India extends unbeaten run to nine matches

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Colombo, Feb 5 (PTI) Mahendra Singh Dhoni led cricket team today created a new Indian record of winning nine one-dayers on the trot after defeating Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the fourth match here tonight.The winning streak had started with the home series against England in November last year.
India had blanked England 5-0 in the seven match series, which was cut short due to Mumbai terror strikes.
India has convincingly beat Sri Lanka in the all four ODIs in the five-match series, improving the prospects of grabbing the number one ranking.
Prior to this record, India had established the eight-match winning streak four times, with last being under Rahul Dravid in 2006.
India had defeated Pakistan and England four times each under Dravid in early part of 2006.
Sourav Ganguly had also led India to eight consecutive wins during the World Cup in 2003.
First time India had achieved the feat when it won five matches under Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev in 1985.
Australia holds the world record of 21 wins in a row which it established by winning matches between January and May 2003. PTI

India crush Lanka by 147 runs to seal series

Colombo, Feb 3 (PTI) Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag cracked blistering centuries as a ruthless India clinched the five-match cricket series against Sri Lanka by spanking the hosts by 147 runs in the third ODI here tonight.Electing to bat first, India rode on a 221-run stand for the third wicket between Sehwag (116) and Yuvraj (117) to amass 363 for five, their highest score in Sri Lanka.
Chasing the mammoth total, Sri Lanka folded for 216 in 41.4 overs, despite Kumar Sangakkara's defiant 83 off 82 balls. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha did the maximum damage to Sri Lanka, claiming four for 38.
India thus took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series and both the teams will square off again here on Thursday for the fourth match.
The capacity crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium found the only solace when off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan removed Yuvraj to equal Wasim Akram's world record tally of 502 ODI scalps.
This was India's highest total on Sri Lankan soil, eclipsing the previous best of 307 for 6 in 1998 at the same venue.
Chasing such a huge total, Sri Lanka badly needed a big knock from Sanath Jayasuriya but the veteran opener let the side down today.
Jayasuriya dragged the first ball he faced, from Praveen Kumar, onto his stumps and that was clearly a bad omen for the hosts.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (30 off 26 balls) sizzled for a while in Sangakkara's company before an inside edge off Zaheer Khan upset his timbers. PTI

Lara best left hander I played against: Ganguly

Kolkata, Feb 2 (PTI) Former India captain Sourav Ganguly today said West Indian legend Brian Lara was the greatest left-hander he had come across.Asked whom did he consider the greatest left-hander of all time, Ganguly said, "As a young cricketer, I looked up to David Gower... The Englishman was my favourite initially.
"But from the cricketers I have seen and played against, I think (Brian) Lara is the best left-hander ever," Ganguly said at a book release function here today.
The former cricketer also rated Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar as his all-time favourites. "It's always good to watch them play." Asked to pick the best shot he played, Ganguly remembered a six off New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns in an ODI in Gwalior which he helped India win with an unbeaten 153 on November 11, 1999.
"I was in full flow, having scored a century. Cairns bowled a yorker to me and I hit it for a six. I initially felt that I had holded out but I could not believe my eyes when the ball soared over the ropes.
"I was not able to repeat that shot again in my career. I consider that as the best ever (stroke)," Ganguly recalled.
Post-retirement, the Bengal ace joked that he was getting bored.
"It's been two-and-half months now. I think cricket life was much better," Ganguly said. PTI

ICC makes U turn, re-awards Oval Test to England

ICC makes U turn, re-awards Oval Test to England Perth, Feb 1 (PTI) The International Cricket Council today did a volte-face and re-awarded the infamous 2006 Oval Test to England, a match that was originally deemed forfeited by Pakistan but declared a draw by the ICC last year."After reconsideration of the matter, which included consideration of legal advice and input from the MCC, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, the Board decided that the original umpires' decision to award the match to England, should apply," the ICC said in a statement after a two-day Executive Board meeting that ended here today.

Interestingly, the ICC Board had earlier changed the result to "match abandoned as a draw" in July last year.

The Oval Test became the first forfeiture in the history of Test cricket after controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair and his West Indian colleague Billy Doctrove awarded it to England on the fourth day.

The umpires' move was prompted by Pakistan's refusal to take the field after Hair had accused them of ball tampering and penalised them of five runs, a decision that infuriated the then Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said re-awarding the match to England will "uphold the laws of cricket" and thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board for accepting the decision.
"I'm gratified the Board reached the conclusion it did as this ensures the integrity of the game and the Laws of Cricket have been upheld. I am especially grateful to the PCB for its understanding in this matter," he said.

The decision left Hair, who was sacked from the elite panel, vindicated. The Australian won a legal battle against the ICC to get himself reinstated last March before quitting the panel. PTI

India for maintaining supremacy

India for maintaining supremacy

DAMBULLA (SRI LANKA), Jan 27 (PTI): The 3-2 win last year fresh in mind, India will seek to maintain their supremacy while revenge will be on top of Sri Lanka’s mind when the neighbours square off in the first ODI of the five-match cricket series here tomorrow.

Under the charismatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India have been in ominous form in both forms of the game and the 5-0 whitewash against England in the ODI series at home gives a fair indication of the side’s might. In contrast, Sri Lanka have not been as convincing. Under their off-colour skipper Mahela Jayawardene, the islanders struggled against minnows Zimbabwe and lost to Bangladesh in a recent tri-series in Dhaka.

Things looked better in the hastily arranged three-match ODI series in Pakistan where they lost the series opener before eventually clinching the series with back-to-back wins.

Despite holding a slight edge over the hosts, the lone worry for Dhoni remains the spin attack which sports an inexperienced look in the absence of injured off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Hyderabad left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who has played just five ODIs so far, would spearhead the spin attack, while uncapped Saurashtra all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja would also be expected to chip in.

