Tribe wants Afridi back as cricket captain

PESHAWAR, June 1: Reacting to the resignation of former cricket team captain Shahid Khan Afridi from international cricket, the elders of Khyber tribal region have demanded removal of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, elders of Afridi tribe led by Haris Khan Afridi said that resignation of Shahid Afridi was against the interests of the country.

They said that PCB had failed to select players on merit as all the decisions were taken by Ijaz Butt. The PCB usually selected players on basis of personal relations for international cricket team and sidelined experienced sportsmen, which was totally unfair and in violation of procedure and criteria, they alleged.

Owing to inexperienced sportsmen, they said, cricket morale of team was declining day by day. The selection on basis of favouritism and nepotism had caused a sense of deprivation among young and talented players, they said.

They alleged that PCB chairman created disputes among players since he had resumed charge of his office. Three captains had been changed during his three-year tenure, whereas the cricket team of neighbouring India was captained by Mahindra Singh Dhoni for the last five years.

The tribal elders claimed that cricket lovers were fans of Shahid Afridi as he was an honest and experienced player, who had never indulged in match fixing and kept the team united under his captaincy.

The unity and full concentration enabled the team to face its staunch rival India in the semi-final, they added.

They said the Shahid Afridi had tendered resignation owing to pressure from Ijaz Butt otherwise he wanted to play in the team. They demanded removal of PCB chairman and rejection of Afridi`s resignation.

The tribal elders threatened to launch a protest movement if government failed to remove PCB chairman.

Meanwhile, Afridi Students` Union also staged a protest demonstration against the resignation of Mr Afridi. The protesters termed the player an asset for the team.

Shahid Afridi takes Pakistan Cricket Board to court for suspending him

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi Tuesday began a court battle against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) when he filed a petition in the Sindh high court against the board's decision to suspend his central contract.

"On behalf of Shahid Afridi, we have filed a petition in the Sindh high court against the sanctions on our client and have appealed for a stay order against the sanctions," Afridi’s lawyer Mahmood Mandviwalla said.

Afridi returned home from London Sunday night after the PCB suspended his central contract and blocked his participation in the English Twenty20 event by revoking a No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted to him following the player’s outburst against the Board last week.

At a press conference here at the Karachi Press Club Monday, Syed Ali Zafar and Mahmood Mandviwalla of the legal firm Mandviwalla & Zafar contended that the PCB has violated article 10-A of the 18th amendment by 'punishing' Afridi without giving him a fair trial.

Flanked by his lawyers, Afridi was defiant at the crowded press conference as he vowed to fight for his rights.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm a cricketer and want to play cricket,” said the former Pakistan captain. "I want my rights. I want my NOC. I want justice,” he stressed.

Later Monday evening, Afridi called on the Sindh governor, who hailed the allrounder as a national hero.

“Shahid Khan Afridi is a national hero and his fame is not confined to the country,” said Sindh governor Ishratul Ebad when Afridi called on him at the Governor’s House. Sindh sports ministerMuhammad Ali Shah was also present on the occasion.

The governor said that matters pertaining to the players and the cricket board were purely a domestic affair and should be treated as such. He said that making such differences of opinion public not only marred the image of the national heroes but it also created a negative image of the cricket board.

Ebad said that right now all eyes were on Pakistan and “it is up to us to project a positive image of the country to the world”. He said that both the board and the players should create an environment of mutual trust and harmony.

Afridi withdraws case against PCB

KARACHI – Former skipper of Pakistan cricket team Shahid Khan Afridi on Wednesday withdrew the petition filed against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Counselling on behalf of the all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Mehmood Mandviwala Advocate appeared before a division bench comprising Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, and submitted an application to withdraw from Afridi’s petition.
Moving with the plea, the counsel submitted that both the parties have agreed for the settlement of the matter out of the court. The court granted his application. Afridi did not appear in court himself and was represented by his lawyer, who had moved with the plea to take the petition back.
Later, Afridi’s lawyer Mandviwala told the media representatives that his client has withdrawn the petition after the agreement between both the parties, and he has also decided to appear before the PCB’s disciplinary committee likely today (Thursday), wherein he will defend himself.
"We didn't want to go to court but were forced. Now I hope Afridi will get the NOC (no-objection certificate) and will be able to play in England and Sri Lanka," he added.
After withdrawal of the petition, the rift between the national cricket governing body and former captain Afridi ended. Afridi went to court after the PCB punished him for allegedly breaching a code of conduct by announcing his retirement after he was dumped as one-day captain, and for levelling allegations against the board.
It suspended his central contract and revoked all his no-objection certificates (NOCs). In his constitutional petition Afridi had challenged the PCB’s decision regarding imposition of ban and taking disciplinary action, while termed the disciplinary actions and show-cause notices issued by the PCB as illegal, and pleaded to restrain the board to do so.
The petitioner had expressed his dissatisfaction on the PCB’s three-member disciplinary committee, and stated that the committee had been formed with mala find intention. Chairman PCB and federal sport secretary were cited as respondents in the petition.
The petitioner had pleaded that the PCB’s decision regarding imposing of ban on him and revoking his no-objection certificate (NOC) be nullified, and restrain the board from taking other disciplinary actions.

PCB under fire for paltry allowances in Super Eight T20

KARACHI: The players participating in the ongoing Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 have blasted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over a meagre daily allowance which has forced them to fulfill their daily needs from their own pockets.

