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.
Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Pakistan to raise Australia stand in ICC meet

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan will raise Cricket Australia's policy not to tour the country over security fears but travel to India at the International Cricket Council (ICC) next month, sports minister Najamuddin Khan said. Khan will attend ICC's executive board meeting as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is without a chairman since August and is being monitored by the sports ministry. "Australia can play in India although even there, unfortunately, there have been bomb blasts but they're refusing to tour Pakistan," he told Geo News channel. Australia have refused to tour Pakistan over safety and security concerns for its players following a spate of suicide bombings. They were among the teams who declined to play in this month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan citing security fears, forcing the tournament to be postponed until late next year. However, Australia are in India to play four tests after accepting security assurances from the Indian board despite a series of bomb attacks in New Delhi, including one on Saturday. "I will raise this issue with the ICC and talk to the Australians also," he said. "I think they are opting double standards and following different policies for Pakistan and India which is unfair to our cricket." Khan said he would try to convince the other boards to give fresh dates for the eight-team Champions Trophy. "We'll try our best to keep Champions Trophy in Pakistan because we are assuring foolproof security to all teams and we want our cricket to flourish."

Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Ganguly included for first two tests

The new selection committee, led by Kris Srikkanth has included Sourav Ganguly for the first two tests against Australia.Saurav Ganguly's inclusion has come as a surprise after he was left out of the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy.It is understood that the selectors want to give the Bengal left-hander an honourable exit from the game and that Ganguly will retire after the Australia series as part of a transition plan.Another surprise inclusion is Delhi's 25 year-old leg spinner Amit Mishra, who pipped favourites Pragyan Ojha and Murali Karthik to take the third spinner's slot.The last batsman's slot was handed to S. Badrinath, who had a remarkable domestic season, ending as the second highest run getter in the Ranji trophy.Munaf Patel and RP Singh are the other two pacemen in the squad but are likely to play if either of Ishant Sharma or Zaheer Khan gets injured.The selectors chose not to name any back-up openers or wicket-keepers.India squad: Anil Kumble (c), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Saurav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S Badrinath, Amit Mishra, Munaf Patel, RP Singh.

Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Muralitharan to play in Ranji Trophy

World's leading Test wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka will play for Bengal in India's premier first-class domestic competition this season, a newspaper reported Tuesday. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has signed up the off-spinner for the Ranji Trophy matches in the 2008-09 season beginning in November, the Kolkata-based Telegraph newspaper said. "The Lankan board chief executive, Duleep Mendis, has sent across a fax to us, mentioning that Murali will be available for Bengal in the upcoming first-class engagements," said CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya. "With his experience of 756 Test and 479 one-day international wickets, Bengal cricket will benefit immensely." Muralitharan was expected to play four matches for the state side, which was relegated last season. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is also included in the state side. "The arrangement is clear. His obligations to the Lanka board will always come first," Dalmiya said. Muralitharan was not picked for Sri Lanka's next assignment -- a four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada next month. The Sri Lankan team has no international engagements this year, but Muralitharan is likely to turn up for the inaugural Champions Twenty20 League from December 3-10 at three Indian venues. The Indian cricket board last month allowed each state team to select a maximum of four outstation players, including a foreigner.

