Harbhajan Singh's exoneration for his alleged "monkey" comment towards Andrew Symonds has been hailed as a victory for justice in India, but the decision has incensed Australia's cricketers, who believe their board has caved in to overwhelming pressure from the game's financial superpower.
In a front-page article in Wednesday's Sydney Morning Herald, an unnamed Australian cricketer has hit out at the decision, which was only reached after Cricket Australia persuaded their five players at the hearing to downgrade their charge against Harbhajan from racism to abusive language. Instead of being banned for three Tests as per the original verdict, he was fined 50% of his match fee.
"The thing that pisses us off is that it shows how much power India has," the anonymous contracted player told the paper. "The Aussie guys aren't going to make it [the accusation] up. The players are frustrated because this shows how much influence India has, because of the wealth they generate. Money talks."
In what the paper described as a "brazen act of provocation", the Indian board chartered a plane to whisk their one-day squad from Melbourne - the venue for Friday's Twenty20 fixture - to Adelaide, so that they could fly home to India if the charges against Harbhajan were not dropped. The move was described by MV Sridhar, the team's assistant manager, as a "show of solidarity".
Friday's match alone - the curtain-raiser for the lucrative CB Series - is expected to attract a crowd in excess of 90,000, and Cricket Australia, fearing the loss of millions of dollars in TV rights, sponsorship and gate takings, opted not to call India's bluff. It was also believed to be under pressure from broadcasters who could have sued had the series been abandoned. The Australian reported the players had an often fiery meeting with Cricket Australia officials during the fourth Test and it was agreed the charge would be lowered if Harbhajan apologised.
An Indian pull-out would have threatened Sri Lanka's participation in the CB Series as well. Arjuna Ranatunga, the chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, and other senior board officials told the Sydney Morning Herald earlier that the board was keeping an eye on the developments in the hearing before deciding whether to commit to the tour or not.
The issue was resolved late on Tuesday night, when Cricket Australia and the BCCI issued a joint statement, saying Symonds and Harbhajan had "resolved" the issue and that both captains were also "satisfied with the outcome".
Australia's unofficial opinion, however, is less placatory. The team maintain that Harbhajan abused Symonds both at Sydney and three months earlier during an ill-tempered one-day series in India. In audio evidence supplied by Channel Nine - and played before the appeals commissioner, Justice John Hansen - Matthew Hayden is heard remonstrating with Harbhajan. "You've got a witness now, champ," says Hayden. "It's racial vilification, mate. It's a shit word and you know it."
Harbhajan can be heard protesting that Symonds started the verbals, but the actual word is inaudible on the tapes. "Ultimately, truth has prevailed," said the BCCI vice-president, Rajiv Shukla. "India has always stood against racism. Cricket is the victor in all this."
Ranatunga, a former Sri Lankan captain, called for a ban on sledging and hoped the Australians would learn their lessons from this controversy.
"Australia have had these issues with some touring sides," Ranatunga told Reuters. "History shows whenever they get it back, they struggle. Sometimes they also need to learn a lesson. I'm a great believer they should stop all shouting in the grounds."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cricinfo names award winners
Three Indians, two Sri Lankans and an Australian have been named as the winners in the inaugural Cricinfo Awards, which recognise the outstanding batting and bowling performances in all three forms of the game during 2007.
Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's No. 3, takes the Test batting prize for his 192 against Australia in Hobart. "I have always thought that he is a class player, and he proved that on the tour of Australia. His 192 in the second Test was a magnificent innings," said Ian Chappell, one of the jury members who voted on the awards.
The Test bowling award went to Zaheer Khan for his 5 for 75 in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge. It proved the decisive performance of the series as India went on to claim the contest 1-0 after Zaheer inspired them to victory at Trent Bridge. Geoff Boycott, another jury member, was full of praise for the effort: "It was a really gritty performance by Zaheer Khan, and the Indians will thank him for the memorable victory at Trent Bridge, and that allowed India to go on and win an exciting series".
Ramiz Raja said it was spell of immense skill from Zaheer and built huge pressure on England. "What was eye catching about the spell was the use of the crease and the angle that he developed to remain on top of the opposition. It was a masterclass from Zaheer Khan and he richly deserves the award"
Adam Gilchrist, fresh from announcing his retirement, takes away the one-day batting title for his monumental 149 in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka. With the ball, the prize goes to Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lanka quick bowler, for his electric display against South Africa when he claimed four wickets in four balls to almost pull off a remarkable victory in Guyana.
Twenty20 took the world by storm in 2007 and both of its prizes go to members of the India side that claimed the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. Yuvraj Singh takes the batting honour for his destructive 70 off 30 balls against Australia in the semi-final in Durban - during a tournament where he also struck six sixes in an over off England's Stuart Broad.
Twenty20 isn't meant to be a game for the bowlers but there were some memorable efforts during the year and RP Singh, the left-arm swing bowler, came out top of the list for his decisive 4 for 13 against South Africa in Durban.
"Cricket awards are commonplace, but to us at Cricinfo they are a logical and inevitable extension of what we are about," Sambit Bal, editor of Cricinfo said. "We cover every ball bowled in cricket, and we see ourselves as cricket's global voice. We have in our ranks some of the finest cricket writers and keenest cricket minds drawn from all over the world.
