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Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke leaves door open for Ricky

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:59:31 GMT

Clarke spoke for the first time today since Ponting's axing on Monday and said he, as captain and selector, was right behind the decision.

"I'm 100 per cent part of the selection panel, that's part of now of the captain's job and as a panel we made this decision and like I say it is tough not having the great Ricky Ponting out there this game playing one-day cricket for us but that's the decision we've made,'' Clarke said this afternoon. "Obviously the 2015 World Cup is something we've spoken about as a panel and I'm 100 per cent part of that.''

But Clarke slightly contradicted chairman of selectors John Inverarity who said on Monday Ponting's one-day career was over. Clarke said it was unlikely, but there was a slight chance the former Australian captain could return to the 50-over line up.

"I think the one thing is the door is never close on anybody," he said. "Who knows what can happen in this very weird and tough game that we play but there is no doubt Ricky not being in the team has shown that we are looking towards the 2015 World Cup and giving some young guys an opportunity."

Clarke has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury but said he was on track to play tomorrow night's day-night game at Bellerive against Sri Lanka. All-rounder Shane Watson has also returned to the squad, but Clarke said it had not been decided as yet whether Watson would play or who would replace Ponting in the pivotal No.3 batting position.

Cricket: Two-ton Kevin Pietersen ensures whitewash

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:55:44 GMT

ALASTAIR Cook confirmed he would be staying on for the Twenty20 series after captaining England to a one-day series whitewash over Pakistan.

Kevin Pietersen’s second successive century, a career-best 130 off 153 balls, led England to a four-wicket win in the fourth and final one-day international in Dubai. It came after Cook’s first failure of the series but, having registered two centuries and an 80 in the first three matches, Cook will now stay on as cover for a couple of minor injury worries in the squad.

“I’ve been asked to stay on,” Cook said. “It’s not often you get to hit the ball as well as I have in the last week and a half so it’s important to keep playing.”Pietersen, without an ODI century for more than three years before his unbeaten 111 three days ago, repeated the dose for a career-best in another run chase under lights.

Cook’s failure immediately put England’s pursuit of 237 all out on the back foot but Pietersen appeared in control throughout his innings, which contained 12 fours and two sixes, as England got the job done with four balls to spare.

He established a scoring rate that kept England ahead of the game, even from a precarious 68 for four after 16 overs, to the extent that Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter’s fifth-wicket stand of 109 did not have to feature undue risks against Pakistan’s spinners.

The whitewash, England’s first against Pakistan for 25 years, was compensation of sorts for the 3-0 Test series drubbing these opponents inflicted on them.

Shortly after the victory the International Cricket Council confirmed England had moved ahead of Pakistan in the world rankings. After Jade Dernbach’s four wickets for 45 runs restricted Pakistan, England lost Cook to the second ball of the innings, lbw to Junaid Khan after DRS overturned an initial not-out verdict to a quick and full ball.

Cook began with a square-cut for four first ball. Jonathan Trott went to an attempted paddle-pull at Abdur Rehman which looped into the leg side for a simple catch. Eoin Morgan was lbw sweeping at Saeed Ajmal and debutant Jos Buttler fell to the off-spinner for a second-ball duck – caught at short-leg.

Pietersen and Kieswetter kept their nerve, though, and demonstrated plenty of skill too against a spin-dominated attack on a used pitch. Pietersen’s one significant scrape came when he had to resort to DRS to disprove another lbw verdict, this time on the basis that – albeit playing a hapless and uncomfortable sweep at Rehman – he had achieved the basic prerequisite of positioning his front pad outside the line of off-stump on impact.

Little went right, in fact, for Pakistan as their fielding let them down again – and England’s two South Africa-born batsmen swept and drove them to shreds. After Kieswetter was run out, Pietersen muscled some crucial pulls too in a stand of 59 with Samit Patel until he was last out – chipping Ajmal to point with only two runs needed.

