Western Australia’s Lilac Hill fixture has become a victim of the crowded international and domestic schedules

Cricinfo staff02-Jul-2010Western Australia’s Lilac Hill fixture has become a victim of the crowded international and domestic schedules and will no longer appear on the summer calendar. Graeme Wood, the Western Australia chief executive, had hoped the festival game would be included as part of England’s Ashes tour but the plan has been abandoned.”When we decided 12 months ago to postpone the event for 2009, we stated just how much the cricket landscape has changed in two decades and the greater demands on international and interstate scheduling,” Wood said. “The constraints continue to provide us with
great challenges and it has unfortunately resulted in this wonderful event coming to an end.”The fixture was known for its guest players and in 1999 Dennis Lillee came out of retirement to bowl with his son Adam as the Chairman’s XI beat Pakistan. Richard Hadlee,
Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Michael Holding, Allan Border, Jeff Thomson and Greg Chappell also played for the local side, which won seven of the 18 matches.

Durham cruised to a 47-run win over Scotland in a rain-shortened Clydesdale Bank 40 clash in Glasgow

01-Aug-2010
Scorecard
Durham cruised to a 47-run win over Scotland in a rain-shortened Clydesdale Bank 40 clash in Glasgow.Michael Di Venuto’s 63 was the mainstay of the visitors’ 189 for 7 after seeing their innings cut to 30 overs, Gordon Goudie chipping in with four wickets for Scotland. Gavin Hamilton hit 64 to carry the fight but when he was run out by Di Venuto, the game was up and the hosts could only struggle to 145 for 9.The rain came with Durham eight for no wicket from three overs and brought about the reduction in overs. The resumption saw the early loss of captain Phil Mustard, who scored 12 of an opening stand of 16 with Di Venuto before he was caught by George Bailey off Goudie, but Durham regrouped as Di Venuto found strong support from Ben Stokes.The Australian hit nine fours and a six in his run-a-ball knock before edging Gordon Drummond to keeper Dougie Lockhart to leave Durham 112 for 2. Stokes followed not long after for an unusually patient 39 but former captain Dale Benkenstein smashed 34 from 23 balls to pick up the pace.Some late-overs hitting followed, with Ian Blackwell run out for 11 from six balls and Ben Harmison clubbing a four and a six in 12 not out from just four deliveries. That damaged Goudie’s economy rate, the new-ball bowler finishing with four for 51 from six overs as he led the attack.A minor Duckworth-Lewis revision left Scotland to chase 193 and they were in trouble from an early stage, losing openers Preston Mommsen and Dougie Watts with just 12 on the board before Bailey also fell cheaply.Richie Berrington made 29 but became Steve Harmison’s second wicket – in four overs costing 17 runs – and left Hamilton to carry the fight almost single-handedly. The Durham old boy hit 64 from 60 balls, finding the boundary rope on eight occasions, but saw Blackwell blitz through the lower middle order at the other end with three for 35 from his six overs.Durham were home and dry long before Hamilton fell to Di Venuto’s throw and the remaining overs were a mere procession.

Kaushal Silva and Janaka Gunaratne hit eighties to lead Sri Lanka A’s strong reply to South Africa A’s 419 on the second day. The hosts ended the day only 166 runs short with six wickets in hand

Cricinfo staff11-Aug-2010
ScorecardKaushal Silva and Janaka Gunaratne hit eighties to lead Sri Lanka A’s strong reply to South Africa A’s 419 on the second day. The hosts ended the day only 166 runs short with six wickets in hand.Resuming on 339 for 5, South Africa went past the 400 mark thanks to the well-set Heino Kunh who made 87 and stayed till the very end. Sachithra Senanayake, the offspinner, was the main wicket-taker for the hosts in the morning, not allowing the overnight pair to run away to a bigger score. He finished with 3 for 74 as Kuhn ran out of partners. Seekkuge Prasanna, the legspinner, ended the innings with the wicket of Kuhn, caught by Dimuth Karunaratne.The South African seamers struck early, taking the first two wickets for 35 by the tenth over. Gunaratne and Silva came together at the fall of the fourth wicket, at 120. Gunaratne scored at a quicker rate, hitting 13 fours and two sixes in his 89, off 103 balls. Silva remained unbeaten on 81, off 156 balls. Their unbroken 133-run stand ensured the hosts stayed on top on the second day.

