Tendulkar: dressing-room chat should stay just that

Sachin Tendulkar: ‘Dressing-room discussions should remain within the dressing-room only’ © AFP

Sachin Tendulkar has told a reporter that what is said in the dressing-room should not be made public.Speaking to India’s Outlook magazine in the aftermath of reports last week that Greg Chappell had asked Sourav Ganguly to step down as India’s captain, Tendulkar expressed the view that such conversations should remain private.”It’s difficult for me to speak on the issue. But such talks should not come out of the dressing-room and if it comes out then it’s not right. Dressing-room discussions should remain within the dressing-room only,” he told the magazine. “[The Indian board] should speak to the players after they come back. We would get the real story once they talk to the officials [after returning home].”Tendulkar, who is recovering from surgery on his elbow, has to inform the Indian board on Wednesday if he is fit to play in next month’s ICC Super Series.

Nottinghamshire secure promotion double

Nottinghamshire 259 for 7 (Gallian 68, Franks 64) beat Somerset 225 (K Parsons 116*) by 34 runs
ScorecardNottinghamshire completed an impressive double by securing promotion from the second division of the totesport league, to match their return to the top flight of the Championship.Needing a win to leapfrog Yorkshire and nab the third promotion spot, Notts were indebted to Paul Franks, who emerged at No. 7 and proceeded to spank five fours and four sixes in a turbo-charged finish to the innings. He was eventually dismissed for 64 from 37 balls, which built on Jason Gallian’s 68 from 70 balls that had anchored the top of the order.Somerset, whose punishment for a bottom-four finish is an all first-class tie in the opening round of next year’s C&G Trophy, needed 260 to win, but that prospect looked bleak as Mark Ealham and Andrew Harris grabbed an early wicket apiece, before Greg Smith got in on the act with two rapid breakthroughs (71 for 4).Ian Blackwell didn’t last long either, but Keith Parsons wasn’t about to roll over and die. He counterattacked supremely in a thrilling century, finishing up on 116 not out from 114 balls. He was supported for a while by Aaron Laraman and Gareth Andrew, but the end – and Nottinghamshire’s promotion – came courtesy of a messy run-out.

Records galore among the memories

The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup is behind us and Australia has captured its third title with an awesome, clinical and professional performance to blow India out of the final, almost as early as the first over bowled.By far the most professional team, and that includes management and administration, at the tournament, the Australians have shown everyone how the game should be played and run. Organised at all times they never showed any of the pressure that was obviously on them. They came to South Africa to play, enjoy and win playing a game almost unfamiliar to most of the other teams who from day one fought hard for second place.For the organisers it was a huge success that will benefit cricket worldwide and more so in South Africa where the game will, due to the exposure and hype around the country, grow in all areas.As ICC President Malcolm Gray said during the presentation ceremony at the final: “Forty-three days ago we placed the spirit of cricket in the hands of southern Africa. I thank you, the people of this outstanding country and enchanting continent for upholding and enhancing that spirit. You have helped write a glorious chapter, not only in the history of our sport but also in the history of southern Africa.”There were moments and memories during the tournament that will long stay with us. Five centuries in the first four games assured those that had been waiting in anticipation that they were in for something special.The opening ceremony was dwarfed by the brilliance of the Brian Lara hundred in the opening match against South Africa, a blow from which the hosts never recovered.In total 21 centuries were scored with Sourav Ganguly scoring three while 89 fifties were registered with Sachin Tendulkar scoring six.Batting records fell by the dozen. John Davison scored the fastest World Cup 100 in a 67-ball onslaught against West Indies, who replied with first Wavell Hinds scoring the fastest World Cup fifty in 24 balls, only to be eclipsed by Brian Lara getting there in 23 balls. It was a feast of runs that entertained the Centurion and SuperSport Park faithful.Sachin Tendulkar broke his own tournament record in scoring 673 runs at an average of 61.18 which included one century and six fifties.Australia also scored the highest total for a World Cup final when they destroyed the India attack, posting 359 for two wickets at the Wanderers.Surprisingly only one partnership record fell, that of the seventh wicket going to Ramnaresh Sarwan and Ridley Jacobs putting on 98 for West Indies against New Zealand.The South African pitches were not just made to order for the batsmen. The feast of runs was complemented by some brilliant bowling performances and groundstaff countrywide should be applauded for the pitches that were prepared.Who will forget the first three-ball innings hat-trick for Chaminda Vaas against Bangladesh or the Brett Lee hat-trick against Kenya?Glenn McGrath taking 7/15 for Australia against Namibia was nearly surpassed by compatriot Andy Bichel taking 7/20 as England capitulated, taking the two Australians to the top of the all-time World Cup bowling figures list.They were joined in the top ten by Shane Bond and Ashish Nehra, who shared figures of 6/23, and Vaas with 6/25. Vaas took 23 wickets during the tournament and was followed by Lee (22) and McGrath (21) as they eclipsed the previous World Cup record of 20 wickets.In the field Adam Gilchrist took six catches in the match against Namibia while Mohammad Kaif claimed four against Sri Lanka to go to the top of the record-fielding table.The spectators helped to make the tournament the success that it was. Who will forget the scenes as a full house of fanatical supporters from India and Pakistan filled SuperSport Park, keeping up relentless support for their respective teams?The full house at the Wanderers for the final built up an atmosphere that pictures can never describe. Flag-waving supporters from both India and Australia left local organisers hoping that it would soon be repeated.The minnows came to learn and left with a wealth of information and experience. They also left some scars on some of the more fancied teams as players like Canada’s Davison left massive dents in some bowling egos.The Netherlands will be remembered for the way they enjoyed the experience of playing on a stage that they knew they were not going to conquer. Maybe they were the only team to learn how to enjoy playing the game from the Australians.The disappointments of the tournament must be the South Africans. Starting as second favourites, and fancied to give the Australians a run for their money, they fell by the wayside with some tense, uninspiring, mediocre cricket. Given a last minute lifeline in the last first round match against Sri Lanka they even failed to accept the heavenly assistance that could have seen them through to the semi-finals.Apart from all the records and performances the most outstanding feature of the tournament to me was the way the Australians played this wonderful game of cricket. Winning makes it easy to enjoy the game, and at no stage did they panic. They smiled and encouraged each other in times of joy and despair as each player appeared to know exactly what was expected of him. Not even the loss of Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie could put them off their stride as they walked over all the opposition.Well done Australia, and thank you for a truly professional, enjoyable and memorable performance.