Asad Shafiq (65) and Azhar Ali (58) had earlier ensured Pakistan recovered from their own early setback, the dismissal of opener Mohammad Hafeez with just one run on the board after Misbah-ul-Haq had won the toss.

• Sri Lanka moved to second place in the Commonwealth Bank Series table after bowling India out for 238 in the 46th over to secure a 51-run victory at the Gabba.

Set 290 to win, India fell well short for the second time in three days, leaving Brisbane without a point and falling from first on the ladder to third in the tournament which also features hosts Australia.

Cricket-Ponting's one-day international career over

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:47:18 GMT

SYDNEY, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Ricky Ponting, Australia's most successful one-day cricketer, accepted that his limited overs international career was over on Tuesday but said he wanted to continue in test cricket and hoped to play in the 2013 Ashes.

While Don Bradman remains Australia's greatest ever cricketer, Ponting is without peer in the 50-over game having scored 13,704 runs in 375 matches at an average of 42. He won three World Cups in his 17-year career, two as captain.

The end for the second-most prolific batsman of all time in limited overs internationals was signalled when he was dropped from the Australia team on Monday after making 18 runs in five games in the ongoing Tri-series against India and Sri Lanka.

Ponting said he had spoken to chairman of selectors John Inverarity, who told him he was not in the plans for the future direction of the team looking forward to the 2015 World Cup.

"It's a bit hard to say I've retired given I've been dropped but I don't expect to play one-day international cricket any more and I'm sure the selectors don't expect to pick me either," the 37-year-old told a news conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"I have been dropped, which is disappointing but I accept that. My performances over the last five games haven't warranted me being there."Ponting, who said the decision to drop him had come "out of the blue", said he wanted to continue playing test matches, a format in which he has scored 13,200 runs in 162 matches at an average of 53.

"This is closure on my one-day international career but it's certainly not closure on my international career," said Ponting, who retired from Twenty20s in 2009. "I just love the game and I just love every opportunity I have to play for my country."

Ponting, who relinquished the captaincy of both tests and one-day teams last March, was under pressure for his place in the test team at the end of last year but responded with 544 runs at an average of 108 as the hosts whitewashed India 4-0.

"I think I proved to a lot of people this summer that I can still play great cricket for Australia and be as good as anybody on the cricket field," he said. "That's what I'm planning to do for the next period of time and how long that is, I don't know."

ASHES REDEMPTION
Australia play England in back-to-back Ashes series in 2013-14 and Ponting, who has captained his country to defeats in three of the last four series, said he would love to have the chance to earn redemption.

"It would be great to go back to the Ashes, if I'm a good enough player, it would be great to go back there one more time to England and have a few better memories than I've had the last couple of times," he said.

Ponting made his ODI debut against South Africa in 1995 in a team that also included Mark Taylor, Steve and Mark Waugh, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Soon moving up the order to make the number three spot his own, Ponting's aggressive batting became a key component in one of the most dominant teams in the short history of the 50-overs game.

Australia lost the final of the 1996 World Cup to Sri Lanka but won the 1999, 2003 and 2007 tournaments, going undefeated in 29 successive matches in the process.

Ponting said his powerhouse innings of 140 not out from 121 balls with four fours and eight sixes in the 2003 final against India had probably been the best moment of his "cricket life". "I've been lucky to be part of a lot of great teams, to play in five World Cups, to play in four World Cup finals, they're very, very fond memories," he said.

"To play the 2003 World Cup, to go through that undefeated and have some success in the final was amazing. "Some of these things we've achieved since I've been in the one-day team have been pretty remarkable.

Cricket: Double recall for Ryder

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:34:39 GMT

A day after the Black Caps were put to the sword by a stocky South African opener, New Zealand's own match-winning top order bat returned to the national scene.

Jesse Ryder, missing from the New Zealand set-up since the test defeat of Australia last December, was one of three new but familiar faces named in the Black Caps' squad for the three-match ODI series against the Proteas, starting in Wellington on Saturday.

