Chandimal, Tharanga, boost Sri Lanka

 

EAST LONDON: Dinesh Chandimal and Upul Tharanga hit half-centuries in a battling Sri Lankan performance in the second one-day international against South Africa at Buffalo Park on Saturday.

Seeking to come back after a record defeat in the first match in Paarl, Sri Lanka made 236 for six after being sent in on a slow pitch on an overcast day.

Tharanga hit 66 and Chandimal 92 not out as Sri Lanka made some amends after being bowled out for a record low 43 in Paarl.

Sri Lanka made another poor start, with captain Tillekeratne Dilshan run out for his second successive nought and Kumar Sangakkara caught behind for three as they struggled to 21 for two after 10 overs.

Tharanga and Chandimal put on 84 for the third wicket to build a foundation for a late innings acceleration that yielded 109 runs off the last 15 overs.

But the tourists were seldom able to break a stranglehold imposed by tight South African bowling and tigerish fielding.

The wickets taken included two spectacular diving catches, by Dale Steyn at short fine leg to dismiss Mahela Jayawardene and Robin Peterson, running back from mid-on to end an aggressive innings of 22 off 13 balls by Nuwan Kulasekera.

The left-handed Tharanga made his runs off 85 balls with six fours and a straight six off JP Duminy.

Chandimal hit only one four in reaching his fifty off 84 balls but added five more boundaries off the remaining 31 balls of his innings to finish tantalisingly short of a third one-day international century in 19 matches.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Morne Morkel took two wickets each after rain delayed the start by 26 minutes

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Duminy steers Proteas to 5-wkt win over Sri Lanka

 

EAST LONDON: JP Duminy played a brilliant knock to help South Africa record their second successive victory over Sri Lanka in the second One-day International here at the Buffalo Park on Saturday.

Chasing a modest total of 237 runs, South Africa achieved the target losing five wickets with eight balls remaining.

South Africa now lead the five-match series 2-1 as they crushed Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 258 runs after bowling them out for a meager score of 43 runs in the first One-day International.

Duminy remained unbeaten on 66 which he made with the help of only a six and hit not a single four during his 87-ball innings.

He was ably supported by Hashim Amla who made 55 from 58 balls with two sixes and five fours. 

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Australia rout India to seal series

 

PERTH: Australia routed India by an innings and 37 runs inside three days on Sunday to seal a crushing 3-0 series victory against the hapless tourists.

Rahul Dravid and M.S. Dhoni were out before lunch at the WACA Ground in Perth and Australia cleaned up the tail for 171 soon after the break to complete their third emphatic win.

India, the world one-day champions, have now lost seven straight away Tests after their 4-0 loss to England last year and this latest heavy defeat is likely to lead to calls back home for a shake-up, especially of the top order.

"In the games in England and here we have not put enough runs on the board," said skipper Dhoni, who later learned he had been suspended for one match by the International Cricket Council for his second slow overrate infraction in 12 months.

"There is only one instance where we have scored over 350 runs and you want to give bowlers those amount of runs so they can look to get the opposition out," he said.

"One or two bad innings can happen in Test cricket, but seven Test matches is a bit long," admitted the captain, who will miss the fourth and final Test in Adelaide starting on Tuesday week.

It was the second Test in a row the tourists had been beaten without Australia needing to bat twice, having been smashed by an innings and 68 runs in the second Test in Sydney.

Despite a gritty batting performance by their most inexperienced batsman, Virat Kohli, the last man to fall for 75, it was another shoddy batting display by the Indians, whose abject displays have caused much consternation at home.

Australian skipper Michael Clarke said the hosts would now go for the jugular and a series whitewash.

"No such thing as a dead rubber for me," Clarke said. "We haven't achieved much at this stage.

"We should be very proud, don't get me wrong, to beat the number-two-ranked Test team in this series, but we've got a lot of work to do before we'll be satisfied.

"In Adelaide, you'll see that our goal has not changed from the first Test of this series, and it won't change until we achieve what we want as a team."

India resumed at 88-4, needing another 120 runs to make Australia bat again, and Kohli and veteran Dravid briefly revived their hopes with a dogged 84-run stand for the fifth wicket.

However, the loss of Dravid (47) and Dhoni in quick succession before lunch had Australia closing in on victory. The death knell came quickly after the resumption, with yet another insipid performance by the Indian tail.

Swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus's incredible resurgence continued when he claimed three wickets in four balls after lunch, before Peter Siddle had Kohli caught behind to seal the win.

Hilfenhaus (4-54) claimed eight wickets for the match to have 23 wickets in the series at 16 apiece.

Kohli, who also top-scored in India's calamitous first innings with 44 as the tourists were dismissed for 161, before Australia made 369 on the back of David Warner's explosive 180, had been fighting his way towards his maiden Test century in his seventh Test, but received no support aside from Dravid.

Dravid's once-famed "wall" defence was again breached by Ryan Harris, who knocked the 39-year-old's leg stump out of the ground.

The delivery didn't do anything significant off the pitch, but found the gap between bat and pad, ending the veteran's vigilant innings after 177 minutes and 114 balls.

It was the fifth time in six innings in the series that Dravid had been bowled, and his average for the series of 28 is well down on his career average against Australia of 52.62.

Dravid has now been bowled more times in Test cricket than any other batsman -- 54 times.

Dhoni also failed once again, caught in the slips by a diving Ricky Ponting for two from the bowling of Siddle. The captain has made just 102 runs in the series at 20.40. 

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Opportunity for South Africa to move ahead of India in second position

Third-ranked South Africa will be aiming to narrow the gap with number-one ranked Australia in the Reliance ICC ODI Championship when it goes head to head with fourth-ranked Sri Lanka in a five-ODI series in Paarl on Wednesday.

South Africa currently trails second-ranked India by just two ratings points but AB de Villiers' side will leapfrog Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side if it wins the series by 4-1 or better.

While a 4-1 series win will put South Africa ahead of India in second place by three ratings points, Sri Lanka will drop behind Pakistan in fifth position.

South Africa's clean sweep of the series will put it on 123 ratings points, seven behind Australia, while Sri Lanka will join England on 106 ratings points but will be placed above England when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

In a sharp contrast, Sri Lanka's 5-0 series win will lift it to second place on 118 ratings while dropping the Proteas to fifth position on 106 ratings points.

To see how future results will affect the table, check out the ICC ODI Championship predictor function by clicking here.

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India names probable squad for West Indies tour

 

India's women's selection panel named a 20-member probable squad for the tour to West Indies. The selectors will name the final squad later. India are to play four Twenty20 Internationals and three one-day internationals.

Two of the Twenty20 Internationals during the tour will be day-night encounters.

1	Mithali Raj
2	Amita Sharma
3	Sulakshana Naik
4	Jhulan Goswami
5	Anjum Chopra
6	VedaKrishnamurthy
7	Harmanpreet Kaur
8	Archana Das
9	Diana David
10	Nooshin-Al-Khadeer
11	Sunitha Anand
12	Madhuri Mehta
13	Mandira Mahapatra
14	S. Asha
15	Ekta Bist
16	Gauhar Sultana
17	Rumeli Dhar
18	Poonam Raut
19	Mamta Kanojia
20	Subhlaxmi Sharma

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ICC back Australian Government move on cheating

 

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive, yesterday expressed the ICC's support for the proposals being made by the Australian Government to establish a national framework of laws to combat cheating in sport.

In Perth to attend the Third Test Match between Australia and India, Mr Lorgat re-iterated cricket's zero tolerance attitude to cheating and added:'ICC is pleased to add its support to that of Australia's Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports (COMPPS) in support of the Australian Government's initiative to tackle cheating in sport.

'Like all sports in Australia, the ICC and its Members cherish the reputation and integrity of the game. All sport needs honest competition and while in Australia I will be restating our well known stance to the Government.

