T20 World Cup 2014 schedule

T20 World Cup 2014 Schedule

Taylor makes Windies pay

A fine hundred by Ross Taylor and poor catching by the West Indians helped New Zealand end Day 1 of the second Test at an advantageous position. Dropped when he was on nought, Taylor capitalized by scoring 129 and he was involved in fifty plus stands with Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson as the Black-Caps ended the opening day at 307/6.

It was an eventful first session which included two wickets, a couple of dropped catches and two reviews that went in favour of New Zealand after West Indies had opted to bowl. The Hot-Spot and Snicko came to the aid of Peter Fulton after the first ball of the game. Umpire Paul Reiffel had ruled a leg-before decision in favour of Tino Best only for him to reverse it after replays showed that the batsman had got an inside edge. Hamish Rutherford, who struck a couple of boundaries off Best, had a life-line when he was put down by Darren Sammy at second slip, denying Shannon Gabriel a wicket.

Cook's "brain scrambled", Boycott fumes

England great Geoffrey Boycott on Wednesday blasted captain Alastair Cook's "scrambled brain" and said the team needed to use more common sense to prevent yet another defeat to Australia.


Boycott has been shocked by England's lacklustre efforts during the Ashes tour and laid some of the blame at Cook's feet, saying he appeared frustrated and worn down by the Australian attack.

"Australia have worked Alastair out," Boycott said in a column for the West Australian newspaper.

"They give him nothing to score off his legs or hip and they are winning the battle."

Raina-Dhoni show scripts CSK win over Sunrisers

Ranchi boy MS Dhoni gave full value to the paid spectators with a brutal knock of 63 from 19 balls with a four and 8 sixes! Even before Dhoni had freed his arms, it was Suresh Raina, who provided all the impetus and took the CSK innings forward with an excellently paced knock of 84 from 57 balls with 9 fours and a six.

pectacular T20 knocks from Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni blasted Chennai Super Kings to a 12-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in a high-scoring contest at Ranchi. Sunrisers Hyderabad gave stiff fight to CSK despite chasing a tall target of 203. It was an evening where it rained sixes all parts of the ground. The spectators had the luck of witnessing as many as 16 sixes and 28 boundaries.
Chasing an improbable target of 203 in 20 overs, Sunrisers surprisingly got off to a dream start of 88 for 1 in 9.2 overs. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan looked awesome before he got out on 48 (from 34 balls) to Ashwin. The match was certainly over when Thisara Perera got out at 106 for 4 in 13.1 overs. Darren Sammy ensured that the match wasn’t going to finish on a dull note. The former West Indies Captain came up with some massive hits to score 50 from 25 balls which included 5 sixes.
Toss and Teams: Sunrisers Hyderabad have won the toss and asked Chennai Super Kings to bat first at Ranchi. Both the teams are unchanged and go into this game with a win in their first match. Although the pitch is prepared to be batsmen-friendly, the rain that has been around Ranchi could have dampened it to help the seam bowlers.
Chennai Super Kings: Michael Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni (C&WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Albie Morkel, Jason Holder, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohit Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Parthiv Patel (WK), Shikhar Dhawan (C), Jean-Paul Duminy, Hanuma Vihari, Thisara Perera, Darren Sammy, Ashish Reddy, Karan Sharma, Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma

IPL spot-fixing: BCCI imposes life ban on S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan

New Delhi: Tainted Rajasthan Royals cricketers S Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were handed life bans by BCCI on Friday for their role in the IPL spot-fixing scandal.

Other Rajasthan cricketers Amit Singh and Siddharth Trivedi were handed a ban for five years and one year respectively. While young left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh was let off with a warning, another spinner Ajit Chandila’s case will be taken up later.

The two-member disciplinary committee of the BCCI met in the national capital earlier in the day to decide the fate of the Rajasthan Royals cricketers implicated in the IPL spot-fixing scandal to deliberate on Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ravi Sawani`s report on the scam that shamed the Twenty20 league.

The players, who also served jail time after being arrested by the Delhi Police, are Test pacer S Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The trio played for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL but their contracts were terminated by the franchise after the scandal broke out.

Strauss backs Pietersen as England `mentor`

Pietersin

Birmingham: Andrew Strauss believes Kevin Pietersen can act as a "mentor" to an inexperienced England one-day side despite his own sometimes difficult relationship with the star batsman.

Pietersen was briefly cast into the international wilderness last year after being accused of sending derogatory text messages about then England captain Strauss to South Africa players.

England lost that Test series to the Proteas and Strauss, who`d been struggling for runs, promptly retired from all senior cricket -- a decision he insisted had nothing to do with the fall-out from the controversy sparked by Pietersen, the man he succeeded as England skipper.

Pietersen, however, was soon back in the England fold and now finds himself the senior player in a one-day squad where his fellow recent Ashes-winners Alastair Cook, now the regular captain, Ian Bell, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann have all been rested ahead of the return Test series in Australia starting in November.

England are 1-0 down in a five-match series, with their convincing 88-run loss at Old Trafford separating rain-ruined no results at Headingley and again at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

But whatever the outcome of the series, which continues in Cardiff on Saturday, Strauss believes the experience of playing alongside Pietersen, whose 2013 has been blighted by injuries, can only benefit the likes of 22-year-old all-rounder Ben Stokes.

"He can be really good with young players, actually," Strauss told reporters at Edgbaston on Thursday when asked about the 33-year-old Pietersen.

"I think it`s good that he`s playing this one-day series, and him opening the batting in one-day cricket is an interesting and potentially quite explosive option for England to use.

"Given that he`s had injuries, and whatever, it`s quite nice for him to have a good run of cricket.

"I hope he is playing that mentoring role and playing it well."

Strauss added: "I suppose Kevin is a complicated character. But he can be fantastic, really good and engaged in the dressing room and really go out of his way to help other people at times.

"You want to see him do that, because he`s at the stage of his career now where he`s got a lot to offer those young players coming through -- and they all look up to him as well.
"So it`s good to hear that he`s doing that."

Only slightly more than 15 overs were possible at Edgbaston on Wednesday, but that was enough time for often erratic Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson to bounce out Pietersen, having dismissed Jonathan Trott for a duck in Manchester.

Stop running after BCCI: Shoaib Akhtar to PCB

Karachi: Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar says instead of running after the BCCI for normalising cricket ties, the Pakistan Cricket Board should focus on converting the national team into a world class side.

The Indian government has rejected visa applications of the players of Pakistani side Faisalabad Wolves, which was to play in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.

"I am not surprised that the Indians have not issued visas to the Faisalabad Wolves team for the Champions League. The fact is that until and unless we have normal and friendly relations at the government to government level why do we expect the Indian cricket board to be supportive.

"I have always said that we don`t need to run after India all the time and we need to stop begging on different issues whether it is resumption of bilateral cricket ties, allowing our players for the IPL or our team for the Champions League," Akhtar said.

The outspoken fast bowler said that BCCI simply followed the policy of its government when it came to Pakistan.

"We should have never expected them to issue visas for the Faisalabad team. When they first invited us we should have taken a bold stance and said `thank you`. When will we as a nation or board show some self respect and pride in our stance towards India," he told a TV channel.

Arjun Tendulkar, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Like his illustrious father, Arjun Tendulkar has also set out to seek a career in cricket. Although these are still very early days in Arjun’s career, it goes without saying that he will have to deal with the pressure of excess expectations. Even though Tendulkar himself may have appealed for the media leave his son alone and let him concentrate on his cricket, it is an almost impossible demand. The ruthless media in our country will chase him everywhere he goes and try to get in as much of Arjun as they can. In short, Tendulkar junior faces a massive test even before his cricketing journey has actually kicked off.
Another big challenge for him to deal with will be the pressure of comparisons. It can be said numerous times that Arjun should not be compared with his legendary dad, and that Tendulkar’s records are almost impossible to be broken. But that isn’t going to happen, at least in a cricket-mad country like India. Comparisons would always be there, and this is where Arjun will have to handle himself very carefully. The best he can do is concentrate on his individual game keeping aside all the comparisons being made with his father. It is easier said than done, but Arjun will have to find a way to do the same if he wants to excel in the sport.

A better player is one who responds to situations: MSD

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes that a better player is the one who responds a particular situation well and cricket is more than just talent and technique.

"A lot of people talk about technique but what is important for me is that a better player is one who responds to the situation. Credit to Rohit and Shikhar as they have batted well at the top and as far as our fielding is concerned, there has been a cultural change," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"I am the oldest in this team and during our younger days we used to roll over while the youngsters now dive and slide due to lush green outfields."

For someone, who has won all the ICC events, when Nasser Hussain asked that what else is left to achieve, he could only offer a smile that defined containment. "What matters is the next game. We are going to West Indies now. Winning is important for the team. I am happy my players are playing well when it matters."

About the new bunch that has adapted so well in international cricket, Dhoni said that playing in front of big crowds in the IPL has certainly helped. "Some of our players are experienced in international cricket. New players have played IPL matches in front of thousands."

Dhoni also gave credit to his batsmen for scoring 130 on a sluggish pitch where batting looked difficult due to rain interruptions.

Shikhar Dhawan, who had a fantastic tournament said that the pace and bounce of the wicket did suit his style of play. "I love bouncy tracks as it suits my game. I practice hard in the nets and I am loving every moment of it. It's doubly special as I was out for two years. I always knew I had the talent but I wasn't scoring that many runs."

My job is to bring improvement in PCB: Najam Sethi

Newly-appointed Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Najam Sethi on Sunday said he would look to introduce discipline, accountability and transparency in the affairs of the cricket board and the national team.

"Obviously people are very disheartened by the performance of the team in the Champions Trophy but my job is to not only look at the team and bring about improvement it is also to bring improvement in the board affairs; both are equally important," he told Geo Super channel.

Shakeel Sheikh, a senior member of the PCB Board of Governors, confirmed that Sethi's name was recommended by the Inter Provincial coordination ministry to the Prime Minister who approved it on Sunday. "Sethi has been given the responsibility of resolving many cases concerning the board in the courts, its financial affairs and also the constitutional matters. Until a new Chairman is elected, he will continue to work as interim Chairman," Sheikh said.

Watson to captain Australia

Shane Watson will become Australia's 44th Test cricket captain after Michael Clarke's back injury ruled him out of the fourth and final Test against India starting today.

Watson's promotion caps a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the vice-captain after he was suspended from last week's third Test at Mohali.

He only arrived back in India on Tuesday after returning home and attending the birth of his first child when suspended along with three other players for failing to submit ideas on how to improve the struggling team as required by coach Mickey Arthur.

"It's really a dream come true to be asked to captain your country," said Watson.

"I've captained some one-day internationals, but to be asked to captain a Test will be the ultimate honour.

"It's obviously very disappointing that Michael hasn't come up. His batting and leadership will certainly be sorely missed.

"But I'm looking forward to the challenge and responsibility over the next five days."
Duty national selector Rod Marsh said Clarke had done everything he could to be fit in time for the Test where Australia will battle to avoid a 0-4 series whitewash.

"(He) has worked hard to be fit and done everything the medical staff have asked of him, but has not come up," Marsh said.

Wasim Akram to help groom fast bowlers for Pakistan

Karachi: Pakistan pace great Wasim Akram on Tuesday promised to help groom a future generation of speedsters as his country looks to recapture former fast bowling glories.

Wasim was part of a long line of world-class Pakistani fast bowlers that began with Fazal Mahmood in the 1950s and featured the likes of Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.

But pace stocks have dwindled in recent years and Pakistan currently have no fast bowlers among the top 10 in either Test or one-day rankings.

Chief selector Iqbal Qasim last week expressed disappointment over the lack quality fast bowlers, a concern which Wasim hopes to help address by holding a two-week camp in April to unearth new talent.

Wasim, who is regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler ever to play at international level with 414 Test and 502 ODI wickets, said Pakistan need to improve their bench strength to excel in the long form of the game.

"I am sure talent is there but there is no plan B," he said. "We don't have good bowlers for Tests which was proved in the series against South Africa where we lacked in that department."

Pakistan were white-washed by world number one South Africa 3-0 last month in their recently concluded Test series. The hosts also hold a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five match one-day series.

Wasim added Pakistan's inability to make use of home-advantage, which allows players to excel, was a key factor holding back the development of youngsters.

7th National Cricket Tournament for disabled starts on Wednesday

The three-day 7th National Cricket Tournament for the disabled will start in Ranchi on Wednesday.

In all, 16 teams from various states and zones are taking part in the tourney, A W Siddiqui, secretary general of the Indian Cricket Federation for Disabled, said in a release on Tuesday.

He said the matches would be played at Mecon, J L Nehru Stadium, and Steel Authority of India Limited grounds.

The players having 40 per cent to 90 per cent physical disabilities, even amputees of upper and lower limbs would take part in this tournament.

ICC rejects Pakistan's allegations about umpiring bias during SA series

Karachi: The ICC has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board's reservations about some umpiring decisions and the way the Decision Review System was used in the team's Test series in South Africa.

According to sources in the board, the ICC has put down the umpiring blunders to human errors and mistakes and nothing more.

"The ICC has said that none of the umpiring mistakes were intentional and were part of the game. It has also said the UDRS system is working well and producing productive results," one source was quoted as saying.

The PCB had, on the request of its team management in South Africa after the first Test in Johannesburg, written to the ICC raising concerns over some of the decisions and the performance of umpire Steve Davis.

The PCB had also expressed reservations over the effectiveness of the hot spot technology used by umpires in the DRS system.

Umpire Nadeem Ghauri implicated by PCB committee Sources

Nadeem Ghauri
Karachi: Suspended Pakistan umpire Nadeem Ghauri, facing corruption charges, has been found guilty of misconduct and is facing punishment on the recommendations of a PCB probe committee, sources have claimed.

Ghauri and another Pakistani umpire Anis Sadiq were suspended by the ICC three months back when an Indian television channel in a sting operation alleged that five umpires from three countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - were involved in accepting bribes to do spot fixing.