"The Cricinfo Awards are a celebration of the best performances in the calendar year 2007, and even though they carry no monetary rewards, we are confident that cricketers will value the acclaim."
The lists of nominees, announced in December 2007, were compiled by Cricinfo's global staff. The winners were selected by a jury put together by Cricinfo for this purpose, which consisted of Geoffrey Boycott, Ian Chappell, Daryll Cullinan, Tony Greig, Michael Holding, David Lloyd, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ramiz Raja and Ravi Shastri. The final selection was based on a ranking of the performances by the jury, with the players who fetched the most points winning the respective awards. In the event of a tie, the player with the most top nominations was selected as the winner by the jury.
Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka's No. 3, takes the Test batting prize for his 192 against Australia in Hobart. "I have always thought that he is a class player, and he proved that on the tour of Australia. His 192 in the second Test was a magnificent innings," said Ian Chappell, one of the jury members who voted on the awards.
The Test bowling award went to Zaheer Khan for his 5 for 75 in the second Test against England at Trent Bridge. It proved the decisive performance of the series as India went on to claim the contest 1-0 after Zaheer inspired them to victory at Trent Bridge. Geoff Boycott, another jury member, was full of praise for the effort: "It was a really gritty performance by Zaheer Khan, and the Indians will thank him for the memorable victory at Trent Bridge, and that allowed India to go on and win an exciting series".
Ramiz Raja said it was spell of immense skill from Zaheer and built huge pressure on England. "What was eye catching about the spell was the use of the crease and the angle that he developed to remain on top of the opposition. It was a masterclass from Zaheer Khan and he richly deserves the award"
Adam Gilchrist, fresh from announcing his retirement, takes away the one-day batting title for his monumental 149 in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka. With the ball, the prize goes to Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lanka quick bowler, for his electric display against South Africa when he claimed four wickets in four balls to almost pull off a remarkable victory in Guyana.
Twenty20 took the world by storm in 2007 and both of its prizes go to members of the India side that claimed the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. Yuvraj Singh takes the batting honour for his destructive 70 off 30 balls against Australia in the semi-final in Durban - during a tournament where he also struck six sixes in an over off England's Stuart Broad.
Twenty20 isn't meant to be a game for the bowlers but there were some memorable efforts during the year and RP Singh, the left-arm swing bowler, came out top of the list for his decisive 4 for 13 against South Africa in Durban.
"Cricket awards are commonplace, but to us at Cricinfo they are a logical and inevitable extension of what we are about," Sambit Bal, editor of Cricinfo said. "We cover every ball bowled in cricket, and we see ourselves as cricket's global voice. We have in our ranks some of the finest cricket writers and keenest cricket minds drawn from all over the world.
"The Cricinfo Awards are a celebration of the best performances in the calendar year 2007, and even though they carry no monetary rewards, we are confident that cricketers will value the acclaim."
The lists of nominees, announced in December 2007, were compiled by Cricinfo's global staff. The winners were selected by a jury put together by Cricinfo for this purpose, which consisted of Geoffrey Boycott, Ian Chappell, Daryll Cullinan, Tony Greig, Michael Holding, David Lloyd, Sanjay Manjrekar, Ramiz Raja and Ravi Shastri. The final selection was based on a ranking of the performances by the jury, with the players who fetched the most points winning the respective awards. In the event of a tie, the player with the most top nominations was selected as the winner by the jury.
Friday, January 25, 2008
A battle most spectacular
It finally ended five minutes before noon, what could possibly have been Sachin Tendulkar's final masterpiece in the land that has adopted him as a beloved hero, and the passage of play that preceded the dismissal was stirring, featuring another compelling battle between the best bowler and the best batsman of the series.
Tendulkar had come out with intent written on his blade, and Lee with fire in the belly. The first half hour went to the batsmen - Tendulkar clipped Lee's first ball to the square-leg boundary - and he and Mahendra Singh Dhoni ran so aggressively that it drove the Australians to distraction. Tendulkar survived a run-out, benefited from an overthrow and Dhoni cracked a couple of crunching shots. In three overs, the Indian total had swelled by 24 runs. It was then that the Australians decided to change their line of attack - rather, their length.
The fielder at point had been put back at the ropes from the first over but now square leg went back and, after Tendulkar steered one above the slip cordon, a third man materialised. Dhoni fell first, slapping a long hop from Mitchell Johnson to deep point. It was now left to Lee to resume hostilities.
One ball went whistling past the off stump; Tendulkar cut another so hard it screamed through Mike Hussey's hands to the boundary; an attempted upper cut didn't connect; and another well-targeted bouncer had Tendulkar hopping. The 150 came up with a picture-perfect cover drive that reduced the slip cordon to one as Ricky Ponting went to man the cover region. It was inevitable that the next ball would be short, and Tendulkar was ready. However, the pull is the only stroke in his repertoire that betrays the ravages of time, and the ball sliced off his inner-edge for a painful blow to inner part of his knees, which required medical attention.