'In the past year we faced the sort of challenge which could threaten any sport and I believe we conclusively proved that we will not tolerate any threat to the integrity of the game.

'I hope our swift and decisive action to charge, provisionally suspend and eventually prosecute and ban those who dared to sully the good name of cricket as well as the subsequent criminal prosecution will serve as a deterrent in future.

'ICC had also worked effectively with the UK Crown Prosecution Service and the Metropolitan Police to bring those who committed wrong to justice. Sports governing bodies need state assistance to tackle this worldwide menace and in turn we will support any Government that legislates to protect sport against cheating.

'In supporting this Australian initiative we urge other governments to consider the same to protect all sports. Needless to say we will continue to use everything within our power to ensure that any threat of corrupt activity within the game of cricket is resolutely dealt with.

"We have always stated that we will explore every possible avenue to ensure that cricket is free from corrupt activity and this initiative of the Australian Government must be commended. ICC will continue to work with the Australian Government and any other Government to protect the integrity of the sport."

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Mohsin warns England of number one pressure

 

Mohsin Khan said that England will be hard pressed to maintain their top standing.



Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan Friday warned England will feel the heat to maintain their world number one ranking against his fast-rising team in the three-Test series starting next week.



England rose to the top of ICC (International Cricket Council) Test rankings after beating India 4-0 on their home grounds last year but face a stiff challenge against a resurgent Pakistan on the slow tracks of United Arab Emirates.



Khan, a former opening batsman, said England will be hard pressed to maintain their top standing.



"I won t say they will be hugely under pressure, but definitely this kind of pressure will be there, because they have to maintain their position. Once a team or a person attains the top position that pressure exists," said Khan, 56.



Khan, who took over as interim coach after Waqar Younis quit the post in September last year, said his team was rising fast.



"Pakistan is coming up and coming up fast over the last 18 months. I am working hard with the boys who are also doing their best and we are expecting for some favourable results," said Khan.



Pakistan have not lost a Test series since losing to England on the 2010 tour.



Khan praised England s balance as they won both the side games ahead of the first Test starting here from Tuesday. England beat Pakistan Cricket Board XI by 100 runs on Friday.



"I feel that apart from England being ranked number one, which I don t care much about as rankings goes up and down, but they are a very balanced side and will pose good competition for us.



"As far as my team goes, I can happily say that we have a talented side and we have to mix up that talent with a professional attitude to counter the opposition," said Khan, who termed the series as a test for the batsmen.



"I think both teams have a good pace attack, good spinners, so it will be a test for the batsmen because both the teams have good bowlers," said Mohsin, who started his 48-Test career against England in 1977.



Khan admitted spinners would have a role in the series.



"Definitely, we have a very good spin attack, we have Saeed Ajmal, he is the world s best off-spinner, then we have Abdul Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez. But England too have a very good spin attack with (Graeme) Swann and (Monty) Panesar, so it will be a good contest," said Khan.



Panesar, a left-arm spinner, staked his claim for a place for the first time since 2009 with a haul of eight wickets in the second tour match.



Khan said he respected England as tough opponents.



"I have high respect for England, for the kind of cricket they are playing and so are we. Our captain (Misbah-ul Haq) and the team is focused so we will try to bring wonderful results for us and be very competitive," said Khan.



The three-Test series will be followed by four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.

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Tremlet waits for England Test chance

 

Chris Tremlett said he did not expect to be selected to play in the first Test against Pakistan.



Lanky paceman Chris Tremlett said on Friday he did not expect to be selected to play in the first Test against Pakistan starting in Dubai next week due to the nature of the pitch.



The 30-year-old fast, who played the last of his ten Tests against India in July last year, took two wickets in each innings during England s 100-run win over Pakistan Cricket Board XI here on Friday.



But with a slow, spin track expected for Tuesday s opener against Pakistan, England will be keen on playing two spinners -- Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar.



The latter increased his chances of playing by taking eight wickets in the second tour match.



"The competition (for places) is tight, and you have to be on the ball all the time. I guess I m not expecting to play, but just waiting to see what happens," said Tremlett, who overcame back trouble to get a place on the tour.



Tremlett said England will assess the conditions before deciding on the final eleven for the Test.



"We ll assess conditions when we get to the stadium. All I can do is put my name in the hat. I m back fit and hope I will get selected," he said.



Tremlett said England, who won the tour opener against a ICC Combined XI by three wickets on Monday, had good work outs before the three-Test series.



"It s tough for all the guys. It s not what we re used to at home. But we ve shown in this game we ve adapted quite quickly. I think we ve got a lot out of the last two games. The guys are really happy going into the Tests," he added.



Opener Alastair Cook hit a hundred in the first innings while Jonathan Trott scored a return to form 93, while captain Andrew Strauss notched a sedate 62.



Tremlett s rival for a paceman s slot, Graham Onions, also took four wickets while left-arm spinner Panesar finished with eight wickets.



Tremlett said his eye infection had improved and did not hinder his bowling.



"It (infection) was pretty severe when I got here but it has improved, and I see the eye specialist pretty much every day. It hasn t affected my bowling too much. It s been more my batting and fielding side of things."

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England wrap up victory against Pakistan Cricket Board XI

 

As they did in Australia last winter, England’s cricketers go into the first Test having won all their warm-up games.

Momentum, winning ways, call it what you will, but Andrew Strauss’s side have harnessed the spark it brings into winning Test matches before and will trust it serves them well again here when the series against Pakistan gets under way next Tuesday.

Three-day matches are rarely resolved without a bit of collusion by the captains, but England won both theirs in Dubai with minimal interference. Friday's victory against the Pakistan Cricket Board XI was utterly comprehensive, after they dismissed their opponents for 150, a marker that cannot fail to have been noticed on the adjacent ground where Pakistan proper were practising.

Unlike the first innings, when Monty Panesar snaffled five scalps, the wickets were split equally between spin and pace. This time Panesar finished with three, but the fact that he and Graeme Swann had to work harder for their successes, and with the pace bowlers offering wicket-taking options on what was essentially a seventh-day pitch, playing two spinners in the Test is far from being a foregone conclusion.

What should not be is playing Panesar in place of Swann, who looks undercooked in both mind and body. Before his 10th over on Friday, the off-spinner was seen flexing his left quadriceps muscle, which had stiffened enough to keep him off for most of the final day in the first game. In the first Test he could be called upon to bowl at least 60 overs, so he needs to be in tip-top condition

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Dav Whatmore reaches Lahore to meet PCB officials

 

LAHORE: One of the strong contenders to coach Pakistan cricket team Dav Whatmore has reached Lahore Saturday,
Dav Whatmore reached Lahore today by a private airline to hold his final round of talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials who appear set to appoint the Australian as the national team's coach.

After landing at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport, Whatmore avoided to talk to media men present at the airport. He is expected to meet PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf and other officials during his stay in Lahore.

The committee appointed to select the head coach for national team finalized its recommendations last week that were conveyed to the PCB.

Sources told that the PCB has 95 percent finalised Whatmore as the next head coach. However, the final appointment would take place after England series, sources added.

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India struggle at 144-6 against Aussies

 

PERTH: India's top order batting woes continued as they lost six wickets on the opening day of the third Test against Australia in Perth Friday, with Sachin Tendulkar again out cheaply.

Tendulkar's quest for an elusive 100th international hundred was back on hold after he was dismissed for just 15 as the beleaguered tourists, trailing 2-0 in the four-Test series, again fell apart.

At tea, India were 144 for six with captain M.S. Dhoni unbeaten on four and debutant Vinay Kumar on five.

The Indians went to lunch at 73 for four after being sent in and lost the key wicket of Test cricket's greatest run-scorer Tendulkar in the opening session.