James Franklin was rewarded with inclusion after some impressive performances against South Africa in the T20s, while Wellington teammate Andy McKay bolsters the bowling attack. From the ODI squad that thrashed Zimbabwe 3-0 earlier in the month, Dean Brownlie and Jacob Oram miss out through injury, with 19-year-old Tom Latham relegated to domestic cricket after a taste of the international environment.

But it is Ryder's return which will elicit the most excitement among cricket fans. The mercurial batsman flourished for Wellington since overcoming a calf injury suffered in an HRV Cup game in December and, unsurprisingly, was rushed back into the national side.

Ryder was also called up to the Twenty20 team for the deciding match at Eden Park on Wednesday, replacing Andrew Ellis who returned to Christchurch for the anniversary of the Canterbury earthquake, and national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said Ryder had shown he was ready.

"We're pleased with the progress Jesse has made since returning from injury, and with Andrew [Ellis] not available for the final match we felt it was a good opportunity to bring him back into the mix.''

That progress included scoring 96 from 67 balls in his first match back for his province, a one-day win over Otago on February 1, as well as some rapid-fire knocks in the white clothing. Ryder hit five sixes and eight fours in notching 74 from 50 balls in the first innings of Wellington's win against Canterbury, before helping his side across the line today with 82 from 63 balls in the second innings, including another four sixes and 10 fours.

It certainly seemed as if Ryder was pleading for a call-up to the Black Caps' limited overs teams, and that plea was evidently heard. The 27-year-old joins a top order already boasting Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol and Brendon McCullum, though the absence of Oram, who batted at No 3 in the ODIs against Zimbabwe, opens a slot in that format.

Oram, who aggravated his left calf in the last ODI win over Zimbabwe, has been experiencing discomfort in the muscle and was due to meet with a doctor today. Brownlie fractured a finger while fielding in the first ODI of the Zimbabwe series, while Latham can count himself unlucky.

"We decided to leave Tom out of the side,'' Littlejohn said. "We are pleased with his first stint at international level but, in terms of his overall development, felt it was best for him to return to domestic cricket. He remains in our thinking for the future.''

McCullum will continue to lead the side in place of Ross Taylor, who hopes to overcome the torn calf he suffered in the one-off test against Zimbabwe last month in time for next month's South African test series.

New Zealand squad to play South Africa in three-match one-day international series: Brendon McCullum (c), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Nathan McCullum, Andrew McKay, Kyle Mills, Tarun Nethula, Rob Nicol, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson

Cricket: Spin could be the deciding factor

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:30:38 GMT

South African skipper AB de Villiers doesn't believe his men have any problem playing spin bowling, which is lucky considering New Zealand's Twenty20 side is full of tweakers.

On the eve of the first hit-and-giggle encounter between the teams at Westpac Stadium tonight, de Villiers said he had no concerns regarding his side's ability to play slow bowling, despite them being exposed by the turning ball by Canterbury in their tour match on Wednesday.

During the tour game - which the South Africans won by 20 runs - the home side wheeled down nine overs of spin from George Worker, Tim Johnston and Henry Nicholls that only conceded 52 runs and yielded four wickets.

"We didn't play it well [on Wednesday]," de Villiers said. "I really believe that we play spin exceptionally well. We've proved that over a long period of time now. The boundaries are quite short here, if a spinner gets it wrong he's going to go. We've just go to stick to our game plans, make sure we've got out strategies in place and each guy I believe has that in place ... I honestly don't believe there's anything wrong with our spin bowling techniques."

New Zealand have named four spinners in their 12 for tonight's game and the quartet of Rob Nicol, Roneel Hira, Kane Williamson and Nathan McCullum will be eager to get on the park in Wellington.

Kiwi stand-in skipper Brendon McCullum, who is still in charge with Ross Taylor on the sidelines, said all four twirlers could play if the conditions allowed. "I think we've got a nice balance between our seam bowlers and our spinners," McCullum said.

