Yousuf still with us: Indian Cricket League

The breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) said on Friday that Pakistan star batsman Mohammad Yousuf will turn out for them despite agreeing to play for his country.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Thursday Yousuf, 33, had broken his contract with the ICL and signed up to represent the national team in the Test series against South Africa starting on Monday.

But an official of Zee Telefilms, which is bankrolling the multi-million-dollar rebel league, billed to start later this year, said Yousuf was still with them.

"All I can say is that Yousuf can always play for Pakistan whenever he is needed there, we have always maintained that," Zee executive vice-president Ashish Kaul told local media.

"The ICL will never stop him from playing for Pakistan. But that does not mean that he has broken his contract with us."

"Right now, I can tell you that the contract is still on. He will play for the ICL as per the contract. If there is anything else to this, then we have not been told about it yet."

The Indian and Pakistani cricket boards have said that any player who turns out for the ICL will be ineligible to represent the country in official cricket.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, opener Imran Farhat and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq also signed up to the rebel league.

Yousuf scored a world record 1,788 runs in 2006 and was voted the best Test player of the year at the recent International Cricket Council awards ceremony in Johannesburg.

He said on Thursday he had signed a central contract with the Pakistan board after a lengthy meeting with its chairman Nasim Ashraf in Lahore.

"I have always wanted to play for my country and I can sacrifice my life for my country," he told a press conference.

"I did not know about the clause in the Indian league contract that if both the league and Pakistan team matches are held at the same time I had to give preference to the league. I cannot agree to that," Yousuf added.

The ICL, which plans to hold Twenty20 tournaments between city teams for the next three years, has been unable to fix a date for the first event, which was originally supposed to take place in October.

The Indian board, apparently in a bid to counter the ICL, has announced its own international Twenty20 league to be held in April-May next year.

Source : http://cricket.indiatimes.com/

Malik poor captain, give it to Yousuf: Shabbir

Shoaib Malik is just an average Test player and instead of him, Pakistan should have handed over the captaincy to Mohammad Yousuf, feels pace discard Shabbir Ahmed.

On his return from India after playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) there, Shabbir lashed out at Malik and questioned his acceptability to the senior members in the side.

"Malik was never a good Test player and to make him captain in the presence of more senior players is a decision beyond me," Shabbir said.

He also blamed Malik for the both Test and ODI series defeat in India.

"If the board wants to save the team from more defeats, it should make Mohammad Yousuf the captain," Shabbir said.

Shabbir last played for Pakistan early this year in South Africa before being injured but made a lasting impression in the ICL Twenty20 tournament, taking four wickets in the final.

The lanky pacer, who appeared in 10 Tests during which he was thrice reported for a suspect bowling action, claimed he had been stopped from playing domestic cricket by the board.

"I came back confident of repeating my form from the ICL in our domestic cricket but I have learnt I can't play. This is not fair and the PCB appears to be just towing the line of the Indian board to make them happy," alleged the pacer, who was served a 12-month ban by the ICC last year for his suspect action.

However, Zakir Khan, PCB Director Cricket Operations, told PTI that the ICL-contracted players were not barred from appearing in domestic cricket.

"They are not eligible for Pakistan selection but a ban on them from playing domestic cricket is yet to be discussed in the board," Zakir said.

Besides Shabbir, former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Farhat, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Mahmood also took part in the recently concluded ICL.

Still keen to play for Pakistan, Shabbir said Pakistan lost the series in India because it lacked a match winning bowler.

Source : http://www.hindu.com/

Cricket a common ground for immigrants

On Sundays, Jamaica native Errol Eccles goes to church, comes home to change into his spiffy whites, and heads off to play a cricket match for the next seven hours. It is this 46-year-old's true passion.

Cricket, that is.

"What the West Indian teams are working on here is more than just cricket — we're trying to leave a legacy of who we are in Houston," said a philosophical Eccles, a senior gas and oil refinery consultant and a Houston West Indies Cricket player on his days off. "We're making our voices heard with our play."

Unless there is rain, more than 300 men who hail from Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and the West Indies battle it out on any given weekend in Tom Bass Regional Park, flexing their national pride.

The men — virtually all immigrants — sport the obligatory white pants and shirts, blast dizzying pitches called googlies and top spinners to a batsman who runs between just two bases. To the untrained eye, it makes no sense at all. Yet in the last 20 years, this gentlemen's sport with very deep British colonial roots has blossomed in Houston just as Indians, Jamaicans and Pakistanis have settled here, laying down stakes, not to mention their wickets.