The Bombay High Court has rejected his plea for the recusal of his successor Chirayu Amin and Arun Jaitley from the disciplinary committee investigating charges against him

Cricinfo staff15-Sep-2010Suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi’s troubles have deepened after the Bombay High Court rejected his plea for the recusal of his successor Chirayu Amin and BCCI vice-president Arun Jaitley from the disciplinary committee investigating charges against him. Modi had sought the removal of Amin and Jaitley from the committee on grounds that they were biased against him.Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI’s chief administrative officer, said the court order would allow the disciplinary committee – scheduled to meet later on Wednesday – to proceed as planned. “There are witnesses on the list prepared by the committee and we will go ahead with that list.”Modi’s lawyer Mehmood Abdi said he would consider filing a special leave petition against the order. He was also unhappy that the board did not accept his request to defer the hearing to a later date. “What’s the hurry? It’s humanly impossible to reach there (committee member Jyotiraditya Scindia’s house by 2pm, about an hour and a half after the court’s ruling),” he said. “The list of witnesses was given and it was clear who will depose first. It was to start with Sundar Raman but now they say the foreigners would be examined first.”How can you examine all witnesses in three-four hours? What was the need to bring all of them [foreigners] together? This is unprecedented haste, speaks volumes for itself.”The committee has until October 26 to submit its recommendations to the board. The BCCI suspended Modi immediately following the conclusion of IPL 3 in April and charged him with financial irregularities relating to the bidding process for IPL franchises, the mid-over ad sales and the sale of theatrical rights. He was also charged with colluding to set up a rebel league in England.

A close-in view of the UDRS during the Ashes this year may finally convince the BCCI to change its stance over using the technology that allows players to question and reverse dismissals

Sharda Ugra13-Oct-2010A close-in view of the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) during the Ashes this year may finally convince the BCCI to change its stance over using the technology that allows players to question and reverse dismissals. Board officials, accompanied by ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, will travel to Australia to watch the use of the system during the upcoming Ashes series.After the ICC’s Board meeting this week, Lorgat said he “had agreed with Cricket Australia to attend the Ashes matches … with representatives of the BCCI, to understand the successful application of the technology and its contribution to correct umpiring decisions.”The entire exercise is meant to serve as a test run for the UDRS at the 2011 ICC World Cup – the ICC said India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the three World Cup hosts, had confirmed that the system would be used at the tournament subject to the “reliability” of ball-tracking technology. The Hot Spot technology, which uses expensive thermal imaging cameras, would be used in the semi-finals and final only.The ICC executive Board also announced that it would try to find sponsors for the UDRS to cover its high cost. Member nations could either pool their UDRS sponsorship rights with the ICC, and so earn sponsorship revenues after deducting costs, or try to find independent sponsors themselves.The ICC would ideally like the Ashes inspection to lead to the BCCI finally accepting UDRS for India’s series. “We certainly hope so. There is so much agreement about the UDRS among other members and hopefully India feels it is time to look at it seriously again,” said an official. The BCCI officials heading for the Ashes to give the system a thorough once-over could be chosen from a select group, with one among BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, operations in-charge Suru Nayak and the board’s chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty most probably being on the visit.An ICC official admitted that the ball-tracking technology was “not 100% secure” but added that, “we have built in margins of error in the system. To overturn a decision, the third umpire would have to have a high degree of confidence.” There is also the likelihood of the Ashes television coverage using a slightly improved version of its ball-tracker technology as well as the Hot Spot. These are meant to be the two arguments which, the ICC are hopeful, will eventually change the BCCI’s mind.ESPNcricinfo has learnt that during the India-Australia Test series, there have been discussions between players, particularly the two captains, and officials, about the UDRS and the ball-tracking technology currently being used. Controversial decisions, against Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Michael Hussey, during the Mohali Test certainly proved that the UDRS was missed at critical junctures.India’s doubts over the UDRS rest mostly on Hawkeye’s accuracy in the assumption of heights. The use of vector graphics for ‘projectile mapping’ – predicting the course of the ball – does not, its critics believe, take into account the variety of wicket conditions which changed daily.The ICC hopes that the next few months could be a ‘turning point’ for the UDRS. It maintains that studies have proved that the DRS system increases the percentage of correct decision-making from 92% to around 97%.A superior ball-tracker and a resolution over the Hot Spot cost issue could however lead to the system being used in India next season. That is, if the BCCI wants to find a way to squeeze in a home series in 2011, as the year is dominated by away tours for the Indian team.

