The BCCI’s pitch curator Sudhir Naik, who was sent to Vadodara to inspect the pitch that will be used in the Ranji Trophy final, has deemed it a sporting wicket

Abhishek Purohit in Vadodara10-Jan-2011After the Ranji Trophy semi-final between Baroda and Karnataka ended in one-and-a-half days on a sharp turner, the track for the final has expectedly attracted attention from various quarters. The BCCI even sent its curator Sudhir Naik to inspect the surface at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara, the venue for Tuesday’s final between Baroda and Rajasthan.Naik’s visit followed Karnataka’s complaint to the match referee about the dry pitch at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara, where thirty-three wickets tumbled before tea on the second day of the semi-final, resulting in a shock exit for the visitors. But Naik allayed all concerns, saying the Moti Bagh track was a good wicket. “It is the right choice for the final, and will assist both the pacers as well as spinners,” he told the .The captains of both the teams in the final agreed with Naik’s assessment. “I think there should be some help there for the seamers,” Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the Rajasthan captain, said. “It looks a fine surface, but in a five-day game the pitch can change its nature as the game goes on.” The Baroda captain Pinal Shah said the wicket would take some turn as the game progressed.Both captains would hope their reading of the pitch turns out to be correct, as their bowling attacks will be accordingly calibrated. Rajasthan are banking on their seam trio of Pankaj Singh, Deepak Chahar and Sumit Mathur, while Baroda could go in with two specialist spinners in Bhargav Bhatt and Aditya Waghmode, as well as Swapnil Singh, a batting allrounder who bowls left-arm spin.The wicket is devoid of grass and looks good for batting. “It is a typical red soil wicket. It should break up a bit and turn from the third day onwards,” Aakash Chopra, the Rajasthan opener, said. Amit Asawa, the Rajasthan coach, said he did not see the game lasting beyond four days.Swing is usually a major factor at Moti Bagh, a stadium that has no stands and lies in the sprawling Lakshmi Vilas Palace complex amid scores of trees. The wind blows vigorously at the ground, and the ball nips around in the morning session. “The first session is always the key at Moti Bagh,” Pinal said. However, if one can survive till lunch, the lush outfield and true bounce provides good value for shots.”It does not seam much here, but another thing you have to take into account is the amount of dew,” Mukesh Narula, the Baroda coach, said. “For the last week or so, there has not been much dew here, and there was none at the Reliance Stadium. But it’s winter now and if the dew comes, it will definitely have an impact.” There are a lot of variables for the teams to ponder over, but given how the wicket looks, another finish inside two days is unlikely.

Andrew Strauss didn’t pull any punches in admitting England’s batting had been well off the pace during the one-day series after they slumped to a 51-run defeat at Brisbane

Andrew McGlashan in Brisbane30-Jan-2011Andrew Strauss didn’t pull any punches in admitting England’s batting had been well off the pace during the one-day series after they slumped to a 51-run defeat at Brisbane which means there are now two dead matches. Chasing 250, which Strauss thought was well within range, England subsided to 198 all out and only reached that far because the final wicket added 53.It continued a familiar tone for the visitors who haven’t been able to replicate their century-making Ashes form in coloured clothes. Only Jonathan Trott with 102 at Adelaide has passed three figures and it was no coincidence that was the match England managed to win. Strauss has backed his players in their attacking approach, but wickets have been donated far too easily to the Australian bowlers.”We’ve all got to put our hands up because we’ve all been a part of it,” Strauss said. “One of the improvements we have made in one-day cricket over the past 12 or 18 months was a lot of our batsmen getting bigger scores more consistently, but we’ve fallen into bad habits in this series.”Twenties and thirties and soft dismissals, that’s been plaguing us all the way through this series and ultimately that’s what has lost us the series. We can’t hide away from it, we’ve got to take it on the chin, accept it and try and remedy it for these last two games and try and get some momentum heading into the World Cup.”After the two remaining matches of this series those players heading to the World Cup have three days at home before nearly another two months overseas. Strauss conceded that tired minds can make poor decisions in the middle but doesn’t believe fatigue is the root of England’s problems and will be driving home the need to lift performances.”If you are mentally fatigued you probably do make poor decisions but I don’t think you can just blame every poor decision on mental fatigue,” he said. “There’s no reason for us to be really fatigued at this stage. We’ve got a lot of cricket ahead of us. We look after ourselves well and if guys are starting to think about that then that’s a dangerous place for us to be. I don’t think they are, but it’s something I’ll certainly be warning them of.”Despite the short turnaround to the World Cup, Strauss isn’t concerned about this series having a major impact on England’s chances on the subcontinent. There is precedence for England lifting themselves after a one-day drubbing because following the 6-1 loss in the wake of the 2009 Ashes they reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.”Even a few days at home refreshes you and then you can turn up at a World Cup, a massive event and one that we’re very excited about, and that should give us quite a lot of impetus going into that tournament,” Strauss said. “There’s no doubt about it, as a batting group we’ve got to be better than we have been. We’re not going to hide away from it. We’ve got two more games to make some improvements.”