Dhoni himself realises what it means not to have Harbhajan in the ranks but reckons he can always fall back on the part-time options he has in Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh. “Harbhajan has been our pick of the spinners for some time. Whether you are bowling first or second or bowling in powerplays, he is the person,” Dhoni said. “But we have two spinners in the side, Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja. I think they will try to fill in the space left by Harbhajan’s absence. Of course we have part-timers also who have done well. It is an opportunity for both the spinners to prove themselves,” he added.

Otherwise, there apparently is no chink in the Indian armour but Dhoni insists it would be fatal to lower the guard, especially playing Sri Lanka at their den. “It will be a tough series. It is tough to beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka though we had defeated them the last time around,” Dhoni said.

For Jayawardene, the key is to stick to the winning ways. “Our strategy will be to try and continue the winning momentum. It is going to be a tough series and we look forward to the challenge,” he said.

“We lost the first game against Pakistan. It was really tough for us to come back. We had a chat and we knew exactly what went wrong. Next two games was history,” the Lankan skipper said.

Still on paper, the balance looks tilted in India’s fovour considering the consistency they have shown in recent past. India have arguably the best opening pair at the moment with the Delhi duo of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in cracking form. Despite his age, Sachin Tendulkar remains as hungry for runs as ever, while few can match Yuvraj Singh’s striking ability in this format.

Among the youngsters, Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma have already proved their credentials while Yusuf Pathan would be there down the order to provide the late charge. The pace bowling department also has a formidable look about it with Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma forming a lethal new ball pair.

The birth of Test cricket

A look back to the first game in cricket's premier format

While there had already been four major tours by English sides to Australia, the team arranged and captained by James Lillywhite that l eft England in November 1876 was the first to visit as a business venture rather than following an invitation.

Three years earlier WG Grace had led a similar venture, but there had been deep divisions within the group and Lillywhite's Cricketers Companion had noted that it was unlikely that any attempt to mix amateurs and professionals would happen again.

Lillywhite, who had been involved in that unhappy trip, learnt from his experiences and relied entirely on professionals, leaving all the amateurs at home. While he had a strong bowling attack, the best batsmen were by and large the absent amateurs - the previous summer only four of the top 26 in the averages were professionals. And with every penny spent eating into the venture's profits, the squad was made up of only 12 players, meaning very little rest for those involved.

This was also the first trip to play matches against anything other than odds. The Australian teams were generally considered to be too weak to meet on equal terms, and so opposing sides fielded as many as 22 players. That helped account for the remarkable number of wickets and eyebrow-raising analyses of the leading bowlers on such trips. Alfred Shaw took 19 for 50 against XXII of Newcastle, for example.

But Australia's cricketers were improving fast, and Lillywhite's side were challenged to an 11-a-side game by New South Wales shortly before the tour diverted to New Zealand for six weeks in mid-January 1877. Although the tourists had the better of a draw in the two-day game, the other states were not about to be outdone and Victoria issued a similar challenge.

Meanwhile, Lillywhite's side played eight odds matches in New Zealand. While there, they lost wicketkeeper Ted Pooley, an inveterate gambler, who was left languishing in a Christchurch jail after a betting scandal, and so they returned to Australia with the core 11 players.

The financial demands of playing as many games as possible meant that Lillywhite had accepted the Victorians' offer and on March 15, barely 24 hours after they arrived back, the 18th match of the tour took place at the MCG between Lillywhite's XI and a Combined Australia XI, a side raised between the Victoria and New South Wales authorities. Although not advertised as an international, it is recognised this was the first match between two representative teams and it was subsequently given the accolade of being cricket's first official Test.

England came into the game in a poor state, exhausted by endless cricket and travelling without a chance to rest - Pooley never rejoined the squad - and the reserve keeper, Harry Jupp, was suffering from an inflammation of the eyes. One of the XI, James Southerton, was 49 when he made his debut. Jupp was not trusted to keep wicket but the lack of any reserve meant that he had to play. As it was, he top-scored for England with 63 in their first innings.

Australia, too, had their problems, with a simmering row between the Victoria and New South Wales associations undermining preparations. The biggest loss came when the great fast bowler Fred Spofforth refused to play because he disapproved of the choice of wicketkeeper, insisting in vain that Billy Murdoch play. The selectors brought in Frank Allen as Spofforth's replacement, only for Allen to pull out after deciding he preferred to attend a local fair.

Around 1500 spectators were inside the MCG when, shortly after one o'clock on a sunny afternoon, the first ball in Test cricket was bowled by Alfred Shaw to Charles Bannerman. The first run came off the next delivery, and the first wicket in the fourth over, when Allen Hill bowled Nat Thompson. The ignominy of the first duck fell to Edward Gregory later in the day.

The MCG at the time had one newly built grandstand that could seat 2000, with the remainder of the ground surrounded by a grass bank. By the close 4500 people had turned up, but few bothered to use the stand, which was said to have only a smattering of people in it all day.

At the close, 5pm - there had been around three-and-a-half hours' play - Bannerman had made 126 out of 166 for 6, Test cricket's first hundred. The two teams spent the evening at the opera.

Bannerman continued to dominate the next day until, shortly after lunch, the middle finger on his right hand was split by a lob from George Ulyett, forcing him to retire hurt on 165. His percentage of the innings - 67.3% - remains a record. It was not the best innings and he was helped by what contemporary reports described as poor bowling and fielding. He was dropped when in single figures - a simple chance to mid-off hit a nonplussed Tom Armitage in the stomach.

Armitage, determined to make amends, bet his captain £7 to £1 that he would make a fifty. He failed in that regard as well. In his defence, he, like several of his team-mates, had suffered from severe seasickness on the return trip from New Zealand and was reportedly barely able to stand on the morning of the match.

In reply to Australia's 245, England were bowled out for 196, Billy Midwinter taking 5 for 78. It would have been far worse had either umpire spotted that Jupp had trodden on his wicket before he had scored, but he survived the appeal, to the booing of the crowd.

England did better second time round, dismissing Australia for 104 in front of a third-day crowd of 12,000. Bannerman, severely incapacitated and given a rousing reception as he walked out, was again dropped, this time before scoring, but it wasn't nearly such a costly miss, as he made only 4.

