ICC defers decision on presidency

The ICC's Executive Board has deferred till October, when it next meets, a decision over a proposed amendment of its constitution regarding the appointment of its president.
In its deliberations this morning, the Executive Board decided not to take the matter to the Full Council for a vote when it meets tomorrow on the final day of the annual conference. Today's meeting went as expected with the PCB objecting as they had done in May, and Bangladesh arguing that the amendment should take place when the full cycle of the rotational policy was completed, which would be after the 2014 candidates for president and vice-president were named by Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Along with Pakistan and Bangladesh - who have agreed to not nominate a candidate for ICC Vice-President before the matter is again considered by the Executive Board - a third member of the Executive Board approved of the deferral of the amendment on the grounds of procedure. The member said that while they supported the idea of only the most meritorious candidates taking on the job of ICC president, the issue of a constitutional amendment needed a more careful and reasoned deliberation than how it had been done in May - by circular resolution, that is, only through written communication. The decision, the Full Member said, was far too important to be decided without a full and proper discussion by the Board.

Between now and its next meeting in October, the Executive Board will discuss the matter and it will once again be brought to vote if necessary. By then the Governance Review Committee would have completed its review of all governance-related matters - including the possibility of appointing independent directors.

As a result of the deferral today, there is a possibility that should the amendment reach the Full Council, another annual general meeting could be called between now and June of 2012 to see it through. In June 2012, the ICC will have to pick a successor to New Zealand's Alan Isaac for the position of ICC president. Within the next 12 months, the ICC will have to either push through the amendment or stick with the rotational policy, in which case someone from Pakistan or Bangladesh will assume the highest office in cricket in 2014.

Sharda Ugra is senior editor at ESPNcricinfo

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www. ESPNcricinfo.com

SLPL to go ahead without Indian participation

Sri Lanka Cricket will push ahead with its inaugural premier league with Australian and Pakistani players, despite the absence of Indian stars, the island's sports minister stated.

"We will lose a bit of money because Indian players are not coming but the tournament will be played as planned," Mahindananda Aluthgamage said after the SLC failed to bring the BCCI on board.

Fast bowlers Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel were among 12 Indian players who were blocked by the BCCI from playing the SLPL that starts from July 19 and ends on August 4.

The minister said the Indian board's reluctance stemmed from media reports that the event was being organised by a Singapore-based company with alleged links to Lalit Modi, the sacked former boss of the Indian Premier League.

"Mr Modi is not involved in our tournament. However, we have to accept India's decision. We remain friends with India," Aluthgamage said.

The London-based Modi faces criminal charges, including false accounting, and accusations by the BCCI that more than $106 million was misappropriated during his three-year tenure as IPL chairman.

The Singapore-based Somerset Entertainment Ventures, who won the marketing rights for five years, has already paid an advance of $300,000 to Sri Lanka Cricket, the local Sunday Times newspaper reported.

It said India's reluctance had led to broadcaster ESPN withdrawing support for the tournament, which will feature seven teams and will include a mix of local and international players.

The newspaper said top Sri Lanka Cricket officials met Somerset chairman Sandeep M. Bhammer and chief executive Kunal Bhargava on Friday for talks, but details of the discussion remained unclear.


source of post:
 http://www.cricbuzz.com/

India is Pakistan's arch-rival: Mani

Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has termed India an arch-rival and accused the neighbouring country of using its financial might to try and exclude Pakistan from every sport.

India is Pakistan's arch-rival: Mani

"India is an arch-rival of Pakistan which wants to exclude Pakistan from every game, especially in cricket, and to conquer major games of the world by investing money in them," Mani said.

Mani, who has represented the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the past, also accused BCCI president Shashank Manohar of ignoring players from Pakistan in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Manohar is in no mood to give chance to Pakistan in the IPL in future," he said.

The former ICC boss did not spare the PCB also, saying that no betterment can take place in Pakistan cricket till the current lot of officials were in charge of the Board.

"No team is ready to visit Pakistan, and this situation will continue till the internal situation of Pakistan gets better," the 65-year-old told Nawa-i-Waqt, a Pakistan based news agency, from London.

