High Court slams PCB on Akhtar case

Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board today came under scathing criticism from Lahore High Court for failing to file a reply on fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar's petition against the ban imposed on him on disciplinary charges.

Shoaib Akhtar had challenged the 18-month ban and the seven million rupees fine that was imposed on him some two years ago on disciplinary grounds. © AFP

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed lambasted the working of the Board for its failure to file a reply on a writ petition by Akhtar against the 18-month ban and fine of seven million rupees imposed on him by the appellate tribunal of the Board.
"The board is destroying cricket. I don't know how the board is operating I am surprised at the failure to file their reply," the Justice remarked.
Akhtar had challenged the ban and fine that was imposed on him some two years ago. The Lahore High Court had suspended the ban and allowed Akhtar to play cricket but the Board has already deducted the fine of seven million rupees from the fast bowler's earnings with them.
Akhtar announced his retirement from international cricket during the recent World Cup and also pulled out of the Sri Lankan Premier League Twenty20 tournament owing to his personal and business commitments.
The High Court set the next date of hearing for September 27 while directing the PCB legal advisor to file his reply before that date at any cost.
PCB's legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi, however, claimed that the Judge had passed the remarks in a light mood.
"I told the Judge during recession that his remarks would be played up and give a negative portrayal of the board in the media," Rizvi said.
He said he had outlined the policy of the Board on the Akhtar case clearly.
"I told the honourable court that the Supreme Court had already ruled in another case in our favour that is similar to this one the writ filed by Shoaib should be dismissed," he said.

PTI

Sachin loses top spot to Kallis in Tests

Dubai: Sachin Tendulkar on Friday lost the coveted number one spot in the ICC Test rankings to South Africa's Jacques Kallis but Rahul Dravid, adjudged man-of -the-match for scoring a century in the first Test against West Indies, returned to the top-20 after jumping nine places.

Sachin Tendulkar lost the coveted number one spot in the ICC Test rankings to South Africa's Jacques Kallis. © AFP

According to an ICC media release, left-hander Suresh Raina, too, moved up 26 places to be placed 61st after his after his useful knock of 82 in the first innings against West Indies at Kingston.
Tendulkar lost the top after the iconic batsman decided to skip the series against West Indies. He is currently placed second.
As a player loses one per cent of his rating points for every Test he misses, Tendulkar will lose more points as he will not figure in the remaining two Tests.
However, the Mumbaikar will still enter next month's Test series against England as the number two batsman.
Dravid, who notched up a patient 112 on a difficult Sabina Park pitch, earned 45 rating points for his effort and is placed at the 20th spot.
This is Dravid's best position since November 2010 when he slipped out of the top 20 following the Nagpur Test against New Zealand.
The veteran batsman's seven-hour vigil at the crease set the platform for India's 63-run victory, and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Dravid had won the ICC Cricketer and ICC Test Player of the Year awards in 2004.

PTI

Sachin Tendulkar sells his Ferrari

Surat: The 360 Modena Ferrari, which once occupied the pride of place in batting icon Sachin Tendulkar's fleet of premium cars, is now a prized possession of a Surat businessman.

Ferrari's Formula One driver Schumacher had presented the car on behalf of FIAT to Tendulkar when the two met in 2002 at Silverstone, England. © AFP

Jayesh Desai, Chairman of Raj Hans group, said he purchased the car a fortnight ago.
"I have bought the 360 Modena Ferrari car directly from Sachin Tendulkar with all legal documents," Desai told PTI, but declined to reveal the price.
"It was my dream to drive a Ferrari and now my dream has come true," Desai, who has a passion for driving luxury cars, said.
The Ferrari, which was presented to Tendulkar by racing legend Michael Schumacher, will be the first racing car in his fleet of luxury vehicles, Desai said, adding that his latest acquisition was a prized possession as it was owned by the batting great.
"Kindly ask me only about the car and nothing about Sachin," he said when asked if he and Tendulkar were friends or had known each other.
The Ferrari had got mired in a controversy in 2003 after it was reported that Tendulkar had requested for a customs duty waiver despite getting it as a gift and not winning it as a prize in a tournament.
In August 2003, the finance ministry had exempted Tendulkar from paying around Rs 1.13 crore (approximately $245,000) towards import duty for the vehicle, valued at Rs 75 lakh (approximately $162,600).
The car was gifted to him by FIAT, which manufactures the premium Ferrari cars and endorsed by Tendulkar, after the Indian batting legend equalled Don Bradman's tally of 29 Test centuries.
Ferrari's Formula One driver Schumacher presented the car on behalf of the company to Tendulkar when the two met in 2002 at Silverstone, England.
Tendulkar has taken a break from cricket after playing in IPL and is away on a vacation in England with family.

PTI

ICC to discuss DRS and end of rotation policy

Dubai: The usage of controversial Decision Review System in all Test and ODI matches and the proposal to end the rotational policy in the appointment of ICC presidents post 2015 will top the agenda in the annual conference of the world body beginning on Sunday in Hong Kong.

The ICC said the usage of the DRS in Test matches, ODI and Twenty20 series, has got unanimous approval from its Cricket Committee. © AFP

The five-day annual conference, which is expected to be a stormy affair, will begin with the meeting of ICC Chief Executives' Committee (June 26 & 27) followed by ICC Executive Board (June 28 & 29) and Full Council (June 30).
The ICC said the usage of the DRS in Test matches, ODI and Twenty20 series, has got unanimous approval from its Cricket Committee of which former Indian captain Ravi Shastri is a member.
"While acknowledging the broadcast contracts that currently exist, the ICC Cricket Committee was unanimous in its recommendation that DRS should be used in all Test matches and also unanimously recommended that DRS should be used in ODI and T20I series with each side allowed one unsuccessful review per innings," the ICC said in a statement.
"The suggestions were made following detailed technical analysis and supported by what the committee agreed was a successful application during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011," it said.
Another controversial topic in the agenda would the proposal to bring in a constitutional amendment to end the rotational policy in the appointment of ICC president once the term of Sharad Pawar's successor Alan Issac (New Zealand) is over in 2015.
The move is likely to face vehement opposition from Pakistan and Bangladesh. Under the existing policy, the two countries are to present their nominees for the post of ICC president and vice-president.
"The Full Council will also consider a further constitutional change to the process for the nomination and election of the ICC President. Under the new proposal, the Executive Board will decide the process and term of office from time to time, subject to certain qualifying criteria," the ICC statement said.
"This would remove the current rotational system of nomination and the fixed term of appointment as set out in the ICC Articles of Association," it said.
The ICC will also revisit its earlier decision to restrict 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand to only 10 Full Members, following protests from Associate Members and former cricketers. It said a Test play-off for the top four teams has been approved to take place in England in 2013.
"At its meeting in Mumbai on 4 April 2011, after having previously agreed a 10-team ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, the ICC Executive Board agreed that the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 would comprise of 10 ICC Full Members. The Board also confirmed its decision taken in October 2010 that ICC World Twenty20 should be a 16-team event and that promotion and relegation would be introduced from 2019.
"These decisions were part of the package of strategic restructuring of bilateral cricket and ICC events aimed at providing greater context and content for international cricket. As part of this, a Test play-off for the top four teams was also approved to take place in England in 2013.
"Following decisions and responding to representations from various quarters, ICC President Sharad Pawar will ask the ICC Executive Board to revisit its decision to restrict the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to the 10 Full Members."
Other important matters to be taken up first by the CEC before going to ICC Board include a study by Cricket Committee into day/night Test matches and amendments on the current code of conduct regulations to allow suspension of a captain after two offences for slow over-rate breaches.
The CEC will consider the recommendations of the Cricket Committee to use two balls in each ODI innings -- one from each end. The step is aimed at improving the balance between bat and ball and to give 50-over cricket a distinct identity.
"Currently the ball is replaced after 34 overs. It also recommended that teams should only be allowed to take the batting and bowling powerplays between overs 16 and 40," the ICC said.
"The committee also suggested that trials of the following playing conditions be conducted in domestic cricket before being considered for international cricket -- removal of the restriction on the maximum number of overs each bowler could deliver; no compulsory close-catchers; a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard fielding circle during non-powerplay overs; the number of bouncers that can be delivered per over to be increased from one to two."
The CEC will seek to confirm and recommend the Future Tours Programme to ICC Executive Board for its consideration.
The Full Council of the ICC will consider another constitutional amendment aimed at ensuring free elections of Member boards and avoiding undue government interference in the administration of cricket, in line with the regulations of other major sporting bodies.
The ICC Executive Board and CEC will receive a detailed post-event report on the successful staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. Although the event was universally regarded as a success and one of the best cricket events in history, the report will highlight shortcomings around ticketing and stadia construction.
The report acknowledged the high standard of cricket and praises the excellent pitches and outfields. It also noted that the three host countries now have a legacy of excellent cricket facilities following the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The ICC Board will also consider recommendations from the CEC, the ICC Security Task Force on introducing mandatory safety and security regulations and a final report from the Pakistan Task Team.