"The point is, there is a common culture among all these players and that is cricket," said Itty Abraham, professor of government and Asian studies at the University of Texas at Austin. "It doesn't matter where you come from."

The men make up the Houston Cricket League and its birth, rapid growth and success is intrinsically linked to H-1B visas and the influx of immigrants to this city.

"We had an influx of pretty skilled cricketers from South Africa, the West Indies, India and Pakistan," said Michael Greathead, a pioneering league member who moved to Houston in the 1980s when he opened up a copper-based alloy manufacturing business. He is from Zimbabwe. "The league is singularly due to immigration."

The numbers say it all. Census 2000 data show there were more than 15,500 West Indians in the Houston area, but in 2006 the Caribbean population grew to about 22,000. The jump was even more pronounced among Indians and Pakistanis. About 52,000 Indians and 11,000 Pakistanis were present in Houston in 2000. In 2006, there were 74,000 Indians and 16,000 Pakistanis, according to census data.

Building traditions

"Cricket for me is my childhood passion, it is like a religion in India," said Yogesh Patel, 59, who is the league's current president and who arrived in Houston in the 1970s. "Back home, I would never have gotten the flavor of the Caribbean culture, I would never have gotten a chance to play with South Africans. Here, this is all possible."

The league started back in 1986 among a group of British expats who worked for Chevron Corp., Greathead said. They played a friendly game of cricket behind St. Agnes Academy on Bellaire, he said.

In those days, there were about nine teams. Now, there are 20 clubs with various divisions that together field more than 30 teams. Everyone pays membership fees for uniforms. Each team must play 16 games, Patel said.

Legacy in jeopardy?

They outgrew St. Agnes and convinced the city to allow them to have five cricket fields in Tom Bass Regional Park in south Houston. The fields are maintained by the players, however a hot topic. The pitch, or the running strip between the two wickets, is usually patted down with a special clay for high-level international cricket matches, said Faisal Zaman, 34, of the Houston Cougars. But the players here have had to improvise they use Astro turf.

Most of the Houston Cricket League's teams are formed along ethnic and nationalistic lines. Bhakta India Cricket Club, for example, primarily consists of men with the last name "Bhakta" and they all hail from a region in India called Gujarat, said engineer Faisal Zaman, 34, who plays for the Cougars and hails from Karachi, Pakistan.

There are the Texas Olden Goldies: "We range in age from 50 to 70 years old," said M.J. Khan, 58, the Houston city councilman. "I'm one of the young guys on the team."

Age is not the only variance. The players also range in skill. Two members on the Memorial team, for example, play on the professional level for the U.S. national cricket team. They are engineer Sushil Nadkarni, 31, and accountant Niraj Shah, 25.

Locals who are following the sport fear for the league's future. Team members complain their children aren't playing the sport as much.

"All these 300 men are probably first generation and it's not going to be taken up by the next generation, it's not going to be adopted by the children," said Sharmila Rudrappa, a University of Texas sociology professor who specializes in South Asian immigration. "This cricket popularity is going to be quite dependent on new arrivals coming here all the time."

Source : http://www.chron.com/

ICL proves a point with T20 championship

Born just this April, the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) has been able to crawl, walk and even run pretty fast as far as Indian cricket is concerned.

The successful conduct of its inaugural Twenty20 cricket championship - keeping the first-time organizing aberrations aside - at the Tau Devi Lal cricket stadium here has bolstered the $25 million ICL to be a viable alternative to the ever-dominating Board of control for cricket in India (BCCI).

If the stampede and the big traffic jam outside the stadium in Sector 3 here Sunday evening was a parameter for the success of the maiden ICL cricket tournament, the organizers clearly have reason to pat themselves on their backs. That the stampede and the traffic jam were more the result of mismanagement by both the ICL organizers and the local administration and police is another matter.

But the chaos proved one thing, BCCI or ICL - people just love the game and will do anything to see it.

Inside the floodlit stadium - with a capacity of 7,000 - there were close to 10,000 spectators for the final game played between eventual winners Chennai Superstars and local favourites Chandigarh Lions. Even during other match days, most enclosures of the small stadium - virtually put into shape in just five weeks from being just another cricket ground - were full of spectators.

The light and sound show - right from Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor, Yana Gupta, Malaika Arora, Dia Mirza, Tanushree Dutta, Ajay Devgan, Irrfan Khan, Ayesha Takia and others, singers, music directors, politicians like Railway Minister Lalu Prasad - and the fireworks that lit up the Panchkula skies every time a four or six was hit or a wicket fell or a match or innings ended had everyone enthralled.