Andy Flower believes coaches should have more say on international tour itineraries as England come to the end of their three-month stay in Australia before heading almost straight to the subcontinent for the World Cup

Andrew McGlashan in Perth04-Feb-2011Andy Flower believes coaches should have more say on international tour itineraries as England come to the end of their three-month stay in Australia before heading almost straight to the subcontinent for the World Cup.For those players and coaches who have been involved since the beginning of the Ashes tour at the end of October it means they’ll spend just three days in the UK until the conclusion of their World Cup campaign. It is a familiar situation for England who have had this back-to-back scheduling of two major events for the last three Ashes-World Cup cycles.Flower is now having to deal with an increasing injury toll as the exertions of the Australia trip take effect which leaves England struggling to have a full-strength squad for the World Cup and he thinks there should be more consultation about tours. “We have very little say,” he said. “Ideally the coach’s thoughts should be sought but in most instances these fixture lists and itineraries are in place way before any information is sought from the coach.”It would be quite sensible to look at how these tours are set up,” he added. “Especially this close to a World Cup, however those are the schedules we are given and we will deal with it.”The positioning of the Ashes and World Cup together for England will be broken after this year. The next Ashes in Australia being staged in 2013-14 to avoid a clash with the 2014-15 50-over event which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand. However, it means three Ashes series in the space of two years with England hosting series in 2013 and 2015.For now, though, Flower is just concentrating on trying to get his squad ready for this World Cup with England aiming to end a shocking run at the last four tournaments. The drawn out nature of the event, with a large group stage before the knockout matches being, gives England a chance to find their feet but Flower wants intensity from the start. “It’s our job to be at our peak as close to the start of the World Cup as possible so that’s what we’ll be aiming for,” he said.One player who has had a huge demand placed on him is the captain, Andrew Strauss, who has only had a short break for the Twenty20 matches since arriving in Australia. He was rested for the Bangladesh tour last year, which brought a mixed reaction, and it was with this exact scenario in mind to try and prevent burnout.Strauss has managed to maintain his form during the one-dayers, hitting 63 at Sydney, and Flower is a huge admirer of what he has achieved despite the heavy series loss. “He’s a rock solid bloke. You guys will see that, we know it from inside our own team and he has a significant effect on the side.”He’s was a huge part of winning the Ashes, he will be a very important part of our World Cup attempt and as you can see during the one-day series he holds himself very strongly given every responsibility and burden that’s on his shoulders. We are lucky to have a guy like that.”

Michael Hussey has said that his fortuitous call-up to the World Cup squad was a “dream come true” and is confident that his hamstring will withstand the rigours of one-day cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2011Michael Hussey has said that his fortuitous call-up to the World Cup squad was a “dream come true” and is confident that his hamstring will withstand the rigours of one-day cricket as Australia pursue their fourth consecutive title. Dirk Nannes, on the other hand, who is travelling to the subcontinent as a standby player, is unsure of his role but wants to make the most of his opportunity.”Just going is a bit of a dream come true, but to actually be there as part of a winning Australian team would be out of this world, so let’s hope,” Hussey told reporters in Perth. “I’ve had lots of messages from the boys already so I’m just excited to get over there really.”Hussey was informed of his selection during the tea break of the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA on Sunday. He had been part of the initial World Cup squad, but was replaced by Callum Ferguson before the tournament began after sustaining a hamstring injury that needed surgery. Hussey’s opportunity arose when Doug Bollinger was injured in India.Hussey scored only 19 and 11 against Queensland but he said the time spent on the field had given him confidence. “The first innings I fielded in the slips for the whole innings so I didn’t really have to test it [hamstring] too much but in the second innings the selectors actually did want me to have a bit of a run around in the field,” Hussey said. “So I spoke to Northy [Marcus North] and said ‘do you mind if I have a run in the outfield? And the more I was out and on it the better it felt and the more confidence I got with it.”It would have been nice to score more runs, but just to be out there playing the game you love again is what it’s all about. Just knowing I can get through the game and know I can go full of confidence with the leg, that gives me a lot of confidence as well.”Australia have made a strong start to the World Cup, winning their first two matches before their game against Sri Lanka was washed out in Colombo. “We’ve got to be a great chance,” Hussey said. “A confident Australian team is always very hard to beat so hopefully we can keep building that confidence and be right there at the business end of the tournament.”While Hussey is likely to slot in the middle order straightaway, Nannes will not be available for selection unless another player in Australia’s squad gets injured. Nannes said he was surprised to get the call from the selectors. “It’s certainly unexpected, I was just having fun on the farm on the weekend and got the phone call,” Nannes said in Melbourne. “I’m rapt to be going over, I’m not really sure what sort of role I’m going to play.”Relying on any injuries is not the best situation to be in, I guess, but at least I’ve been given some sort of opportunity. I’m excited about what may be, I will prepare myself to carry bags well and make good drinks, that’s about all I can do.”I was a bit miffed earlier in the year when I wasn’t in the Twenty20 squad and I was a bit miffed, I guess, not being in the original [World Cup] 30,” he said. “I guess that’s the lot of a cricketer, you have selection problems and then the highs that come with it, that’s just part of being a sportsman. I’ve never been part of the one-day setup and the way that operates, I’ve never been under Ricky Ponting, so it will be massively beneficial to my cricket.”