PTI

New Zealand to host Zimbabwe, South Africa

New Zealand will host Zimbabwe for the first time in 11 years as part of a home international schedule early next year that also features South Africa, according to officials.

"It will be a very challenging summer of international cricket and we are looking forward to taking on South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in front of our fans," Black Caps captain Ross Taylor said. © AFP

New Zealand has long-standing travel sanctions on sports teams from Zimbabwe due to alleged human rights abuses by Robert Mugabe's government but agreed to waive them this month provided the political situation did not deteriorate.
New Zealand Cricket said Friday the Zimbabwe tour would take place from January 26 to February 14. It will include one Test, three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches.
South Africa will tour from February 17 to March 27, playing three Tests, three one-dayers and three Twenty20s.
"It will be a very challenging summer of international cricket and we are looking forward to taking on South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in front of our fans," Black Caps captain Ross Taylor said.
"South Africa are currently ranked second in the world Test rankings so the three-Test series against them will be an excellent gauge of our progress."
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said no matches had been scheduled for Christchurch, where the city's AMI Stadium has been closed since February's devastating earthquake that killed 181 people.
He said the venue's operators had been unable to guarantee the stadium would be ready to host international cricket early next year because of the impact of ongoing aftershocks.

AFP

Indian cricketers criticise Harper for bad decisions

Kingston (Jamaica): Umpire Daryl Harper came in for some scathing criticism from the Indian cricket team, which blasted the Australian for his poor decisions during the first cricket Test against the West Indies.

Suresh Raina was given out caught in the leg-trap off Devendra Bishoo and television replays suggested no edge from either bat or gloves of the batsman. © AFP

Such was the exasperation that a senior member of the side said that whole team wishes that Harper does not officiate in the third Test.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni did little to hide his disgust at the standard of umpiring in the Test, which they won by 63 runs to take a 1-0 lead.
"If correct decisions were made, the game would have ended much earlier and we would have been in the hotel by now," Dhoni said at the post match press conference.
The Australian would stand for one last time when India take on West Indies in the third Test at Dominica from July 6.
"We don't want him -- you can quote it as the reaction of the entire Indian team," said a very senior member of the side.
Though Dhoni did not name anyone of the two umpires officiating in the match --- Ian Gould (England) and Harper -- several Indian players openly termed the latter as the centre of their ire.
"It's Daryl Harper six not out," said another senior cricketer as soon as he saw a bunch of Indian pressmen approaching him.
Indians were upset that Harper made at least three critical errors against India and three in favour of West Indies during the match.
"Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and Dhoni himself for done in; (Darren) Bravo twice and once (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul benefitted," chimed in another Indian cricketer, bristling with aggression.
Raina was given out caught in the leg-trap off Devendra Bishoo and television replays suggested no edge from either bat or gloves of the batsman.
Harbhajan Singh was ruled out leg before wicket when the ball clearly was seen going way above the height of the stumps.
Dhoni was cleanly caught at point region off Bishoo but the bowler had cut the return crease in his bowling run-up and the delivery should have been called a no-ball.
All three decisions in question were given by Harper in India's second innings.
Then, when West Indies batted for the last time, there were confident appeals against Bravo and Chanderpaul which were not upheld.
The controversial Australian umpire is regarded worldwide as the worst umpire in the ICC list of elite umpires.
After being on the panel for nine years, between 2002 and 2011, the ICC too has come round to the general perception and declared that Harper will stand down after the termination of his contract in July 2011.
Harper also needled the Indians by banning Praveen Kumar from bowling for treading on to the 'danger area' of the pitch in his follow-through in the first innings.
Indians are not contesting the decision in private but feel Harper could have cautioned the debutant in a friendly way before taking the strong step.
Indian cricketers have little doubt umpire Harper has been clearly biased against them over the years.
"Remember, it was Harper who gave Sachin Tendulkar out lbw in a Test when the batsmen had ducked and was hit on his shoulder," remarked a cricketer.
During a Test of the 1999-2000 tour to Australia, a short delivery from Glenn McGrath had Tendulkar looking to duck under it but it hit him on the shoulders.
Umpire Harper promptly gave Tendulkar out though he was to say later 'the one (decision) that I would like the world to forget is the Sachin one.'
The shocking decision was the reason the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced neutral umpires for both ends in Test matches.
Justified as the Indians are, it only underlines the reason why they should give their sanction to Umpires Decision Review System (UDRS).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been steadfastly refusing the usage of UDRS technology even though worldwide it's acceptance is a norm.
The UDRS technology, because of BCCI's insistence, is not being used either in the present series or the one in England which follows next month.

PTI

Dhoni hails contribution of lower order batsmen

Kingston: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni saluted his lower order batsmen for bailing out the side from tough situations and shaping team's 63-run win over the West Indies in the first cricket Test.

Coming in at 10th down, Amit Mishra made a vital 28 in India's second innings to give India a 300-plus lead. © AFP

Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina had shared a 146-run seventh-wicket stand in the first innings after India had slipped to 85 for six and, then in the second innings, Amit Mishra combined with Rahul Dravid to put on 56 runs for the ninth wicket to help stretch the lead beyond 300 runs.
"Our lower half batsmen for the past year and a half have been contributing well. We were 85 for 6 in the first innings before Harbhajan, along with Suresh Raina, bailed us out. In the second innings, Mishra made a telling contribution," Dhoni said at the post match press conference.
"But for that stand (Raina and Harbhajan), we could have been all out for 150. We were able to get more runs and thus gather a handy lead. Then in the second innings, we could stretch the lead to 300 plus," he added.
Dhoni also offered a wholesome appreciation to the veteran batsman Dravid, who scored 112 in the second innings, and paceman Praveen Kumar, who took six wickets on debut.
"Dravid has been an exceptional batsman. That he played over 250 deliveries showed he was very patient. He made the bowlers pitch in his areas and was brilliant.
"Praveen is a very skillful bowler and can swing it either way. He doesn't have the pace but he can swing the ball and confuse the batsmen if they needed to play or leave a delivery. He showed great character after having been stopped from bowling in the first innings.
"When you are switching from 10-over format to 20-25 overs in an innings, you have to be careful. Importantly, he backed his strength and picked up wickets in the second innings as well."
Praveen Kumar picked up three for 42 in the second innings, to go with his three for 38 from the first, for the match figures of six for 80.
West Indies were all out for 262 in the second innings which was way short of 326-run target but Dhoni felt his side gave away too many deliveries to cut.
"In the first innings, both sides bowled tight and there were not many deliveries to cut. In the second innings, both the sides were lenient. It was slightly different wicket.Unless you bowled really bad, it was difficult to score."
India offered Test caps to two young batsmen -- opener Abhinav Mukund and Virat Kohli -- in the Test and Dhoni urged them to quickly adapt to the environment of Test cricket.

The short ball talk has been on for some time. In international cricket, you have to consistently face it. You need to adapt, you may not be the best player of fast bowling but if you can negotiate it, even if you don't look elegant, it's fair enough.
"It's important you are enjoying your cricket for when you do it, it helps you perform better."
Dhoni found merit in young Mukund and said it was imperative the team had a pool of openers.
"It's important to have a pool of openers. It's important they are given exposure in India A sides for you come to play against teams which has players who one day would represent their respective national sides."
Dhoni also made an encouraging remark on the home team by commenting their top order was as good as his own side.
"I will not make the mistake by saying that this opposition is not good enough. Every batsman can score runs. Their first seven batters have the talent which equally matches the one of current Indian team," he said.

PTI

WSG boss says IPL needs broader appeal

Cricket's glitzy Indian Premier League will shrug off a domestic ratings plunge this year but needs a revamp to appeal to international audiences, its marketing partne

Cricket's glitzy Indian Premier League will shrug off a domestic ratings plunge this year but needs a revamp to appeal to international audiences, its marketing partner said. © AFP

r said Friday.
World Sport Group chief executive Andrew Georgiou said a 20-25 percent drop in TV ratings this year was always possible after the event was expanded to 10 teams in its third year.
"I think the drop-off was inevitable. There was a lot of hype in the first couple of years but even 3.5 rating points (percentage of nightly audience) in India is still a very, very strong position," he told AFP.
"And that drop-off was a result of the extra number of teams. The overall cumulative audience I think was still very good."
But he said the event was missing the mark with audiences outside of South Asia, which are used to a more cerebral brand of cricket rather than the IPL's cheerleaders and confetti.
"I think internationally it's challenging. At the moment the IPL is a product which is made for an Indian and South Asian audience and they need to address that," he said.
Georgiou preferred not to comment on an ongoing legal dispute between World Sport Group and Indian cricket authorities concerning its 10-year contract for the IPL's media rights, secured for one billion dollars in 2008.
AFP

I am more mature, wiser now: Yuvraj

New Delhi: Flamboyant batsman Yuvraj Singh reckons that the rough patch in his career has made him "more matured and wiser" cricketer and he is now looking to cement his place in the Test squad.