And not to forget the Russian cheerleaders who made every effort to keep people on their toes even in the early winter chill of this town located at the foothills of the Himalayas.

'You can see from your own eyes what we are trying to do, what we did and what we created in the last 15 days. Yes, there were a lot of teething problems but you don't have to tell me. We are trying to make them (teams, officials) all comfortable. But if I try to compare this with somebody (BCCI) who has 50 years organization (ability), this is just the first tournament we ever did,' an elated Kapil Dev said as the championship drew to a close.

Everything at this stadium - right from the grass to pitches, stands to floodlights, dressing rooms to the media box housed in a container - was put up in five weeks.

'We had a good time playing here. Some of the younger Indian players showed a lot of promise,' Chandigarh Lions captain Chris Cairns said as his team lost the final played here Sunday.

Essel (Zee) group - the parent organization of ICL - chairman Subhash Chandra was equally happy with the way that ICL went.

'We were overwhelmed by the response that ICL has evoked. I can assure you, the ICL has worked as per the business model planned,' Chandra said as he announced five tournaments in the ICL calendar for next year here Sunday.

The ICL championship offered the highest prize money for any Indian cricket tournament - Rs.150 million. Winners Chennai Superstars took away the prize of Rs.39 million ($1 million) while runners-up Chandigarh Lions took Rs.19 million. Brian Lara's Mumbai Champs - a much fancied team in the event - which finished sixth and last in the championship took home Rs.8.5 million.

For every match won, teams took home another Rs.2.5 million. Every player of the match was richer by Rs.375,000.

'My entire team worked very hard for this. Sometimes we wonder that so many things look so easy but if it really turns out to be as good as that (the ICL championship), you feel happy and satisfied. We want to tell you and promise you that we will do our very best (in future),' Kapil Dev said.

And Kapil is not letting up without giving a fight to the BCCI - which sacked him as National Cricket Academy's chairman when he joined ICL - to provide a viable alternative for cricket in India.

'We will not let you down, we will work for everything - our life is dependent on that. In a few years, these boys will play for the country. If that does not happen, I think the best players will not be playing for the country. I will be disappointed,' he said in his parting shot at the BCCI.

Source : http://www.indiaenews.com/

Let players sign in India - May

International players should be allowed to retire and take up lucrative contracts with Twenty20 leagues in India, according to Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations. May said any move by national boards to stop such retirements, or to ban players who join Twenty20 leagues, could be a restraint of trade and might result in court action.

"If a player wants to retire from international cricket because he's had enough and wants to spend more time with his family and he can seek employment elsewhere, to allow him to spend more time with his family, then, like any other employee, he should be allowed to," May told the Australian.

"We will resist that [banning players] with everything we have. That is an unreasonable restraint of trade, which will be up to the players and the courts to test."

But while May said there was the potential for competitions like the Indian Premier League and the Indian Cricket League to lure players away from their international contracts, national boards also have another potential problem. The IPL's franchising system has raised questions over possible sponsorship clashes.

It is feasible that a Cricket Australia-contracted player could sign with a team owned by a company that provides services in competition with Cricket Australia's major sponsors, the Commonwealth Bank and Travelex. "That's a hypothetical question," James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive said.

"The facts are that we deal with these situations day after day, with players playing county cricket or in other situations. Players will need to work around these situations to be released."

Justin Vaughan, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, said his board would have to revisit its payment structure to ensure non-IPL players are not easily enticed to a rebel Twenty20 outfit.

"We'll talk to the players' association because they are very mindful of that situation and we certainly don't want these players being lost to international cricket," Vaughan told the New Zealand Herald. "But it's great our players can make a lot of money playing cricket. That's fantastic."

The initial IPL sign-on fees were announced last week, with Shane Warne receiving a US$400,000 deal, Glenn McGrath attracting US$350,000 and Justin Langer signing up for US$175,000. However, those figures are base fees for being part of the player pool and do not include the salaries they will be paid by whichever franchise they join.

Source : http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/

Semi-Final 1: The Trump Cards

The Superstars and Tigers will give it their all, in an attempt to clinch a final berth in the inaugural season of the ICL Indian 20:20 Championship. Taking into account the recent turn of events, there are a few players who are expected to create the biggest impact.

Ian Harvey (Chennai Superstars)
| Matches: 5 | Runs: 207 | Average: 51.75 | SR: 126 |

The multitalented Aussie will hope to set the pace for his team when the essential rematch against the Kolkata Tigers gets under. He is expected to play a crucial role, may it be with bat or ball.

