India sign off with third straight defeat

NOTTINGHAM, June 16 (PTI): A pathetic India could not salvage their lost pride and sunk to a 12-run defeat against South Africa to end their miserable Twenty20 World Cup campaign on a losing note here tonight.

Supposedly playing for pride, India's star-studded batting order could not chase down the 131 runs that would have spared them the embarrassment of finishing the Super Eight campaign without a single win to show.

In the end, 118 was all they could manage losing eight wickets.

This was after India's disciplined bowlers -- eight of them were pressed into action -- had restricted South Africa to 130 for five on a sluggish track and the Proteas owed nearly half of their total to AB de Villiers (63) alone.

Gautam Gambhir (21) and Rohit Sharma (29) gave India a strong start but it was Yuvraj Singh's run-a-ball 25 that actually rekindled India's hopes of a win in their swansong tie before the defending champions faltered.

Going by their start, a defeat never looked like a possibility for India. With Gambhir wasting precious little time in imposing himself and his aggression rubbing off on Rohit, India were off to a flying start till the mid-innings collapsed happened. PTI

Sri Lanka march to semifinal in style

NOTTINGHAM, June 16 (PTI): Ajantha Mendis spun a web around New Zealand as a clinical Sri Lanka stormed into the semifinal of the Twenty20 World Cup, thumping the Kiwis by 48 runs in a crucial Super Eight match here today.

Mendis (3/9) ran through New Zealand’s middle order to trigger a batting collapse as the Kiwis, in their pursuit of a 159-run victory target, were bundled out for 110 runs in 17 overs.

It was an abject batting capitulation by the New Zealand with just three batsmen — Martin Guptill (43 off 34 balls), Aaron Redmond (23) and Brendon McCullum (10) — managing double figures as their last eight wickets fell for just 48 runs.

Earlier opting to bat, Mahela Jayawardene struck an unbeaten 41 while Tillakaratne Dilshan’s made a classy 48 to help Sri Lanka post 158 for five on the board.

Defending the total, Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara’s experiment to start with Sanath Jayasuriya did not really click as Redmond got New Zealand off to a flier, picking up 14 runs of the third over.

Redmond clobbered Jayasuriya for three successive boundaries and then followed it up with a six over long-off.

But Isuru Udana struck gold in the next over, getting the crucial wicket of McCullum, caught by Jehan Mubarak.

Lasith Malinga then foxed dangerous Redmond with a slower full toss and Chamara Silva made no mistake to end the right-hander’s 13-ball stay.

Mendis then proved why he is regarded so highly in world cricket, getting the wickets of Ross Taylor (8) and Scott Styris (2) in his opening over to deal twin blows.

He foxed Taylor with his first ball of the match and Sangakkara completed an easy stumping and then disturbed Styris’ timber with the fourth delivery.

Guptill, however, carried on the fight single-handedly and hit Dilshan over the short long-off fence.

Udana struck in the last ball off the 13th over, clean bowling Jacob Oram and then Jayasuriya drived the final nail in New Zealand’s coffin, getting the vital wicket of Guptil caught by Angelo Mathews at deep backward square leg.

Mendis picked up his third wicket when he made Peter McGlashan to edge one straight to Mubarak at backward point.

As if it was not enough, Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills ran themselves out and then Daniel Vettori fell to Muttiah Muralitharan.

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India crash out of Twenty20 World Cup

The famed batting line-up failed for the second straight game as India lost to England by three runs and crashed out of the ICC World Twenty20 at Lord's on Sunday.

The defending champions were again found wanting against the short delivery and could put up just 150 for five in their 20 overs in reply to England's 153 for seven.

NZ spank Ireland to open Super 8 campaign in style

NOTTINGHAM, June 11 (PTI): Aaron Redmond made a memorable return to international cricket with a blistering 30-ball 63 as New Zealand spanked minnows Ireland by 83 runs in their first Super Eight match of the Twenty20 World Cup here today.

The Kiwis first rattled up a healthy 198 for five riding on Redmond’s flourishing start and then skittled out the hapless Irishmen for 115 in 16.4 overs in what turned out to be a lop-sided contest at the Trent Bridge.

Andre Botha (28) and opener Gary Wilson (23) were the only two Irish players who could hang around for some time while most of the other batsmen folded up without much of a fight. Nathan McCullum (3/15) and Kyle Mills (2/12) were the pick of the Kiwis bowlers.

New Zealand went into their group-F Super Eight match without the services of three of their top players – captain Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder – but it did prove much of a problem for the Kiwis who cantered home without having to sweat much. The Black Caps will take on Pakistan in their next Super Eight match in London on Saturday while Ireland clash with Sri Lanka at the Lord’s in London on Sunday.

Redmond, a late replacement for injured Ryder, grabbed the opportunity with both hands with a stunning display of strokeplay on what appeared to be a good batting track. Martin Guptill (45 not out) and the experienced Scot Styris (42) were the other notable performers for New Zealand.