Lee repeated the ball after the interruption, and Tendulkar repeated the stroke, aiming to clear midwicket, but only managed a miscue that ballooned up to deep square leg, where Brad Hogg missed a step but secured the catch. The home crowd cheered with joy at the prized wicket, but moments later all that turned to prolonged appreciation as Tendulkar began his slow retreat. Lee, meanwhile, had found time to put an affectionate and admiring hand on Tendulkar's helmet. It was a lovely, human touch to what has been the contest within a contest.
There have been several others in the series, but Harbhajan Singh v Ricky Ponting has hardly been a contest so far, the bowler coming up trumps every time. There is another brewing between Ponting and young Ishant Sharma. Between Sourav Ganguly and Hogg it has been a feisty one. Hogg has hardly been able to buy a wicket this series, but when it comes to Ganguly it seems he just has to roll his arm over. But between Tendulkar and Lee has been the grandest one: it has brought out the gladiatorial edge between two fierce and supremely skilful competitors, and it has been played out over the full spectrum.
Numbers might say that Lee has had the edge, dismissing Tendulkar four times, but Tendulkar's average against Lee in the series doesn't tell the full picture. That is, both the players have managed to raise their game when playing each other. Lee's spells to Tendulkar were exceptional in both innings in Perth, but Tendulkar counter-punched his way to 71 before he was adjudged lbw. It was a harsh decision: he was hit on the flap, while on the hop, and the ball would have sailed over the stumps. However, Tendulkar had been reprieved early in Sydney and it was the third time in that over Lee had beaten his bat. In the second innings, Lee nailed him early, this time plumb in front And on a flat pitch in Adelaide yesterday, Lee produced the spell of the match, reverse-swinging the old ball at pace, taking one out, bending another back. VVS Laxman's wicket was his reward, but Tendulkar played him out, watching the ball close and till late, and attempting no extravagant strokes. And having survived, he was fulsome in praise. "It was the toughest spell," he said, " Lee has been the top bowler throughout the series ... he has not given us any breathing space at all."
The admiration is hardly one-sided. Lee was asked for his thoughts on Tendulkar after his Sydney hundred. His answer was brief, but it came instantly: No 1, he said, without batting an eyelid. It said it all.
Between Tendulkar and Lee, they have showcased what we really cherish about Test cricket. It has been a high-intensity combat between master batsman has rediscovered his zest and rolled back the years and a fast bowler who has reached his prime. It has been full of spark, grit and grace. It's been a privilege to watch.
It finally ended five minutes before noon, what could possibly have been Sachin Tendulkar's final masterpiece in the land that has adopted him as a beloved hero, and the passage of play that preceded the dismissal was stirring, featuring another compelling battle between the best bowler and the best batsman of the series.
Tendulkar had come out with intent written on his blade, and Lee with fire in the belly. The first half hour went to the batsmen - Tendulkar clipped Lee's first ball to the square-leg boundary - and he and Mahendra Singh Dhoni ran so aggressively that it drove the Australians to distraction. Tendulkar survived a run-out, benefited from an overthrow and Dhoni cracked a couple of crunching shots. In three overs, the Indian total had swelled by 24 runs. It was then that the Australians decided to change their line of attack - rather, their length.
The fielder at point had been put back at the ropes from the first over but now square leg went back and, after Tendulkar steered one above the slip cordon, a third man materialised. Dhoni fell first, slapping a long hop from Mitchell Johnson to deep point. It was now left to Lee to resume hostilities.
One ball went whistling past the off stump; Tendulkar cut another so hard it screamed through Mike Hussey's hands to the boundary; an attempted upper cut didn't connect; and another well-targeted bouncer had Tendulkar hopping. The 150 came up with a picture-perfect cover drive that reduced the slip cordon to one as Ricky Ponting went to man the cover region. It was inevitable that the next ball would be short, and Tendulkar was ready. However, the pull is the only stroke in his repertoire that betrays the ravages of time, and the ball sliced off his inner-edge for a painful blow to inner part of his knees, which required medical attention.
Lee repeated the ball after the interruption, and Tendulkar repeated the stroke, aiming to clear midwicket, but only managed a miscue that ballooned up to deep square leg, where Brad Hogg missed a step but secured the catch. The home crowd cheered with joy at the prized wicket, but moments later all that turned to prolonged appreciation as Tendulkar began his slow retreat. Lee, meanwhile, had found time to put an affectionate and admiring hand on Tendulkar's helmet. It was a lovely, human touch to what has been the contest within a contest.
There have been several others in the series, but Harbhajan Singh v Ricky Ponting has hardly been a contest so far, the bowler coming up trumps every time. There is another brewing between Ponting and young Ishant Sharma. Between Sourav Ganguly and Hogg it has been a feisty one. Hogg has hardly been able to buy a wicket this series, but when it comes to Ganguly it seems he just has to roll his arm over. But between Tendulkar and Lee has been the grandest one: it has brought out the gladiatorial edge between two fierce and supremely skilful competitors, and it has been played out over the full spectrum.