Aussies plan to delay Tendulkar record bid

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting said Tuesday his team will try their best to make Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar struggle for his world record in the upcoming Test series. Tendulkar needs just 77 runs to beat retired West Indies captain Brian Lara's landmark of 11,953 and is expected to reach the milestone in the four-Test series beginning in Bangalore on October 9. "I don't have too many great memories of him because he tends to score heavily against us," Ponting said. "I have the highest regard for him. He is a true champion, one of the all-time greats, and reaching this milestone would be a great reward for him. "But we are here to win and know pretty well that we have to dismiss him early if we are to win here. We have come here with a few plans for him and hope our plans click." Tendulkar, who has averaged 56 against Australia in 25 Tests, already holds three world records -- the highest number of runs in one-day internationals (16,361) and most centuries in Tests (39) and one-dayers (42). Key Australian paceman Brett Lee said he had been looking forward to bowling to one of the great batsmen. "He is a world-class player who has proved himself over more than a decade," said Lee. "You talk about Don Bradman, Lara, Sachin and probably Ricky. It is an honour to bowl to Sachin and getting his wicket is the ultimate prize." Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson said it was always a challenge to bowl to Tendulkar. "I don't want to make any prediction but I can say it is going to be a great challenge (to bowl to him)," said Johnson. Tendulkar said Monday he was not focusing on the world record but on the team's performance. "I just have to go and play my best. Records will come if you keep playing well. My mind is not on the 77 runs and it is not as if I can relax after getting these runs," he said. "For the four Tests against Australia the team has some targets and I am more focused on those." Tendulkar was recently declared fit for the Australia Tests after missing the one-day series in Sri Lanka last month due to an elbow injury. Australia play their only practice game before the series here from October 2. The Bangalore Test will be followed by back-to-back matches in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Aussies 'comfortable' with India security

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Tuesday his team was satisfied with security arrangements for the upcoming Test series in India following recent blasts in the country.
Fears were raised after 25 people were killed and more than 100 wounded as bombs went off recently across New Delhi, one of the venues for the four-Test series starting in Bangalore on October 9.
"We are keeping an eye on the situation," Ponting told reporters here.
"We are in constant touch with security people to know what they think of the situation. They are comfortable with the security provided to us and we are comfortable too.

"I must say we are happy with the arrangements."

Vice-captain Michael Clarke said they had full faith in the security being provided to the team.

"We have a security expert with us and he is doing his job. The team has full faith in our cricket board and the Australian Cricketers Association. We know they are taking the right decisions," said Clarke.
The Australians will meet an Indian Board President's team in a four-day practice match starting here on Thursday.
The Bangalore Test will be followed by back-to-back matches in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.
Australia cancelled a scheduled Test tour of Pakistan in March due to security concerns and were also one of the teams that forced the Champions Trophy there to be delayed by a year.
Source: www.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

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.

ICL initiates cricket clinics in Delhi

As part of the ICL’s Youth Connect Program, Madan Lal – the former India all-rounder and current coach of Delhi Jets visited schools in the capital city to help young kids learn the finer nuances of the game. The overwhelming participation by the students across schools reflects the awareness and popularity of the ICL, the Delhi Giants and its players.

With cricket being the most popular sport in the country there is no dearth of talent. Most kids aspire to be cricketers and it becomes imperative to equip them with right knowledge and coaching from an early age. Keeping this is mind, the ICL arranged a seminar with Madan Lal who not only interacted with young enthusiastic kids but also gave them vital tips.

It was a big opportunity for young students to learn from one of the finest all rounders this country has produced. Madan Lal has been a bowling coach at the NCA and has also coached the senior Indian team. Meeting eager kids was also a new experience for the member of the World Cup winning team. The young kids too made most of the opportunity and sought an opinion on the technical aspect of their game. Madan Lal exhibited the correct way to grip the ball, the delivery stance and posture. The Delhi Jets players weren’t left behind and they obliged their young fans who wanted autographs.

ICL has in the past supported and encouraged various youth ventures like inter-college festivals, workshops, seminars with various education institutions and keeping in line the Dehi students competed in various quiz contests.

The following is list of winners from Delhi Public School
Sr. No.	Student Names			Class
1.	Abhinav Bahl		=	VI - A
2.	Jugal Malhotra		=	VI - C
3.	Himanshu Tiwari		=	VI - C
4.	Sarthak Soni		=	VI - D
5.	Rohan Khanna		=	VI - A
Bumper Prize
	Manik Panwar		=	VII - K
The Following is list of Winners from Amity International
Sr. No.	Student Names			Class
1.	Kunal Verma		=	V - Amity Gurgaon
2.	Sanchit Sehgal		=	VIII - Amity East Delhi
3.	Akash Ahuja		=	VIII - Amity East Delhi
4.	Madhav Kaushik		=	V - E - Amity Noida
5.	Dishant Goyal		=	VII - A Amity Gurgaon
Bumper Prize
	Shivank Chaturvedi		=	X-B Amity International , Noida.

