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Saturday, September 10, 2011
Trott talks exclusively about LG ICC Awards nominations
On this week's LG ICC Awards 2011 special ICC Cricket World Radio Show,
England's Jonathan Trott talks exclusively about being short-listed in
three categories - ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC ODI Cricketer of the
Year and the LG People's Choice Award - for this year's event which is
due to be held in London on 12 September."It is not something you think about when you are playing. But what
nomination brings with it some good and fond memories. I think the
nominations shows plenty of England players in all categories. It shows
how we have been a successful as a side over the past year and how
everyone has contributed to it," says Trott.Based on the period between 11 August 2010 and 3 August 2011, the LG ICC
Awards 2011 presented in association with FICA - take into account
performances by players and officials in a remarkable period for the
game.
Also on this week's show, fellow nominee West Indies' Darren Bravo talks
about being short-listed for the ICC Emerging Player of the Year. The
22-year-old batsman is up against compatriot Devendra Bishoo and
Pakistan duo of Azhar Ali and Wahab Riaz for the title.It is a great feeling to be nominated. I was a bit surprised. It has
been my first full year in international cricket and I am being listed
in that sort of category, so it is special to me. I am thanking the lord
for this and hopefully I get the award," says Bravo."I think it will be very tough because all the others have performed
pretty well. It is about their hard work as well and congratulation to
them as well for being nominated. Someone like Devendra Bishoo has put
in a tremendous amount of hard work since he has come in. So may the
best man win,adds Bravo.Finally, Zimbabwe's Test opener Tino Mawoyo looks back on his maiden
hundred against Pakistan in the recently concluded one-off Test."I had previously batted for a day. But to bat for eleven hours is a
quality that has slowly crept into my game. I have been working hard on
it for two-three years. I have taken on the role to let people bat
around me. Obviously Grant Flower (Zimbabwe batting coach) has worked a
lot with me to improve that aspect of my game over the last four-five
months,says Mawoyo.
Ireland completes five wicket win
Ireland completed its first win in the ICC Intercontinental Cup with an
easy five wicket win over Namibia at the Civil Service Cricket Club on
Friday.Set to chase 173 for a win, Ireland began the final day of the four-day contest at its overnight score of 135 for four.Kevin O'Brien fell early in the chase on the final day, but Andrew White
(22 not out) and John Mooney (15 not out) controlled the chase very
well.In the end Ireland overhauled the target in 40.2 overs with the score at 176 for five.For Namibia, Christi Viljoen (2-40) and Louis van der Westhuizen (2-21)
were the chief wicket-takers, but that was not enough as the hosts won
quite easily
England edge India in third ODI
LONDON : England survived some anxious moments to complete a three-wicket
victory over India under a full moon at the Oval on Friday night in a
rain-reduced third one-day international.Chasing 218 from 43
overs under the Duckworth/Lewis system after an hour's rain break in the
day-night match, England survived a wobble in mid-innings to get over
the line with seven balls to spare.England lead 2-0 in the
five-match series after the first game was rained out. The teams meet
again at Lord's on Sunday and in Cardiff next Friday.World Cup
champions India, who lost their place at the top of the world rankings
during a 4-0 whitewash in the test series, rallied from 58 for five to
reach 234 for seven from their 50 overs.All-rounder Ravindra
Jadeja, an injury replacement for Gautam Gambhir, stroked the ball
beautifully to score 78 from 89 deliveries. He added 112 with captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (69) and 59 from 31 balls with Ravichandran Ashwin
(36 not out).Alastair Cook asked India to bat after winning the
toss and won an immediate reward when Ajinkya Rahane, who had scored 155
from 120 balls in his three previous one-day internationals, was
dismissed without scoring, caught behind prodding at James Anderson's
fourth delivery of the day.Anderson then ran out Rahul Dravid
