New selection chief embarks on World Cup mission

India's newly-appointed chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on Monday he has set his sights on building a winning team for the 2011 World Cup. "We will develop a team towards the World Cup 2011," the former opening batsman, who played a key role in India's only World Cup triumph in 1983, told reporters. "It is a slow process. But every Indian's dream has been to win the World Cup again after 1983. "We have the ability to win the World Cup, but we need to be focused for that." Srikkanth, 48, was appointed chairman of India's first ever paid selection panel on Saturday. Other members of the panel are Narendra Hirwani, Raja Venkat, Yashpal Sharma and Surendra Bhave. Srikkanth's first task as chairman will come on Wednesday when the selectors pick the Indian squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9. Srikkanth, a free-stroking batsman, needs to rebuild the Indian team after it crashed to a 2-1 defeat on the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Srikkanth, however, refused to join the debate on whether veterans like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Venkatsai Laxman should call time on their careers. "Younger players like Subramaniam Badrinath, Rohit Sharma and a few others have the talent, but it is not ability alone that makes a player tick at the highest level," he said. "Mental strength is critical and cannot be taught, it has to come from within, and the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble have shown the way over a good period of time. "An eye for the future is equally important. Hard decisions might have to be taken in the future. But the current Test team is one of the best India has ever had and it will not be easy replacing them." Srikkanth, who captained the Indian team on the tour of Pakistan in 1989 but was later sacked for demanding better payments for his teammates, said he favoured different teams for the various formats of the game. "Different skill sets are needed to excel in each form," he said. "With Twenty20 also coming into the mix, it is crucial to identify talent for each form and nurture them. "The team has had some good results in the recent past and it's important to keep the good work going." Srikkanth played 43 Tests, scoring 2,062 runs at an average of 29.88. In 146 one-day internationals, he made 4,091 runs at 29.01.

Source: cricbuzz.com

New selection chief embarks on World Cup mission

India's newly-appointed chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on Monday he has set his sights on building a winning team for the 2011 World Cup. "We will develop a team towards the World Cup 2011," the former opening batsman, who played a key role in India's only World Cup triumph in 1983, told reporters. "It is a slow process. But every Indian's dream has been to win the World Cup again after 1983. "We have the ability to win the World Cup, but we need to be focused for that." Srikkanth, 48, was appointed chairman of India's first ever paid selection panel on Saturday. Other members of the panel are Narendra Hirwani, Raja Venkat, Yashpal Sharma and Surendra Bhave. Srikkanth's first task as chairman will come on Wednesday when the selectors pick the Indian squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9. Srikkanth, a free-stroking batsman, needs to rebuild the Indian team after it crashed to a 2-1 defeat on the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Srikkanth, however, refused to join the debate on whether veterans like Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Venkatsai Laxman should call time on their careers. "Younger players like Subramaniam Badrinath, Rohit Sharma and a few others have the talent, but it is not ability alone that makes a player tick at the highest level," he said. "Mental strength is critical and cannot be taught, it has to come from within, and the likes of Tendulkar, Dravid and Kumble have shown the way over a good period of time. "An eye for the future is equally important. Hard decisions might have to be taken in the future. But the current Test team is one of the best India has ever had and it will not be easy replacing them." Srikkanth, who captained the Indian team on the tour of Pakistan in 1989 but was later sacked for demanding better payments for his teammates, said he favoured different teams for the various formats of the game. "Different skill sets are needed to excel in each form," he said. "With Twenty20 also coming into the mix, it is crucial to identify talent for each form and nurture them. "The team has had some good results in the recent past and it's important to keep the good work going." Srikkanth played 43 Tests, scoring 2,062 runs at an average of 29.88. In 146 one-day internationals, he made 4,091 runs at 29.01.