Put into bat, the Kiwis got off to a flourishing start with Redmond producing an array of strokes to rattle the Irish bowlers who gave away 32 runs in the first two overs. Redmond was particularly severe against the pacers who seemed to lack control in the early stages of the contest.

While Redmond plundered runs at will, stand-in captain Brendon McCullum was a lot more subdued, quite content in allowing his partner to hog the limelight.

Redmond, playing international cricket atfer a long gap, made his intentions clear by clobbering the very first ball he faced off Peter Connell to the boundary.
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English press relish Australia's T20 exit

London: The English press reacted with glee Tuesday to news that Ricky Ponting's Australia team was knocked out of the World Twenty20, ahead of next month's Ashes series between the two countries.

"Even Ireland make the Super 8s but Ricky's boys crash out as wallybies," said the Sun tabloid, reflecting a surprising day for the tournament that saw mighty Australia dumped but Ireland stay in after beating Bangladesh.

"What do you call an Aussie at the Twenty20? A spectator," joked the Daily Mirror, after what was Australia's fifth successive Twenty20 defeat.

One commentator wrote: "Since they touched down in England 12 days ago, Australia's tour has gone exactly according to plan... England's plan."

Australia, the reigning Test and World Cup champions, were sent packing from the World Twenty20 after suffering a six-wicket defeat by Sri Lanka in a crucial group C game at Trent Bridge on Monday.

They now turn their attention to retaining the Ashes urn in the five-Test series against England starting next month.

"The Aussies now have two weeks to fill before the Ashes tour begins. So throw another shrimp on the barbie, Ricky!" the Sun mocked.

The Daily Express also remarked on how the Australians would spend their time, suggesting a theme park or even the London Eye, saying there was only so much "net practice and thumb-twiddling" a team can do.

http://cricketnext.in.com/news/english-press-relish-australias-t20-exit/41549-29.html

Pay hike for Aussies after T20 debacle

Sydney: The Australian team were given a pay hike, hours after making an embarrassing exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.

As per the new memorandum of understanding governing players' pays and benefit, signed by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and Australian Cricketers' Association, Paul Marsh on Tuesday said the players' new salaries won't depend on their performance but on their popularity among fans and sponsors.

Any player, who is good and popular can probably pull in more than $1.5 million a year. Also, for the first time, players will be offered marketing contracts on top of their playing deals.

"This is a fantastic career opportunity for young, talented athletes in Australia," Sutherland was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.

With the game's revenue increasing by 10 per cent a year, the Player Payment Pool has increased from 25 per cent to 26 per cent - to $96.2 million - for the next two years, but some medical and insurance costs will now come out of it.

Outside experts will rank factors such as their "likability" to determine who gets how much of a pool that starts at $2.8 million this year.

Also for the first time, players ranked in the top six in both Test and limited-overs cricket will be given fixed retainers, meaning they will be paid all match fees even if they miss some games.

The minimum of such retainer will be $190,000 this year, rising to $210,000 next year, and there is no maximum.

But Marsh and Sutherland said $1.5 million was a ball-park figure on what the top six could expect to earn all-up, their marketing deals included.

The selectors will continue to rank the players and the number of contracts will remain at 25.

Match fees for Tests have gone up from $13,000 to $13,250 this year and $13,500 next year, with one-day internationals going from $5200 to $5300 and $5400. Twenty20 fees go from $3900 to $3975 to $4050.

http://cricketnext.in.com/news/pay-hike-for-aussies-after-t20-debacle/41583-29.html

Qadir's PC postponed after hotel blast

Karachi: Security concerns following the bomb blast in Peshawar have forced the postponement of a scheduled press conference to be addressed by former Pakistan chief selector Abdul Qadir in Lahore on Wednesday.

The sports management company representing the former Test leg-spinner said the bomb blast at the five star Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar had forced them to postpone the press conference.

The press conference was to be held at Pearl Continental in Lahore on Wednesday.

"Due to the blast at the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar, Pearl Continental administration in Lahore has requested that we call off the conference due to security concerns," an official of the company said.

Qadir, who resigned as chief selector on Monday in mysterious circumstances, was expected to make some revelations about the happenings in the Pakistan team and the cricket board.

Security concerns have already hit Pakistan cricket hard as it has lost it's share of the 2011 World Cup matches.

The blast at Pearl Continental Peshawar which served as a team hotel for many touring sides including India in the last few years is likely to come as a setback to Pakistan which is trying to convince the ICC and other host countries to allow it to host its share of the World Cup matches.

http://cricketnext.in.com/news/qadirs-pc-postponed-after-hotel-blast/41577-13.html

Akram wants youngsters to fill PCB posts

London: Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram is sick and tired of seeing retired old men at the helm of Pakistan cricket, and is convinced that this is the right time for the younger generation to come forward in a bid to bring the sport back on track in the country.