Numbers might say that Lee has had the edge, dismissing Tendulkar four times, but Tendulkar's average against Lee in the series doesn't tell the full picture. That is, both the players have managed to raise their game when playing each other. Lee's spells to Tendulkar were exceptional in both innings in Perth, but Tendulkar counter-punched his way to 71 before he was adjudged lbw. It was a harsh decision: he was hit on the flap, while on the hop, and the ball would have sailed over the stumps. However, Tendulkar had been reprieved early in Sydney and it was the third time in that over Lee had beaten his bat. In the second innings, Lee nailed him early, this time plumb in front And on a flat pitch in Adelaide yesterday, Lee produced the spell of the match, reverse-swinging the old ball at pace, taking one out, bending another back. VVS Laxman's wicket was his reward, but Tendulkar played him out, watching the ball close and till late, and attempting no extravagant strokes. And having survived, he was fulsome in praise. "It was the toughest spell," he said, " Lee has been the top bowler throughout the series ... he has not given us any breathing space at all."
The admiration is hardly one-sided. Lee was asked for his thoughts on Tendulkar after his Sydney hundred. His answer was brief, but it came instantly: No 1, he said, without batting an eyelid. It said it all.
Between Tendulkar and Lee, they have showcased what we really cherish about Test cricket. It has been a high-intensity combat between master batsman has rediscovered his zest and rolled back the years and a fast bowler who has reached his prime. It has been full of spark, grit and grace. It's been a privilege to watch.
Day 2, adelaide test 2008
More than 20,000 walked through the turnstiles, many of them hoping to see a Sachin Tendulkar double-century, and a strong riposte from the home side. But Tendulkar fell for 153 halfway through the morning, and Australia's opening batsmen got only 21 overs to show off their wares.
One setback India may face on day three is not having RP Singh in their attack as Australia chase their first-innings 526. RP hobbled off the field clutching his hamstring after bowling four overs. He was examined at a local hospital and is unlikely to bowl on Saturday.
The story of the day however was India's spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. They didn't break through with the ball, but a 107-run partnership with the bat helped push India past the 523 they made in their last Test here. Kumble fell 13 short of what would have been his second century, but by then Australia had been kept in the field more than five sessions.
Kumble finished with 87 that spanned 205 balls and more than four hours, while Harbhajan rattled off 63. Both men were caught by Adam Gilchrist, who went past Mark Boucher on the all-time dismissals list, finishing the innings with 414. The celebrations were muted though, with the last man, Ishant Sharma, having helped Kumble to thwart Australia for 123 balls and 58 runs.
Once again, Australia were sloppy in the field. Kumble had just seven when Phil Jaques put down a chance off Brett Lee at short leg. That it was the ball after Tendulkar's dismissal made it even more pivotal. There were just 359 on the board then, and the mistakes only mounted as the day wore on.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey dropped tough chances, while Michael Clarke fluffed a simple return catch offered by Ishant as Australia began to look increasingly ragged. They found redemption only at the end of the day, with some booming drives from Matthew Hayden and some dogged batting from Jaques knocking 62 off the deficit.
India's day had started perfectly, with Tendulkar flicking Lee's first ball for four. And though he was almost run out by Clarke soon after, the positive approach was very evident as 18 came from the first two overs. The overnight partnership was worth 54 when MS Dhoni gave it away with a poor shot. Having slashed Lee for four just minutes earlier, he attempted a repeat against Johnson, only to scoop it straight to Andrew Symonds at deep point.
That setback didn't faze Tendulkar though. Lee was bowling at ferocious pace, and there was the odd awkward fend, but there was also a cut that sped off the bat and past the man at point. A peachy cover-drive took him past 150, but when he inside-edged a pull on to his knee off the next ball, there was a lengthy delay.
After being treated by the physio, Tendulkar resumed guard, but the focus had been disrupted. Lee summoned up another short ball, and this time the miscued hook was taken by Brad Hogg running in from backward square. Tendulkar's innings had spanned 205 balls, and his exit might have been expected to dent hopes of a huge total.
Instead, Kumble played some superb drives off Stuart Clark, while Harbhajan clouted Johnson over mid-on as India added 96 in the first session. Harbhajan did survive two very good shouts from Hogg, but was otherwise the dominant partner in an association that drove Australia to the end of their tether.
The pressure valve was really opened when the spinners came on. Symonds bowled his first over of the match 40 minutes after lunch, and with Hogg on at the Cathedral End, the runs came steadily. Harbhajan smashed Symonds past mid-off to bring up his 50 from 87 balls, and then thumped his chest in celebration.
Kumble joined in, biffing Hogg down the ground for four, and reached his own 50 (135 balls) with a drive down the ground off Symonds. It was his first half-century against Australia, and even when Harbhajan departed for 63 (103 balls), miscuing Symonds for Gilchrist to take a catch running towards square leg, the misery didn't end.
RP chipped Clarke to midwicket to be out for nought, but there was still plenty of time for Kumble and Ishant to add formic acid to the wound. Kumble stroked a lovely cover-drive as 500 came into view, and four leg byes got them there. Australia finally broke through 11 balls after tea, giving Johnson his fourth wicket of the innings. And despite Hayden's statement of intent, it was once again India's day, with Australia made to struggle like so many of the sides that they've taken toll of down the years.
More than 20,000 walked through the turnstiles, many of them hoping to see a Sachin Tendulkar double-century, and a strong riposte from the home side. But Tendulkar fell for 153 halfway through the morning, and Australia's opening batsmen got only 21 overs to show off their wares.