Source: cricbuzz.com

Vengsarkar sticks to principles

DILIP Vengsarkar insisted last evening that he has relinquished his post as chairman of the Mumbai selection panel as a matter of principle amidst talk in the fraternity of him being disappointed at not getting an opportunity to represent the Mumbai Cricket Association at the BCCI's Annual General Meeting held over the weekend. Whether Vengsarkar is hurt or no, it is a fact that the media quoted the MCA as saying that Vengsarkar will represent the association at the meeting only to clarify the next day that he will do so only if Sharad Pawar is unavailable. Leaving cynicism aside, Vengsarkar not wanting to be Mumbai selector is understandable because his term was extended when he became chief of India selectors. Now that he doesn't hold that position, it is only right for him to feel that a new selector be appointed as he mentioned in his letter to the MCA yesterday.Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi, who was recently inducted in the committee said that Vengsarkar not being there on the committee was sad from a state cricket point of view but expressed confidence that his erstwhile captain would be there for the committee with his inputs. "Dilip has vast experience and would surely be needed by us. Just look at the stature of the man and his experience," said Hattangadi, who was looking forward to sit on the same committee as the former batting great."I would like to thank the MCA Managing Committee as well as the Cricket Improvement Committee for all the support they had extended during my tenure. "Mumbai cricket is as healthy as ever and I am sure by the grace of God will remain so for many years to come," Vengsarkar is believed to have said in his communication with the MCA where he is one of the two vice-presidents.

Source: www.mid-day.com

Gilchrist replaces Laxman

New Delhi: Adam Gilchrist, the former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, has been appointed captain of the Deccan Chargers, replacing VVS Laxman, who led the team during the inaugural season of the IPL. Darren Lehmann, the former Australia batsman, takes charge as coach, replacing former India player Robin Singh.
Gilchrist said it was a "tremendous thrill and honour" and looked forward to working hard and making the team successful. Gilchrist was Deccan's leading run-getter in the league's first edition, scoring 436 runs at 33.53. He led the team in eight of their 14 matches, after Laxman sustained an injury.
"Adam Gilchrist commands respect within the team and right around the cricket world. He has redefined the role of wicketkeeper-batsman in modern cricket," Tim Wright, the Deccan Chargers chief executive, was quoted as saying on Cricinfo website. "I am confident Gilchrist will unite Deccan Chargers' outstanding talent. Four members of our squad were on the India tour of Sri Lanka, more than any other IPL team, and the quality of our overseas players is well known. These players will play for Gilchrist.
"We are delighted to be giving Darren Lehmann his first post as coach and have no doubt he will be a great success," Wright said. "He has already brought considerable energy into the group and has a no-nonsense approach to winning cricket matches. Lehmann is in India this week to run player trials in Hyderabad. We are looking to build a solid talent base for the future."
Deccan finished last in the inaugural edition of the league, winning only two of their 14 matches.

Source: www.mid-day.com

McCullam’s career best 6/90 helps NZ restrict India A to 248

CHENNAI, Sept 28 (PTI): All-rounder Nathan McCullam scalped a career best six for 90 as New Zeland A bowled out India A for 248 in their first innings on the opening day of their four-day cricket match here today.

The off-spinner, who had bowled just 11 overs without success in the tri-series also involving Australia, ran through the inconsistent Indian batting lineup, bowling 30.4 overs unchanged from the pavilion end after being pressed into the attack in the 16th over.

M Vijay (45) and in-form Yusuf Pathan (44) were the main scorers. The hosts failed to take advantage after winning the toss on the flat turf and lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 248 in 75.4 overs in post-tea session.

New Zealand started their reply strongly and were 36 for no loss in 12 overs at close of play with Aaron Redmond (31-41b, 4x4, 1x6) and B J Walting (2) at the crease.

McCullum, older brother of Kiwi batsman Brendon McCullum, took wickets at vital times and his victims included Vijay, Captain Suresh Raina (21), Jayadev Shah (38) and Pathan.

Fast bowlers Michael Mason (1/23) and Trent Boult (1/42) and spinner Watling (2/31) gave McCullum good support.

After a shaky start losing opener Sahil Kukreja (5) in the fifth over, the Indians recovered well through Vijay (66b, 7x4) and Shikar Dhawan (27-85b, 2x4). The two appeared to be settling down for a big score when McCullum struck first.