Chasing 154 to win, England were skittled for 108, with slow bowler Tom Kendall (like Bannerman, born in England) taking 7 for 55. Their chase might not have been helped by the large lunch, and copious quantity of beer, they consumed during the break. They lost Allen Hill second ball, slogging to mid-on, and within an hour were 22 for 4. From there, on a wearing pitch, there was no way back.

The margin of Australia's victory was 45 runs, a result remarkably repeated in the Centenary Test in March 1977. "The combined team worked together with the utmost harmony and goodwill," reported The Australian.

There were the almost customary moans about the quality of the pitch and the umpiring, but of more concern to Lillywhite's men was their share of the gate money. Southerton noted that throughout the trip "the financial returns rarely tallied with the estimated number of people present".

The Australian XI were all presented with a gold watch each by the Victoria Cricket Association - captain Dave Gregory getting a slightly larger one - while a public subscription raised £83 for Bannermann and £23 for Kendall and wicketkeeper John Blackham.

Although England squared the series by winning the second Test, the Australians were jubilant at having shown that they could match their rivals. One newspaper summed up the mood in an editorial on the day Lillywhite's side set sail for home. "It shows that in bone as muscle, activity, athletic vigour, and success in field sports, the Englishmen born in Australia do not fall short of the Englishmen born in Surrey or Yorkshire".

"For the time being," wrote the Argus, "we must forget we are Victorians and New South Wales and our geographical distinctions, and only remember that we are of one nation - Australia."

Is there an incident from the past you would like to know more about? Email rewind@cricinfo.com with your comments and suggestions.

Martin Williamson is executive editor of Cricinfo and managing editor of ESPN Digital Media in Europe, the Middle East and Africa

© Cricinfo

Aussies beat SA by 5 runs, level series

HOBART, Jan 18 (PTI): A new look Australian bowling attack stifled South Africa’s in-form batsmen as the hosts eked out a thrilling five-run win in the second ODI to level the five-match cricket series 1-1 here today. Put into bat, Australia at one stage looked certain to reach the 300-mark before South African bowlers bounced back to restrict them to a moderate 249 for nine with Shaun Marsh (78) and Ricky Ponting (64) shinning with the bat. In reply, South Africa got handy contributions from Jacques Kallis (72), AB de Villiers (44), Mark Boucher (37 not out) and JP Duminy (35) but still fell six runs short of the victory target and finished 244 for six in the humdinger. Needing 17 from the final over off Ben Hilfenhaus, Mark Boucher hit the bowler for a six but in the subsequent deliveries, boundaries were not easy to come by. Required a six off the last ball, Boucher could only manage a single as Australia levelled the series. Marsh’ fifth fifty in 10 games earned him the Man of the Match award. The third match of the series is scheduled in Sydney on January 23. Put into bat, Australia were in for an early jolt as David Warner’s (5) ODI debut proved a damp squib with Dale Steyn removing the exciting batsman caught behind in the fifth over. Marsh and Ponting were in no hurry as they gauged the situation well and after 15 overs, Australia were going steady at 66 for one when they stepped on gas.Marsh continued his rich form while Ponting was fluent as ever. They stitched together a 135-run stand as suddenly a score in the vicinity of 300 no more looked a distant possibility.

Ind-NZ agree on extra Test, second T20 tie added to the tour

Ind-NZ agree on extra Test, second T20 tie added to the tour
NEW DELHI, Jan 15 (PTI): The Board of Control for Cricket in India and its New Zealand counterpart today announced an extended itinerary for India’s tour which besides an additional Test, will also feature a second Twenty20 international match.

India will begin their tour with a Twenty20 match in Christchurch on February 25 and will play a second T20 tie in Wellington two days later.

The three Tests will be held after the one-dayers get over. The first of the five ODIs will be held in Napier on March 3 and the first Test will be played in Hamilton from March 18-22. India were originally supposed to play two Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match but following the BCCI’s request, New Zealand Cricket agreed to accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men for an additional Test which will be hosted by Napier.

According to the new itinerary, India will now reach New Zealand on February 20, eight days earlier than originally scheduled and the tour will culminate on April 7.

Following the first ODI in Napier, the remaining one-dayers will be played in Wellington (March 6), Christchurch (March 8), Hamilton (March 11) and Auckland (March 14).

Napier will host the second Test from March 26 to 30 while the third and final Test of the National Bank Series will be held in Wellington from April 3-7.

BCCI secretary N Srinivasan thanked NZC for accepting to its requests for an extended tour after the Indian government refused to clear the team to visit Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks.

“My thanks go to New Zealand Cricket for responding so positively to our request for an extended Test series,” Srinivasan said.

“There have been a number of issues for both Boards to resolve to accommodate the new schedule and I am pleased we have been able to work together to achieve a high quality programme.

“To have such a strong mix of Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20s will be good for both teams, and for cricket followers in India and New Zealand,” he added. India’s call for an additional Test had also met with approval from New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and coach Andy Moles, both of whom felt it would be good for the hosts. NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan shared a similar opinion and said the opportunity for an extended tour by India would be great for the game in New Zealand.

“India is probably the most exciting side in the world at present packed full of superstar players, and the chance to see six more days of high quality international competition will be welcomed by all New Zealand cricket fans,” Vaughan said in a statement released by the BCCI.