* Has emerged as the highest run-scorer of the tournament.
* Versatile all-rounder – Opens the bowling and batting for Superstars.
* Has smashed 8 sixes at the event.



Craig McMillan (Kolkata Tigers)
| Matches: 5 | Runs: 182 | Average: 45.5 | SR: 141 |

The captain of the Kolkata Tigers has led from the front to steer his team to victories from tricky situations. He is an impact player and can give the Superstars the knock out punch when the teams collide.

* Second highest run-scorer of the tournament.
* 11 massive sixes to entertain the crowds – more than anyone so far.
* Always amongst the wickets too, leading from the front.



Abishek Jhunjhunwala (Kolkata Tigers)
| Matches: 5 | Runs: 126 | Average: 25 | SR: 135 |

The promising young player has been a steady number three batsman, chipping away with crucial knocks in four of the five matches. He is the pin up boy of the league and will hope to continue prop up McMillan and co.

* Has hit his straps with good quality knocks in the last two matches.
* Eighth highest run-scorer, second highest for Tigers.
* Lively player – great fielder, runner between the wickets.



Thiru Kumaran (Chennai Superstars)
| Matches: 4 | Wickets: 10 | Average: 10.5 | BB: 6/21 |

In a format that was initially touted as a batsman friendly setup, Thiru Kumaran has emerged as one of the most effective bowlers in the tournament. The veteran Chenani bowler has bowled sensibly, using plenty of variations.

* Highest wicket-taker of the tournament – 10 wickets.
* Experienced veteran, bowling leg-cutters and slower deliveries.
* Didn’t play in game 1 against Tigers, could prove to be surprise element.



Lance Klusener (Kolkata Tigers)
| Matches: 5 | Wickets: 9 | Average: 11.5 | BB: 3/16 |

Started unhurriedly but has picked up the momentum with the course of the tourney. ‘Zulu’ has played a few match-winning knocks already and has been the perfect first change bowler for the Kolkata Tigers. Is a power player and is capable of influencing match single-handedly.

* Has maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.10
* A perfect finisher, courtesy of his lusty hitting.
* Vast experience of playing in previous semi-finals.


Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/

'ICL has created a good infrastructure'

Craig McMillan was an integral of the New Zealand team when he suddenly announced his retirement in October 2007. After leaving the international stage, McMillan came to India and joined the Indian Cricket League where he is leading the Kolkata Tigers.

The New Zealander is very excited for the ICL and said that the league is a good platform for the young Indian players to hone their skills.

"One is the exposure given to the young Indian players. They now have foreign trainers, world class fitness programme and coaching skills. The ICL has got men like Jock Campbell who was with the Australia team for a long time," McMillan replied when asked what advantages will the Indian players get from playing in the ICL.

He also pointed out that the Indian domestic circuit cannot provide such kind of exposure.

"They have been exposed to a lot of things that they never came across in domestic cricket. Hopefully they will learn a lot from all this and become better players. The ICL has created a good infrastructure for them. If the ICL had not come along they would have never experienced such a thing. Some one like Jock Campbell (coach of Chandigarh Lions) is one of the trainers and he has been with the Australian team for a long time. So his inputs will be of great help," he said.

With players like Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul Haq playing in the ICL, McMillan hoped that the Indian players would learn a lot from them.

"Playing alongside so many international players also has its advantage and the skills are passed on very quickly. I am sure the Indian players would learn a lot from some one like Brian Lara or Inzamam-ul Haq," he added.

Coming to the tournament, McMillan was disappointed on not winning the match against Mumbai Champs on Monday and securing a place in the semis.

"We are not worried about the run rate. We are worried about winning the next match and getting the two points so that we can reach the semi-finals. We were hoping for a win against Mumbai champs but that did not happen so let’s wait for the next match on Wednesday," he concluded.

Source : http://www.cricketnext.com/

Harvey powers Superstars to third consecutive victory

The Chennai Superstars have overcome a fierce challenge from the Chandigarh Lions by achieving a breathtaking 4wicket victory to virtually confirm a berth in the semi-final stage of the tournament. Aussie all-rounder Ian Harvey (48) sustained his excellent form with a flurry of strikes to complete a successful run-chase and stamp his authority on the match.

The Lions' captain Chris Cairns won the toss and elected to bat first in Game 8 of the ICL Indian 20:20 Championship. Teams have found it a little easier to chase in the day matches here at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium and it certainly appeared that way when Ian Harvey and V Devendran went out to open the batting for the Superstars and began the run-chase of 148.

