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Wednesday 20 June 2012

Saqlain Mushtaq

Saqlain Mushtaq Biography

Saqlain Mushtaq (Urdu: ثقلین مشتاق) (born December 29, 1976 in Lahore, Punjab) is a Pakistani cricketer, regarded as one of the finest off spin bowlers of all time.[1] He is best known for pioneering the \"doosra\", which he employed to great effect during his career. Saqlain has not been active in international cricket since 2004.
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq
Saqlain Mushtaq Doosra Against Australia...Amazing Bowling

Saturday 16 June 2012

Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar Biography

Shoaib Akhtar Biography receives strong comments from Wasim Akram, Shahrukh, BCCI, PCB, Shoaib Malik, Tauqeer Zia and several others. Wasim Akram has termed it as a cheap publicity move by Shoaib Akhtar. He further said that Shoaib was a “problem” when he was an active player and remains just that even in retirement. Wasim Akram rubbished  Akhtar’s claims of making Sachin Tendulkar uncomfortable with his pace in the Faisalabad Test in 2006 as has been claimed by Akhtar in his book titled ‘Controversially Yours’.

“I remember Sachin’s one innings when he was 16 and touring Pakistan. Sialkot Test was Sachin’s 4th Test. He made his debut in that series. There was a lot of grass on the pitch. Waqar and I bowled very fast. Waqar, I think, was 19 and Sachin was 16. Waqar hit him (Sachin) on the helmet just below the chin and he got hurt. But he put a plaster and he came back to score a 50. If a 16-year-old kid wasn’t scared, I don’t think any of the top batsmen in the world is scared of any bowler,” Akram said.

“Maybe he might play on the back foot to block the delivery or maybe he might just see it off. But I don’t think a player like Sachin can get scared of any bowler. He (Shoaib) can write anything to sell a book, but it does not affect me or Sachin,” he said. Cricblogger totally agrees with Wasim on this one. Even though we have critically analysed Tendulkar’s performances and have written about his centuries and of him not being the best of match finishers, we stand with Wasim on this one. Tendulkar is a great batsman and no top batsmen can be scared by any bowler, Ganguly included (pun intended). Cricblogger has also praised Tendulkar’s world records in another article.

On Akhtar’s allegations that Akram was responsible for destroying his career, he said no one but the Shoaib himself was responsible for destroying his career. ”He himself is responsible for destroying his career. Nobody helped him (in destroying his career).” said the King of Swing.

“There is no point in me talking about his book. I still haven’t read his book. But his idea is good. If the books get sold then good luck to him,” Akram said adding that, “You people (media) will ensure his book is a bestseller.”

Shahrukh Khan, the bollywood super star responded to the allegations made by Akhtar in a similar fashion. He said that there is just as much truth in Akhtar’s claim that we (Shahrukh and company) are cheaters as there is in the fact that Sachin fears his (Akhtar’s) bowling.

Rajiv Shukla, a senior BCCI  official demanded an apology from Shoaib Akhtar for making such remarks against Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Akhtar had remarked that Sachin and Dravid lacked ability to finish off games early in their respective careers. It seems unnecessary for the BCCI to jump into the swamp, just ignore Shoaib he is just trying to sell his book.

The former PCB chairman, Tauqeer Zia  has also rubbished Akhtar’s claim that Zia had helped Akhtar when Wasim Akram tried to destroy his career and threatened to walk off with have the team if Akhtar was selected. Zia said that no such thing happened. Shoaib Malik responded to the allegations by Akhtar that Malik was incompetent to be captain and said  that Akhtar’s allegations were a joke.

Meanwhile, there have been some protests in India against the paceman and the opening function of the launch of the book has been cancelled without giving any reason. Shoaib has another public appearance on Monday. Lets see how it goes but one thing is for sure, there are lots of people out there looking to read his book.

Even my blog has seen an unusual rush of visitors on this particular story and the search engines are all flooded with queries about his book and who said what in response. He seems to have achieved his goal, it might just turn out to be a best seller. His slower ball usually works in the midst of bouncers and yorkers. Lets see what he does next.
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar At His Best
Shoaib Akhtar: The Fastest bowler of All Time. Pakistan

Thursday 14 June 2012

Mohammad Sami

Mohammad Sami Biography
Mohammad Sami born 24 February 1981) is a Pakistani right arm fast bowler in cricket who is currently representing the Pakistan cricket team in Test cricket and Twenty20 cricket matches. He use to represent Pakistan in ODI's but was dropped from the squad in 2007 after an unimpressive world cup campaign.International career Sami, initially known as the modern Malcolm Marshall by Imran Khan, made his Test cricket debut against New Zealand in 2001 by taking 8 wickets for 106 runs in the match. This was a world record for the most wickets by a debutante. During his third Test match he achieved a hat-trick against Sri Lanka and in 2002 he took his second hat-trick in his career, against the West Indies during a One Day International match. This led to him becoming one of only a two bowlers in cricket(The other who was wasim akram) to achieved this mark in both forms of the game . He also became one of two Pakistan bowlers to have taken a hat-trick in both Test cricket and One Day International matches,the other being fast bowler Wasim Akram. He also displayed excellent performances against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in 2003. On 1 December 2003, he achieved his best bowling figures in One Day International cricket by taking 5 wickets for 10 runs during a match. Earlier in April during that year in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, he had taken 4 wickets for 25 runs against Kenya during the match. Sami played his 50th One Day International match against India at Lahore in Pakistan on 24 March in 2004. He has also taken over 100 wickets in First-class cricket and in List A cricket.
Sami is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket and has the ability to swing the cricket ball at high pace. He has unofficially bowled the fastest delivery in cricket when he clocked at 164 km/ph (101.9 mph) during a One Day International match. However, it was revoked by cricket officials after it found faulty speed measurements on the speed metre. But despite his talent, he has been in and out of the national side for several times. However he has received support from former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who sees Sami's speed and wicket taking ability as an important skill for the Pakistan team.

Sami also earned the ignominy of bowling the longest over in One Day International cricket during the Asia Cup match against Bangladesh in 2004, when he bowled 17 balls in one over which consisted of seven wides and four no balls.He is also the only bowler in Test cricket history to have over 50 wickets and a bowling average of 50.

After losing form and failing to achieved success for the Pakistan cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board and its national selectors replaced Sami for the One Day International series against England with fast bowler Mohammad Asif, however he was recalled for the series against South Africa in January and February in 2007. He was selected in the 15 man Pakistan squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, although he was named as one of five reserves.After team mates Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were dropped from the World Cup squad ,since neither of the two had been declared fit and they had not undergone official doping tests, Sami and Yasir Arafat were called up as replacements.

Sami joined the Indian Cricket League following the tour of India in December 2007. He played for the Lahore Badshahs, a team composed entirely of Pakistani cricketers, during the Indian Premier League's second Twenty20 tournament. His participation in the league meant that he, like many other Pakistan players, he was banned from representing his country at both international level and domestic cricket in Pakistan.

In 2009-2010, he was recalled back to the Pakistan team and on the 3 January 2010, during Pakistan's Test match series against Australia, he played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia and took 3 wickets for 27 runs in the first innings of the second Test match. On the 19 April he was selected in the Pakistan squad as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Umar Gul, in the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 cricket tournament to be held in the West Indies. In July 2010 it was rumoured that he would join Essex as replacement overseas player for Danish Kanaria who joined the Pakistan touring party for tests against Australia and England. Sami was recalled and played against South Africa in the middle east in November 2010. However since then Sami has not been selected - Pakistan have been picking right arm medium pace bowler Tanvir Ahmed effectively in his place.


