Depleted bowling did India in: Dhoni

Colombo, Feb 8 (PTI) Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today blamed lack of bowling resources for their defeat to Sri Lanka in the fifth and final cricket one-dayer, which halted their stupendous nine-match winning run here today.

India had rested its key players such as pacer Zaheer Khan, spinner Pragyan Ojha and batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar but Dhoni said it was crucial to try out youngsters with the series already in their pocket.

"Our bowling was not strong. But it was good to have a go at the guys who had not played. (Ravinder) Jadeja got a chance see what international cricket is all about and how tough it can be sometimes," Dhoni said after 68-run loss which prevented them from making a clean-sweep of the series.

"Overall it was good, though we lost (today), we won the series," he added.

The Indian captain dedicated the series win to his teammates, who, he says back each other and enjoy each others success.

"The overall team morale is good. It's important to have good dressing room atmosphere and guys back each other and enjoy each other's success.

"Whenever I needed them they were there, whether I needed a batsman or a bowler (to perform). So I dedicate this win to my teammates. Hopefully, we will continue to win more tournaments," Dhoni said.

Source: PTI

PCB top brass to visit Delhi to discuss 2011 WC preparation

Karachi, Feb 9 (PTI) The Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board will attend a emergency meeting of the 2011 World Cup Central Organising Committee in New Delhi on February 19 to discuss some crucial issues related to the ICC events.

PCB CEO Saleem Altaf confirmed a four-member delegation of the cricket board, including the new Managing Director of the World Cup secretariat in Lahore, would be going to Delhi for the meeting on the invitation of ICC Vice President Sharad Pawar who heads the organising committee.

He said matters related to the World Cup would be discussed at the meeting but sources in the board said this year's Champions Trophy would also come under discussion.

The ICC recently relocated the Champions Trophy from Pakistan due to some teams expressing reservations over playing in Pakistan because of security reasons.

The ICC is due to decide on a new venue for the tournament in April.

"Apparently India is keen that the eight-nation tournament remain in Asia and that is why this emergent meeting has been called from the World Cup platform," one source told PTI.

Source: PTI

Warne capable to guide Rajasthan Royals to another IPL win: Jenner

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Kochi, Feb 7: Shane Warne’s mentor Terry Jenner believes that the legendary leg-spinner is capable to guide Rajasthan Royals to another title in the second season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). "Shane Warne is a good cricketer and has a clever brain as well," Jenner said here today. Jenner is currently the coach of Australian cricket Academy and was here to train 20 young spinners including a girl, at the invitation of Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) "He is very much capable to lead Rajasthan Royals to another title this season," he added. "Warne got the best out from his team member, while he himself bowled only a few overs," Jenner said adding, "Warne is physically fit and he could bowl six leg breaks in an over each with different variation." Pointing out that Australia is going through a bad patch currently, Jenner said possibilities of beating New Zealand in the ongoing Chappell-Hadlee series looks bleak for the World Champions. "Looking at the way Australia played against New Zeland, it looks like they are not going to win the other matches." (Agencies)

ICC’s anti-doping team to visit Pakistan

ICC’s anti-doping team to visit Pakistan
Karachi, Feb 7: A two-member team of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) anti-doping commission will visit Pakistan next week to brief national cricketers and cricket officials about ICC's strict new regulations on the subject. The commission will arrive in Pakistan February 11. It will brief the players and officials about laws of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The commission would hold talks with WADA officials based in Pakistan. According to ICC’s new code of conduct, surprise dope tests could be conducted in any ICC-approved tournament. Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot in recent years because of doping scandals involving a couple of their leading cricketers. The country’s strike bowlers - Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif - tested positive for banned anabolic steroid nandrolone during the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 in India. Asif once again tested positive for the same drug while featuring in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) last May. PCB officials say they have tightened anti-doping regulations and hope that such cases will not be repeated. (IANS)