The match was all but won when Harvey was going along great guns but it eventually went down to the wire following a few bizarre dismissals, especially the run out of R Satish. Captain Stuart Law (13 not out) was there at the end to ensure his team achieved the significant third uninterrupted triumph. His partner, Vasanth Sarvanan (11 not out) was the man who struck the decisive blow in the last over off Daryl Tuffey (1/40) had a forgettable day, going for ten runs per over and overstepping the popping crease on more than a few occasions. The Chennai Superstars won the match with a ball to spare. Ian Harvey was adjudged the player of the match for his overall efforts with both bat and ball.

Left-handers Hemang Badani and Russell Arnold chipped in with seventeen each in the middle order to partner Harvey through the middle overs. Chris Cairns was the pick of the Lions bowlers – ending with staggering figures of 3/17. Both veterans Arnold and B added 34 runs each with Harvey for the third and fourth wicket respectively.

Debutant V Devendran smashed three boundaries in the space of four deliveries before playing an overambitious stroke against Daryl Tuffey and losing his middle stump in the process. The dismissal brought pinch hitter and wicket-keeper batsman Chris Read (18) to the crease who added 36 runs for the second wicket with Harvey.

Chris Cairns, who rolled his arm over for a change, struck with the crucial wicket of Read, when the Englishman tried to heave the Lions' captain for a six. Harvey continued to remain aggressive and ensured the flow of runs was not hampered.

The Chandigarh Lions received two early shocks when Imran Farhat (2) and Hamish Marshall (2) walked back to the pavilion within the first three overs. The dangerous Farhat was dismissed courtesy of a brilliant piece of fielding from Tamil Kumaran.

The early breakthroughs brought Tejinder Pal Singh (47) and Manish Sharma (36) to the crease and both played breezy knocks in order to restore control in the Lions innings. The duo added 70 runs for the third wicket and scored an invigorating rate. Sharma smashed three sixes in his innings and TP Singh struck one biggie.

A late flourish from Chetan Sharma (27) took the Lions to a middling total of 143 at the end. Tamil Kumaran (2/32) and Thiru Kumaran (2/31) continued to bowl in good rhythm and produced wickets at decisive stages for the Stuart Law-led team.

New-ball bowlers Ian Harvey (1/22) and Shabbir Ahmed (1/20) were as steady as ever and kept the run-rate under check all through the innings.

The Chandigarh Lions clash against the Mumbai Champs tomorrow and will try and confirm a semi-final berth. The Chennai Superstars, on the other hand will collide against the Hyderabad Heroes to complete the Sunday double-header.

Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/

Lions win run-feast against Champs by 38 runs

Chandigarh Lions registered a 38-run victory over the Mumbai Champs to legitimately send Lara's team crashing out of the tournament and almost definitely, booking themselves a place in the semi-final stages of the ICL Indian 20:20 Championship.

It was a night of monstrous hitting – 14 sixes were struck in the match to send shivers down the spines of the cheerful fans. Player of the match Chris Cairns walloped seven of those sensational blows. Lara (9) looked in sublime form before being dismissed courtesy of the ‘catch of the tournament' by Hamish Marshall. The Kiwi leaped and grabbed the ball in thin air – the prince was ordained to leave the ground on a spectacular note.

A courageous run-chase was brought to life by Dheeraj Jadhav (58 from 39 balls), Kiran Powar (54 from 30 balls) and some other usable offerings but the propelling knock from Chris Cairns almost overshadowed and trounced the Champs' efforts. The captain of the Chandigarh Lions, clean shaved and all was clearly the star of the night.

Lara and Astle initiated the charge against the Lions bowlers by opening the batting. Both players looked at their fluent best before falling for 9 and 13 respectively. Astle was trapped in front by debutant Love Ablish and the Chandigarh Lions had started to roar.

It was the perfect setting for a feast of a match for the chock-a-block spectators that had gathered here at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Chandigarh on a shimmering Sunday evening. It was a virtual do-or-die encounter between the Chandigarh Lions and the Mumbai Champs. Both teams had to win in order to stay afloat at the event.

The Chandigarh Lions captain struck a 17-ball half-century give the knockout blow to Lara and his boys. Cairns brought up his half century in just 17 balls. Cairns influenced his team to set a daunting target of 220 for the struggling Champs. Remember, Lara and his band had to win this to stay afloat in the competition.

Manish Sharma (37 not out from 22 balls) gave great support to his captain and the duo added 75 runs for fourth-wicket. Tejinder Pal Singh had scored 27 fluent runs before holding out to the third man boundary to Rakesh Patel, off Avinash Yadav's bowling.

