We didn't play to our potential – Sammy

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, has said that his team didn’t play as well as he would have wanted them to in the second Test

Sa'adi Thawfeeq in Colombo27-Nov-2010Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, has said that his team didn’t play as well as he would have wanted them to in the second Test against Sri Lanka. “It’s always difficult when you are on and off the cricket field. Today it looked like we wouldn’t have any play, but the weather cleared up. That’s something as professionals we have to master.”However, he said the team was able to create chances throughout the game and the most important thing is that the West Indies still have a chance to win the series heading in to the third Test. He was also not worried about the number of catches the West Indies have dropped over the first two games.”I know the potential we have as a fielding team. The guys work hard and put a high level of quality on their fielding. In cricket, you drop catches, but what I like to see is half-chances to go in our favour, at least one or two. We haven’t been to capitalize on the half-chances our bowlers created. But all in all, we could work on it and correct it.”Sammy also said he was pleased with the team’s work ethic and that they are taking “baby steps” towards restoring pride in the West Indies team. “You don’t change overnight. You have a process. I must say that our work ethic has been excellent. Even the fight we showed this afternoon, though we lost two wickets, it’s good to see that we are thinking of the fans at home. They are waking up at early hours to watch this game.”From the reports we have got from there they are quite happy to see the fight the team is putting.”

Players turn down request for PCB observer

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A request by the PCB to have an observer present at the spot-fixing hearing currently underway in Doha, Qatar, was turned down by two of the three players

Osman Samiuddin in Doha06-Jan-2011A request by the PCB to have an observer present at the spot-fixing hearing currently underway in Doha, Qatar, was turned down by two of the three players defending themselves against the ICC’s charges, reaffirming the distance that has grown between the players and their former employers.The code of conduct under which the ICC hearing is held allows for such a provision but leaves the final choice to the discretion of the tribunal. The relevant portion of article 5.1.8 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code states, “At the discretion of the Anti-corruption tribunal, a representative of the Player’s or Player’s support personnel’s relevant National Cricket Federation may also attend any such hearing (but strictly as an observer only and with no right to be heard).”ESPNcricinfo understands the request was made ahead of the hearing that began on Thursday. The request was considered by Michael Beloff QC, the chairman of the tribunal and the ICC’s code of conduct commissioner, and discussed with other members of the tribunal as well as the players and their lawyers. Though the final decision remains with the tribunal, in this case it appears that the players’ objections have been heeded. Had it been accepted, the PCB would have sent a legal representative.The reason behind the PCB’s request appears to have been nothing more than wanting a representative present at such a significant trial involving players who have been such an important part of the national team until recently.”When the request was made for Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis [who will appear as witnesses for the ICC] we felt there should be a board man there too because they are our players in that sense and to keep an eye on the proceedings to ensure justice is done,” a board source told ESPNcricinfo.The refusal might not ultimately be a bad thing, as one source pointed out. “Whoever went would be under a bit of tension in the sense of whether they should support the players or the system so in that sense it isn’t a bad development ultimately.”When the scandal first broke in England last summer, the PCB as well as the Pakistani High Commission in London assumed broadly supportive stances. The board did not suspend the players until the ICC officially charged and suspended them, even offering initial legal representation in their interactions with Scotland Yard.But since then, at the insistence of an ICC concerned that its members might be seen as supporting players potentially facing spot-fixing charges, the board has stepped back. The players’ central contracts have been suspended, they have not been allowed to practice at board facilities and no legal or financial assistance has been offered. On at least a couple of occasions, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have indicated public bewilderment at how the board has left them to fend for themselves.Given that one player is believed to have not raised an objection the move also points to a growing individuality in the players’ approach to their defence. The trio have been staying separately in Doha and arrived and left separately on the first day of the hearing.