Bud lift Dhireswar Kalita T20 cricket title

Bud lift Dhireswar Kalita T20 cricket title
By our Sports ReporterGUWAHATI, Jan 15: Bud Cricket Club overcame the stiff challenge of Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club in the final to lift the Second Dhireswar Kalita Memorial T-20 Cricket Tournament title held at the Nehru stadium on Thursday. Bud won the final by four runs.
Bud Cricket Club, the hosts of the meet, won the toss on Thursday and elected to bat first but managed to score 126 runs in their 20 overs. Gokul Sharma (41) was the top scorer for the team while Rana Sharma and Rajiv Kalita, both of whom scored 20 runs each, were the other major contributors. Dipankar Banerjee picked up four wickets for just 14 runs and Suraj Dutta claimed three wickets for 39 runs.
Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club chased very well until Mukut Kalita came up with splendid spell to turn the game in favour of his team. Mukut picked up three wickets for 17 runs in such a crucial moments that Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club didn’t get any more chance to repair the damage and came back into the game. Former Ranji cricketer Samarjit Nath fought lone for the losing team and he contributed 46 runs on the board before getting out. Dipen Mahanta (24) was the other batsman who make some contribution in the board for Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club.
The brilliant spell in the match helped Mukut Kalita to earn the man-of-the-match award while Samarjit Nath of Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club received the man-of-the-tournament award. There were four others individual awards which were collected by Dipen Mahanta of Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club (best batsman), Gokul sharma of Bud Cricket Club (best bowler), Suraj Dutta of Tinsukia Railway Division Sports Club (best fielder) and Hirakjyoti Das of Bud Cricket Club (best wicketkeeper). The closing ceremony of the tournament was attended by secretary of Assam Cricket Association Bikash Baruah, member of BCCI’s Junior Selection Committee Rajesh Bora, chairman of Asom Ranji Trophy Selection Committee Nagesh Singh and many others. source: sentinel assam

NZ win rain-hit 5th ODI to claim series

NAPIER (NEW ZEALAND), Jan 13 (AP): New Zealand beat the West Indies by five wickets on a Duckworth-Lewis calculation in the rain-shortened fifth and final limited overs cricket international today to win the five-match series 2-1.New Zealand was 211-5 in the 35th over in reply to the West Indies’ 293-nine, when steady drizzle began to fall at McLean Park, following the trend of a series in which two matches were been abandoned and another shortened by rain. Under Duckworth-Lewis calculations, New Zealand needed to be 203-5 at that point to take the match and series. The rain first began to fall after 33 overs when New Zealand was narrowly behind the West Indies on Duckworth-Lewis calculations. New Zealand needed to score nine runs without losing a wicket from the 34th over to move ahead of the West Indies and batsmen Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot scored 15 to give the home side a slim advantage. The batsmen then played out the 35th over, preserving the lead, before rain intensified and forced players from the field. New Zealand was then eight runs ahead of the West Indies under the Duckworth-Lewis system, clinching the match and series when no further play was possible. Taylor was left 48 not out with Elliot on 14. New Zealand had earlier built a solid start to its run chase thanks to a 59-run opening partnership between Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, brought up from only 5.3 overs. Ryder made 21 from 23 balls and McCullum 41 from 28 balls with six fours and a six. McCullum and Ryder smashed 31 runs from the first 14 balls bowled by Daren Powell, including 23 from his opening over.With that start, the home side needed only to bat conservatively to win if rain intervened. Martin Guptill made 43 to follow his unbeaten 122 in the fourth match at Auckland and Taylor had the composure to secure the win ahead of the rain. Earlier, Chris Gayle equaled Brian Lara’s record of 19 centuries in limited-overs matches when he scored 135 from 129 balls in a man-of-the-match performance. The West Indies captain also passed 7,000 limited-overs runs, smashing his way to a century from 110 balls and to 135 with nine fours and five sixes. “It would be nice to go home with a win,” Gayle said. “We were beaten in the series but my gut feeling says we’re winners.”

Dawood Ibrahim threatens future of Pak cricket

Sydney/Karachi: The alleged presence of Dawood Ibrahim, the man who masterminded the 1993 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and is said to have also played a role in last month’s attacks on the same city, is threatening the future of cricket in Pakistan.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ibrahim is being dubbed as "India''s Osama", and threatens to destroy any remaining hope Pakistan cricket has of re-emerging by dismantling the crucial relationship between the boards of Pakistan and India.

Ibrahim, a notorious gangster who reputedly funds his terrorist activities through a billion-dollar drug trade in Afghan opium.

He is associated with Pakistan cricket''s director general, Javed Miandad, through the marriage of his daughter Mahrukh to Junaid, son of the batting legend.

The Indian Government is demanding that Pakistan hand over Ibrahim, who is believed to have hidden himself in luxurious palaces for 15 years in the world''s second-largest Muslim nation.

India suggests that Pakistan is actively involved in shrouding Ibrahim and - retaliatory or not - cricket has become a pawn in the game.

Once Pakistan''s most powerful and important supporter, India is threatening to pull out of a tour starting later this month.

"If India doesn''t tour, it will be a total disaster for Pakistan cricket," said former PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi.

"It''s very important for cricket, not just in Pakistan but in the world, for India to come. If they don''t, it would relegate Pakistan further into isolation. If India doesn''t come, I can''t see New Zealand coming even though their tour is at the end of next year. Australia is supposed to tour in April but I can''t see that happening. Unfortunately, this Mumbai thing has triggered a political dimension," he added.

India''s sports minister, MS Gill, asked: "Is it possible for one team [the terrorists] to arrive in Mumbai and indulge in mass murder, and have another team go and play cricket in the winter afternoon sun at Lahore, immediately after?"

Having been ousted by the recently appointed regime, Naghmi - now working for the Pakistan government - also sees worrying trends from the new board, including the ravaging of domestic programs designed to improve the skills of youngsters.

Another source said PCB chairman Ijaz Butt lacks the skills to handle the crisis.

Pakistan, as a cricket destination, has already lost the faith of the west. To lose that of India would be paralyzing.

Source: ANI

ECB sweats over finding a new sponsor

London: With Vodafone deciding not to renew a four-million-pound-a-year sponsorship deal with it, the England and Wales Cricket Board fears a new financial backer would be hard to find in the middle of worsening economic crisis and reduced state funding.

The four-year agreement with the telecom giant ends after England's tour to South Africa next winter and the ECB is already losing sleep over finding a new sponsor.

"This is the first downturn in the period. It is going to be more difficult than the past, but cricket audience and media exposure are excellent and it will be down to the way we handle the market place. Renewals and extensions are easier to secure than new partners," admitted ECB commercial director John Perera.