(2), swooping from mid-off to pick up the ball and throw down the stumps
at the batsman's end in one motion.Dravid, who had been late
starting after Parthiv Patel had pushed the ball into the off and then
hesitated before running, looked distinctly unimpressed with his
partner's calling, swishing his bat in irritation as he to the pavilion.Patel
did not linger, departing for three when Anderson uprooted his
off-stump and Virat Kholi (7) edged Anderson to give wicketkeeper Craig
Kieswetter his second catch and compound India's misery.Dhoni
smacked his second ball for four and Suresh Raina launched Anderson into
the crowd for the only six of the innings. Raina reached 21 before he
tried to swipe Broad to leg and was caught behind.RESCUE ACTWith the innings in disarray, Dhoni and Jadeja batted with skill and judgment.Jadeja
drove Broad lavishly through extra cover then struck the pace bowlers
for consecutive boundaries and sliced Graeme Swann to the third man
boundary.Dhoni dismissed Ravi Bopara to the boundary with a
wristy flick and brought up his half-century from 69 balls to a huge
cheer from the substantial Indian contingent in the crowd.The
singles continued to come freely but neither batsmen could penetrate the
field and 11 overs were bowled without a boundary before Jadeja leg
glanced Anderson for a four to bring up his half-century.Dhoni
skied a low full toss from Tim Bresnan to Cook at mid-off and Jadeja was
caught by Ian Bell off Jade Dernbach but India still took 51 from the
batting powerplay and 84 from the final 10 overs.England began
brightly with Kieswetter lofting Praveen Kumar for six over the
mid-wicket boundary, sweeping a second to fine leg from the same bowler
and driving a third off Munaf Patel over long-off.He lost Cook
lbw to Patel for 23 off the last ball of the compulsory powerplay, after
the pair had put on 63 off 62 balls for the first wicket, and survived a
straightforward caught-and-bowled chance to Patel on 41.Kieswetter
went to 51 when he was comprehensively bowled middle stump by slow
left-armer Jadeja. Jonathan Trott (11) followed five balls later, bowled
by off-spinner Ashwin by a delivery which slid past the outside of his
bat.Rain began to fall and the players left the field with
England 95 for three, sufficient for victory under the Duckworth/Lewis
method for deciding rained-out matches.On their return Ian Bell
was run out for 23 when wicketkeeper Dhoni threw down the stumps and Ben
Stokes, who struck a six but who could make little of the spinners, was
bowled for 20 trying to sweep Ashwin.India were back in the
game but Bopara (40) and Tim Bresnan (28) took advantage of the slippery
ball and wet outfield to add 60 for the seventh wicket and set up an
ultimately comfortable victory. (Reuters)
Miandad summoned over Pakistan board criticism
KARACHI : Pakistan cricket authorities revealed Friday that former
captain and current director-general Javed Miandad has been served a
formal notice to explain why he criticised the board.In his
three years at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Miandad, 54, has had
several disputes with the organisation's chairman Ijaz Butt, and on
Wednesday said that 90 percent of the board's decisions were wrong.Authorities demanded an explanation from the former great."PCB
has served a show-cause notice to Minadad over an interview in the
media and he has been given seven days to explain," PCB spokesman Nadeem
Sarwar told Miandad told local English newspaper Dawn
that he was not being allowed to fulfil his duties despite having been
appointed by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the
patron of the PCB.People around the world regard my
services as a cricketer but the PCB doesn't want to give me authority to
improve cricket," he said.While closely watching the
functioning of the PCB, I am disappointed and feel that 90 percent of
decisions are wrong, and are spoiling the sport in the country".Miandad
said would meet Zardari to "apprise him of the poor condition of
cricket in Pakistan. I will request him to either take necessary steps
or allow me to leave the DG post."Butt is due to complete his three-year term as PCB chairman next month.Miandad
was regarded as one of Pakistan's greatest-ever batsmen, scoring 8832
runs in 124 Tests both still national records during an
illustrious career. He also featured in 233 one-day internationals.