All the teams participating in the event are being boarded at Serena Hotel in Faisalabad, which is very expensive, and the players are not impressed by PCB’s planning as they are being paid just Rs 750 daily.

“We can’t even afford proper refreshment from the daily allowance we are getting because if we order tea twice a day, it costs us Rs 700-800. Having lunch or dinner is out of question,” a Multan Tigers player told ‘The News’.

Meanwhile, another added that although the board has provided the players with a good stay, it counts for nothing because players cannot eat properly.

“I am not impressed by the poor planning of the PCB. They are terrible when it comes to boost our domestic cricket because they do not have any sort of vision on how to improve our domestic structure to attract top players of the country. Who would pay Rs 250 for a bottle of mineral water?” he said.

The complaints don’t end there as players are also paying more than they are getting for their laundry. Several players told ‘The News’ that they had given their clothes to the laundry and that cost them Rs 1000.

Top stars like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Abdur Razzaq decided against playing in the T20 tournament and according to some players, their decision was right as the PCB is not good enough to facilitate them.

“I think people like Afridi, Razzaq and Ajmal did right by deciding to play in England because their allowance for a single day would be three times of what we will earn after playing the whole tournament,” a player of the Karachi Dolphins said.

The PCB has thought about introducing a top T20 league like the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL). PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt recently said that they are waiting to have the right expertise before which they will move forward with the league in which international players will also participate.

But the players and members of the team management rejected such plans as ridiculous.

“It is a joke that the PCB will introduce a lucrative league and international players would take part in it. One cannot see that happening in near future because the board has failed to satisfy its own domestic players while being unable to attract their centrally-contracted players in what is the biggest tournament of the country which is being beamed throughout the world,” said a player.

When ‘The News’ tried to contact Director Domestic Cricket Sultan Rana and Manager Umpires and Referees Shafiq Ahmed Papa over the matter, they did not receive the call.

Meanwhile, another senior player hit out at Dolphins’ sponsor Chawla Aluminum as they haven’t received even a single penny from them.

“The sponsors’ names are associated with us without any reason as they have not given a single penny to the players. The sponsors should understand their responsibility. They are more interested in their own publicity instead of facilitating the players of their team,” he said.

Home or away Afridi just wants to win

Hampshire attempt to break new boundaries at the Rose Bowl tonight.

South-coast rivals Sussex Sharks pay Giles White’s Royals a visit in the Friends Life t20 (7.10pm).

The two sides are locked in combat at the top of the south group, with the visitors ahead of the Royals courtesy of net run-rate alone.

Hampshire, though, are on a hot streak.

They have not been beaten in a t20 fixture on home turf since they entertained Middlesex on July 16 last season.

They followed up that thumping eight-wicket reversal with a 45-run win over tonight’s opposition.

Dominic Cork & Co went on to lift the domestic t20 crown on home turf before a flying start to the defence of that title has seen them stretch their winning streak to seven matches.

It is a record home run for the club in the popular competition, which began back in 2003 with their five-run victory over the Sharks.

Skipper Cork has often spoken of turning Hampshire’s home ground – which hosted its first-ever Test match earlier this month – into a fortress.

The Royals’ only defeat in t20 this summer came last Thursday against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford – a ground well known for striking fear into visiting sides through the partizan home support. They bounced back just 24 hours later as Shahid Afridi produced a match-winning display with the ball against Gloucestershire.

The Pakistan all-rounder’s five for 20 crushed the Gladiators and ensured Hampshire rejoined Sussex at the top of the table as the race to qualify for the knockout stages begins to hot up.

An eighth straight home win will see the Royals resume pole position with an outright lead in the group.

And that would be a remarklable feat given the two-point pitch penalty they were hit with after a disastrous clash with Somerset at the Rose Bowl last season.

Afridi would love to see Hampshire continue to delight their home fans and set a new record with a derby success tonight. And while he recognises the need to perform well in front of the home faithful, the 31-year-old leg-spinner believes his new club are a match for anyone wherever they play.

‘Every game we play is important to us,’ said Afridi.

‘Obviously if you are playing at home it is important to do well for the crowd.

‘They seem to be enjoying their cricket at the moment.

‘But definitely if you are able to win matches away from home then it can really boost the team as well.

‘It is a very good sign if you can perform well and win a game away from home. So I’ll be trying my level best to win cricket matches for Hampshire, whether they are at the Rose Bowl or outside.’

Cricket-Australia appoints Rixon as fielding coach

SYDNEY, June 28 (Reuters) - Former test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon has been appointed Australia's new fielding coach and promised to set new standards for a country which has lost its reputation as the world's best in that department.

Rixon, who played 13 tests and six one-dayers for Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s before going on to coach New Zealand and New South Wales, will accompany the team on tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa over the next six months.

Once one of their greatest strengths, the decline in Australia's fielding standards contributed to their humiliating Ashes defeat at the turn of the year.

"Fielding skills play such an important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing," Rixon, 57, said in a news release.

"The Australian team has long been known as one of the best fielding sides in world cricket and my job will not only be to maintain the good work done before but about setting the benchmark for opposition sides."

Sunny slams ICC ban on runners

Soon after the International Cricket Council's chief executive committee (CEC) announced the abolishing of runners in One-day Internationals (ODIs), former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar flayed the new rule. Former India Captain Sunil Gavaskar is not too impressed with the new ICC rule banning runner

s for injured batsmen. Clearly miffed, Gavaskar told NDTV that then even bowlers should not be allowed water.