Chairman of Sports Impact John Taylor, who negotiated sponsorship deals between the ECB and Tetley's and npower, said the ECB will find a sponsor nonetheless but the "question is at what price?" "The market is difficult at the moment. The top deals are still being done and smaller deals are still there, but the middle is being squeezed," he said.

© Copyright 2008 PTI. All rights reserved

Sponsors snub Sri Lanka cricket team

Colombo: Marketing and financial prospects of the Sri Lanka cricket team are said to have hit rock-bottom as the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) failed to attract a single bidder to sponsor the team when bids for the fresh year closed, a media report here said.

This is despite that fact that the Sri Lanka team is performing well internationally and are ranked fourth in the ICC Test rating and seventh in the one-day rankings presently. But the financial managers of the cricket governing body have fully attributed the failure to the terror attack in Mumbai and the developments in the aftermath.

"The team's financial potential hit an unprecedented low on Monday when it came to light that SLC had failed to attract a single bidder either as the Sri Lanka team sponsor or the clothing sponsor, when bids for the fresh year were closed," Colombo-based Daily Mirror reported on Wednesday.

At least three bids were required for the each of the two sponsorships.

"Marketability of the Sri Lanka Cricket team has suffered irreparable damage at the hands of continuing political meddling which has now reached comical proportions," it said, adding that even the existing team sponsor Dilmah or clothing sponsor MAS had not sent in their bids.

Citing the ongoing controversy over the Ten Sports television rights deal and several insurance deals, the media report said that the "unending interference in the sport by various elements keen to make fast buck through commissions" have shunned away interested sponsors "from investing money in the game".

However, the financial and marketing managers of the SLC have a different story to tell.

"Several overseas companies informed us that they were keen to make sponsorship bids. But they couldn't send in their documents in time because of the situation that was created after the Mumbai attacks," the Daily Mirror has quoted head of marketing for SLC, Charith Senanayake, as saying.

He has said that it would be recommended to the SLC interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga to extend the deadline further in order to attract fresh bids as there was time till May-June next year to find sponsors.

"Our team doesn't have any international cricket games till May-June next year. We cannot rush these deals because this is our bread and butter. We have to make sure that we get the best deal," Senanayake has said.

The sponsorships usually end on Decenber 31, but since the team's Bangladesh tour which begins in December would run into mid-January, SLC had offered an extension of contracts to the existing team sponsor Dilmah and clothing sponsor MAS till January 31.

According to the media report, current team sponsor Dilmah had signed the deal in August 2005 for $2 million, while clothing sponsor MAS Holdings has signed the deal for Rs. 42 million.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Gambhir, Mendis top ODI charts in 2008

The year that was

There were a total of 125 one-day internationals played in 2008. While 116 of these matches ended in results, one was tied and the remaining eight were No Results. The total number of runs scored in the 125 ODIs was 51,240 in 62,186 balls with 1,766 wickets falling at an average of 29.01 and the run rate per over being 4.94.

The run-machines

India's opening batsman Gautam Gambhir with 1,119 runs in 27 matches at an average of 46.62 and strike rate of 90.53 was the leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2008. Gambhir, who hit three 100s and seven 50s had a highest score of 113. In fact, India had four batsmen in the top-five leading run scorers -- Gambhir (1st), captain MS Dhoni (2nd), Virender Sehwag (4th) and Yuvraj Singh (5th). Gambhir and Dhoni were the only batsmen to have scored more than 1,000 runs in 2008. Dhoni scored 1,097 runs with a highest score of 109* and one century and eight half-centuries in 29 matches at an average of 57.73 and strike rate of 82.29.

Sri Lanka's vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara with 942 runs in 27 matches at an average of 39.25 and strike rate of 75.29 occupies the third spot, followed by Sehwag who scored 893 runs in 18 matches at an average of 49.61 and strike rate of 120.02, and Yuvraj with 893 runs in 27 matches at an average of 38.82 and strike rate of 100.22. Suresh Raina at No 10 is the fifth Indian batsman in the list with 680 runs in 19 ODIs at an average of 45.33 and strike rate of 94.83.

Interestingly, there are only three non-Asians in the list of the top-15 ODI run-scorers in 2008: England captain Kevin Pietersen (12th), Australian middle-order mainstay Michael Hussey (14th) and New Zealand's wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum (15th). Pakistan has four players in the list -- Younis Khan (6th), opening batsman Salman Butt (7th), captain Shoaib Malik (9th) and Misbah-ul-Haq (13th). The surprises in this list are Bangladesh's opening batsman Tamim Iqbal in the eighth position and his captain Mohammad Ashraful who finished 2008 as the 11th highest run-scorer in ODIs.

Sri Lankan's new weapon

The Sri Lankan trio of Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan and Nuwan Kulasekara are the three leading wicket-takers in ODIs in 2008. Mendis, who has had a terrific first international season, was the best bowler in the 50-overs format scalping 48 wickets in 18 ODIs at an economy rate of 3.58 and average of 10.12. His best effort in a match was 6/13, and he took four and more wickets on six occasions. Muralitharan took 33 wickets in 21 matches at an economy rate of 4.24 and average of 22.08, while Kulasekara took 33 wickets in as many matches at an average of 20.87 and economy rate of 4.32.

England's Stuart Broad is in the fourth position with 32 wickets in 21 matches at an economy rate of 4.85 and average of 25.03 and Pakistani pace bowler Sohail Tanvir, who took 32 wickets in 19 ODIs at an average of 23.87 and economy rate of 4.74 rounds off the top-five.

India doesn't have a lot to cheer about on the bowling front as pace bowler Ishant Sharma (10th) with 27 wickets in 19 matches is the country's only representative in the list of the top-15 wicket-takers in one-day internationals in 2008.

Pakistan, which had four batsmen in the list of top-15 run-scorers in 2008, also has as many representatives in the bowling department with Tanvir (5th), Shahid Afridi (7th), Iftikhar Anjum (12th) and Umar Gul (13th). Australia and Bangladesh have three bowlers each in the top 15 ODI wicket-takers in 2008. Nathan Bracken (6th), Mitchell Johnson (11th) and Brett Lee (14th) form the Aussie trio, while Abdur Razzak (8th), Mashrafe Mortaza (9th) and Shakib Al Hasan (15th) are the three Bangladeshi bowlers in the list.