"In the past we've probably operated with a few ... a little bit more fiddly-type of bowlers rather than specialists, so that's one of the things we do possess in this unit is legitimate spin bowling and legitimate seam bowling. So I guess we do have some cover in both those areas."One man the home side will have to be wary of is the hard-hitting South African opener Richard Levi.

The 24-year-old is likely to make his international debut in tomorrow's game and the right-hander plundered the Cantabrian attack to all corners of Hagley Oval on Wednesday on his way to a 32-ball 63, which included five sixes.

McCullum admitted he hadn't seen a lot of the Western Province player, who averages 29.7 from 32 Twenty20 matches and has an impressive strike rate of 143.17. "I've heard a bit about him and his ability. Obviously he possesses immense power and some pretty carefree play as well," McCullum said.

"So we've got to be pretty mindful of that. We've got to try and put him under early pressure and hopefully we can take some early wickets against them to negate that power that they do possess and especially playing up front."

Tonight's game is the first of three Twenty20 internationals between the sides, followed by as many one-day games then test matches. Jacob Oram and Michael Bates have been left out of the 12 for the game, with Oram still battling a calf injury.

McCullum said a call would be made on who would carry the drinks once the pitch had been assessed, but the likely candidates appeared to be Hira, Andy Ellis or Colin de Grandhomme.

Schedule for South Africa's cricket tour of New Zealand:
Feb 17: 1st T20, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Feb 19: 2nd T20, Seddon Park, Hamilton
Feb 22: 3rd T20, Eden Park, Auckland
Feb 25: 1st ODI, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Feb 29: 2nd ODI, McLean Park, Napier
March 3: 3rd ODI, Eden Park, Auckland
March 7-11: 1st test, University Oval, Dunedin
March 15-19: 2nd test, Seddon Park, Hamilton
March 23-27: 3rd test, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Cricket: Cook hits another ton in England win

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:37:38 GMT

England beat Pakistan by 20 runs in the second one-day international to lead 2-0 and grab at least a share of the series spoils on Wednesday. Skipper Alastair Cook scored a second successive century while Steve Finn and Ravi Bopara played superb support roles as England continued to rebound from being swept in the test series.

Cook slammed 102 while Bopara also registered his second straight half century to help England reach 250-4 in 50 overs. Pakistan was then bowled out for 230 in 49 with Finn again getting four wickets while James Anderson and Samit Patel shared four wickets. Misbah-ul-Haq and Imran Farhat scored 47 each in Pakistan's losing cause.

Cook was named man of the match after becoming the ninth England player and first captain to score consecutive ODI hundreds. "The conditions were slightly difficult when compared to Monday. The pitch was slightly slower,'' Cook said.

"It was easier to bat first up in the afternoon. And Finn bowled a tight first spell and later the three seamers did well in the death overs. "The game was a bit tighter but we fielded well. It is nice to go 2-0 up and hopefully we can go to Dubai and finish the job.''Pakistan's chase got off to a slow but cautious start with Mohammed Hafeez and Farhat putting up 61 runs without loss, a vast improvement from 53-5 in Monday's loss. Hafeez, who slammed two fours off Stuart Broad's first over, fell however to a loose shot off Anderson for 23.

Farhat, joined by Azhar Ali, was middling the ball well and thrilled the patient crowd with a handful of boundaries. Craig Kieswetter, the England wicketkeeper, dropped Farhat on 40 off Broad but the Pakistan opener did not last longer when he was run out by the same bowler three short of his half century. Veteran Younus Khan became Patel's first wicket and Pakistan was 104-3 midway through the innings.

Misbah and Umar Akmal got some quick runs and after the Pakistani skipper survived an lbw appeal off Finn, Akmal slammed three boundaries. But Patel brought off a great catch at cover as Akmal attempted a second four, and Finn's disciplined bowling finally got him a wicket in his seventh over.

