Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Dead rubber but live issues

Bangladesh have already wrapped up the series but the fifth game presents an opportunity for them to sign off their third consecutive ODI series win with authority. For the hosts, who have improved with each game this tour, it's another chance to impress the cricketing world.

Bangladesh's batting line-up has been boosted by Mohammad Ashraful's return to form and Tamim Iqbal's willingness to show patience early in his innings. They also have the in-form Shakib Al Hasan and Raqibul Hasan, who have shouldered comfortably the middle-order responsibilities. There might be some concerns about their bowling, which conceded two consecutive 300-plus totals, but those came on tracks highly favourable for batting, and with Bangladesh missing some important names in their seam attack.

Zimbabwe had a poor first game but that was perhaps due to lack of match practice - they got better in the remaining games. The batting has steadily improved with Charles Coventry beginning to find himself in the international arena, Mark Vermeulen's superb comeback and the return of Sean Williams from self-imposed retirement. The icing on the cake will be Tatendu Taibu's expected imminent return. It's the bowling that has been the worry and their approach to go in with four regular bowlers has consistently backfired.
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Warne calls for end to one-day cricket

Shane Warne has called for the end of one-day cricket, saying that the 50-over format has "passed its sell-by date". He is of the opinion that teams should play only Test and Twenty20 cricket with a World Twenty20 being held every two years.

"This is a big call, but cricket evolves and the 50-over game has passed its sell-by date," Warne wrote in his column for the Times. "It's amazing to think that after the Ashes series, England and Australia play seven one-day games, which take about a month. Sorry, but that's just greed on the part of administrators."

By eliminating one-day matches, Warne wrote, international players would be able to play more domestic cricket, thereby improving its quality, and also have more time with their families. "Under my plan a tour would last roughly five weeks: three Tests with a warm-up game and five Twenty20s in a ten-day period. The Ashes would stay as a five-match series."

Warne also advocated a world Test championship with two divisions and one team getting promoted and demoted from each every two years, as well as a separate window for the IPL. "I wonder if people in England realise how big the Indian Premier League is," Warne, who is captain of the Rajasthan Royals, wrote. "I've read that it is the fourth biggest sporting event in the world in terms of value, estimated at around $1 billion. England are having to move away from early-May Tests because they are struggling to find opponents during a clash of dates with IPL. A gap of a month or six weeks fixed in the calendar would ease all potential problems and keep the players happy."

Warne also criticised the present standard of umpiring in international cricket, saying it was "as low as I've known it in 20 years". "Yes, it is a difficult job and technology exposes any mistakes, but some of the performances in the Ashes series so far have been pretty ordinary," he wrote. "Players will accept that the odd bad decision gets through now and again. At the moment, there are just too many." He also felt that the remuneration umpires currently receive should be revised upwards to "reflect the importance of the job".
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Windies stick to depleted ODI squad

As expected, the West Indies selectors have named a squad without most of the leading players for the Champions Trophy in September, giving an indication that there might not be an early resolution to the long drawn out contracts dispute.

The mediator in the impasse between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA, Shridath Ramphal, had said that the ongoing negotiations between the disputing bodies in no way affected the obligation of the board to select the best available team for the Champions Trophy. He had hoped that the row would be resolved by the end of August, but the retention of a makeshift team for the tournament implies that little headway has been made in resolving the problem.

Last month, a weakened 30-man pool had been chosen from among those players who declared themselves available for selection for the tournament within the deadline date. Daren Powell, the fast bowler who reportedly turned down the chance to be part of the West Indies side after Chris Gayle and Co. decided to strike, has been picked.

Floyd Reifer, who captained a depleted West Indies side in the Test and one-day series losses to Bangladesh recently, has been appointed as captain. There are three omissions from the squad that played the ODI series against Bangladesh - Devon Thomas, the wicketkeeper-batsman, fast bowler Nelon Pascal and legspinner Rawl Lewis. The squad features two new inclusions; rookie Guyana batsman Royston Crandon receives his maiden international call-up while Chadwick Walton, who played the Tests against Bangladesh but was left out for the ODIs, earns a place.