Mohammad Sami
Mohammad Sami
Mohammad Sami Clean Bowled Rahul Dravid With A Quick Delivery 150Kph

Friday 25 May 2012

Younus Khan

Younus Khan Biography
A middle-order batsman, Younis Khan is fearless, as befits his Pathan ancestry. He plays with a flourish and is especially strong in the arc from backward point to extra cover. He is prone to getting down on one knee and driving extravagantly. But this flamboyance is coupled with grit. His main weaknesses are playing away from the body and leaving straight balls. Younis was one of the few batsmen who retained his place in the team after Pakistan's disastrous World Cup campaign in 2003, but lost it soon after due to a string of poor scores in the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa. He came back for the one-day series against India, but failed to cement a place in the Test side. He is among the better fielders in Pakistan and he took a world-record four catches in one innings as substitute during Pakistan's demolition of Bangladesh in the 2001-02 Asian Test Championship. He displayed further versatility by keeping and winning the Man of the Match award against Zimbabwe in the Paktel Cup. But it was his return to the side in October 2004, at the pivotal one-down, against Sri Lanka in Karachi that laid the groundwork for his emergence as a force in Pakistan cricket. He was the top run-getter in the disastrous 3-0 whitewash in Australia immediately after and on the tour of India, for which Younis was elevated to vice-captain, he blossomed. After a horror start to the series he came back strongly, capping things off with a matchwinning 267 in the final Test. Since then, barring minor troughs such as the 2005-06 series against England at home, his career has been one elongated peak, scoring hundreds against India and England for fun and becoming Pakistan's most successful one-down in recent memory. More importantly, the tour to India also showcased his potential as a future captain of Pakistan and his energetic and astute leadership has impressed many people. As captain in Inzamam's absence he led the side to a disastrous loss against the West Indies in 2005 but also to a memorable win against India in Karachi in January 2006. Halfway through 2006, and for the first time in many a year, Pakistan have a plan of succession for the leadership. And also a very good one-down.
Younus Khan 
Younus Khan 
Younus Khan 
Younus Khan 

Thursday 10 May 2012

Muhammad Yousuf

Muhammad Yousuf Biography

Mohammad Yousuf (Punjabi, Urdu: محمد یوسف ; formerly Yousuf Youhana, یوسف یوحنا; born 27 August 1974, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan) is a Pakistani right-handed batsman. He is best known in cricket for his achievement in 2006 when he broke the world record for most Test runs in a single calendar year.[1] Prior to his conversion to Islam in 2005, Yousuf was one of only a few Christians to play for the Pakistan cricket team.
Yousuf was effectively banned from playing international cricket for Pakistan, for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board on 10 March 2010, following an inquiry into the team’s defeat during the tour of Australia.[2] An official statement was released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, saying that he would not be selected again on the grounds of inciting infighting within the team.[2]
On 29 March 2010, Yousuf announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket,[3] a direct reaction to the indefinite ban handed out to him by PCB. However following Pakistan’s disastrous first Test against England in July/August 2010, PCB decided to ask Yousuf to come out of retirement.
Yousuf was born to a Balmiki family who later converted to Christianity.[5] His father Youhana Maseeh worked at the railway station, the family lived in the nearby Railway Colony. As a boy, he couldn’t afford a bat and so swatted his brother’s taped tennis ball offerings with wooden planks of various dimensions on surfaces masquerading as roads. As a 12-year-old, he was spotted by the Golden Gymkhana, though even then only circumstances dictated his ambitions and never thought of playing cricket, to make a living. He joined Lahore’s Forman Christian College and continued playing until suddenly giving up in early 1994.[6]For a time he tried his luck driving rickshaws in Bahawalpur.[7]
Yousuf, hailing from poor background, was plucked from the obscurity of a tailor’s shop in the slums of the eastern city of Lahore to play a local match in the 1990s. His well-crafted shots attracted attention and he rose through the ranks to become one of Pakistan’s best batsman. He was set to work at a tailor’s when he was pulled back by a local club was short of players. They called him to make up numbers and made a hundred which led to a season in the Bradford Cricket League, with Bowling Old Lane, and a path back into the game.
Until his conversion to Islam in 2005, Yousuf was the fourth Christian (and fifth Non-Muslim overall) to play for the Pakistan cricket team, following in the footsteps of Wallis Mathias, Antao D’Souza and the Anglo-Pakistani Duncan Sharpe.[1] He also has the distinction of being the first and so far only Non-Muslim to captain the country, leading the team in the 2004–05 tour of Australia where he scored a century in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He converted to Islam after attending regular preaching sessions of the Tablighi Jamaat, Pakistan’s largest non-political religious grouping, whose preachers include Yousuf’s former team-mate Saeed Anwar and his brother. His wife Tania converted along with him and adopted the Islamic name Fatima. However the news was kept private for three years due to family reasons, before his announcement of their conversion publicly in September 2005.[9] [10] “I don’t want to give Yousuf my name after what he has done,” his mother was quoted as saying by the Daily Times newspaper. “We came to know about his decision when he offered Friday Prayers at a local mosque. It was a shock,” his mother was reported as saying. However, Yousuf told the BBC that “I cannot tell you what a great feeling it is.”[11] As part of his conversion, Yousuf officially changed his name from Yousuf Youhana to Mohammad Yousuf.
Former Pakistan cricketer and sports commentator Rameez Raja, who himself is Muslim, acknowledged the significance of Yousuf’s new faith, “Religion has played an integral part in his growth not just as a cricketer but as a person.
He made his Test debut against South Africa at Durban and One Day International debut against Zimbabwe at Harare. He has scored over 9,000 One Day International runs at an average above 40 (2nd highest batting average among Pakistani batsmen after Zaheer Abbas) and over 7,000 Test runs at an average above 50 (highest batting average amongst all Pakistani batsmen) with 24 Test centuries. He has the record of scoring the most runs without being dismissed in the One Day International match, with a total of 405 runs against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe in 2002–2003. He has also scored a 23-ball fifty and a 68-ball hundred in One Day International. In Test match, he has scored a 27-ball fifty, which is 3rd fastest by any player. He was the top scorer during the successive years of 2002 and 2003 in the world in One Day International match. In 2004, he scored 111 runs against the Australians in the Boxing Day Test. In December 2005, he scored 223 runs against England at Lahore, also earning him the man of the match award. Seven months later in July 2006, when Pakistan toured England, he scored 202 runs and 48 in the first Test, again earning himself the man of the match award. He followed up with 192 in the third Test at Headingley and 128 in the final Test at The Oval.
Yousuf was named CNN-IBN’s Cricketer of the Year for 2006, ahead of the likes of Australian captain Ricky Ponting, West Indies Brian Lara, Australian spinner Shane Warne, South Africa’s bowling spearhead Makhaya Ntini and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan. He was selected as a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in the 2007 edition.[13] Yousuf became the fourth recipient of the ICC ‘Test Cricketer of the Year’ award for 2007, he scored 944 runs at an average of 94.40 including seven centuries and two fifties in just 10 innings and that was enough to be awarded the honour ahead of English batsman Kevin Pietersen and Australian batsman Ricky Ponting.[14]
A year that started on a promising note, Yousuf carried it forward to break two world records both held earlier by former West Indian batsman Viv Richards. The 32-year-old, Pakistani batsman achieved an unparalleled 1788 runs in just 10 Test matches with the help of twelve centuries which became his second world record. Yousuf is known for his ability to score runs at exceptional rate through his great technique and composed strokeplay. Although capable of hitting the ball hard, Yousuf is quick between the wickets, although he is prone to being run out.[1]
Yousuf is a skilful infielder, with a report prepared by Cricinfo in late 2005 showing that since the 1999 Cricket World Cup, he had effected the ninth highest number of run-outs in ODI cricket of any fieldsman.[15] He is also distinguished by his characteristic celebration after hitting one hundred runs for his country, where he prostrates in thankfulness to Allah in the direction of Mecca. He has observed this act (known as the Sajdah) since his conversion to Islam.[16][17] In 2007, after initially signing a contract to join the Indian Cricket League, Yousuf later refused due to pressure from the Pakistan Cricket Board as he would later face a ban by the board. In return the PCB promised to get him into the Indian premier league, however, no team bid for him as he faced litigation from the ICL.[18]
In 2008, he once again threatened to join the ICL after the PCB dropped him from their squad. A PCB official was quoted as saying, “We have banned all our cricketers who joined the ICL and if Yousuf also plays for the unauthorised league then he will have to face the same punishment. Yousuf is still our best Test batsman and has a future with the Pakistan team, but not if he joins the ICL.”[19] Yousuf decided to join the ICL again to play mid-way though the second season.[20] The Pakistan Cricket Board reacted to the news by banning him from the national team.[21] Yousaf’s chances to return to Pakistani cricket improved on 2 February 2009 when a Pakistani court suspended the ban on ICL players.[22]
Pakistan Cricket Board recalled batsman Mohammad Yousuf to the squad for their July 2009 Test series in Sri Lanka. Yousuf ended his association with the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League (ICL) in early May, in the hope of earning a recall for his country. His decision to join the ICL was made because of differences with former captain Shoaib Malik, who has since been replaced by Younus Khan.[23] In July 2009, on his first match after returning to Test Cricket since 2007, Yousuf scored a century to announce his return to cricket.
Yousuf informed the Pakistan Cricket Board that he would not be taking part in the Champions Trophy 2008 because it would coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.[24]
He along with another former Indian Cricket League player Abdul Razzaq were awarded ‘A’ category mid-term central contracts by Pakistan Cricket Board after they left Indian Cricket League.[25] A little over one year after being welcomed back by the PCB, Yousuf was made captain of the Test team for the tour of New Zealand after Younus Khan was allowed to take a break.[26]
The Pakistan Cricket Board, on 10 March 2010, banned Yousuf and former captain, Younis Khan from playing for the national team indefinitely and imposed one-year bans on Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.[2] Despite receiving the ban Yousuf said that the series against South Africa in late 2010 could be a possibility.[27] Pakistan then toured England in July 2010 and after losing the first test by 354 runs due to a weak batting line-up, the second innings total of 80 being the lowest total by Pakistan against England. Yousuf announced his return to International Cricket and was placed on the squad.[28] He then required a visa which was granted but there was a concern that Yousuf could not come to England in time for that tour.[29]
In January 2012 it was announced that Yousuf was holding talks with Leicestershire over becoming their overseas player for 2012. Talks broke down over Yousuf wanting to take time off for Ramadam.
Muhammad Yousuf 
Muhammad Yousuf 
Muhammad Yousuf
Mohammad Yousuf Bowling
Muhammad Youfuf At His Best

The T20 cricketer is not in sync with national pride - The National

Chris Gayle may finally return to the West Indies side this summer in England. He has not played international cricket since he fell out with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) last year, soon after the World Cup.