3rd ODI: England win toss and field against India
LONDON : England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to field
against India in the third one-day international at The Oval here on
Friday.England batsman Jonathan Trott returned to the team
in place of spinner Samit Patel as Cook made one change from the side
that won the rain-affected second game at the Rose Bowl by seven wickets
to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.India made two changes, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja coming in for Manoj Tiwary, and RP Singh replacing Vinay Kumar.TeamsEngland:
Alastair Cook (captain), Craig Kieswetter (wk), Jonathan Trott, Ian
Bell, Ravi Bopara, Ben Stokes, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad,
James Anderson, Jade DernbachIndia: Ajinkya Rahane, Parthiv
Patel, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (captain, wk),
Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, RP
SinghUmpire: Marais Erasmus (SA) and Nigel Llong (ENG), Third umpire: Billy Doctrove (WI) Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)
Australia move to commanding 264-3 against Sri Lanka
PALLEKELE : Shaun Marsh was 13 runs away from a century on his debut and
Mike Hussey hit an unbeaten 76 as Australia piled on Sri Lanka's misery
in the second Test in Pallekele on Friday.The West
Australian pair put on 148 for the unbroken fourth wicket as the
tourists moved to a commanding 264-3 in their first innings when bad
light halted play soon after tea.Marsh was on 87 and Hussey
followed his match-winning 95 in the first Test in Galle with another
half-century as Australia built a 90-run lead with seven wickets still
in hand.The pair joined forces after Sri Lanka had grabbed
three quick wickets in the morning session to restrict Australia to
116-3 in reply to their own 174.Former Australian opener
Geoff Marsh looked on from the stands as his 28-year-old son mastered
the Sri Lankan attack with 11 boundaries after a dour start.Marsh
had come into the Test side in place of former captain Ricky Ponting,
who had to return home after Galle for the birth of his second child.The
knock will help the left-hander cement his place in the team even when
Ponting returns for the third and final Test in Colombo from September
16.Marsh drove Suranga Lakmal through the covers and then
chipped debutant leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna over mid-on to take
Australia past Sri Lanka's total.Two successive boundaries off Prasanna, a lofted shot and a straight drive, gave Marsh his half-century from 133 deliveries.Hussey
reached his second half-century of the series by smashing off-spinner
Suraj Randiv to the square-leg fence for his sixth boundary.The
hosts missed their two first-choice spinners, Ajantha Mendis and
Rangana Herath, who were forced to skip the match with injuries.Sri
Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan tried seven bowlers, including
part-timers Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera, to try to contain
the tourists.Sangakkara, who had gone wicketless in 98
previous Tests and has just one first-class wicket to his credit, also
bowled the first over with the second new ball.Australia
lost Shane Watson before they had added to their overnight score of 60
for no loss, and the other opener Phil Hughes fell shortly after the
drinks break.Watson had made 36 when he left alone a delivery from seamer Lakmal that dipped in to uproot his off-stumpLeft-hander
Hughes carried his overnight score of 23 to 36 before he was snapped up
at forward short-leg by Tharanga Paranavitana off Randiv.It
soon became 116-3 as skipper Michael Clarke (13) attempted to drive
seamer Chanaka Welegedara outside the off-stump and edged a low catch to
Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.Clarke has now gone 22 Test innings without a century since making 168 against New Zealand at Wellington in March last year.Australia lead 1-0 in the three-match series, Clarke's first as captain, having won the first Test by 125 runs last week.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Players won't budge on their 26% revenue share
Australia's cricketers will refuse to budge from their fixed 26% share
of total Cricket Australia revenue when the game's administrators seek
to carry out the player payment recommendations of the Argus review One of the review's many key conclusions was that the payment structure
of Australian cricket was not firm enough in its link between player
payment and performance. Australian players are paid relative to the
performances of each other on a year-by-year basis, but do not
experience peaks and troughs of remuneration when their performance
surge ahead or lag behind the results of other nations.The basic building block of Australian player payments is their fixed
26% share of total CA revenue, an arrangement that allows for the
players to be paid less in years when the collective body has turned in a
lesser profit, and more when the opposite is true. Paul Marsh chief executive of the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), said the players would not allow any change to his model.Player payment negotiations were effectively placed on hold in the
off-season as CA and the ACA agreed to extend most existing arrangements
by one year while numerous changes to the cricket landscape, including
the expansion of the Twenty20 Big Bash League, took place."Quite simply the ACA and our members won't entertain a move away from
the percentage share of revenue model we've had since 1999, nor our
current 26% share," Marsh said. "We believe this has worked very well
for Australian cricket and the players for the past 12 years and is not a
reason for the recent decline in our on-field performances The recommendations regarding changes to the contracting and player
payment models will form part of our upcoming MOU negotiations with CA.
We are open to discussing how we can improve these models to make
Australian cricket stronger but moving away from our percentage share of
revenue model isn't open for discussion from our perspective.Marsh took issue with the review's findings about player wages not being
linked closely enough to performances, and also pointed out that the
players' use for CA marketing and advertising across the summer had to
be remunerated irrespective of how individuals performed on the field.