One setback India may face on day three is not having RP Singh in their attack as Australia chase their first-innings 526. RP hobbled off the field clutching his hamstring after bowling four overs. He was examined at a local hospital and is unlikely to bowl on Saturday.
The story of the day however was India's spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. They didn't break through with the ball, but a 107-run partnership with the bat helped push India past the 523 they made in their last Test here. Kumble fell 13 short of what would have been his second century, but by then Australia had been kept in the field more than five sessions.
Kumble finished with 87 that spanned 205 balls and more than four hours, while Harbhajan rattled off 63. Both men were caught by Adam Gilchrist, who went past Mark Boucher on the all-time dismissals list, finishing the innings with 414. The celebrations were muted though, with the last man, Ishant Sharma, having helped Kumble to thwart Australia for 123 balls and 58 runs.
Once again, Australia were sloppy in the field. Kumble had just seven when Phil Jaques put down a chance off Brett Lee at short leg. That it was the ball after Tendulkar's dismissal made it even more pivotal. There were just 359 on the board then, and the mistakes only mounted as the day wore on.
Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey dropped tough chances, while Michael Clarke fluffed a simple return catch offered by Ishant as Australia began to look increasingly ragged. They found redemption only at the end of the day, with some booming drives from Matthew Hayden and some dogged batting from Jaques knocking 62 off the deficit.
India's day had started perfectly, with Tendulkar flicking Lee's first ball for four. And though he was almost run out by Clarke soon after, the positive approach was very evident as 18 came from the first two overs. The overnight partnership was worth 54 when MS Dhoni gave it away with a poor shot. Having slashed Lee for four just minutes earlier, he attempted a repeat against Johnson, only to scoop it straight to Andrew Symonds at deep point.
That setback didn't faze Tendulkar though. Lee was bowling at ferocious pace, and there was the odd awkward fend, but there was also a cut that sped off the bat and past the man at point. A peachy cover-drive took him past 150, but when he inside-edged a pull on to his knee off the next ball, there was a lengthy delay.
After being treated by the physio, Tendulkar resumed guard, but the focus had been disrupted. Lee summoned up another short ball, and this time the miscued hook was taken by Brad Hogg running in from backward square. Tendulkar's innings had spanned 205 balls, and his exit might have been expected to dent hopes of a huge total.
Instead, Kumble played some superb drives off Stuart Clark, while Harbhajan clouted Johnson over mid-on as India added 96 in the first session. Harbhajan did survive two very good shouts from Hogg, but was otherwise the dominant partner in an association that drove Australia to the end of their tether.
The pressure valve was really opened when the spinners came on. Symonds bowled his first over of the match 40 minutes after lunch, and with Hogg on at the Cathedral End, the runs came steadily. Harbhajan smashed Symonds past mid-off to bring up his 50 from 87 balls, and then thumped his chest in celebration.
Kumble joined in, biffing Hogg down the ground for four, and reached his own 50 (135 balls) with a drive down the ground off Symonds. It was his first half-century against Australia, and even when Harbhajan departed for 63 (103 balls), miscuing Symonds for Gilchrist to take a catch running towards square leg, the misery didn't end.
RP chipped Clarke to midwicket to be out for nought, but there was still plenty of time for Kumble and Ishant to add formic acid to the wound. Kumble stroked a lovely cover-drive as 500 came into view, and four leg byes got them there. Australia finally broke through 11 balls after tea, giving Johnson his fourth wicket of the innings. And despite Hayden's statement of intent, it was once again India's day, with Australia made to struggle like so many of the sides that they've taken toll of down the years.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Ganguly dropped as selectors focus on youth
Ganguly dropped as selectors focus on youth
Sourav Ganguly is the notable omission from India's 16-member squad for the tri-nation CB Series, which starts on February 3, and the solitary Twenty20 international at the MCG on February 1. There was no recall either for Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for the tournament, which also features Australia and Sri Lanka, with the selectors putting the emphasis on youth.
Suresh Raina, who last played an ODI in January 2007, and Praveen Kumar, the allrounder who played an ODI last season, benefited from good performances in Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy season, one they ended as runners-up.
A third UP player, Piyush Chawla, who was impressive on last year's tour of England, gets the nod for the second spinner's spot ahead of Murali Kartik. Chawla was preferred because the selectors were of the opinion that a wrist-spinner would be handy on Australian pitches.
The most contentious decision, though, involved Ganguly. It is believed that the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wanted to stick with a majority of the squad that won the World Twenty20 last September.
Explaining why Ganguly was overlooked, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, "The emphasis was on fielding abilities and they [the team management] wanted a young fielding side for the series. That's why you see a lot of youngsters in the side." After a run of three half-centuries in four matches against England last year, Ganguly has managed 231 runs at 25.66 in nine innings.
India's fast-bowling attack will be led by RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth, who missed the Test series against Australia with a shoulder injury. Joining them will be Praveen, who took eight Delhi wickets in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy final last week.
While Sreesanth was recalled after a brief stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, there was no place for Munaf Patel. Though both Munaf and Sreesanth were cleared by the NCA, it is learnt that the selectors wanted Munaf to get more match practice before considering him. India's attack will also miss their spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from his heel injury.