Grant Flower retires from all cricket

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Grant Flower, Zimbabwe’s most capped Test player, has announced retirement from all cricket, saying he wants to focus on coaching

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jan-2011Grant Flower, the Zimbabwe batsman, has formally announced his retirement from all cricket, saying he wants to focus on coaching. He had hinted at having played his last game in November, when he described the finals of the Stanbic Bank 20 Series in Zimbabwe as a “fitting end to my career”. He led the Mashonaland Eagles to the trophy in that game, and received a guard of honour from his team-mates.”I have drawn the line,” Flower told . “I had to make the decision whether to coach properly or continue playing properly and prepare as well as I could. I think there’s enough talent coming through and I don’t want to hold anyone back. I’ve had a good run and I’ve enjoyed it, but there is a transition from player to coach, and I think it’s time to take it.”Flower was appointed Zimbabwe’s batting coach in August and has also filled the role of player-coach for the Eagles in the 2010 season. He had retired from international cricket in 2004 after the dispute between the Zimbabwe board and the rebel players, but after six years of playing for Essex in England, made a surprise return to the national side, playing two ODIs in South Africa in October 2010.At the time, Alistair Campbell, the Zimbabwe selector, had suggested he wanted Flower to continue till the end of the 2011 World Cup. Flower has been among the runs for Essex, averaging 65.87 in the 2010 limited overs season.

Barbados beat Canada by 33 runs

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Trinidad and Tobago and Hampshire shared two points apiece after their game at Kensington Oval in Barbados was rained out with just 9.5 overs of play possible

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-2011Trinidad and Tobago and Hampshire shared two points apiece after their game at Kensington Oval in Barbados was rained out with just 9.5 overs of play possible.T&T, who chose to bat, got off to a shaky start losing three wickets with just 16 runs on the board. Fast bowler Hamza Riazuddin picked up two wickets while Lendl Simmons was dismissed by Simon Jones. Darren Bravo, however, hit some big shots to rescue his team. He was on 28 along with Jason Mohammad, who was on 15 off just 4 balls, when rain intervened. T&T were on 70 for 4 at that stage, but no further play was possible and the match was abandoned.Barbados, who needed a win to remain in contention for the semi-finals, beat Canada by 33 runs, as per the D/L method in the second game which was also affected by rain. Dwayne Smith got Barbados off to a terrific start, plundering half a dozen sixes and three fours, in a blistering 40-ball 66. He was dismissed with the score on 100 in the 13th over, but the other Barbados batsmen failed to capitalise on the start. They managed just 39 runs in the seven remaining overs as Barbados reached 139 for 7.However, that total proved to be more than enough for the Canadians. Fast bowler Javon Searles bowled a scintillating second over of the innings, in which he dismissed three Canada batsmen – Hiral Patel, Ravindu Gunasekara and Nitish Kumar – all for ducks. Canada were reeling at 3 for 3 and things only got worse when Tino Best bowled captain Ashish Bagai, also for a duck in the third over. Searles struck again in his second over to dismiss Tyson Gordon, again for a duck. Zubin Surkari and Jimmy Hansra were the only batsmen to score runs and were on 11 and 8 respectively, when the rain came down.Canada were at 29 for 5 at that stage, off six overs, but no further play was possible. They were well short of the D/L par score of 63 at that stage and Barbados earned four crucial points. Barbados are currently on eight points in Group B behind T&T and Hampshire who have nine points apiece.

Harris ton puts Western Australia in front

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Western Australia took control of their match against Queensland at the WACA in Perth, on the back of a commanding unbeaten century by Marcus Harris

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2011
ScorecardWestern Australia took control of their match against Queensland at the WACA in Perth, on the back of a commanding, unbeaten century by Marcus Harris. Beginning the day on 6 not out, Harris played a cautious but effective innings, going to stumps on 133 not out. He strung together a solid 87-run opening partnership with Wes Robinson, before Luke Feldman had Robinson run out.While Harris dropped anchor at one end, no one could build an innings at the other, the second top scorer being Adam Voges with 38 not out. This was the second consecutive day of unusually slow cricket, the innings’ run-rate standing at 2.31 at stumps. James Hopes was the only bowler to make any impression, following up his respectable show with the bat with two wickets.Harris and Voges hope to carry on and pile up a big first innings lead on day three, to put Western Australia in an unassailable position in the match.