Ambrose wants short, intense spells from WI quicks

West Indies’ seamers bring more wickets and experience to this series than their counterparts but will still have to deliver brief, intense spells to be successful in Sri Lanka, bowling coach Curtly Ambrose has said.Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach have played over 30 Tests and each have at least 120 wickets each, where Sri Lanka’s most successful seamer, Dhammika Prasad, has 66 scalps. But though Sri Lankan surfaces have become friendlier for seamers in the past two years, the climate still presents a challenge, Ambrose said.”I think in these conditions which are very, very hot, it’s going to be important to bowl shorter spells,” he said. “Bowling eight, nine or 10 overs in a spell is going to be too much for them. The skipper will have to monitor the fast bowlers a bit better, and they’d bowl three or four over spells, where they can really give their 100 per cent. That way at the end of the day they are going to have some energy to produce. Hydration is going to be important as well. You can’t wait till you’re tired or dehydrated to put in the fluids.”Ambrose said that with the quicks’ energy levels expected to dive through the day, taking wickets with their new-ball spells would be crucial. He was however pleased with the seamers’ outing in Colombo, where he believed they had adjusted well to the pace of Sri Lanka’s surfaces. Roach, Taylor and Jason Holder claimed two wickets apiece in that match.”The pitches, for me, have something for the fast bowlers. It’s not a quick pitch but there’s something for the quicks. What impressed me in that practice game was that they found the right length to bowl. We don’t have to tell them what length to bowl.”Holder, who will lead West Indies in his ninth Test match, said his seamers could not just rely on pace and bounce on Sri Lanka’s surfaces. The pitch at Galle, in particular, can play slow and low.”We have a bit of pace in our attack but skill comes into play in these conditions,” Holder said. “If the pitches are pretty batting friendly, and pace may not rattle many international batsmen. You have to be skillful as well, and Jerome has adapted to that in the last few series.”There have been instances of seamers gleaning substantial conventional and reverse swing at the venue. Notably, Dale Steyn helped South Africa win a match at the ground thanks largely to two impressive spells with the old ball. Holder said reverse swing was a skill West Indies had focused on as well.”In the past we spoken a lot about revere swing its something we have been technically been doing pretty well – we are working really well with the coaching staff,” Holder said. “We’ll try to get as much reverse swing as we possibly can, depending on the conditions. Having said that our boys are skilled enough to adapt.”His team had lost five wickets to the offspin of Suraj Randiv in the three-day warm-up match, but Holder believed his batsmen would be effective against Sri Lanka’s slow bowlers.”We’re not too startled by spin. Certain batsmen didn’t spend much time in the middle as they wanted in the practice match, but speaking to them, and the way they been moving in the last few days, they look fairly confident.”