Since making his Test debut in 2003, Yuvraj Singh has played just 34 Tests and scored just 1639 runs. © AFP

The left-hander was dropped from both the One-day and Test sides last year following poor form but made a strong comeback in the World Cup, in which he emerged as player of the tournament.
"Yeah it's been a very long time and I won't deny the fact that I have changed for good. Now I am much more mature on and off the field," Yuvraj told PTI-Bhasha in an interview.
"I have gone through lots of ups and down and have emerged stronger and wiser with experience. I am much more calm and controlled in every aspect of my life," he said.
Given his immense talent, Yurvaj has been an underperformer in Test Cricket. He made his Test debut in 2003 against New Zealand but has not been able to cement his place in the side.
The Punjab player wants to carry forward the good work in the One-day format to Test cricket, which he says is now his top priority.
"I am really working hard and I am sure given a chance I would like to put that record straight. I want to restructure my Test career and that is now my main aim.
"Looking back at the last 10 years of my career, I won't deny the fact that I feel little sad about my Test numbers.
There could various reasons for that and I am not going into that. But what lies ahead is interesting and challenging," said the star cricketer, who is one of the most feared batsman in ODI and T20 but has a meagre 1639 runs against his name from 34 Tests.

PTI

Difficult for Australia to be No. 1 again: Arthur

Perth: Former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes Cricket Australia (CA) has ruined its chances of returning to the number one ranking with its increasing obsession towards Twenty20 format.

Former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes Cricket Australia (CA) has ruined its chances of returning to the number one ranking with its increasing obsession towards Twenty20 format. © Getty Images

The 43-year-old added that the governing body is just paying lip service to its mission statement about the "primacy of Test cricket".
Arthur, who is currently coaching Western Australia, is one of many state coaches who have been left bemused by CA's decision to take money from the Sheffield Shield and one-day contracts and allocate it to the Big Bash.
"To be honest it has been very difficult with the amount of money available to keep all your squad happy, and personally I think it's the wrong way round," said Arthur.
States' budgets for Shield and one-dayers have been cut from USD 1.5m to USD 1m for the summer while the Big Bash sides have USD 1.2m for a competition that lasts six weeks.
Last season a Sheffield Shield player was able to earn up to USD 140,000 a season. Now that has been cut to USD 115,000 maximum and the minimum contract has been slashed by USD 10,000.
"If we're serious about getting Australia to the No. 1 Test playing side in the world, we should be reflecting that in our salary caps and budgets," Arthur told a website.
"Your biggest salary cap should be your state contracts, with the smaller salary cap being your Big Bash.
"You can (feel the squeeze) just through the salary caps that we have to work with. You're getting a bigger salary cap for six weeks' work over the holiday period than you are for trying to make yourself a Test cricketer. I think that's the wrong way round," he added.
The move comes after Test opener Simon Katich was cast off the CA contract list, which is littered with less talented players.
PTI

Sri Lanka shakeup after England tour

Sri Lanka's cricket administration is set for a major overhaul amid allegations of massive corruption and mismanagement, a sports ministry official said on Friday.

The authorities will name a new management team for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). © AFP

The authorities will name a new management team for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the governing body of the sport in the island, after the current tour of England ends in early July, the official said. "The minister intends to make changes at Sri Lanka Cricket as soon as the national team returns from England," spokesman Harsha Abeykoon said.
A spokesman for SLC said they were yet to be informed of the impending top management changes.
Local media reports have accused the SLC managing committee of helping themselves to large amounts of cash and a host of other financial irregularities as well as mismanagement. Several probes are underway.
The financially-broke SLC is seeking an unprecedented two-billion-rupee ($18.35 million) bailout from the government and a further 1.5-billion-rupee loan from a state-run bank.
Police have been called to investigate the disappearance of computer disks containing some of the financial accounts relating to the 2011 World Cup the island co-hosted with India and Bangladesh.
Cost overruns and building three stadiums for the tournament left the governing body with bills amounting to $69 million which have forced them to seek the bailout.

AFP

BCCI firm on its decision on SLPL

Colombo: The BCCI has turned down Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's request to revise its ban on Indian players participating in the inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL).

The BCCI has turned down Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's request to revise its ban on Indian players participating in the inaugural Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL). © AFP

In an attempt to convince the BCCI, Aluthgamage took part in a telephone conference with its officials on Thursday.
"We made an attempt to convince them, but the BCCI told us that it cannot reverse its stand," Aluthgamage was quoted as saying in the media.
The tele-conference was initiated after Aluthgamage had asked SLC officials to speak to BCCI bosses and convince them about Indian players' participation in the league.
Aluthgamage, initially, wanted SLC chairman DS de Silva and secretary Nishantha Ranatunga to travel to India and sort out the issue at the earliest with BCCI officials.
The BCCI had initially indicated that Indian players could participate, but changed its mind amid media reports that the tournament was being organised by a Singapore-based company with alleged links to Lalit Modi, the sacked former chairman of the Indian Premier League.
Aluthgamage, however, had already clarified that Modi has nothing to do with the SLPL.
"I can say with 100 per cent assertion there is no role of Lalit Modi in SLPL. I am unaware about his trip to this country, if he had made one two months ago," he had said.
The BCCI had refused No Objection Certificates to 12 Indian players - Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Irfan Pathan, Dinesh Karthik, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Manoj Tiwary, Saurabh Tiwary, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, Manish Pandey and Paul Valthaty - saying that SLPL is not a tournament to be organised by SLC but by a private party based in Singapore on its behalf.
The tournament is scheduled to be held from July 19-August 4.

PTI

Broad says he's fit to lead England

Bristol: Stuart Broad, England's new Twenty20 captain, had a second injury scare ahead of Saturday's match against Sri Lanka in Bristol but insisted he would be fit to lead the team for the first time.

Stuart Broad, England's new Twenty20 captain, had a second injury scare ahead of Saturday's match against Sri Lanka in Bristol but insisted he would be fit to lead the team for the first time. © AFP

Broad suffered a bruised heel during the drawn third Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl concluded earlier this week, leading to concerns over whether he would be able to take up the reins in his first match as Paul Collingwood's replacement as skipper. Indeed the injury led England to announce Eoin Morgan as vice-captain of the Twenty20 side.
But Broad, having overcome his heel problem, suffered an awkward looking tumble during fielding practice on Friday, falling over a medicine ball while taking a catch.
He received treatment on his ankle but said afterwards he was fit.
"It's fine, but it was a bit frustrating tripping over a medicine ball," he said.
"It seems to have pulled up quite well so it's not a concern and I'm really excited about the opportunity of captaining tomorrow (Saturday).
"I didn't see the medicine ball as I was looking up at the catch. It was a bit of a shock to hit the deck like I did but a little bit of taping will hold it together and I'm just looking forward to getting on the park."
Broad will be the second of three England captains in as many matches now that Test skipper Andrew Strauss no longer plays limited overs cricket and with Alastair Cook leading the team for the five one-day internationals (ODIs) against Sri Lanka that follow the Twenty20 fixtures.
England have recalled World Twenty20 winning opening duo Michael Lumb and Craig Kieswetter after the pair's loss of form, while Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel is back after doing enough to convince team management he is tackling his fitness problems.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Broad, who has no previous senior leadership experience, has been identified as the man to lead England in the defence of their Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka next year.
It's an honour captaining the side for the first time but we don't have a huge amount of T20 cricket before the next World Cup and we have to make the most of it," Broad said.
"It's obviously a very proud moment to lead your country for the first time but more importantly I'm very proud to lead the guys in this changing room," added Broad, the son of former England opener turned match referee Chris Broad.
"We have a very exciting team and we cover all areas."
AFP

Rookie skippers face off in England-Sri Lanka T20

Bristol: Both England and Sri Lanka will be led by novice captains when they meet in the Twenty20 international here on Saturday.