Social Responsibility – Top agenda for ICL players

Chandigarh Lions captain and New Zealand cricketer Chris Cairns undertakes 1001kms walk for his organization - the Chris Cairns Foundation. Besides, Mumbai Champs support Jai Hind College’s Monsoon Marathon.

The Indian Cricket League (ICL) fraternity has taken up social causes across the globe as a part of their social responsibility. The enormous support that the sport of cricket receives from the general masses makes it an ideal platform to create awareness and promote social causes.

Chris Cairns, Kiwi cricket stalwart and Chandigarh Lions’ captain, has undertaken a 1001kms walk from Auckland to Christchurch in New Zealand. This is in aid of his institute, Chris Cairns Foundation which has the sole objective of promoting rail safety and education in his country. “I really want the Foundation to make a difference with rail safety in New Zealand. Since Louise died over 100 people have lost their lives at road level crossings and I am committed to ensuring that people understand their responsibilities at level crossings and that this number does not continue to grow”, Chris was quoted as saying in his statement.

Indian domestic players too have displayed active interest in using the platform of cricket for promoting social causes in their respective regions. Mumbai Champs exemplified this initiative by participating and supporting Jai Hind College’s Monsoon Marathon; the run was organised in order to create consciousness about global warming.

The ICL have not only pioneered initiatives in the field of cricket but also have guided sportspersons so that they understand their social responsibility.

http://www.indiancricketleague.in/specials/diary/social-responsibility.html

ICL Stars help Sussex win Pro-40 County Championship

16th September, 2008
The ICL player-pool prowess and its contemporary relevance were proved when two of its players Murray Goodwin (Ahmedabad Rockets) & Mohammad Sami (Lahore Badshahs) were involved in a match-winning partnership to help their team, Sussex, win the Pro40 County Championship.

The high-octane match in it climax stage saw Sussex needing 4 runs of the last ball against Nottinghamshire with the stylish Rockets middle-order batsman, Goodwin on strike.

Chasing 226 for victory, Sussex was in all sorts of trouble at 130 for 8 before Mohammad Sami joined Murray Goodwin at the crease. With Nottinghamshire expecting a victory soon, Goodwin and Sami slowly started taking the game away from the opposition.

Once they settled into momentum, the duo practically had everything going in their favor as even Sami, who came as a tail-ender managed to preserve his wicket till the end scoring an unbeaten 32 from 40 deliveries with the help of 2 boundaries.

Murray Goodwin however was in impeccable form as his unbeaten 87 included six boundaries and three huge sixes. Needing four runs from the final delivery to win the match, Goodwin struck a six to take his side home to a well-deserved victory.

Goodwin, who was later awarded the ‘Player of the Match' award for his heroic efforts, admitted that he himself did not expect to win but he kept telling his ICL teammate, Mohammad Sami, to keep hitting the ball hard and into the gaps.

Sussex ended up wining the Pro40 County Championship by 2 wickets thanks to the match-resuscitating, unbeaten, 99-run partnership between the two ICL stars. This innings will hold both players in good stead for the forthcoming ICL season which begins in less than a month's time.

Sami will be seen in action for the Lahore Badshahs, a team which is considered one of the strongest units at the ICL despite not winning a title last year.

Goodwin will feature at the ICL for the Ahmedabad Rockets and his recent form in the county is a stark reminder for all opposition in the ICL that the Ahmedabad Rockets will be one of the dark-horses in the forthcoming ICL season. The challenge from the Rockets is something every ICL team management will take on priority.