Pakistan has not hosted an international cricket team since the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009 in which six policemen were killed and seven players and officials were injured.



source of post:
http://www.cricbuzz.com/

Top 25 Catches of All Time

Waqar Younis The Legend Of Pakistan Cricket

Is BCCI scared of Lalit Modi?

New Delhi: Given the way BCCI behaves at times, should we not start calling it Bullying in the name of Controlling Cricket in India instead of the Board of Control for Cricket in India? The latest being their refusal to let the Indian players play in the Sri Lankan Premier League. Reason: They say the event is being organised by a private party on behalf of the Sri Lanka Cricket. (Read: BCCI bars players from Sri Lanka Premier League)

Apparently, 12 Indian players were keen on playing the league but the Indian Board denied them the NOC because they claim that the event is being organized by a Singapore-based company - Somerset Ventures.
The Lankan board said the league is owned by them and hence approved by the ICC, and the Somerset Ventures are just the marketing partners.(Read: Hurt Sri Lanka fires back at BCCI)

It's little absurd on the BCCI's part to say no to Sri Lanka, a country who the Indian cricket team has played the most in the last three years and who let their cricketers play in the BCCI-owned IPL at the cost of their preparations for the England tour (where series defeat is looming).

What's even weirder is BCCI's skepticism. Why would a national cricket board lie? And why would the ICC fall for it? So is it more than what meets the eye?

Perhaps!

According to a report in a national daily, the BCCI suspect involvement of… (hold your breath) …Lalit Modi. Whoa! And if you may ask the grounds on which they doubt so, then well…many of those who are working for the Somerset Ventures have worked in the IPL during Modi's regime.

Does this prove his involvement? Not really. The man himself was amused and said: "Amazing. What will they come up with next? Imaginations do run wild in BCCI nowadays."

"I really have no idea who is behind it. If there are people working in IPL and are working behind the scenes, then it must be with someone high up with BCCI's blessing. If I was to be behind a league, then it won't be just mere speculation. Everyone will know I'm behind it," Modi told the newspaper.

It's true Modi tried forming a league in England and that was crushed even before it could materialize. But a national board, well aware of the consequences if they irk the BCCI, would not hide something so contentious.

But, for instance, even if Modi's involved, why be so against it? It was under BCCI's 'ever-changing' and 'so-called' jurisdiction to remove Modi from the IPL, but what right do they have to force other boards to follow the same line?

"It seems best way to scuttle any plans is to say Lalit Modi is behind it. Good to know that just mentioning my name can send a shiver down their spines," Modi wrote on his Twitter page. (Read: BCCI a bunch of spineless people: Lalit Modi)

Is the BCCI really scared of him?

Anything to do with cricket needs India's (powerhouse of cricket) support to succeed, that's a well known fact. But it's unfair to exploit it to the extent of bullying and oppressing others.

Moreover, it is equally known that the BCCI members are not all clean and clear of any sort of misdeeds. It's more of a 'who-has-the whip-controls-the-beast' scenario, and the whip is always changing hands in the BCCI's case.

The BCCI czars are well aware of the damage Modi can inflict if he ever returns to power and they won't let the monster trapped in the cave come out easily. Whoever said 'cricket is a gentleman's game'!

source of post:
http://sports.ndtv.com/index.php

UDRS not reliable, reiterates Indian cricket board

New Delhi, June 18 (IANS)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Saturday reiterated that the Umpire Decision Review System (UDRS) is not reliable.The board's unwillingness to use the UDRS in the ongoing West Indies tour and also in the upcoming England series has been widely discussed in the last couple of weeks. Even master blaster Sachin Tendulkar has reportedly stated that he is not against it, though he has expressed reservations about its efficacy without the use of hotspot and snickometer.

A day after Tendulkar's stated stand, the board is still not convinced that UDRS is fool-proof.
Board secretary Narayanswamy Srinivasan said in a statement that 'the UDRS, and the BCCI's stance on it has been the subject of several media reports over the past few days.