Gautam Gambhir, who has cracked three centuries in the Ranji Trophy [two of them match-winning efforts, in the semi-final and final], and Dinesh Karthik have been included.
Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf have been placed on standby and will join the squad in case of any injuries.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla
Sourav Ganguly is the notable omission from India's 16-member squad for the tri-nation CB Series, which starts on February 3, and the solitary Twenty20 international at the MCG on February 1. There was no recall either for Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman for the tournament, which also features Australia and Sri Lanka, with the selectors putting the emphasis on youth.
Suresh Raina, who last played an ODI in January 2007, and Praveen Kumar, the allrounder who played an ODI last season, benefited from good performances in Uttar Pradesh's Ranji Trophy season, one they ended as runners-up.
A third UP player, Piyush Chawla, who was impressive on last year's tour of England, gets the nod for the second spinner's spot ahead of Murali Kartik. Chawla was preferred because the selectors were of the opinion that a wrist-spinner would be handy on Australian pitches.
The most contentious decision, though, involved Ganguly. It is believed that the captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, wanted to stick with a majority of the squad that won the World Twenty20 last September.
Explaining why Ganguly was overlooked, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, "The emphasis was on fielding abilities and they [the team management] wanted a young fielding side for the series. That's why you see a lot of youngsters in the side." After a run of three half-centuries in four matches against England last year, Ganguly has managed 231 runs at 25.66 in nine innings.
India's fast-bowling attack will be led by RP Singh, Irfan Pathan and Sreesanth, who missed the Test series against Australia with a shoulder injury. Joining them will be Praveen, who took eight Delhi wickets in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy final last week.
While Sreesanth was recalled after a brief stint at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, there was no place for Munaf Patel. Though both Munaf and Sreesanth were cleared by the NCA, it is learnt that the selectors wanted Munaf to get more match practice before considering him. India's attack will also miss their spearhead Zaheer Khan, who is yet to recover from his heel injury.
Gautam Gambhir, who has cracked three centuries in the Ranji Trophy [two of them match-winning efforts, in the semi-final and final], and Dinesh Karthik have been included.
Manoj Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan and Munaf have been placed on standby and will join the squad in case of any injuries.
Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla
Friday, January 11, 2008
ICC defends Bucknor decision
Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, has defended the decision to replace Steve Bucknor with Billy Bowden for the third Test in Perth, saying it was done for the better of the game and not to please India. "We could have taken a confrontational tone but we took a diplomatic approach," he told the Times. "We have got an international sporting incident where countries are polarised. What we are seeking to do is avoid having that turn into an international crisis.
"We have taken away one of the points of issue that has caused this passionate response in both countries. If Bucknor had been umpiring, commentators and public would have pored over every decision Steve made."
Speed also felt the Australian side need to realise the brickbats they are receiving for their behaviour. "They are a great cricket team; I would hate to see them remembered for any reason other than that," he was quoted in the Age. "The team is being criticised, members of the team are being criticised and they need to to be aware of that - they need to respond to that."
Meanwhile, ICC president Ray Mali also backed the decision to remove Bucknor from officiating in Perth. "We recognised from the outset that the umpiring in the second Test was below the very high standard we have come to expect from our Elite Panel and we noted with concern the enormous reaction to it and realised that we could potentially have a serious international diplomatic incident on our hands," Mali said. "By standing Steve down for the third Test we have successfully defused the situation, at least for the time being, and so what was a sporting issue has not become a political crisis.
"We could easily have taken an inflexible stance and gone toe-to-toe with those who were calling for Steve's withdrawal but instead we chose to adopt a more diplomatic and reasonable approach. And on balance it was the right thing to do, for the game and for the series.
Mali also issued a reminder that Bucknor's removal had nothing to do with Harbhajan Singh's appeal. "It is also worth reminding people that the decision to replace Steve for this match had nothing to do with the Harbhajan Singh Code of Conduct hearing. That process is ongoing and will run its full course.
"As is his right, Harbhajan has appealed the guilty finding of the hearing. The appeals process has been part of the ICC Code of Conduct for seven years so there is nothing new or unusual about this.
Mali said he expected all parties to accept the decision of the findings of the appeals' commissioner and hoped the attention would shift to the game . "Over the past few days there have been too many emotive comments from too many people and it's now time for the focus to return to the cricket."
Speed dismissed suggestions that the appeal on Harbhajan Singh's three-Test ban will be delayed so as to ensure the series will go on without further controversy.
"We may have the hearing before the third Test. If not, we are hopeful we can have it before the fourth Test," Speed said. "I am very pleased the tour is going ahead, there is a process in place for appeals and Harbhajan has appealed," he said. "India have signed off on the appeals process. They were there when all the discussions took place.
Speed said the ICC won't budge under the pressure of the Indian board. "We can't have one set of rules for the India team and another set for everyone else," he said. "We will follow the process and and I hope whatever the outcome all parties will be able to say they have had a fair hearing."
ICC sends emerging stars to Indian academy
ICC Europe has announced the names of 14 of Europe's finest young talents who will travel to India in February to take part in the ICC European Cricket Academy 2008.