With Misbah unbeaten on 30 and Afridi walking in with 72 needed for victory off 67 deliveries, Pakistan was still a good bet. A six and a four off Patel got Pakistan closer but Afridi was bowled for a run-a-ball 18 and Anderson's wicket maiden left Pakistan still 44 runs behind with 30 balls left. Abdul Rehman wasted a dozen balls to get a run as the drama heightened, and when his stumps were uprooted he left Misbah with a herculean task.

Kieswetter made amends for his earlier miss with a brilliant catch in Broad's next over to see off Misbah at the start of the 48th over. Finn then wiped up the tail to see his side through. Pakistan lost its last five wickets for 23 runs. "I think today the batsmen realized their duties but the main difference was the fielding,'' Misbah said.

"The guys played well at the top but we lost wickets at crucial moments. We can't rely on the tail as it is the job of the top six to get the runs. "We are two-down but I believe this team is capable of anything. We showed our improvement today after Monday's loss and we will improve further.''

Cook again won the toss and elected to bat first, retaining the same XI which helped his side to a 130-run win on Monday. The pitch looked flat and full of runs as Cook and Pietersen made a good start. Cook looked the more solid while Pietersen survived an lbw decision against Afridi when on 23.

Cook got a life on 28 when Umar Akmal dropped him off Afridi. Cook shared an opening stand of 67 with Pietersen, and added 49 with Jonathan Trott.

Cook, who was strong with his cuts and never allowed any loose deliveries onto his pads, also did well to keep rotating the strike with singles, some risky ones, too. Cook edged Ajmal to reach his second successive 100 but with 10 overs left he departed to a soft dismissal as he played early and bobbed an easy catch to the bowler Afridi. Cook's 102-run knock came in 121 balls with 10 boundaries and his stand with Bopara was worth 78.

Bopara reached his half century in a partnership worth 56 with Eoin Morgan, before falling for 58 from the last ball of the innings. The teams travel to Dubai for the third ODI on Saturday.

India-Sri Lanka ODI ends in a thrilling tie

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:28:21 GMT

India paid the price for leaving too much for the end, as their triangular series match against Sri Lanka, in Adelaide on Tuesday, ended in a nerve-wrecking tie despite captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's last-ditch charge to overhaul the target.

Gautam Gambhir (91) and Dhoni (58 not out) were India's top performers. Sachin Tendulkar (15), Rohit Sharma (15) and Suresh Raina (15) got good starts but couldn't turn them into big scores.

Needing nine runs off the final over, bowled by Lasith Malinga, India got two runs off the first, two singles off the next two before Dhoni survived a run-out chance. However, Vinay Kumar was run-out off the fifth ball and it boiled down to four required from the final delivery.

Dhoni lobbed the final delivery towards extra cover. It headed for a four, but Upul Tharanga pulled the ball back just away from the rope, giving India's captain three runs which were enough to tie the match.

Earlier, for the second game running, Gambhir missed out on a century, but played substantially enough to ensure India got something out of his effort. On Sunday, India beat Australia by four wickets to gain full four points. Two from Tuesday's game takes them top of the heap with 10 points from four matches.

Australia have nine points from three matches while Sri Lanka two from three. Gambhir and Dhoni came together at a critical time, when India were 118 for four in the 28th over. Another wicket could have put the skates under their feet. But they batted with the calm they are known for and did not allow the scoring to drop, as 50 between the two came off 58 balls.

However, disaster struck in the 41st over when Dhoni pushed Malinga to mid-on and took off only to hold his steps back. Gambhir, by then, was down the track a fair distance and Kulasekara's throw was right on the mark.

Gambhir scored his 91 off 106 balls, inclusive of six fours. The pressure now built on the Indians and they were reduced to 184 for 6 in the 44th over when Ravinder Jadeja [ Images ] (3) lofted a catch into the covers. India were left to score 46 runs off the final five overs.

The 46th over turned out to be a big one for India as Dhoni slammed Thisara Perera for a six and Ashwin drove him over extra cover for a four. In all 13 runs came from this over and the equation came down to 33 from the final four overs.