SNGPL edge ahead after Bhatti eight-for

ScorecardFile photo – Bilawal Bhatti’s figures of 8 for 56 were his best in first-class cricket, as were his match figures of 11 for 95•AFP

An eight-wicket haul from Bilawal Bhatti shot out United Bank Limited for 189 in their second innings, leaving Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited chasing a target of 160 to win the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. SNGPL’s chase got off to a rocky start, however, as they ended the third day 56 for 3, with the experienced pair of Azhar Ali and Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease.The second day had ended with Bhatti dismissing the opener Sharjeel Khan to leave UBL 17 for 1 – effectively minus 13 for 1. The third day began with Bhatti needing to bowl one ball to complete his over. He had Umar Siddiq caught behind off that ball.UBL avoided giving Bhatti the hat-trick, but Azizullah bowled Shan Masood and Sohaib Maqsood in between. The two SNGPL quicks had taken four wickets in the space of seven balls, conceding only two runs in the process.From 19 for 4, UBL recovered thanks to Younis Khan’s 128-ball 98, which contained 16 fours. He dominated a fifth-wicket partnership of 141 with Hammad Azam before Bhatti bowled him. There was little resistance thereafter, as Bhatti swept through the lower order, picking up the remaining wickets as UBL lost their last six wickets for 29 runs. Five of Bhatti’s eight wickets – and seven of ten overall – were either bowled or lbw.Bhatti’s figures of 8 for 56 were his best in first-class cricket, as were his match figures of 11 for 95.

Hussain slams ECB jobs-for-the-boys approach

Nasser Hussain: ‘”It smacks of jobs for the boys, of the ECB being desperate not to rock the boat’ © Getty Images

Nasser Hussain, the former England captain turned TV commentator, has criticised the appointment of Hugh Morris and Mike Gatting as the ECB’s new managing directors.In his Daily Mail column, Hussain accused the ECB of not searching “beyond their backyard” and of indulging in a jobs-for-the-boys approach.”As a member of the group put together under Ken Schofield’s chairmanship to look into English cricket, I feel a sense of huge disappointment,” Hussain wrote. “It smacks of jobs for the boys, of the ECB being desperate not to rock the boat nor bring in anyone who might question how they do things. They just want to retain the status quo.”It was not our brief to find the right people, merely to put down guidelines. But I saw this as a fantastic opportunity for our game to bring in new people with exciting ideas.”Maybe the right type of people did not apply, but were enough efforts made to find the right people? Did a head-hunter seek out the very best talent before reaching the conclusion that Morris and Gatting were the best way forward? I would like an explanation.

Mark Ramprakash would have been ideal in this job … he is also young enough to be in touch with how the game is evolving

Hussain warned that England need someone who will do his job rather than be preoccupied with not losing it. He also said that Gatting and Morris were from a different generation to the current players and that the ECB would have better advised to go with someone younger.”Mark Ramprakash would have been ideal in this job,” he said. “I know that he still has ambitions to reach a hundred centuries and maybe even play for England again. But he is someone who knows all about the domestic and international games and the difficulty in bridging the gap between one and the other. He is also young enough to be in touch with how the game is evolving.”And Hussain concluded with a warning about another area covered by the Schofield Report. “One opportunity appears to have been wasted … will the next one, a chance to reinvigorate selection, go the same way?”

First blood to Kenya

Kenya 224 (Obuya 44, Tikolo 43) beat Bermuda 145 by 79 runs
ScorecardKenya continued their dominance over Bermuda with a 79-run victory in the opening match of the three-ODI series at Mombasa Sports Club.The ground’s inaugural ODI had been in doubt after heavy storms during the week – the same rains which had washed out the Intercontinental Cup tie at Nairobi Gymkhana – but the game started on time and Kenya overcame a mid-innings wobble to score 224 for 8.Opener David Obuya continued his good form with a determined 44 and he received good support from Steve Tikolo who was on course for a fifty when he was run out by Janeiro Tucker. But Kenya’s middle order wobbled and it took an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand of 66 in 7.1 overs to give the home side a decent score. Peter Ongondo blasted 26, including a four and a six, off 21 balls, while Nehemiah Odhiambo’s 31 included three fours and a six. Saleem Mukuddem, who took six wickets at Nairobi, was the pick of the Bermuda bowlers with 3 for 45.Bermuda started reasonably to reach 55 for 2, but they failed to cope when the spinners came on, losing four wickets for 32 to effectively end their hopes. Ongondo and Thomas Odoyo bowled an excellent line but the pick of the bowlers was slow left-armer Hiren Varaiya who picked up 3 for 29 from his 10 overs.