Fred Titmus dies aged 78

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Fred Titmus, the former Middlesex and England allrounder, has died at the age of 78 following a long illness

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Mar-2011Fred Titmus, the former Middlesex and England allrounder, has died at the age of 78 following a long illness.Titmus enjoyed one of the most remarkable careers of any Middlesex player. When he made his first-class debut in 1949 at the age of 16 years and 213 days, he was the youngest-ever Middlesex cricketer at the time. When he made his final appearance in 1982, he had established a record span of 33 seasons, and at 50 years and 276 days was the fourth-oldest Middlesex player, and the oldest to appear for the county at Lord’s.His overall first-class record was a testament both to his longevity and his class. He made 21,588 runs at 23.11, and claimed 2830 wickets at 22.37 in 792 appearances, to establish himself as one of English cricket’s finest allrounders. He was also on the books of Watford Football Club.Despite competing with a number of fine spinners including David Allen, Ray Illingworth and John Mortimore, Titmus played in 53 Tests between 1955 and 1975, claiming 153 wickets at 32.22, including a best of 7 for 79 against Australia at Sydney in 1962-63. His highest score of 84 not out came the following year against India in Mumbai.He even came back after a horrific boating accident in the Caribbean in 1967-68, when he caught his foot in the propeller and lost four toes. He was back in action for Middlesex by May 1968 and finished the season with 111 wickets, and also topped his county’s batting averages with 846 runs at 25.63. His final first-class appearance came against Surrey in 1982. Visiting the Middlesex dressing room for a cup of coffee, captain Mike Brearley decided an extra spinner was needed and thrust him into action. Sure enough, he took 3 for 43 to set up a 58-run victory.His artistry as a slow and flighty bowler contrasted with a highly developed practical streak that made him a fine judge of a player. “Too intelligent for his ability,” was his appraisal of one; of another, a youngster who scored a dashing hundred against Middlesex at Lord’s, he commented: “I like to see someone make a bad ‘undred before I make my mind up.” He made three tours of Australia, and justified his selection each time. But his favourite memory of the country, he claimed, was “The sight of a ground emptying an hour before the close of play.””Fred Titmus was my mentor, advisor and coach,” wrote the former Middlesex bowler and Guardian cricket correspondent, Mike Selvey, in a tribute last year. “Conversation with him – and there were many – was a masters-level cricketing education, his great skill in simplifying things (“only people make a simple game complicated”), coupled with an ability to implant ideas so cleverly that you believed they were yours in the first place.””Fred will be deeply missed by all those who played with him and by all those who were fortunate enough to have seen him performing for Middlesex and England,” read a statement from his county. “All of our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Stephanie and family.”David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said: “Fred was simply a master of the art of slow bowling and a very popular figure on both the county and international circuit. He will be much missed and we send condolences to his many friends within the game and his family.”

Brutal Punjab maul ragged Rajasthan

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Shaun Marsh built on the openers’ heroics as Kings XI Punjab roared to a score of 195, setting up their third successive win, against a ragged Rajasthan Royals outfit

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar21-Apr-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIt was that kind of a day for Rajasthan Royals•AFP