Kandamby will have three former captains -- Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya -- in his side. © AFP

Sri Lanka had hoped to have skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan back in their side after he missed the third and final Test against England with a broken thumb suffered making 193 in the drawn second Test at Lord's. But the opener is still not fit and that means Thilina Kandamby, the vice-captain for the limited overs leg of a tour also featuring five one-day international matches, is set to lead Sri Lanka.
Kandamby will have three former captains -- Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Sanath Jayasuriya -- in his side.
But 29-year-old batsman Kandamby insisted: "It is good that I am starting my career captaining at this level with that experience behind me -- Mahela, Sanath, Kumar all there. It will be good."
Jayasuriya may have made a sparkling 78 in the tourists' warm-up win against Worcestershire on Wednesday but his presence in the squad is controversial.
The veteran batsman, 42 at the end of a the month, has not played a one-day international since appearing against India in 2009.
Now an MP in the United People's Freedom Alliance party of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse, Jayasuriya's selection for this part of the tour has come following reported political pressure to ensure he received a fitting send-off from the international game.
Jayasuriya now plans to play at Bristol and in the opening ODI at The Oval on Tuesday before retiring.
But Kandamby insisted he had no problems having opener Jayasuriya, whose blazing hitting helped Sri Lanka win the 1996 World Cup, in his side.
"He is one of the legends that we have produced so I always enjoy playing with him," Kandamby said. "He has said he is retiring so I am very happy to play with him."
Meanwhile Stuart Broad expects to be fit to lead England for the first time on Saturday.
Broad suffered a bruised heel during the drawn third Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl concluded earlier this week, a result that gave Englanhd the three-match series 1-0.
That sparked concerns over whether he would be able to take up the reins in his first match as skipper following the axing of World Twenty20 winning captain Paul Collingwood from England's squad.
But Broad, having overcome his heel problem, took a tumble during fielding practice on Friday after falling over a medicine ball while taking a catch.
He received treatment on his ankle but said afterwards he was fit.
"It seems to have pulled up quite well so it's not a concern and I'm really excited about the opportunity of captaining tomorrow (Saturday)," Broad said.
Broad will be the second of three England captains in as many matches now that Test skipper Andrew Strauss no longer plays limited overs cricket and with Alastair Cook leading the team in the 50-over one-day internationals.
AFP

Brendan Taylor named new Zimbabwe captain

Harare: Wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor was On Friday named as Zimbabwe's new captain ahead of their triangular one-day series against Australia 'A' and South Africa 'A' starting on June 29.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Brendan Taylor was named as Zimbabwe's new captain ahead of their triangular one-day series against Australia 'A' and South Africa 'A'. © AFP

The announcement was made by a spokesperson following a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) board meeting held at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
The 25-year-old Taylor, who has played 118 ODIs, scoring 21 half-centuries and three hundreds with a top ODI score of 145 not out against South Africa in 2010, will take over the reins from allrounder Elton Chigumbura. Taylor currently plays for the Kwekwe based franchise, Midwest Rhinos.
"We have watched Taylor develop into a mature, experienced player and we stand fully behind him in his new role," said ZC managing director, Ozias Bvute.
Meanwhile, the national selectors also announced the 15-member Zimbabwe XI squad lead by Tayor for the one-day matches against the Australia and South Africa A sides.
After the final one-dayer in the triangular series, the Zimbabwe XI will host Australia A in a two-day warm-up match beginning on July 11. Vusimuzi Sibanda will captain the team during the two-day warm up tie at Kwekwe Sports Club.
Once the warm-up match is over, the hosts will play Australia A in two four-day matches in Harare, beginning on the 15th and the 21st of July. The national selectors will announce the Zimbabwe XI squad for these matches later.
ODI Team: Brendan Taylor (Captain), Regis Chakabva, Chatara, Tendai, Elton Chigumbura, Craig Ervine, Hamilton Masakadza, Keegan Meth, Christopher Mpofu, Forster Mutizwa, Raymond Price, Vusimuzi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu, Prosper Utseya, Brian Vitori, and Malcolm Waller.
Team for warm-up match: Vusimuzi Sibanda (C), Regis Chakabva, Chamunorwa Chibhabha, Elton Chigumbura, Kyle Jarvis, Gregory Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Tinotenda Mawoyo, Natsai Mushangwe, Forster Mutizwa, Njabulo Ncube, Tinashe Panyangara, Malcolm Waller.
PTI

News Vettori drops short game to focus on Tests

Wellington: Former New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori, the world's top-ranked limited overs bowler, announced on Saturday he is taking an indefinite break from the short game to prolong his Test career.

Vettori, the world's top-ranked limited overs bowler, announced he is taking an indefinite break from the short game to prolong his Test career. © AFP

The 32-year-old, who is also ranked ninth among the world's leading ODI all-rounders, said he may return in time for the 2015 World Cup but in the meantime he wants to focus on adding to his 105 Tests. "My reason for taking a break from the shorter forms of the game is primarily so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent the Black Caps in Test cricket," he said.
"I also believe a break now will give me the best possible chance to take up one-day cricket again in the next couple of years and, if all goes well, make the Black Caps World Cup team for 2015."
Vettori, who has played 272 one-day internationals and 28 international Twenty20s, stepped down as New Zealand captain earlier this year when the side were beaten semi-finalists at the last World Cup.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said he respected Vettori?s decision to target Tests while keeping his options open for the future.
"Dan has been a great servant for a long time now and I believe this decision is not only in his best interest but also for the best interests of the Black Caps," Vaughan said.
"The fact that he has signalled a desire to play ODIs and Twenty20s in the future and possibly make a return when we co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is great."
Vettori was the youngest player ever to represent New Zealand at the age of 18 -- taking 2-98 in his first innings against England in 1997 -- and is now one of only eight players to have more than 300 Test wickets and 3,000 runs.
His target is to be only the second player behind India's Kapil Dev to take 400 wickets and 4,000 runs. He already has 4,167 runs and 345 wickets.
AFP

Of Dravid, Sammy and dropped catches

Kingston (Jamaica): Darren Sammy spent a sleepless night after dropping a catch which ultimately cost West Indies the first Test against India and the miss could haunt him for quite a while if the visitors go on to win the series.

Dravid, who went on to make 112 helping India won the first Test, was on six on the second evening at Sabina Park when Sammy dropped a simple catch that came his way. © AFP

Sammy is finding it difficult to live down the dropped chance off Dravid in the first Test which could turn out to be the final straw in the West Indian skipper's torturous reign at the top.
Catches win matches is an old axiom but occasionally catches dropped have even a bigger say on a series and individual careers.
Young Indian medium-pacer Sanjeev Sharma once found an edge off Graham Gooch's bat on 36 during the Lord's Test of 1990 but to his horror saw wicketkeeper Kiran More fluff it.
The England opener went on to make 333; the hosts won the Test and the series and Sharma was never picked again.
West Indian skipper Carl Hooper could not believe his luck when during the 2002 Guyana Test against India, he edged one off Javagal Srinath to wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta but the chance was put down.
Hooper, then on naught, made it count for 233 runs. In final analysis, West Indies went on to win the five-Test series 2-1.
Among the most painful of memories for an Indian cricket fan was the Eden Gardens match of the 1999-2000 Asian Test championships.
Sachin Tendulkar was controversially adjudged run-out at the non-striker's end by the third umpire which overshadowed the magnificent recovery Pakistan had made in the match.
The visitors were 26 for 6 yet won the game thanks to opener Saeed Anwar's 188 not out in the second knock. Mohammed Azharuddin played his part by dropping the left-hander at second slip early in his innings. It altered the game completely in Pakistan's favour.
Not that the Indians always have had to endure the sob story. Little master Sachin Tendulkar twice brought Pakistan's World Cup campaigns to a grinding halt and on both occasions the opposition was more than generous.
During the Centurion game of the 2003 World Cup, Tendulkar was on 32 when Wasim Akram had him drive one uppishly into the hands of mid-off fielder Abdul Razzaq.
Razzaq grassed it and later said it haunted him for many years.
More recently in Mohali, during the 2011 World Cup semifinals, Tendulkar was let off four times by Pakistan besides a decision which was overturned in favour of the Indian through the Decision Review System.
"You don't drop Tendulkar four times and win a match," former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan was to comment later on.
India's dashing opener Virender Sehwag was put down three times by Pakistan during his triple century at Multan in the 2004 series. The influence of Pakistan cricket team on India began waning from that series onwards.
On a grey, cloudy first day of the Leeds Test of the 2002 England series, Dravid was in his 40s when let off by the umpire who didn't hear the feathered nick the batsman made to the wicketkeeper. Dravid went on to make 148 and India managed to level the series 1-1.
The other occasion was a rather poignant one -- the infamous Sydney Test of the 2008 series when Dravid, battling hard for his 38 runs from two and a half hours of vigil, brought India to the doorstep of a draw.
Suddenly off-spinner Andrew Symonds sent down one which spun and beat his bat to nestle in the gloves of wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
The entire Aussie team went up in appeal and umpire Steve Bucknor upheld it.
The Test caused much bad blood between Indian and Australian cricket boards and nearly fractured the cricketing community.
The most famous dropped catch of all time of course was the let-off by Herschelle Gibbs during the 1999 World Cup which made reprieved batsman Steve Waugh utter, "Son, you've just dropped the world cup."
As an aside, the biggest batting record of all time was built on the altar of a dropped chance.
Durham wicketkeeper Chris Scot was offered a chance by Warwickshire's Brian Lara when the batsman was on 18.
Scot let it go and Lara went on to make 501 runs, the biggest first class innings ever in the history of the game.