West Indies squad: Floyd Reifer (capt), Darren Sammy, David Bernard, Tino Best, Royston Crandon, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Daren Powell, Kieran Powell, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton (wk).
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Dilshan has scored the fastest 50 by a Sri Lankan batsman in tests and it's the 10th fastest overall

xbiqnr.jpg
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Jayawardene and Dilshan put Sri Lanka in control

A wonderfully composed 26th Test century from Mahela Jayawardene and a thrill-a-minute 92 from Tillakaratne Dilshan allowed Sri Lanka to dominate the opening day's play after two early wickets from Chris Martin had given New Zealand the perfect start in overcast conditions in Galle. Thilan Samaraweera weighed in with an unbeaten 82, adding 159 with Jayawardene, and by the time the players went off for bad light, New Zealand were down for the count.

The start had been delayed by 90 minutes and the New Zealanders had reason to feel smug 40 minutes after winning the toss, but a rapid 118-run stand quickly wiped the smiles off their faces. Dilshan drove and cut like a dream, and at a pace that made you wonder whether he was practising for the Delhi Daredevils' Champions League campaign later this year. The fastest century ever by a Sri Lankan was easily within reach when he cut a delivery from Iain O'Brien back on to the stumps. By then, he had 92 from 72 balls, and the hapless O'Brien had gone at more than nine an over.

Jayawardene's approach was much less helter-skelter and far more measured. There were the characteristically lovely drives through the covers and the beautiful late twirls of the wrist that sent the ball to third man, but there were also periods of dogged defence against the accurate left-arm spin of Daniel Vettori. There was a period after tea when he appeared bereft of inspiration, but once he stepped out to off-drive Vettori for four, the fluency came surging back.

Martin was clipped through midwicket for four and when O'Brien dropped one short, an emphatic pull for four took him to his 18th hundred on home soil, at the very venue where he had scored his first 11 years ago. Samaraweera had been the perfect foil, taking time to play himself in and then playing some magnificent shots himself. New Zealand had quietened things with a couple of maidens after tea, but Samaraweera released the pressure with three boundaries off Jeetan Patel - a cover-drive, a cut and a glorious back-foot punch.

New Zealand could scarcely have imagined such a leather-hunt after the start they got. Martin's two wickets had taken him to 162, past Danny Morrison and on to No. 4 in New Zealand's all-time list. It took him just three balls to make an impact. Malinda Warnapura had been dropped and Dilshan asked to open, but the other opener, Tharanga Paranavitana, was soon on his way, edging one behind. And after Kumar Sangakkara had clipped two lovely leg-side boundaries, there was an air of disbelief around the ground as he struck one straight to Daniel Flynn at midwicket.

Dilshan had watched all this from the other end, but it didn't inhibit him in any way. He had started with a fluid drive for four off O'Brien, and the part-time blogger was soon being subjected to harsh treatment. There were three ferocious off-side fours in one over, and when O'Brien dropped short, he was pulled for six. An elegant cover-drive later, Dilshan had his half-century from just 30 balls.

Jayawardene got off the mark with a languid drive for four off Martin, and he kept picking the off-side gaps at regular intervals. Jacob Oram and Vettori slowed down the run-rate, but with both batsmen driving Patel beautifully through the covers, Sri Lanka were into three figures long before the luncheon bell rang. There was no respite after that either, with Dilshan slamming O'Brien over cover and then pulling contemptuously for four more. A fierce cut took him into the 90s, but with history beckoning, he lost the plot.