You don’t dismiss Paul Valthaty off a no-ball, this month. You don’t dismiss Adam Gilchrist off a no-ball, ever. Rajasthan Royals found out just why. Siddharth Trivedi over-stepped as he got Gilchrist to chop on in the first over, and Shaun Tait cut the return crease as he sent down a thunderbolt in the second, that Valthaty guided to third slip. Both free-hits were slammed for fours, setting up a session of uninhibited brutality. Shaun Marsh built on the openers’ heroics as Kings XI Punjab roared to a score of 195, setting up their third win in three games. The Mohali crowd lapped up the entertainment, Shane Warne was reduced to sledging in vain, Elizabeth Hurley had little to cheer by the end, and Preity Zinta could barely contain her glee.Punjab were on top from start to finish, but the peak of their dominance was the third over of the game, off which Valthaty plundered Trivedi for 25 runs. A slow bouncer was pulled out of the ground, a fuller delivery was drilled straight and another length ball was redirected to cow corner. Trivedi managed to squeeze in a dot ball before sending down a badly-disguised slower one that was carved over point. And then Trivedi sent down another no-ball, full and succulent on the pads, and Valthaty tucked in for four more. Things just kept getting worse for Rajasthan, but they had it coming after the no-balls. Even Shane Warne wasn’t at his best, as Gilchrist thumped him for a six and a four off his first three balls. At the end of four overs, Punjab were going at the other-worldly run-rate of 16.75.Shane Watson, as he has so often done in recent times, came on and produced a crucial wicket, getting Gilchrist to drive to mid-on. Sanity prevailed for a few minutes as Marsh found his bearings, before he showed that there were non-violent ways to score runs as well. While Marsh finessed boundaries along the ground, Valthaty kept throwing visceral punches in all directions. Rajasthan continued to be generous, dropping him twice in the outfield off successive balls. Valthaty used the luck to wrest the orange cap back from Sachin Tendulkar, and slammed a Warne long-hop over the leg side, before someone finally held on to one of his mis-hits.Marsh had moved to 21 off 14 balls by then, and stepped up a gear to ensure there was no let-up in the momentum. Rajasthan’s medium-pacers fed him with several full and wide deliveries, while the spinners kept dropping short. Warne was the worst offender, and his lengths were shoddy enough to force Marsh to start playing some uncultured shots over the leg side. The 14th over yielded three sixes in four balls, as Punjab set their sights on 200. The projection was revised upwards after the next over, in which Dinesh Karthik looted three successive fours off Trivedi. Tait and Watson managed to pull things back in the last five overs, as Punjab lost 26 for 5, but the damage had already been done.Chasing the biggest target of IPL 2011, Rajasthan strangely chose not to open with Watson. Rahul Dravid stroked a couple of elegant boundaries before Ryan Harris yorked him. Swapnil Asnodkar came out swinging wildly without connecting with much, and Praveen Kumar nailed him with a full delivery in the third over. Watson tried to ignite the chase with four boundaries off seven balls, but Praveen got him to top-edge a pull in the seventh over. The chase was as good as over when Ross Taylor was caught in front by a Piyush Chawla wrong ‘un.

Kochi and Pune fee reduction demand rejected

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The BCCI’s Working Committee has rejected IPL franchises Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Sahara Pune Warriors demand for a reduction in the franchisee fee

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-2011The BCCI’s Working Committee has rejected Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Sahara Pune Warriors demand for a reduction in their their franchisee fees. The two new franchises, which made their debuts this season, had sought a 25% waiver on the grounds that the BCCI had stated in the bidding document that each team would play 18 league matches in a season, but the schedule was later pared down to 14 matches per team.The two teams have already paid 75 per cent of this year’s installment and wanted the balance waived. They argued that the reduction in matches was a breach of the terms of the Invitation to Tender the board issued before the two new teams were bought. Since they had based their bid on the number of matches to be played, a reduction in matches should therefore be accompanied by a reduction in the franchise fee. However, the committee voted to turn down the request at its meeting in Mumbai today.In March 2010, the Sahara group bid $370m to became owners of the Pune franchise while a consortium of five companies called Rendezvous Sports World offered US$333.33m for Kochi. The amount is to be paid in installments over 10 years.