'The BCCI would like to reiterate that it does not accept the reliability of the ball-tracking technology, which is an integral part of the DRS. The BCCI's position has been consistent,' said Srinivasan in the release.

Tendulkar's stand has been more or less the same ever since the board and the Indian team opposed the UDRS.

'I am not against DRS, but I feel it will be more effective with the support of the Snickometer and Hot Spot technology. This will give more consistent results,' Tendulkar was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

Board president Shashank Manohar Friday clarified that the board has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that they see no problem in the hot spot aspect of the technology.

'I have even told the ICC that we have no problem with Hot Spot. Our objection is to ball tracking. It becomes just a case of someone else's imagination versus the umpire's imagination,' he told the website.

The board has consistently opposed use of UDRS even though the ICC cricket committee has recommended the use of the technology in all Test series. A final decision will be taken at the executive board meeting in Hong Kong later this month.



sources:

No progress in WICB-Gayle standoff

Chris Gayle might have to cheer from the stands for a while

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) management will write to Chris Gayle after a meeting of its board of directors on June 17, outlining the way forward in the ongoing discord between the former captain and the administrators.

Ahead of that meeting, the two parties involved in the feud released their versions of the meeting on June 14, which ended without a decision on a timeframe and concrete process for Gayle's reinstatement in the West Indies side, or whether he would be reinstated at all.

The upshot is that Gayle's future is in limbo, and he won't play the first Test against India at Sabina Park, beginning on June 20. Gayle himself, according to the Aide Memoire of that June 14 meeting kept by the WIPA and released by Caribbean Sports Media Online (CSMO), "emphasised his concern that the timeframe for his reinstatement to the West Indies team seemed to be indefinite". He also sought clarification on why he was not considered for selection for the limited-overs matches against India after indicating his availability to the WICB.

The West Indies board later issued another release saying it had "has rejected it [Aide Memoire] as an accurate account of the meeting."

According to the minutes, released by the CSMO, Gayle had attended it certain the issues would be resolved amicably and he would be selected in the West Indies squad because he had not been a subject of disciplinary action previously in his international career.

The WICB, however, outlined reasons why Gayle was not selected for the limited-overs matches against India, and could not be selected until issues regarding his public criticism of the board and the team management were resolved.

"The comments made by him [Gayle] in the KLAS interview had created much ill-will with team management and unless there was a settling of differences, it would be difficult to see how the parties could harmoniously function," the WICB said in its release.

In a reference to Gayle playing the IPL while West Indies were hosting Pakistan, the WICB said that its board of directors would have to establish guidelines on "on how to handle players who, for reasons other than fitness or personal distress, make themselves unavailable for selection but expect to be selected whenever they deem it necessary to make themselves available."

At the meeting, the WICB was represented by chief executive Ernest Hilaire, West Indies coach Ottis Gibson, director of cricket Anthony Howard and team manager Richie Richardson, while WIPA chief Dinanath Ramnarine and vice-president Wavell Hinds accompanied Gayle.

The WICB said it "outlined to Gayle that the board has had issues historically in communicating with him and establishing a productive working relationship. Exceptional efforts had been made, especially during his tenure as captain, to establish that relationship." They cited Gayle's announcements on Twitter - about him wanting to take a break from the game and the mid-series cancellation of the tour of Sri Lanka because of incessant rain, among others - and his comments to KLAS Sports, a radio station in Jamaica.

WIPA rejected those charges by saying, "Gayle's conduct was a response to how he felt the board treated him and had tarnished his name and reputation."

Gayle also raised the issue of "being threatened" when he was sent a contract for the 2011 World Cup by Hilaire. According to WIPA's Aide Memoire, Gayle, who was in Australia at the time, had requested for the contract documents to be sent to the players' association so that he could be "properly advised".