Flintoff and Dravid top Super Series polls

Andrew Flintoff, with his Ashes heroics, was the favourite with the voters © Getty Images

More than 16,000 people voted in our Super Series Poll, and here are the results of Test and one-day Super Series teams. The 11 players with the highest votes haven’t actually made it to each side, as we had to take the balance of the team into account. A team with nine batsmen is hardly going to beat the Australians, so we let go of a batsman to bring in a bowler wherever necessary. None of the batsmen who polled the highest votes for the Test side were openers, so we had to include Virender Sehwag and Graeme Smith (openers with the highest votes) in the side. Inzamam-ul-Haq, who aggregated the seventh highest votes, lost out.Rahul Dravid topped the Test votes and Andrew Flintoff topped the one-day votes, with Muttiah Muralitharan coming second in both, followed by a bevy of batsmen. Ironically, the two men who topped the captaincy votes in the Test XI actually failed to make it to the side:Michael Vaughan and Inzamam. Smith had the third-highest votes, and is your notional captain.In the one-day side, Inzamam won the captaincy by a massive margin, and found a place in the side as well. Shahid Afridi suffered: he won more votes than Shoaib Akhtar but he missed the final cut because the only available slot by the time his name was reached was of a specialist bowler. He could still, if Inzamam so desires, be a super sub.

Rahul Dravid, India’s wall, expectedly topped the Test poll © Getty Images

So here they are, the Super Series sides that you have picked. Do you think the ICC can match this?Rest of the World Test team

Position Player Votes
1 Virender Sehwag
Last 12 months
6551
2 Graeme Smith(c)
Last 12 months
5746
3 Rahul Dravid
Last 12 months
8299
4 Brian Lara
Last 12 months
8173
5 Sachin Tendulkar
Last 12 months
7154
6 Jacques Kallis
Last 12 months
7784
7 Andrew Flintoff
Last 12 months
8268
8 Kumar Sangakkara(wk)
Last 12 months
5069
9 Shaun Pollock
Last 12 months
6235
10 Steve Harmison
Last 12 months
6337
11 Muttiah Muralitharan
Last 12 months
8286
12 Inzamam-ul-Haq
Last 12 months
6821

Muttiah Muralitharan tallied the second highest votes in both teams © Getty Images

Rest of the World ODI team

Position Player Votes
1 Virender Sehwag
Last 12 months
7058
2 Sachin Tendulkar
Last 12 months
6548
3 Brian Lara
Last 12 months
6739
4 Jacques Kallis
Last 12 months
6952
5 Inzamam-ul-Haq(c)
Last 12 months
6268
6 Kevin Pietersen
Last 12 months
6341
7 Kumar Sangakkara(wk)
Last 12 months
6356
8 Andrew Flintoff
Last 12 months
8012
9 Shaun Pollock
Last 12 months
6183
10 Shoaib Akhtar
Last 12 months
4979
11 Muttiah Muralitharan
Last 12 months
7586
12 Shahid Afridi
Last 12 months
6026

Patterson named in Scotland squad

Bruce Patterson, Scotland’s veteran opening batsman, has been named in Scotland’s squad, and is set to make his National League debut against Durham on June 20.Patterson, 38, replaces Steve Knox after convincing the selectors with innings of 33 and 51 in the Intercontinental Cup match against Holland last weekend, which ended in a draw. He also picked up two cheap wickets, his first in international cricket, in Holland’s second innings. That game was Patterson’s first for Scotland in three years.Apart from his inclusion, the side is unchanged from Scotland’s previous game.Scotland squad Craig Wright (capt), Yasir Arafat, Asim Butt, Cedric English, Paul Hoffman, Dewald Nel, Bruce Patterson, Colin Smith, Sidharan Sriram, Ian Stanger, Ryan Watson, Fraser Watts.

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