No doubt the occasion will be a grand one, the kind reserved for the return of beloved exiles.

But it is not as if cricket has missed him. Since his dispute, you could have caught Gayle doing his thing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in April 2011, the Champions League in October, Zimbabwe's T20 tournament in November, Australia's Big Bash in December, the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) in February 2012 and the IPL again.

There have been a couple of domestic assignments thrown in and opportunities missed; he could have snuck in a brief stint in South Africa's T20 tournament in March this year.

He could have been seen playing for Somerset in the Friend's Life T20 in England this summer.

And it is a surprise the Pakistan Cricket Board has not based their entire bid to bring back international cricket squarely on the potential of luring Gayle for a stint in one of their T20 tournaments.

So no, he has not really been missed. Have the West Indies missed him? That is arguable. It is not as if results with him, even as the captain, were better than what they have been this last year.

In fact, without him, the West Indies have become a little bit tougher to beat. It is not much but it is something and it is more than they have had for many years.

Instead, Gayle has come to represent a prototype for a future cricketer in a sport full of franchise-based Twenty20 leagues.

For this cricketer national representation is not necessarily the peak achievement.

Actually Gayle's case, and the dispute with the WICB, has its own history and context. To ascribe an entire oncoming movement to him is not only premature, it might be misplaced.

Tim May, the head of the Federation of International Players' Associations (FICA), was asked last week where he stood on Gayle.

"FICA believes a player has the right to choose where he plays and for whom - the days of "playing for your country" as the only way you could earn a professional living as a cricketer are well and truly behind us.

International cricket needs to realise there is a competitor to their ability to contract players, and to ensure they react appropriately and progressively to these new market forces."

May is an intelligent man fulfilling a necessary role. But this observation is simplistic (and dangerous: it is not as if leaving the world to market forces has been a particularly good idea).

Private franchises are not competing with national boards, not yet anyway.

A national board has an investment in its players over and above what any franchise makes. At some level every player who makes it - and thus puts himself in the shop window for franchises - is there because of the board. They have put in the money to find him, to develop him, to make him what he is.

The moment franchises start locating and grooming talent, they will be a rightful competitor. Right now they are hiring readied talent on short-term deals. If you are being unkind, you might even call that temporary poaching.

May's prescription, in theory, is better. "International cricket bodies need to make international cricket attractive to players.

These measures should include smarter programming of matches, addressing the volume of cricket, offering fair terms and conditions in contracts, meeting their contractual obligations and embracing player input."

In reality, the response of most cricket boards has been to set up their own lucrative Twenty20 league, further clogging up the international calendar. No greater proof of cricket's collective poverty of intellect is necessary.

Should boards work towards resolution, the trickiest obstacle will be the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) which most players require from their boards before playing elsewhere. NOCs can be challenged legally but not necessarily overcome (and each country's judiciary will have its own view): it is not, in principle, so outrageous for an employee to seek permission from his employer before accepting an assignment from another employer, no matter how briefly.

Ultimately the cricketer will have to choose. Many boards will never be able to compete with what franchises pay. That is just economics.

If he chooses a Twenty20 league over a national commitment then he must also be prepared to be dropped and not be considered for national selection.

That must work both ways. Gayle has chosen to come back - for now - which perhaps shows cricket to have lately underestimated the pull of national representation.

osamiuddin@thenational.ae

twitter Follow us @SprtNationalUAE & Osman Samiuddin @OsmanSamiuddin


View the original article here

Sunday 6 May 2012

County cricket – live! | Vic Marks, Andy Wilson and Richard Gibson - The Guardian (blog)

Ryan Sidebottom celebrates Ryan Sidebottom celebrates. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images12.51pm: Good news for England from Old Trafford, writes Andy Wilson. James Anderson has shaken off his injury and illness of the past couple of days to bowl a respectable seven-over spell in which he dismissed Michael Lumb and was unlucky not to send back James Taylor (more details of both below). However Nottinghamshire remain well on top on a grey and cold Manchester day, with a lead of over 200 and plenty of batting to come.

12.47pm: Ian Bell added only 14 runs this morning to his overnight hundred, and even compiling those proved a struggle in helpful bowling conditions, writes Richard Gibson. Twice in one Graham Onions over he edged short of Paul Collingwood at first slip, and he was also rapped on the glove by a lifter before Mitch Claydon did for him with a decent nut from the other end. But some more unorthodox and ultimately entertaining tail-end hitting from Jeetan Patel - whose very name will make Vic wince following Somerset's defeat here - helped secure a 104-run lead for the Division One pacesetters.

12.24pm: Andrew Strauss, with a bit of help from a visiting Aussie, has some runs in the bank, writes Vic Marks. It was tricky at the start. He played and missed; on 5 he edged Allan Richardson to third slip where Michael Klinger failed to cling on. But gradually it became easier; he middled the clips off his legs; there was one exquisite back foot drive through the covers. He seemed to be waiting for the ball to arrive, watching it rather than looking for it. He even pulled a six off Richardson - admittedly to the short side. So here was another England batsman back in the groove.

At the other end Sam Robson has been solid as the Worcestershire bowlers were all too easily blunted. They have an interesting trio: the wonderful journeyman, Richardson, one of Wisden's famous five, David Lucas, an old- fashioned left-arm swinger, and the enigmatic Richard Jones. Watch Jones on a good day and he looks England material - with an easy, high action and the ability to swing the ball at good pace. On a bad day it's 12-0-78-0. Not sure yet which way today is going but at the moment it looks more like the latter.

11.17am: Heavy rain yesterday and overnight has not prevented a prompt start at Edgbaston, where Warwickshire's England batsman Ian Bell has resumed unbeaten on 106, writes Richard Gibson. However, the deluge in the midlands is set to affect one of his international colleagues.

Reports this morning suggest that New Road is two-thirds submerged under water, increasing the likelihood that Kevin Pietersen's first domestic appearance of the season next week will be in Kidderminster rather than Worcester. Worcestershire are expected to make a decision on whether to move their fixture against Surrey today. KP has played in Kiddy before, for Nottinghamshire, but it was not a happy visit as he managed scores of 13 and 0, and was lbw to left-armer Alamgir Sheriyar in both innings.

10.43am: We've already had drama and intrigue at Old Trafford this morning, and play hasn't even started, writes Andy Wilson. James Anderson is here, feeling a bit better and keen to bowl. But at the close of play yesterday the umpires Rob Bailey and Stephen Gale either decided, or were informed, that they'd erred in telling Lancashire that Anderson didn't need to field for a spell in the evening session to allow him to open the bowling today. Chris Kelly, the umpires manager at the England and Wales Cricket Board down at Lord's, was called in to adjudicate. But crucially, these two teams get on pretty well, especially their respective captains Chris Read and Glen Chapple, and directors of cricket/coaches Mick Newell and Peter Moores. As a result they've agreed on a good old British compromise. Anderson won't be allowed to open the bowling, but won't have to field anything like as long as he would under the letter of the law. Mike Watkinson, Moores's predecessor who is now Lancashire's cricket director, guesses it will be around 15 minutes.

Everybody's being very magnanimous but there is an outside chance even that delay before Anderson's introduction could prove crucial. Notts will resume their second innings on 122 for two, with a lead of 145, and their bowling hero Andre Adams suggested last night that a target of anything over 200 would prove very tricky for Lancashire on an "up and down, two-paced" pitch. For the sake of Lancashire's sanity, it is to be hoped they don't end up losing by the odd run.

