Friday, February 12, 2010

IPL bans Jadeja from 2010 edition

NEW DELHI: India and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja may have to miss this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) for violating the Code of Conduct.

According to well-placed sources, the IPL has suspended the Saurashtra cricketer for this season - as he was bargaining for more salary from various franchisees, without getting a clearance from the Royals for this season. Jadeja can now appeal against this decision.

Sources said that when the Royals signed up Jadeja for the inaugural season, he was an under-19 recruit and was inducted into the team through the 'draft system' for which he was paid the stipulated Rs 20 lakh. In the second season, when the franchise got the opportunity to sign Jadeja for two years, he was reluctant to sign on the dotted line and only agreed to play for the Royals for a year.

After his contract with the Shane Warne-led team ended on December 31, 2009, Jadeja started looking for a better bargain. Rules say that he can talk to other teams only if Royals - who have the first right to refusal - agree to let him go.

Sources added that Royals discussed the issue with the IPL commissioner Lalit Modi and it was decided to suspend Jadeja. "We strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct and if any cricketer is violating it then we won't tolerate it," a BCCI official said.

Jadeja could not be contacted. Sources said that if Jadeja wishes to appeal, he will have to take an appointment with Modi in this regard. "Then, if the governing council decides to consider his case, he could be pardoned."

TOI

Only T20 ideal for Olympics: Logart

EW DELHI: A day after cricket inched closer to the Olympic roster with the International Olympic Committee recognising the International Cricket Council, ICC Chief Haroon Logart said that Twenty20 version of the game is perhaps the only format that could be feasible for inclusion.

Logart added that no decision to bid at all for the 2020 Olympics has been taken yet.

He said, "We are satisfied and proud to have been considered for Olympic recognition. It is definitely a proud moment for cricket. However, we have not yet taken a decision on the same. But only Twenty20 format of the game is ideal and suited to play in an event like Olympics."

Cricket was cleared to pursue its bid to be included in future Games after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rubberstamped the sport's recognition on Thursday.

Cricket, powerboating and sports climbing became the latest sports to be officially recognised by the IOC, a status necessary before launching a bid to become part of the Olympic programme.

"The session gave definite recognition to the three federations," IOC spokesman Mark Adams had told reporters. The three sports can now bid to join the 2020 Olympics as the programme is always determined seven years in advance.

Golf and rugby were latest inclusions in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games when an IOC session voted them in last year.

The decision about new sports for the 2020 Games will be taken at the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013 where the host country will also be picked.

TOI

Malik rules himself out of Twenty20 WC captaincy

STAFF WRITER 14:38 HRS IST

Karachi, Feb 12 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board sounded out Shoaib Malik to lead the national side in Twenty20 World Cup in May but the senior batsman has told PCB that he is no longer interested to take up captaincy on a permanent basis.

Malik, who will lead Pakistan in the two Twenty20 Internationals against England in Dubai, conveyed this to PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt during a meeting in Lahore to discuss preparations for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

Butt had called Malik to discuss about 30 probables for the Twenty20 World Cup but was advised to do this with Afridi.

"After reluctance of Malik, the Board has decided to continue with Afridi as captain for T20 World Cup despite his ball tampering incident in Australia for which it has been decided to fine him at board level," one source said.

Watson replaces injured Marsh in Aussie team

TAFF WRITER 9:35 HRS IST

Melbourne, Feb 13 (PTI) With Shaun Marsh ruled out due to a back injury, Australia today included all-rounder Shane Watson in their squad for the fourth one-dayer against the West Indies in Brisbane tomorrow.

"The Cricket Australia (CA) National Selection Panel has today announced that Shane Watson has replaced Shaun Marsh in Australia's squad for tomorrow's Commonwealth Bank Series match at the Gabba," CA said in a statement.

Watson was originally rested for the match but Marsh's injury ended his break.

"While it was initially planned for Shane to miss games three and four of the Commonwealth Bank Series, it was decided that with potential opening batsman Brad Haddin currently having his workload managed, the best course of action for the balance of the squad was to bring Shane back one game early," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

Marcel Siem leads Avantha Masters, Gangjee tied third

Gurgaon, Feb 11: Germany’s Marcel Siem took the opening honours at the at the 1.5 million euros (approximately $2.1 million) Avantha Masters golf with an eight-under-par 64 for a single shot lead over Chinese Taipei's Chan Yih-shin here on Thursday.
Rahil Gangjee was the best Indian in the field in tied third with a birdie-birdie finish that saw him card a 67 for the day alongwith six others.
The event is tri-sanctioned event by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
“I also feel I am getting my game back,” said Gangjee. “The plan is to play one shot a time and to stay in the present. I don't want to get ahead of myself. Last week (in Asian Tour International) I was rusty. I actually planned to start with an Indian Tour event in Dhaka, but I fell ill and began last week in Bangkok. Now I am feeling fine and the rust is going."
The 29-year-old German looking for his second career win on the European Tour gave the 16-year-old Indian ladies No. 1 Vani Kapoor the credit for his flawless eight-under 64 to take the lead at the end of the first round.

Laxman fit for Eden Test

Laxman fit for Eden Test

NEW DELHI, Feb 11: India’s seasoned batsman Venkatsai Laxman will return for the final Test against South Africa after recovering from a finger injury, an official said on Thursday.
“Laxman is fit and will definitely be playing,” chairman of selectors Krish Srikkanth told reporters ahead of the decisive Test which starts at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
India, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, need a series-levelling win to retain their top spot in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings.
Laxman, 35, missed the Nagpur match after a finger injury sustained during last month's tour of Bangladesh failed to mend in time.
With star batsmen Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh ruled out of the series with injuries, Laxman was sorely missed in Nagpur as India crashed for 233 and 319 in reply to South Africa’s 558-6 declared.