There was a lull thereafter, but once Jayawardene eased to his 50 from 104 balls, the scoring rate picked up again. Oram was guided fine twice and Martin then driven superbly through cover. When Samaraweera cut Patel for four to bring up the 200, Vettori was looking around for wicket-taking options. There didn't seem any. Martin bowled a decent spell with the old ball just before stumps, but the rest, Vettori apart, leaked runs, and two majestic pulls from Samaraweera off the horribly expensive O'Brien were the perfect bookend to a hugely satisfactory day for the Lankans.
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Irfan vows to return strongly

Irfan Pathan, once a mainstay of the Indian bowling attack, has vowed to come back strongly in the international circuit after not being considered for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

"It has been happening with me for the last five-six years," he said. "Even if I have done slightly bad, I am getting dropped. At the same time, I am not looking for excuse. As selectors have dropped me, I think I have gone one step down in terms of performance."

Pathan last represented India in a losing cause against West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20. His last one-day appearances for India were in the series in Sri Lanka, where he took four wickets but leaked 7.06 runs an over in two matches. What has also hurt his chances of making the national side is that his batting has fallen away in ODIs - he has not scored a half-century in nearly three years.

During India's dismal World Twenty20 campaign, he picked up only one wicket and did not contribute much with the bat either. He's not been a part of the Test side since the home series against South Africa in April 2008.

However, Irfan was confident of launching a successful return and had faith in his ability. "I have never run away from challenges," he said. "It's important to take challenge and move ahead in your life. I want to reach a level where no one can touch me or drop me. It's not being optimistic, it's my belief and I have full confidence in that."

Irfan came into the limelight on India's tour of Australia in 2003-04, where, in the absence of Zaheer Khan, he led the Indian attack. Since then, he has played 107 ODIs, taking 152 wickets at 29.91 and proved his skill with the bat. However, a slump in form cost him his place. Since the start of 2008, he's managed 25 wickets in 22 games with an average of 40.60, and just 17.76 with the bat.

"I am just 24-25 and I don't think many people have achieved what I have. I can go on telling about World Cup finals and so many other achievements," he said, "But at the moment, my performance is down so I am out. I am never a person with excuses. I can say a number of excuses but I don't think that's my foray. If I am dropped, that means something is wrong, I have to sort that out.

When asked if an increased focus on batting had an impact on his bowling, Irfan insisted that was not the case. "I don't think it has affected my bowling," he said. "At junior level for Baroda, I have batted at Nos 3 and 4, so I don't think it is an issue. I have always said that I am a bowler who wants to contribute with the bat as well. With the time, I am going to be an allrounder well. But I have to play continuous cricket as well."
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Hadlee warns Twenty20 could destroy Test cricket

Richard Hadlee has sounded a dire warning that Test cricket will be seriously threatened unless the ICC steps in to halt the spread of Twenty20. However, Hadlee was concerned about the ICC's ability to put aside the monetary attraction of the shortest format, especially the IPL, to preserve the five-day game.

"We are in grave danger of having the decision makers betraying the game of cricket," Hadlee told NZPA. "Everything evolves and things keep changing, but this is a revolution within the game of cricket. It's new, marketable, successful and brings in huge money. The danger is overkill, that you have too much of it, and it swamps other forms of the game and compromises them.

"If one format of the game like Twenty20 consumes the game as much as it is doing now - and potentially in the future - it is destroying the game of cricket as a total concept. The IPL is franchise cricket, it's club cricket, it is not international cricket.

"We are two years into it and you can see potentially that there will be more and more of it. It will consume the game. Once it has gone too far and people have grown bored with it, it will have destroyed test cricket and probably 50-over cricket."

The comments from Hadlee, who held the world record for most Test wickets when he retired, came as another former great, Shane Warne, called for the end of 50-over international cricket and suggested that countries play only Tests and Twenty20s. However, Hadlee was more concerned with the future of Test cricket, which he said remained the ultimate form of the game.

"A lot of players today would say they enjoy test cricket more than anything else," Hadlee said. "The point is they are also faced with the other forms of the game where for less effort the rewards are 10 times greater.