He expressed the view that no-one else in Australian cricket, be they
administrators, coaches, or board members, were as accountable for
performance as the players themselves.What's been overlooked in my view is the fact that our payment system
is already extremely performance based," Marsh said. "Player retainer
values fluctuate from year to year based on player performances - and
these fluctuations can be considerable. Players come on and go off
contract lists and it would be fair to say that no other role in
Australian cricket is subject to such cut throat performance measures.It's also important to note that player payments are not just a
function of on-field performance. When signing contracts, players hand
over various commercial rights to CA that CA exploit for the financial
gain of Australian cricket. The players also agree to a range of other
significant obligations and restrictions. There has to be a fixed value
attached to this that isn't dependent on on-field performance.Most of the review's other findings and recommendations have been met
with a warm response by the players and their representatives, but Marsh
raised some doubts about the how the concept of linking the head coach
with each state would be practically implemented"The creation of the General Manager of Team Performance is a good
initiative, as is the move to a full-time National Selector," Marsh
said. "The expansion of the Head Coach's role makes theoretical sense,
however, in practical terms, how alignment between this role and the
State coaching roles will be achieved is the big question for me."
Marsh set for century on Test debut
KANDY : How appropriate that Shaun Marsh, in his long-awaited foray into Test cricket, has batted a lot like his Dad. Dogged and determined, patient and persistent, the 28-year-old West Australian had been waiting for this chance his whole life and was not about to waste it.That his father Geoff, the maker of 2854 hard-earned runs during his 50-Test career, was watching on from the grandstand at Pallekele Stadium made the occasion even more special.A noted blazer in limited-overs international cricket, questions remained about Marsh's compatibility with the longer form of the game even upon his selection here, as a direct replacement for the absent Ricky Ponting. They have been answered fairly emphatically thanks to a thoroughly convincing display that set Australia back on course for an imposing first-innings score in the second Test against Sri Lanka.By mid-afternoon, having conscientiously compiled an unbeaten 83, Marsh was edging closer towards a remarkable Test century on debut, a milestone last reached by an Australian when Marcus North - another West Australian left-hander - made 117 against South Africa in 2009. Other Australians to achieve the feat are his captain, Michael Clarke, Greg Chappell, Mark Waugh and Greg Blewett.Marsh, batting at No.3, arrived in the middle with Australia's command on the match just beginning to ease slightly as a result of the early departures of Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes, both for 36, and Clarke for 13.From 3-116 he and Michael Hussey (68 not out) - the unlikely star of day one with the ball and in the field - diligently restored the tourists' fortunes. They had passed Sri Lanka's meagre total of 174 by early afternoon and by tea had progressed the Australian innings to 3-251. Sri Lanka, by contrast, were losing the plot, bizarrely giving Kumar Sangakarra - who has only one first-class wicket behind him - the second new ball. Marsh settled quickly and only briefly lashed out in reaching a first Test half-century in 117 minutes and 133 balls. He brought up the fifty with two characteristic whacks to the long-off boundary that had rookie leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna scratching his head and Marsh snr on his feet in sheer pride. The shoulders continued to loosen as he worked his way closer to three figures.Hussey, man of the match in the first Test win in Galle last week, was also again the rock that Australia required, also reaching his half-century with a big thud to the rope through square leg. The 36-year-old had earlier survived a couple of close shaves when the Sri Lankans thought they had him run out and then leg-before.Marsh's composed debut, however, was difficult to overshadow. He entered his first Test with a first-class average of only 37, a record containing only six centuries, although his performances in the past three years had been vastly better.Clarke, all of a sudden, is set to have a major selection dilemma to resolve when he leads the phone hook-up with his fellow selectors before next week's third Test. With Ponting to slot straight back in, having darted home for the birth of his daughter on Thursday, Hughes and Usman Khawaja could well find their places in the Australian line-up under serious strain.Hughes departed when his mis-hit bunt off spinner Suraj Randiv shot straight to Tharanga Paranavitana at back pad. Clarke was also gone before lunch, edging left-arm paceman Chanaka Welegedara to Tillakaratne Dilshan at third slip with a loose shot.Watson had earlier his off stump displaced while leaving a thunderbolt from Sri Lankan spearhead Suranga Lakmal. The vice-captain had not added to the 36 he had compiled on Thursday afternoon and made a poor decision not to play at the off-cutter, having almost been bowled by an electric Lakmal the ball before
A Pakistan cricket team without Shahid Afridi is unromantic, dull and less attractive
As
the men in green grabbed wickets against Zimbabwe in the first ODI, as
the boys celebrated each wicket, something was missing. Energy,
aggression and romance had been absent. Without the presence of the
Pathan, Shahid Afridi the Pakistan team looked less attractive.The
PCB, whose whims led to an Afridi exile, is really unromantic,
nihilistic and sexless. They don’t understand the appeal and desire of
the romantic cricket fans who look for the wild romance alongside
enjoying cricket on the field. The PCB, at present has no idea why the
men in green were the hot cakes in the 80’s and 90’s and why they were the most applauded side.The
major reason had been the presence of some exciting handsome devils.