PTI

Sammy's formula for success: Don't drop Rahul Dravid again

Kingston (Jamaica): "Don't drop Rahul Dravid again" -- that is not just Darren Sammy's personal goal, it is part of a three-step formula that the guilt-ridden West Indies cricket captain has in mind to bounce back from the opening Test loss to India.

"Don't drop Rahul Dravid again" -- that is not just Darren Sammy's personal goal, it is part of a three-step formula that the guilt-ridden West Indies cricket captain has in mind to bounce back from the opening Test loss to India. © AFP

West Indies lost the opening Test by 63 runs in under four days to India. During the match, Sammy dropped Dravid when the Indian had a mere six runs in his account and the West Indies had the visitors on a tight leash.
The dropped catch proved decisive as Dravid went on to strike his 32nd Test hundred with a 112-run knock that gave India the upper hand and eventually the match.
Sammy, already drawing flak for his poor personal performance, confessed to spending a sleepless night after dropping the catch and it seems it is still haunting him.
"Correct the batting and I don't drop (Rahul) Dravid again, and we shouldn't be under pressure to win the next Test," the pacer was quoted as saying by 'Trinidad Express'.
The second Test of the three-match series is scheduled from June 28 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

PTI

I would not have been the right guy for captaincy: Amla

Johannesburg: South Africa's vice-captain Hashim Amla on Sunday backed AB de Villers' appointment as skipper of the ODI and Twenty20 side, saying the wicketkeeper-batsman is the right man to shoulder the "huge responsibility".

Hashim Amla also rubbished reports that he declined the captaincy. © AFP

"De Villiers was a better candidate because I don't believe I would have been the right guy for it, since it is a huge responsibility," Amla said.
"I prefer as far as possible to stay out of the limelight and that's why the vice-captain position suits me better," he added.
Thanks to his prolific run over the past one year, Amla, who was named the player of the year in 2010, was widely touted to be the next captain after Graeme Smith decided to step down from the post in ODIs and T20.
"Naturally the media speculation about the next captain after Graeme's announcement left me wondering whether I wanted that responsibility, but I am happy to rather be the vice-captain," he told the Afrikaans weekly Rapport.
Amla also rubbished reports that he declined the captaincy.
"It is not true that was I asked to be captain and declined the position. I gave up the captaincy of (provincial side) Dolphins because I wanted to concentrate on my batting and that is also my plan in the national side."
Amla, who is still not guaranteed a place in the T20 side, is keen to cement his place.
"That's my next target - to get as many playing opportunities as possible in the shortest form of the game and to show that I can also match anyone there," he said.
De Villiers was also pleased to have Amla as his deputy, saying that they would work together, with the focus firmly on the 2015 World Cup.

PTI

'Gayle will make difference to this team'

St. John's: Curtly Ambrose, the last of the legendary West Indies fast bowlers, feels problems between destructive batsman Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) should be sorted out immediately for the benefit of Caribbean cricket.

Curtly Ambrose, the last of the legendary West Indies fast bowlers, feels problems between destructive batsman Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) should be sorted out immediately for the benefit of Caribbean cricket. © AFP

Strumming his base guitar at a casino in the capital city along with his former captain Richie Richardson, Ambrose prefers to stay away from cricket.
The poor state of West Indies cricket pains him and he doesn't know why Gayle, who was the best batsmen of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is not in the squad.
But he knows that Gayle is the only cricketer who can make an impact for the West Indies. WICB selectors have kept out Gayle after he criticised the board in a radio interview.
"Gayle is one of the premium batsmen in the Caribbean. He would definitely make a difference in this West Indies batting line up. However why he is not playing I am not sure. I have heard there are some problems between him and the WICB. I don't know the details and I don't want to elaborate on that. But they need to sit down and sort out the matter because Gayle will make a difference in this team," said Ambrose, who struck a musical chord with Richardson by forming a band "Spirited".
The band lit up the atmosphere as they churn out reggae and calypso music and the crowd swayed to their music. The towering Ambrose, who always turned down interview request saying "Curtly talk to no maan" is now a gentle giant.
The 47-year-old cricketer fondly remembered the unplayable bowling attack that he formed with his fellow legend Courtney Walsh. Ambrose said their pair was one of the best to have played the game.
"Not long ago we had 4-5 fast bowlers. That was more than a pair but my pairing with Courtney has been probably the best pair in the history West Indies. It was one of the best pair to have played this game," he said.
Ambrose said his success on the pitch was due to his aggressive nature.
"Fast bowlers should be aggressive. I have been one of those fast bowlers who thrived on aggression. It is a part of my game. By nature I am an aggressive person. I do things aggressively, but I don't believe in sledging or talking to batsmen to throw them out of the game. I believe if you are good enough in what you do, you should be able to let the ball do talking for you or the bat if you are a batsman. In my case I ordered the ball to do the talking for me. I would stare at you, give you this mean look, it is part of my game. I don't say nothing and let the ball do talking for me," he said.
The Antiguan laments the lack of aggression from the current crop of West Indies cricketer.
"Up to mid 90s, we thrived on fast bowling. We used to have some good wickets here, quick and tailored made for our fast bowlers. That was our weapon. If you can't bowl out a team twice, you are not going to win too many matches.
"Sadly enough from mid 90s onwards wickets in Caribbean got really slow. It is very frustrating for a fast bowler. They wickets have got worse over the years. Until we start seeing some good wickets which assist fast bowlers, I am not sure if we see great fast bowlers in future," he said.
Asked about his memorable spell, Ambrose said: "I have had fun memories of the past. There was one off Test match against South Africa in Barbados in 1992. They had just come back in international cricket. South Africa needed 79 runs with eight wickets in hand on the last day. They thought they would win quite easily but Walsh and myself had other ideas and they lost all eight wickets for just 28 runs in the morning and we won the game.
"Another instance, in Trinidad where we bowled out England for 46 runs. Me and Walsh did all the bowling in that particular innings."
PTI

Bichel tipped to become New Zealand's bowling coach

Wellington: Former Australian paceman Andy Bichel has emerged as a strong contender to take over as New Zealand's bowling coach after South African Allan Donald decided to pursue a job in his homeland under a new management.

Bichel's most recent role was with the Stephen Fleming-coached Chennai Super Kings. © AFP

Donald worked as the Black Caps' bowling coach for three months earlier this year and New Zealand administrators had hoped to sign him on permanent basis but, despite a verbal agreement to stay with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the Protea decided to become South Africa's bowling coach.
A number of factors point to the possibility of Bichel's appointment although several obstacles need to be overcome, 'New Zealand Herald' reported.
Before Donald's appointment, it is understood coach John Wright wanted Bichel but he turned the role down because of his commitments with Papua New Guinea as well as freelance work in the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings and Australian domestic side Queensland.
NZC would need to offer the 40-year-old plenty of flexibility to take the role. He wants to continue living in Brisbane so that he doesn't have to relocate his young family - Bichel is married and has children aged 11 and eight - exactly as Donald's predecessor Shane Jurgensen did.
Bichel's most recent role was with the Stephen Fleming-coached Chennai Super Kings.
He was also the bowling coach of Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009 under NZC's new cricket director, John Buchanan.
Buchanan, who coached Queensland when the state won its first Sheffield Shield in the 1994-95 season, said he has spoken to Bichel about the role.
"At this stage it might be difficult to make it work around his other commitments but he still has an interest. I am looking at 4-5 candidates, many of whom also have other commitments and I need to discuss the best way forward further with John [Wright]," said Buchanan.
Bichel is happy to continue the dialogue for now. "I'm working through it with John [Buchanan]. At this stage touring with the Black Caps would mean a lot of time away from home when I'm already away three months with the IPL," he said.
Bichel played Tests and one-day internationals for Australia between 1997 and 2004.
However, Bichel is probably best remembered by New Zealanders as the number nine batsman who top-scored with 64 to save Australia's World Cup match against the Black Caps at Port Elizabeth in 2003.

PTI

Oz minister lashes out at CA over Katich

Melbourne: Out of favour Australian opener Simon Katich who was excluded from the list of cricketers offered central contracts by Cricket Australia found an unlikely supporter in country's federal defence minister Stephen Smith.