"We all know now that Asia, and more particularly India, have a more powerful say [at ICC level) because they generate that much more a higher percentage of revenue, which other countries benefit from. So, who protects the game? The decision makers on the ICC have to try and control it so that all the games can co-exist and live together."
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Sehwag denies influencing Delhi selection

Virender Sehwag has denied allegations by Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) officials that he tried to get his cousin picked in the Ranji team.

"This [charge] is totally false," Sehwag told the Times of India. "I have never asked anyone to pick any of my brothers or cousins in any team. Just ask Chetan Chauhan - because he was the chairman of the selection committee - if Viru has ever asked for any of his cousins to be selected."

Sehwag is reported to be seeking a move from Delhi, the state he has represented since 1998, to Haryana from the 2009-10 season onwards, citing interference in selection matters.

Other senior Delhi players backed Sehwag's claims about the DDCA's selection procedures. Gautam Gambhir, Sehwag's opening partner for Delhi and India, said there was a need to bring transparency into selection and he threatened to leave Delhi this year unless the situation improved. "The solution is to dissolve the sports committee, which doesn't have a single cricketer in it," Gambhir told the Indian Express. "Sehwag and I have been at the receiving end of pressure tactics by the DDCA to push in their candidates. If we can be pushed into a corner, imagine the plight of a stand-in skipper."

Ashish Nehra, the Delhi left-arm fast bowler, said that this was the DDCA's last chance to clean up their act. "The manner in which the DDCA functions, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to leave Delhi," Nehra said. "For two years, when I was injured, I didn't hear one word from anyone, and the moment I made my comeback, they are all looking to cash in on me." Ishant Sharma also said things could be better.

Chauhan backed Sehwag's claim and said it was a "wake-up call for Delhi cricket". "I am glad Sehwag has made a bold move by speaking out against corruption." However Chauhan was confident a solution could be reached without losing Sehwag. "We'll try to make the selection process transparent. I get calls all the time where politicians and bureaucrats try to push their players up for selection. I'm sure we can work out a solution. We can't let go of him [Sehwag]."

Sehwag said often four selectors got together to vote for their player, leaving him and the chairman of selectors powerless in the matter.

If Sehwag does leave, it won't be the first time a player from Delhi has done so. Indian legspinner Amit Mishra moved to Haryana after he was left out of Delhi's Under-17 squad in 2000. More recently, India Under-19 player Manan Sharma made a similar move, saying he hadn't got the chances he deserved. "There were many who didn't do enough or lacked merit but got their chances, so I thought it was better to leave," Sharma told the Indian Express. "I didn't like the atmosphere, there was just too much going on around."
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Heavy one-day load for Flintoff after Ashes

Andrew Flintoff, who will be retiring from Test cricket after the deciding Ashes game at The Oval, will have only two days rest at the end of the series before heading to Belfast for a one-day game against Ireland. Flintoff may have played the Ashes with a dodgy knee but Geoff Miller, the chairman of selectors, said the board was keen to have him play as many one-dayers as possible.

The rest of the summer is hectic for England with two Twenty20 internationals and seven ODIs against Australia, one ODI against Ireland and the Champions Trophy later in September. Flintoff is part of all the one-day and Twenty20 squads.

"I hope there is no wishful thinking," Miller said. "He is retiring from Test cricket so his focus is going to be on one-day cricket and we're hoping he will play as many as possible because that's what he has designated himself for.

"We're trying to build a squad and a side so that people are comfortable about where they play. We know what Andrew is capable of and he knows what he's capable of. If we have to monitor Andrew day by day we will do that. But at the moment he's in our squad and an integral part of our side."

Flintoff has struggled with injuries through his career, having undergone four ankle operations and a knee surgery. Earlier this summer, he decided to retire from Tests to prolong his career.
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Dolar and Mushfiqur make it 4-1

After three consecutive run-fests, the bowlers finally had their say. When Zimbabwe won the toss, they would have entertained thoughts of piling on a score in excess of the 312 they posted in the fourth match, which didn't turn out to be enough. However, those plans were sent to the nearest paper shredder when an incisive opening spell from Dolar Mahmud caused an early procession of wickets, leaving plenty of repair work for the lower order. A spirited resistance pushed the score to 210, but it wasn't enough to challenge Bangladesh, who stormed to a 4-1 series win thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim's 98.
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Leading Windies players set for Australia tour

Senior West Indies players including Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jerome Taylor, will be available for the team's tour of Australia despite being left out of the Champions Trophy squad according to a WICB director.

