Ireland targets quarter-finals in World Cup: Porterfield

Updated at: 1241 PST,  Monday, February 07, 2011
Though Ireland hasn't played too many matches against the major cricket-playing nations since the 2007 ICC World Cup, their captain William Porterfield says his squad is improving with every game. Porterfield believes Ireland has a well-balanced squad and his players are in good shape going into the World Cup. The Irish captain feels India and Sri Lanka are favourites to win the 2011 World Cup. Excerpts from an interview with Yahoo! Cricket:

Ireland has been placed in a tough group for the 2011 World Cup alongside the likes of India, South Africa and England. Is Ireland confident of progressing to the knockout stages?

Yeah we are confident of atleast progressing to the quarter-finals. It will then be a question of kicking on from there. The World Cup in the subcontinent will be a different experience altogether. If we can prepare well beforehand, we can definitely do well.

Does the fact that Ireland defied expectations in the 2007 World Cup and reached the Super Eight stage of the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 seen more Irish youngsters take to cricket?

The performance in the 2007 World Cup really invoked a lot of interest and publicity around the game in the country. Cricket has not spread as much as football within Ireland. But the more we can do by way of positive results the better it will be for Irish cricket as we can get more youngsters involved.

Ed Joyce has been allowed to play for Ireland in the 2011 CWC. How much will his experience help Ireland?

It is very crucial to have anyone of that kind of experience in the squad. It is great for us to tap into his knowledge. The best way is for the younger players to look up to him. The kind of experience Ed has will be crucial factor when we get into the really important stages. It is great to have him on board.

Did Eoin Morgan's decision to play for England adversely affect the development and progress of the Irish team?

It was disappointing at the time it happened. But it is two-three years since he left. We have moved on. He has also moved on. He is doing well for himself. Irish cricket has also progressed. We cannot live in the past anymore. I can only wish him all the best for the future.

Ireland has hardly played against the major cricket-playing nations despite being the best performing associate nation since the 2007 World Cup. Will this inexperience hurt Ireland in the 2011 World Cup?

I don't think so. We have been doing well whenever we have played the full members. We have played them quite a bit. We ran Australia close last year, we beat Bangladesh twice. We lost to England two years ago by two runs. We are learning a lot from these games. The results may not have been positive. But we are that stage as a squad, where we are improving every game. The squad is raring to go at the tournament.

Who are Ireland's key players in the 2011 World Cup?

Boyd Rankin is fitter and stronger than ever before. He has got the potential to strike early. Then there is George Dockrell who has made great strides with his relaxed and calm approach. Paul Stirling is the most talented cricketer we have. At 20 nothing fazes him. I love watching him bat from the other end.

Boyd Rankin, who was Ireland's highest wicket-taker in the 2007 World Cup, has only recently recovered from a stress fracture in his foot. But, Rankin hasn't played since July 2010. Will the lack of match practice affect your strike bowler at the 2011 CWC?

I don't think it will be an issue. He has been playing for Warwickshire. He had a stress fracture which flared up again. But now he has had time to recuperate. He is presently training in India at the MRF Pace Foundation. So game time is not an issue. We will have two warm up games, he would have had lots of overs by them. It is great to have him back.

Does Ireland have the squad to exploit the conditions in the sub-continent?

We do have the squad. It is a great mixture. The pitches may be slower and lower but we have bowlers who can take the pace off the ball. Also with matches being played at night, dew could be a factor, which means it will nullify the spin factor. We have Boyd and Trent (Johnston) who can exploit the conditions. Well. Our fielding is one of our key factors. We have a good all-round game. Overall we are in a good shape going into the World Cup.

What has Phil Simmons' contribution to Irish cricket been since he took over as coach of the national team?

He has been in charge since 2007. He has played in the big tournaments. He has featured in around 130 ODIs and 30 Tests. He has played all around the world. His experience is important not just on the field, but even off it. He has played in India and understands the conditions. He can guide the younger lads on what to expect, how to deal with the media. We can't wait to get to India and play there.

Who, according to you, are the favourites in the 2011 World Cup?

It is very hard to go past India. You would have to say the subcontinental teams will be favourites considering that they will be playing familiar conditions. Australia is back with a bang, England has been playing well for 12 to 18 months. But it is very hard to get past India and Sri Lanka at this tournament.

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Strauss left with plenty to ponder

Updated at: 1241 PST,  Monday, February 07, 2011
England captain Andrew Strauss admits he has plenty to think about as his side of walking wounded heads home from a marathon tour of Australia, with their World Cup opener just two weeks away.