Home from Bangladesh, Australia captain Michael Clarke now turns his eyes to critical planning for his team’s future

Daniel Brettig15-Apr-2011Having seen off modest opponents in Bangladesh, new Australia captain Michael Clarke will now turn his eyes to critical planning for Australian cricket’s next 12 months and the years beyond.Clarke and a handful of team-mates returned to Australia on Friday while the majority of the squad that swept Bangladesh 3-0 remained on the subcontinent for the Indian Premier League. Questioned on arrival about the role he would play on the Don Argus-led review into the waning fortunes of the national team, Clarke agreed the next few months would be a pivotal time of consultation and discussion about new directions.The review panel also features the former Australia captains Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh, while Malcolm Speed and James Sutherland, the former and current Cricket Australia chiefs, will also take part.”This is probably the important time for me to spend as much time as I can with the people who make a lot of decisions about our game, and make sure we are on the same page, have the same goals and are heading in the same direction,” Clarke told reporters at Sydney Airport. “I’m excited to be home and have a bit of time off, but I’m very keen to get to Melbourne and spend some time with Cricket Australia and the selectors as well.”Australia remain top of the ICC’s limited-overs rankings despite their underwhelming World Cup result, a tag Clarke believed was deserved. “The statistics say we are number one for good reason; we’ve won a lot of one-day games for a long period of time. In saying that, I think there’s a lot of work to be done on our game to improve and keep getting better.”As for his vice-captain Shane Watson’s long-awaited rise to No.1 in the ODI allrounder rankings, Clarke could hardly act surprised. “He’s a wonderful player no doubt. His form over the last 12 to 18 months has been as good as anybody in the world; he’s definitely a big part of our team in all forms of the game.”

A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on a petition challenging BCCI secretary N Srinivasan’s right to hold a position in the board while also holding a stake in an IPL franchise

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2011A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court has delivered a split verdict on a petition challenging BCCI secretary N Srinivasan’s right to hold a position in the board while also holding a stake in an IPL franchise. The petition, filed by former board president AC Muthiah, questioned the motives behind the board amending their regulations in order to allow Srinivasan to have a dual role of board member and part-owner of Chennai Super Kings.Justice JM Panchal dismissed the petition, while Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra allowed it, holding that a BCCI officer bearer cannot have a stake in an IPL franchise. The split verdict means the petition has been referred to the chief justice for allocating it to a larger bench.The BCCI had amended clause 6.2.4 of the regulations for players, team officials, umpires and administrators in September 2008, shortly after the first season of the IPL. Before the amendment the clause read: “No administrator shall have, directly or indirectly, any commercial interest in the matches and events conducted by the board.” After the change, it read: “No administrator shall have directly or indirectly any commercial interest in any of the events of the BCCI, excluding IPL, Champions League and Twenty20.”Muthiah’s argument was that the exclusion of IPL and Twenty20 events was made specifically to benefit Srinivasan. In September 2010, Mishra had suggested Srinivasan resign from his position in the board .”You introduce an amendment where the IPL will be an exception. You are a prominent industrialist holding a key position in the board and have a stake in the bidding,” Mishra had told Srinivasan. “In order to avoid suspicion and be above board, you should have got your membership suspended.”Our nagging question is: can you continue in a dual capacity? That is the core issue.”Following those statements, Mishra allowed Muthiah’s petition on April 28, 2011, but Panchal’s decision to dismiss it means the amendment to the BCCI regulations will stand for the time being.