The records tumbled on this night – 1) highest total of the tournament (219/4), 2) second highest total (181/5), 3) quickest fifty (Cairns – 17 balls), maximum sixes (Cairns – 7) and plenty more! There were more interesting statistics – the bowlers gave away 39 extras (23 by Champs and 16 by Lions).

Chris Cairns, the captain of the Chandigarh Lions, won the toss and elected to bat first. His openers, Hamish Marshall and Imran Farhat did not disappoint the crowd's desires and gave them what they wanted – a full flurry of strokes and plenty of boundaries to kick things off!

Farhat, who has emerged as one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament, continued his good run of form. The duo brought up the fifty in just five overs and scripted what was to follow. The left-hander scored a brisk 34 before being bowled by Nathan Astle.

It didn't help the Champs' cause when Avinash Yadav dropped a sitter when TP Singh hoisted one down the ground. The ball popped out of his hand and went away to the long on boundary to make matters worse for a worried Brian Lara.

The Champs conceded as many as 16 extras in less than 6 overs! A score in excess of 170 for the home team was clearly on the cards, unless Lara's boys could have triggered a late collapse. The situation worsened for the Champs when Chris Cairns walked out to the middle and took the game by the scruff off the neck.

There was a clear distinction between the two teams, when referring to the pace of scoring. The Champs took 12 overs to bring up their hundred, when compared to the 10.4 overs taken by the Lions. Lara's team managed 5 sixes in their innings whereas Cairns alone struck seven and his team totaled for a whooping nine.

What next for the Champs? The Lara-led team is officially out of the tournament's semi-final stages. They will play for pride when the clash against the Kolkata Tigers tomorrow night. The Lions, on the other hand will have to sit back, relax and hope that their net run-rate is better than the other teams to make the cut to the semi-final stage.

Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/news/news-35.html

Lara and his champs face do-or-die encounter

It is Day 8 of the Indian Cricket League’s introductory season and the dreadful ticket of elimination is lynching over Brian Lara like a straight razor – the Trinidadian and his boys have to get their act together and pull off a win or they will be unsuccessful in making the cut to the final four and dishearten heaps of fans in the process.

Lara managed a golden ball duck in his 20:20 debut against the Hyderabad Heroes and followed up with a lackluster knock of four runs against the Chennai Superstars. Detractors believe that he hasn’t looked comfy at the crease and conceivably his delayed arrival and zero participation in the warmup games may be a significant explanation.

The Champs will certainly look forward to insistent players like Solanki, Astle, Jadhav and van der Wath striking fine form. They will have to bat around the Prince in his times of difficulty. They most definitely have the potency in their batting lineup to give them the much needed impetus.

"We cannot depend on individual performances alone. We will have to fire as a team," said Lara after the back-to-back defeats his team suffered. Lara can take heart from the Chandigarh Lions’ successful run-chase against the Hyderabad Heroes a couple of nights ago. After the first five matches, it was a widespread claim that teams could not chase under lights but the Lions chased 134 with more than three overs to spare.

Tonight, the Champs square off against the Delhi Jets, who are high on energy after handing a heavy defeat to the Hyderabad Heroes. The Jets have an in-form batting lineup with the likes of Taufeeq Umar, Abbas Ali and veterans Marvan Atapattu, Dale Benkenstein and JP Yadav.

Millions of Lara fans around the world have tuned into the Indian Cricket League to get a glimpse of their hero once again. They will implore that his band can pull of a victory to stay afloat in the tournament.

Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/

No tune in Lara's ICL theme

The organisers of the Indian Cricket League might have succeeded in bringing Brian Lara to play in India.

But five days into the tournament it seems that the former West Indian captain is a total failure, not just in terms of his run scoring but also his total disinterest in the event.

Perhaps that stems from the fact that he reportedly wanted to pull out even before the event got underway.

The Indian Cricket League has plenty of razzmatazz on offer for the fans. However, at a cricket event you want the real stars to be the cricketers.

Brian Lara should have been that star but the world record holder for the highest Test score looked like he would have preferred to have been anywhere but in Panckula.

The Mumbai Champs captain batted himself at No 5 in the game against Chennai Superstars even though the run rate had climbed high. Not surprisingly, Lara's team lost a second game on the trot - his scores so far a first ball duck and 4 off 5 balls.

It wasn't just on the field. Lara has refused to have much interaction with the fans even as other players gladly obliged autograph hunters.