The 47th over, bowled by Kulasekara, produced five runs and India's equation was now down to 28 from the final three overs.

Malinga bowled the 48th over and it was as dramatic as it gets. Ravi Ashwin lofted a high catch, but Sangakkara couldn't latch on to it. Two deliveries later, Ashwin lobbed a catch to short cover.

India needed 24 runs from the final two overs.

The 49th over, bowled by Angelo Matthews, was a bonanza for India. Irfan Pathan [ Images ] hit a six off a no-ball, but then was run-out off the free hit.

It helped India as Dhoni also hit a four off the penultimate delivery to make the calculation nine from the final over.

Earlier, having lost the toss, the Indian bowlers stifled Sri Lanka's batting in the death overs to restrict them to a modest 236 for 9.

The Lankans, cruising at 168 for 3 in the 35th over, completely lost the plot after losing wickets in a clutch and raising a rather inadequate total.

Medium-pacer Vinay Kumar (3 for 46) and off-spinner R Ashwin (2 for 30) were most impressive though Irfan Pathan (one for 38), in his first match of the series, looked the part as well.

Young Dinesh Chandimal (81 off 91 balls) had perfectly anchored the innings and shared important stands of 51 and 94 with batting heavyweights Kumar Sangakkara [ Images ] (31) and Mahela Jayawardene [ Images ] (43) respectively before the Lankans lost wickets against the run of play.

The batting powerplay, claimed in the 36th over, turned the game on its head, as only 18 runs accrued from five overs and three wickets were lost.

Much hope was pinned on Angelo Matthews (17) to strike late blows, but he departed in the 47th over, running for the non-striker's end when the ball was nestling in the gloves of Dhoni.

Matthews was earlier guilty of running out Chandimal by calling him for a single after pushing straight into the hands of the short-cover fielder.

Chandimal, till he was around, appeared Sri Lanka's saviour after they were stuttering following the loss of openers Upul Tharanga (0) and Tillakaratne Dilshan [ Images ] (16) at 28 for 2 in the eighth over.

Chandimal, who has a penchant for Indian bowling as his two previous innings against the major neighbours were worth 111 and 64 runs, was into his stride early and picked up gaps at will to quell the Indian attack.

The right-hander maneuvered the ball with deft hands and didn't allow the departures of his batting partners to affect his style or concentration. The sparse crowd had barely settled themselves in their seat when Tharanga (0) departed to a catch behind the wicket off Vinay Kumar.

His partner, Dilshan, struggled to get the timing right and fell to Pathan after scoring 16 off 23 balls, inclusive of a four and a six. Chandimal then stabilised the innings in the company of Sangakkara, first by seeing off a disciplined Vinay and Pathan, and later when spin was introduced in the form of Ashwin in the 16th over.

Sangakkara had laid the base for a long innings before he uncharacteristically tried to heave Ashwin out of the ground but could only lift it for Gautam Gambhir at point. He scored 31 off 56 balls, with two fours.

The innings then had its best stand of 94, between Chandimal and skipper Jayawardene. The two were in no trouble and nicely poised when the batting powerplay was taken at 168 for 3 after the 35th over.

It proved a disastrous spell for the Lankans as they lost three wickets in the next five overs, including Chandimal and Jayawardene. Jayawardene left first, trying to flick Vinay Kumar on the on-side and missing a delivery headed on to his middle stumps.

New man Angelo Matthews then pushed a delivery straight to short cover and called Chandimal for a non-existent single. Chandimal's bat was still on the line when Dhoni broke the stumps. Jayawardene scored 43 off 49 balls, with two fours, and Chandimal's 81 came off 91 balls, with six fours and a six.

The batting powerplay was still not through when Thisara Perera (5) went for a mindless heave and lofted a catch for the long-on fielder.

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Pak disable cricketers wrap-up T20 series 2-0

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:54:08 GMT

Karachi—Pakistan impaired cricketers made an impressive mark when they won the two match T20 International series 2-0 by beating England by 20 runs under lights at ICC Global Academy Ground Dubai on Sunday night.