What has irked Smith is the decision taken after Katich has performed well in the last 30 Test matches averaging over 50. © AFP

Smith launched a scathing attack on Australian selectors over Katich's omission from the list raising questions about lack of transparency in selection matters.
"Well, historically of course there have been a series of atrocities committed by the Australian Cricket Board or Cricket Australia or the Australian selectors against Western Australian cricketers but this one is extraordinary. This one is very high at the top of the list," Smith, himself a West Australian was quoted as saying during 'Insiders' program on Australian television.
What has irked Smith is the decision taken after Katich has performed well in the last 30 Test matches averaging over 50.
"I mean this is a bloke who over the last 30 Tests he's played, has got nearly 3,000 runs, an average of 50 and done better than Ponting and Mike Hussey.
"So it's an extraordinary decision. And regrettably whilst it's always easy to take a shot at selectors, I think it says a lot more about the selectors than it does about Simon Katich."
He didn't forget to take a dig at the National Selection Panel (NSP) headed by Andrew Hilditch questioning their competence.
"I think frankly it has sent very much a message which has undermined confidence in the selectors that they're really up to the task in terms of managing a transition to the next generation of Australian cricketers."
Such has been the anger that the minister in a forthright manner said that if Katich isn't there in the list of 25, he doesn't find any better opener in that list.
"Simon Katich has the resolve and the determination that you want to have during hard times. So it's an extraordinary decision. If he's not in the top 25 Australian cricketers - and I can't find one better opener than him on that list, let alone two - then I'll go hee for chasey."
The CA's head of cricket operations of Michael Brown however defended the selection policy.
"I certainly don't support the idea that (if) you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. A lot of people work in cricket, which is essentially a volunteered game, who are incredibly talented, incredibly qualified and incredibly committed but do the best they can because they love the game," Brown was quoted as saying by The Sunday Age.
PTI

Anderson gets England recall for Sri Lanka Test

London: James Anderson is set for an England return after being named Sunday in a 12-man squad for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl starting on Thursday, June 16.

James Anderson is set for an England return after being named in a 12-man squad for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl starting on June 16. © AFP

England's premier strike bowler, who missed the drawn second Test at Lord's with a side strain, replaced the uncapped Jade Dernbach, who was drafted into the squad in his absence. Officials had wanted the 28-year-old Anderson to prove his fitness playing for Lancashire in a Twenty20 match against Worcestershire later Sunday. But that fixture was washed-out without a ball being bowled.
It left England having to assess Anderson's fitness on the basis of pre-Test training sessions alone.
However, England national selector Geoff Miller, speaking before the county match was abandoned, said: "Side strains can be particularly troublesome for bowlers but given Jimmy's injury was a grade one strain and therefore a low grade injury, he is expected to be fit for selection.
"We obviously wouldn't include Jimmy in the squad if the medical staff weren't confident of his fitness," the former England off-spinner added.
England's four-man attack struggled for accuracy without Anderson at Lord's.
Either Steven Finn, who took the swing specialist's place in England's XI at Lord's, or the under-performing Stuart Broad would appear to be in line to make way if Anderson plays in what will be the first Test ever staged at the home ground of southern county Hampshire.
"He (Anderson) bowled extremely well (in the first Test) at Cardiff and is a fine, top-class bowler," Miller told BBC Radio Five.
"You always miss quality bowlers.
"But it is not just about one individual -- it's about a squad of bowlers and people coming into the side for injuries.
"That is what we are all about - strength in depth."
Miller added Anderson had skills distinct from those possessed by the trio of 6ft 4in plus seamers -- Chris Tremlett, Finn and Broad -- selected at Lord's.
"Jimmy (can make it) pitch up and swing," he said.
"The others are tall bouncing bowlers and you are always looking for options because conditions alter and change and sometimes you need that difference."
Broad has taken six wickets at an expensive 48 runs apiece in four innings so far this series but Miller said a return to form was "just around the corner" for a fast-medium bowler who is proving himself to be a highly adept lower-order batsman as well.
And that would appear to indicate Finn is the more likely of the pair to make way for Anderson, even though he took four first innings wickets at Lord's.
Meanwhile Miller was encouraged by the way in which Kevin Pietersen showed a return to form with his second innings 72 at 'the home of cricket'.
"Kevin Pietersen is a top-quality player -- we know that.
"He has had a tough time. He's had a bad run.
"He knows he can score runs internationally and has again just proved that."
England lead this series 1-0 after an innings and 14-run win at Cardiff.
England squad:
Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn

AFP

CSA embroiled in another bonus scandal: report

Johannesburg: A month after the IPL bonus case rocked Cricket South Africa, the board appears to be embroiled in another scandal with allegations that top officials, including chief executive Gerald Majola, received remunerations of more than what was prescribed to them.

A report in the Sunday Times said that Majola, CSA Corporate Relations manager Kass Naidoo and Nassei Appiah had awarded themselves bonuses that exceeded the acceptable amounts prescribed by remunerations committee. © AFP

A report in the Sunday Times said that Majola, CSA Corporate Relations manager Kass Naidoo and Nassei Appiah had awarded themselves bonuses that exceeded the acceptable amounts prescribed by remunerations committee.
"At the June 6 CSA board meeting it came to light that Majola, Kass Naidoo and Nassei Appiah had effectively awarded themselves bonuses - or been awarded bonuses in the case of Naidoo and Appiah - without the board being in possession of all the relevant facts," the newspaper said.
"In CEO Majola's case the bonus payments amount to R1.4-million, while Naidoo and Appiah received R200000 and R300000 respectively. Appiah, the organisation's chief financial officer, has worked for CSA for less than a year.
Along with his generous bonus, he also received an 11 per cent salary increase," it said.
"The figures presented to the board on Monday were flawed. It was only when these bonus figures were interrogated that it came to light on Wednesday that the monies had not only already been paid, but exceeded the acceptable amounts prescribed by the remunerations committee."
The report said that Thendeka Mgoduso, head of remunerations committee, has been "asked to prepare a report".
The latest scandal came after allegations of financial irregularities involving payment of bonuses during the hosting of Champions League Twenty20 in 2009 which led to a clash between Majola and CSA chief Mtutuzeli Nyoka.
Majola had failed to clear Rand 3.8 million in bonus payments with the CSA remuneration committee.
CSA said that the money had been held on behalf of the Indian Premier League when South Africa hosted the Champions League Twenty20 in 2009.
After an internal investigation, Majola received a slap on the wrist for failing to clear the bonus payments with the CSA remunerations committee, but was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Nyoka had called for an independent investigation by an external committee but CSA decided on an internal probe and Nyoka was removed as head of the board after a no confidence motion.
He was later re-instated by a High Court order which the CSA had to abide by. The CSA also agreed to undergo a full forensic audit which Nyoka had been demanding.

PTI

I didn't ask anybody to boycott WIPA awards: Sammy

Antigua: Figuring out a way to end West Indies' misery against India is not the only thought bothering Darren Sammy, the skipper is also busy refuting allegations that he discouraged some regional cricketers from attending last week's Players' Association awards.

Sammy said it was "not in my nature" to influence players while making such choices as attending award ceremonies. © AFP

So disturbed has Sammy been with such reports that he has come out with a formal statement to deny the accusation, calling it a "falsehood" meant to "smear my character as an individual, a cricketer and West Indies captain".
West Indies Players Association (WIPA) President Dinanath Ramnarine reportedly criticised Sammy in a radio interview last week and the angry skipper, who is already fuming about his team's poor performance in the ongoing ODI series against India, has hit back now.
"I wish to make it abundantly clear to the public that at no time did I discourage, dissuade or in any other way seek to influence any player's non-attendance to the recently-held WIPA awards function," Sammy stated.
"Players made their own decisions not to attend." Sammy said he for one did not attend due to "personal reasons".
"During the function, WIPA president and CEO Mr Dinanath Ramnarine, called me on the phone and said he was sending a car to the team hotel to pick me up. However, without waiting for a response from me, he hung up the phone.
"I was unable to contact him to explain that I would not be able to attend as I had previously indicated to him," he explained.
Sammy said it was "not in my nature" to influence players while making such choices as attending award ceremonies.
"Those who know me as a person can attest to this," the St Lucian all-rounder insisted.
"...despite criticisms, challenges and the like I have always remained true to the ideals of representing West Indies cricket when and wherever it is required of me," he said.
WIPA is almost always at loggerheads with the West Indies Cricket Board and their feud also affects the players' tilt.
PTI

Sacking Katich a pragmatic decision: Ian Chappell

Melbourne: Simon Katich's axing from Cricket Australia's list of contracted players might have outraged several former players but Ian Chappell feels it was a "pragmatic decision".