After emphatic Ashes glory, the tourists limped to the finish line Down Under with a 57-run loss to Australia in Perth on Sunday, ending in a dismal 6-1 defeat in the one-day series.

The result snapped a five-series winning streak for the English in limited-overs cricket, but of most concern was the physical toll of the tour.

The English squad finally leaves Australia on Monday evening with six members of the 15 currently on the injured list. They head to the World Cup on Saturday.

Batsman Eoin Morgan looks set to miss the tournament with a broken finger, while Paul Collingwood (back), Graeme Swann (back), Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring), Tim Bresnan (calf) and Stuart Broad (stomach) are among the walking wounded.

Potential replacement Chris Tremlett also missed the end of the ODI series with a side strain.

Strauss admitted he had plenty to mull over on the long flight back to England, with his team's first World Cup match against the Netherlands on February 22.

"The first thing to ponder on the flight back is who is fit and who is not fit," he said.

"That is going to be important, to see exactly where we are and who our best 11 available players are."

"We also have to think about what we haven't done well in this series and how to adapt our game to the conditions in the sub-continent."

"I still feel very confident we can do well out there, but we need to play in a different manner to what we have done here."

"We've made too many mistakes too often, but the World Cup is a very different event in different conditions and we're still confident we can do well there."

Strauss insisted the ODI series was not as one-sided as the final result suggested, noting that England were in good positions in several of the matches.

"There were three or four games at the halfway point where we were in a very good position to win the game," he said.

"Making sounder decisions under pressure is of vital importance in the World Cup and we didn't do that enough in this series."

"One of the real benefits we've had in one-day cricket over the last couple of years is that we've had a very settled side and people have known their roles."

"That was disrupted this series, we had to blood some young guys and they will have gained a lot from it, so moving forward there is a lot to take out of this series."

Strauss said England's capitulation in the one-day series did nothing to diminish their historic Ashes triumph earlier in the tour.

"They are two different forms of the game and that Ashes victory was incredibly special and one that we will savour forever."

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ICC reaction to decision of independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal

Updated at: 1241 PST,  Monday, February 07, 2011
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has expressed a hope that the findings and sanctions imposed by an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal and handed down in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday will act as a strong deterrent to others who may be tempted to act in a way that threatens the integrity of cricket in future.

The independent tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff, QC, found three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - guilty of charges relating to spot-fixing at the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan in August 2010. In addition, Salman Butt was also found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code by failing to report an approach made to him by Mazhar Majeed to engage in corrupt activity during The Oval Test match earlier in the same month.

Salman Butt was given a 10-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, five years of which were suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the code and that he participates, under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Mohammad Asif was given a 7-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, two years of which are suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the Code and he participates under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Mohammad Amir was given a five-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities.

In all cases, the commencement of each of the bans imposed against the players will be backdated to 2 September 2010 so to give credit for the period of provisional suspension already served.

Mr Lorgat said: "I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties.

"From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the News Of The World newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome.

"While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players. Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear."

Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Sir Ronnie Flanagan added: "Over the past few months, the ACSU and the ICC's legal team have worked extremely hard on this case, including in its investigations prior to the time that the News Of The World's story broke. We have subsequently received significant support and cooperation from the newspaper's investigators and the Metropolitan Police in order to develop the evidence on which the tribunal has based its decision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the News Of The World and the Metropolitan Police for all of their assistance during this process."

As to the publication of the tribunal's written reasoned decision, Mr Lorgat said: "We note and agree with the tribunal's strong and unanimous desire for the ICC to publish the decision in the interests of all concerned in the world of cricket. We are also aware of and fully respect the decision of the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service to charge the players with criminal offences in the UK and, with that in mind, we will carefully review the full decision and take proper legal advice before making any decision on publishing the reasoned determination."

Please note the warning provided by the United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service on Friday 4 February with regard to the Contempt of Court Act.

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ICC reaction to decision of independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal

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Pak cricket team returns home today

Updated at: 1241 PST,  Monday, February 07, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan cricket team will return home here today after winning the Test and One-day International series against New Zealand.

After a long tour of two months, the national team is returning home from Auckland via Hong Kong.

Pakistan after tasting defeat in the Twenty20 series, won the Test series 1-0 and ODI series 3-2.

The Test team was led by Misbah-ul-Haq while the T20 and ODI team was captained by Shahid Afridi.

The national team after taking a three-day rest will leave in the night of February 10 for Bangladesh to participate in the ICC World Cup 2011.

The team in Bangladesh will attend the inaugural ceremony and play two warm-up matches before leaving for Sri Lanka for playing its World Cup games.