Harbhajan Singh (17th), Praveen Kumar (18th) and Irfan Pathan (19th) are the other three Indian bowlers in the top-20 wicket-takers of 2008. Harbhajan (19 matches), Praveen (14 matches) and Irfan (20 matches) all took 21 wickets this year. Harbhajan took his wickets at an average of 28.66 and had an economy rate of 4.39, while Praveen's average per wicket was 28.19 and he had an economy rate of 4.83. Irfan, however had a high average per wicket of 42.95 as well as a high economy rate of 5.80.

Safe hands

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jaywardene with 22 catches in 27 matches emerged as the leading fielder in ODIs in 2008. South Africa's AB De Villiers with 14 catches in 17 ODIs slips occupies the second place, while Australia's Michael Hussey and the Pakistani duo of Misbah-ul-Haq with 12 catches round off the list of the top five fielders in ODIs in 2008.

Men with the gloves

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni with 49 dismissals (38 catches + 11 stumpings) in 29 matches was world cricket's leading glovesman in ODIs in 2008. Sri Lanka's vice-captain Kumar Sangakkar with 30 dismissals (22 catches + 8 stumpings) in 27 ODIs occupies the second spot.

Pakistan's Kamran Akmal (24 catches + 3 stumpings), South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher (20 catches) and former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist with 18 dismissals (16 catches + 2 stumpings) round off the list of the top wicket-keepers in 2008.

Top partnerships

Indian opening batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were the leading pair in terms of runs in ODIs in 2008. The pair added 898 runs with a highest partnership of 155 and average of 64.14 in 14 ODIs. However, the pair with the highest average per partnership is the duo of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina, whose 573 runs in six innings came at an astounding average of 95.50. Dhoni features again in the list with Yuvraj Singh as this pair added 502 runs in 12 matches with a highest partnership of 105 at an average partnership of 41.83.

Kumar Sangakkara also features twice in the list of the top-10 partnerships in one-dayers in 2008. The Sangakkara-Sanath Jayasuriya combination occupies the fourth position with 495 runs in 12 innings, while Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who added 482 runs in 13 ODIs finished 2008 as the sixth leading partnership of 2008.

Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik may have had their differences off the field, but they formed a potent partnership as they added 408 runs with a highest partnership of 145 and average of 51 to round off the list of top-10 partnerships in 2008.

Win/loss records

India, who played the most number of ODIs in 2008 -- 29 -- won 19 and lost eight matches with two matches being no-results. Pakistan won 18 of their 21 matches, while Sri Lanka won 14 and lost 11 of their 27 ODIs. Australia won 13 and lost four of their 18 matches, while South Africa won 12, lost four and had a no-result match. New Zealand played 15 ODIs in 2008 winning 10, losing three, with one match ending in a tie while the other was a no-result.

England won only 6 of their 21 ODIs, but they lost 11 matches, with one ending in a tie and the remaining being no-results.

Bangladesh won only five of their 26 matches, while West Indies also won only five and lost 13 of their 19 ODIs with the other being a no-result. Ireland played 11 ODIs in 2008 -- winning four, losing six and one no-result, while Zimbabwe won only one of the 12 matches they played in 2008.

Source: India Syndicate

Shoaib not to pay the fine: Lawyer

Shoaib Akhtar's legal counsel on Sunday said that the fast bowler would not pay the seven million rupees fine, as demanded by the Pakistan Cricket Board as a pre-requisite to keep him in the Champions Trophy preliminary squad, until the court pronounced its verdict on his writ petition.

Abid Hasan Minto said Shoaib would pay the fine imposed on him by the appellate tribunal only when the Lahore High Court will make a final decision on the writ petition filed by him against the ban and fine."He has no objections to paying the fine but only when the high court reaches a final decision," Minto said. Shoaib and fellow pacer Mohammad Asif were selected by the national selection committee in Pakistan's 30-member preliminary squad. The list of probables was to be released by the Board on Friday, the deadline set by the International Cricket Council.

However, the Board held back the squad and called the selectors for fresh discussion tomorrow. They have also sent a notice to Shoaib asking him to pay the fine by Monday to be considered for selection.

The fine was imposed by an appellate tribunal, which reduced his original ban of five years to 18-months in June after Shoaib appealed against the PCB decision to ban him for five years.Shoaib had challenged the tribunal decision in the High Court which recently suspended the 18-months ban but did not stay the fine imposed on him.

Minto said the payment of the fine had nothing to do with the court decision allowing him to play for Pakistan even though the court will hear the case sometime in September.

"That has nothing to do with this ... the question is about playing of the cricketer. The ban on him playing has been removed by High Court's interim order, therefore as far as the fine is concerned, he will pay when the final decision of the High Court comes," he argued.

Minto also said it was up to the Board to decide if they wanted to select him or not.

"The ball is in their court. What they decide is up to them. If they want the devoid the national team of his presence and keep a first-class cricketer like him away from the team then it is their decision."They know that the fines that have been imposed on my client in the past have always been paid and he has never challenged them," he said.