The former Pakistani captain believes that the change of guard could start with the appointment of a 'youngish' chief selector in place of Abdul Qadir, who has recently resigned from the position.

"What Pakistan need is the involvement of younger men, people in their thirties or forties who have played cricket in the modern era because they are the ones who will have the capability of make things right for the game," The News quoted Akram, as saying.

Without criticising Qadir, Akram said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should appoint a chief selector from his (Akram’s) age bracket.

"It’s important for Pakistan cricket that the chief selector is a younger guy, who has extensive knowledge of modern day cricket. He should be fully aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the local cricketers with complete knowledge of players from rival teams.

"Selecting a balanced team is no child''s play and only a good professional can do the job," Akram added.

It is rumoured that former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail is likely to take over as the next chief selector.

Akram also suggested that players like Moin Khan, who are actively involved in domestic cricket, could be ideal candidates for the job.

Akram, however, ruled himself out of taking the job because of his commitments as a television commentator, but offered his services as an advisor.

http://cricketnext.in.com/news/akram-wants-youngsters-to-fill-pcb-posts/41582-13.html

Jayasuriya strikes form, Lanka beat Windies by 15 runs

NOTTINGHAM, June 10 (PTI): Sanath Jayasuriya’s 47-ball 81 and his century stand for the first wicket with Tillakaratne Dilshan propelled Sri Lanka to a 15-run win over the West Indies in an inconsequential Twenty20 World Cup Group C match here today.

With both the sides making it to the Super Eight stage, the match had no bearing on their future in the tournament but Sri Lanka still began in the right earnest.

Put into bat, the Lankans got off to a solid start as openers Jayasuriya and Dilshan (74 off 47 balls) laid the foundation for a huge total before medium-pacer Lendl Simmons (4-19) managed to pull things back a little for the West Indies.

Chasing 193 for victory, West Indies managed 177 for five with Dwayne Bravo (51), Ramnaresh Sarwan (28 not out) and Lendl Simmons (27) shining with the bat even though it was not enough in the end.

West Indies started in a whirlwind fashion as openers Andre Fletcher (13) and Simmons put on 38 runs inside four overs before the former’s leg stump was uprooted by a slower full toss from Lasith Malinga.

Undeterred, Simmons carried on, hitting back-to-back fours off Muttiah Muralitharan but his all-round show was brought to an end by the wily off-spinner as the batsman perished at first slip.

Ajantha Mendis (2/25) then got into the act, removing Xavier Marshall (14) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1) in the same over and suddenly West Indies were in deep trouble.

Dwayne Bravo (51) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (28 not out) then teamed up, trying to pull West Indies out of the rut but with the Sri Lankan slow bowlers casting a spell, finding boundaries looked to be a tall order.

With the run rate steadily heading north, Bravo made a last ditch attempt, hitting Malinga for a six in the 18th over that also brought up his half-century, but perished the very next ball, holding out to Jehan Mubarak at mid-on.

Bravo, who added 77 runs for the fifth wicket with Sarwan, hit five fours and two sixes in his 38-ball stay.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jun1109/Sports

Ireland beat Bangla, reach Super 8 in T20 World Cup

TRENT BRIDGE, June 8 (PTI): O’Brien brothers – Niall and Kevin’s scintillating knocks fashioned Ireland’s six-wicket victory over Bangladesh and propelled them to the Super Eight stage of the ICC Twenty20 Championship, here today.

Niall blasted a 25-ball 40, studded with three fours and as many sixes while Kevin fired an unbeaten 17-ball 39, smashing four fours and a couple of sixes to help Ireland reach the target with 10 balls to spare. Earlier, all-rounder Trent Johnston’s three-wicket haul restricted Bangladesh to 137 for eight in their Group A match.

Niall stitched a 55-run partnership for the first wicket with skipper William Porterfield (23) to lay the foundation of the win before the left-handed batsman was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan in the 10th over.

Ireland then lost two quick wickets in Porterfield and GC Wilson (10) before Kevin steadied the ship and forged a 49-run stand in 24 balls with John Mooney (17), to set the tone for a deserved victory.

For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza took two wickets for 30 runs, while Shakib and Abdur Razzak bagged one each.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=jun0909/Sports

The curious case of Virender Sehwag

But Sehwag being Sehwag and the vice-captain of the side, the issue can't be kept under wraps for long. Either he is fit or unfit. In both the cases, the questions are discomforting. If he is fit, he ought not to be sitting on the bench. If he is unfit, then he ought not to have taken the plane to England.

If a fit Sehwag is sidelined, Dhoni could have a pronounced reason for it. One, the Nawab of Najafgarh is insisting on being put into the middle order. It's a stretch where Dhoni wants batsmen who could hold end up - like Gambhir and he himself. Sehwag doesn't quite fit into this profile.

Steadiness at number three is probably the reason why Dhoni has pushed Suresh Raina down the order even though the left-hander is in terrific form and was one of the leading scorers of the IPL.

Dhoni, very much his own man, doesn't mind ruffling feathers if he is set upon a course of action. He didn't mind it when he pushed his former skipper Rahul Dravid out of the one-day ranks. Later, he did the same to Sourav Ganguly in Australia.

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/cricket.yahoonews.com/baf4aa8ef64fbe2514b8e24d455ff722/

Dhoni also has a history with Sehwag. The dashing opener had made a sensational return to Test cricket with hundred in the Adelaide Test of the 2007-08 series Down Under and seemed secure for the rest of the tour. He was duly rewarded with berth in the one-day eleven but a few failures and Dhoni promptly put him on the bench. Sehwag didn't play a game thereafter on the tour.

Sehwag, on that occasion, had publicly picked up an issue with Dhoni. He didn't mind being sidelined if his skipper thought he didn't fit into the scheme of things. But he certainly didn't approve when Dhoni explained Sehwag's absence with an imaginary injury which didn't exist! "Drop me if you must but don't cook up excuses," was Sehwag's curt message.

Thereafter, in the 2007-08 Asia Cup in Pakistan, Sehwag smashed 78 and 119 runs from the first two one-day internationals. Inexplicably, he was then rested in the third match against Bangladesh. Recalled for the remaining three games, Sehwag had scores of 42, 49 and 60 runs.

It's understandable that Sehwag is a power bloc within himself in the team. Gautam Gambhir is his fan and adoring partner whose bat bears a good-luck message from Sehwag. He is a powerful figure in Indian cricket, captain of Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and all set to even have stakes in the company. If he is seen as being treated badly by Dhoni, the message could cause disquiet among other seniors such as Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and even Gambhir.

But then Dhoni isn't the one who takes a step backwards once he has made up his mind. A little flexibility is all that is required in this issue but whether Dhoni is capable of such compromises is another matter altogether.

Edwards takes lead role as England warm up in style

Skipper Charlotte Edwards hit a stylish unbeaten half-century today as England brushed New Zealand aside in its first warm-up match before the ICC Women's World Twenty20 2009 tournament.

Set 123 to win in a re-run of the World Cup final earlier this year, the host eased home with seven wickets and seven balls to spare, Edwards sealing the result with a fine pull and cut for consecutive boundaries off pace bowler Sophie Devine.

"We've played a lot over the last few weeks and we know what we are about," Edwards said. "We're in pretty good form.

"There's been a lot of hype since the World Cup and I'm just glad that we keep putting in performances because there's huge expectation," added Edwards, who had pledged to treat the warm-up as seriously as a full international.

England assistant coach Jack Birkenshaw, however, was more guarded.

"It was good but there are areas where we must improve. We got to 70 without loss after 10 overs but then lost our momentum. We also gave away an extra over in wides and dropped a couple of catches. But, overall, we're satisfied."

Edwards, a classical right-hander, was 55 not out at the end. She and Sarah Taylor (44) put on 73 for the first wicket to leave the tournament favourites in firm control.

New Zealand had reached 122 for 8 after being put in on a damp surface tinged with green.

Captain Aimee Watkins was also her side's top-scorer, making 38 before falling to Edwards's spin. She put on 40 with Lucy Doolan for the opening wicket as the New Zealanders started positively. The dangerous Suzie Bates missed out, though, falling to spinner Holly Colvin for 10.

"We are disappointed that we didn't push on after making a good start with the bat but there were positives for us," said Watkins. "The result does not bother us - it definitely won't give England a psychological edge over us if we meet in the tournament. It was a warm up game."

South Africa, meanwhile, saw off Sri Lanka by 26 runs in their practice game. Opting to bat, the South Africans made 118 for three, with Mignon du Preez making a run-a-ball 51 not out. She and opener Susan Benade put on 94 for the third wicket. Sri Lanka replied with 92 for eight, its chase undermined by three reckless run-outs.

Australia's warm-up with India was washed out but West Indies and Pakistan managed to squeeze in a 14-over-a-side encounter in between the rain showers, with West Indies winning by 26 runs after making 114 for 4, Deandra Dottin lashing 37 off 12 balls and Stacy-Ann King 23 off 14. Pakistan made 88 for 6 in reply.

Siddons blasts 'ridiculous' batting

Ireland comfortably overhauled Bangladesh's 137-8 by six wickets with 10 balls to spare to end the beaten side's brief participation in the tournament.

Siddons pulled no punches when it came to who he held responsible for the defeat.

"We didn't make anywhere near enough runs," said Siddons. "The par score there [Trent Bridge] against any attack was 170 on that flat wicket. Fast outfield, short boundary one side and there were just some stupid mental errors by our batsmen. It was ridiculous batting."

The Australian was happy to name names as he reeled off a list of experienced batsmen who he felt should have learnt by their previous mistakes by now, including captain Mohammad Ashraful who sat alongside him at the press conference.