Pakistan will play their first match in the World Cup 2011 against Kenya at Hambanthota on February 23.

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Javed Miandad (1975-1996)

Javed Miandad (1975-1996)
Born : 12 June 1957 at Karachi, Sind, PakistanJaved Miandad was a precocious talent who made his debut for Pakistan the day before his 18th birthday during the 1975 World Cup. He made 163 on Test debut against New Zealand at Lahore in 1976 and at Karachi later in the series scored the first of his six Test double-centuries. He was the youngest to score a Test 200 at the age of 19 years, 141 days. He was a middle-order batsman with a touch of genius possessing wonderful off-side strokes. At the end of his career he was easily Pakistan's leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. He was a useful leg-spin bowler, fine cover fielder and occasional wicket-keeper who took a stumping in Test cricket and two in ODIs. He captained Pakistan in 34 Tests and 62 ODIs and had a few stints as their coach.

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Tikolo, Taylor star in warm-up games

 Updated at: 2303 PST,  Sunday, February 06, 2011
Canada XI registered a four wicket win over Netherlands XI in a warm-up game played as a build up to ICC CWC

2011 at the ICC Global Cricket Academy (GCA) Oval-1 in Dubai, on Sunday.

In the other warm-up matches, at the GCA Oval-2, Afghanistan XI went down by 50 runs to Kenya XI. At the Dubai International Sports City Stadium, Zimbabwe XI scored an impressive six wicket win over Ireland XI.

At GCA Oval-1, Khurram Chohan (2-18), Harvir Baidwan (2-29), Parth Desai (2-18) and Balaji Rao (2-12) shared the wickets as Canada XI shot out Netherlands XI for 151. Only Tom de Grooth (41) and Atse Buurman (30) offered any resistance to Canada XI. In its chase, Canada XI was well served by Amarbir Hansra (54 not out: 45b, 5x4, 1x6). Mudassar Bukhari's spell of 4-16 created a few uncomfortable moments for Canada XI but Hansra held the innings together brilliantly.

Veteran Steve Tikolo's brilliant knock of 126 not out (126b, 12x4, 2x6) helped Kenya XI post 289 for 4 in its 50 overs against Afghanistan XI. Tanmay Mishra (48) and Morris Ouma with 33 too contributed well. Afghanistan XI's chase never took off as only former captain Nowroz Mangal managed to make 42. Mohd Shehzad also scored a brisk 30 off 35 balls but it was not enough. For Kenya XI, Shem Ngoche's 3-14 and James Ngoche's 3-36 proved to be match-winning spells.

At the Dubai International Sports City Stadium, Ireland XI skipper William Porterfield's knock of 66 off 80 balls with four boundaries and two sixes went in vain. Ireland XI posted 204 in 48.1 overs. For Zimbabwe XI, Greg Lamb (3-30) and Graeme Cremer (2-21) were the best bowlers on view for Zimbabwe XI. Zimbabwe XI's chase was fashioned by Brendan Taylor's unbeaten 84 off 121 balls which featured five boundaries and one six.

The teams play final round of warm-up games on Tuesday, 8 February, before heading to the sub-continent for The Cup That Counts.

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Updated at: 2303 PST,  Sunday, February 06, 2011
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has expressed a hope that the findings and sanctions imposed by an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal and handed down in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday will act as a strong deterrent to others who may be tempted to act in a way that threatens the integrity of cricket in future.

The independent tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff, QC, found three Pakistan players - Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif - guilty of charges relating to spot-fixing at the Lord's Test match between England and Pakistan in August 2010. In addition, Salman Butt was also found guilty of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code by failing to report an approach made to him by Mazhar Majeed to engage in corrupt activity during The Oval Test match earlier in the same month.

Salman Butt was given a 10-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, five years of which were suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the code and that he participates, under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board, in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Mohammad Asif was given a 7-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities, two years of which are suspended on condition that, throughout that period, he commits no further breach of the Code and he participates under the auspices of the Pakistan Cricket Board in a programme of anti-corruption education.

Mohammad Amir was given a five-year ban from any involvement in cricketing activities.

In all cases, the commencement of each of the bans imposed against the players will be backdated to 2 September 2010 so to give credit for the period of provisional suspension already served.

Mr Lorgat said: "I am satisfied that the proceedings are now over and we respect the findings of the independent tribunal. The members of this tribunal are extremely experienced and have considered the matter at great length after hearing detailed submissions from all parties.

"From the moment we became aware of the allegations of spot-fixing made by the News Of The World newspaper in August 2010, the ICC has left no stone unturned in pursuing this matter and we are therefore pleased with the outcome.