But Virat Kohli and V.V.S. Laxman fought a determined rearguard action in the middle session, putting on 68 runs for the fifth wicket.

The pair rode their luck on a lively WACA wicket until Kohli miscued an attempted drive and was caught at point by Dave Warner for 44, giving Peter Siddle (3-42) his second wicket.

Laxman followed Kohli seven runs later when he was caught at first slip by Michael Clarke off Siddle for 31.

Tendulkar again looked in good early touch in the morning session, producing two elegant straight drives to the boundary in his first over.

However, he was deceived by a delivery from recalled paceman Ryan Harris that nipped back and was trapped leg before wicket.

Tendulkar has been stranded on 99 Test and one-day international centuries since scoring 111 against South Africa in the World Cup in March.

Opener Virender Sehwag's wretched series continued when he was caught in the slips by Ricky Ponting off Ben Hilfenhaus for a four-ball duck, while 39-year-old Rahul Dravid was bowled off his pads by Siddle for nine.

It was the fourth time in five innings in the series that 'The Wall' Dravid has been bowled.

Both teams went into the WACA Test with four-man pace attacks on a green-tinged wicket.

The Australians recalled left-armer Mitchell Starc at the expense of spinner Nathan Lyon, while Harris replaced the injured James Pattinson.

India left out spinner Ravi Ashwin for medium-pacer Kumar.

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India 73 for 4 at lunch against Australia

 

PERTH: India were 73 for four at lunch after being sent in to bat on the first day of the third Test against Australia at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 10 and V.V.S Laxman was on four. (AFP)

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Poor team spirit blamed for Sri Lanka loss

 

COLOMBO: A Sri Lankan minister slammed the country's cricket team on Thursday, blaming poor team spirit for its humiliating 258-run thrashing by South Africa, the island's worst one-day international defeat.

Government spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said he was
"horrified" when Sri Lanka were dismissed for 43 runs at Boland Park in Paarl on Wednesday, their lowest one-day score.

"You can understand a defeat, but not something like this," Rambukwella told reporters in Colombo. "We are appalled. Something has to be done immediately. It looks like there is no team spirit among players."

Rambukwella said the loss was humiliating to cricket-crazy Sri Lankans who won the 1996 World Cup and emerged runners up at the 2011 World Cup.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had blasted the national team even before Wednesday's defeat, saying the side was in "crisis" due to divisive politics among the players.

Sri Lanka has already lost the Test series to South Africa 2-1. After a five-match ODI series with South Africa, Sri Lanka heads for a tri-series tournament in Australia which also includes India.

Since the retirement of bowling star Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2010, Sri Lanka has won only one Test match.

Sri Lanka skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan has blamed his side's inconsistent results on the island's weak domestic scene.

"It is very difficult to find good cricketers. We have to correct our domestic structure. Coming from our club cricket to international cricket is a huge difference," he said after losing the Test series.

Some players have complained about months of unpaid wages as the Sri Lanka Cricket board struggles with debts of $69 million after building two new venues and revamping a third ground for the World Cup.

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English cricketer pleads guilty to corruption

 

LONDON: An English county cricketer pleaded guilty on Thursday to a corruption charge linked to his bowling in a 40-over one-day game.

Mervyn Westfield, 23, who played for Essex, admitted accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs, during a hearing at the Old Bailey in London.

The court heard he had agreed to bowl his first over in a way that would let Durham score a set number of runs in a game in September 2009.

Westfield will be sentenced on February 10.

Huge sums are bet on cricket matches, especially in India, because of the way results can be manipulated.

Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were jailed in Britain last year for their role in a spot-fixing scandal in a Test match against England. (AFP)
AFP

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MCC wants India included in review system

 

CAPE TOWN: The MCC World Cricket Committee said Tuesday it was wrong that the decision review system (DRS) was not used in matches involving India.

Following a two-day meeting here, the committee, consisting of leading former and current players, urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the DRS.

Chairman Mike Brearley acknowledged that the power of India in world cricket was a factor.

"The situation about the DRS is key for us because we're focusing on the cricket and there is an example where the governance, in a very direct way, affects what you see on a cricket field.

"Because of the governance and because of the power of India and because of the fact that other countries we understand won't willingly or easily stand up to India, we have this situation that we don't like, that we have the DRS in place, which improves the accuracy of decision making, except when India are playing."

MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said it was encouraging that India had called for more testing of technology.

"It's being undertaken at the moment at Cambridge University with MCC staff in the background," he said.

"We're hoping that once that research has been undertaken the report will go back to the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India will start to buy into it. We're hoping to get to the stage where India will have no choice but to get into line with everyone else."

The committee expressed unanimous disappointment that the introduction of a world Test championship would not take place in 2013 and that no place had been found for a championship before 2017.

But Brearley said members were pleased that Dave Richardson, head of ICC playing affairs, had undertaken during the meeting to look into possibilities of introducing it earlier.

"The committee continues to be convinced that Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport and that it needs to be encouraged and marketed in every way possible," it said in a statement.

"MCC will continue to advocate and initiate trials with pink balls and day/night cricket wherever possible."

The statement also expressed disappointment that the 'icon' series between England and South Africa this year would consist of only three Tests. It was also disappointing that some series, including a recent one between South Africa and Australia, had only two matches.

Brearley said one of the successes of the MCC committee was that former and current Indian players Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid were urging the board of control in the country to stage more Tests.

Brearley said that although the committee was an independent body there was interaction with the ICC, with Richardson sitting on both bodies.

MCC recommendations were forwarded to the ICC and he believed the committee had some influence on decisions taken by the ICC.

"The advantage and disadvantage we have is that we are approaching these questions from a cricket point of view," he said.

"We realise that other people have to be concerned about financial and political matters. We're a cricket-orientated body with a lot of experience of top-class cricket." (AFP) 

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Misbah wants spot-fixing scandal forgotten

 

DUBAI: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq on Tuesday stressed the need for forgetting the 2010 spot-fixing scandal when his team take on England in the first of three Tests here next week.

The Pakistan captain got the first taste of how the series -- the first between the two countries since the scandal -- will be seen during his press conference after arriving here on Monday.

The scandal, related to the bowling of deliberate no-balls during the Lord's Test against England, ended in jail terms for then captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

When asked about the scandal, a visibly upset Misbah said: "That's the past, we don't get into that. I am only focusing on what we can do on the ground. I think everybody knows in both teams that we just have to forget the past."

Since the scandal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has implemented a strict code of conduct for the players and introduced anti-corruption courses for both international and domestic cricketers.

Misbah said corruption in Pakistan cricket was no more a concern.

"It's not an area of concern for me. Our area of concern is to play good cricket, fair cricket, and that's what we can do," said Misbah, under whom Pakistan have not lost a Test series since the spot-fixing scandal.

And since he replaced Shahid Afridi as one-day captain, Misbah has led Pakistan to wins over Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Misbah said the credit goes to the players.

"I think the credit goes to the team and all the players after that difficult time," he said. "They just wanted to collect their thoughts and prove to the world that we are good players, a good team, and I think they just proved it.

"They are really focusing on their cricket and making my job easier. The players are ready to give their hundred percent and we are concerned with the present and future, not about the past."

Misbah said the series against England will be played in good spirit.

"Our target is just to play cricket in the true spirit ... good relations, and play really good and hard cricket," he said.

Misbah also praised his off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal, who took 50 Test wickets last year.

"Ajmal is a fine bowler and has a lot of variations but we are not depending on him only," said Misbah of Ajmal, who has promised to use a surprise delivery against England.

"England will have to explore themselves. Let's see how England's batsmen tackle it. That's a secret."

England, who earned a hard-fought three-wicket win against an ICC Combined IX here on Monday, take on a PCB XI in another three-day game here from Wednesday.