Paul Campbell, one of two Jamaicans on the board, said that as long as players make themselves available for the domestic one-day tournament, which starts in October, they will be considered for selection for the tour of Australia.

"All players are expected to make themselves available for the regional one-day tournament, and, as such, would be in contention for a place on the team for the tour of Australia," Campbell told the Jamaica Gleaner.

West Indies' leading players have been involved in a contractual dispute with the board in recent months and it led to a shadow team being selected to play the series against Bangladesh. West Indies lost both the Test and one-day series, but the selectors have shown faith with the fringe players who filled the gap during and the squad for the Champions Trophy will be led by Floyd Reifer.

Joel Garner, also a WICB director, said it was important to show loyalty to the those who faced Bangladesh and that it was time players realised that representing West Indies should be an honour.

"I do not think that we have asked the players that are playing cricket for West Indies to take up a gun and go to war, or anything like that," he told CBC Radio. "It is a case of national duty and representing the region, and I think that is an honour.

"I think the time has come when [the WICB] has to draw the line and try to get the players to understand that there is a sacrifice that has to be made. We can't keep doing things business as usual. We have to look to see how best we can improve West Indies cricket.

"I think you have to reward the people that have been loyal to you and at the end of the day, they withdrew their services."
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Trescothick faces India decision

Marcus Trescothick, Somerset's leading performer on Twenty20 Cup Finals Day at Edgbaston, is now faced with a tough decision as to whether he will travel to India to play at the Champions League in October. He has three weeks to decide if he can cope with his first trip abroad since returning from the 2006-07 tour of Australia with his "stress-related illness."

Somerset are trying to help accommodate his situation with a tour plan to make him comfortable enough to play in India and Trescothick has until September 7 to make his decision, which is when the squad is cut from 20 to 15 players.

Richard Gould, Somerset's chief executive, has been working closely with Trescothick, discussing possible ideas to help him feel confident enough to perform in India.

"We've got about a month to work out ways we can try to help him compete," Gould told The Telegraph."There has been some talk about whether or not we can base him with his family somewhere and then just fly him to India for games. We'll have to look at the logistics of the flight times and costs. We're not going to put any pressure on him whatsoever. If he wants to give it a go we will help him as much as we can. If at the last minute he says it isn't going to work we will be fine with that."

Trescothick is the leading run-scorer in domestic cricket, with an average of 78.23, and his explosive batting display at Edgbaston on Saturday was a memorable spectacle. He scored 89 off 45 balls in two innings as Somerset, who were beaten by in the final Sussex, qualified for October's Champions League.

In the wake of England's demise in the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, Trescothick was a name put forward to strengthen the top order. He admitted considering the option for a short while, but was never approached by the selectors and confirmed his retirement was permanent after a nightmare. However, Andrew Strauss had approached Trescothick requesting him to play in the ICC World Twenty20 this summer, but Trescothick declined.

Gould suggested that if the England selectors re-examined their policy of players having to be available all year round, including tours, Trescothick may consider a return to international cricket.

"I believe Marcus would be more willing to end his self-imposed retirement if he was told he did not have to be available for any tours due to his much-publicised [stress-related] medical condition," Gould told The Times.

"There are not many truly world-class performers and those that are, like Marcus, need to be kept on the pitch for as long as possible. He is absolutely at the top of his game, still one of the best batsmen in the world with an unabated hunger for runs.

"Before he retired for medical reasons, not because he was picking and choosing, he was looking to play for England until his mid-thirties and his form in Test cricket was unaffected when he pulled out of the tour to India in 2005-06."