Netherlands prepared for Scotland challenge

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Netherlands and Scotland will face off in a series of matches across different formats starting with the four-day Intercontinental Cup fixture on June 24 in Aberdeen, followed by two ODIs and as many Twenty20s

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jun-2011Netherlands and Scotland will face off in a series of matches across different formats starting with the four-day Intercontinental Cup fixture on June 21 in Aberdeen, followed by two ODIs and as many Twenty20s.Netherlands last played international cricket in the 2011 World Cup, in which they failed to win a single game. They’ll be missing some players due to work and other commitments, but will have Alexei Kervezee in their ranks for the first ODI and star allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate for the second ODI and the Twenty20s.”The squads are well balanced with plenty of experience,” Netherlands coach Peter Drinnen said. “The World Twenty20 qualifiers are not far away and with increased depth in our squad, the players are keen to seize every opportunity to secure their spot.”Netherlands squads:
Intercontinental Cup: Peter Borren (c), Wesley Barresi (wk), Mudassar Bukhari , Tom Cooper , Tom Whol , Tom Heggelman , Neil Kruger, Matthijs Luten, Ahsan Malik, Peter Seelaar , Eric Szwarczynski , Michael Swart, Berend WestdijkFirst ODI: Peter Borren (c), Wesley Barresi (wk), Mudassar Bukhari, Tom Cooper, Tom de Grooth, Tom Heggelman, Alexei Kervezee, Neil Kruger, Ahsan Malik, Pieter Seelaar , Eric Szwarczynski, Michael Swart, Berend WestdijkSecond ODI: Peter Borren (c), Wesley Barresi (wk), Mudassar Bukhari , Tom Cooper, Ryan ten Doeschate, Tom de Grooth, Tom Heggelman, Neil Kruger, Ahsan Malik, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Michael Swart, Berend WestdijkTwenty20s: Peter Borren (c), Wesley Barresi (wk), Mudassar Bukhari, Tom Cooper, Ryan ten Doeschate, Tom de Grooth, Tom Heggelman, Neil Kruger, Ahsan Malik, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski, Michael Swart, Berend Westdijk

Warwickshire on top at Arundel

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A solid collective batting effort left Warwickshire well-placed at the halfway stage of their County Championship Division One clash against Sussex at the Arundel festival
at Arundel

01-Jul-2011
Scorecard
A solid collective batting effort left Warwickshire well-placed at the halfway stage of their County Championship Division One clash against Sussex at the Arundel festival.After bowling Sussex out for 251 on the opening day, the visitors closed the second on 370 for six, already 119 in front on a wicket starting to offer sharp turn. Warwickshire were given a good foundation by their top three with Varun Chopra (50), Ian Westwood (72) and Will Porterfield (56) all hitting half-centuries.Sussex fought back after lunch when a quick double strike from Luke Wright helped Warwickshire slip from 178 for one to 196 for four but a partnership of 98 in 20 overs between Darren Maddy (76) and Tim Ambrose (38) put the visitors firmly back in control.After Warwickshire resumed the day on 58 without loss, Chopra and Westwood extended their opening stand to 77 before the former, having driven the previous ball for his 10th four to reach 50 from 55 balls, fell lbw to Jimmy Anyon.Sussex soon turned to the tandem spin of Monty Panesar and Ollie Rayner but Porterfield struck the latter for two handsome off-side boundaries to make it clear the slow bowlers would not be allowed to dictate.Westwood reached his half-century from 125 balls with five fours and the Bears were well-set at 155 for one at lunch. Westwood looked on course for a second successive Championship century before, having added 101 in 41 overs with Porterfield, he fell to almost his first false shot. Panesar surprised him with bounce and Ed Joyce took a low catch at slip.Porterfield advanced to his fourth Championship half-century since joining Warwickshire from Gloucestershire last winter, a patient affair from 139 balls, but again failed to build it into a ton, playing on to the first ball of a spell from Wright.Jim Troughton then carelessly drove Wright to short extra-cover as Sussex battled back during a tense afternoon session which brought just 69 runs for three wickets in 30 overs. However, that fightback was halted by Maddy and Ambrose, who had scored 38 against his former county before steering Anyon to gully.Maddy hit 12 fours in his 76 before edging Anyon (three for 69) to Andrew Hodd, but Sussex’s hopes of engineering a late collapse were thwarted by Rikki Clarke (21 not out) and Keith Barker (30 not out), who added an unbroken 41 before stumps.