The first Test starts on January 17. Both teams will also play four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals. (AFP)
AFP

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Wasim Akram fears a 4-0 rout for India

 

NEW DELHI: India have looked so "seriously out of sorts" in Australia that Pakistan great Wasim Akram fears a 4-0 hiding for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men.

India trail 2-0 in the four-match series, having lost the first Test in Melbourne by 122 runs and the second in Sydney by an innings and 68 runs.

Akram, who had predicted that India would lose the first two Tests, told the www.espnstar.com website he would not be surprised if Australia also win the remaining two matches in Perth and Adelaide.

"India are seriously looking out of sorts," Akram was quoted as saying from Australia where he is working as a television commentator for the series.

"There seems to be no planning in the team. Players are just looking like individuals and not gelling as a unit.

"This is surprising considering the fact that almost the same team were world number one just a few months back."

Akram said India played well at home, but faltered when they went abroad as was evident from the 4-0 rout in England last year and their current losses in Australia.

"Winning matters, but to win overseas is the real thing," he said. "India does well in their backyard but are found wanting when they play on foreign pitches."

Akram said India's inability to match Australia's aggression on the field disappointed him.

"It was disheartening to see the fielders lose hope as the Aussie batsmen piled on the runs," he said. Such body language was very unlike Dhoni and his team."

The third Test starts at the WACA ground in Perth, reputed to have the fastest wicket in Australia, on Friday.

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Amir could still have international career: PCB

 

KARACHI: Teenage Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, serving six-months in jail for spot-fixing elements of a test match, could still have a future in international cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf said.

Amir, 19, was detained for six months in a young offenders institution after he admitted bowling two intentional no-balls in the Lord's test against England in August 2010.

Amir, along with team mates Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt, was banned for a minimum of five years by the International Cricket Council in February last year.

"Whenever he is cleared by the International Cricket Council and serves his punishment, we think he needs intense counseling and then the selectors can decide about him," Ashraf told a news conference on Tuesday.

"As far as his playing again is concerned that is for the selectors to decide because there is no doubt about his immense talent and he is still very young."

Amir has taken 51 wickets in 14 tests.

Former captain Butt and Asif were jailed for 30 months and one year respectively by a London court in November for their part in the gambling-inspired plot. (Reuters)
REUTERS 

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New challenge for De Villiers as SA captain

 

PAARL, South Africa: AB de Villiers takes on a new challenge when he captains South Africa in the first one-day international against Sri Lanka at Boland Park on Wednesday.

De Villiers was appointed captain of South Africa's one-day and Twenty20 teams when Gary Kirsten was named coach last June, but a hand injury kept him out of matches against Australia.

Hashim Amla took over as captain in a drawn Twenty20 series and a one-day series which Australia won 2-1.

It will be a tough baptism for De Villiers, one of South Africa's key batsmen, because he has also been selected to keep wicket.

Sri Lanka, coming off a 2-1 Test series defeat, will seek to recapture the form that took them to the World Cup final last year.

Their squad includes fast bowler Lasith Malinga, one of the most effective bowlers in limited overs cricket, who is no longer available for Tests.

The first four matches are being played at some of South Africa's lesser venues before the fifth and final game is staged at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Paarl has not hosted an international match since the World Cup in 2003.

The pitch at Boland Park is known as one of the slowest in South Africa, which should suit a sub-continental team such as Sri Lanka.

The conditions could encourage Sri Lanka to field unorthodox spin bowler Ajantha Mendis, who did not feature in the Test series, alongside left-armer Rangana Herath, who was one of his side's best bowlers in the Tests.

Only six of the South Africans played in the Test series. Vernon Philander, the fast bowling discovery of the Test summer, was not included, nor was opening batsman Alviro Petersen, who made a century in the final Test.

Amla is expected to open with Test skipper Graeme Smith, who relinquished the one-day captaincy after the World Cup.

Test wicketkeeper Mark Boucher no longer appears to feature in South Africa's one-day plans.

Test spinner Imran Tahir was not included in South Africa's squad but one-day regulars, off-spinner Johan Botha and left-armer Robin Peterson, will carry out spinning duties. Other one-day specialists include batsmen Faf du Plessis and J.P. Duminy.

The withdrawal through injury of batsman Dean Elgar means that fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt, who has appeared in Twenty20 internationals, is the only player in the South African squad who does not have a one-day cap.

By contrast, the Sri Lankan squad includes 10 players who appeared in the Test series.

With Malinga and Mendis likely to strengthen the team for one-day purposes, the tourists could provide stern opposition for a South African team under new leadership.

Squads
South Africa: AB de Villiers (captain/wk), Hashim Amla (vice-capt), Johan Botha, J.P. Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (captain), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dilhara Fernando, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Kosala Kulasekara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne.

Fixtures
Jan 11: Paarl (day/night), Jan 14: East London (day), Jan 17: Bloemfontein (day/night), Jan 20: Kimberley (day/night), Jan 22: Johannesburg (day)
(AFP)

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Broad, Davies give England hard earned win

 

DUBAI: Steve Davies and Stuart Broad shared a resolute seventh stand of 61 to help an unimpressive England to win the three-day tour opener against ICC Combined XI by three wickets here on Monday.

It was a case of second batting failure for the tourists as, chasing 261 to win, England owed the win to captain Andrew Strauss (78), Ian Bell (39) and Jonathan Trott (35) on the final day at the Global Cricket Academy ground.

Kevin Pietersen (one) and Eoin Morgan (three) flopped a second time in the match and when Bell departed at 199-6, England looked down and out before Davies (37 not out) and Broad (31) saved their blushes.

Despite the win England's batting looked rusty ahead of the first of three Tests against Pakistan which starts here from January 17.

England will have another opportunity to settle their batting on the slow, dusty pitches here as they play the second warm-up game against a Pakistan Cricket Board XI, also in Dubai, from January 11-13.

Strauss and Alastair Cook (26) looked solid during their opening stand of 63 but Afghanistan's spinner Mohammad Nabi (3-66), George Dockrell (1-28) and Majid Haq (1-42) derailed on the run chase.

Strauss and Trott added 70 for the second wicket but England lost five more wickets before reaching the 200-mark. Strauss hit 13 boundaries and a six during his 96-ball innings but his departure put England in trouble.

It was left to Broad and Davies to carry their team within one run of the victory.

Earlier, the ICC Combined XI declared their second innings at 164-9 with Afghanistan's wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad notching a second half-century of the match with a defiant 74.

Shahzad, who scored 51 in the first innings, held the Combined XI innings and added 43 for the eighth wicket with Haq who scored 256 not out. Shahzad hit 13 boundaries during his attractive 104-ball knock.

Broad finished with 3-22, a match haul of seven wickets, while James Anderson took 2-62. (AFP) 

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Bangladesh team's visit to revive international cricket: Zaka

HYDERABAD: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Boarad (PCB) Zaka Ashraf has expressed the hope for a revival of the international cricket after the anticipated visit of Bangladesh cricket team in April this year.

He said this while addressing a press conference here on Sunday at the golden jubilee celebration of Niaz Stadium.

A T-20 match between Patron's XI and Chairman' XI was also organized to mark the event and the winning team was awarded Rs 25,000 prize.

"In the beginning of the year 2011, Pakistan cricket team was under pressure but it fought back and by the year end won international ranking for itself as well as for the players," he observed.

Ashraf said that the team was mobilized and in high moral spirit.

The PCB chairman lamented that the series against England, which starts from January 17 in United Arab Emirates, could not be organized in the country.

However, he was optimistic about the team's performance against England in the upcoming series which includes Test, one day and T-20 matches.

Talking about the Bangladesh's visit in April 2012, he said the country's security experts would be arriving in Pakistan in January to finalize the arrangements.

"Interior Minister Rehman Malik had assured us of concrete security arrangements and deployment of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary along with the police for the security", he added.

