T20 Champions League put off: Modi

Cricket's multi-million dollar Twenty20 Champions League has been postponed, an Indian official said on Friday, amid reports of wrangling over terms and conditions. The inaugural football-style League, featuring the top two Twenty20 domestic sides from England, Australia, South Africa, India and possibly Pakistan, was to be held across India between September 30 and October 8. Indian cricket official Lalit Modi, who organised the hugely successful Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition earlier this year, said the Champions League would be held at a later date. "There is no plan to shelve the tournament but the dates will be finalised after the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in September," Modi was quoted as saying in the local media. Modi declined to elaborate, but media reports blamed the delay on disagreements between the participating nations over eligibility, timing and financial terms. The 10-million dollar event was to take place in the short 11-day gap between the Champions Trophy final in Pakistan on September 28 and the first Test between Australia and India in Bangalore from October 9. Cricket Australia, tasked with finalising the playing conditions of the Champions League, was reportedly unhappy that the dates clashed with Australia's only warm-up match on the Indian tour before the first Test. India's demand for a 50 percent financial stake in the League was also opposed by other nations, reports said. India also insisted that English counties that fielded players signed up with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League would not be allowed to take part in the Champions League. The Indian board does not recognise the ICL, which was started last year by Zee Telefilms, India's leading listed media house, under the chairmanship of former World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev. At least two of the four English counties due to play in the semi-finals of the domestic Twenty20 Cup on Saturday feature ICL players. England has said it cannot bar ICL players, fearing legal action over restraint of trade.

Source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/component/latest_cricket_news/Story/5063/-t20-champions-league-put-off:-modi/

Australian players urged to pullout of Champions Trophy

Australia's cricketers should pull out of September's Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite a decision to go ahead with the tournament, the players' association said Friday. The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) said the security risks of travelling to troubled Pakistan were too great, and it would advise its cricketers against playing in the biennial event. The International Cricket Council decided Thursday to keep the Champions Trophy in Pakistan but said it will appoint a commission to ensure security. The ICC's executive board held a teleconference to discuss the possibility of moving the premier tournament because of security fears raised by Australia, England and New Zealand. But the ACA said despite the ICC's measures, it will maintain its recommendation to Australia's cricketers not to play in Pakistan. "The ACA continues to have serious concerns with our players touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and we are disappointed with the ICC's decision," ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said in a statement. "We are seeking clarity on the purpose and role of the proposed task force, so we are unable to comment on it at this stage. "Based on the independent information and advice received, we maintain that the risks are simply too great for the ACA to recommend that our players tour Pakistan at this time. "We would expect Cricket Australia to adopt the same position," he said. The year's biggest one-day tournament, featuring the top eight one-day nations, is due to be held in Pakistan from September 11 to 28, with Australia as the defending champions. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat sought to allay fears players might pull out of the event, saying the council would do all in its power to ensure their safety. But Marsh said the ICC's decision was not a good outcome for cricket. "If it (the tournament) continues in Pakistan at this volatile time, unfortunately many of the world's best players won't participate, which is not a good outcome for cricket," he said. Cricket Australia, which makes the final decision on whether to take part in the tournament, was expected to make a statement later Friday. Australia postponed a full tour of Pakistan in March-April this year due to the security situation. However, they agreed to reschedule the tour in two visits -- one-dayers in 2009 and Tests in 2010. Pakistan is fighting Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in its northwestern tribal regions bordering Afghanistan and has suffered a string of deadly suicide bomb attacks in the last year which have killed more than 1,000 people.

source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/component/latest_cricket_news/Story/5061/-australian-players-urged-to-pullout/

Ton-up Dilshan prolongs India's agony

COLOMBO — Tillakaratne Dilshan completed a century as Sri Lanka posted a massive 552-6 in their first innings at lunch on the third day of the opening Test against India here on Friday.
The middle-order batsman (102 not out) reached his fifth Test hundred in the last over before the break when he swung off-spinner Harbhajan Singh over mid-wicket for a four. Chaminda Vaas was unbeaten on one.
Dilshan became the fourth Sri Lankan to crack a century after skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera. The hosts added 130 to their overnight total of 422-4.
It was an ordeal in the field for India for the second successive day as the tourists continued to struggle for wickets on a flat track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.
India got their first wicket when Samaraweera (127) cut left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan straight to Venkatsai Laxman at gully. The batsman added 16 to his overnight score of 111, hitting 18 fours in his 224-ball knock.
Dilshan made the most of the reprieve he earned on Thursday under a new experimental rule allowing players to seek a second opinion on umpiring decisions.
He was on one when given out caught behind off Zaheer by umpire Mark Benson of England, but asked the official to review the decision.
Benson consulted TV umpire Rudi Koertzen of South Africa before changing his decision as the ball had not made contact with the bat.
Dilshan gathered runs comfortably against a tiring Indian attack, playing attractive shots during his 146-ball knock containing one six and 10 fours.
He struck the first six of the morning, swinging leg-spinner Anil Kumble over deep square-leg and then driving the next ball through the covers for a four. He added 91 for the sixth wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene (30).
None of the Indian bowlers has so far looked impressive against the Sri Lankan batsmen. Pacemen Ishant Sharma and Zaheer, and spinners Harbhajan and Kumble each has conceded more than 100 runs.
Source: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHJu5MwCPL66RbEkNL2eoYFtFWxw