Simon Katich's axing from Cricket Australia's list of contracted players might have outraged several former players but Ian Chappell feels it was a "pragmatic decision". © Getty Images

"Is Katich's dumping fair? Certainly not from the player's point of view, but it's fairly safe to assume that these days, in all walks of life, we're not playing on a level field," Chappell wrote in a column for The Daily Telegraph.
"From the selectors' point of view, they can't worry about hurting a player's feelings; if they did, they would never take a tough decision and they wouldn't be any good at their job.
"It was a pragmatic decision by the selectors; they had to open up a slot and their best chance of filling it adequately was at the top of the order," he added.
Chappell said Katich's injury problems last year and not age could have been the prime reason for his axing from the list, a move that was lambasted by the batsman and some former players such as Michael Slater.
"There's no good time to get a major injury as a sportsman, but Katich's serious setback last summer has turned out to be his Achilles heel, literally and figuratively," he said.
Chappell, a former captain, felt despite the pragmatic reasons for dropping Katich, it was still quite a gamble given that he has been a consistent performer.
"It's a huge gamble to dump a player with Katich's recent record when there are tough tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa coming up," Chappell said.
"However, good selection panels make tough decisions to pre-empt calamities rather than recover from a disaster. They also become a good panel by taking more correct decisions than overseeing howlers," he added.
"Whether this turns out to be a wise decision or a blunder, only time will tell. If it's the latter, don't expect the panel to go cap in hand with an apology to Katich."
Chappell rubbished reports that current skipper Michael Clarke might have had a hand in the sacking of Katich due to a dressing room spat which took place two and a half years ago.
"Any cricket captain who makes selection choices on like and dislike is destined for a short reign. A leader who realises wins and losses all go against his name is more likely to choose players on ability.
"Therefore, anyone leaping to the conclusion that Michael Clarke - because of a recent disagreement - had something to do with Simon Katich's demise has launched a bungee jump of world record proportions," he said.
PTI

New Zealand drops sanctions for Zimbabwe cricket tour

The New Zealand government has approved a tour by the Zimbabwe cricket team, saying on Sunday it would waive travel sanctions on teams from the African nation.

The New Zealand government has approved a tour by the Zimbabwe cricket team, saying it would waive travel sanctions on teams from the African nation. © AFP

Zimbabwe are scheduled to play in New Zealand next year for the first time in 11 years and Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the government would not block the tour. Sanctions were imposed on Zimbabwe several years ago to express opposition to alleged human rights abuses by the government of Robert Mugabe.
McCully said visas would be granted to the cricketers and management conditional on the situation in Zimbabwe "not deteriorating in a significant way."
A proposed tour of New Zealand by Zimbabwe in 2005 was cancelled when the government refused to grant the players visas.

AFP

Team India can dominate for 5-10 years: Fletcher

Antigua: Impressed with the young side that has dominated West Indies in the ongoing ODI series, India's new coach Duncan Fletcher declared that given the talent, his wards can dominate world cricket for the next 5-10 years.

Fletcher was most impressed with how the team extricated themselves out of tight situations. © AFP

"It is due to the amount of talent India have. Indian cricket is in a very, very healthy state presently," stated Fletcher. India beat the hosts by three wickets on Saturday to claim an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
"I know five years in international cricket is a long time but unless some international teams suddenly come up, I don't see (India losing its grip)," added the Zimbabwean.
Much of Fletcher's profuse praise, and that of skipper Suresh Raina, was reserved for India's man of the moment Rohit Sharma, who played an unbeaten knock of 86 to haul India out of the woods.
"It was a great innings. It speaks of the tremendous quality India has that a batsman like him is out of the Test side. He has shown that he can finish off an innings. Not many batsmen can do it," remarked Fletcher.
"He can probably play for most international Test sides. He is not getting his opportunity because the present side is so very good. I look forward to working with him. I can't tell the areas on which I would work with him since it's a confidentiality between a player and me.
"I like to have one-to-one interaction with young cricketers. At the moment I am observing and trying to gain their respect," Fletcher added.
Rohit seems to reserve his very best under Raina's captaincy as he had also hit two hundreds in the latter's first stint at the helm in Zimbabwe last year.
"He is more disciplined now. He knows when to defend or attack. It has helped him that he has spent some quality time with Sachin for Mumbai Indians. He is now a very composed batsman," said Raina in appreciation.
Fletcher felt the most pleasing aspect of India's performance has been how they have been able to extricate themselves out of tight situations.
"It's pleasing how they have worked themselves out of tight situations. In the first one-day game, it was a difficult situation with four wickets down. Again today it was not easy.
"I think it was the spinners who brought us back today. At one stage we were looking at a 270-plus target. It was great captaincy (on part of Raina) to keep them on," he said.
The two Indian spinners - Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh - bowled their 20 overs for 52 runs only and picked up four wickets between them.
"Harbhajan, I think bowled very well. As a batsman he has shown great improvement. I watched his two centuries against New Zealand (last winter). He has really come up as a batsman," Fletcher said.
Harbhajan (41) combined with Rohit to raise 88 runs for the seventh wicket and it turned out to be a critical association.
Raina was lavish in his praise for the manner in which Mishra bowled with guile and variations.
"A good leg-spinner is always very useful. Mishra has great loop and his control on spin is very good. He has bowled very positively."
Now that the series is won, Raina revealed that the benched players could be tried in the remaining two one-day matches of the series.
"There is every chance that we would give opportunity to a few players sitting on the bench in remaining two games," he said.

PTI

Years with Chappell as coach worst of my career: Zaheer

New Delhi: Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan considers the two years with Greg Chappell as national coach the worst of his decade-long career as the controversial Australian made him feel unwanted in the team.

"Gary has given everyone their space. He's understood the Indian culture and how we do things. He's taken that step of coming closer to us rather than dictating. He was our friend, not a coach," Zaheer said. © AFP

Zaheer said he and other senior players were constantly worried about their place in the side and were unable to perform during that tumultuous period between 2005 and 2007.
"It was as if you've been framed. It was like 'we don't want you in the team. It's not about performance, we don't like your attitude, you're stopping the growth of cricket in the Indian team'. I felt it personally because I was dropped straight after the Sri Lanka tour, even though I had not performed badly," Zaheer said.
"I was fortunate enough to go to South Africa to represent the Asia XI (in the Afro-Asia Cup). I got about nine wickets and I was recalled for the next series. In that phase it was always a struggle. When you're fighting within the team, when you have a war to fight in your own camp, it is always difficult to win," he said.
Chappell took over as India coach in May 2005 but his tenure was marred by serious differences between him and senior players, including Sachin Tendulkar. He also had a public spat with the then captain, Sourav Ganguly, who was dropped from the team but later recalled.
At the end of his tenure, following India's first round exit from the 2007 World Cup, Chappell decided not to seek an extension of his contract.
Zaheer said, in contrast, former South African batsman Gary Kirsten's tenure as India coach was "amazing".
"He has given everyone their space. He's understood the Indian culture and how we do things. He's taken that step of coming closer to us rather than dictating. He was our friend, not a coach," Zaheer said.
Kirsten took over in tumultuous circumstances but left the job on a high, guiding the Indian team to a historic World Cup triumph after a hiatus of 28 years besides taking them to the pinnacle of Test rankings.
Zaheer said the only positive of Chappell's tenure was the inclusion of youngsters in the team but felt that sacrificing experienced players was not the only way to give opportunities to youth.
"A youngster coming in is a good sign but not at the cost of a cricketer who is doing his bit."
The 32-year-old Baroda pacer said the county stint with Worcestershire came at the right moment for him when things were not going his way.
He signed up with Worcestershire for the 2006 county season and finished as the highest wicket-taker in Division Two of the County Championship, taking 78 wickets at 29.07.
"Worcester taught me the reason I'm playing this game. Sometimes when you play at the highest level, especially in India, the whole country is so passionate about the game, so whether you do well or do badly it affects you in many ways. So when I went to Worcester, it was just me playing cricket."
"I was just enjoying cricket and not thinking about other pressures, about the pressure of performance. Everything was falling into place. I was taking wickets. Even though I was not in the Indian side, I was actually happy," Zaheer said.
Talking about the historic World Cup triumph, in which he was the joint-highest wicket-taker with Shahid Afridi with 21 wickets, Zaheer said he is now a calm and composed player as compared to the emotionally-driven youngster in the 2003 final against Australia.
In the 2011 World Cup final, he bowled three consecutive maidens at the start of the innings.
"It was only a couple of years into international cricket; the World cup journey itself was something special in 2003. That time my thing was to bowl quick. I wanted to be aggressive.
"It was a World Cup final; there were a lot of emotions. As soon as the national anthem finished, there was this rush of young blood. I wanted to do really well, wanted to just blast the Australians apart," he said.
"This World Cup I was aware of the fact that there will be a lot of emotions, I have to deal with it. I have to maintain my calm and focus on the process. I was telling myself just go there and bowl," he added.
PTI

PCB not to organise its 'home' series in Zimbabwe

Lahore: The Pakistan cricket Board might split its forthcoming Test and ODI series against Sri Lanka at two neutral venues but has dropped the idea of organising it in Zimbabwe.