Source : http://www.ndtv.com/

ICL a stage to showcase talent

Looking at the youngsters, trying to make a mark in the ICL, former Test captain Ajit Wadekar was compelled to take a trip to the past when playing cricket was joy and nothing else.

Here for the Indian Cricket League as a Match Referee, along with off-spin great Erapalli Prasanna, the affable Wadekar recalled how some players just could not make it to the top despite the potential and faded away without a trace.

The forgotten ones

Vijay Bhosle, Sudhakar Adhikari, Prem Bhatia were names that came to his mind readily. “They were good and deserved to wear the National cap. But then they didn’t have the luck. Wish they had something like ICL then. Many cricketers, who were needy, would have benefited immensely,” said Wadekar.

More than financial security at the ICL, it is the platform to showcase their abilities that seems to have been the reason for many to join this venture. “What a pity the Board has decided to ban them from domestic cricket,” he added.

As Wadekar pointed out, many of today’s youngsters, unable to make it to the big league, would not be lost to the cricket world unsung. “If they have come for money, what is wrong with it? At least their future would be secure,” he stressed.

The ICL, as Wadekar emphasised, is not a rival to the BCCI. “We are making an effort to offer some cricket and some money to young cricketers. We need the seniors to guide them and what better than some of the greats of the game. I have been associated with cricket all my life and I am so happy to share my experience,” he said.

Wadekar concluded by appealing for the authorities to support the ICL. “The BCCI has been in existence for 75 years now. You think we can challenge them. It is wrong to say that the ICL is a confrontation. It is a platform for many to perform and attract attention.”

Source : http://www.hindu.com/

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Twenty20 power-packed, electrifying: Whitney

Michael Whitney was a left-arm fast bowler of repute, playing alongside some of the famous Aussie bowlers, like Craig McDermott, Bruce Reid and Merv Hughes. But since his retirement from international cricket in 1993, Whitney has shown his penchant for adventure sports, besides cricket. He also hosts the famous television show, ‘Who Dares Wins’, so it was quite natural for his former teammate Dean Jones to invite him to the Indian Cricket League ‘Commentators box’.

You have been doing cricket commentary for a while now, mostly in the 50 overs cricket. How does it feel to commentate in the ICL 20-20 Indian Championship?

Michael Whitney: Yeah, am enjoying every bit of it. Twenty20 is really exciting and interesting. We have seen so much action in the ICL games that have been played so far. Although it is a shorter version, it has generated more interest. This is because Twenty20 games are action-packed and with fours and sixes galore during the match, commentating becomes more exciting. And it becomes more electrifying when spectators get involved with you.

Do you think ICL will be a success?

Michael Whitney: Definitely, it will be a success. Although, it is for the first time the ICL championship is being conducted, but the way it has been put forth is very healthy for the promotion of cricket, especially for the youngsters, who can rub shoulders with internationally-acclaimed cricketers. It was Dean Jones who told me about ICL and it was he who asked me to be part of the commentary team. Naturally, I was inclined to this new concept.

Talking about the upcoming India-Australian series, how do you think India will perform on the bouncier tracks of Australia?

Michael Whitney: India has some great players in Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan. The Australian bowling department would miss the services of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Stuart McGill. So, young players like Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Hogg need to bowl with a certain plan to the Indians who have a strong batting line-up. I feel it will Brett Lee who will make a difference this time.

How would you rate India as a team before going to Australia?

Michael Whitney: India is a very balanced side. They showed their mettle by winning the One-Day series and the first Test at Kotla against Pakistan. But the conditions and pitches would be entirely different in Australia. Unlike the Eden Garden track, which happens to be a batsman's paradise, the pitches in Australia will be bouncy. The Indians will have problem dealing with the bouncy wickets especially in Perth. And the fact that India will just play one three-day match before the Test will not work in their favour. I think they should have had more practice games before the real Test starts.


Source : http://www.expressindia.com/

Australians dismiss split over Indian Premier League

Cricket Australia's chief executive, James Sutherland, has dampened speculation about a major row with its leading players over next year's Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

At least 11 of Australia's top players, including the captain, Ricky Ponting, and vice-captain, Adam Gilchrist, have signed a memorandum of understanding to play in the tournament in April and May, when Australia will be in Pakistan. The players could earn up to $1m (£486,000) each.

Sutherland said he had written to the players saying he would not grant them consent to play unless his organisation was involved in negotiations. He dismissed suggestions, in an Australian newspaper, that a major split was looming.

Cricket Australia's chief executive, James Sutherland, has dampened speculation about a major row with its leading players over next year's Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.