They were hot, sexy, appealing and dashing. They used to leave each
cricket fans dream during sleep about the romantic flavour which they
used to digest during each match the green darlings played in the golden
era of Pakistan cricket.Imran
led the handsome devils and they not only exhibited cricketing skills
but with that there had been a touch of sizzling nights, the extravagant
wild feelings, the fragrance of the wild rose, the thirsty desire that
mostly scripts the novel of cricket romanticisms.What is cricket without its romantic heroes! What is cricket without the sex symbols!It’s boring! It’s totally spremless!Shahid
Afridi is cricket’s romantic hero, a Pathan who drags enormous
attraction from the fans either Pakistani or non-Pakistani, who loves to
watch the cricket played with wild energy and utmost sexual appeal.Afridi,
in my book is the most magnetic and charismatic romantic hero of
cricket at present. And in a Pakistan team filled with so many boring
characters, the absence of Afridi simply makes it look like an art film
who does inject agility but lacks the wild romantic appeal.For
Shahid Afridi you just can’t use calculations but you allow the wild
romantics to bubble over and carry you along its hot, violent and unruly
lava.The PCB is ignorant. You have forgotten that half of the cricket
fans are ladies and how amazingly the charming ladies bring joy and
colour to cricket and for them more than the game, it’s the electric
presence of the sex symbols rather than their skills draw more fans in
the stadiums.In
the recently concluded World Cup in the quarterfinal clash against the
West Indies, the Mirpur stands were filled with fans who weren’t
Pakistani fans but they were there only to have a glimpse of Shahid
Afridi. The fans, majority females, shouted, chanted and sweated
whenever they noticed Afridi.And
even after being married, Shahid Afridi is the ladies number one
choice. The opposition batsmen might not enjoy his bowling or the
bowlers might not relish his wild batting but his silky hair, his sexy
smile, his raising of the index fingers towards the skies after grabbing
each scalp by showing his bumbs towards the galleries drives the girls
crazy.This
is what Afridi does to the atmosphere. This is what cricket’s romantic
heroes offer to cricket. This is why cricket needs wild romantics in
cricket.Shahid
Afridi is the symbol of cricket’s wild romantics. He is the darling of
cricket. He is the true superstar whom the Pakistan team who lack
romance and energy and obviously cricket needs him.Imran
Yousuf in one of his article had said, “Because sport, as you men may
or may not know, carries the erotic. It is the erotic speaking another
language. The pursuit of eros is sport's bloodstream, its unspoken
raison d'etre. All our controls and rules are ways of harnessing this
primal power into whistles and points.can’t imagine the Pakistan cricket team without the Pathan. Too tough
for me to enjoy a Pakistan team without Afridi, whose glamour and
romance has made me their fan. Afridi scripts the dance of the wolves
with his wild romance and aggression.The present Pakistan team is dull without Shahid Khan Afridi.
Everyone is greedy... wants to make that extra bit of money: Kapil Dev
Firstly, my thoughts go out to those families affected by the blasts in Delhi. It seems no place in the world is safe anymore. I tweeted to my fans in Delhi to stay safe, and that came from the bottom of my heart. These acts of terror are mindless. Coming back to cricket, I did not watch the game at Southampton as I was at an awards ceremony. It feels good to see England having three contenders for the wicketkeeper's role. If it is Matt Prior in Tests and Craig Kieswetter in ODIs, Steven Davies is always at hand to step in.There is depth in bowling as well. English cricket has never had it so good.The fact is that anyone and everyone playing county cricket wants to play for the country. It shows in how the national team is also performing. Over the last two years, our work ethic has improved and so has the fitness. Even the counties are training and working hard on the lines of the England squad.Kieswetter is a fantastic striker. He hits sixes and is a confident young talent.I have seen my old teammate from the IPL, Vinay Kumar, having a tough time here. But it is a difficult transition at times from IPL to the highest level. In international cricket, you have 11 tough guys playing against you, while in the IPL, there are a few weak links which can be exploited.I have captained Vinay and I am sure he will find his feet soon. He is a professional sportsperson. He trains hard, thinks about the game and works at it. He might not have done well in the first couple of games, but he will be okay in the rest of the series.For the Indians, it is the fag end of a difficult trip. For some, who also went to the West Indies, all they might want is to go back home. But they have to get through it somehow and draw on anything they can.