Since 2009, no team has toured Pakistan for an official series because of security reasons although Afghanistan was in the country last month to play a series against the Pakistan 'A' side. © AFP

Zimbabwe was under consideration to be a neutral venue for the Pakistan-Sri Lanka series later this year but sources in the Board said the high costs involved in organising the matches had virtually ruled it out of contention.
"The costs are a big factor in the Board deciding on neutral venues for its home series like the one against Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe was a high cost option," an official source said.
Pakistan has been forced to play its home series abroad since 2009 when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.
Since then, no team has toured Pakistan for an official series because of security reasons although Afghanistan was in the country last month to play a series against the Pakistan 'A' side.
Sri Lanka have also asked Pakistan to organise the series in October and November either in Sri Lanka or at a neutral venue while turning down an official invitation from the PCB to tour Pakistan for the series.
"Chances are that the Tests may be played in Sri Lanka and the limited over matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi," the source said.
He said Sri Lanka was a viable option because of low costs and also because having Tests in a cricket nation could induce more people to watch the matches.
"There are decent crowds for the limited overs matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as we have seen in recent series there but hardly anyone comes for the Tests. So we are mulling the possibility of splitting the series into two parts and organising it in two countries," the source said.
Pakistan will also have to play its home series against England in Sri Lanka or some other neutral venue as the England Cricket board has refused to send its team to Pakistan because of security concerns.
The source said Pakistan was keen to support Zimbabwe and the national team would be touring the African nation in August to play a Test and some one-day matches.
PTI

Afridi could also lose Karachi's captaincy

Karachi: After being sacked as Pakistan skipper, Shahid Afridi could now lose captaincy of his state side Karachi to Mohammad Sami if the PCB refuses to give him the requisite permit to play in the National Twenty20 Championship.

Afridi went to the High Court and got a stay order against the board's disciplinary process against him that included suspension of his central contract and revoking his NOCs to play in foreign leagues. © AFP

The Karachi City Cricket Association has decided that if the PCB does not allow Afridi to play in the National Twenty20 Championship, discarded Test pacer Sami will replace him as captain of Karachi Dolphins.
The National Twenty20 championship will take place in Faisalabad from June 24.
The KCCA had announced Afridi as the Dolphins' captain but after he got entangled in a row with the PCB, there has been lingering doubt on whether he would be allowed to take part in the event.
Though the PCB is yet to make an official announcement on Afridi's participation in the event, KCCA President Siraj-ul-Islam Bukhari said Sami would lead the Karachi team in case Afridi fails to get the clearance.
"We have started our nets from today for the team and we can't have a fluid situation where no one knows whether the Board will clear Afridi to play," Bukhari said.
"Sami is an experienced player and will be the best choice if Afridi doesn't get the permission. We are still waiting for PCB's reply but we have to keep our options open," he added.
A well-placed source in the PCB said so far it was decided to allow Afridi to lead the Karachi Dolphins side in the tournament despite the ongoing disciplinary process against him.
"Since it is a domestic tournament and the matter between him and the board is now in court it is felt it is better he is allowed to captain the Karachi side in the event," a source said.
Afridi went to the High Court and got a stay order against the board's disciplinary process against him that included suspension of his central contract and revoking his NOCs to play in foreign leagues.
The row between the board and Afridi started when the PCB removed him as captain of the one-day team. Afridi announced his retirement after that and blasted the PCB for mistreating him and not showing respect to the players.
This resulted in a disciplinary process against him including revoking of the NOC to play for English county Hampshire.

PTI

No personal vendetta against Afridi: PCB

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board insists that it is not pursuing any personal vendetta against sacked and retired captain Shahid Afridi and has taken action against him as part of a revised process to check indiscipline among players.

The PCB has made it clear that Shahid Afridi was removed as captain for the Ireland series and a disciplinary process was initiated against him for criticising the board after his retirement. © AFP

"It is a wrong perception that we have any personal vendetta against Afridi. We respect his achievements as a professional player and contribution to the national team. But as far as we are concerned, no one is above discipline," PCB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed said in an interview.
"As part of our policies in administrative matters of the board, it has been decided that there will be no compromise on discipline. Shahid violated his central contract terms and the code of conduct for players by speaking on sensitive team issues in the media.
"So, as a disciplinary step he was removed as captain for the Ireland series and a disciplinary process was initiated against him for criticising the board after his retirement," Subhan explained.
He pointed out that after the spot-fixing scandal last year, the PCB had decided to get tough on disciplinary issues.
"This is also now part of our reform policies that we initiated on the advice of the ICC since last year," he said.
"Even if he announced his retirement he was bound to stick to his contractual obligations for the next 10 to 12 months and not speak in the media on sensitive issues," he said.
The PCB official said that last year Afridi had accepted the same disciplinary process that had been initiated against him at present.
"We are a bit surprised he has now challenged the process in court. Our lawyers have the right to seek the dismissal of his petition against the disciplinary process of the board," he added.
Subhan said that in the past the board had been easy on disciplinary issues.
"Many a times the board didn't even recover fines from players. But since last year that has changed and we have deducted around Rs seven million from the earnings of Shoaib Akhtar and even Rs one million from the payments due to Mohammad Asif," he said.
Subhan pointed out that the board would be going hard on wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider and he would have to face the same disciplinary process that Afridi and national selector Mohammad Illyas were facing.
"No leniency will be shown to anyone who is violating the Board's code of conduct intentionally."
He pointed out that the board wanted the row with Afridi to end soon but the all-rounder had himself decided to go to court.
"Even if he was not satisfied with the committee we had formed to hear his case, he had the option of seeking an independent tribunal from the governing body and even going to the appellate tribunal that is made up of former judges," he noted.

PTI

Munaf Patel is spinning the ball these days: Roberts

Antigua: West Indian fast bowling legend Andy Roberts is baffled as to why young Indian pacers suddenly lose speed after showing early promise and start "spinning the ball", pointing out Munaf Patel as the most recent example.

According to Andy Roberts, some of the bowlers lose their ability to bowl fast because the coaches turn them into line-and-length bowlers. © AFP

"When Munaf Patel came here in 2006, he had some pace," said Roberts wryly, "Now he is spinning the ball!"
Roberts was speaking from his experience of having worked with Irfan Pathan briefly during the 2006 tour by the Indians after the then coach Greg Chappell requested him to look at the left-arm seamer's problems.
"You have to remember this happens only once they make it to international stage. May be they are better off without these coaches.
"These coaches turn you into line-and-length bowler. Not what you naturally are. These boys then lose their ability."
Roberts, who picked up 202 wickets from 47 Tests at an average of 25.61, is hailed as the father of fearsome West Indian fast bowlers of the‘70s and ‘80s. He certainly is not impressed by the fast bowling in world cricket presently.
"Shaun Tait throws his arm. Dale Steyn, whom I like, also occasionally throws his arm. Less said about the West Indian pacemen the better. The likes of Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor and Fidel Edwards are not running in fast enough at the batsmen," he said.
"They saw Curtly Ambrose run in smoothly and ping the ball. But he could do it because he was so very strong. Others must run in hard in their run-ups.
"There are two ways to bowl fast - either you steam in or you have a lot of strength to bowl even if you are relaxed in your run-up," Roberts explained.
Roberts is dismissive of the notion that today's cricketers play a great volume of cricket.
"Too much cricket? They play mostly Twenty20s and one-dayers. It's four or 10 overs a match."
He also sought to correct the notion that reverse swing was almost exclusively the preserve of the Pakistani bowlers in the ‘90s.
"We began the reverse swing. When Pakistanis came in 1977 they were surprised to see us do it. It's no rocket science, you keep the ball polished on one side and it would reverse swing. For it to happen, the other side must have a bit of moisture on it.
Inevitably, Roberts is asked to compare who he thought was better between Sachin Tendulkar and Sunny Gavaskar.
"Sachin is one of the game's greats. No questions about it. However, you judge a batsman on how he handled the best of pacemen and best of spinners of his era.
"In the ‘70s, West Indies had the quick ones. England had a very good spinner in Derek Underwood. And Sunny always did well against them."
Nobody was said to have a more deceptive bouncer than Roberts in the game. Gavaskar has mentioned he had two bouncers - one a slower one with which he set a batsman up and the other a quicker one which a batter could only see as a blur.
"You can't bowl 95 mph all the time and hope a batsman would surrender. They get used to it after a while. You need to vary the pace, the angle, the seam or swing," Roberts said.
"I could bowl everything: seam, swing, pace, slower one, bouncer, cutters, everything."
Asked to pick the favourite batsman and fast bowlers of his era, Roberts said, "Viv Richards to me was the best player of short-pitched bowling ever.
"I liked Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Malcolm Marshall ...Imran was a great bowler but he wasn't an out-and-out fast bowler. Same was the case with Richard Hadlee."
Like most of his era, Roberts can't see the revival of West Indian cricket anytime soon.
"The top brass needs a kick in the back side. Presently our cricket is flat on its back. The board at one time had 18 directors.
"I was once told by a director that I could become a coach if I had a level 2 or 3 coaching certificate. The same man asked me to come to Trinidad and give a lecture on fast bowling in his academy. The knowledge is with me. But I can't be going around asking for work," he said.
PTI