"As a result of that request, the WICB CEO responded by informing Chris Gayle that if he did not sign the agreement by [the following] Monday at 4.30pm the CEO would instruct the selectors to pick another player. The CEO further stated that he does not have to send any agreements to WIPA and he will not be doing so. Mr Ramnarine pointed out in the Collective Agreement where the WICB was required to do so. Agreement for the WC 2011 was reached several days after, but at the time when Chris Gayle had inquired no agreement was reached."

Ramnarine insisted the WICB copy the WIPA on all correspondence to the players, saying it was "part of the process the parties have agreed to in the various agreements and expressed disappointment at the failure of the WICB to follow that process". Hilaire did not agree, and insisted he would continue writing directly to the players.



source of post:

http://www.espncricinfo.com

Afridi fined 4.5m, refuses to apologise for his actions

Shahid Afridi leaves PCB headquarters after appearing at a disciplinary committee in Lahore.—AFP

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, fined Rs4.5 million on Thursday by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) disciplinary committee for breaching various clauses of the central contract and code of conduct, said while he will pay the fine, he is in no mood to apologise or play international cricket for Pakistan at this moment.

The PCB on the recommendations of the disciplinary committee issued Afridi the NOC only to play for the Hampshire county’s T20 tournament but he will not be able to play anywhere else without the PCB’s permission.

After nearly four-hour hearing, the PCB disciplinary committee head Sultan Rana alongwith Shahid Afridi and Board’s lawyer Taffazul Rizvi appeared before the media to announce the decision.

Looking somewhat dejected and avoiding a lot of media queries, Afridi said: “I think the media has highlighted the issue enough and the entire matter has defamed the country’s name. But it is good that the matter has been resolved in good atmosphere.

“I explained my point of view before the committee and they heard me carefully and the matter has been amicably settled,” Afridi said in his brief statement.

To a question whether he would be available for the national team, Afridi said: “As far as cricket is concern I am not in a mood to play cricket right now.”

But when asked if it means he would not go to England to represent Hampshire, he quickly clarified that he is in no mood to play international cricket for Pakistan, but he will appear for Hampshire.

Earlier, before going to the hearing, Afridi spoke to the media in which he categorically said he would not apologise for his actions while admitting that he did make a mistake by breaching the clauses of the central contract.


 source of post:
 

AFRIDI CLEARED FOR HAMPSHIRE DUTY

                                                     Afridi - can play for Hampshire.

Shahid Afridi has been cleared to play for Hampshire in their Friends Life t20 title defence.
The all-rounder has missed the Royals' opening seven matches of the competition after the Pakistan Cricket Board revoked a No Objection Certificate to prevent him from taking his place.
That decision was made in retaliation to the PCB's feud with Afridi, but with tensions between the parties simmering following a meeting this week, the PCB have re-issued the NOC.
                                                         Afridi, who is currently in Pakistan after meeting PCB officials, will fly back to England this week before making his debut at Essex on Thursday.

"Hampshire Cricket is delighted to confirm that the club has received a formal No Objection Certificate (NOC) which allows Friends Life t20 overseas signing Shahid Afridi to take part in the rest of the tournament," a statement from the Royals read."

"The Pakistani all-rounder will be available for the Royals' t20 clash at Chelmsford against the Essex Eagles on Thursday 23 June.

"Afridi was due to play in the whole competition for the Royals but had to withdraw following an alleged breach of the Pakistan Cricket Board's code of conduct."

Afridi faced a disciplinary hearing this week after he conditionally retired from international duty and publicly criticised the PCB following his axing as limited-overs skipper.

That prompted the PCB to withhold the NOC and leave Hampshire out in the cold.

The first steps towards a resolution were, however, made following a meeting between Afridi and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt on Wednesday after which the all-rounder agreed to drop a court case against the governing body.

The re-issuing of Afridi's NOC was reportedly the bargaining chip in that agreement.

source

Pakistan board fines Zulqarnain Haider

ESPNcricinfo staff

June 17, 2011

	Zulqarnain Haider will be under probation for one year © Associated Press Enlarge

Zulqarnain Haider, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, has been fined rupees 500,000 ($ 5,800) by the PCB for violating their code of conduct when he flew to London last November, mid-way through a series in the UAE, without informing the team management. Haider appeared before the PCB disciplinary committee, comprising Sultan Rana, Wasim Ahmed and Mohammad Awais, on Friday in Lahore.