Playing in the Champions League in October however, is the more immediate issue under question. If Trescothick decides he is happy to tour, he will have to manage Somerset's schedule of playing a minimum of two matches in three days across two cities. But they will have to play six matches to walk away with their share $6million for winning the event.
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Gibbs to play for Cobras in Champions League

Herschelle Gibbs will represent Cape Cobras in the Champions League, and not the Deccan Chargers, with whom he won the IPL. Gibbs was earlier quoted as saying that he had opted for Deccan ahead of Cobras. However, he was named in the 20-man Cobras squad named Tuesday.

"The Chargers confirmed over the weekend that Herschelle would not be in their squad and we are thrilled that a player of his pedigree will now be in the team," Andre Odendaal, Cobras' CEO said. It also means that Cobras will lose out on the $200,000 they would have got as compensation had Gibbs opted for Deccan. "It means a loss of potential income, but our first priority has always been to go to India to win."

Deccan will lose out on what was a key component in their IPL triumph earlier this year. Gibbs was the second highest run-getter for them (behind captain Adam Gilchrist) with 371 runs at a strike-rate of 112.08, including four half-centuries, in 14 matches. When contacted, PK Iyer, the managing director of Deccan Chargers' parent company, refused to comment.

Cobras' Champions League campaign will be led by the South Africa captain, Graeme Smith. They will play the first match of the tournament, against Royal Challengers Bangalore on October 8.

Cape Cobras squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Derek Brand, Ryan Canning, Henry Davids, JP Duminy, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Herschelle Gibbs, Claude Henderson, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Richard Levi, Carl Nieuwoudt, Justin Ontong, Vernon Philander, Francois Plaatjies, Andrew Puttick, Gurshwin Rabie, Leonard van Wyk, Stiaan van Zyl, Monde Zondeki
 
Dec 3, 2006
3,990
19
0
41
Boralesgamuwa
Clarke motivated by 2005 defeat

For the past couple of nights Michael Clarke has tried to remember what it was like going into the final Test at The Oval four years ago. He can't recall any of the details. Instead of wiping out what happened during the game that sealed Australia's first Ashes defeat in 16 years, he has blocked out the lead-up.

"I've tried to relive it, tried to think about how I felt, and I can't remember too much of it," he said. "It's probably a good thing." That match was a drawn-out stalemate and as it wore on there was nothing the Australians could do to claw back from the 2-1 deficit.

This team is no match for the Australian outfit of four years ago, which was full of greats, but all it needs is a draw to retain the urn and help erase the pain of a ground full of Englishman cheering in the explosions of confetti. "It's motivated me to date," Clarke said of the previous tour. "Once I arrived in England, in the back of my mind there were memories from 05 that I wish I could forget.

"But that's what makes you a better player, you learn from your mistakes as an individual and a team. The guys that played in 05 will be really keen to make sure the results are a lot different come Monday."

Clarke, Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich are the only certainties for the decider starting on Thursday, while Brett Lee must hope for an injury or the pitch to deteriorate enough for reverse-swing to be a significant factor. Unless that happens Australia's only decision will be whether to stick with Stuart Clark and a four-man pace attack or bring in the offspin of Nathan Hauritz.

The pitch at The Oval is already relatively bare - and more grass is expected to come off on Wednesday - and the batsmen are the ones who have the most to be excited about. Clarke leads the run-list with 445 at 89.00 and on this tour the vice-captain has grown into Australia's most consistent performer.

"Personally it's been good to score some runs, but it's irrelevant now," Clarke said. "Unless I make runs out here and contribute to the team's success, being the leading run-scorer but not winning the series is worthless."

The tourists have peaked as the series has continued while England have dropped off since the final day of the third Test. Jonathan Trott will come into the line-up and Ian Bell has been elevated a spot to No. 3, giving the side an even more fragile look than when the hosts were dismissed for 102 on the first day at Headingley.