident ahead of Australian challenge

2009-11-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

If Windies can win the first test, the pressure will be transferred on to the Australians

Cricket is a funny game. And it gets real funny at times. Beating Australia in their home territory is not going to be an easy task, but the West Indian side is looking at firing early and winning the first test match at Queensland to put pressure on the hosts, which hasn't lost to anyone in the last 20 occasions in this venue.

Chris Gayle -

Every team is beatable, we know the task won't be easy. To beat Australia you have to be on cue from ball one. Batting is going to be very important, and our overall cricket has to be good to beat the No.1 team

Source- CricInfo

Tendulkar disappointed with lack of test matches in schedule

2009-11-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

Tendulkar is not happy with the lack of test matches in the Indian calender

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, at a press conference on the occasion of his 20th year in international cricket, expressed disappointment over the lack of test matches in the Indian cricket calender. Sachin said the planned five tests this season, would not give our nation's youngsters a chance to know which level they were.

Sachin Tendulkar -

Ideally for any team to progress you need to play more Test cricket as that is where the real cricket is according to me. Test cricket is cricket of the highest level and since it is played across five days at the end of each day it allows you to regroup, re-think, come up with fresh ideas and plan for the next day. Sometimes in Twenty20 and ODIs even before you realise the match is over.

Source - CricInfo

Mascarenhas to replace Malinga in Tasmania's squad

2009-11-13T02:41:00.000-08:00

Mascarenhas replaces Malinga for Tasmania

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga would not compete in the Australian domestic tournament due to his commitments with the national side, informed Malinga's manager Charlie Austin today.

English all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas will take Malinga's place in the Tasmanian squad. Mascarenhas plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and has been on and off in the national side.

Source - ABC

Sreesanth says this is a new beginning

2009-11-13T02:28:00.000-08:00

Sreesanth poses with a fan; He needs good wishes of many such to succeed in the upcoming series

India pacer S.Sreesanth says the Sri Lankan series is a new beginning in his cricketing career. He was dropped from the side after his antics during the IPL, where he was also accused of irritating Harbhajan Singh, who slapped him in return, after his team won the match.

Sreesanth has seen more controversies and dilemmas that wickets in international cricket. He was also warned by the BCCI after he misbehaved with a batsman during a state-level cricket match this year.

But Sree is confident that those incidents will stay in history. He says he's taken stock of Allan Donald's advise to swing the ball late, something which the legendary fast bowler did not see happening with Sree' existing action.

S.Sreesanth -

I know I am tagged with lots of negative publicity. But I am what I am. All I can assure every cricket follower in India is that when it comes to playing and preparation, I am as disciplined and dedicated as anyone else. This is a new beginning for me and my best years are ahead of me.

Source - CricInfo
Image Credit - Anil Kumar PJ

Irfan Pathan gets into a verbal brawl with Eden Gardens curator

2009-11-12T23:35:00.000-08:00

Pathan's verbal outbreak has caused nothing but bad news

Pacer Irfan Pathan landed into another controversy yesterday when he engaged in a verbal brawl with Eden Garden's pitch curator Prabir Mukherjee.

The media persons were asked by Mukherjee to move outside the playing arena where Pathan was interacting with them. The spark ignited when Irfan got into the conversation and demanded the curator to allow the media to do their job. Mukherjee replied that it was his duty to maintain normalcy in the playing arena.

The man was right.

But Irfan continued to argue before Baroda coach Paras Mhambrey intervened and settled the dispute.

Source - The Hindu
Image Credit - Daarkfire

Viv Richards hopes Gayle has learnt his lessons well

2009-11-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

Richards feels Darren Ganga can lead the side down under despite his mid-20's batting average

West Indies batting legend Vivian Richards hopes the skipper of team touring Australia, Christopher Gayle, has learnt his lessons and will represent his country well in a potential "team-breaking" series in Australia. The West Indians will land in Australia today and their campaign starts in roughly two weeks.