England never had it so good
Firstly my thoughts go out to those families affected by the blasts in Delhi. It seems no place in the world is safe anymore. I tweeted to my fans in Delhi to stay safe, and that came from the bottom of my heart. These acts of terror are mindless. Coming back to cricket, I did not watch the game at Southampton as I was at an awards ceremony. It feels good to see England having three contenders for the wicketkeeper's role. If it is Matt Prior in Tests and Craig Kieswetter in ODIs, Steven Davies is always at hand to step in.There is depth in bowling as well. English cricket has never had it so good.The fact is that anyone and everyone playing county cricket wants to play for the country. It shows in how the national team is also performing. Over the last two years, our work ethic has improved and so has the fitness. Even the counties are training and working hard on the lines of the England squad.Kieswetter is a fantastic striker. He hits sixes and is a confident young talent.I have seen my old teammate from the IPL, Vinay Kumar, having a tough time here. But it is a difficult transition at times from IPL to the highest level. In international cricket, you have 11 tough guys playing against you, while in the IPL, there are a few weak links which can be exploited.I have captained Vinay and I am sure he will find his feet soon. He is a professional sportsperson. He trains hard, thinks about the game and works at it. He might not have done well in the first couple of games, but he will be okay in the rest of the series.For the Indians, it is the fag end of a difficult trip. For some, who also went to the West Indies, all they might want is to go back home. But they have to get through it somehow and draw on anything they can.
Defiant Nasser Hussain amazed by furore in India over his donkey remark
LONDON : Former England captain Nasser Hussain says he is amazed to learn that his "donkey" remark caused a furore in India."There are one or two donkeys" still in the side, Hussain had said while commentating on the Indian fielding.The remark drew severe criticism from several former Indian cricketers and prompted an irate Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI) to take up the matter with the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB).Hussain said "donkey" is a common cricketing slang in England."I don't want to say too much about this because I have found the reaction amazing. I just can't believe the fuss over what is a bit of cricket slang. It is a term I used all the time when I was a captain. Nothing personal was intended," The Daily Mail Thursday quoted Hussain as saying.Hussain had come up with the remark while commentating in the one-off Twenty20 between the two sides at Old Trafford last month."I would say the difference between the two sides is the fielding. England are all-round a good fielding side. I do believe that India have few 3 or 4 very good fielders and one or two donkeys in the field still," he had said
Youngsters eye capital high
It's the toughest tour India have undertaken since the start of the new millennium. But if you have the mettle, it may be a good time to walk into this team.Starting against the best can be a double-edged sword for sure. However, if you prove yourself, it can be an ideal launching pad for your career.At the moment, no team tests you like England does. They may be ranked No. 5 in ODIs but are playing better than the world champions, India. For Ajinkya Rahane and Varun Aaron, their first series has been a baptism by fire. Rahane has made a very impressive start to his career but by measuring himself against a team like England, he will realise how tough it is to be successful at the highest level.The home team seem to have an answer for everything India have thrown at them. The debacle in Tests was blamed on poor starts. In the limited-overs series, India can't hide behind that excuse as well. Rahane and Parthiv Patel have not just seen off the new ball, they have provided flying starts. It has helped India raise competitive totals but the result has been the same.The defeats at Southampton and Old Trafford, after posting 187 in 23 overs and 165 in 20, could have demoralised any team. The third one-dayer at the Oval on Friday will be a test of whether the young Indian team have the mental reserves to take the knocks in their stride.Wrest Initiative The importance of seizing the initiative early cannot be lost on India. In the Tests, they surrendered the lead at Lord's and the gap kept widening. They find themselves in the same position now in the ODIs. Their confidence has taken a hit after the England batsmen dominated on Tuesday.If batting was blamed in the Test series, bowling has let them down in the limited-overs series. The absence of a strike bowler reflects an empty cupboard.At The Rose Bowl, openers Craig Kieswetter and Alastair Cook raced to a 67-run partnership in 6.2 overs. Thereafter it was a cakewalk. The Indian new ball attack's ability to make early inroads could well decide the outcome on Friday. The bowlers’ poor show has meant no target has looked insurmountable for the England batsmen.Fifth bowler Ravindra Jadeja, who landed after visa issues were sorted, trained on Thursday and is likely to replace Manoj Tiwary as he will solve the fifth bowler issue He is making a comeback, and will know if he has the game, this series is a perfect platform. Who is doing what Dum hai ki nahin pata chal jata hai (Your mettle is tested). If you do well here, recognition is instant. England is a tough place to play cricket, history is proof that whoever has scored runs here, has gone on to play for long Dilip Vengsarkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly," said former India player and current manager, Shivlal Yadav. The odds are heavily stacked against India. The onus is on the young brigade.