Shakib Al Hasan did not raise his bat to acknowledge the cheers for his fifty – here was a man who knew his job was not yet done. He went on to defy oppressive conditions and take his side to a historic series win

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2010On a day when he impressed with bat, ball and as a captain, one moment captured Shakib Al Hasan’s determination more than any other. His half-century had steadied Bangladesh after a troubled start, but they were still far from a safe score when he reached fifty in the 26th over. Shakib did not raise his bat to acknowledge the cheers for his landmark – here was a man who knew his job was not yet done.”Well, I have said before that if the opportunity is there then one should target a hundred,” Shakib said after the historic win. “Jamie [Siddons] also said that it is up to you whether you want to show the bat after a fifty. I was aware that I had reached the half-century but felt that there was a long way to go and my job wasn’t finished.”Shakib’s century was made special both by the quality of the opposition and the oppressive conditions in which it came. “Things were extremely tough because of the heat,” Shakib said. “When I was batting I could feel that I was struggling physically and I still don’t know how I got through those 50 overs of fielding and bowling because there were times when I thought I could collapse. I guess staying on the field for 50 overs was an achievement today.”His dismissal in the 43rd over set Bangladesh back, and they managed only 25 runs after his exit. Yet, Shakib said he was confident during the break that his bowlers had enough to defend. “I think we were set for 260 plus but lost it in the last Powerplay. However, I wasn’t unhappy because we believe that we are capable of defending 240 on this track.”Bangladesh buzzed about in the field, putting up a memorable fielding show to down New Zealand, despite a valiant maiden ton from Kane Williamson. Shakib acknowledged the aggressive intent displayed on the field. “I feel privileged to be a part of this Bangladesh side. Today I saw players who would normally remain silent in the field shouting, cheering and encouraging throughout the game.”Everyone was so into it, Imrul [Kayes], Suhrawadi [Shuvo] … and I have lost count here. Even someone like Shafiul [Islam], who is relatively new in the side was all pumped up and shouting after bowling an over in that scorching heat. This is something that that I haven’t seen often in the past and the spirit makes my job a lot easier.”The series win was Bangladesh’s first against full-strength top opposition, but Shakib refused to rate it higher than the 3-0 win against a depleted West Indies side in 2009. “Many people don’t realize this but the West Indies were not that far off from their original strength if you go by the players that had played against us. That was a tough series and this one too has been quite demanding. Both have been very satisfying.”Shakib has been a regular at the head of the ICC player ratings, and is currently the top ODI allrounder and the second highest-rated bowler in the game. However, he believed his bowling was far from where he wanted it to be. “I am quite happy with how I have batted in this series but not at all satisfied with my bowling. I guess the gap after playing for Worcester has affected the bowling a bit and I need to work on that.”While Bangladesh have managed to surprise each of the top teams at some point in the last 11 years, their lack of consistency has been a cause for concern. Shakib admitted that it would be his side’s biggest challenge in the lead-up to the World Cup in the subcontinent.”We were winning a lot of matches leading up to the 2007 World Cup and that had a positive impact on our performance in the tournament,” Shakib said. “This time we are beating superior teams and I hope the winning trend will continue against Zimbabwe in December.”If we can maintain that winning habit then we will be in a great state of mind when the World cup arrives and here we are a match for any team and capable of beating any side, particularly those that are not from the subcontinent.”The series may be in the bag, but Bangladesh have a lot at stake going into the dead rubber on Sunday. Victory will lift them to 67 rating points, level with the West Indies on the ICC one-day team ranking table. That should be motivation enough for Shakib and his side to deliver another inspired performance.

New Zealand have recalled Central Districts batsman Jamie How for the five one-day internationals in India starting November 28

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Nov-2010New Zealand have recalled Central Districts batsman Jamie How for the five one-day internationals in India starting November 28. Gareth Hopkins, the Test wicketkeeper, retains his place in the 15-man ODI list as a back-up to Brendon McCullum, taking the place of Northern Districts’ BJ Watling. This will be New Zealand’s first one-day series since the 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Bangladesh last month.Two players who missed that Bangladesh tour, allrounder Scott Styris who was injured and top-order batsman Martin Guptill who was left out for that series, also return to the side. Fast bowler Hamish Bennett, who picked up an injury in the first Test against India earlier this month, and Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart, who flopped in Bangladesh averaging 6.50, miss out.How, 29, played the last of his 31 ODIs nearly two years ago, but scored plenty of runs for Central Districts in the Champions League T20 in September and for New Zealand A on the tour of Zimbabwe last month.”We have kept faith with the bulk of the squad who played in the disappointing tour of Bangladesh and who have performed well in the current Test series against India,” coach and selector, Mark Greatbatch, said. “The squad sees the return of Jamie How who deserves his opportunity after impressing the selectors for some time. We feel one-day cricket is the format for him to return to international cricket.”Squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Kane Williamson

Brad Hodge, the Victoria batsman, has been included in Australia’s list of 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup beginning in the subcontinent in February