It will be the first time that the academy has taken place outside of Europe as it relocates to the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. The previous five academies have been held at Europe-based venues including Loughborough in England and more recently the excellent venue of La Manga Resort in Spain, and despite the tremendous success of these, a decision has been taken to further the player's education by a move to the subcontinent.
The academy will be organised through the Mumbai-based Global Cricket School which has an extremely talented team of coaches in place, the majority of whom have worked with Indian national teams at junior and senior level. In addition to this, the European players will be accompanied by a highly qualified ICC Europe coaching team led by the ICC regional development officer Philip Hudson. The team includes the ECB's head of elite coach development Gordon Lord, former Ireland coach Adrian Birrell and Stuart Barnes, the assistant coach at Gloucestershire.
The academy will be held between February 24 and March 5 and the programme will consist of five days of practice and three matches against a variety of opposition including an Under-19 state side. The matches will take the form of one two-day and two one-day matches.
"We have decided to move this year's academy to India to further develop the player's skills in a tough environment that will test all involved," said Hudson. "Holding the academy on the subcontinent will allow all players the opportunity to develop their game on different surfaces and in different conditions to what they have become accustomed to.
"All of these young cricketers have the potential to play for their national teams in the near future and with many of our Associate and Affiliate sides participating more frequently on the international stage, it is essential that they learn to play on different types of surfaces."
The 14 participants, all aged between 18 and 22, come from six of Europe's 27 ICC member countries - Gibraltar, Guernsey, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands and Scotland. ICC Europe is funding places on the academy for 13 cricketers and an additional place has been made available, thanks to the support of the Global Cricket Academy, taking the total up to 14.
Twenty-year-old spinner Solomon Varsulkar is the first Israeli to be selected to take part in an ICC academy. He has been selected for the event after producing phenomenal bowling performances for his country, including overall figures of 15 for 120 and 11 for 60 at the 2005 and 2007 ICC European U-19 Championships.
Commenting on what he hopes to gain from the opportunity Solomon said: "I know that there is still so much I need to learn about spin bowling and where better to learn than in India? Having lived in Israel since I was a small child it would be a dream to go back to my roots and play on famous grounds in Mumbai."
Also on the list are four Irish players, all of whom played for their country in the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. The four are former MCC young cricketer Gary Kidd, full-time professional Gary Wilson, who has recently signed a contract with Surrey, promising wicketkeeper-batsman Fintan McAllister and a graduate of the Middlesex academy, Andrew Poynter.
The selection includes three Scottish players, Richard Berrington, Andrew Hislop, who also all played in the 2006 U-19 World Cup, and Scott Redhead.
Three players will also travel to the academy from the Netherlands. Bob Entrop, Timothy Gruijters and Maurits Jonkman have all performed for their country in ICC European Championships at all age groups up to Under-23 and now aspire to play for their full national side with the ultimate goal of gaining professional county contracts. In doing so they will follow in the footsteps of Alexei Kervezee who is himself a graduate of the 2005 ICC European Academy and went on to sign a contract with Worcestershire and compete for Netherlands in the 2007 World Cup.
Guernsey players Kris Moherndl and Blane Queripel, and 18-year-old Kieron Ferrary of Gibraltar, whom have all competed in their countries national sides, are the final three Europeans to make up the 14.
European Academy Squad 2008 Kieron Ferrary (Gibraltar), Blane Queripel, Kris Moherndl (Guernsey), Gary Kidd, Fintan McAllister, Andrew Poynter, Gary Wilson (Ireland), Solomon Varsulkar (Israel), Bob Entrop, Timothy Gruijters, Maurits Jonkman (Netherlands), Richard Berrington, Andrew Hislop, Scott Redhead (Scotland).
Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, has defended the decision to replace Steve Bucknor with Billy Bowden for the third Test in Perth, saying it was done for the better of the game and not to please India. "We could have taken a confrontational tone but we took a diplomatic approach," he told the Times. "We have got an international sporting incident where countries are polarised. What we are seeking to do is avoid having that turn into an international crisis.
"We have taken away one of the points of issue that has caused this passionate response in both countries. If Bucknor had been umpiring, commentators and public would have pored over every decision Steve made."
Speed also felt the Australian side need to realise the brickbats they are receiving for their behaviour. "They are a great cricket team; I would hate to see them remembered for any reason other than that," he was quoted in the Age. "The team is being criticised, members of the team are being criticised and they need to to be aware of that - they need to respond to that."
Meanwhile, ICC president Ray Mali also backed the decision to remove Bucknor from officiating in Perth. "We recognised from the outset that the umpiring in the second Test was below the very high standard we have come to expect from our Elite Panel and we noted with concern the enormous reaction to it and realised that we could potentially have a serious international diplomatic incident on our hands," Mali said. "By standing Steve down for the third Test we have successfully defused the situation, at least for the time being, and so what was a sporting issue has not become a political crisis.
"We could easily have taken an inflexible stance and gone toe-to-toe with those who were calling for Steve's withdrawal but instead we chose to adopt a more diplomatic and reasonable approach. And on balance it was the right thing to do, for the game and for the series.