Razzaq relishes Champions League in India
KARACHI : Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, said on Wednesday that he was relishing the prospect of playing Champions League matches in India, where he aims to do his bit for improved neighbourly relations The 31-year-old will feature in the qualifying rounds of the September 19-October 9 league for Leicestershire, the English county side who won the domestic Twenty20 tournament.Razzaq will become only the second Pakistani to play in the Champions League after Yasir Arafat, who represented Sussex in the first year of the tournament in 2009.“I am really very excited to be playing in India,” Razzaq told AFP. “It’s a great chance and I will take a message of goodwill for Indians.” The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which runs the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) as well as the Champions League, barred Pakistani players from featuring in both events after they played in the inaugural IPL in 2008.No Pakistani team is again invited to the Champions League, an event where the winners of Twenty20 competitions in top Test playing countries take part – but Razzaq hopes that will change.“I hope the respective governments will negotiate to resume the Indo-Pak cricket because without India and Pakistan playing each other, cricket is deprived of a high-profile, most-watched cricket series,” he said.India stalled sporting and other ties with neighbour, and old rival, Pakistan in the aftermath of the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border.But Razzaq said cricket was “the binding force” between India and Pakistan, two countries where the game is massively popular.“Doors should always be open for sportsmen or else you change the name of cricket, because cricket is the binding force between these two countries, which we have seen in the past,” he said.Razzaq claimed that an IPL without Pakistani players is less attractive.“When we played in the ICL (Indian Cricket League) the whole charm of that league was Pakistani players playing in India, so I hope that after I go and play the Champions League, India also opens doors of IPL for Pakistani players.“I have faced no problems playing in India and even in the worst of times people of India welcome Pakistani players with open hearts and I hope I am soon part of a Pakistani team playing against India.”There are suggestions that might happen soon.Pakistan Cricket Board has said it is negotiating with the BCCI over a possible tour to India next year – approved under the Future Tours Programme of the International Cricket Council.Razzaq also hopes Pakistan find a suitable coach after Waqar Younis.“Pakistan needs a coach who can motivate the players and don’t have ego problems, said Razzaq, who was dropped after the World Cup in March.He has so far played 46 Tests, 262 one-day internationals and 26 Twenty20s for Pakistan.
Miandad served show-cause notice by PCB over outburst
LAHORE : The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday served a show-cause notice on batting icon and its director general Javed Miandad for criticising the board policies in an interview to Dawn.Miandad, who besides being the director general has also been associated with the board as Governing Board member almost for three years as a powerless man, has been asked by the PCB to submit the reply within seven days.In the past, Miandad on several occasions decided to quit the job, but President Asif Ali Zardari, patron of the PCB, asked the legendary cricketer to continue his affiliation with the board.Miandad might have been frustrated amid his claims that he had not been given any significant role in PCB affairs, particularly when the board snubbed him recently while naming a committee for the process to appoint a new coach for the Pakistan team.The said committee is headed by former Pakistan captain Intikhab Alam with Zaheer Abbas and Col. Naushad Ali, both not employed by the PCB, as its members.
Pakistan record dramatic win against Zimbabwe
BULAWAYO : Pakistan snatched a five-run victory from the jaws of defeat
as Zimbabwe failed to reach the target by just six runs in the first of
the three One-day Internationals here at the Queen’s Sports Club ground
on Thursday.Chasing 248, Zimbabwe could make 242 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the 50 allotted 50 overs.Captain
Brendan Taylor with 84 and Vissu Sibanda with 73 runs were the top
scorers for Zimbabwe while for Pakistan, debutant pacer Aizaz Cheema
took three wickets for 36.Earlier, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat after which Pakistan scored 247 for seven.
PCB announces England series schedule
LAHORE : Pakistan announced on Thursday a complete programme of its
series against top-ranked Test team England, to be played in the United
Arab Emirates in January-February.The series, which is
played in UAE because Pakistan cannot hold games on home soil over
security fears, consists of three Tests, four one-day internationals and
three Twenty20 internationals.Pakistan will also host Sri
Lanka in UAE for three Tests, five one-dayers and one Twenty20
international in October-November this year.England, who
deposed India from the top of the world Test rankings, will play their
first Test series as number ones against Pakistan from January 17, in
Dubai.The second Test will be in Abu Dhabi (January 25-29)
before the two teams return to Dubai (February 3-7) for the third and
final Test.
