Kumble urges media to criticise responsibly

BANGALORE (Reuters) - Test captain Anil Kumble has urged national media to be more responsible in their criticism of senior players following reports that the cricket board has drawn up an exit plan for him and four fellow veterans. "It is just that it needs to be a bit more respectful when people discuss cricketers," Kumble told a news conference on Thursday. "We don't mind the scrutiny but when it is done really rubbishly and the way it has been portrayed, then it hurts." Cricket-mad India is fiercely debating whether it is time for their record-breaking batsmen Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman, as well as spinner Kumble, all well into their 30s, to quit. Indian media reported that a 'voluntary retirement' plan had been drawn up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). "As sportsmen we go out there to perform and win for the country and we have been doing that for the last 18 years and you know, when you do that (the scrutiny), you do that with respect and dignity then there is no problems with that," Kumble said. Television channels ran programmes on the advancing age of the five players on Wednesday after they were named in the squad for the first two Australia tests starting next week, belying media predictions that former captain Ganguly could be dropped. Kumble, the third highest test wicket-taker, is the oldest at 37 and is being named captain on a series-by-series basis since Dravid abruptly resigned the job last year. A BCCI official said on Wednesday that the five had been told to plan their retirements by December but Kumble said: "No one has spoken to us on these terms and neither have we, but it's all happening in the media."

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Afghanistan eye step closer to World Cup

Players from war-torn Afghanistan hope to take another step closer to the 2011 World Cup when they tackle five other contenders in the latest qualifying round which starts here on Saturday. Afghanistan will compete against Hong Kong, Jersey, Fiji, Italy and hosts Tanzania for the top two places in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four which will ensure spots in Division Three. The top two sides there will progress to the World Cup Qualifier in April 2009, with the top four sides from that making it to Asia in 2011. "It's our dream to qualify for the 2011 World Cup," said Afghanistan fast bowler Hamid Hassan. "I couldn't explain the feelings of happiness and joy if we get to achieve that. It will be a matter of pride for us to be watched live by the whole world on TV while representing Afghanistan." Afghanistan, who won promotion from the fifth division earlier this year, have a new coach in former Pakistan international Kabir Khan. Despite Afghanistan's optimism, it will be Hong Kong, coached by former England batsman Aftab Habib, who will start as favourites but Italy and Jersey, coached by former South Africa Test batsman Peter Kirsten, are also strong. Fiji will be hopeful of qualification despite missing injured all-rounder Neil Maxwell, a former Australia A player.

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McGain ruled out of India tour

Australia's spin woes deepened in India on Friday when ageing leg-spinner Bryce McGain was ordered to return home because of a shoulder injury. The 36-year-old Victorian, who sustained the injury during last month's Indian tour by the Australian 'A' team, missed the ongoing four-day match against the Board President's XI here. Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the decision to send McGain home was made after it was confirmed he would not be able to bowl for the majority of the tour. "Bryce suffered a setback at training on Tuesday in an attempt to be available for the four-day match," Kountouris said in a Cricket Australia statement. "As a result, it has been decided that Bryce will not be available for selection for the majority of the tour." A decision on who will replace McGain for the four-Test series, which starts next week, will be taken after Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch arrives here early Saturday. It is expected that left-armer Beau Casson, a surprise exclusion from the original squad after making his Test debut in the Caribbean earlier this year, will be the likely replacement. McGain was widely tipped to make his Test debut as the first choice spinner ahead of fellow newcomer Jason Krejza, who went for 0-123 in the practice match earlier on Friday. The world champions are struggling to throw up a quality spinner following the retirements of legendary Shane Warne and fellow wrist spinner Stuart McGill in quick succession over the last two years. The series for the Border Gavaskar Trophy opens in Bangalore next Thursday, followed by back-to-back Tests in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.
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