Viv Richards -

Gayle has got to go and show a different sort of attitude when he goes to Australia. He's got to show that he wants to represent his people and represent them well, and not only them, but also the legacy that he's representing. Let's hope he has learnt his lessons

Source - The Age
Image Courtesy - Paddynapper

Sachin Tendulkar - Cricket is my life

2009-11-12T23:06:00.000-08:00

Tendulkar isn't thinking of retiring now, though he will in the future

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar who completes 20 years in international cricket this year, says cricket is his life. The 36-year old started his long inning back in 1989 on November 15 against Pakistan in Karachi.

Sachin belongs to the elite group which boasts of Mushtaq Mohammed, Imran Khan, Bobby Simpson and Garfield Sobers. These men are among the few who have played the game for two decades or more in modern times.

Sachin Tendulkar -

My love for cricket and the honour of playing for my country have kept me motivated all these years. Cricket is my life and I am lucky and absolutely honoured that I have been able to wear the India cap for 20 years.

Source - Supersport

Pink balls, multiple substitutes will be tried in IPL Season 3

2009-11-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Pink balls aid visibility and color longevity

Practice games ahead of the IPL Season 3 tournament will be played using pink colored balls, Lalit Modi, chairman of IPL said on his twitter account earlier in the week.

Pink cricket balls have capacity of retaining their color for longer duration. They also provide better visibility for fielders and batsmen, let alone cameramen.

The IPL next season is also going to experiment with four fielding substitutes. The gone by season had just the twelfth man.

Lalit Modi -

IPL teams to test pink ball in their practice matches and sessions in partnership with MCC. Four fielding substitutes rather than 12th man.

Image Credit - The Age

Mitchell Johnson - I can do with some rest

2009-11-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

Johnson would like to grab some time off than bowling in a sheffield shield cricket match

Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson says he'd rather rest than play for the Western Warriors in a Sheffield Shield match as preparation for taking on the touring Windies later this month.

The reigning ICC Cricketer of the Year helped Australia win a injury-ridden series against host India in the absence of several front line bowlers like Lee and Siddle.

Mitchell Johnson -

It'd be nice to have a little bit of a rest.If it all works out perfectly, I think I'd rather go that way leading up into the Test series. No-one wants to miss games, but I definitely don't want to miss Test matches.

Source - Cricket365
Image Credit - Zoonabar

Kevin Pietersen says he's up and running

2009-11-12T19:23:00.000-08:00

Kevin Pietersen needs to be unstoppable if England are to make merry in South Africa

Kevin Pietersen, who has just flown in to South Africa to represent his side in a long tour consisting of tests, ODIs and T20s, says the three month break from cricket has given him time to refresh his batteries. The South African tour kicks off today with the first of two T20s.

Kevin Pietersen -

I’ve woken up feeling really good. I enjoyed the break to refresh my batteries, to get myself right and ready to know that I can compete again and want to compete again

Source - Buzzincricket
Photo Credit - Ian Wilson

Aamer Sohail unhappy about on sacking skipper Younus

2009-11-12T19:12:00.000-08:00

Former Pakistani opening batsmen and commentator Aamir Sohail is unhappy with the PCB's decision to appoint Mohammed Yousuf as the skipper for the upcoming NZ tour.

Mohammed Yousuf was appointed captain two days ago after reports of team members not cooperating with Younus Khan emerged, leading to the 2-1 series loss against NZ in Abu Dhabi.

Aamer Sohail -

The same PCB had given full support to Younis some two weeks ago following the National Assembly row and should have once again conveyed a warning to the rebel players to either support the captain or go out. I think this old culture and problem of player-power should be rooted out completely from Pakistan cricket. If any player or players think they are bigger than the team, they should be dropped at once.

Source - Yahoo Cricket

Bangladesh hosts tri-series consisting of India, Sri Lanka in Jan 2010

2009-11-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

Here's the schedule for the tri-series India and Sri Lanka will take part in next year in Bangladesh.