"Bangladesh will bring a revival of international cricket in Pakistan and the deserted cricket stadiums will again become spright," he hoped.

Ashraf also urged the media to play its role in dispelling wrong perceptions about security in Pakistan.

Responding to a question as to why adequate celebrations are not planned for the stadium's golden jubilee, Ashraf agreeing with the questioner announced that a festival in that regard would be organized soon.

"We were hoping to see the people of Hyderabad, students and youth turn up for the celebrations but it didn't happen which is disappointing. We will again celebrate the golden jubilee after flood lights are installed at the stadium soon," he said.

In July 2007, District Government Hyderabad handed over Niaz Stadium to the PCB under a memorandum of understanding for its development to the international standard.

When asked why the promised development has not been made, Ashraf attributed that to a ban of international matches in Pakistan.

However, he added that as soon as the international sport was restored in the country the development of all the stadiums would follow.

Mir Hyder Talpur, chairman Regional Cricket Association, Hyderabad Region, said after the stadium's handover more than Rs 15 million were spent on various facilities and the outfield.

Ashraf said Javed Miandad was the cricket ambassador of Pakistan and currently performing his responsibilities for developing cricket in the friendly nation China.

He said legendary cricketers like Intikhab Alam and others were making efforts to develop domestic cricket in Pakistan and the establishment of new cricket grounds in small districts by the PCB would be a great help in that regard.

To a question about making former cricketer Mohsin Hassan Khan the coach of Pakistani team, Ashraf said though Khan was a respectable cricketer but does not qualify for the post.

The PCB's media manager Nadeem Sarwar, Commissioner Hyderabad division Ahmed Narejo, Deputy Commissioner Asif Memon and other officials were also present on the occasion.

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Jailed Asif appeals over seven-year fixing ban

 

LONDON: Jailed Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against his seven-year ban for spot-fixing, the 29-year-old's lawyers confirmed on Saturday.

Asif's legal team told the Press Association they have also filed an appeal against his criminal conviction to the Court of Appeal.

Asif, former Test skipper Salman Butt and fellow seamer Mohammad Amir were all suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last February after no-balls were bowled in the Lord's Test against England in August 2010.

London-based SJS Solicitors claim they have solid grounds for appeal.

"The appeal filed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ICC ban is founded upon multiple grounds that include the argument that the ICC Disciplinary Tribunal breached its own procedures, and in other ways infringed fundamental human rights to which Mohammad Asif is entitled," said a statement.

"In such a situation the ICC ban is not only flawed, it could also be unlawful."

The spokesman added: "A separate appeal against the conviction has been filed in the Court of Appeal."

Asif was banned for seven years, two of which were suspended, relating to spot-fixing allegations in the match at Lord's.

He was then found guilty last year and received a 12-month prison term for delivering one of the no-balls.

Butt was banned for 10 years - with five suspended - and jailed for 30 months while Amir was banned for five years and detained for six months after he admitted bowling two intentional no-balls. (

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Spot-fixing scandal is no more on our minds: Misbah

 

LAHORE: Captain Misbah-ul Haq insisted on Saturday that Pakistan had thoroughly dispelled all thoughts of the spot-fixing scandal that engulfed his side, ahead of the series against England.

It was against the same opposition, in August 2010, that a British tabloid exposed the scheme that ended in jail terms for Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer, and roiled the sport in Pakistan and beyond.

"The Pakistan team has already proved a lot and the scandal is no more on our minds," Misbah said ahead of the three-match Test series between top-ranked England and a resurgent Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"It's quite clear now that nobody has kept that scandal on his mind and everyone is just focusing on cricket and will do the same in this series by focusing on cricket," said Misbah, who replaced Butt as Test captain.

Speaking at the conclusion of a training camp in Lahore, Misbah, 37, praised his team's resolve after the scandal.

"I must say that this team has focused on cricket on and off the field and that is why we have done well," said Misbah, under whom Pakistan have not lost any series since being defeated by England in 2010.

He said that Pakistan will have an advantage this time because they know the conditions in the UAE, where they have been playing since 2008 because most teams refus to tour the South Asian country over security fears.

"Playing in Pakistan would have been different, but recently we have played a lot in UAE so we have become used to the venues there so that will definitely be an advantage for us," he said.

"England is a very professional team and we will have to do well in all departments to beat them.

"I think the players have done well, both the spinners have done well in all our series so we have confidence on them that they will do well."

The series starts in Dubai with the first Test from January 17.

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Asif appeals against ICC ban

LONDON: Convicted Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Asif has, through his lawyers, lodged a formal appeal against his International Cricket Council (ICC) ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Savita Sukul, the Principal of SJS Solicitors, confirmed to The News that her firm has submitted the formal appeal against the ICC seven-year ban. A spokesperson told this scribe: “The appeal has been filed”.

After his imprisonment, following the spot-fixing trial at the Southwark Crown Court in November last year, Asif instructed a new team of UK defence lawyers to represent him at the local and international legal forums in his quest to disprove the spot-fixing allegation. Muhammad Asif is currently spending time at Her Majesty’s Canterbury prison, a category C prison which specialises in housing foreign criminals convicted in Britain. The International Cricket Council (ICC) instituted disciplinary proceedings against Muhammad Asif following an allegation of being involved in a spot-fixing arrangement related to the fourth Test Match between Pakistan and England played at Lordís Cricket Ground in August 2010.

Upon the conclusion of those proceedings in February 2011, the ICC imposed a seven-year ban upon Asif from participating in all forms of the game.

“The appeal filed in the CAS against the ICC ban is founded upon multiple grounds that include the argument that the ICC Disciplinary Tribunal breached its own procedures, and in other ways infringed fundamental human rights to which Muhammad Asif is entitled. In such a situation the ICC ban is not only flawed, it could also be unlawful,” said an SJS Solicitors spokesperson. The CAS will set the date for the appeal hearing in Switzerland.

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Top security promised for Bangladesh squad

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket authorities have received assurances from the government that top-level security will be provided to Bangladesh during their April tour of the country.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009 left eight people dead and wounded seven visiting players and their assistant coach.

It is hoped that a incident free Bangladesh tour will revive international matches in Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf said he met interior minister Rehman Malik in Islamabad on Thursday and got assurances of fool-proof security in case Bangladesh team tours.

The tourists are likely to play three one-day internationals.

"I am sure after a successful tour by the Bangladesh team, we will be able to convince more teams to tour Pakistan and we have got assurances from the interior ministry for stringent security arrangements," Ashraf told reporters.

Ashraf had vowed to bring international teams to Pakistan since becoming the chairman in October last year.

Malik, who toured Dhaka last month where he invited the Bangladesh team for a short tour, said the team will be given "box security".

"In a box security the visiting team would travel in bullet-proof and bomb-proof vehicles and we have allowed the PCB to arrange two bullet and bomb-proof buses," Malik told reporters in Islamabad on Thursday.

Malik said the PCB will also have a security officer appointed to oversee the arrangements for the foreign teams.

"To ensure coordination regarding security, a new post of security manager is being created in the PCB and the official will be responsible to coordinate with provincial governments, police officials, PCB and the federal government," said Malik.

Malik said his ministry will make a committee, comprising the interior secretary, FIA director-general and national crises management cell director-general, to finalise the arrangements.

Rangers and Frontier Constabulary will provide security cover to the Bangladesh team who are expected to play matches in Lahore and Karachi.

Bangladesh last month announced it will send a delegation to oversee security arrangements which will submit a report to the government and only after clearance on security will the tour be possible. (AFP)

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Misbah eyes more wins in 2012

LAHORE: Pakistan's cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq was full of confidence his fast-rising team will have more success in 2012 after overcoming a spot-fixing scandal and remaining unbeaten last year.