He said that traditionaly, the players are not supposed to question umpires decision, if there are only a couple of reviews, a batsman down the order may forget and appeal leading to a fine. He said that abolishing runners was not a good idea.

Meanwhile, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has welcomed the introduction of Umpires Decisions Review System ( UDRS) across the world though he mentioned that it seemed to produce a lot more leg before decisions.

"My experience is that it minimises errors. It's a good thing that ICC has brought it into place, it lessens mistakes in a game," stated Sammy ahead of the second Test in Barbados on Tuesday.

The ICC has also recommended restricting the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings.

"CEC agreed with the ICC cricket committee's recommendations for the further enhancement of international 50-over cricket with the restriction of the elective powerplays to between the 16th and 40th overs of each innings and also to the use of two new balls per innings -- one from each end. This will come into effect from 1 October," ICC said in a statement.

CEC agreed with the cricket committee's recommendation to abolish runners in international cricket.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "Even though the success of 50-over cricket during the World Cup was universally acknowledged, the CEC rightly supported the enhancements recommended by the Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further, including encouraging members to trial some specific innovations in their domestic cricket."

These innovations include a review of the maximum number of overs that a bowler can bowl; an increase in the number of short balls permitted per over from one to two; no compulsory requirement for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

Bangladesh tries to get out of the mess

Calcutta: Having signed its own death warrant, so to say, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is scrambling to take back its signature before the warrant is executed.

Monday, indeed, saw dramatic happenings in Hong Kong, which is hosting the International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Annual Conference Week.

Officially, the most talked about development was on the umpire Decision Review System front, with a hitherto stubborn India falling in line with the wishes of the fraternity.

Unofficially, the BCB took centre stage, once word got around that it was having “second thoughts” on agreeing to amend the ICC’s constitution and, in the process, signing away the chance to have its nominee ascend the president’s chair in 2014.

That the BCB had acted against its own interests had been reported first by The Telegraph, on June 23. To put it mildly, BCB president Mustafa Kamal is in troubled waters.

“The BCB is arguing that it wasn’t really aware of the consequences of the resolution via circular which it signed on May 31... But that can’t be withdrawn... What’s done can’t be undone... If the BCB wants a re-vote, at the Executive Board, then it must have the support of eight of the 10 Full (Test-playing) Members. That’s out of the question,” a well-placed source revealed.

Belatedly, what the BCB can do is to vote against the constitutional change when it’s put before the General Council. The move is being spearheaded by India and England.

For its part, the BCB put out a press release, saying: “The BCB, in principle, agrees to the proposed amendment... However, the BCB feels that an equal and fair opportunity should be given to all existing Full Member countries to avail the privileges of the current rotational system...”

After the late realisation, the BCB claims to have written to ICC president Sharad Pawar, calling for the change to come into effect “only after the completion” of the existing cycle.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have been clubbed together in the rotational system and, as the latter’s Ehsan Mani has already been the president (2003-06), Bangladesh had the strongest claim this time around.

Going by the existing cycle, the BCB nominee could have taken over as vice-president next year and become the president in 2014, at the end of Alan Isaac’s term.

When the resolution via circular was put to ‘vote’, Pakistan objected, while Sri Lanka abstained. Pakistan, one learns, plans to take “legal action.”

Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, has been threatening that rather publicly in Hong Kong. The irony is that he’s himself under acute pressure to keep his chair.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), meanwhile, has quickly moved to placate the Associate Members, 35 of whom will be voting in the General Council.

Specifically, the BCCI has conveyed to the Associates that it would have “no objections” to a 14-team World Cup in 2015 as well.

In other words, like in the last World Cup, four can qualify.

The BCCI’s position has shifted, for reasons which are more ‘political’ in nature, but it hasn’t surprised. That the Associates’ script could unfold in this very manner had also been reported in these columns, on June 23.

Of course, the BCCI won’t favour a qualification process, but call for the automatic entry of all 10 Test-playing nations if, eventually, the Executive Board decides on a 10-team competition.

Australia and New Zealand, the joint hosts, are (as of now) in favour of just 10 teams.

The ICC chief executives’ committee, which finished its deliberations on Monday, has recommended a “qualification process,” without talking of the number of teams.

Rather strange that. The call will now have to be made by the Executive Board.

Younis completes coaching course in a Pakistan academy

Karachi: Neither retired nor planning to take up coaching once that happens, but that has not stopped Pakistan's senior batsman Younis Khan from completing a level two coaching course at the National Cricket Academy. Before this course, Younis has also completed a level one coaching course conducted by the PCB.

"I think playing cricket and coaching are two very different things and require different skills. It is not necessary if you are a successful cricketer you can also do coaching easily," he told reporters.

Younis also pointed out that playing and learning cricket were two different things.

"I am today what I am because I played good cricket but I always felt that learning about the sport is also very important and helps you grow as a player," he said.

Younis said he was keen on attending coaching courses as it helped him remain updated about changes in cricket laws and learn man management.

"But I want to make it clear I have no intentions of becoming a coach after retiring from the game," he stated. Younis, who stepped down as captain in November 2009 after leading Pakistan to the Twenty20 World Cup title in England that same year, said he gained a lot after completing a coaching course in 2009.