Ghauri, a well known Pakistani umpire who has served on the ICC international panel, was among those named in the sting operation and was shown in loose talk on skype with an Indian reporter posing as an agent.

Shane Watson to return to India for Delhi Test

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Sydney: Speculation about Australian vice-captain Shane Watson's Test future was put to bed on Monday with an announcement that he will return to India after serving a one-match ban.

The 31-year-old returned to Sydney last Tuesday after he was dropped for the third Test after failing to prepare feedback on how the team could improve and deliver it to management. Three other players were also axed.

Watson, whose wife gave birth last week, made clear he felt the punishment was overly harsh and said he would be considering his future, but has decided to battle on.

Michael Clarkes back injury adds to Australia woes

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Seeking to save the third Test match, Australia's miseries have been compounded by a back injury to skipper Michael Clarke, which has raised a question mark over his batting position going into the final day's play of the third cricket Test on Monday.

Cricket Australia (CA) media manager Matt Cenin said today the batsman will undergo treatment overnight and then the physiotherapist Alex Kountouris will assess his condition.

"He'll undergo further treatment overnight. We'll assess that and see how it settles in the morning to determine when he's able to bat," Cenin told reporters after the end of fourth day's play at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium (PCA).

After conceding a lead of 91 runs, Australia were struggling at 75 for three at stumps in their second innings, still 16 behind India's first-innings score of 499 all out.

In the current scenario, Clarke aggravating his back injury will be the last thing Australia would need.

Due to the skipper's sore back, the out-of-form Phillip Hughes, Steven Smith and night-watchman Nathan Lyon were promoted up the order in the second innings.

3rd ODI South Africa beat Pakistan despite Shahid Afridis fireworks

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Johannesburg: Captain AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla set a record stand for the third wicket as South Africa survived Shahid Afridi's later onslaught to win the third one-day international by 34 runs on Sunday.

The victory earned South Africa a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Afridi smashed five fours and seven sixes in a blistering knock of 88 off 48 balls before Pakistan was bowled out for 309 in 48.1 overs after centuries from de Villiers (128) and Amla (122) had led South Africa to 343-5.

De Villiers and Amla put on 238 off 182 balls to better the mark of 237 set by India's Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar against Kenya at Bristol during the 1999 World Cup.

"It's always nice to bat with Amla, he makes it easy for me, he rotates the strike very well," de Villiers said.

Afridi, who had not scored a half century for 13 months, struck form at last with some clean hitting after Pakistan was on the ropes at 5-132 midway to their run-chase.

Afridi got the run-chase back on track with a 71-run sixth wicket stand off 48 balls with captain Misbah-ul-Haq (28) and completed his half century off 31 balls. Afridi braved a severe pain on his right thumb soon after completing his half century while facing Dale Steyn's short pitched delivery.

"The way we played today, it showed we can be a good chasing side," Misbah said. "We know he (Afridi) can hit it a long way and when he came to bat and hit the first six, I told him, 'mate, you can score a hundred here.'"

Luck seemed to be on Afridi's side when, on 73, his off stump was knocked over by Ryan McLaren only to be recalled after television replays showed that the seamer had bowled a no-ball.

Afridi capitalized on the chance and smashed McLaren over the long off and the ball landed in the golf course.

Elgar Kleinveldt awarded CSA central contracts

CSA
Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday announced a list of 21 players who have been awarded national contracts for the 2013-14 season. The new contracts run from 1 May, 2013 to 30 April, 2014, a press release said.

Dean Elgar and Rory Kleinveldt, who are part of recent South African Test squads along with Marchant de Lange and Aaron Phangiso have been awarded contracts for the first time. All-rounder Ryan McLaren has been re-awarded a contract after missing out for the past 12 months.

Five players including Mark Boucher (retired), Ashwell Prince, Rusty Theron, Albie Morkel and Jacques Rudolph have been omitted from the contracted list while Johan Botha was released from his contract at his own request after last year's ICC World Twenty20.

"Dean Elgar has established himself in the Test squad while Rory Kleinveldt has done well across all three formats," said CSA selection convener Andrew Hudson.

Kiwi appointed new cricket World Cup chairman

world Cup Chairman

Former deputy Ralph Waters has been appointed chairman of the organising committee for cricket's 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after the death last week of James Strong.

Waters, a prominent New Zealand businessman, was promoted to the role by Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket on Wednesday to replace Strong, who died in Sydney aged 68 from complications following surgery.

"Like myself, James had lived and worked in Australia and New Zealand and was determined to put on a truly world class tournament in 2015," said Waters.

"I share his vision and will work closely with the ICC (International Cricket Council), Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket to deliver a successful tournament for cricket fans around the world."

The World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand in February-March 2015


Courtesy:  Tvnz