"Through hard work of all the players we had a good 2011 and I hope that this team will have more success in the new year," Misbah said while addressing a reception in honour of his team in Lahore on Thursday night.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted the function to honour their team, which kept an unbeaten record though all Tests and one-day series in 2011 -- a difficult period for the side in the wake of a spot-fixing scandal.

The scandal, unearthed by the now defunct News of the World in the UK in 2010, ended in jail terms for Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer.

Misbah took over as Test captain in September 2010 and led Pakistan to draws in the series against South Africa and the West Indies, and notched wins over New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"I think this success was due to the fact that all 15 players in the squad fulfilled their responsibilities and I am sure they will carry on the good work in the new year," said Misbah.

Pakistan now face a tough opponent in England, who rose to world number one in Test rankings last year. They will play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in United Arab Emirates.

The first Test starts in Dubai from January 17.

"I am sure the boys will do the same hard work, show responsibility and play to their potential against England who are the best Test team at the moment," said Misbah. "We know how tough it is going to be, so we are ready for that."

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf praised the team and announced a cash award of 300,000 rupees ($3300) for each of the 15 players and 100,000 rupees ($1100) for the support staff.

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Asif appeals against ICC ban

 

LONDON: Convicted Pakistani fast bowler Muhammad Asif has, through his lawyers, lodged a formal appeal against his International Cricket Council (ICC) ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Savita Sukul, the Principal of SJS Solicitors, confirmed to The News that her firm has submitted the formal appeal against the ICC seven-year ban. A spokesperson told this scribe: “The appeal has been filed”.

After his imprisonment, following the spot-fixing trial at the Southwark Crown Court in November last year, Asif instructed a new team of UK defence lawyers to represent him at the local and international legal forums in his quest to disprove the spot-fixing allegation. Muhammad Asif is currently spending time at Her Majesty’s Canterbury prison, a category C prison which specialises in housing foreign criminals convicted in Britain. The International Cricket Council (ICC) instituted disciplinary proceedings against Muhammad Asif following an allegation of being involved in a spot-fixing arrangement related to the fourth Test Match between Pakistan and England played at Lordís Cricket Ground in August 2010.

Upon the conclusion of those proceedings in February 2011, the ICC imposed a seven-year ban upon Asif from participating in all forms of the game.

“The appeal filed in the CAS against the ICC ban is founded upon multiple grounds that include the argument that the ICC Disciplinary Tribunal breached its own procedures, and in other ways infringed fundamental human rights to which Muhammad Asif is entitled. In such a situation the ICC ban is not only flawed, it could also be unlawful,” said an SJS Solicitors spokesperson. The CAS will set the date for the appeal hearing in Switzerland.

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Australia crush India to take 2-0 series lead

Australia, inspired by captain Michael Clarke, crushed India by an innings and 68 runs in the second test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

It was the sixth successive overseas test defeat for India after their 4-0 drubbing in England last year and put paid to their hopes of a first series triumph in Australia.

Some spirited batting from the tailenders extended the contest beyond the tea break before spinner Ravi Ashwin was caught for 62, a fifth wicket for Ben Hilfenhaus, to end the innings at 400 all out.

India had faced a Herculean task to rescue the match after Australia declared their first innings on 659-4 on Thursday with a mammoth lead of 468 over India's 191.

Sachin Tendulkar's 21st attempt to secure his 100th international century ended when he was dismissed for 80 soon after lunch, triggering a collapse with four wickets tumbling for 15 runs.

Clarke, whose record 329 not out set the hosts on their way to a huge total, made the key breakthrough with his occasional spin-bowling.

Tendulkar resumed on 70 after lunch having reached his 65th test fifty in the morning and had added 10 runs to his tally when he got an edge to a Clarke delivery which deflected off the gloves of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin into the hands of Mike Hussey.

"That's a great win," said Clarke. "I know they made 400 today but that's a really flat wicket out there now and a lot of credit must go to our bowlers on a really tough wicket to take 10 wickets."

Australia took the new ball and Hilfenhaus (5-106) wrought havoc with it, bowling VVS Laxman for 66 with a peach of a ball that just touched the off stump with his first delivery after a rest.

On his next over, the big pacemen had Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught and bowled for two after a review of the television pictures showed the Indian skipper had chipped the ball back to him.

James Pattinson got his first wicket of the innings on the next over, trapping Virat Kohli plumb leg before wicket for nine and leaving India languishing on 286 for seven.

With the match almost certainly lost, Zaheer Khan had some fun with a quickfire 35, which included a huge six, before he was caught by Shaun Marsh off the bowling of Peter Siddle.

Australia won the first test by 122 runs in Melbourne last week.

"It was a good track to bat on, I suppose a few of the batsmen got out on good deliveries but you have to make the most of it," said Dhoni. "I think the Australians really made the most out of it."

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Mohsin hopes ended after Whatmore selection

LAHORE  :  Interim coach Mohsin Hassan Khan’s hopes of becoming the permanent Pakistan head coach ended after the unanimous selection of Australian Dav Whatmore by the coach selection committee on Wednesday.The committee will submit final list to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Zaka Ashraf for approval within a couple of days. Talking to media men here at the Gaddafi Stadium, Mohsin said that he want to serve Pakistan cricket in any capacity and will accept the PCB decision on head coach whatsoever it would be.
Mohsin has been retained as interim coach for the Pakistan home series against England to be played from January 17 in the United Arab Emirates and he will be relieved from his job after the conclusion of the series.  It is also learnt that Mohsin Hasan be offered a job at National Cricket Academy (NCA) and it will depend on him to accept the offer or otherwise.
Whatmore will reach Pakistan on January 14, after the departure of Pakistan cricket team to United Arab Emirates, to finalise his deal and salary package and also discuss his role in team’s selection. His tenure will be for two years.
Dav Whatmore will assume his office charge after the approval of his nomination by the PCB chief prior to start of Asia Cup to be held in Bangladesh from March 1-12.  “There will be no additional batting coach but head coach will also work as batting coach,” said Intikhab Alam, head of coach selection committee, during a formal chat with the journalists.
His job duration will be for two years and he will be given responsibility of preparing the Pakistan team for the 2015 World Cup to be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand. Whatmore nomination was opposed by the some senior players due to his strict attitude but the PCB committee nominated him due to his hard working and strict attitude.  Whatmore earlier in 2007 also applied for the Pakistan coaching job, after the demise of South African coach Bob Woolmer, but due to players’ pressure former PCB chief Nasm Asharf preferred Australian Jeff Lawson but later he was sacked by Ijaz Butt

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Coach-hunt: Six names sent to PCB chief, says Intikhab

LAHORE: Intikhab Alam, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board`s (PCB) coach-hunt committee, has confirmed that a list of six shortlisted candidates has been sent to the board’s chief in order to seek his views before calling approved names for interviews.
The committee had earlier shortlisted five candidates for the position of head-coach and a list was sent to the former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt. However, a change at the helm not only delayed the appointment but also forced the committee to send in a fresh list.
Former Sri Lanka and Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore, who resigned from his post at the Kolkata Knight Riders earlier this week, remains a front-runner to get the nod but Intikhab said that candidates will be called in for interviews after the approval of Zaka Ashraf.
Five positions, six candidates
“We held a meeting for the purpose of finding Pakistan’s new coach and we’ve finalised six candidates after going through the applications for various coaching positions of the national squad,” Intikhab told reporters in Lahore. “There will be separate coaches for the bowling, batting and fielding departments, along with a head coach and whoever is appointed will be given a two-year contract.”
The PCB has kept its faith in former chief selector Mohsin Khan since the resignation of Waqar Younis, who stepped down after the tour of Zimbabwe. Mohsin, so far, has lead Pakistan to clean sweeps of two tours – against Sri Lanka in the UAE and against Bangladesh last month.
Mohsin`s tenure was extended for the Test, One-Day International and Twenty20 series against England that commences from January 17 in the UAE.

