Michael Holding attacks India's cricket 'power'

London: Michael Holding has hit out at India for wielding "too much power" in world cricket India are the sport's financial powerhouse on account of cricket's massive following in the world's second most populous nation.They also currently boast the 50-over world champions and the game's top-ranked Test side.But there have long been concerns about the way the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) uses its influence in the sport's corridors of power.For example, last week the International Cricket Council announced the controversial Decision Review System would be made mandatory in all Tests and one-dayers.However, it added that ball-tracking deviceswhich India objects to -- would only be used to assist in lbw decisions with the agreement of both teams."I have no sympathy with India," said former West Indies fast bowler Holding."They have too much power."I do not believe any country should be able to dictate to the rest of the world," Holding, now a television commentator, added."In the Caribbean we have been fans of Brazilian football for many years. Brazil has dominated many World Cups."But they could never go to FIFA and say 'this is what we want'. They could never dictate the path of the sport," Holding insisted."Only the organisation that runs the sport should dictate its path."Individual boards are dictating certain things and that's something I can't agree with."Holding was speaking at the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture delivered by Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara at Lord's on Monday.

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Players to blame for team's problems: manager

KARACHI: A small cabal of Pakistan's cricketers had interfered in the team's management, leaked confidential information and contributed to a divisive culture, the team's long-term manager has said.The team has been riven by controversy in the past three years with significant player turnover and a revolving door in the captaincy while three players were also embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal and received lengthy bans.There were times when 15 minutes after a team meeting television channels were running tickers about things that happened or were discussed in the meeting," Intikhab Alam tv Interview."There are many things that are not for public and media consumption and when they are leaked to the media it creates problems within the team."This is a big problem in the team. There is a need for these players to sit down and discuss everything including reservations with the management."These things have damaged Pakistan cricket and are not good for our image.Alam, however, said the Pakistan Cricket Board had taken a strong line against the players, forced some out and tried to change the culture in the past 12 months."We are trying to set things right now and developing a more positive culture," the former leg-spinner added."We have also tried reforming and reasoning with the players and they are now responding well which is good for Pakistan cricket."The 69-year-old Alam, who played 47 tests and was coach from Oct. 2008 to March 2010 before being appointed as manager, admitted he had been critical of the team's culture in his reviews."Whatever I have written in my reports is facts and what I honestly believe is true and is my own personal assessment of the players," he added."If I try to hide these things I am not helping Pakistan cricket or these players. (The) truth must come out." (Reuters)

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