Plenty of other action today. As well as the three Division One games we're covering, there are another four in Division Two. Yorkshire are well on course for a first win of the season against Leicestershire at Scarborough. The Northants bowlers will be keen to have another crack at Hampshire, who are due to resume on 42 for three, and likewise the Essex attack against struggling Glamorgan in Cardiff. But we'll be keeping an especially close eye on developments at Derby, where the mighty Peakites are well-placed to press for a third win in four matches against Gloucestershire, who are due to resume on 172 for nine and still need another 67 to avoid the follow-on after Tony Palladino continued his impressive start to the season with five for 47.

10.41am: It's slightly less grey, slightly less damp and just as cold at Lord's and play will start – on time, reports Vic Marks. Worcestershire have won the toss and will field. So the latest saga, which has Andrew Strauss in pursuit of runs is about to resume. If the last two matches at Lord's are any guide three clear days should be enough to get a result.

As Strauss straps on his pads the roller goes up and down the Test pitch. Hang on a minute I've just seen a shadow …

9.55am: Welcome to the county cricket live blog for the latest round of Championship action. Our writers will be here with all the day's play shortly. Andy Wilson is back for day three at Old Trafford for Lancashire v Nottinghamshire, Richard Gibson is in Birmingham for the third day of Warwickshire v Durham, and Vic Marks will be at Lord's for the second day of Middlesex v Worcestershire.

You can find full fixture lists for the season here and county-by-county previews here. You can follow the action throughout the season here. Watch video highlights here.

There's also county cricket commentaries on BBC local radio here.


View the original article here

Saturday 5 May 2012

Chairman: 'Cricket is a team game and Yorkshire is bigger than anybody' - The Press, York

10:07am Friday 4th May 2012 in Sport By Graham Hardcastle

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves has accused Ajmal Shahzad of not being a team player in the wake of the fast bowler’s shock departure from Headingley earlier this week.

Graves revealed issues have surrounded the 26-year-old England fringe bowler for the last season and a bit, which came to a head during last week’s LV= County Championship match against Kent at Canterbury.

The chairman called a meeting with Shahzad, his agent Neil Fairbrother and director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon on Tuesday, which concluded after 40 minutes by him deciding the best course of action would be for the player to find a new county.

“Martyn reported to me on Tuesday morning when they returned from Kent and told me issues had arisen again during the Kent game which the coaches were unhappy with,” explained Graves.

“He’d (Shahzad) made a comment to someone internally regarding his future at Yorkshire.

“When I heard that, I thought the best thing to do was to bring it to a head. I am not going to sit here, three matches into the season and let it affect our season. Cricket is a team game, and Yorkshire is bigger than everybody.

“We sat down and everybody had their say. To be honest, I listened to everybody, I sat quiet for 40 minutes and I just turned round and said there’s no way forward.

“Everybody in the club’s wrong, and he’s got his own ideas. It’s a team game, it’s about the players out there. Ajmal couldn’t see that.

“I am not prepared to have someone playing for Yorkshire who doesn’t want to be part of the team. All the comments I’ve heard from Ajmal is always about him. It’s not about the team. To me, cricket’s a team game.

“We wanted Ajmal to be at the club for the rest of his playing career, but that’s not going to happen.

“I feel disappointed for Martyn, I feel disappointed for Andrew Gale because they have tried strenuously over the last 12 months to work with the guy. I also feel sorry for Ajmal Shahzad because, for some reason, he hasn't taken that opportunity.

“I hope it works out for him. I hope it works out from England’s point of view as well. The guy has got potential, but I’ve said it to Martyn, how many matches has he won for Yorkshire? Look through the records.”

Graves even said that Yorkshire would pay a portion of Shahzad’s wages if a county who wanted him on loan could not afford the full salary.

Moxon added: “I want to dismiss straight away there’s any disciplinary situation. I want to dismiss any thoughts that there’s a crisis at the club, disharmony at the club or disharmony within the team. That’s an absolute definite no-no.

“This is all about Ajmal’s cricket and where he feels he and the club feel it is best for him to pursue his career.

“It’s quite clear there is a problem, but it’s purely cricketing. He’s a very strong personality and has very strong views on how he sees himself as a cricketer.”


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ANALYSIS: The god of cricket is the god of boredom —Ajaz Ashraf - Pakistan Daily Times

ANALYSIS: The god of cricket is the god of boredom ?Ajaz Ashraf

Not Tendulkar, for he is the god of cricket, entitled to his capriciousness. So the stadium will roar every time he steps out to bat, hoping he would lift their mood

The god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, has been displaying those attributes because of which we ordinary mortals become disenchanted with the concept of God. We worship God because of our abiding faith in His omnipresence, His ability to conjure magical moments for enlivening the tedium of our daily routine, and His promise to intercede on our behalf in moments of peril. These attributes projected on Him stoke expectations that are impossible to fulfil, eventually breeding indifference in us towards the Divine. In the end, the omnipotent God becomes the victim of his votary?s fervour. There could not be a bigger irony than that.

Omnipresence will acquire another meaning the day the god of cricket enters the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, to which he has been nominated. The founding fathers incorporated the principle of nomination in the Indian Constitution because they wanted to enhance the intellectual quality of debate in the Rajya Sabha. Over the years, its quality of debate has diminished palpably. It is now a veritable club of the rich and famous, much to the seething disgust of people. The Association for Democratic Reforms, an NGO, analysed the assets of 224 out of 242 members of the Rajya Sabha (maximum strength: 250) and discovered that 58 percent of them were worth over Rs 10 million. To this club surely belongs Tendulkar, who is a veritable industry, flourishing in spite of the recession.

His wealth is an additional qualification that entitles him to obeisance he otherwise commands because of his status as the god of cricket. Haven?t we in our personal lives seen the rich and powerful bestow lavish donations in the name of God? The nomination of Tendulkar is consequently just a small price the nation must pay, damn the quality of parliamentary debate. Think of the other advantage: it will prolong the omnipresence of Tendulkar for another six years ? the term of his Rajya Sabha tenure ? sometime during which he is bound to hang up his cricketing boots. It is a terrifying situation the nation cannot countenance, incorrigibly addicted as it is to Tendulkar, who is arguably the best opiate of the masses bored with their lives.

His absence from the public arena would create a vacuum impossible to fill. His ubiquity in our lives is stunning ? he smiles at us from billboards, quenching his thirst with cold drinks, making a call over a cell phone, and often popping between two grim headlines on TV news to persuade us to buy sundry consumer durables. We know the date of his birthday, the cars he loves, the music he enjoys, the spiffy house he has built, the school his children study in, even the kind of bowler his son is. He dominates the media, at times for a cricketing feat but also because of an injury, even for gracing Wimbledon and Formula One competitions. India can?t do without the god who has been worshipped from the time he made his debut in 1989. His nomination to the upper house is an insurance against such a calamity. Perhaps we are underestimating the longevity of the god of cricket, in much the same manner as German philosopher Nietzsche did about God, declaring him dead all the way back in the 19th century. Yet God remains in fine fettle, as does Tendulkar. Ask the Australians, who four years ago would stand up every time the god of cricket returned to the pavilion, believing he couldn?t because of his age possibly tour Down Under in 2011-12. But return he did, trying to roll, like Sisyphus, the boulder called Indian cricket to the summit and, unlike the Greek god, failing against the thunderbolts of the Aussies.

Call it a Sisyphean tragedy of the Indian kind, a tragedy still in the making, slowly, imperceptibly. As Tendulkar?s body becomes vulnerable to the ravages of age ? eyesight weaker, hand and eye coordination a little out of sync ? he will increasingly fail to intercede for the Indian team, as happened so frequently on the last tours of England and Australia. Yet our abiding faith in the god of cricket will lure us to hope as the diminutive champion steps out on the field to bail out his struggling team. Should he get dismissed cheaply, as is likely to happen more frequently than before, the fickle among us will cite parliamentary records to wonder why taxpayers should bear the expenses of a rich man who is mostly absent from the Rajya Sabha, as is likely because of the crowded schedule of Indian cricket.

He no longer enlivens the tedium of our daily routine, as was his wont in the past. Over the last one year and more it has become his style to reach 70 and begin his yawning crawl to reach yet another century. A lesser mortal would have been pilloried for his selfish play. Not Tendulkar, for he is the god of cricket, entitled to his capriciousness. So the stadium will roar every time he steps out to bat, hoping he would lift their mood. We will become silent at the betrayal of faith we have reposed in him, as has been happening in this year?s IPL, in which he has been often getting out cheaply or scoring at a rate considered embarrassing for the 20/20 tamasha (rowdy festival).

Now and then Tendulkar will score a century, a 50 or 60, which Sunil Gavaskar will predictably hail as a gem. But brilliance loses its allure because of sheer repetition. We witnessed Tendulkar?s flamboyance in his heyday ? his majestic straight drive, his contemptuous lofted stoke over midwicket, his cheeky slices over third man, his ballet-like balance in executing his off-drive. What we see today is a poor imitation of his best. Every ton of his after his hundredth will be a meaningless milestone on the road of decline of Test cricket. The alienated Meursault in Albert Camus? The Outsider famously said, ?Maman died today. Or yesterday maybe, I don?t know.? To every century of Tendulkar, we will wearily ask, as we reflect upon it, ?He scored that in 2012. Or in 2000 maybe, we don?t know.?

Partially, the blame for alienating us from the god of cricket must rest on the priests of the game, those cricketers-turned-commentators. They hail him with the enthusiasm of a teenager, irrespective of his performance. The god of cricket can?t be blamed for getting out cheaply ? either the ball was unplayable or his concentration wavered because the batsman at the other end was hogging all the deliveries. The excuses are doled out without the mirth with which C L R James describes a West Indian club batsman?s poor shot in Beyond A Boundary. The batsman played a lofted stroke, the fielder leapt in the air, and the ball grazed his fingers before bouncing to the fence. During the drinks break the batsman asked the fielder to explain his need for interfering with a shot so beautifully played.

In bestowing upon Tendulkar the status of god, we will eventually make him our victim. It is a pity that gods don?t retire ? their omnipresence makes them linger around to bore us into disbelief.

The writer is a Delhi-based journalist

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Cricket: Resting McCullum carries risks: Wright - New Zealand Herald

Brendon McCullum will rest for the T20 and ODI series in West Indies. Photo / Christine Cornege

Omitting pugnacious wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum from both short-form cricket series in the West Indies could backfire, national coach John Wright admitted yesterday.

McCullum has been rested for the T20 and ODI series as part of a plan to give leading players short breaks in the coming months.

New Zealand's top-order batting in the seven limited-overs games will be in the hands of Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Daniel Flynn, Kane Williamson and possibly BJ Watling.

"[Resting McCullum] was decided some time ago with myself, [fellow selector] Kim Littlejohn and [director of cricket] John Buchanan, from the point of view that there was an awful lot of cricket coming up," Wright said.

"That also gives us an opportunity to look at someone else."

McCullum, said Wright, had accepted the decision to sit those games out, although you'd suspect through gritted teeth. McCullum is a doer, not a watcher.

"In this case he accepted that perhaps a spell would not be a bad thing, given the fact also of his IPL commitments. People will comment on that, but it's reality," Wright added.

Watling and possibly young Canterbury lefthander Tom Latham will share the wicketkeeping role in the T20 and ODI legs of the trip, which starts late next month.

The test squad is fairly predictable, with Otago left-armer Neil Wagner getting his opportunity now that he is eligible to represent New Zealand. But Wright, who is preparing for his last tour in the coaching job, sounded a word of caution.

"You can't have enough depth in that area and he's going to add to that," Wright said.

"It will be a step up [from domestic cricket] and he will have to understand the disciplines that go with bowling in test cricket."

Legspinner Tarun Nethula is a pleasing addition to the test squad, having done encouragingly against South Africa when given ODI opportunities last summer.

Having two left-armers in the five-strong seam quartet, Wagner and Trent Boult, might raise eyebrows. It shouldn't.

If they are among the five best they should go. In any case, barring injuries, it is highly unlikely both will play in the Antigua and Jamaica tests.

Boult was omitted for the second and third tests against South Africa in March, but he has caught the eye and should be encouraged.

Tim Southee is back in the short-form squads, but needs to prove himself ready for a test return.

The naming yesterday was good news for Auckland spinner Ronnie Hira, who made a tidy start against Zimbabwe and South Africa. The world T20 championship is coming up in Sri Lanka in September. Spin will be crucial. Hira has his chance.

Little Central Districts wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk deserved to keep his place in the test squad, while Watling offers specialist batting backup, as well as keeping van Wyk on his toes.

Veteran allrounder Jacob Oram is heading to the Caribbean, but James Franklin is not, a stint of T20 for Essex being lined up to keep him in trim for the world championship.

Oram's selection means three survivors of the last trip to the West Indies, in 2002, remain, Dan Vettori and Chris Martin the others.

The tour starts with a brace of T20s in Florida on June 30 and July 1 before five ODIs, then ends with the second test, starting on August 2.

By David Leggat | Email David

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Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Asif vows to return to cricket - The Guardian

Mohammad Asif Mohammad Asif, the former world No2 Test-match bowler, wants to return to cricket at the end of his five-year ban. Photograph: Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images

Mohammad Asif, one of the three Pakistan cricketers jailed for their part in a fixing scam, says he hopes to clear his name and return to the sport.

The 29-year-old former world No2 Test bowler, was freed from Canterbury Prison in Kent on Thursday after serving half of his 12-month sentence.

He continues to protest his innocence, and is appealing against his conviction for bowling deliberate no-balls in the 2010 Lord's Test against England.

In his first interview since being released, he told Pakistan's Geo TV: "I am hopeful that I will come out of the problem that I found myself in unwittingly."

Asif said he had little chance to practise his cricket skills in prison, but kept himself fit by playing badminton and football, and by working out in the gym.

Asked if he would be able to return to first-class cricket, he said: "A fish will never forget how to swim. A bowler doesn't forget how to bowl well. I have maintained fitness and I will try my best to keep up with this level of fitness.

"I am thankful to all those who have prayed for me. I would like to be back in the ground playing and I hope my fans will soon see me back."

Asif was one of three Pakistan cricketers who received custodial sentences at London's Southwark Crown Court in November over a scandal that rocked world sport.

The ex-Test captain Salman Butt, 27, was jailed for two and a half years for his role as the "orchestrator" of the spot-fixing plot.

Mohammad Amir, 19, who had been tipped to become one of the all-time great fast bowlers, was released from Portland Prison in Dorset in February after serving half of his six-month sentence.

Mazhar Majeed, 36, the corrupt London-based sports agent at the heart of the fixing scandal, was jailed for two years and eight months.

All three players are serving five-year bans from cricket imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).


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To save the shires, English cricket needs to follow the IPL's franchise model - Telegraph.co.uk

The cashier was of Asian origin, and brought up the subject because he recognised me from ITV's coverage.

But though the vast majority of non-Asian UK residents couldn't give two hoots for the IPL, there is growing awareness of its importance among England's professional cricketers. More than 75 percent of over 250 respondents to an online survey believed there should be an IPL-style Twenty20 tournament based on big-city franchises in the middle of the English season.

Of course, this idea was mooted five years ago by the MCC, and backed by several of the Test match venues, but the concept raised the heckles of the ECB - who are anxious to protect their lucrative Sky TV deal - and the smaller counties. It was rebuffed at the time, but there are good reasons to look again at the plan.

According to a recent financial survey, less than half the counties made a profit in 2011. Several lost millions, and that was after the annual ECB 'gift' of £1.5m to each county.

The most important aspect of the IPL is its capacity to raise new finance. It is like a new share issue. By creating a fresh 'brand' which is linked to an existing one (eg Chennai Super Kings was born out of the state side Tamil Nadu) new investors and sponsors are attracted, and enjoy a 'share' in the brand, which is denied would-be county investors under the ECB constitution. This creates a much more dynamic financial model.

Rajasthan Royals, for instance, the cheapest IPL franchise, was bought for $67m by an English consortium. Small proportions of the franchise were resold for a significant increase and now the franchise, which turns a small annual profit, is valued at $150m. Each team attracts an average of five new investors and between five and 10 new sponsors. That is all new finance coming into the game.

The egos of some of the team owners has meant the franchises squandering all of their $10m share of the TV rights on player salaries, but still the overall entities are increasing in value and able to pull in the best players in the world.

Rajasthan is the equivalent of Gloucestershire. A useful team from a remote part of the country that occasionally wins something and gets awarded the odd one-day international.

Survival is tough. After a decent Cheltenham festival, Gloucester made a £2,000 profit in 2011 - good for them - but this year they couldn't afford a mere £10,000 (£600 a game) for the services of the Irish all-rounder Kevin O'Brien (he of World Cup hundred fame) to win a few T20 games.

You could imagine under a franchise arrangement, 'Bristol Challengers' would attract investment and sponsorship from a variety of west country institutions and would be able to afford the Morkel brothers as well as the O'Briens Kevin and Niall.

The ECB are planning to have comedians preforming at domestic T20 matches this summer. It seems a strange decision.

We should be getting serious about the format, not cheapening it, as it represents a vital potential lifeline for the survival of the professional game. The quicker everyone realises that the better.

Potential English cricket franchises
Manchester (Old Trafford), Leeds (Headingley), Nottingham (Trent Bridge), Birmingham (Edgbaston), Bristol (County Ground), North London (Lord's), South London (Oval), Southampton (Rose Bowl).


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PCB identifies Mirpur as potential international venue - Pakistan Daily Times

PCB identifies Mirpur as potential international venue

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken charge of the Quaid-e-Azam Stadium in Mirpur and has identified it as a potential venue for international cricket. Mirpur is the largest town in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) known as ?Little Britain? because of the large immigrant population in England from this area. The region?s cricket coordinator Fazal-ur-Rehman was quoted as saying that the AJK sports development authority had handed over the stadium?s rights to the PCB on Monday. ?The stadium has all the basic requirements for cricket but the PCB was keen to develop it and raise it to international standards,? Rehman said. ?This part of the region is fine from the security point of view.?

Pakistan currently has 25 first-class venues and four major Test venues. The Mirpur stadium has a capacity of 16,000 and has hosted eight first-class matches from 2005 to 2009; it has also hosted several Under-19 international matches against Australia in 2007. ?It is a potential venue with a good law and order situation,? Intikhab Alam, the PCB?s director of international cricket, said. ?We have scrutinised various venues around the country and this venue has all the features to be an internationally recognised stadium. There are things that obviously have to be improved and the PCB will ensure all the required facilities for international fixtures. The city has quality logistic facilities, including hotels.?

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Friday 4 May 2012

'Mr Cricket' Michael Hussey struggling with Indian heat - NDTV


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No fear, only sympathy for the once mighty Windies - DAWN.com

sammy670afp For what was once a world-beating side to be reduced to a three-Test series, mostly in May, ahead of world number one England’s showpiece encounter with South Africa is undeniably sad. -File photo

LONDON: It is a measure of how much things have changed since the West Indies’ glory days that the overwhelming feeling amongst home cricket fans ahead of their tour of England is sympathy.

From the mid 1970s through the 1980s the West Indies dominated world cricket with as fearsome a battery of fast bowlers as the game has known and dynamic, hard-hitting batsmen.

They seemed to reserve their most pulverising displays for England, the old colonial power.

Yet the English crowds, while they feared for the safety of their own batsmen and the figures of their bowlers, had no trouble relishing the exuberant skill of the West Indies.

Fast forward a generation, and this seems scarcely credible: the West Indies arrive in England having won just two out of their last 30 Tests.

For what was once a world-beating side to be reduced to a three-Test series, mostly in May, ahead of world number one England’s showpiece encounter with South Africa is undeniably sad.

Whether it is a lack of planning, inconsistent selection and questionable administration, many of the West Indies’ wounds are self-inflicted.

But certain developments in world cricket have been unkind to their cause.

For example the cash-rich Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament cuts across the West Indies’ domestic season. And that offers players a financial lifeline if, they are in dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board.

And that of course is just what happened with the hard-hitting opener, former captain Chris Gayle.

That may be good for Gayle — and indeed any other players who have fallen out with a WICB, whose “general incompetence” was criticised recently by former Wisden editor Scyld Berry.

But the West Indies have missed Gayle’s runs during an international exile of more than a year.

It does appear though that he will be available, after completing his IPL duties, for the one-day matches against England that follow the Tests.

Against this backdrop the tourists, recently beaten 2-0 in a home Test series by Australia, have arrived in cold, wet England, where the seam-bowler friendly conditions could suit the likes of West Indies quick Kemar Roach.

“I am quite confident our guys can put the English batsmen under pressure,” said West Indies captain Darren Sammy ahead of the tour opener against Sussex at Hove, which starts on Saturday.

But do the West Indies have the batsmen to counter the conditions in which they expect their bowlers to thrive?

Certainly, in the experienced left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, now officially ranked the world’s best batsmen, they have a cricketer for whom the adjective ‘gritty’ was invented. Here is a man so experienced in salvage missions it is little wonder he hasn’t been asked to raise the Titanic.

Chanderpaul however is a middle-order batsman and even he can only do so much if those above him fall cheaply.

To his credit Sammy, whose team showed glimpses of their potential against Australia, didn’t duck the issue.

“Stats don’t lie and it is fair to say our top order has looked vulnerable,” he said.

“It did not click against Australia, but the selectors still have shown faith in Adrian Barath and Kieran Powell.

“They are quite young, they are still learning on the job.”

Sammy has won plaudits for his leadership skills but doubts remain over whether he is worth his place in the side.

After 24 Tests, the 28-year-old has just two fifties to his name and he averages nearly 31 with the ball.

“I have developed a formula for myself in which I could play and I worked out that once I play my way, the aggressive way, I get more results,” said Sammy.

“As a team, the culture and the environment is very good, and the players are starting to shape up as a family.”

For all those for whom the West Indies will always be their ‘second favourite’ side, they will hope Sammy is right about his own game and that of his team.

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Cricket: Injury scare for James Anderson - WalesOnline

ENGLAND seamer James Anderson survived an injury scare in his first LV= County Championship appearance of the season while international team-mates Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann both risked dissent charges on an eventful first day between Division One rivals Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.

Lancashire paceman Anderson was taken to hospital for X-rays after sustaining two blows to his right thumb in the morning session, but got away with bruising instead of the feared fracture and was able to bowl again in the afternoon.

He spent two further periods off the field as the game progressed, however, receiving ice treatment and applying strapping to the affected hand at the start of the evening’s play.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire duo Broad and Swann, also making their first appearances of the season, both reacted less than magnanimously after being given out to Simon Kerrigan.

Broad, fit again after a calf injury, contested a bat-pad catch by Steven Croft after he was dismissed for a golden duck, while Swann lingered at the crease after being given lbw, suggesting he had the hit the ball.

A fourth England international, Samit Patel, had a more satisfactory day – pushing his case for the first Test against the West Indies on May 17 with 69 in his side’s 169 all out.

The hosts lost Paul Horton for 24 in the last over before stumps as they reached 48 for one.

In today’s other Division One meeting, Ian Bell made an unbeaten 59 as Warwickshire struggled to 116 for five in reply to Durham’s 163.

Bell shone in front of watching England batting coach Graham Thorpe where others – including Jonathan Trott who made just two – struggled on a day dominated by the bowlers.

Darren Maddy was the only other Warwickshire man in double figures with 35, matching Durham’s top-scorer Ben Stokes.

Derbyshire captain Wayne Madsen’s first century in almost a year helped his side to a strong position against Gloucestershire as they reached the close on 362 for nine.


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Pietersen exits IPL cricket as Clarke makes debut - New York Daily News

Kevin Pietersen exited from the Indian Premier League after scoring 305 runs in his first season with the Delhi Daredevils. Australian captain Michael Clarke made his debut with the Pune Warriors after returning from Australia’s West Indies tour.

England batting star Kevin Pietersen flew home on Wednesday after a highly successful stint in the Indian Premier League as Australia captain Michael Clarke made his debut in the Twenty20 tournament.

Pietersen, who left midway through the league to prepare for England's home series against the West Indies, scored 305 runs at an average of 61.00 in his first season with the Delhi Daredevils.

He played eight matches for the top-of-the table side, featuring a brilliant innings of 103 not out off 64 balls against the Deccan Chargers on April 19.

Pietersen, who had in the past played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, will miss the last six league matches.

"Sad day leaving India today," the England star tweeted. "Will be back soon. Special thanks to Delhi Daredevils. And another thank you to the people of India."

Clarke, who had shunned the four previous editions of the cash-rich tournament, signed up with the Pune Warriors this year for an undisclosed amount to play after Australia's recent tour of the West Indies.

The Australian skipper shrugged off jet lag after the long journey from the Caribbean to strike 41 off 31 balls on Tuesday night, but could not prevent Pune from suffering a 13-run loss at the hands of bottom-placed Deccan Chargers in Cuttack.

Clarke has six more league games to help Pune, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, finish among the top four in the nine-team competition and qualify for the play-offs.

Pune, owned by the Sahara group, are currently lying seventh in the table with four wins and six defeats.

"Clarke is a class act and it's great to have him with us," said Ganguly, whose international career featured many fierce, competitive clashes with the Australians.

This article was distributed through the NewsCred Smartwire. Original article © Agence France Presse 2012

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Port Qasim sail into domestic cricket's top-tier - The Express Tribune

Beat KESC on 1st-inning­s lead in Grade II final to earn promot­ion. Sami’s all-round show in the Grade-II event and also the BPL has improved his chances of a comeback. PHOTO: BPL T20

KARACHI: Port Qasim Authority (PQA) eased into first-class cricket for the first time by winning the Patron’s Trophy Grade-II title against KESC on a first-innings lead at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad yesterday. 

PQA took a 70-run first-innings lead which proved to be the deciding factor in the match after they started the final day on 376 for nine before being dismissed for 404. Azam Hussain, who started the day on 38, went onto make a 96-ball 61 that included a six and nine fours. Set an imposing target of 475, KESC went all out for the win but could only manage 311 for six in 74 overs.

PQA’s triumph revolved around Mohammad Sami, who scored 250 runs and took 28 wickets in the tournament while Shadab Kabir top-scored with 401 runs. The bowling workload was shared by Azam as he took 34 wickets while Tanveer Ahmed got 16 scalps.

PQA coach Rashid Latif expressed his delight and went onto say that the team will win the Quaid Trophy as well.

“It feels great to guide this excellent side to the top-tier and I’m hopeful we will repeat our heroics there as well,” Latif told The Express Tribune. “We probably have one of the best squads which not even some departments have at their disposal.”

PQA was formed in 2007 and gained promotion in their maiden appearance. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ‘ban’ on promotions forced them to stay in the second division.

“If we would not have been deprived back then, it would’ve been a tremendous achievement that a department side made its place among the big boys within a year of its formation.”

PQA were handed a winning prize of Rs200,000 while KESC got Rs100,000.

Awards

Man of the final

Mohammad Sami

Best batsman

Faizan Khan (525 runs)

Best bowler

Faheem Ahmed (46 wickets)

Best fielder

Fakhar Zaman (15 catches)

Best wicket-keeper

Muhammad Salman (20 dismissals)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2012.


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County Championship round-up: Players turn their back on Morgan Report - The Independent

The Morgan Report – conducted on behalf of the England and Wales Cricket Board by former chairman David Morgan – recommended a reduction in Championship matches from 16 to 14, a return to 50-over cricket and Twenty 20 group matches increased from 10 to 14 played on nights across the summer.

But after seeking the views of 277 players, the PCA wants the Twenty20 to remain a mid-season tournament, with the integrity of the 16-match two-divisional Championship protected as the season's primary event.

Of the players surveyed, 77 per cent wanted the T20 group stages to be played in a single block and 91 per cent regarded the Championship as the most important tournament, with 87 per cent putting Twenty20 second.

The PCA's report agrees that T20 "has a crucial role to play, both from a cricketing perspective, and for county finances" but said that the English game must establish "a high-quality competition which has the potential to attract the best overseas players and maximises broadcast interest".

It argues that there should be a significant increase in prize money not only to attract overseas talent but also to compensate England players whose availability to play in the IPL is currently limited. But the County Championship, it said, should "have full fixture symmetry and integrity".

On the field yesterday, Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara fell cheaply for Essex in Cardiff, the latter lbw without scoring to Glamorgan seamer Moises Henriques. South African Alviro Petersen did rather better, completing a century off 147 balls.

At Edgbaston, Jonathan Trott became another victim for in-form Graham Onions but Ian Bell compiled a welcome half-century after Keith Barker's five wickets helped skittle out Durham for 163.

Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow completed his second century of the season against Leicestershire at Scarborough. Back in Leeds, student Luis Reece, who has played second XI cricket for Lancashire, took 7 for 21 as a scratch Sussex side was bowled out for 58 by Leeds-Bradford MCCU.


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Thursday 3 May 2012

PCB urged to improve domestic cricket - The Nation, Pakistan

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Cricket-Wagner named in NZ team for West Indies tour - Reuters India

n">May 3 (Reuters) - South African-born pace bowler Neil Wagner was fast-tracked into New Zealand's test squad on Thursday for their tour of West Indies, just two weeks after receiving approval from the International Cricket Council to be selected despite not meeting residency requirements.

The ICC requires a player to spend at least 183 days in a country for four successive years to be considered for selection.

The 26-year-old Wagner, who moved to New Zealand in 2008, failed to achieve the minimum number of days on two occasions.

Once because he was playing a Twenty20 competition overseas with his New Zealand province Otago, and the second time due to a family wedding.

Wagner had been expected to be named in the squad after he received dispensation from the ICC last month. He is the third South African born player to be named in the test squad following wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk and wicketkeeper batsman BJ Watling.

"Neil has been an extremely good performer in (first-class cricket) for a number of seasons and deserves his opportunity," national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said.

Swing bowler Tim Southee, who struggled for line and consistency in the test series against South Africa and was dropped from the side, has not been included in the test squad for the tour that begins with two Twenty20 internationals in Florida before moving to the Caribbean.

Southee, however, has been named in the limited overs sides for the two Twenty20 games and five one-day internationals.

Aggressive batsman Brendon McCullum has been rested for the limited overs portion of the tour, Littlejohn said, as has all-rounder James Franklin.

McCullum also normally keeps wickets during the shorter forms of the game but Watling, who has recovered from a hip injury that gave van Wyk the opportunity to cement his place in the test side in the series against South Africa is likely to be behind the stumps in McCullum's absence.

New Zealand open their tour on June 30 with their first Twenty20 match in Florida.

Twenty20 squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Martin Guptill, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Flynn, Ronnie Hira, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

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One day squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Martin Guptill, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Andrew Ellis, Daniel Flynn, Tom Latham, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tarun Nethula, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson

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Test squad: Ross Taylor (captain), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Neil Wagner, Daniel Flynn, Mark Gillespie, Martin Guptill, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Tarun Nethula, Kruger van Wyk, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson


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Cricket: Yasir signs T20 deal with Lancashire - The Express Tribune

I will of course give my 100% and would love to play in the 2012 World Twenty20, says Arafat.

ISLAMABAD: Out-of-favour all-rounder Yasir Arafat has signed up with Lancashire for this season’s Friends Life Twenty-20 campaign, saying that a good all-round performance in the tournament could catch the eye of the Pakistan Cricket Board selectors. “I am excited at signing for a famous team such as Lancashire,” said Arafat. “I have been out of favour with the national side for more than two years and all I can do is to perform well and to impress the selectors.” Yasir has played domestic T20 cricket in New Zealand, South Africa and in Bangladesh, in addition to several seasons in England.  “I recently played in the domestic T20 tournament and have now an opportunity to once again play in English county cricket. I will of course give my 100% and would love to play in the 2012 World Twenty20.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2012.


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Cricket: S African leading NZ candidate - New Zealand Herald

South African Paddy Upton. Photo / Getty Images

A low-profile South African is emerging as a leading contender to take over from John Wright, as significant changes to New Zealand's cricket coaching structure are brewing.

An increasingly hectic international programme and the need for expertise over three formats has compelled New Zealand Cricket to look at overhauling the brief of the head coach.

NZC was impressed by the way South Africa structured their coaching and management team during their ruthless dismantling of New Zealand this year.

One of the key planks of the Proteas' operations has been Paddy Upton.

The 43-year-old has been South African coach Gary Kirsten's right-hand man going back to their days in charge of the Indian team from 2008 until the end of last year's World Cup.

The pair are business partners and Upton joined the South African staff in June last year as mental conditioning coach.

Despite strong ties to Kirsten, Upton, who played two first-class games for Western Province and is currently trainer and mental skills coach at the Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, is known to covet a head role in international cricket.

Despite his lack of credentials as an international player, he is regarded as a coach with the wide and necessary range of skills.

The Herald understands that while decisions on the replacement for Wright are some way off, the models used by both South Africa and England - where former Zimbabwe batsman Andy Flower is the head of team operations - appeal to NZC.

At those teams, a head coach has several staff under him with specific roles in ODI, T20 or test cricket and an element of rotation applies, related to the type of cricket each tour involves.

One scenario might see the head coach delegate a short tour to his most relevant assistant while he remains at home preparing for the next assignment.

"Whilst the team is touring and playing one form of the game you must ensure other specialists are preparing [for other assignments] as well. South Africa do that; England do that and it is something we need to look at," said NZC chief executive David White.

White said the demanding nature of the Future Tours Programme, now inked in from this year until 2020, means it is prudent to consider how the national side is run.

With Wright still in charge until the end of the tour of the West Indies in July-August, NZC believes the time is right to investigate all options.

"It's tough enough for the players, but for the coaches and support staff it's tremendously challenging for them to be away from home, on the road that long, and to have just one role when you've got three distinct forms of the game," White said.

