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

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.

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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

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, 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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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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PCB urged to improve domestic cricket - The Nation, Pakistan

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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

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

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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