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...

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. ©...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. ©...

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...

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). ©...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

'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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...