"Right from the top, the opening batsmen had to be aggressive but we knew they [Ireland] bowled good slower balls early in the innings, and it just went right the way through - the run out of Tamim Iqbal, who has got out like that about four times on this tour, Shakib Al Hasan has got out that way about five times on this tour, same area, same shot [holing out on the long-on/midwicket boundary].

"They are just mental errors because their skill levels are as good as anyone. I'm borderline disappointed and angry - I'm not sure which way to treat them when I speak to them in a minute. There's nothing we can do if they keep making mental errors like that and the same mistakes over and over. We train it, we talk about it, we do everything we possibly can. Even Ash [Mohammad Ashraful] made the same mistake when he hit the bloke to the same fielder as he'd done [Kevin O'Brien at slip] in the over before, went out and did it again and said catch me this time . It just goes down the list, five or six, maybe seven, batsmen got out with ridiculous shots."

Bangladesh thus head off to lick their wounds and with plenty to think about ahead of the next ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies next year.

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/cricket.yahoonews.com/994820a4616e4b776c62de9a4e6194f3/

Yuvi is best: Mortaza

The persistent rain left them with no choice but to pursue the option of practicing at ECB Cricket Academy in Loughborough University, some 40km away from Nottingham.

The temperature had dipped to 3 degree Celsius, the wind was icy but the indoor nets were a safe haven as Bangladesh looked to put itself in shape for tie against Ireland on Monday, a must-win game for them in the ICC World Twenty20.

The Saturday's defeat against India was accepted with good grace and there were words of compliment for the defending champions from all and sundry.

Mashrafee Mortaza was all smiles even though his customary dragon-slaying act against India didn't materialize on Saturday.

Mortaza didn't take a wicket from his four overs and conceded 29 runs and while batting smashed a six from eight balls but 11 runs was all he managed before losing his timbers to Pragyan Ojha.

It was Mortaza who had scuttled Indians in that seismic match of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, claiming four wickets for 38 runs and scaling down the target to just 192 runs for his batters.

Tamim Iqbal (51), Mushfiqur Rahim (56) and Shakibul Hasan (53) had then hit half centuries to guide their team to romp home by five wickets.

None of them made any impact on Saturday - Tamim (15) was out in the 3rd over; Shakibal Hasan's (8) mighty heave could only go as far as short midwicket and Mushfiqur Rahim limped to 11 from 11 balls.

Indians could thus get their even on probably the most humiliating loss of their cricketing history.

Yet Bangladesh was graceful in accepting the verdict.

"Indians played better cricket," started Mortaza "They were better in all departments."

Bangladesh had kept things firmly in check before Yuvraj Singh ran away with a blistering 41 off 18 balls and hauled India to safety.

Instead of cursing Yuvraj under his breath, Mortaza is all praise for the dashing left-hander.

"I have seen batsmen from all over the world but there is none to match Yuvraj Singh.

"Since I first saw him in the 2000 ICC mini World Cup in Kenya, and watched him smash 84 runs against Australia, my admiration for him has only grown."

Mortaza is similarly in awe of Zaheer Khan and rates Ishant Sharma as one of the most promising young men of international cricket.

"Zaheer is in a class of his own. He has everything under his armoury. Ishant is very promising but he has some way to go."

http://cricket.yahoo.com/cricket/news/article?id=item/2.0/-/cricket.yahoonews.com/b797f692e556d291673610992f40421d/

Australia crash out

Kumar Sangakkara played a captain's innings with 55 not out off 42 balls after Tillakaratne Dilshan (53 off 32 balls) gave his side a flying start in pursuit of 160.

Australia never fully recovered from a disastrous middle period of their innings when the slow bowlers pegged them back after a decent start.

An inspiring catch from David Warner lifted Australian hopes in reply when he took a fine leaping catch just inside the boundary rope to dismiss Sanath Jayasuriya for 2.

Dilshan and Sangakkara then saw their side to 62 off the six-over Powerplay as the runs flowed at a good rate.

Dilshan brought up his own 50 off 26 balls, when he flipped Watson over the head of the wicketkeeper for his 10th boundary, but he fell saw after when bowled by Michael Clarke.

Mahela Jayawardene (9) then took a wild swipe at Nathan Hauritz and got a top-edge to short third-man.

Two sixes off successive balls by Sangakkara off Hauritz then hastened the Sri Lankan victory although there was a slight stutter during Brett Lee's third over when Silva pulled to short mid-wicket and three more dot balls followed. But Jehan Mubarak ended the over with a six just over the head of deep midwicket to leave the batting side with 24 to get off the last 18 balls.

Sangakkara reached his 50 off 40 with a delicate lap shot just wide of short fine-leg to help bring the equation down to 14 from 12 balls.

Mubarak brought the required rate down to less than a run a ball as Lee's tournament ended as it had started and middle - by being hit into the stand for six.

Australia's campaign was summed up when Mubarak (21 off 12 balls) smacked Lee to mid-off but the fielder could only palm the ball to the boundary as he leapt for what would have been a miraculous catch.

Mitchell Johnson's wide to finish the match put the icing on the cake for Australia - not a sweet tasting one at that - as they bowed out of the tournament with an over to spare.

Australia's total was much better than was expected at one time when they slumped to 94-6 towards the end of the 15th over.

David Warner (0) fell in the first over when he slashed Angelo Mathews to backward point but Shane Watson (22) and Ricky Ponting (25) steadied the Aussie ship in a stand of 48.

Spin then took hold as Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan (initially) put a block on the scoring. At that point Mendis had the exceptional analysis of 2-0-4-2.

Ponting was bowled by Mendis as he looked to make room to leg and then Watson was leg before during the off-spinner's next over when he missed a sweep.

Brad Haddin went in embarrassing circumstances when he missed a slow full toss from Malinga and was bowled for 16.

Isuru Udana was another pace bowler to make full use of a slower ball when he deceived Michael Clarke, who could only send a leading edge back to the bowler who took a fine one-handed catch to his left.

Mendis and Muralitharan continued to put the squeeze on the batsmen and it was the former who struck for the third time when he trapped Mike Hussey in front of his stumps with a quicker ball.

From that point, however, the Aussie middle and lower order swung the match back towards parity with some lusty blows.

David Hussey and Johnson added 41 in 21 deliveries to destroy Muralitharan by taking 21 from his last over after the veteran spinner had conceded just eight from his first 18 balls.

Australia plundered 65 from their last five overs with Udana also suffering at the hands of Hussey and Johnson, although he did at least claim the wicket of the former, slicing a skier to backward point, during an over that cost 18.

Lasith Malinga's final over of the innings encapsulated the whole batting effort at 12 were taken from it in between two wickets.

Lee was cleaned out by a yorker (but not before scoring 15 off five balls) and then a slower ball deceived Hauritz off the penultimate ball. An inside edge off the last delivery by Nathan Bracken meant Australia finished with all the momentum running their way.

It was not to last.

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Bond and Tuffey likely to get national contracts

: Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey are under consideration for national cricket contracts this month after their return from the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL), New Zealand national selection panel chief Glenn Turner said.

New Zealand Cricket's chief executive Justin Vaughan confirmed at the weekend that clearances for the pair and Craig McMillan from the ICL had been received.

Once the paperwork is in order the duo are in line for contracts to the top-20 ranked players to be announced June 26 after the Twenty20 World Cup.

Turner said the selectors held a discussion last week and included in that was the possibility that Bond and Tuffey could be eligible for selection.

The contracts are awarded based on performances in the past season and projected value for the coming season. Bond would have little trouble securing a high-ranking New Zealand contract while Tuffey would be a serious contender.

Turner said the pair had been playing in New Zealand last season, Tuffey at all levels and Bond just in limited-overs, and they were clearly eligible to be considered. He welcomed the return of the duo and said it would help enhance competition for contracts and broaden the talent pool in the country.

"Just because they have not played for New Zealand in the past year does nor rule them out of consideration for contracts," Turner was quoted as saying in New Zealand Herald.

Both men signed for the ICL in late 2007 with Bond's absence leaving a gaping hole in the New Zealand pace attack.

That was further underlined in New Zealand's match against Twenty20 World Cup against qualifier Scotland where the bowling attack lacked a spearhead to start.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bond-and-Tuffey-likely-to-get-national-contracts/articleshow/4631326.cms

Foreign teams bid for Symonds, says manager

SYDNEY: Wayward all-rounder Andrew Symonds has overseas offers to consider as he mulls over whether to continue playing in Australia, his manager said on Monday.

The international playing career of Symonds is in doubt after Cricket Australia sent him from the World Twenty20 tournament in England last week after another alcohol-related indiscretion.

His Queensland state wants him to continue playing for them in the domestic competitions, but he has received English and South African offers on top of his lucrative Indian Premier League contract, which has another year to run.

Symonds' manager, Matt Fearon, confirmed that the unpredictable all-rounder, who turns 34 on Tuesday, was keen to play on despite Cricket Australia indicating it will withdraw his 2009-10 contract.

Fearon said Symonds had "numerous" teams looking to contract him, including English counties and South African provinces.

"It's fair to say he's constantly sought after from many regions, both prior to this happening and currently," Fearon said on Monday.

"They're areas we haven't explored before because he's always been focused on playing international cricket.

"They're options for him if he chooses to do that."

Fearon said Symonds, who arrived home from England on Saturday, is seeking advice from family and friends as he weighs up his future.

Fearon said the most important aspect for Symonds was to play in an environment with "like-minded" people after feeling out of place in the current Australian team set-up.

Symonds was a success in the IPL, helping the Deccan Chargers to the Twenty20 title in South Africa last month under the stewardship of former Test teammates Darren Lehmann and Adam Gilchrist.

"At this stage his focus is to surround himself with people he enjoys and support him and have the right influence on him," Fearon said.

"As far as where the Australian team is headed and the culture within, that's changed significantly and he's no longer a good fit there.

"Queensland Cricket have been a big part of his career and are supporting him now and would be an avenue for him as well."

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Foreign-teams-bid-for-Symonds-says-manager/articleshow/4631392.cms

England win to stay alive

LONDON, June 7: England defeated Pakistan by 47 runs today here. Chasing 186 to win, Pakistan made 137 for 7 with only captain Younis Khan fighting a lone battle with his runs 46-run innings.

Earlier, battling to stay in the ICC Twenty20 championships at home, England scored impressive 185 for 5 against Pakistan in the Group B match at the Oval here today.

Kevin Pietersen made a timely return to the side with a masterly 58 after Luke Wright, with whom he shared a 53-run stand for the second wicket, set the tone with a 16-ball 34. Pietersen also added 66 for the third wicket with Owais Shah (33) after Pakistan sent them in to bat. At one stage the hosts were heading towards a 200-plus score but Saeed Ajmal’s double strike the 17th over pegged them back.

The tweaker first dismissed rival skipper Paul Collingwood (15) and then sent back Pietersen, whose 38-ball knock contained five fours and three sixes.
Except for opener Ravi Bopara (5) all the England batsmen made good contributions for England. (Agencies)

Rain may play spoilsport in India-Bangladesh opener

Trent Bridge (Nottingham), Jun 6 (PTI) Incessant rain is threatening to play spoilsport in India's opening match against Bangladesh in the World Twenty20 Championships here today.

Heavy rains lashed the city last night and it's drizzling since morning here, making the chances dim for the defending champions' first Group A match, scheduled to start at 6 pm local time (IST 10.30 pm).

The opening ceremony of the second edition of the event was also cancelled yesterday in London because of rains.

India's second match of the tournament is against Ireland on Wednesday. PTI

79 ICL players make exodus and rejoin BCCI fold

MUMBAI: In a major exodus, 79 rebel players took advantage of BCCI's time-bound amnesty offer and deserted the Indian Cricket League to return to official, mainstream cricket.

The BCCI on Tuesday said in a statement that the cricketers snapped their ICL ties to immediately become eligible for domestic cricket and would also be considered for international matches once they complete their one year cooling off period.

Among the 101 players and others who have deserted ICL, bankrolled by the Essel Group, were former internationals Rohan Gavaskar, Deep Dasgupta (Bengal), Dinesh Mongia, Reetinder Sodhi (Punjab) and Hemang Badani (Tamil Nadu).

The 11 former cricketers who have quit the ICL are ex-Test skipper Ajit Wadekar, spin legend Erapalli Prasanna and 1983 World Cup-winning Indian squad members Sandeep Patil, Madan Lal and Balwinder Singh Sandhu.

Most of them were tied up with the ICL as coaches. Significantly, India's only World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev, who is the chairman of the ICL's Executive Board, has not severed his relations with the league along with former Test stumper and ex-Chief Selector Kiran More.

"The BCCI, after scrutinizing their requests, has written to the concerned state associations that these players are eligible to play in the domestic tournaments for this year", said BCCI secretary N Srinivasan.

The BCCI secretary said that guidelines with respect to participation in Indian Premier League will be intimated in due course.

The Indian Board has already decided that such persons will have to serve a one-year cooling off period before becoming eligible to play international cricket for the country.

Though the ICL has been virtually emptied out of its Indian players, the rebel league put up a brave front and said that the league is not shutting down and will recruit new talent as and when it's needed.

"We still have 40-50 players, out of the original 140-odd, on our roster and as and when the need arises we would recruit fresh talent. The League is on. We are not closing down. The next season is in October-November and it's still early days", an ICL official said.

Landers said that in all there were around 85 Indian players in their roster till the second season, out of which 77 have left their fold now.

"We had already left out two of them", he pointed out, one of them being Mongia who had been suspended in October last for allegedly under-performing along with former New Zealand all rounder Chris Cairns.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4608232.cms?TOI_Cricket_mostread

Sri Lanka hope to sing Jaya ho

By the time the World Twenty20 event in England comes to an end, Sanath Jayasuriya will only be a month away from his 40th birthday. It will, in all probability, be the last world event the left-hander might play.

Today, Jayasuriya might be a much older man with slower reflections and instincts a bit rounded. But, if Sri Lanka would as much as dare to win the trophy in England, he’s their biggest hope once again.

At the start, where Jayasuriya’s so good with the new ball, if he manages to simply stand in the middle for 10 overs in crucial games, captain Kumara Sangakkara needn’t ask for more.

A career strike rate of 92.13 in 434 One-Day Internationals hardly deserves an explanation either. Then there are those who can add meat to the backbone that the southpaw is.

There’s Sangakkara himself along with Mahela Jayawardene--free from the burden of captaincy and T Dilshan—Lanka’s next best bet after Jayasuriya.