Confident Cook backing himself

England's new one-day skipper, Alastair Cook, is confident he has what it takes to succeed in the limited-overs arena despite being labelled a 'plodder'.
Cook, a prolific run-getter at Test level, has often been accused of lacking the attacking game to thrive at the top of the order for England in 50-over contests. The Essex man's record in ODI's leaves a bit to be desired, having notched up an average of 33 at a strike rate of 71.38 in his 26 appearances.
Having last turned out in coloured clothing when he deputised for Andrew Strauss during England's tour to Bangladesh 15 months ago, Cook was not part of England's World Cup squad and many would have preferred he stayed on the periphery. In the build-up to Tuesday's first ODI against Sri Lanka, former England captain Mike Atherton labelled Cook a 'plodder'.
For his part, Cook remains self-assured, retaining the utmost faith in his own abilities.
"As an international player you are always under pressure and you've always got to prove yourself," he said.
"I'm excited by that challenge and I think my one-day game has evolved.
"In Bangladesh I scored runs and I scored them quickly. I know I have the talent and the skills to do it.
"Every time I wasn't playing Test cricket I went back to Essex to play one-day cricket. It's part of the skill-set, you need to develop the ability to change your method.
"I'm nowhere near the finished article and as a 26-year-old I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm prepared to do it."
The left-hander brushed of Atherton's comments and backed himself to follow in the footsteps of Strauss, who adapted his game to suit the 50-over arena after a slow start in the format.
"It takes one to know one, I suppose," Cook said of Atherton.
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion. But I've scored a one-day hundred for England.
"I know I can score runs at the top of the order and I'm excited that I'm in a good place to go and show that.
"It doesn't matter if it's being ignored, I know I can score runs and score them quickly, I have my own style of doing it."
"I think Straussy's a great example for me," he said.
"When he first started playing one-day cricket I think he had a strike-rate of about 65, maybe 70. Towards the end his career strike-rate was up to 80.
"You can evolve, you can improve and he certainly did that. Hopefully I can follow in his footsteps," he added.

Live Cricket Streaming: England Vs Sri-Lanka

Watch Eng vs Sri live 3rd Test - Cricket . England vs Sri Lanka live streaming. Sri Lanka vs England Live Streaming day 1 international Test match at Lord's .

3rd test between England and Sri Lanka from the home of cricket - Lord's. England have a good recent record in St Johns Wood but must beware the spin wizardry of Ajantha Mendis. Watch all the cricket action via a live stream.

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Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India 5th ODI

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/

Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India 1st Test

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/

Live Cricket Streaming: WestIndies Vs India

Expectedly or not, the old diseases have come back to haunt again. The all too familiar collapse and the sheer inability to wrap up the tail after you have the opposition right on the mat. For the first time in this tour and much to the relief of the host team, the matches swim across to Antigua from the “Indian” Trinidad, or that’s how the hosts would want to refer to and why not. Rank turners, massive crowd support (if any) and 3 games into the tour unbeaten and this is not what a host nation would expect, leave alone wanting it, save for the groundsmen.

http://crazycricket-world.blogspot.com/

Live Cricket Streaming: West Indies Vs Pakistan 2nd Test

Among all the criticism heaped on West Indies cricket in recent years, one of the foremost has been the lack of resolve shown by their players who have appeared diffident, in contrast to the weight of the great tradition they bear. Too many times, dominating positions have been frittered away, conveying the impression that they seemingly do not care to gain ground. The hurt is magnified, given that that the West Indies is the only place outside the sub-continent where cricket is still, hopefully, much more than just a game.

That is why the win in the first Test against Pakistan should ideally be much more than just another win - it was the first in a Test in almost two years. What was more heartening to see was what led to that win. The fight shown by the lower order, where the last two wickets added in excess of 50 runs in both innings in a low-scoring game where the winning margin was 40. Above all, the fight displayed by Darren Sammy who, with a Man of the Match performance, showed that he might also have the skills to be a contributing player at Test level in addition to being a willing captain.

All of which should be celebrated much more than a win, because, in isolation, the victory itself might just prove to be a one-off considering the various ills plaguing West Indies cricket. The final game in yet another two-Test series that has promised so much will give a stronger indication if the earlier win was more than just that. If Sammy does manage to pull off another victory, he would have bought a lot of time against the doubters. Even a draw will help, but a loss will lead to increasing calls of ‘we told you so’.

To consolidate on their success in the first Test, West Indies will need to address their serious vulnerability while facing spin, especially against Saeed Ajmal. When your opener [Devon Smith] fails to last even an over against the opposition’s part-time offspinner in Tests [Mohammad Hafeez], it reflects poorly on the skillsets of those playing at the highest level. The surface at Warner Park, though, should suit West Indies much more than the vicious turner at Providence that turned survival against quality spin into a lottery, one in which the hosts didn’t enjoy much luck.




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Shane Warne Farewells The Game He Loves

AFTER playing his final match in India, the king of spin says it's great to go out a winner.

SO my last ever professional game of cricket is behind me. I've reached the end.

And what a nice way to say goodbye.

It was great to finish here in Mumbai with a big win and I am really pleased with the way we all played.

It seemed fitting that my last match was against the great Sachin Tendulkar in his own backyard. All week I had been looking forward to resuming battle against the best cricketer I have played with or against.

After the match he approached me and said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to play against you. I wish you all the very best for the future. You are a legend."

It was a great moment.

I've had messages of support from all over the world from people - from my Mum and Dad through to my closest friends.So was having the guys give me a guard of honour as I left the field and the reaction from the crowd.

And it was great to have Elizabeth (Hurley) at the ground to see my final match.

In the days leading up to my farewell game of cricket, which has been my life since the summer of 1989, my mood was one of a reflective nature.