White spent time discussing the model with South African officials during their recent tour.

Another coach in the frame is Wellington's Australian, Jamie Siddons, who has completed his first season in charge, after working under NZC director of cricket John Buchanan as an Australian assistant coach, then doing three years with Bangladesh. He rates Buchanan's lateral thinking skills while his term with Bangladesh gave him an insight into the demands on coaches in the modern game.

"With the World Cup in 2015 you probably do need someone fully focused on one-day cricket, and that's really difficult if you're on tour trying to win tests and T20 competitions," Siddons said.

"From my experience in Bangladesh, that makes it really difficult to stay on top of it all. It does get big on you and you end up doing things half-paced."

With a young family, Siddons said he would need to consider all aspects if offered a part in a new NZC setup, but would be interested in a role.

"It's too exciting not to be interested."

By Dylan Cleaver and David Leggat | Email Dylan

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Won't quit cricket for politics: Sachin - PakTribune.com

03 May, 2012

In his first comments since being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Sachin Tendulkar today said that the ?biggest honour? not withstanding, he would not give up cricket to join politics.

In his first comments since being nominated to the Rajya Sabha, Sachin Tendulkar today said that the “biggest honour” not withstanding, he would not give up cricket to join politics.

“I have been nominated because I am a sportsman and not a politician. I am a sportsman and will always remain one. I am not going to enter politics giving up cricket, which is my life. I will continue to play cricket,” Tendulkar said at a function organised by a realty firm to felicitate him on Maharashtra Day.

To a large, cheering crowd of mainly students and IT professionals, Tendulkar said it was “the biggest honour to be nominated to Rajya Sabha”. “The honour has come from the President of the country... The likes of Lata Mangeshkar and Prithviraj Kapoor have graced the House. It is an honour...to follow in their footsteps,” he said.

Tendulkar said he had played for over 22 years, and believed the nomination to Parliament was the result of what he had achieved on the field. “This is the appreciation of a sportsman, not of a politician,” he said, adding, “I will contribute my expertise in cricket in the House”.

Tendulkar's Rajya Sabha nomination had been criticised by Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray as the Congress s “Dirty Picture”. “It is Congress s dirtiest play... the real Dirty Picture is this,” Thackeray had said. In an editorial, Sena mouthpiece Saamna said, “Crores of Sachin s fans would have liked to call him 'Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar'. Alas, he will now only be 'Sachin Tendulkar, MP'.”

End.


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If cricket is religion in India, it is theatre and night club in the Caribbean - Cricket Country

If cricket is religion in India, it is theatre and night club in the Caribbean Michael Clarke's captaincy was fantastic. His positive, aggressive attitude will be great for Test cricket. © AFP

By Justin Langer

The spirit of the West Indies is an indelible part of my journey in cricket. Seventeen years ago when Australia regained the Frank Worrell Trophy in Jamaica, I had a tattoo needled into my left butt cheek. That tattoo is similar to the engraving of the kangaroo and palm tree which lies on the silver plaque sitting on the cherished Frank Worrell Trophy.

I didn’t know then just how important that tour was to Australian cricket. On reflection, I understand now. Against all odds Australia triumphed and I learned so much about the Australian way of winning, even though I was sitting on the sidelines, running drinks with a young Ricky Ponting.

Amongst the contest out on the field, we also learned about the passion of cricket and of another way of celebrating the game through music, dancing and talk.

It is said that cricket in India is like a religion. In the West Indies, it is a combination of theatre and a night club. The passion for the game is intense, but regardless of the result, the West Indian people seem to have so much fun.

From the moment we arrived at the ground each day, to the moment the last drinks are called in the hotel, there is music, loud, loud music. People dance and sing and smile and laugh. When they are not doing that, or drinking beer or rum, they are talking cricket. To be more specific, they are usually arguing more about cricket, than just talking about it. Such is the passion, that they are all experts, who have an opinion on the fortunes of their national team and the triumphs or downfalls that go with being the West Indian cricket team. Because of this passion I am going to miss the West Indies. The West Indian people have shown me, once again, that amid the new age of professionalism, cricket is still allowed to be fun. We have had so much fun on and off the field and while it has been tough for many reasons, I hope to return again one day.

Promisingly, this Test series has uncovered some hope for the West Indies. Their enthusiasm and on-field spirit has again matched the passion of their supporters, and/or critics. Throughout, we have had to fight hard to regain the trophy. The contest provided by the Darren Sammy led West Indies on slow, lifeless pitches meant we had to find new ways to win away from home. Our slow scoring rates were a reflection of West Indies discipline and the tough batting conditions. Unlike the summer, where we dominated with the bat, our top seven batsmen had to work overtime to find breath against the suffocating strategies of the West Indies attack and the conditions we were playing in.

Only Matthew Wade scored a century. And what a hundred it was! On a Dominican pitch that was bouncing and spinning more than we see in India, he swept, cut and drove his way to a maiden Test century. Not only did achieve this proud milestone in only his third Test match, but he also went against the trends of the series by scoring it in almost, run a ball fashion. His aggression was entertaining, inspiring and ultimately match-winning; all qualities of a high class Test player. In the absence of Brad Haddin, Matthew Wade has been one of the highlights of the tour. Most impressive was his obvious improvement throughout the summer. By the end, his feet were dancing behind the stumps, he was scoring valuable runs and his energy was infectious.

Other questions were also answered for us. Although not prolific, Ed Cowan's contributions were promising. He fielded brilliantly, batted well and provided important leadership and character to the squad. On ANZAC Day, he was invited to address the team about the importance of our past soldiers. His presentation was outstanding. In the process he unraveled the type of people we need to take Australian cricket forward.

For our younger players like Nathan Lyon, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Peter Forrest, the last six months have been valuable. While we would like Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey to play forever, they will one day move away from the game they love. Before this happens, the more these guys can learn and develop the better off we will be going forward.

Michael Clarke's on field captaincy was fantastic. If his declaration in Trinidad is anything to go by then we might be spending some time on the edges of our seats, but this positive, aggressive attitude will be great for Test cricket, which hasn't been let down, once again, by this series. Little things like unusual, but well thought out field placements, or throwing the ball to Mike Hussey or Davie Warner for a few overs, keeps everyone enthralled by what is going to happen next. Like an impatient schoolboy, he is never going to let things get boring, it is just not his way. The game of Test cricket will be better off for this approach.

I believe the game will also be better off if we continue playing Test cricket on pitches offering more life than those in the Caribbean. The slower scoring rates and lack of bouncers almost negate the pageantry and entertainment that is synonymous with West Indian cricket. Our summer at home was a fascinating showcase of Test cricket that kept moving forward. At times this series, the cricket was more an arm wrestle than an entertainment package. Imagine West Indian cricket being played on lively, bouncy pitches with high scoring rates and a high rate of attrition for those batsmen not willing to put their skill and courage on the line every time they went to the crease.

If the West Indian crowds are like a nightclub during the day now, imagine the frenzy if the cricket was being played at a similarly frenetic pace. Caribbean cricket would then be one of the great Test cricket showcases on earth. This said, the cricket was tough and grinding but fascinating to watch. At no stage did we feel like we could steamroll our opponent.

On paper, some may have predicted such an outcome, but players like the run-machine Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kemar Roach, Shane Shillingford and Sammy just wouldn't go away.

Looking forward, such competition will be an excellent lesson for our developing team. Old pros like Ponting, Clarke and Hussey have seen it all before, but our younger, less-experienced players will be better off for the battle.

Ben Hilfenhaus continues to improve and lead the attack, while we pray Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris stay fit and strong, during the development periods of younger players like Pattinson, Starc and Pat Cummins. After being away from home for much of the last 44 weeks, it goes without saying that I am delighted about being home with my family, friends and simple luxuries of Perth life, but I have left with a tinge of sadness. There will be no tattoos this time, but rather more great memories and friendships from the magnificent West Indies. 

(Justin Langer was an integral part of the all-conquering Australian cricket team and formed one of the greatest opening partnerships in the game with Mathew Hayden. Langer played 105 Tests and scored 7,696 runs, including 23 Test centuries. In 2009, he surpassed Sir Donald Bradman as the most prolific batsman in Australian cricket with a total of 28,068 first-class runs. In November 2009, he was appointed as Batting/Mentoring Coach for the Australian cricket team and in May 2011 was appointed to the full-time role as Assistant Coach. Langer espouses the philosophy of encouraging excellence which incorporates his belief in the power of passion, vision, leadership, mentoring and developing a winning mentality. He is a keynote speaker, performance consultant, mentor, philanthropist and author. Read all about Langer on his website http://www.justinlanger.com.au/)


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