Trevor Penney, former Sri Lanka assistant coach, is one of the first men Duncan Fletcher is likely to bring on board as fielding coach

ESPNcricinfo staff24-May-2011Trevor Penney, the former Sri Lanka assistant coach, is one of the first men India’s new coach Duncan Fletcher is likely to bring on board. A BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo Penney was likely to be appointed as India’s fielding coach. Penney, 42, worked in a similar capacity, albeit in a part-time role, with Fletcher for England in 2005 before moving to Sri Lanka to be Tom Moody’s assistant.India have been without a fielding coach since Robin Singh was relieved from the post two years ago. Mike Young, who till recently was Australia’s fielding coach, worked with India as a consultant for about a month in late 2009, but there were no permanent appointments made.If appointed, Penney is likely to join the squad from the West Indies tour, which begins on June 4.An excellent fielder during his 17-year playing career with English county Warwickshire, Penney remained fit enough to be named among England’s substitute fielders for the 2005 Ashes, when he was 37 years old. He sparked controversy by coming onto the field repeatedly for England’s fast bowlers.When Moody decided to move to Western Australia after his Sri Lanka stint, Penney joined him there and later worked as Moody’s deputy at IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab. Interestingly, Penney was named as one of the candidates for the post of Sri Lanka coach after Sri Lanka Cricket decided not to renew Trevor Bayliss’ contract after the 2011 World Cup.

Pakistan A completed a clean sweep of the three-match limited overs series against Afghanistan, with a hard-fought four-wicket win in Faisalabad

ESPNcricinfo staff29-May-2011
ScorecardKarim Sadiq’s unbeaten 42 off 26 balls, which propelled Afghanistan to 274, went in vain•AFP

Pakistan A completed a clean sweep of the three-match limited overs series against Afghanistan, with a hard-fought four-wicket win in Faisalabad.Afghanistan got off to a reasonable start after choosing to bat, with opener Noor Ali Zadran holding up one end with a steady half-century. Pakistan A’s bowlers managed wickets at regular intervals, though, and had the visitors in trouble at 187 for 6 in the 42nd over. The lower order came good, with Mohammad Nabi, Karim Sadiq and Samiullah Shenwari scoring 87 off the last 53 deliveries of the innings to carry their side to 274. Legspinner Yasir Shah was the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets in a miserly spell.Pakistan A’s chase began in similar fashion to the Afghanistan innings, with a number of top order cameos taking the side to 120 for 3. Opener Sharjeel Khan’s 44 came off 31 balls, making sure Pakistan A were well placed after 20 overs. But Afghanistan pulled things back with two wickets off four balls, reducing the hosts to 120 for 5 in the 22nd. The lower-middle order offered tough resistance after that, slowly rebuilding the chase. A patient 63-run stand between Sarfraz Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir was followed by a quick fire, unbeaten 95-run partnership between Sarfraz and Saad Nasim, which carried their side home with 11 balls to spare.

Virender Sehwag, who is yet to fully recover after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, has made it to 17-man India squad for the Test series in England, but will miss the first two weeks of the tour to give him time to recuperate further

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-2011Virender Sehwag, who is yet to fully recover after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, has made it to 17-man India squad for the Test series in England, but will miss the first two weeks of the tour to give him time to recuperate further.Sachin Tendulkar returned to the squad after skipping the West Indies tour to rest, while Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Sreesanth made comebacks from injury breaks. Yuvraj Singh, who missed the West Indies tour with a chest infection, also forced his way back into the Test plans following his excellent performance in the World Cup. M Vijay and Virat Kohli, who have so far failed to impress in the West Indies Tests, were dropped, while Suresh Raina’s strong show in the same series helped him retain his place.Abhinav Mukund, who made a dogged 48 in Barbados on Friday, will travel to England as the reserve opener. Wriddhiman Saha was included as the back-up wicketkeeper, edging out Parthiv Patel. Cheteshwar Pujara is yet to recover from the knee injury he picked up in the IPL, and misses out once again.Munaf Patel made the squad despite missing the first two West Indies Tests with fitness issues. Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar, who have been among the wickets in the Caribbean, round off the pace attack, while Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra make up the spin department.The tour begins with a three-day warm-up match on July 15, with the first Test starting on July 21 at Lord’s.The squad: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Gautam Gambhir (vice-capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Abhinav Mukund, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar