Cricket : Sachin scores 50 th Test Centuary Barrier

[Pintu]

The Press Association: Proteas drop Gibbs, Ntini

Proteas drop Gibbs, Ntini

(UKPA) – 5 hours ago

Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini have been axed from the South Africa one-day squads to face Zimbabwe and England next month.

The experienced pair have both been dropped along with Robin Peterson in three changes to the squad that did duty in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy.

Uncapped fast bowler Ryan McLaren, opener Alviro Petersen and seamer Charl Langeveldt come in at their expense for the two-match series against the Zimbabweans and first three one-dayers against England.

Wicketkeeper Heino Kuhn and hard-hitting batsman Loots Bosman are the two new faces named for the two Twenty20 internationals against Andrew Strauss' men.

One-day squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Ryan McLaren, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe.

Twenty20 squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Yusuf Abdulla, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Heino Kuhn, Charl Langeveldt, Ryan McLaren, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/344036_BCCI-releases-Sri-Lanka-series-itinerary

BCCI releases Sri Lanka series itinerary

STAFF WRITER 14:32 HRS IST

New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) today released the itinerary of Sri Lanka's 51-day tour of India that features three Test, five one-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches starting November 16.

According to a BCCI statement, Sri Lanka cricket team will arrive in Mumbai on November 8 and stay there till November 13 during which they play a practice match against Board's President XI.

The visitors will then leave for Ahmedabad on November 14 for the first Test starting November 16.

After the conclusion of the opening Test on November 20, Kumar Sangakkara and his men's will head for Kanpur for the second Test starting November 24.

From there, they move to Mumbai, venue of the third Test from December 2 before playing two Twenty20 matches in Nagpur (Dec 9) and Mohali (Dec 12).

 

[Pintu]

AFP: Australia want to play India more: report

Australia want to play India more: report

(AFP) – 14 hours ago

SYDNEY — India may play in Australia in four out of six years under the new future cricket tours programme, reports said here on Friday.

Under the current international playing schedule, Australia visit India for Tests or one-day internationals every year, while India tour here once every four years.

But Cricket Australia has agreed in principle to host the game's biggest drawcard, India, more often in the future, reports said.

Australia are to begin a seven-game one-day series against India in the western city of Vadodara on Sunday.

The Sydney Morning Herald said the deal is designed to ensure that world cricket's heavyweights -- Australia, India, South Africa and England -- play each other more often when the new international schedule comes into effect from 2012.

The newspaper said under the new arrangement, which it says has the provisional backing of the International Cricket Council, India would come to Australia more often, visiting for Tests one Australian summer and one-dayers the next.

"The objective has been to spread the quality of touring teams over the period so that we get better value for the fans," a CA spokesman told the Herald.

"If we get it right, we could have India touring here in four out of six years during the next FTP (Future Tours Programme) period."

The Herald said the benefit to Australia hosting India more regularly was the value of television rights to CA because of the huge, cricket-mad population on the subcontinent.

But the newspaper said the moves between the "big four" cricket-playing nations was expected to cause consternation among smaller cricket countries, among them Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan and the West Indies, looking for their own slice of the financial pie.

CA is facing a tough battle to sell this season's touring sides, the West Indies and Pakistan, to the Australian sporting public and the Herald said it was determined to attract a "marquee" team for future southern summers.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/344350_Feel-awkward-to-sledge-Indians-post-IPL--Hopes

Feel awkward to sledge Indians post-IPL: Hopes

STAFF WRITER 17:1 HRS IST

Mumbai, Oct 23 (PTI) A series between India and Australia in the last few years has not only seen exciting competition but also great on-field rivalries which have given way to some anxious heated moments.

However, the seven-match ODI series, which is commencing from October 25 in Vadodara, may witness this time a lesser number of sledging incidents on Australia's part.

"It is easier to get under the skin of a person if you don't know him personally. But thanks to the Indian Premier League, we know many of the (Indian) players and hence it becomes awkward sometimes," says all-rounder James Hopes.

"Things can get a bit heated when you are on the field but the difference from the earlier times is that it will be restricted on the field. Once the match is over we clarify all the issues off the field," he adds.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/344795_M-S-Dhoni-hurts-knee-during-batting-practice

M S Dhoni hurts knee during batting practice

STAFF WRITER 19:24 HRS IST

Vadodara, Oct 23 (PTI) Two-days before the start of the one-day series against Australia, India skipper Mahendra Singh today hurt his left knee while batting in a practice session but is hoping the injury is not serious.

Dhoni was hit on the backside of the left knee while batting at the nets against paceman Munaf Patel during an extended practice session at the Reliance Stadium here and had to leave the session mid-way to take rest.

"I got hit when batting against Munaf. I should be alright tomorrow, but have to wait and see how it feels in the morning," Dhoni, wearing a protective gear on the affected portion, told PTI.

Dhoni is the lone regular stumper in the Indian side named for the first two matches of the seven-match rubber, starting on Sunday here.

 

[Pintu]

The Press Association: Blues win Champions League

Blues win Champions League

(UKPA) – 4 hours ago

New South Wales Blues stunned Trinidad & Tobago by 41 runs to win Friday's Champions League Twenty20 final in Hyderabad.

T&T appeared to have gained the advantage when seamers Ravi Rampaul and Dwayne Bravo engineered a top-order collapse - leaving NSW in danger of being bowled out for under 100. But Brett Lee rescued the innings with an excellent 48, and Steven Smith contributed 33 as NSW - tottering at 83 for six at one stage - recovered to reach 159 for nine.

Lee then claimed two early wickets as T&T faltered at the start of their chase - and although several batsmen got starts, they never recovered and were bowled out for 118 in 15.5 overs.

David Warner was just beginning to settle into his customary aggressive role when he lost Phil Hughes - bowled by Rampaul for just three.

Bravo then had Warner, caught brilliantly by Dave Mohammed at backward point, in an expensive first over and followed up with the prized scalp of Simon Katich in his next.

NSW's middle order then fell apart but Smith eased the pressure with consecutive big hits off Kieron Pollard, before Lee launched his attack.

His innings was peppered with five sixes as he hauled NSW past the 150-run mark. Lee was dismissed off the final delivery of the innings, attempting to reach his half-century with another big shot off Rampaul but picking out William Perkins at deep cover.

When T&T batted, Lee dislodged opener Perkins for a second-ball duck and then took a stunning return catch to get rid of Lendl Simmons.

Leg-spinner Smith, who shared the new ball, claimed Adrian Barath in his first over and then Daren Ganga to end a fifth-wicket stand with Denesh Ramdin just when the pair were beginning to look dangerous.

T&T's remaining hopes rested with Pollard, who had destroyed NSW in a group match. The big hitter took three singles from the first six balls he faced, before smacking Doug Bollinger for his first six. He clubbed Nathan Hauritz for two more but eventually skied to Lee - who took a good catch on the long-off boundary.

 

[Pintu]

Blues crowned champions

Cricket: Champions League: Brilliant Aussie side ends Trinidad and Tobago’s fairytale run in final

Blues crowned champions

From G Unnikrishnan, Hyderabad, Oct 22, DHNS:

The grizzled veterans of New South Wales Blues finally ended the fairytale run of Trinidad and Tobago. The Aussies outfit scored a 41-run win to clinch the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 title at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Friday.

But the victory would not have been possible without Brett Lee, who was the difference between professional New South Wales and spirited Trinidad. To start with, man of the match and man of the series Lee came up with a blistering 48 under the most trying circumstances to lift the Blues to 159 for nine, a par score considering the bowling might of the Australians. T&T could make only 118.

Lee wrote a pointer to things to come when Trinidad started their innings, castling the dangerous William Perkins with the second ball of the first over. The vivacious paceman brought more joy to his team when he latched onto a brilliant catch off his own bowling to send Lendl Simmons back.

Leg-spinner Steven Smith packed off Adrian Barath and suddenly Trinidad found themselves at 21 for three, and the hunter became the hunted in a matter of just 14 balls.

You don’t need to teach an Australian side how to exploit such a golden chance presented to them and they did precisely that with some tight bowling and equally sharp effort on the field. The biggest threat for Blues was Kieron Pollard and for a brief while he appeared to take the match away, but Hauritz removed him to end Trinidad’s hopes.

Earlier, New South Wales never found the going easy as Trinidad’s discipline and their own indiscretions bogged them down after a short-lived positive start. Phillip Hughes and David Warner added 24 runs for the opening wicket in just over three overs, raising the visions of a NSW romp to a huge total. Warner was severe on Trinidad bowlers, especially on off-spinner Sherwin Ganga, who pitched it way short outside the off-stump and the left-hander put away the freebies with ease.

Ravi Rampaul fetched the first breakthrough for Trinidad when he cleaned up Hughes, who played a horrendous pull to a ball not that short enough. Hughes’ dismissal triggered a top order collapse that saw skipper Simon Katich, Warner and Moises Henriques returning to the pavilion without making any significant contributions.

At four for 47 in little over seven overs, the Blues were in danger of getting bowled out for a below par total. The first hint of resistance came when Ben Roherer and Steve Smith added 28 runs for the fifth wicket. In terms of numbers, the partnership was not of a huge proportion but that steadied the Blues innings, which resembled the rocking boat.
However, the Blues innings again dived into a mini-crisis with Roherer and Daniel Smith taking the long walk to the hut in quick succession. However, Lee used his nearly 10 years of experience in top flight cricket to bring NSW back into the match in the company of Steve Smith as the duo added 49 runs off 37 balls. It turned out to be the decisive moment!

SCORE BOARD

NEW SOUTH WALES BLUES: David Warner c Mohammed b Bravo 19 (16b, 4x4), Phil Hughes b Rampaul 3 (5b), Simon Katich c Barath b Bravo 16 (14b, 2x6), Moises Henriques c S Ganga b Pollard 4 (7b), Ben Roherer c S Ganga b Mohammed 16 (12b, 2x6), Steve Smith c Simmons b S Ganga 33 (26b, 2x4,1x6), Daniel Smith b Rampaul 3 (3b), Brett Lee c Perkins b Rampaul 48 (31b, 1x4, 5x6), Nathan Hauritz (run out) 10 (6b, 1x4), Stuart Clark (not out) 0 (0b). Extras (LB-5, W-2) 7. Total (9 wkts, 20 overs) 159.

Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Hughes), 2-32 (Warner), 3-45 (Katich), 4-47 (Henriques), 5-75 (Roherer), 6-83 (D Smith), 7-132 (S Smith), 8-159 (Hauritz), 9-159 (Lee). Bowling: Sherwin Ganga 4-0-29-1 (w-1), Ravi Rampaul 4-0-20-3, Dwayne Bravo 3-0-27-2 (w-1), Keiron Pollard 3-0-27-1, Dave Mohammed 3-0-19-1, Lendl Simmons 2-0-23-1, Navin Stewart 1-0-9-0.

Runs during Power Play: 1-6: 42/2.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: William Perkins b Lee 0 (2b), Adrian Barath c D Smith b S Smith 14 (6b, 2x4, 1x6), Lendl Simmons c&b Lee 4 (7b), Daren Ganga c Warner b S Smith 19 (20b, 1x4, 1x6), Dwayne Bravo b Bollinger 17 (13b, 2x4, 1x6), Denesh Ramdin c S Smith b Clark 16 (23b, 1x4), Kieron Pollard c Lee b Hauritz 26 (15b, 3x6), Sherwin Ganga c Henriques b Hauritz 5 (7b), Navin Stewart c Henrique b Clark 4 (3b, 1x4), Dave Mohammed c Hughes b Clark 1 (2b), Ravi Rampaul (not out) 0 (0b). Extras (LB-5, W-4, NB-3) 12. Total (all out, 15.5 overs) 118.

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Perkins), 2-21 (Barath), 3-21 (Simmons), 4-45 (Bravo), 5-68 (D Ganga), 6-93 (Ramdin), 7-107 (S Ganga), 8-113 (Pollard), 9-118 (Stewart).

Bowling: Brett Lee 2-0-10-2 (nb-1, w-1), Steve Smith 4-0-32-2 (w-1), Doug Bollinger 4-0-27-1 (nb-1, w-2), Stuart Clark 3.5-0-21-3, Nathan Hauritz 2-0-23-2 (nb-1).
Runs during Power Play: 1-6: 47/4.

 

[Pintu]

The Press Association: Ponting: We need to keep improving

Ponting: We need to keep improving

(UKPA) – 8 hours ago

Australia captain Ricky Ponting expects his relatively inexperienced side to be tested in the seven-match one-day series against India - but is confident of success.

Ponting's confidence stems from his team's successful defence of the Champions Trophy in South Africa and a 6-1 victory over England in a one-day series following their Ashes defeat.

"At the moment we have been playing some consistently good one-day cricket, and I expect that to continue in India," said Ponting. "We need to keep improving and we need to be at our best in this series. We know the Indian team will play well in their conditions."

Ponting believes Australia's fortunes will rest heavily on how his middle-order batsmen cope with India's spinners.

"As a batting group, it's for us to make sure that we do the best that we can to stay on top of the Indian bowlers and not give them much of an opportunity in the series," he added.

"The challenges that we face in the next couple of weeks will probably be how our middle-order batsmen play the Indian spinners.

"Michael Hussey has played a lot of cricket here, Shane Watson and Tim Paine play spin well. Our record in one-day cricket in the sub-continent is good.

"But we have got a lot of young players, young as far as experience goes, who are finding their feet in international cricket and this series offers them a different set of challenges.

"I have a good record in one-day cricket in India compared to Tests, and a lot of responsibility is on my shoulders as the number three batsman in the team.

"It's really a big challenge to play against India."

 

[Pintu]

ODI future hinges on India-Oz series- Hindustan Times

ODI future hinges on India-Oz series

Atreyo Mukhopadhyay, Hindustan Times
Email Author
Vadodara, October 24, 2009

First Published: 00:43 IST(24/10/2009)
Last Updated: 00:44 IST(24/10/2009)

From Sunday, the next 17 days will tell us if one-day cricket is indeed dead.

India square off against Australia in seven ODIs, but it will not just be another series — the very future of the 50-over format will be at stake.

If the recent Champions Trophy in South Africa was an indication, things do not look too bright for ODIs. Struggling to cope with the T20 onslaught, they seem to be losing popularity among younger viewers.

The upcoming series between the world champions and the country that generates a major share of the game’s revenue may indicate what lies ahead.

The marketing men think ODIs are safe, at least in India.

“We’ve data to show that whenever India plays at home against quality teams, the interest is always high,” said Abhishek Verma, head of marketing and communications, Neo Sports, the company that holds the TV rights for all cricket played in India. “So it’s a wrong assumption that interest in one-day cricket is fading. Even in the Champions Trophy, India’s matches against Pakistan and Australia got good viewership.”

But then those were just two matches in a 15-match competition.

As a whole, the tournament was not a success with Indian viewers.

The India-Australia series will begin on a good note though. Demand for the about 20,000 tickets for the first ODI — in Vadodara on Sunday — is high.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side will replace Australia as the world’s top ODI team if it wins the series 4-3 or better. But for the administrators, the real victory will be seeing full houses and soaring TRPs.

 

[Pintu]

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Sports | It’s 55-45 for India, says Kiran More

It’s 55-45 for India, says Kiran More
- ‘I wouldn’t have brought Rahul back for half-a-dozen or so matches’

LOKENDRA PRATAP SAHI

Kiran More

Vadodara: In Kiran More’s opinion, India have a “55-45 advantage” going into the seven-match ODI series against Australia.

“I expect a close contest, with India having a 55-45 advantage... Australia have shown that their bench strength is good and, so, I wouldn’t necessarily read too much into Michael Clarke’s absence... He’ll be missed, yes, but somebody else could put his hand up and do the job,” the former India wicket-keeper and one-time (controversial) chief selector told The Telegraph.

Speaking in his KRZ Sports Management office on Friday afternoon, More said: “To drive home the advantage, though, we’ll have to bowl and field very well... Good batting alone won’t do...”

Asked if he would’ve recalled former captain Rahul Dravid for a handful of ODIs only, More replied: “I wouldn’t have dropped him when he did get excluded (late 2007)... But if I’d done that two years ago, then I wouldn’t have brought him back for half-a-dozen or so matches...”

Endorsing teammate and ex-India captain Ravi Shastri’s stand that Ishant Sharma be kept away from limited overs cricket, particularly T20, More said: “Absolutely... T20 is killing bowlers and the selectors have to do a delicate balancing act. They just don’t have a choice.”

More, incidentally, is still with the Indian Cricket League (ICL), even though it now exists on paper only. “I’m busy doing a few things for Zee (the ICL promoters) and I’m happy,” he pointed out.

Clearly, More’s in no hurry to seek clemency from the Board.

 

[Pintu]

Poor TRP hit hard ESPN-Star Sports in the Champions league , link and report from Economic Times and Image Copyright : Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd.