The attack is equally good with Muralitharan in raging form and Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis to back him. So, if Jayasuriya gets going, needless to say Sri Lanka automatically turn favourites.

Squad: Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Indika de Saram, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jehan Mubarak, T Dilshan, Ferveez Mahroof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Angelo Matthews, Chamara Silva, Thilan Tushara, Isuru Udana

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/News/News/Sri-Lanka-hope-to-sing-Jaya-ho/articleshow/4614565.cms

India thrash Pakistan in T20 warm-up match

LONDON: Rohit Sharma tore apart Pakistan's bowling attack with a 80-run blitzkrieg as India bulldozed their arch-rivals by nine wickets with three overs to spare in their final warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 on Wednesday night.

Chasing 159, Rohit and Gautam Gambhir (52 not out) raised 140 runs in just 16 overs for the opening stand to slam the door on Pakistan and India cruised to 159 for one in 17 overs to complete a facile win.

Rohit's was a sublime 53-ball knock, bejewelled with nine fours and two sixes. In contrast, Gambhir played the second fiddle to perfection and was unbeaten after a 47-ball knock that included five hits to the fence.

Earlier, Pakistan got off to a flier before suffering a mid-innings slump even though they eventually reached a competitive 158 for six, thanks to cameos from Ahmed Shehzad (25), Younis Khan (32), Misbah-ul Haq (37 not out) and Yasir Arafat (25 not out).

But with Gambhir getting his mojo back and Rohit continuing his purple patch, India's chase was off to a rollicking start and they never relaxed their grip.

Gambhir flicked the first ball from Umar Gul for a delectable four and ended the over in similar fashion.

Rohit, meanwhile, was not ready to be outshone.

Accordingly, Gul was hit over mid-on for a four, Yasir Arafat was dispatched in the stands for the first six of the match before copping two fours in his next over.

Shahid Afridi also found himself at the receiving end of Rohit's wrath when the batsman smote him over midwicket for a huge six.

Though Rohit eventually fell in the 16th over, by then it was just a matter of formality for India.

Earlier, Pakistan got off to a flier but India's disciplined bowling unit staged a remarkable comeback to restrict them to 158 for six.

Despite losing an early wicket, Pakistan cruised to 45 in just over four overs before losing three wickets without a single run added to the score.

After winning toss, Pakistan captain Younis Khan sent out teen twins Shahzaib Hasan (0) and Ahmed Shehzad (25) to open the innings but Hasan was back in the hut soon after Praveen Kumar's fifth legitimate delivery pegged back his off-stump.

Shehzad's too could have been a brief stay but Harbhajan Singh grassed a sitter at mid-wicket off RP Singh when the batsman was on five and India were made to pay for the clanger.

Shehzad shed all inhibitions and went after the Indian bowlers and suddenly it was raining boundaries at The Oval.

RP Singh copped two in the same over and Praveen didn't escape unscathed either as Shehzad pulled and drove with elan.

Shehzad's aggression proved contagious as Kamran Akmal (19) too started freeing his arms to good effect.

It was probably too good to last and Pakistan lost three wickets over five balls with Suresh Raina in the thick of action.

An airborne Raina first did a Jonty Rhodes to swoop on a ball and hit the stumps to remove Akmal and then placed himself under Shehzad's miscued skier in the same Ishant Sharma over.

Shahid Afridi's was a blink-and-miss stay as the swashbuckling right-hander bottom edged Irfan Pathan and Mahendra Singh Dhoni took a diving catch to remove him for a golden duck.

Shoaib Malik (14) started well before Pragyan Ojha snared the former captain in his first over and Pakistan were without their top half when the score reached 63.

Younis (32) and Misbah (37 not out) raised 50 runs in 7.3 overs but boundaries had dried up by then. Harbhajan got rid off Younis but Misbah and Arafat (25 not out) threw their bat at everything to push the score past the 150-mark.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4614646.cms

India go down against Kiwis in warm-up tie

London, June 2: India squandered a rollicking start and lost the plot towards the end to concede a nine-run defeat against New Zealand in their warm-up match of the ICC World Twenty20 here.
Chasing 171 for a win, India rode on sterling knocks from Rohit Sharma (36), Suresh Raina (45) and Ravindra Jadeja (41 not out) to cruise to what seemed an imminent win before they were restricted to 161 for six last night.

Earlier, New Zealand survived Ishant Sharma’s four-wicket haul to post 170 for seven with useful cameos from Ross Taylor (41), Brendon McCullum (31), Scott Styris (29) and James Franklin (27 not out off 10 balls).

India were off to a flying start with Rohit wasting precious little time to assert his class even in his uncharacteristic opener’s role.

Rohit carved Iain O'Brien for a boundary in the first over and worse awaited the right-arm pacer who bled 18 runs in his second with Rohit hitting him for two massive sixes and a four with class written all over the shots. THE SENTINEL