Pakistan cricket needs the right balance

by Imran Farooqi

Pakistan cricket's unabashed flirt with controversies continues unabated as it enters a fresh season. The nation was still struggling to come to terms with Shoaib Akhtar's suspension from the game when Mohammad Asif, the former's pace partner, joined him on the sidelines. This time it is not some recurring injury -- as is usually the case with Pakistan's pace merchants -- but an action that has further dented the nation's falling image.Though Asif has been released by the UAE authorities as the 'charge' of keeping in possession a contraband substance has not been proved, everybody knows very well that it could only be Islamabad's excellent relationship with the Emirates' royalty that has made the release possible.The bowler did admit carrying the drug which he said was prescribed by a Hakeem for some ailment. Does he think people here in Pakistan and the world over are so naive that they would believe what he has to say? In an era where international players and athletes are updated regularly on drugs and the consequences of their potential use, he's behaving like an innocent kid who does not a bit about anything.Today all sportspersons -- no matter where they come from and what sport they play -- are well aware of substances they can't use. Asif is telling us that he did not know the drug he was carrying on his person was a banned one! Unfortunately, such an irresponsible sort of excuse could only have come from a Pakistan cricketer. These players who are supposed to act as role models and set standards for others are turning out to be plain villains with utter disregard for moral values.It is most regrettable that the Pakistan Cricket Board spends millions of rupees on getting its players fit for international assignments, but when it's time to deliver these so-called stars just fail and come up with reasons that fall well short of making sense. The PCB took all pains to ensure Shoaib Akhtar does have a fruitful and lasting career, but the latter -- through his reckless and ill-timed actions -- have always brought embarrassment to his supporters. As if this was not enough we have Asif following in his footsteps though the two might not be on talking terms with each other.In spite of having a number of good fast and slow bowlers Pakistan is not able to groom them properly mainly because of the uncertainty surrounding the careers of the country's premier pacers. Shoaib and Asif's absence does make a difference, but Pakistan has won without these two in recent past, and can do it again.It's time the PCB gets a clear message across to the players that any action that puts the nation's integrity in question is not at all acceptable. The sad thing is that players hailing from other countries know it by default, but here we have to teach such things. Talent-wise Pakistan and Australian players are almost equal, but what makes the latter stand out is their scientific approach to the game and the pride they take in representing their homeland.Unless every player knows is his responsibilities to his country it will be difficult to turn things around. To make this happen the PCB will have to take steps it's afraid to take. This includes making a final decision on Shoaib and Asif. Pakistan is currently playing without them and won't do worse in any case. It's time to swallow the bitter pill if the PCB keeps the country's image anywhere close to its heart.Already there are reports of differences between the captain and selectors. Although the two parties have denied these one thing is quite clear that the current side could not be termed a balanced one. The opening dilemma continues to dog Pakistan, and short of options the skipper has been forced to open the innings -- something he has done previously without encouraging results.Malik is a very good all-round player, but expecting him to open in limited-over games with success is asking for too much indeed. By doing this we are only compounding issues. He already has too much on his plate. Currently he's struggling to establish a competitive squad, and by adding the task of opening to his existing workload the team management is only making his job more difficult.Shahid Afridi's batting spot remains a riddle. He is bowling very well and his fielding abilities can't be questioned, yet his batting certainly is not upto the mark. He usually bats at No 6 and 7, and when he comes in either there is no time to settle and build the innings. Or, in the worst scenario, his side are already in deep trouble looking to him to repair the damage.In the first case he's supposed to walk in and throw his bat around straightaway to accumulate runs no matter how they come as long they come. In such a case anything can happen as it's not easy to score quick runs without taking a few risks. In the second he's supposed to stay at the crease and do some grafting work which is again not his forte and a more difficult task for he does not like to get bogged down.Though he may not be a sensible bet against the Aussies and Proteas because of their methodical approach to the game and also because these two sides do have plans to counter all sorts of threats from the opposing players, against teams like India, England, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand Afridi will always have a better chance because once hit around their bowlers tend to lose way and that's where there can't be a better choice than Afridi.In short Pakistan needs to get its balance right. At the right time the right player must be used and that's what makes a coach and captain great. It's their ability to act quickly and act right that brings success. The Pakistan think-tank must sit down and come up with a plan that is flexible yet effective and where every player knows what role he's required to play. source: http://www.geosuper.tv/articles.asp?id=365

Sourav to play for United SC

Calcutta: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly will try out his soccer skills for United SC in the ongoing Sahara Calcutta Football League Premier Division.

Sourav, who will leave the city on Sunday to join the Test squad in Chennai, will sign after returning from Sri Lanka, according to a club official.

“He (Sourav) will sign for the whole season. Actually this is a move to promote the game... He (Sourav) is the brand ambassador of our sponsor (Chirag) and hence the move,” a club official said.

It was learnt that Sourav would play only one match in the local league. If everything goes according to plan, he will play against East Bengal on August 24.

According to the official, his turning out for United SC in the I-League will depend on his availability.

Sourav, who had a rigorous training session for more than an hour at the Eden on Saturday, sounded confident about his performance in the Sri Lanka series starting from July 23.
“I have played some good innings there (Sri Lanka). This time, too, I am hopeful of some good knocks,” he said. source: http://www.telegraphindia.com

Ganguly denies plans of retiring from ODIs

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday denied rumors of taking retirement from ODIs. Ganguly made this announcement on the sidelines of an awards function in Kolkata.
He also hoped to make his way back into the ODI team again by his performance. Ganguly was recently presented with best Asian batsman of the year award.

Meanwhile, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Kartik and Zaheer Khan got together in Mumbai to felicitate their mothers and wives in a programme sponsored by a detergent brand.

Pakistan thrash India

India's nemesis Younis Khan (123 not out) again rose to the occasion with a scintillating century as Pakistan chased down an intimidating target en route to an eight-wicket win against their lacklustre arch-rivals to stay afloat in the Asia Cup cricket tournament in Karachi on Wednesday.

With captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (76), Rohit Sharma (58) and Virender Sehwag (49) chipping in with the bat, India put 308 for seven on the board, batting first.

Their listless bowling colleagues, however, could not defend the total and Pakistan cruised to 309 for two wickets in 45.3 overs to make the chase look like a stroll in the park.

Chasing 309 to stay afloat in the tournament, Pakistan got off to a rollicking start with Nasir Jamshed (53) and Salman Butt (36) taking the Indian attack by the scruff of its neck.

And when Butt returned, following an almighty mix-up, and Jamshed retired hurt due to dehydration, Younis Khan once again emerged as India's bogeyman, while stand-in skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (70 not out off 62 balls) ensured it remains an all-round memorable outing for him.