I think when you have been involved in sport, business or anything for 20-odd years or more, there is a love and passion for what you do - so, of course I will miss the game.

But to me, cricket has always been more about the people, friendships and the camaraderie of being in it together that has driven me along with the enjoyment of being in a battle and giving everything for the cause.

Basically, never giving up; it's that competitiveness which I will miss out on the field.

I have never seen playing cricket as a job. I saw it as my hobby, something I was passionate about and loved doing.

I'm thankful for the people that gave me the opportunity to play.

I think that showed in the way I played the game. Hopefully you enjoyed watching me toil away and try my best for all the teams I played for.

People ask me if I'm emotional walking away from cricket. I'm not. I'm happy and ready to go. It's the right time. This week I found myself with a big smile, feeling content with my life and what the future holds both personally and from now a businessman's point of view.

I am totally ready to say goodbye to the great game of cricket. So, please, no more questions about a comeback.

I would like to thank all the people out there who supported me unconditionally - which has meant a lot. I know at times you shook your head and said, "Sshaaaaaane!", but that's part of the journey of life.

I feel very proud of everything I've achieved in my cricketing career. When you finish something there can be a tendency to say, 'what am I going to do now?'

I am lucky I have some excellent business ventures and wonderful sponsors. I am captain of the 888 poker team. I really enjoy my poker and I'm improving year by year. I think 2011-12 could be the time I lift a big tournament trophy up. OK, wishful thinking.

Lastly, I want to say thanks to all my teammates - well, most of them - you guys made cricket fun and enjoyable to play.

I am not sure what my future holds, but I will stay in touch with cricket through my media work, so my opinion - if you like it - will still be heard.

But from today, I am no longer Shane Warne the playing cricketer. I am Shane Warne the businessman and I'm happy with that.

Warne's Respect For Tendulkar Is Evident

As unfortunate it was to see the Rajasthan Royals crash out of the tournament, Shane Warne's last game of the IPL, and indeed of competitive cricket, provided him with a fitting farewell. The Royals won and it was as convincing a win as one could get from a T20 game and Warne managed to pick up a wicket off the last over he bowled.

The script had gone down the path as Warne would have expected it to, with the other Shane in the side nailing down the last few in the Mumbai Indians coffin. Warne has been a point of discussion in many of my columns as well, thanks to the colour he brings to the game and it would be an understatement to say that he will be missed by me and the other aficionados of the game.

Young captains, grand comebacks and superstar parties

For a man with a personal life as colourful as his on-field cricket, it is nice to see that he is in a good space and is happy to move on from the game and, in his own words, concentrate on his businesses off cricket.

His last couple of weeks in the IPL have mirrored his international career, especially off the field! The controversy around the pitch that began in Rajasthan's previous game against the Mumbai Indians, culminated into a full-blown issue that resulted in Warne being fined $50,000 just prior to the second game between the same two sides.

There had been talk of Warne being banned for the last game as well but that would have been a travesty of sorts for all those fans of Warne, who would have booked their prime-time slot in front of the telly to watch the legend bid adieu. Thankfully, it did not come to that and better sense prevailed.



IPL is the perfect mix of cricket and cinema

Speaking of fines, the members of Rajasthan Royals seemed to be facing the wrong end of the barrel. Ross Taylor has also had to shell out $3500 to his airline for his extra baggage and rest assured it hasn't amused the Kiwi one bit!

While the battle on the field of play was obviously heating up with the clamour for not only the top four slots but also the top two, the battle off the field seemed to be not too behind. RCA chief Sanjay Dixit was involved in a war of words with Warne, going on to the extent of calling Warne a flawed genius and likening him to a Van Gogh-like figure or "Guru Dutt of Kagaz ke Phool!" Wonder whether Warne had a private conversation with someone to understand the second bit of that comparison!

The result against the Mumbai Indians aside, it was interesting to hear Warne on the field, speaking to the commentators during the game. I don't recall Warne having been miked-up before this and it is a pity that we did not have it earlier. The way he went about describing his on-field relations with Sachin Tendulkar was worth going miles to hear!

Live IPL Cricket Streaming: Kolkata Knight Riders VS Mumbai Indians

Well KKR and MUM IPL Match will be played on 14 May 2011 was a stunner. This match will be remembered at least for the players of the Deccan team and Deccan fans for quiet a long time.

Another interesting match will be played between Delhi and Kolkatta teams. Delhi once again needs a win badly. They are once again placed in the bottom of the points table and a defeat here means they are just left to play few other matches just to cause setbacks to the other teams .

 

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Live IPL Cricket Streaming: Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Chennai Super Kings

Well BAN and CHE IPL Match will be played on 14 May 2011 was a stunner. This match will be remembered at least for the players of the Deccan team and Deccan fans for quiet a long time.

Another interesting match will be played between Delhi and Kolkatta teams. Delhi once again needs a win badly. They are once again placed in the bottom of the points table and a defeat here means they are just left to play few other matches just to cause setbacks to the other teams .

 

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Live Cricket Streaming: England Lions Vs SiriLanka

England Lions 493/8d

Sri Lankans 266 & 392/6 (f/o) (90.0 ov)

Sri Lankans lead by 165 runs with 4 wickets remaining

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Bopara Favourite For Test Position

More than four months after completing England's finest achievement in many years by retaining the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, the majority of Andrew Strauss's Test squad will reconvene for the first match of summer which, if it goes well, will put England on course for the No. 1 ranking.