Mali also issued a reminder that Bucknor's removal had nothing to do with Harbhajan Singh's appeal. "It is also worth reminding people that the decision to replace Steve for this match had nothing to do with the Harbhajan Singh Code of Conduct hearing. That process is ongoing and will run its full course.
"As is his right, Harbhajan has appealed the guilty finding of the hearing. The appeals process has been part of the ICC Code of Conduct for seven years so there is nothing new or unusual about this.
Mali said he expected all parties to accept the decision of the findings of the appeals' commissioner and hoped the attention would shift to the game . "Over the past few days there have been too many emotive comments from too many people and it's now time for the focus to return to the cricket."
Speed dismissed suggestions that the appeal on Harbhajan Singh's three-Test ban will be delayed so as to ensure the series will go on without further controversy.
"We may have the hearing before the third Test. If not, we are hopeful we can have it before the fourth Test," Speed said. "I am very pleased the tour is going ahead, there is a process in place for appeals and Harbhajan has appealed," he said. "India have signed off on the appeals process. They were there when all the discussions took place.
Speed said the ICC won't budge under the pressure of the Indian board. "We can't have one set of rules for the India team and another set for everyone else," he said. "We will follow the process and and I hope whatever the outcome all parties will be able to say they have had a fair hearing."
ICC sends emerging stars to Indian academy
ICC Europe has announced the names of 14 of Europe's finest young talents who will travel to India in February to take part in the ICC European Cricket Academy 2008.
It will be the first time that the academy has taken place outside of Europe as it relocates to the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai. The previous five academies have been held at Europe-based venues including Loughborough in England and more recently the excellent venue of La Manga Resort in Spain, and despite the tremendous success of these, a decision has been taken to further the player's education by a move to the subcontinent.
The academy will be organised through the Mumbai-based Global Cricket School which has an extremely talented team of coaches in place, the majority of whom have worked with Indian national teams at junior and senior level. In addition to this, the European players will be accompanied by a highly qualified ICC Europe coaching team led by the ICC regional development officer Philip Hudson. The team includes the ECB's head of elite coach development Gordon Lord, former Ireland coach Adrian Birrell and Stuart Barnes, the assistant coach at Gloucestershire.
The academy will be held between February 24 and March 5 and the programme will consist of five days of practice and three matches against a variety of opposition including an Under-19 state side. The matches will take the form of one two-day and two one-day matches.
"We have decided to move this year's academy to India to further develop the player's skills in a tough environment that will test all involved," said Hudson. "Holding the academy on the subcontinent will allow all players the opportunity to develop their game on different surfaces and in different conditions to what they have become accustomed to.
"All of these young cricketers have the potential to play for their national teams in the near future and with many of our Associate and Affiliate sides participating more frequently on the international stage, it is essential that they learn to play on different types of surfaces."
The 14 participants, all aged between 18 and 22, come from six of Europe's 27 ICC member countries - Gibraltar, Guernsey, Ireland, Israel, the Netherlands and Scotland. ICC Europe is funding places on the academy for 13 cricketers and an additional place has been made available, thanks to the support of the Global Cricket Academy, taking the total up to 14.
Twenty-year-old spinner Solomon Varsulkar is the first Israeli to be selected to take part in an ICC academy. He has been selected for the event after producing phenomenal bowling performances for his country, including overall figures of 15 for 120 and 11 for 60 at the 2005 and 2007 ICC European U-19 Championships.
Commenting on what he hopes to gain from the opportunity Solomon said: "I know that there is still so much I need to learn about spin bowling and where better to learn than in India? Having lived in Israel since I was a small child it would be a dream to go back to my roots and play on famous grounds in Mumbai."
Also on the list are four Irish players, all of whom played for their country in the 2006 U-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. The four are former MCC young cricketer Gary Kidd, full-time professional Gary Wilson, who has recently signed a contract with Surrey, promising wicketkeeper-batsman Fintan McAllister and a graduate of the Middlesex academy, Andrew Poynter.
The selection includes three Scottish players, Richard Berrington, Andrew Hislop, who also all played in the 2006 U-19 World Cup, and Scott Redhead.
Three players will also travel to the academy from the Netherlands. Bob Entrop, Timothy Gruijters and Maurits Jonkman have all performed for their country in ICC European Championships at all age groups up to Under-23 and now aspire to play for their full national side with the ultimate goal of gaining professional county contracts. In doing so they will follow in the footsteps of Alexei Kervezee who is himself a graduate of the 2005 ICC European Academy and went on to sign a contract with Worcestershire and compete for Netherlands in the 2007 World Cup.
Guernsey players Kris Moherndl and Blane Queripel, and 18-year-old Kieron Ferrary of Gibraltar, whom have all competed in their countries national sides, are the final three Europeans to make up the 14.
European Academy Squad 2008 Kieron Ferrary (Gibraltar), Blane Queripel, Kris Moherndl (Guernsey), Gary Kidd, Fintan McAllister, Andrew Poynter, Gary Wilson (Ireland), Solomon Varsulkar (Israel), Bob Entrop, Timothy Gruijters, Maurits Jonkman (Netherlands), Richard Berrington, Andrew Hislop, Scott Redhead (Scotland).
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