Younis' unbeaten 117-ball knock was studded with 11 fours and a six.
A win on Wednesday night would have sent India to Sunday's summit showdown against Sri Lanka and Dhoni's men will now need to get past the islanders when they return to the National Stadium in less than 24 hours for their last super four stage match.

Pakistan meet Bangladesh day after and going by form, the hosts should not have much of a problem taming the minnows. In such a case, run rate might play a vital role in deciding who play the Lankans on Sunday.

Earlier opting to bat first, India rode on a breezy start and half centuries from Dhoni and Rohit to go past the 300-mark.

Dhoni walked out in the middle with India struggling on 91, having lost three quick wickets in 10 balls, and proceeded to play a sensible and patient knock of 76 before falling in the penultimate over.

A fifth wicket stand of 112 from 139 balls by Dhoni and Rohit kept India going after they had slumped to 129 for four despite a breezy opening stand of 88 between Gautam Gambhir (35) and Sehwag.

In the final overs, Irfan Pathan, playing his first game of the tournament, struck a breezy unbeaten 38 from 25 balls to push the total beyond 300.

Both the Indian openers were in terrific form, pouncing on the loose balls on the true National Stadium pitch as Pakistan without their regular captain Shoaib Malik, wilted a bit.
Gambhir went after hitting four boundaries when he drove hard at a full ball from Iftikhar and was caught by Shahid Afridi in the covers.

In the next over, Sehwag, who had batted beautifully for his 49 from 33 balls with six fours and two sixes, perished as keeper Sarfraz Ahmed took a fine low catch to give Rauf a well deserved wicket. Five balls later, in-form Suresh Raina (1) hooked Rauf straight to Salman Butt at deep square leg.

Yuvraj Singh (37) was his usual confident self, playing some stunning straight drives and swinging Tanvir to square leg for a six before he was out, leaving it to Dhoni and Rohit to steady the ship.

India rout Hong Kong by 256 runs

India rout Hong Kong by 256 runs Karachi, June 25 (Agencies): India launched their Asia Cup campaign in an emphatic manner, routing minnows Hong Kong by 256 runs in their opening Group B match here today. Electing to bat, India rattled up massive 374 for four, riding on centuries by Suresh Raina (101) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (unbeaten 109), practicing well ahead of clash against arch-rivals and hosts Pakistan tomorrow. They then bundled out the opponents for a paltry 118 in 36.5 overs to register their second best victory margin, the highest being 257-run win against Bermuda in 2007. Young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla (4/23) weaved the spin magic, bowling with guile as he forced three stumpings by foxing batsmen with his intriguing line and length apart fro effecting a catch out. Hong Kong skipper Tabarak Dar (21), James Atkinson (23) and Irfan Ahmed (25) were the main contributors in their side’s dismal run-chase. Left-arm paceman R P Singh drew the first blood in his very first over, trapping Skhawat Ali for a nought, to begin the rot. Dar and Atkinson then put up a 45-run stand for the second-wicket but once the skipper was dismissed, Hong Kong batsmen lacked confidence in negotiating the Indian attack. The runs, whatever scored, came at an agonisingly slow pace as the 100 came up only in the 32nd over. Poor running added to the woes of Hong Kong as lack of understanding resulted in run-outs of Irfan and Roy Lamsam. Sehwag then closed the Hong Kong innings with two wickets on successive deliveries as he first clean bowled Afzaal Haider and then had Nadeem Ahmed caught behind the wickets, giving Dhoni his fourth victim of the innings.Earlier, had it not been for a 15-over spell in which just 47 runs were scored, the highest total in ODIs - Sri Lanka’s 443 for 9 against Netherlands - would have been under serious threat. India finally managed 374 for 4, with Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni helping themselves to centuries against a hapless bowling attack after Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir had built a wonderful platform. India’s innings revolved around two partnerships: the opening stand of 127 between Sehwag - who blitzed a 44-ball 78 - and Gambhir, while Raina - whose 66-ball hundred is the second-fastest by an India - and Dhoni amassed 166 for the fourth wicket, an Asia Cup record. Both partnerships came at more than eight an over, which put Rohit Sharma’s dismal effort - 11 off 29 balls - into perspective. Dhoni chose to bat, and the openers seemed intent on marking the 25th anniversary of India’s World Cup upset over West Indies in style.ScorecardIndia: Gambhir c Lamsam b Najeeb Amar 51, Sehwag c Irfan Ahmed b Najeeb Amar 78, RG Sharma run out 11, MS Dhoni not out 109, SK Raina c Irfan Ahmed b Afzaal Haider 101, V Uthappa not out 15. Extras (b 6, lb 1, w 2) 9 . Total (4 wickets; 50 overs) 374. Fall of wickets: 1-127, 2-136, 3-159, 4-325. Bowling : Afzaal Haider 6-0-72-1, Rfan Ahmed 6-0-53-0, JPR Lamsam 2-0-27-0, Nadeem Ahmed 8-0-52-0, Najeeb Amar 10-0-40-2, Munir Dar 10-0-55-0, Skhawat Ali 8-0-8-0Hong Kong: Tabarak Dar st Dhoni b Chawla 21, Skhawat Ali lbw b Singh 0, JJ Atkinson c & b Pathan 23, KH Butt st Dhoni b Chawla 4, CK Kruger st Dhoni b Chawla 3, Irfan Ahmed run out (Singh/Pathan) 25, JPR Lamsam run out (Dhoni/Singh) 16, Munir Dar c Pathan b Chawla 4, Najeeb Amar not out 13, Afzaal Haider b Sehwag 0, Nadeem Ahmed c Dhoni b Sehwag 0. Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9. Total (all out; 36.5 overs) 118. Fall of wickets 1-4, 2-49, 3-54, 4-54, 5-67, 6-91, 7-99, 8-109, 9-118, 10-118. Bowling: P Kumar 5-0-21-0, RP Singh 4-0-19-1, M Gony 5-1-11-0, PP Chawla 10-2-23-4, YK Pathan 10-0-37-1, V Sehwag 2.5-0-5-2.