At least 11 of Australia's top players, including the captain, Ricky Ponting, and vice-captain, Adam Gilchrist, have signed a memorandum of understanding to play in the tournament in April and May, when Australia will be in Pakistan. The players could earn up to $1m (£486,000) each.

Sutherland said he had written to the players saying he would not grant them consent to play unless his organisation was involved in negotiations. He dismissed suggestions, in an Australian newspaper, that a major split was looming.

"There's no issue between Cricket Australia and the players," Sutherland said. "The letter is really just of procedural nature, just reminding players of responsibilities as this issue continues to develop with opportunities into the Indian Premier League."

CA's manager of public affairs, Peter Young, dismissed comparisons between the current issue and Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket breakaway 30 years ago. "I think it is over-egging the pudding a little bit," he said. "It is more an issue of saying it is a bit rude to sign up without talking to your employer. It would be a breach of contract to play without our permission."

Gilchrist agreed, saying: "I think it's pretty dramatic to draw comparisons between the Twenty20 revolution and World Series Cricket all those years ago. World Series Cricket was quite dramatic and there was a lot of bad blood around at that time, from what I've learned, but it's far from that at the moment. No one will play [in the IPL] without consent.

"We're not trying to be rebels here. We're not looking for a moment to bend the rules or our contracts with Cricket Australia. They are our employer, as simple as that."

Source : http://sport.guardian.co.uk

Lions begin campaign on triumphant note

The Chandigarh Lions started their campaign in the ICL 20:20 Indian Championship on a captivating note, defeating the Delhi Jets by a nerve-racking 9-run margin. The Lions received tremendous support from the crowd - with cheerleaders dancing away to glory at every run-out attempt, dismissal or LBW appeal. The loud music and the enchanting crowds confirmed that the foundational day of the Indian Cricket League is one to remember.

A potent new ball attack comprising of Darrell Tuffey (3/16) and Andrew Hall (2/26) ripped through the top order of the Delhi Jets and ensured the momentum was firmly with the Chandigarh, despite defending a middling total of 135.

Delhi needed 34 runs from the last three overs after a late flourish from Jai Prakash Yadav and Abbas Ali but it was a crucial over from experienced death overs bowler Andrew Hall that swung the match back in the Lions' favour. It went down to the wire with Jets needing 16 off the last over all hopes rested on veteran batsman Abbas Ali, but the thrust was clearly with the Lions.

There were numerous run-out attempts right throughout the innings, which bears out that the Jets were skeptical in their running between the wickets and felt the heat against the 'technical host team' of the ICL. Jets hit the first six of their innings in the 15th over - a statistic that is rarely encountered with in a 20:20 action-packed match.

Jets' captain Marvan Atapattu (29) stroked four crisp boundaries and looked in complete command before top edging a Tuffey delivery to Reetinder Singh Sodhi at mid-off.

Andrew Hall got rid of the dangerous Taufiq Umar in the very first over with an almost unplayable late swinging delivery for a duck. Mishra and Atapattu partnered for 28 runs before Darrell Tuffey got into the act. The first of the Kiwi's three wickets came in the sixth over when Mishra was out caught behind by wicket-keeper Sarabjit Singh.

Earlier, the Chandigarh Lions were bundled out for just 134 after they were cruising on 88-2 at one stage but a late resurgence from the Atapttu-led Jets triggered the Lions' collapse.

Ali Murtaza (3/16) and Abishek Sharma (3/16) were the pick of the bowlers for Jets - claiming five wickets within the space of 15 deliveries. JP Yadav (2/26) provided the initial breakthroughs for the Delhi Jets - snapping the two New Zealanders in the Lions outfit - Hamish Marshall (23) and Darrell Tuffey (0).

At one stage, the Jets looked good to accumulate a total in excess of 180 - especially with the start given to the hosts by Pakistan opener Imran Farhat, who struck the first six of the tournament when he smashed Abid Nabi over long on, giving the crowd a lot to cheer about.

Atapattu was running out of bowling options as Nabi, Srivatsava and Yadav all proved to be very expensive. Murtaza and Sharma were primarily responsible for the Jets' position of ascendancy in the match during the half-time stage.

The crowds erupted every time a boundary was struck - the musicians on the stage rejoiced and started banging their drum sets - making it loud and clear that they love the 20:20 format of the sport.

Lara's Mumbai Champs will collide against Inzamam's Hyderabad Heroes on Day 2 of the tournament. The other match of the day will feature the Chennai Superstars going up against the Kolkata Tigers.