Programme
Jan 3 - England team arriveProgramme
Jan 17-21 - 1st Test - Dubai
Jan 25-29 - 2nd Test - Abu Dhabi
Feb 3-7 - 3rd Test - Dubai
Feb 13 - 1st ODI - Abu Dhabi
Feb 15 - 2nd ODI - Abu Dhabi
Feb 18 - 3rd ODI - Dubai
Feb 21 - 4th ODI - Dubai
Feb 23 - 1st Twenty20 - Dubai
Feb 25 - 2nd Twenty20 - Dubai
Feb 27 - 3rd Twenty20 - Abu Dhabi
Aussies take charge after bowling out Sri Lanka for 174
PALLEKELE : Australia took early charge of the second Test against Sri
Lanka after bowling out the home side for a hugely disappointing 174
soon after tea on the opening day in Pallekele on Thursday.Fast
bowler Ryan Harris led the way with three wickets and Trent Copeland,
Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon picked up two each in good batting
conditions at the Pallekele International Stadium.Australia,
hoping to clinch the three-match series after winning the first Test in
Galle by 125 runs, raced to 60 for no loss before bad light ended play
5.2 overs early.Shane Watson returned unbeaten on 36 with six boundaries and Phillip Hughes was on a watchful 23 at stumps.The
hosts, electing to bat after winning the toss, never recovered after
they lost half the side for 76 by lunch, the top three falling by the
eighth over with the score at just 14.Vice-captain Angelo
Mathews cracked three sixes and six boundaries in an aggressive 58 to
boost the total, but seven batsmen failed to reach double figures.Former
captain Kumar Sangakkara chipped in with 48, adding 43 for the fourth
wicket with Thilan Samaraweera and 52 for the sixth with Mathews.The
elegant left-hander looked set for a major knock when he lost his
wicket to part-time bowler Mike Hussey, whose slow-medium delivery was
driven to Hughes at short-cover.It was only the third wicket
in 61 Tests for Hussey and compounded Sri Lanka's woes on a wicket that
had rolled out well in favour of the batsmen.Hussey also
picked up a brilliant diving catch at gully to remove star batsman
Mahela Jayawardene, who had hit a century in Galle.Opener Tharanga Paranavitana fell for his second successive duck and skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was bowled for four.Sri
Lanka could have lost Sangakkara cheaply, but Shane Watson spilled a
catch at first slip off Johnson when the batsman was on 27 Samaraweera
was dismissed 20 minutes before lunch, caught behind off Harris for 18,
while Prasanna Jayawardene threw away his wicket just before the break.The
Sri Lankan wicket-keeper smashed off-spinner Lyon for a six and four,
but holed out in the deep off the last ball of the over.Dilshan lashed out at his batsmen, saying they needed to make significant contributions if Sri Lanka were to level the series.The
hosts had been dismissed for 105 and 253 in the first Test with a
century from Mahela Jayawardene and 95 from Mathews being the only major
contributions.Australia made one change from the side
that won the first Test, bringing in debutant Shaun Marsh for former
captain Ricky Ponting, who has returned home for the birth of his second
child.The left-hander received his baggy green Australian
cap before the start of play from his father, Geoff Marsh, a former
opening batsman who played 50 Tests and 117 one-dayers before retiring
in 1992.Sri Lanka included leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna for
his maiden Test match after both Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis were
ruled out with injuries.
Zimbabwe restrict Pakistan to 247-7 in first ODI
BULAWAYO : Pakistan were restricted to 247-7 by Zimbabwean bowlers in the
first of the three One-day Internationals here at the Queen’s Sports
Club ground on Thursday.After captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss
and elected to bat, Pakistan lost Imran Farhat for only one run on the
board but in-form allrounder Mohammad Hafeez and veteran batsman Younis
Khan rescued them and added 73 runs for the second wicket before Hafeez
went for 26.Then, Younis added further 52 runs with Misbah for the third wicket but later Pakistan began to collapse.Younis was run out after top scoring with 78 and Misbah also made a half-century scoring 54.Shoaib Malik, making a comeback, failed to score and was out for only two runs.However,
Umar Akmal (36) and his brother Adnan (27) gave some respectability to
the team and in the last Sohail Tanvir also made a brisk 17 to take the
score to 247 in 50 overs.For Zimbabwe, fast bowlers Ray Price and Chris Mpofu claimed two wickets each.Now, Zimbabwe require 248 runs to win the match.