Nine of the team that completed the innings-and-83-run victory in Sydney will line-up in Cardiff to face Sri Lanka. The two who won't be there are the retired Paul Collingwood and the injured Tim Bresnan and their replacements have been the only real debates for the selectors ahead of naming a 12-man squad.

There has been plenty of time to consider who will fill Collingwood's shoes in the middle order and the signs point strongly to Ravi Bopara. He didn't make the most of his first innings for the Lions in Derby when he fell for 17, but the feeling is that the decision had already been made. That also means that Eoin Morgan's 193 came too late, although it was a commanding innings that showed his immense natural ability.

Bopara, though, has gained credit for the decisions he has made in recent months, most notably declining two IPL offers to remain with Essex. After overcoming a tricky start to the season he has made two Championship hundreds and, importantly, bowled plenty of overs to develop his second-string.

Meanwhile, Morgan played nine Twenty20 innings over six weeks but then waltzed into the Lions and looked as though he'd been playing first-class cricket for months. In many ways it would have made the selectors' job easier had Morgan failed (or at least not scored a near double hundred). Morgan has now indicated he will return to the IPL if he isn't selected in the Test squad, a move that could well raise a few eyebrows. He will look particularly bad if someone breaks a finger on Wednesday and he's back in India.

The choice of pace-bowling cover could be one of a few impressive performers from the early stages of the domestic season. Given that Bresnan's Ashes role was to pitch the ball up and find swing, Ajmal Shahzad is the likeliest option and has impressed the selectors with his work ethic over the winter. It shows the depth currently available that Steven Finn, who played three Ashes Tests and all of last summer, has slipped down the pecking order.

Below those two the return of Graham Onions is being very closely monitored although it would be dangerous to rush him back too soon from such a serious injury, while Jade Dernbach is making significant strides as he showed with 5 for 44 against the Sri Lankans.

It all means that none of the pace bowlers who do play can afford to coast. The most under pressure could well be Stuart Broad, England's new Twenty20 captain, as he returns to the Test side after injury. Firstly he has to show his body isn't becoming brittle, but also that he can contribute significant hauls. Currently he has 99 Test wickets at 35, a number that has to start coming down.

The other player with plenty of eyes on him will be Kevin Pietersen. After recovering from his double hernia he has played two matches for Surrey (one an innings defeat against Cambridge University) and it's a crucial summer for him if he really wants to regain his standing as England's premier batsman. The selectors showed they were willing to drop him from the one-day side last year and Andy Flower isn't one to accept passengers.

Possible squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Ajmal Shahzad

Pakistan Sound Out SL Over Playing At Home

The PCB has asked Sri Lanka Cricket "for their views" on the prospect of playing their series later this year in Pakistan instead of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka were the last team to play international cricket in Pakistan - their tour in March 2009 was cut short after terrorists attacked their team bus as it was on the way to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the second Test.

That attack, on the back of growing security concerns over the previous two years, brought to an end international cricket in the country, taking away the 2011 World Cup in the process.

The two sides are due to play a full Test and limited-overs series in October, scheduled in the FTP officially as a 'home' series for Pakistan. Until now the series was due to take place in Sri Lanka, but after a meeting between PCB chairman Ijaz Butt and Pakistan's interior minister Rehman Malik on Thursday, the government is keen on bringing international cricket back to the country.

"The government wants this [series to be held in Pakistan]," a senior PCB official told ESPNcricinfo. "We have asked SLC again to let us have their views on the issue."

The prospect of the series actually taking place in Pakistan remains a distant one. So far the government has only passed on verbal instructions to the PCB, who in turn have written to SLC. As of Saturday, when a SLC official was asked about the development or whether the board had been approached, he told ESPNcricinfo: "Not to my knowledge."

Most of Pakistan's major cities - where such a series is likely to be played - have been targeted fairly recently by terrorist attacks, within the last year in the cases of Lahore and Karachi. At the beginning of this month Osama bin Laden was killed in an operation by US forces in Abbottabad, a town not far from the country's capital Islamabad.

Pakistan have played their 'home' series since the Lahore attacks at a number of venues; a series against South Africa was arranged in the UAE. In 2009-10, they broke up a full tour of New Zealand by playing the ODIs in Abu Dhabi and the Tests in New Zealand itself. They used England as a venue for two 'home' Tests against Australia last summer. Pakistan is also, incidentally, in talks with SLC over staging their series with England over the turn of the year in Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan will actually become the first international team to play in Pakistan next week when they take on Pakistan 'A' in three 50-over games. Interestingly enough, one of the games was arranged for Abbottabad, but after the meeting between Butt and Malik the venue was switched to Islamabad.

Pakistan Edge Ahead With Regular Wickets

Tanvir Ahmed and Pakistan's phalanx of spinners put the tourists in control of the second Test against West Indies on the second day in Basseterre. With Saeed Ajmal, Ahmed first put together a rousing, defiant last-wicket stand of 78 to not only prevent Pakistan's first innings from going to total waste, but actually make it a little imposing.

Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez then shared six wickets between them as West Indies slumped to 184 for eight on a still decent surface for batting; proof of that was in an elegant fifty from Marlon Samuels. The two sides are among the weakest batting-wise in cricket which is no bad thing for it makes for compelling cricket.

More than anything, Pakistan's spinners were persistent, working their way patiently through the bulk of the batting. Occasionally a partnership lingered or resistance emerged, an obstacle appeared; each time they found a way through.