Off-break bowler Jahanzaib Tiwana starred in Pakistan’s triumph by taking three wickets for 15 runs, according to informations received here. Inserted to bat first by England Captain James Williams, Pakistan scored 136-7 in 20 overs. Openers Altaf Ahmed and Matloob Qureshi gave their team a great start of 68 runs. Altaf made 37 in 30 balls with five boundaries and one six.

Matloob Qureshi banged five boundaries in his 30 off 24 balls. Abdullah 23 scored with three hits to the ropes and vice captain Major Hasnian contributed 22 with three fours. D.Hamm took two wicket for 15 runs. James Williams got 1-21 and Partington 1-28. England in reply was dismissed for 116 in the 19th over. S.Rigby scored 27 in 35 balls with one six and one four. M. Partington scored 22 with four 4s.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, he lauded the performances of the players and declared them very talented despite their disabilities. He congratulated the officials of Pakistan Disable Cricket Association and ECB for the spirit of their cricketers.

PDCA Chief Saleem Karim, Secretary Amiruddin Ansari, assistant manager M.Nazim and ECB’s Disability Manager Ian Martin was aLso present on the occasion. Saleem Karim also presented PDCA tie and shield to Haroon Lorgat on the occasion.

Cricket: T20 squad unchanged for South Africa

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:41:01 GMT

The Black Caps who beat Zimbabwe in the first Twenty20 have been given the vote of confidence, with no changes made in the squad to play South Africa. New Zealand Cricket today announced the national selectors have retained the current 14-man squad to play the Proteas in the first two T20s, starting in Wellington on Friday.

That side cruised to a seven-wicket win over the out-gunned Zimbabweans at Eden Park last Saturday night, and the selectors have apparently seen enough before the second and final match in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Changes could be made to the squad after the second South African T20, in Hamilton on Sunday, but that prospect seems unlikely given there is only one match to follow, before the ODI and test series against the South Africans get underway.

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor again misses the T20 squad through injury, though he hopes to return for the ODI series. New Zealand Twenty20 squad to play the first two matches against South Africa: Brendon McCullum (c), Michael Bates, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Colin de Grandhomme, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson.

The Twenty20 series against South Africa: First T20, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, February 17, 7.00pm Second T20, Seddon Park, Hamilton, February 19, 7.00pm Third T20, Eden Park, Auckland, February 22, 7.00pm

Aaqib gets UAE cricket team coaching offer

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 10:03:03 GMT

LAHORE - Former Test fast bowler Aaqib Javed has received an offer to join the United Arab Emirates Cricket team’s head coach after the resignation of Kabir Khan, who resigned from his post to take a similar role with Afghanistan.

On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board has no information about Aaqib’s resignation from the post, revealed a source on condition of anonymity on Friday. If Aaqib submits resignation to PCB then the final
decision would be of the chairman Zaka Ashraf, either he accepts or reject the resignation, the source added. “If Pakistan Cricket Board offers Aaqib the same package that is being offered by the UAE Cricket board, for which he is leaving the bowling coaching job of Pakistan then what will be his position,” the source questioned?

Pakistan team is performing well presently while PCB is paying incentives after each series victory to players and its team management this will be the wrong time for Aaqib to leave the team in prevailing circumstances, the source added. Aaqib Javed is enjoying every facility provided by the cricket board to the players including incentives and winning bonuses on team’s achievements then it was not understood why Aaqib is preferring money than the country, the source concluded.

On the other hand, .Dilawar Mani chief executive of the UAE Cricket Board, speaking to Gulf News, said: “Following the resignation of Kabir Khan, we have shortlisted a few candidates. We would be more than happy to have Aaqib Javed as our coach but we have to be sensitive to the fact that he is still holding a post with the Pakistan team.”“Once the candidate is finalised and until Javed confirms his willingness to join we would not like to make an official statement. An official press release will follow if any of the candidates shortlisted are finalised,” said Mani.