Flopped Champions League T20 hits ESPN-Star- Advertising-Services-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

Flopped Champions League T20 hits ESPN-Star
24 Oct 2009, 0100 hrs IST, Meenakshi Verma Ambwani & Ratna Bhushan, ET Bureau

NEW DELHI: Sports broadcaster ESPN Star Sports is in a fix due to the disastrous performance of the inaugural Champions League T20 which had its final match on Friday. Several advertisers that signed on-air advertising deals with the broadcaster are miffed that it failed to grab enough eyeballs despite being a T20 format tournament.

The Champions League T20 is a cricket tournament played between clubs from India, Australia, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies. Twelve teams from these countries qualified for the tournament that began on October 8.

A senior executive with a leading advertiser, who did not wish to be quoted, said it is negotiating for compensation in the form of discounts on future content. "We will avoid advertising on Champions League for the second season," he added. As per a media planner, almost all brands that advertised on the tournament are looking at some sort of compensation for the tournament.

As per rating agency aMap, Champions League T20's matches' TRPs ranged between 0.4-1 and advertisers believe the ratings will average out to be between 1-1.5 for the entire tournament.

"Airtel Champions League T20 is a revolutionary concept - for the first time cricket fans in the country saw the Champion teams from other countries compete with the Indian based IPL teams. An international team like Trinidad & Tobago's has become a household name with wide spread following not just in their own country but also in the Indian subcontinent," ESPN Star Sports' spokesperson said in an email. He claimed that the tournament reached out to 66 million viewers across the country and that it will gain further momentum in times to come.

But advertisers said the tournament did not meet their expectations.

"We are disappointed with the television rating points (TRPs) that Champions League T20 has garnered for its inaugural edition. The terms of the investments were not met. We hope the broadcaster will take care of its sponsors in the future," said Vijay Raghavan, vice president marketing of Havells India.

Sriram Krishnamurthy, the vice-president (marketing, sales & services) of Mirc Electronics that owns the consumer durable brand Onida, said he expected much better TRPs since it was T20 format. "It has been a learning experience since it was a new tournament," he said adding the company will take a fresh look at the way it negotiates deals in future. Onida preferred advertising on Champions League over Champions Trophy as it had expected to grab higher number of eyeballs because of the T20 format of cricket.

Mr Krishnamurthy also believed that tournaments like Champions League T20 could see some adjustments as far as the advertisement rates are concerned.

Another spokesperson of an FMCG brand said it is not sure whether it will advertise on the tournament next year. Luckily, the on-air sponsors had signed deals only for the first season unlike ground sponsors like Bharti Airtel and Coca-Cola India which have long term deals with ESPN.

But Madison Media group company Platinum Media CEO Basabdutta Chowdhuri said it is too early to take potshots at the Champions League T20 as a tournament. "Brands cannot have knee jerk reactions. Advertising on sporting events is yet to mature. A beginning has been made with IPL but tournaments like the Champions League will take time to evolve," she added.

ESPN STAR, a joint venture between Disney and Rupert Murdoch's Star, won the ten-year commercial rights (telecast and ground sponsorship) for the Champions League Twenty20 for $975 million.

 

[Pintu]

Peering into the void

Peering into the void
UMPIRE`S POST
Suveen K Sinha / New Delhi October 25, 2009, 0:02 IST

Where have all the Indian cricket fans gone? There's love all right, but not for the game.

A few years ago, a colleague asked if the cliché was correct that India was a country of a billion cricket fans. This colleague lived with a bunch of cats and spoke tenderly of them. And Sourav Ganguly’s team had just won a Test at Adelaide, thanks to Rahul Dravid’s heroics, and cricket fever in the country was at a new peak. Naturally, Umpire’s Post was sceptical of the question. But the colleague pressed on.

Indians, he said, did not really like cricket. Someone who really liked the game would be able to appreciate seeming non-events, such as a nicely played forward defensive to a slow ball pitching outside the off stump, or a good stop by the fielder at forward short leg, where one fields in palpable danger to life and limb.

The more cricket evolves through its new formats, the more Umpire’s Post thinks about the Catman’s premise. It rings truer and truer. It seems there are very few cricket fans in India, if any at all. There is ample evidence of this void.

No one gives a damn about good fielding, defensive shots, good bowling, or a battle of attrition — and few runs — to save a Test. At first it seemed that those watching cricket merely wanted fours and sixes. That is why the initial and slog overs of one-day matches seemed to pool in viewers. And the advent of Twenty20 seemed to be just what the umpire ordered.

But the events of the last few days — or shall we say non-events? — dispel the notion. Champions Trophy (50 overs a side matches among national teams), Challenger Series (same format, domestic players aspiring for a place in the national side) and Champions League (20 overs a side involving international clubs and a sovereign team in Trinidad and Tobago) appear to have attracted less viewership than the losers in the Bigg Boss house.

So, what is the thread that connects those not watching cricket these days? One answer of course is that there is just too much of it. The other seems to be an absence of stars. It was an interesting final match of the Champions League Friday evening, but most seem to remember it because of Brett Lee, who is a legitimate star in India. Few stars were in action after India’s early exit at Champions Trophy, most national players stayed away from Challenger, and Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers flashed only briefly in Champions League.

This can also explain why Sachin Tendulkar cannot walk the streets in India. He does not have a bat in hand then and no one is hurling a sphere at him, but multitudes still descend in droves to try and touch him, perhaps hoping for a sprinkle of stardust. It’s love all right, but hardly for the game.

 

[Pintu]

Trinidad still rejoices despite team's loss to NSW - Top Stories - Champions League 2009 - Series & Tournaments - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

Trinidad still rejoices despite team's loss to NSW
IANS 24 October 2009, 11:17am IST

PORT-OF-SPAIN: Faces were seen streaming with tears. The loud noises from the bars throughout Trinidad and Tobago were simmering down as the match progressed.

Most government offices and corporate and business staff sat in bars, television rooms and other public places giving moral support and praying as the match was played down to the last wicket.

But everyone wore red, white and black, the country's national colours and that of the national flag and remains proud and elated of the performance of its cricket team despite it losing to New South Wales in the Airtel Champions League T20 in Hyderabad on Friday.

Deryck Murray, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Council, said the team's performance was, "excellent

and magnificient". All the people of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean are proud of their acheivement, he said.

Julian Hunte, president of the West Indies Cricket Board, said that the T&T team had done well ands worthy of commendation.

Congress of the People leader, Winston Dookeran, said in a congratulatory note that Darren Ganga and his team have done the cricketing world and moreso, the citizens of India who Trinidadians are. "Your team have achieved hero status." This was the last of several notes sent to the team in Hyderabad.

Former sports minister Manohar Ramsaran hailed their participation in the series as "a tremendous success, and whatever the outcome of Friday's match, we will still honour, respect and emulate your team work and solidarity as men of oustanding qualities."

Several corporate organisations and community groups have planned civic receptions and honours for Captain Ganga and his men. The Mayor of the Borough of Chaguanas, Natasha Nivas plan to give them the keys to the borough. The Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation led by its chairman, Councillor Ranjit Ramnarine, has also planned a civic reception and award for the team soon after their return.

No word has come from the Trinidad and Tobago government as to what rewards would be given to the team. An opinion poll conducted by a television station concurred that despite losing, the team represented this oil-rich republic exceedingly well.

Trinidad and Tobago's population of 1.3 million people is made up of 44 per cent of Indian extraction whose forefathers were sourced from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1845 and 1917.

 

[Pintu]

Too much cricket has led to spectator fatigue: Gilchrist- Hindustan Times

Too much cricket has led to spectator fatigue: Gilchrist

Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, October 28, 2009

First Published: 21:29 IST(28/10/2009)
Last Updated: 21:30 IST(28/10/2009

Former Australian wicket-keeper-batsmen Adam Gilchrist feels so much cricket is being played these days that it has led to a "spectator fatigue."

Gilchrist, who was here Wednesday as an ambassador for University of Wollongong, said that administrators need to look into the problem of hectic scheduling. The prolific batsman also backed Australian skipper Ricky Ponting's disapproval of the timing of the ongoing seven-match series against India.

With the Ashes, Champions Trophy and the inaugural Twenty20 Champions League taking place in a row before the tour to the sub-continent, Ponting was left with an under-prepared team ahead of the first ODI in Vadodara.

Also, Champions League winners New South Wales Blues' Brett Lee, Nathan Hauritz and Doug Bollinger joined the Australian team barely 12 hours before the start of the first ODI.

"I definitely agree with Ponting that it is difficult to get the balance right. Australia have come to India after playing in Champions Trophy and a few of our players also played in the Champions League. It has been a very, very packed schedule from last few weeks for the team and the administrators needs to have a look ito it," Gilchrist said.

"Too much of cricket is being played and it needs to be monitored. Besides injury concerns for the players, there is also a spectator fatigue. It is difficult to keep up with all three variations of the game."

The 38-year old Deccan Chargers' captain said the players need to become smart managers if they want to save themselves from the burnout.

"Nowadays, there are lucrative dollars to be earned. Players have to be smart managers to avoid burnout. But a player must remember that all these benefits come when one performs well for the national team. Ricky Ponting for example has managed things so well. He gave more time to the national team."

On India-Australia rivalry, Gilchrist said the rivalries between the two countries, unlike Ashes or the one-between India-Pakistan, has an indentity of its own.

"India, Australia rivalry is a wonderful thing for cricket. It has caught the imagination of people and has an identity of its own. The debate is to decide when is too much and decide what people want," he said.

Unlike most cynics, the left-hander feels that Test cricket is far from meeting its end.

"I believe majority of cricketers, today, will say that Test cricket is the cricket to play. Test cricket was asked the similiar question when one-day internationals were introduced 30 years ago. Now when people got bored with the ODI as it has become predictable, Twenty20 was born. Twenty20 and ODI will continue to enhance Test cricket."

"If one says Test cricket is dying on the basis of not having packed stadium, then that's not the right way to see it. Even when we are not watching the matches, we are regularly checking the scores updates. So, I don't think there is any threat to Test cricket. Test definitely has had a passive following and love. But the passion for the games still exists," he said.

 

[RAM]

Less ODI would prolong Tendulkar's career: Border

Sachin Tendulkar should cut down on his limited over appearances to prolong his Test career, feels former Australia captain Allan Border.

"I have high esteem for Tendulkar and his achievements in international cricket. But I think, it would be better for him to appear in fewer limited over matches, including one-dayers. It would help him to prolong his Test career," Border said.

Border, who made 11,174 runs for Australia from 156 Tests, feels Tendulkar's ability to handle pressure is the mantra behind his success in international cricket.

"Representing your country for 20 years in international arena is not a small achievement. There is always a lot of pressure on an international cricketer and I must say Tendulkar has managed it beautifully," Border said.

Tendulkar, who has till date scored 12,773 runs from 159 Tests, since making his debut against Pakistan in Karachi way back in 1989.

"Like many others, his career was also disturbed by injuries. But even after many ups and downs, Tendulkar still has the same passion and love for the game," said Border, who is here as the brand ambassador of Airtel Delhi Half Marathon to be held on Sunday.

"Tendulkar is a player who always looks for improvement. It would be very difficult for others to climb to his stature," the former left-handed batsman said.

Border also expects a keen contest between India and Australia in the ongoing seven-match ODI series, but feels the hosts have the momentum after last night's comprehensive win.

"After thrashing Australia in the second match, India certainly has gained the momentum. But both the teams are evenly powerful and I expect a close finish, probably a 4-3," the 54-year-old Aussie said.

Riding on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's breathtaking 107-ball 124, India crushed Australia by 99 runs to claw their way back into the series, which is now levelled at 1-1.

"India would have a slight edge because they know the environment. And it is always difficult to deal with so many injuries while playing such a long series. It's very important to keep the key players fit," Border said.

Australia's injury woes deepened when wicketkeeper Tim Paine was ruled out for the rest of the series after he broke his finger during the second ODI in Nagpur.

"The team (Australia) is still going though a transition period after retirements of players like Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer. It is always difficult to fill the void," Border said.

He also lavished praise on India captain Dhoni for his leadership qualities.

"Dhoni is a aggressive captain and he has brought about that attitude in the squad. He is leading by example like what he did in the last match. He is also getting support from his team-mates," Border said.


Less ODI would prolong Tendulkar's career: Border - Top Stories - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

 

[RAM]

India seeded sixth in next year's Twenty20 World Cup


ST LUCIA: India have been seeded sixth in next year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and will open their campaign on May 1.


India have got a relatively easy first round as they have been placed in Group C along with South Africa and a qualifying team yet to be decided.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men, who had a disastrous campaign at the last T20 World Cup in England earlier this year, will face a qualifier in their tournament opener in St Lucia and then will round off their group affair against South Africa on the next day.

Defending champions Pakistan have got the top billing in the event followed by Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Hosts West Indies are seeded fourth, while England occupy the fifth place, a release said on Friday.

Interestingly, Australia have been seeded in the ninth spot behind New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the Indian eves are seeded fourth in the women's edition of the T20 World Cup which will be played simultaneously.

In the women's edition of the event, India share Group A along with New Zealand, arch-rival Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

India seeded sixth in next year's Twenty20 World Cup - Top Stories - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

 

[Pintu]

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Sports | Dhoni: Change not needed

Dhoni: Change not needed

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Friday the Indian batsmen were doing well and there was no need to bring a change in the opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar.

The following are the excerpts

On the opening pair

I’m happy with the opening pair. Every individual has a different role and I’m doing well in the floater’s role. Sachin and Sehwag opening the innings, Gautam (Gambhir) at number three — all are doing well in their respective roles. There is no need to change when the team is doing well.

Harbhajan Singh’s performance

For sure, he (Harbhajan) is not at his best. But considering the kind of player he is, for someone who loves challenges, I think he is just one game away from bouncing back. We are not worried about players who have so much of international experience.

The prospect of Sachin surpassing 17,000 ODI runs at the Kotla

It would be a milestone indeed. He is such a great batsman… Whenever he walks out, we all expect big scores. He not only scores himself but also guides his partner.

How special was his century in Nagpur

It’s difficult to rank my century in Nagpur since I have got just five centuries (so far). But it was special of course. We needed to maintain a good run rate… I was batting with Gautam after a long time and we converted ones into twos.

The loss in the first match

We lost the first match because we didn’t bat and bowl well. But we took the positives from that match, like Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh’s batting. We won the second match, bowling and batting much better while our fielding also looked much improved.

On India’s chances

We have to start from scratch in every game. With two matches gone, now it has become a five-match series for us and though win brings in confidence, we have to start afresh.

The Kotla wicket

We saw during Champions League T20 that it was slow, kept low and turned a lot. It looks to be a dry wicket. It will be difficult to set a target here. You need to get a good start.

Approach needed

As a team your first priority should be to get off to a good start. If you get off to a good start in the first few overs, then you can set targets like 10-over target. So if the character of the wicket changes you can accordingly shuffle (the batting order) and see what a good score is.

 

[RAM]

India, Australia cricketers pay tribute to Shepherd


NEW DELHI: The Indian and Australian cricket teams on Saturday paid tribute to late English umpire David Shepherd by observing two-minute silence before the start of the third ODI.

The players and the Australian support staff lined up before the start of the match and observed silence in memory of the Englishman, who died of cancer on October 29.

The charismatic 68-year-old was one of the most popular umpires in cricket's history. Shepherd stood in 92 Tests and umpired three successive world cups


India, Australia cricketers pay tribute to Shepherd - Top Stories - Australia in India, 2009 - Series & Tournaments - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/364672_Ganguly-back-as-KKR-captain--Whatmore-to-coach

Ganguly back as KKR captain, Whatmore to coach

STAFF WRITER 15:50 HRS IST

Kolkata, Nov 6 (PTI) Former India captain Sourav Ganguly today returned as the Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper for next year's Indian Premier League, replacing New Zealand's Brendon McCullum.

The controversy-ridden IPL outfit, which finished at the bottom of the table this year, also named Dav Whatmore as its new coach with Delhi Ranji coach Vijay Dahiya as his deputy.

Pakistani pace legend Wasim Akram was appointed the mentor of the side.

"Andrew Leipus and Adrian le Roux have been appointed physiotherapist and team trainer respectively," the team management said in a statement.

"The KKR management held several meetings over the past few weeks to discuss and plan the way forward for the franchise and the team.

 

[Pintu]

Tendulkar eyes 'Milestone 30,000' - Top Stories - Australia in India, 2009 - Series & Tournaments - Cricket - Sports - The Times of India

Tendulkar eyes 'Milestone 30,000'
AGENCIES 8 November 2009, 02:41am IST

Sachin Tendulkar is creating his own new peaks to conquer. Already the highest scorer in both Tests and ODIs, Tendulkar, who crossed the 17,000 ODI-run mark in Hyderabad, is now eyeing a much bigger milestone: that of 30,000 international runs.

Sachin, who has 12,773 Test runs, 17,168 runs in ODIs and 10 runs in the lone T20 International he has played in, is now just 49 short of the amazing landmark. Fans will be hoping he scales the peak in Guwahati.