Ahmed had struck first in a spell which made up in control what it lacked in pace. Off the second ball of the innings, Lendl Simmons was sucked into a needless drive. Taufeeq Umar, once among the best slippers in Pakistan, took the first of three good catches. Another loose drive brought the wicket of debutante Kraigg Brathwaite, though the beneficiary Wahab Riaz was poor. He had nearly given away the initiative when Ramnaresh Sarwan took him for three boundaries in an over, but the arrival of spin halted progress.

Rehman slotted in immediately, stopping runs, but it was Ajmal who caused strife. It wasn't so much the succession of off-breaks, but what each subsequent one hid: the threat of the doosra. Pleasingly, not many came and it was to an off-break that Sarwan fell, another needless rush out of the crease.

Mohammad Hafeez, more bowler than batsman this series, then chipped in. Darren Bravo, initially lost among Brathwaite's debut and Sarwan's blitz, fought neatly with Samuels till he edged Hafeez on the stroke of tea. Soon after the break, Hafeez struck again to remove Brendan Nash.

Hafeez used, it was Rehman's turn. Carlton Baugh wasn't much of an issue, but the key breakthrough was the dismissal of Darren Sammy. Another promising partnership was building when Sammy tried to repeat a straight six from the previous Rehman over. He struck it well, only to see Umar Akmal running along the boundary to take an outstanding catch inches from the rope.

The one obstacle that proved more durable than others was Samuels. Only in the XI because of Shivnarine Chanderpaul's late withdrawal, Samuels at first looked precisely like a man playing his first Test in over three years. But a loose, brief second spell from Riaz in the run-up to tea allowed him to unfurl a couple of sweet square drives and settle down.

After tea he looked better, secure in defence, surer in attack. He didn't always read Ajmal, choosing to play him off the surface but it hardly mattered when he was driving him elegantly over extra cover for four and six. Rehman had already been dispatched over long-on.

In between those strokes, he was patient and measured. But he took on Ajmal once too often. Having already hit him straight, there was little need for another and next ball, Taufeeq took his third, excellent catch of the innings, diving forward at long-off.

That was fitting reward for a day that had been Pakistan's, the first hour apart. In that, they lost three swift wickets and looked set to be rolled over for under 200. Only when Ahmed and Ajmal came together was the innings given unexpected solidity.

Ahmed was his usual self, mixing muscular boundaries with those unique whips, Caribbean style. One such, over midwicket off Devendra Bishoo, brought up the fifty partnership half an hour before lunch. In the next over came two more, a punch through covers and a dainty clip wide of mid-on. And as lunch neared, a streaky edge brought an accomplished maiden fifty. He celebrated immediately, cutting for another boundary.

Ajmal gave obdurate support, mixing fortune with pluck. He regularly and comically pulled, once going fine for four and once top-edging for six over slips. Other than that he stuck around, adding the odd run, frustrating the bowling.

West Indies slumped swiftly, alarmingly. The second new ball was wasted, Kemar Roach either too full or short and Ravi Rampaul lacking the energy of earlier bursts. Sammy toiled, but Bishoo floundered as defensive fields were employed. Bishoo finally ended the stand, ten minutes before lunch trapping Ahmed in front but the tide had turned.

Team Karnataka Readying For Celebrity Cricket League

That’s been the daily call sheet for each of the Kannada film actors who will be playing for team Karnataka at the much-hyped Celebrity Cricket League which kick-starts on June 4 in Bangalore.

“An hour and a half of physical training, followed by an intense practise session on the field for another hour is rounded off with more exercise,” says actor Dharma, one of the team members.

The preparation does not end here. A healthy diet plan and a couple of mandatory rules put forth by the team’s captain, actor-director Sudeep, has resulted in a team of film actors that could actually beat a team of professional cricket players recently.

“We played against a team of players, many of whom have been part of the Under 21 and Under 19 teams for Karnataka, and were shocked when we tied with them. They had scored 192 runs and when we took to batting, we did not expect to get even half way there. While that was a good match, we are waiting to see what will unfold during the main matches in June,” says actor Mahesh.

News of these intense practise sessions have travelled to the
other participating film industries too, and a source says, “One of the actors from the Tamil film industry called to ask if Sudeep has started Karnataka’s own Chak De team. It does seem like that, for the team’s players are not allowed to partytoo late into the night. They are also off alcohol and smoking to ensure good stamina. Now, after a good month or two of daily practise, the team is looking good on the field.”

Also on call, on the field is doctor and physiotherapist Ramakanth, who has been a consultant to the Indian cricket team. During practise, a lot of the players tend to suffer minor sprains and injuries, which need immediate attention. In fact, Sudeep seems to have dislocated a small bone on his finger. “It happened last week, and the doctor says it requires a surgery. But I can’t risk a surgery just days before the matches begin. It will just have to wait. Until then, Ramakanth is helping out every morning with physiotherapy,” says Sudeep.

With so much preparation underway for the upcoming matches, the players seem to be doing their bit. The team owner, Ashok Kheny, has done his bit too — what with the number of crores he has invested on the team as well as on the film artiste’s association. Since the matches begin in Bangalore, the rest of the film industry is expected to be heading to the grounds on June 4 as well, to cheer for the Karnataka Bulldozers. Film stars playing for Hindi, Tamil and Telugu film industries are going to battle it out on the field. So the question is… are you gonna be there too?

County Cricket live

If there is anything to be had in the Test pitches in this early part of the summer, this could be a torrid tour for Sri Lanka.