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2010Brad Hodge has been given some hope of playing for Australia again, after being named in the preliminary 30-man squad for next year’s World Cup. Brett Lee is also in the running for Australia’s title defence, while James Pattinson is the only man in the group who hasn’t played for Australia in any format.The squad will be pruned to 15 by January 19, giving the selectors just one ODI against England to answer any remaining questions they have about their players. Lee has a strong chance of being part of the tournament, which starts in February, as he has 15 Ryobi Cup wickets at 21.73 this summer, while Hodge is the form batsman in the competition with three hundreds from seven games.”There is blend of youth and experience in this extended group with exciting young talent like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Stephen O’Keefe all pushing for inclusion in the final fifteen,” Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. “These players have some opportunity between now and January 19 to push for a spot in the final squad of 15.”Australia is the reigning world champion and also holds the ICC Champions Trophy in the 50-over game. We’ve selected an initial squad with conditions in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in mind and expect this group to be equal to the challenge ahead.”Squad Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Steve O’Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

It was a day that crawled along, and then plodded on, but in between, the freak run-out of Rajasthan opener Vineet Saxena provided some drama amid the dullness

Abhishek Purohit at Moti Bagh11-Jan-2011It was a day that crawled along, and then plodded on, but in between, the freak run-out of Rajasthan opener Vineet Saxena provided some drama amid the dullness. Saxena mistimed a drive off the first delivery after lunch, and the ball rolled away to the leg side. Bhargav Bhatt from midwicket ran in to field the ball. Meanwhile, Saxena, who was outside his ground, took two steps back in to the crease, and then strode out to do some gardening on the pitch. When he was about two feet outside the crease, he gestured in the direction of square-leg umpire K Hariharan, asking for his permission to step out of his ground.An alert Pinal Shah, the Baroda wicketkeeper-captain, sensed an opportunity and gestured frantically to Bhatt. Bhatt, who was standing beside the ball, suddenly swung into action and threw down the striker’s stumps with a direct hit, with Saxena miles down the track. Even as Baroda went up in appeal, Saxena looked confused, and Hariharan walked up to umpire Shavir Tarapore. After some discussion, the matter was referred to third umpire SS Shamsuddin, who ruled Saxena out.Now the rule says that a batsman is run-out if he is found out of his ground while the ball is still in play, whether or not a run is being attempted. A ball is in play till it settles in the hands of the wicketkeeper or the bowler. In this case, the umpires felt that the ball was in play, and the referral was made to check at what point the batsman sought permission to step outside his ground. Replays clearly showed that Saxena was well outside when he gestured to Hariharan, and was adjudged out.There were conflicting opinions among the teams and former players about the entire incident. Pinal felt he was within his rights to claim the run-out. “It was not a planned move. The ball was in play. He just walked out, and did not ask for permission before doing so. Generally if you are walking out, you just inform the umpire or the keeper or the slip fielder.”Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the Rajasthan captain, was understandably unimpressed. “I have heard it was within the rules, but I wouldn’t have claimed that wicket; that is for sure.” Pinal felt that Kanitkar’s reaction was to be expected. “If I was in the opposition, and my batsman would have got out, even I would have said the same thing. But I thought he (Saxena) made a mistake by walking out.”

Tim Bresnan is confident of being ready for England’s opening World Cup match against Netherlands on February 22

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2011Tim Bresnan is confident of being ready for England’s opening World Cup match against Netherlands on February 22 as he continues his recovery from the calf injury that forced him home early from Australia. There had been concerns that the problem could scupper Bresnan’s hopes altogether but the allrounder is making positive progress.However, he won’t be taking any risks that could hinder his participation later in the tournament and is unlikely to feature in the warm-up matches against Canada and Pakistan in Fatullah. Bresnan’s last match was the second one-day international at Hobart when he injured his calf and flew back to the UK a couple of days later for treatment.Andy Flower, the England team director, called Bresnan’s injury the biggest concern towards the end of the tour, before Eoin Morgan suffered his broken finger, but those worries appear to have eased now that the squad has begun training in Dhaka.”There were doubts whether it was a grade two, grade one [tear]. I think the fact that it bled so much probably led to the grey area,” Bresnan told reporters in Dhaka. “But I think we are slightly ahead of schedule now.””It’s feeling pretty good. I hope I can get a warm-up game, but will definitely be targeting the start of the tournament,” he added “I’ve not bowled 100% since I did it. But I’m definitely back bowling 80 to 85%, and then will probably go to 100 on Tuesday. I want to get in a few sessions at 100% before I take the field for a competitive game.”Bresnan is a key part of England’s one-day team because he can find swing with the new ball then return later in the innings with reverse and is accurate at the death with his yorkers. His batting also provides important balance lower down the order with his ability to clear the boundaries.Although England’s injury situation is slowly improving ahead of the tournament the squad isn’t without its issues leading into the warm-up games and the management have applied to the ICC for special dispensation to play Chris Tremlett, a travelling reserve, against Canada on Wednesday.Tremlett flew out with the squad in case any of the injured players needing replacing but strictly isn’t allowed to take part. However, with Graeme Swann still at home on paternity leave, Ajmal Shahzad nursing his hamstring, Stuart Broad suffering from illness and Bresnan being cautious the squad is currently stretched.