It is best exemplified by the legendary player and coach of the Chennai Superstars, Michael Bevan, who in his recent interview to the ICL website, www.indiancricketleague.in, expected the Rockets to provide stiff competition to his side, Chennai Superstars. By the looks of Goodwin's form and confidence, Bevan's prediction may just come true.

Another big move in favor of the Ahmedabad Rockets is the inception of its home ground in the form of the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad, as the fourth venue in the forthcoming ICL season. If the Hyderabad Heroes' home-court advantage last season was anything to go by, then the Ahmedabad Rockets may just be ‘the side to watch out for' this season.

Champions T20 League final to be held in Mumbai

Mumbai: Lalit Modi, Chairman of the Champions Twenty20 League today announced that the eight-team tournament, to be held from December 3-10, would be played in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai with the final to be played in Mumbai.
Eight teams, including the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India (Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings), Australia (Western Australia Warriors and Victoria Bushrangers) and South Africa (Titans and Dolphins), besides reigning Twenty20 champions from Pakistan and England Twenty20 Cup winners Middlesex will contest a US$6 million team prize pool in this edition of the tournament. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams in Year Two between September 25 and October 10, 2009.
The eight teams have been divided into two groups of four each and will initially play each other on a league basis. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals, with the Winners of Group A facing off against the Runners-Up of Group B and vice versa, in the last four stage.
The winners will then clash in the Grand Finale to be played in Mumbai on December 10.
"In the Champions League Twenty20, I believe we have a concept that will inspire and motivate the future generations of club, state and county cricketers, while accelerating the development of the game globally," said Lalit Modi.

Source: www.mid-day.com

$9 million agreement with Dubai sports city

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan has signed a three-year, $9 million agreement to play its one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches in Dubai, the country's cricket board said on Thursday. The deal with Dubai sports city comes after failed attempts by Pakistan to convince teams to tour the country after a slew of bombings in recent months. Pakistan had sought new opponents after the postponement of a test tour by Australia and the ICC Champions Trophy, both because of security concerns. "We have signed the deal with Dubai sports city," Shafqat Naghmi, chief operating officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told Reuters. "It gives us option of playing international cricket and also improves our financial health." He said the agreement will feature a tri-series in 2009 after construction of the cricket stadium in the Dubai sports city is completed. Informed sources said the PCB will be paid $1.5 million for each event, as well as a $100,000 appearance fee to each player for every tournament played in the emirate. In 2002, Pakistan played West Indies and Australia at neutral venues after the teams refused to tour the South Asian country in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States. The West Indies has been invited to go to Pakistan to play two tests immediately after the two teams finish a one-day series in Dubai from Nov. 12-16. However, Naghmi said its players had also expressed security concerns about touring Pakistan.

Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Bradman bat fetches record price

Donald Bradman's first Test cricket bat sold at auction here late Wednesday for a record 145,000 dollars (121,938 US), the auction house said. An Australian bidder acquired the bat, which was signed by the country's greatest cricketer and the entire 1928-29 Test team and their English rivals. "This is a record price for a cricket bat and there were several bidders, all of them within Australia, hoping to win the auction," a spokeswoman for Leski Auctions told national news agency AAP. Bradman, who died in 2001 aged 92, is Australia's greatest sporting legend and maintains an unbeaten Test batting average of 99.94 some 60 years after his last match. The bat sold at auction was used on Bradman's Test debut, during which he scored just 18 and 1 as Australia were thrashed by England. The English won the series 4-1. Bradman, who was dropped after the match, donated the bat to a competition run by a Sydney newspaper to help raise funds for a children's hospital.