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Khan relaxed over Pakistan coaching future

Interim team coach Mohsin Khan said Wednesday he will have no problem with the Pakistan Cricket Board if he does not get the role full time.

Khan has led Pakistan to series wins over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh since replacing Waqar Younis in October 2011 and is now preparing the team to face top-ranked test side England.

The 56-year-old has applied for the permanent position, but local media reports suggest Australian coach Dav Whatmore is the favorite to take over.

Whatmore resigned as coach of Indian Premier League team Kolkata Knight Riders last week and is expected to arrive in Pakistan later this month for discussions with PCB officials.

"I have no ego problems, whatever decision the PCB makes," Khan told a news conference.

A three-member committee appointed by the PCB finalized its recommendations on Wednesday, but the new coach is not expected to be named until after the series against England, beginning Jan. 17.

Head of the committee Intikhab Alam said he received around 30 applications for the posts of Pakistan head coach, batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach.

"I can only tell you that whoever is appointed as head coach will also be the batting coach," Alam told reporters, without revealing the names of the shortlisted candidates.

The committee will send its recommendations to the PCB chairman in a couple of days after which Alam said candidates will be called for interviews.

"We have also recommended that the Pakistan team should have a set of coaches for a two-year term," Alam said.

Khan was chief selector when Waqar resigned.

"I am ready to help Pakistan cricket in whichever capacity the PCB wants it," Khan said. "My services are always available to the Pakistan Cricket Board because whatever I am today it is because of Pakistan."

After victories in test, ODI and Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Khan's Pakistan team faces a much stiffer test against England.

"The balance of the England team is very good," Khan said. "Their pace attack, their spin attack, their batting order is very good."

Fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad and spinner Graeme Swann are rated among the top five test bowlers, while Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen are in the batting top 10.

Khan believes Pakistan has enough bowling resources to challenge England's batsmen.

"I can say it proudly that Saeed Ajmal is probably the best offspinner in the world," Khan said.

Ajmal was the leading wicket-taker in test cricket in 2011 with 50 and could be effective on the slow wickets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi ? where the three test matches will be held.

"Then we also have fast bowler Umar Gul and (Mohammad) Hafeez who plays important role with his offspin in test matches," Khan added.

"I think it will be a combination of pace attack and spin attack from both sides and the pressure will be on batsmen of both teams."

Pakistan leaves for Dubai on Jan. 9 after a four-day training camp in Lahore.

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Australia declare after Clarke's triple century

Michael Clarke scored only the 25th triple century in test cricket before declaring Australia's first innings at 659 for four, a lead of 468, on the third day of the second test against India on Thursday.

The Australia captain was 329 not out, the fourth highest score by an Australian and 14th highest by any batsman, when he called an end to the innings just after Mike Hussey reached 150.

India's second innnings got off to a poor start and the tourists lost opener Virender Sehwag for four, reaching tea on 53 for one to add to their first innings of 191.

Clarke had brought up the 300 shortly after lunch, flicking the ball through midwicket off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for the 37th four of his majestic innings to become the 21st cricketer to reach the milestone.

The 30-year-old whipped off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation from the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground and pointed his bat towards his team mates in the home dressing room.

Clarke faced 478 balls and batted for 10 hours and 17 minutes when he waved Hussey off the pitch to another huge ovation from the crowd, keen to leave enough time to bowl India out.

Hussey and his captain had put on 334 for the fifth wicket, eclipsing the previous highest partnership for Australia against India of 288, which Clarke set with Ricky Ponting on Wednesday.

India's batsmen face a Herculean task to rescue the test and keep alive their hopes of winning a first series in Australia but got off to a poor start when Sehwag fell to Ben Hilfenhaus with just 18 runs on the board.

The big paceman swung a delivery across the opener, who slashed it towards David Warner at point and the Australian dived to his left for an athletic two-handed catch.

The embattled Gautam Gambhir, who had raced to 39, and Rahul Dravid, who had made seven, were to resume after the break.

Clarke started the day on 251 and hit a single to mid off on the fourth ball of the morning to edge ahead of England's Wally Hammond for the third highest score in 100 tests at the SCG.

Understandably tired after batting through Wednesday, Clarke took his time to find his batting rhythm but never looked troubled as Hussey kept the scoreboard ticking over at the other end.

A swept four off spinner Ravi Ashwin allowed him to pass Brian Lara's 277 and take second place on the list of top scores at the ground behind Tip Foster, who scored his 278 in 1902-3.

He passed the Englishman's mark to a huge roar from the crowd with a cover drive for four off Sharma 10 minutes before lunch.

Hussey had started the day on 55 and played superbly to reach his 16th test century with a single to third man, a vindication for a player in his mid-thirties with his place in the side under pressure after a poor run of form.

Australia won the first test by 112 runs in Melbourne last week.

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Virat Kohli fined for ICC Code of Conduct breach

India batsman Virat Kohli has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC's Code of Conduct during the second day's play in the second cricket Test against Australia in Sydney.

Kohli was charged with a Level 2 offence under article 2.2.8 of the code which relates to "Using language or gesture(s) that is seriously obscene, seriously offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person during an International Match".

"Kohli pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised for his action. As such, under the provisions of the code, I determined the matter as there was no requirement for a full hearing," said Mr Ranjan Madugalle of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould, both from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, third umpire Bruce Oxenford from the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires, and fourth umpire Gerard Abood.

All Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a fine equivalent to 50 per cent of a player's match fee up to a maximum penalty of a suspension for two ODIs or two T20Is or one Test.

The ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel can be found by clicking here.

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Siddle and Herath achieve career-best rankings

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle and Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath have achieved career-best rankings in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers after good performances in the Melbourne and Durban Tests, respectively which finished on Thursday.

Siddle, who took three for 63 and three for 42 in Australia's 122-run victory over India, has jumped five places to seventh position where he is joined by Herath who has claimed six spots after recording match figures of nine for 128 which turned out to be the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's 208-run victory over South Africa.

Australia fast bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and James Pattinson, and Sri Lanka seamer Chanaka Welegedara have also moved in the right direction.

Hilfenhaus, who took five for 75 and two for 39, has gained seven spots in the rankings and now sits just outside the top 20 in 22nd position, man of the match Pattinson has been rewarded for match figures of six for 108 with a jump of five places which puts him in 31st spot while Welegedara has moved from 35th to 29th position after match figures of five for 85.

There is something to cheer for India fast bowler Umesh Yadav and South Africa's debutant Marchant de Lange.

Yadav has moved up five places to 42nd spot after figures of three for 106 and four for 70 while de Lange has entered in 51st position after figures of seven for 81 and one for 45.

The bowling list is still headed by South Africa's Dale Steyn.

There is plenty of reshuffle in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen.

Jacques Kallis' first pair in an illustrious 149-Test career means he has slipped from second to fourth where he is joined by India's iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar who has gained two places after scores of 73 and 32.

Other batsmen inside the top 50 and making upward movements include Hashim Amla (up by three to seventh), Thilan Samaraweera (up by three to 13th), Mike Hussey (up by one to 16th), Virender Sehwag (up by one to 18th), Ricky Ponting (up by seven to 24th), Tillekeratne Dilshan (up by one to 33rd) and Prasanna Jayawardena (up by one to 48th).

Sri Lanka's middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal and Australia opener Ed Cowan have entered in 54th and 61st positions, respectively after making impressive debuts.

The batting list is headed by Kumar Sangakkara who became the eighth Sri Lanka batsman to score a zero and century in the same Test. Other Sri Lanka batsmen to achieve the rare distinction include Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena and Prasanna Jayawardena.

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New Zealand announces 14-player squad for Rose Bowl Series

New Zealand Cricket today announced a 14-player squad for the upcoming Rose Bowl Series in Australia.