After the two-hour hearing Rana, the committee's head, said Haider will also be put under probation. "Zulqarnain will also be under a one-year probation period, during which his conduct will be observed."

The PCB said Haider had no proof of any wrongdoing against any player or official of the board, and withdrew all his allegations.

Haider had gone missing from the Pakistan team's hotel in Dubai on the morning of the fifth ODI against South Africa on November 8, and later said he had received death threats from unidentified people seeking to draw him into match-fixing.

Haider said his decision to flee was a mistake. "I did what I thought was right at that time. With the passage of time I realised that I committed a mistake. I should have informed the PCB, I should have informed my seniors."

He said he is looking forward to resume his career. "I just want to play cricket. [But] It all depends on the selection committee, whether they pick me for the national team or not."

In the aftermath of his flight, Haider had filed an application for asylum in the UK, which hinged on the nature of the information he was able to divulge, as the extraordinary nature of his case appeared to fall outside the usual conditions required of a person seeking refugee status. He had also announced his retirement from international cricket. However, he withdrew his application for asylum and returned to Pakistan in April this year, after receiving safety assurances from the country's interior minister Rehman Malik.

FAST BOWLING CLASS

The leg cutter

Introduction

Imagine facing a leg break. Now imagine the ball hurtling down at you at 80mph.As you've probably guessed, bowled correctly, a leg cutter is a very difficult ball for a batsman to contend with. The ball moves off the pitch from the batsman's leg side towards the off side. The amount of movement will depend on the bowler, state of the pitch and the condition of the ball. Bowled on or around the batsman's off stump, the leg cutter will give a bowler a greater chance of getting an edge to the wicketkeeper or slips. Australia’s Glenn McGrath and South Africa's Shaun Pollock have picked up plenty of Test wickets with this particular delivery. Often, you'll find the faintest of movement off the pitch will get the wickets.

                                              

                                                     Step One

   With the seam vertical, the middle finger is placed along the seam with the index finger about two centimeters away.

 The ball rests between the thumb and the third finger.

Step Two

As the ball is released the index and middle finger work down the side of the ball so that the thumb passes round under the ball, generating spin on the ball.

Bowling the in swinger

The in swinger moves in the air from the off side of a right handed batsman to the leg side. The later the bowl swings into the batsman, the more effective it will be. The amount of in swing a bowler can generate depends on plenty of different factors like the weather, the bowler's action and the condition of the ball. But the most important factor to consider is the grip on the seam of the ball and its direction. Another point to remember is to work on shining the ball on one side during and before each delivery. This will help the ball to swing more in the air.

Step One     

Grip the ball with the first two fingers close together on the seam, with the seam in a vertical position. The thumb should be on the seam underneath.

Step Two

 
Angle the seam towards leg slip or, but keeping it vertical. The shiny side of the ball should be furthest from the batsman

How to grip the ball in cricket ???? SHOIB AKHTAR tips

Bowling the out swinger

                                                               Matthew Hoggard has the ability to move the ball late

Ask any batsman what delivery they hate facing and 99% of the time they'll reply the out swinger. Bowled at its best, the out swinger is one of cricket's finest sights. The ball swings from the off stump of a right handed batsman towards the slip fielders. Top bowlers like Brett Lee and Matthew Hoggard have the ability to make batsmen "fish" outside off stump, especially when the ball swings late. This gives them a greater chance of getting the batsman out caught behind the wicket forcing a false stroke.

It's all in the grip!

                                       Step One

    Grip the ball with the first two fingers close together on the seam, with the seam in a vertical position. The thumb should be on the seam underneath.

Step Two

Unlike the in swinger, point the seam of the ball towards the slips with the shiny side of the ball nearest the batsman. Your action will play a big role if you want the ball to swing. If you have a side-on action when you reach the crease, you'll have a greater chance of moving the ball in the air.