Following the tri-series, India will play Bangladesh in two test matches -

January 2 - Indian team arrives
January 4 - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (D/N), Mirpur
January 5 - India v Sri Lanka (D/N), Mirpur
January 7 - Bangladesh v India (D/N), Mirpur
January 8 - Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (D/N), Mirpur
January 10 - India v Sri Lanka (D/N), Mirpur
January 11 - India v Bangladesh (D/N), Mirpur
January 13 - Final (D/N), Mirpur
January 17-21 - First Test, Chittagong
January 24-28 - Second Test, Mirpur
January 29 - Indian team departs

Mohammad Yousuf named captain of Pakistan cricket team

2009-11-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

PCB is "resting" Younus Khan. Resting his captaincy in peace?

Looks like Inzamam's call has been heard. Partly.

PCB has appointed Mohammad Yousuf as the captain of the Pakistan side that tours New Zealand. Wicket keeper Kamran Akmal is the vice captain. The tour of New Zealand begins on the 24th of this month.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt -

Yes, Younus has asked for a rest so we have appointed Younus as captain for the three-Test tour, it has nothing to do with the defeat against New Zealand

Source - Supersport

Botham reacts to Stuart Broad's "burnout" comment

2009-11-11T02:37:00.000-08:00

Botham's 50 greatest isn't going to have Broad in it after the latter's complaint

Stuart Broad, who urged his cricket board to take preventive steps so that players don't burnout after non-stop cricket has attracted a word of advice from cricketing legend Ian Botham.

Staurt Broad had earlier expressed his concern for English players who had to play two Twenty20s, five one-day internationals and four Tests in South Africa quickly followed by a tour to Bangladesh, another World Twenty20 cup in the West Indies and then a home series against Bangladesh.

Ian Botham -

If you are worried about burnout in your second year then that's pretty sad. I suggest you get on and play. Winning teams don't get burnout. This burnout is just a modern word. If you don't want to play international cricket, do you want to go back and play county cricket? I doubt it. You have got the best end of the stick and you get well rewarded

Source- Cricket365

Sangakkara - Sachin is Bradman's league

2009-11-11T01:58:00.000-08:00

Sanga says Sachin's always been a headache for bowlers of his team

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara while preparing for the 45 day tour in India by taking part in practice matches in Mumbai, replied to questions asked by reporters on Sachin Tendulkar.

Sanga says Sachin's a big threat to the Lankan bowling attack and the way he's gone about fulfilling the expectations of Indian cricket fans for two decades is remarkable. Though he did not use these exact words, Sanga says superlatives can't express Sachin's batting.

Kumar Sangakkara -

He's (Sachin) probably the greatest player to play the game in the modern era and compares with the (Donald) Bradmans and all the legends of the past

Source - Yahoo Cricket

Glenn Mcgrath swears by Brett Lee, says he's created a deadly aura

2009-11-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

Mcgrath is all for Lee. He's says Lee brings with him more than just pace

Recently retired Australian speedster Glenn Mcgrath, says fellow paceman Lee has a lot to offer in the longer version of the game. He feels Lee will play a vital role in the upcoming series against the touring Windies.

Brett Lee, who was sent back from India after he developed a niggle, is in contention for the test series which begins later this month. Mcgrath's right when he says Lee's experience is needed for Australia and he brings with him the all-important fear factor that teams are really worried about when playing down under.

Glenn Mcgrath -

In a Test match, the workload is going to be pretty heavy and I don't think Brett would want to go into a Test where he was concerned (about his fitness). If he broke down in that first match back it could damage his career a lot more than just sitting that one out and coming back when he was 100 per cent right

Source - web123India
Image Source - Paddynapper

Gymming Mishra awaiting his turn eagerly

2009-11-10T23:53:00.000-08:00

Leggy Mishra is learning to play well and be patient

Indian leg spinner Amit Mishra can't wait to feature in the playing eleven. The final one dayer which takes place today in Mumbai, might see Mishra and pacer Tyagi taking their positions in the field.

Mishra says he goes to the gym everyday and is bettering his art by bowling to some of the best batsmen in India in the nets. Mishra's talent cannot be questioned and he must be deployed in the final game of the decided tournament today.

Amit Mishra -

I will try my best to deliver. The team requirements in these past six matches have been different. I can only wait for my chance

Source - Yahoo Cricket
Image Courtesy - Peter.J.Waldeck