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Suzie Bates (c)	Otago Sparks
Amy Satterthwaite (vc)	Canterbury Magicians
Kate Broadmore	Central Hinds
Rachel Candy	Canterbury Magicians
Lucy Doolan	Wellington Blaze
Maddy Green	Auckland Hearts
Frances Mackay	Canterbury Magicians
Katey Martin	Otago Sparks
Sara McGlashan	Central Hinds
Morna Nielsen	Northern Spirit
Katie Perkins	Auckland Hearts
Liz Perry	Wellington Blaze
Lea Tahuhu	Canterbury Magicians
Sian Ruck	Wellington Blaze

The squad features ten players who competed in the 2011 Quadrangular series in England with Rachel Candy and Morna Nielsen recalled while Maddy Green and Katie Perkins are yet to be capped.

National Selector Manager Kim Littlejohn said: "The squad has been picked on the back of a hard fought domestic competition. It's encouraging to see the experienced players perform well and a new crop of players put their hand up.

"Top order batsman Maddy Green has been on the radar for some time and deserves her chance after impressing for the Auckland Hearts in the Action Cricket Twenty20 competition where she has hit 150 runs at an average of 37.50.

"Katie Perkins also demanded a spot in the squad with strong performances in the domestic competition. In seven Twenty20 innings Perkins has hit 126 runs and only been dismissed once. Her batting along with her world-class fielding has played a major part in the success of the Hearts this season.

"Weight of numbers also led to the recall of all-rounders Rachel Candy and Morna Nielsen who have been consistent performers this summer.

White Ferns coach Gary Stead said: "It's an exciting time for the White Ferns with new era about to get underway.

"The upcoming series is an opportunity for new captain Suzie Bates to stamp her make on the side and set the tone for how we are going to move forward.

"We are aware that we did not perform well in our last few matches and need to improve across the board if we are to overcome a strong Australian side."

Rose Bowl Schedule in Australia:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/schedule/rose-bowl-in-australia/51/series.aspx

20/01/2012 - 1st Twenty 20 International, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

21/01/2012 - 2nd Twenty 20 International, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

22/01/2012 - 3rd Twenty 20 International, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

25/01/2012 - 1st One-Day International, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

27/01/2012 - 2nd One-Day International, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney

29/01/2012 - 3rd One-Day International, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney

* 1/02/2012 - 4th Twenty 20 International, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney

* 3/02/2012 - 5th Twenty 20 International, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

* Double header with Australia v India men's Twenty20 International

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Pakistan names Under-19 squad for SA tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee on Monday named a 15-man Under-19 squad for the upcoming South Africa tour.

The Pakistan Under-19 team will participate in a triangular series also featuring Zimbabwe and hosts South Africa. The triangular series will run from 5 January to 22 January.

After the triangular series, Pakistan will also play three One-Day Internationals against South Africa on 25,27 and 29 January, 2012.


Squad:

1. Sami Aslam

2. Babar Azam  (captain)

3. Syed Faraz Ali

4. Umer Waheed (vice-captain)

5. Shahan Akram

6. Syed Saad Ali

7. Adnan Mahmood

8. Muhammad Irfan

9. Shahid Ilyas

10. Ehsan Adil

11. Azizullah

12. Zia ul Haq

13. Fawad Khan

14. Usman Qadir

16. Saifullah Bangash W/K

Reserves:

1. Imam ul Haq

2. Salman Afridi  (wicket-keeper)

3. Mir Hamza

4. Muhammad Nawaz

5. Ghazanfar Abbas

6. Muhammad Farman

Team Management

1. Haroon Rasheed	Team Manager
2. Sabih Azhar	Coach
3. Dr. Sohail Saleem	Doctor cum physiotherapist
4. Yasir Malik	Trainer
5.Usman Hashmi	Analyst

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Strauss eager to conquer Asia 'frontier'

LONDON: England captain Andrew Strauss believes only by succeeding away to Pakistan and Sri Lanka will his side convince the whole of world cricket they deserve their number one Test ranking.

Last year England completed a 3-1 Ashes series win in Australia, all their victories coming by innings margins, before returning home to depose India from the summit of the International Cricket Council's Test standings in a crushing 4-0 whitewash.

However, it is more than 10 years since England last won Test series in the subcontinent, with Nasser Hussain leading the team to 1-0 and 2-1 win victories away to Pakistan (2000/01) and Sri Lanka (2001) respectively.

But their upcoming tours offer a chance to improve that record, even though their three Tests against Misbah-ul-Haq's improving Pakistan will be played in the United Arab Emirates.

Conditions, for a series taking place in the Middle East because no major matches have been staged in Pakistan since gunmen attacked Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore in March 2009, are though set to mirror those in the subcontinent.

"If you want to be regarded all round the world as the best side in the world, then you've got to win in all conditions," said Strauss, speaking at the team's Heathrow Airport hotel here on Monday ahead of their departure.

"England cricket teams' record in the sub-continent has been patchy," the opening batsman added.

"I think it's a really good time for us to have a lot of sub-continental cricket because we've done well over the last two years or so and this is a kind of new frontier for us, to win and hopefully win consistently in the subcontinent.

"It's just what we need as a side but we are not under-estimating the size of the challenge," said Strauss, whose team also face home Tests involving the West Indies and South Africa in a packed 2012 schedule culminating with four Tests in India -- where England last won a series in 1984/85.

Pakistan have been successful in their temporary home since Misbah took over as Test captain from Salman Butt, jailed by a British court in November along with fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer after the trio were found guilty of spot-fixing by conspiring to deliberately bowl no-balls during the 2010 Lord's Test against England.

Under Misbah they have won Tests against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with Pakistan starting to show a degree of consistency unusual for a side routinely labelled 'unpredictable'.

And in Saeed Ajmal they have one of the best spinners around.

"They are probably one of the form teams in world cricket at the moment," Strauss said.

"They seem to have a production line of good quality bowlers and Saeed Ajmal in particular has done well in those conditions.

"They have got a good balance to their side and they are playing some good, smart, cricket at the moment."

The upcoming series will be the first between England and Pakistan since the spot-fixing scandal.

But the 34-year-old Strauss insisted: "I think the spot-fixing stuff is something we are desperately keen to move on from. What's happened before is water under the bridge.

"I hope both sides can play in the right spirit and produce an entertaining and exciting Test match series."

One concern for England is the batting form of their captain, who in 2011 averaged under 29 in eight Tests with no hundreds. That contrasted with the Middlesex left-hander's career Test average of 41.98.

Strauss, who insisted he felt refreshed after an unusually long break (England haven't played a Test since August), admitted: "Last summer, I probably didn't play quite as well as I'd have liked.

"But form ebbs and flows a bit in Test cricket. I'm very keen to perform well and lead from the front."

England have two warm-up matches, the first starting on Saturday, before the first Test gets underway in Dubai on January 17.


England squad for a three-Test series:
England
Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Steven Davies (wkt), Monty Panesar, Ravi Bopara

Itinerary
Jan 03: England arrive
Jan 07-09: ICC Combined XI v England XI, Dubai
Jan 11-13: PCB XI v England XI, Dubai
Jan 17-21: 1ST TEST, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Jan 25-29: 2ND TEST, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Abu Dhabi
Feb 03-07: 3RD TEST, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Feb 10: England XI v England Lions, Abu Dhabi
Feb 13: 1ST ODI, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Abu Dhabi
Feb 15: 2ND ODI, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Abu Dhabi
Feb 18: 3RD ODI, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Feb 21: 4TH ODI, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Feb 23: 1ST T20, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Feb 25: 2ND T20, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Dubai
Feb 27: 3RD T20, PAKISTAN v ENGLAND, Abu Dhabi

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