"While I am deeply saddened that this case happened in the first place, I acknowledge and commend the decision to deliver lengthy bans to all three players. Corruption in our game will never be tolerated and, once again, I reiterate our zero-tolerance approach. I hope this investigation, and the verdicts delivered, makes that message crystal-clear."

Chairman of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) Sir Ronnie Flanagan added: "Over the past few months, the ACSU and the ICC's legal team have worked extremely hard on this case, including in its investigations prior to the time that the News Of The World's story broke. We have subsequently received significant support and cooperation from the newspaper's investigators and the Metropolitan Police in order to develop the evidence on which the tribunal has based its decision. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the News Of The World and the Metropolitan Police for all of their assistance during this process."

As to the publication of the tribunal's written reasoned decision, Mr Lorgat said: "We note and agree with the tribunal's strong and unanimous desire for the ICC to publish the decision in the interests of all concerned in the world of cricket. We are also aware of and fully respect the decision of the United Kingdom's Crown Prosecution Service to charge the players with criminal offences in the UK and, with that in mind, we will carefully review the full decision and take proper legal advice before making any decision on publishing the reasoned determination."

Please note the warning provided by the United Kingdom Crown Prosecution Service on Friday 4 February with regard to the Contempt of Court Act.

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PCB set to retain Afridi as skipper for World Cup

Updated at: 1526 PST,  Monday, January 31, 2011
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt, in all likelihood, will announce Shahid Afridi as the captain of the Pakistan team for the upcoming World Cup although some players are backing Misbah-ul Haq as the leader.

According to sources, Butt has decided to now stick with Afridi as captain although there is still a divided opinion about the fact that some consider Misbah to be a better choice.

The scales seemed to have heavily tilted in favour of Afridi after the dashing batsman smashed 65 off only 25 deliveries during Pakistan's series levelling win against New Zealand on Saturday.

"Butt has come to the conclusion after discussing the captaincy issue with the team management and others that it would be unwise to change the captain at such a stage and since Afridi has been the ODI captain since late 2009," a source indicated.

He said the board would most likely end the captaincy debate by announcing the captain in next 24 hours.

There was plenty of debate in the cricketing circles after the PCB announced the World Cup squad of 15 players last month but did not name the captain.

Many former players consider Afridi to be too temperamental to be given the responsibility of captaining in the World Cup and others warning against changing the captain at such a late stage.

Former Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik has also added his voice to the captaincy debate supporting Afridi.

"I don't think it is a good move to change the captain now. Since Afridi has been leading the team for the last year, it makes no sense to change him now," Malik said. "Changing captains frequently has already damaged the team in the past."

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Australia beat England in seventh ODI

Updated at: 1730 PST,  Sunday, February 06, 2011
PERTH: Australia beat England by 57 runs in their seventh and final one-day international at the WACA Ground on Sunday.
Australia won by series 5-1 

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Sangakkara guides Sri Lanka to 277-9 against Windies

Updated at: 1530 PST,  Sunday, February 06, 2011
COLOMBO: Kumar Sangakkara hit a solid 75 to help Sri Lanka post a challenging 277-9 against the West Indies in the third and final one-dayer on Sunday despite Sulieman Benn's maiden four-wicket haul.

Left-arm spinner Benn grabbed 4-38 off 10 disciplined overs to reduce Sri Lanka to 244-8 from a healthy 205-3, but Angelo Mathews smashed an unbeaten 36 off 22 balls to help the hosts plunder 27 in the last two overs.

The late onslaught kept alive Sri Lanka's hopes of clinching the series after winning the second match on Thursday. The first game was abandoned due to rain.

Sri Lanka made a brisk start after being put in to bat at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo as openers Upul Tharanga (39) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (30) made 54 runs for the first wicket.

Seamer Dwayne Bravo provided the breakthrough in the ninth over when he had Dilshan caught behind after the opener had hit one six and two fours in his 28-ball knock.

Benn got his first wicket when he bowled Tharanga, but former skipper Mahela Jayawardene gave Sangakkara valuable support to steady the innings with a 95-run stand for the third wicket.

Sangakkara went for a big shot after reaching his half-century, lofting left-arm spinner Nikita Miller over square leg for six, but fell just when he looked like stepping up the run rate in the closing overs.

The Sri Lankan captain cracked one six and four boundaries in his 105-ball knock before being bowled by Benn, who then accounted for Chamara Kapugedera and Thilan Samaraweera.

Dwayne Bravo finished with 2-58.

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