Coaching 'definitely most difficult facet of cricket': Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has said that commentating can be tough, but coaching is definitely the most difficult facet of the game I knew how to play cricket so that was ok, not a problem. Commentating, to start off was tough, it was very difficult. Now I'm really enjoying it as I have got used to it," PakPassion.net quoted Akram, as saying Coaching is definitely the most difficult facet of cricket, because it's frustrating, as you cannot do anything yourself. Nothing is in your control once the boys have taken the field. When I played cricket, I could change the game, but as a coach, I don't have that opportunity, only the players can change the course of a match," he addedAkram's long career came to an end before the advent of the Twenty-20 format of the game. Whilst injuries did hamper his career from time to time, he played in an era where rarely did bowlers opt out of one format of cricket just to extend their careers in another format.Akram felt that some modern day cricketers were taking the easy option of playing just shorter formats, and not giving Test cricket the respect it deserves."It varies from cricketer to cricketer, but if you want to be remembered as a great of the game, for that you have to be known for playing test cricket. For some it's easier to retire from Test cricket, to play just Twenty20 cricket, earn a lot of money and then disappear," he said.Akram, who featured in 104 test matches and 356 one day internationals (ODIs), pointed out that someone like Dale Steyn would be remembered as a great for being an exceptional bowler who runs in hard for every ball he bowls, whatever the format."Nowadays you can be a good Twenty20 player and make a career out of it, but my ambition was always to be the best player in the world in all formats and that should be the aim for every youngster," he stated

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PCB happy with progress made on refurbishments

Sharjah: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has endorsed the Sharjah Cricket Stadium's new facilities ahead of the Test and one-day matches against Sri Lanka to be held in November."Ijaz Butt [chairman of the PCB] visited the stadium and has expressed his delight over the progress we have achieved in renovating the stadium for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series," Waleed Bukhatir, vice chairman of the Sharjah Cricket Club, told Gulf News."We are delighted with the support from the PCB for bringing big cricket back to this stadium."The renovation work at the stadium is progressing so fast that we will complete it much before the deadline."Butt is happy with the changes to the dressing room and the facilities being created for the spectators."The stadium will stage the third Test match of the series from November 3 to 7, nine years after a five-day game was held there.The fourth one-dayer of the series will be held on November 20, the first involving Test-playing nations since 2003.Thankful"We are thankful to Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the president of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for allotting these international matches to Sharjah," Bukhatir said."We are working hard to recreate the same glory that made Sharjah a special venue. The access roads to the stadium are more comfortable now for the spectators and since the stadium is centrally located it will be very convenient for the spectators.Bukhatir, who is also the executive member of the Emirates Cricket Board and chairman of the Sharjah Cricket Council's Al Dhaid cricket village, revealed the 16,000 capacity had to be reduced to adhere to the International Cricket Council's rules, creating special areas for players and officials.The officials from the ICC visited the stadium last week to access the progress of our work and whether the changes have been made according to their rules. We have fully followed the rules so that the stadium can be used not only for this series but also for bigger tournaments in the coming years," he said.

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Pakistan Cricket and Controversies since 2009

Pakistan cricket has been hit badly by different controversies after winning the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009. The worst of all the controversies was the spot-fixing scandal. The scandal did hurt the team badly, but things have moved in a better direction since then.Pakistan had a troublesome time when the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in Lahore. The team was heading into the Twenty20 world cup with a new leader in Younis Khan.Younis inspired his team to a historic win and things looked like heading into the right direction finally for the team. Lesser did everyone know that the worse hasn’t yet come for the team.Pakistan lost the semi-final in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy and Younis was alleged into match-fixing. The news shattered the confidence of Younis, who stepped-down from the captaincy of the team and took some time-off from cricket.Problems continued for the team as the newly appointed captain of the team, Mohammad Yousuf was unable to win a single match on the Australian tour in 2009-2010 Several other players were questioned over match-fixing and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed over punishments to few of the key players of the team including life-bans to Yousuf and Younis A young team was sent to England with Shahid Afridi as the skipper of the side. However, Afridi retired from test cricket which gave an opportunity to Salman Butt to lead the team.The start to Butt’s reign was exceptional as Pakistan overcame the mighty Australians in the second test match of the two-match series levelling the series 1-1 However, several players were alleged of spot-fixing during the four-match Test series against England and Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif along with their captain, Butt were suspended by ICC All the cricket lovers and former players were shocked by the controversy as the suspended players awaited their destiny. ICC found the players to be guilty and banned them for a long period of time along with heavy fines.All these things led to a lot of trouble and shame for the country, but the Pakistan team gelled together to revive the lost glory of their country.The consequences of the wrong-doing helped the Pakistan cricketers to completely focus on the game other than any other thing.The players who were alleged of dividing the team were all out of the side and the team had only those players who wanted to play for their country and win for their team.The team was led by Afridi in the ICC World Cup 2011 and made it to the Semi-Final stage of the tournament. This was an exceptional performance by the team which had gone through a very bad period recently.However, Afridi quit international cricket after the Mega Event, following a dispute with team's coach Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq was given charge of the team since then.Pakistan is considered to be one of the most dangerous teams in the limited form of cricket and with the players focused on the game; there are plenty of chances of winning the Twenty20 World Cup which will take place in Sri Lanka next year.However, the players are currently focused on the ongoing series with Zimbabwe, which will be Waqar's last assignment with the side, as the former captain has resigned from the job following some health issues.Tagged in: England, Australia, Twenty20, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, World Cup, match-fixing, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, ICC, Waqar Younis, PCB, Lahore, Zimbabwe, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousaf, Mohammad Amir, Spot-fixing, life ban Test your Cricket knowledge by placing free betting on cricket matches. Get most accurate Cricket betting odds and picks for successful betting