They do not appear to have any firepower with the ball sufficient to dismiss a good batting side, and during the afternoon here, showed that they are vulnerable to good pace bowling.

The hard work appeared to have been done against the new ball as Paranivatana and Dilshan added 59 against Onions and Finn before the former made a breakthrough. But it was the introduction of Dernbach and Shahzad that left Sri Lanka floundering at 114 for six at tea.

Three of the wickets went to Dernbach, who worked up a considerable pace and at one stage was on a hattrick, and the other two to Shahzad, including that of Kumar Sangakkara, well caught down the legside by Jonny Bairstow.
 Two catches have gone down, one to Patel at second slip and another to Dernbach in the gully, off Onions and Shahzad respectively, but otherwise the catching has been sharp.

Now the clouds have started to rumble over, as Mahele Jayawardene takes himself off to the nets behind the press box.

Fire In Babylon Highlights Windies’ Glory

The excitement of cricket odds has since waned for the West Indies, but there was a time when they dominated the sport, and cricket online betting fans can relive their glory days when watching the new film, Fire in Babylon.

Colin Croft, former fast bowler, was an aggressive player and his cricket odds of 8/29 against Pakistan in 1977 are still the best by a fast bowler from the West Indies in Test.
“We were so far ahead of our time. We were 20 years ahead of the rest of the world. We were fitter than any side at the time.”

“The problem is we did not build on what we achieved, we just thought another Viv Richards would appear and continue the success.”
“Those in charge were complacent and it will take another 20 years for us to get back where we were.”

Part of the reason for their success at the 1975 World Cup was due in large part to their captain, Clive Lloyd, who took home Man of the Match after the Windies defeated Australia by 17 runs. They then did the same at the 1979 World Cup when they defeated England by 92 runs.

“I don’t think you will ever see another team dominate the sport the way we did for 15 years without losing a single series, but the aim must be for West Indies cricket to improve – it means so much to the people both in the Caribbean and living elsewhere.”

What happened for cricket odds around the world between 1976 and 1994 when the Windies were involved is a thing of beauty; they lost just one Test series in that period, thanks to a combination of sheer pace, thrilling batting and athletic fielding.

The 2011 World Cup wasn’t all that cricket online betting fans expected with the Windies winning 3 out of the 6 matches played, beating Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The opening of the movie not only reunited some of the team’s former players, but also celebrities such as Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger and Sadie Frost, as well as Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, today’s top English players of cricket odds.

Five Star Harris Lifts England Bid

GLAMORGAN rising star James Harris left England captain Andrew Strauss in no doubt of his talents at Lord’s yesterday.

Harris might have been overlooked for the England Lions selectors for this week’s match against Sri Lanka but was presented yesterday with a direct audition in front of Strauss.

On a dream opening day for Harris and the in-form Glamorgan side in the county championship clash against Middlesex, the Pontarddulais paceman took his chance finishing with a first five-wicket haul at Lord’s, including the prized scalp of the England skipper, who fell lbw for eight.

After Middlesex won the toss and batted, Harris belatedly celebrated his 21st birthday of last Monday with fantastic figures of five for 41 as his side skittled out Middlesex for 150 in just 51.4 overs with only former Glamorgan captain Jamie Dalrymple responding with a battling 44.

Glamorgan dominated Middlesex at the Home of Cricket as third in Division Two overwhelmed the unbeaten second-placed side.

Matthew Mott’s men finished the day on 151 for one, a one-run lead, thanks to unbeaten half-centuries from in-form duo Gareth Rees and Will Bragg, proving there was nothing wrong with the wicket.

But Harris laid the foundations for Glamorgan’s superiority.

“It is always nice to get out the England captain and there is no better way of proving yourself,” said Harris.

“I was disappointed not to be selected for the Lions but I will take that because it is not a bad trade off.

“Any time you pick up five wickets is nice. But to do it at Lord’s is something different because this place is pretty special. It is something else and completely different to anywhere else I have played.

“It means just a little bit more and I managed to pinch the ball which was great.”

Despite touring the Caribbean with the Lions, Harris was overlooked this week for the England second string in favour of Graham Onions, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn and Ajmal Shazhad.

With the Test first-choice trio Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Chris Tremlett and injured duo Tim Bresnan and Chris Woakes, the Glamorgan spearhead is 10th in the pecking order.

Whether yesterday’s heroics elevates him remains to be seen because England have concerns about lack of pace. But his skills can’t be in question.
Harris made the dream start as he reduced Middlesex to 24 for three with three wickets for six runs in 10 balls.

He followed up dismissing Strauss by claiming the scalps of Chris Rogers and Scott Newman in successive balls with wicket-keeper Mark Wallace taking both catches.

Harris was taken off at the Nursery End after an opening seven-over spell of three for 18 before later snapping up the wickets of Middlesex captain Neil Dexter and John Simpson to complete the sixth five-wicket haul of his career and the second of the summer.

Harris was backed up by Graham Wagg and Will Owen, who took two wickets each. Wagg was especially impressive and claimed the wicket of Dalrymple, who was playing his first Middlesex match since quitting the Swalec Stadium last winter in acrimonious circumstances after being stripped of the captaincy by chief executive Alan Hamer and Paul Russell.

“I got five wickets this time around, but Graham Wagg and Will Owen both bowled well,” said Harris.

“Sometimes it goes for you and I managed the get the wickets.”
Glamorgan had 44 overs to bat in a mammoth final session and overcame the loss of captain Alviro Petersen for 29 with Rees and Bragg sharing a second-wicket stand of 102.