source: www.cricbuzz.com

Akhtar allowed to play domestic event

Pakistan cricket authorities said Tuesday that controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar can play in a domestic cricket tournament -- just one week after barring him from the same event. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Akhtar can play in a Twenty20 event without paying a 90,000-dollar fine that he owes from an earlier disciplinary breach, contradicting an earlier statement from a PCB legal adviser. The 33-year-old paceman was banned for five years in April for criticising the PCB's failure to award him a central contract. It was later reduced by an appeals commission to 18 months but the commission also imposed the fine. Lahore High court suspended the ban in July but upheld the fine. "We never barred him from playing the domestic event," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told AFP. Akhtar was not initially included in any of the 13 teams due to compete for the national T20 title from October 4-8 after PCB legal adviser Taffazul Rizvi said last Tuesday that Akthar could not play. But his name was included recently in the Islamabad team for the event, which will serve as selection test for a four-nation event in Canada. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Canada are competing in the event, which will be held in Toronto from October 10-13. The PCB last month included Akhtar in a 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, but two days later the PCB changed its stance and said Akhtar could only play if he paid the fine. The trophy was, however, postponed for 12 months over security fears. Akhtar returned home early Tuesday after playing two first-class matches for Surrey in the English county season. He managed just one wicket in two matches and failed to help Surrey avoid relegation to Division Two. Akhtar said he will play in the domestic event. "I am disappointed on not getting the number of wickets I wished but I have just returned from fitness problems so it will take some time to gain full rhythm," he said. "I will play in the domestic T20 event to prove my fitness and want to play for Pakistan as soon as possible," said Akhtar, whose last match for Pakistan was the third Test against India at Bangalore in December last year.

Source: www.cricbuzz.com

Greg is no threat...

India: If the Indian players start losing sleep because Greg Chappell is in bed with the enemy then they need a sharp wake-up call. What can Greg tell the Australians they don't already know about this Indian batting line-up?If the Australian captain doesn't know how he wants his bowlers to attack Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman after playing against them for a decade, then Greg isn't going to be of much help. If the Australian batsmen don't already have their own plan to cope with Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan then Greg would be better off taking in the sights of Agra.And despite Ricky Ponting's struggles with the bat in India he's still played eight more Tests in the country than Greg. That's right, Greg didn't play a Test in India and even though he's watched a lot of cricket under those conditions there's nothing like actually having been out in the middle.Make no mistake, in his time there was no better mentally organised batsman than Greg and I can vouch for his determination all the way back to his eighth birthday. It would be in the Australian batsmen's best interest to listen when Greg talks about mental preparation because he has a diploma in the subject. And it wouldn't hurt a few of the catching cordon to ask him about fielding in the slips because that's an area of concern for Australia.However, the Indians shouldn't be worrying about what Greg might pass on to the Australians in regard to weaknesses and foibles. It's more important they concentrate on making sure their game is in order. There's no doubt Greg is a valuable addition to Australia's Centre of Excellence; he can make a real difference to young players on the verge of international cricket. And travelling with the touring side in India for a few weeks will help him get a feel for the way the modern Australian player approaches the game. However, if the Indian players worry so much about Greg's presence in the opposition dressing room it puts them off their game then they are in big trouble before a ball is even bowled. If it reaches the point where it leads to India's defeat in the series then the home players will only have themselves to blame.

source: www.mid-day.com

ICC may control T20 Tournaments

London: As popularity of the Twenty20 format of the game seems going through the roof, the International Cricket Council (ICC) are considering regulating the spree of T20 tournaments to protect the attraction of international cricket.
"All these tournaments are springing up and what we are trying to do is regulate them in a more effective way. A private businessman might have different ambitions but we have to protect the game of cricket," ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying.
"Twenty20 is an opportunity that people have spotted they can take advantage of, but that doesn't detract from what has been agreed by all members that we will not sacrifice nation-v-nation cricket. Everyone recognises its importance. People are not disregarding it," he said.
Interestingly, Lorgat's comment came days after 6 Bangladesh cricketers, including former captain Habibul Bashar, resigned from the national team in an apparent move to join the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
"If there wasn't an interest in the sport there wouldn't be so many challenges. I would rather come into a scenario where things are moving at great speed, with new forms of cricket and a new audience," the South African added.
The Champions League Twenty20 tournament will also be held here in December, and the rebel ICL will also start its third session from October 10.

source: www.mid-day.com