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ICC Chief Executives' Committee to meet in London

The ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) will meet in London on 12 September 2011 for a routine meeting that has the following issues for consideration:Venue Accreditation SystemThe CEC will consider an enhanced Venue Accreditation System for international grounds. The initiative responds to the ICC Strategic Plan 2011-15 Bigger, Better Global Game - which highlights the need to provide a world class environment for international cricket, in part by delivering better venues with better facilities to contribute to on-field excellence and more fans.The ICC has an existing approval process which was introduced in December 1997 for new international venues but there is no process for the on-going monitoring of venues. The proposal is that a venue will have to be re inspected and re-accredited every five years or when it undergoes major re building or renovation.Other routine items include updates on international umpire performances, the Future Tours Programme Agreement, Medical Committee projects; the implementation of domestic anti-doping and anti-corruption codes; the ICC World Test Championship as well as Member DevelopmentThe CEC comprises the Chief Executives of the 10 Full Member nations as well as three Associate Member representatives. Also present in the ICC Chief Executive who chairs the meeting and, by invitation, the ICC President and the chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee.

Haroon Lorgat - ICC Chief Executive (Chairman)
Sharad Pawar - ICC President
Clive Lloyd - ICC Cricket Committee Chairman
Mansur Ahmed - Bangladesh
Subhan Ahmed - Pakistan
Ozias Bvute - Zimbabwe
David Collier - England and Wales
John Cribbin - Associate Member Representative
Warren Deutrom - Associate Member Representative
Francois Erasmus - Associate Member Representative
Dr Ernest Hilaire - West Indies
Gerald Majola - South Africa
Prakash Schaffter - Sri Lanka
Sundar Raman - India (alternate for N Srinivasan)
James Sutherland - Australia
Dr Justin Vaughan - New Zealand

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Rain halts Aussies after Marsh, Hussey tons

Michael Hussey hit a 14th Test century and debutant Shaun Marsh his maiden ton before rain halted Australia's progress in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.The two left-handers put on 258 for the fourth wicket as the tourists moved to 411-7 in their first innings by stumps on the third day, a lead of 237 runs with three wickets in hand.Marsh made 141 and Hussey scored 142, his second big knock in the series after a match-winning 95 in the first Test in Galle last week.Just 40.3 overs were bowled in the day as heavy rain washed out play soon after lunch at the Pallekele International Stadium.With more rain forecast over the remaining two days, Australian captain Michael Clarke may be forced to make an early declaration to bid for a series-clinching victory.Hussey and Marsh, who resumed at 264-3, stayed together till 10 minutes before lunch when Hussey holed out to the cover fence against part-time spinner Thilan Samaraweera.Their partnership was the highest ever against Sri Lanka for the fourth wicket, surpassing the 256 by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly for India in Mumbai in 1997.The pair had joined forces on Friday morning when Sri Lanka grabbed three quick wickets to reduce Australia to 116-3 in reply to their own 174.Both Marsh and Hussey reached their respective centuries in the same over from off-spinner Suraj Randiv 45 minutes after the start of play.Hussey, who was on 76 overnight to Marsh's 87, outscored his partner and achieved his third hundred against Sri Lanka with an on-drive for two runs.Marsh moved to 98 by driving seamer Chanaka Welegedara through the covers for a four and then reached 100 by flicking Randiv to mid-wicket for two.Former Australian opener Geoff Marsh applauded warmly from the stands as his 28-year-old son jumped in the air with a raised bat to celebrate the landmark.The younger 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 century will help the left-hander secure his place in the team even when Ponting returns for the third and final Test in Colombo from September 16.Australia, who were 378-4 at lunch, lost three wickets in the space of one run after resumption before the weather intervened.Marsh added 11 to his lunch score of 130 when he pulled seamer Suranga Lakmal to Kumar Sangakkara on the mid-wicket fence while attempting his 19th boundary.Sangakkara, who had also caught Hussey, picked up his third catch when Brad Haddin lofted Randiv to mid-on.Randiv then bowled Mitchell Johnson first ball, but Ryan Harris prevented a hat-trick.When play was called off, Usman Khawaja was unbeaten on 13 and Harris was on nine.As Australia piled up the runs, Sri Lanka rued the absence of their two first-choice spinners, Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, who were forced to miss the match with injuries.Australia lead 1-0 in the series, their first in Sri Lanka since 2004, after winning the first Test by 125 runs.

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UPDATE ICC CRICKET RATINGS

The Icc Cricket Ratings Check Out Time a Last  Update

India   Australia   South-Africa  New-Zealand   Bangladesh 

Pakistan   England   West-Indies   Zimbabwe

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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.

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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

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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."

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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