India Sends Its Cricket Riches to South Africa

Less than two decades after the end of its long isolation because of apartheid, South Africa has become the place to be for fans of international sports.Next year, it will stage soccer’s World Cup. This year, it is host to a tour by the British and Irish Lions rugby team, the game’s biggest event other than a World Cup. This weekend, the Cricket World Cup qualifiers come to their conclusion, while South Africa has recently seen a head-to-head contest for the de facto world championship of the sport as its team failed to displace Australia from the top of the International Cricket Council’s rankings.All of these are scheduled events, planned well in advance. But the bonus comes over the next few weeks as South Africa stages the 2009 edition of cricket’s Indian Premier League, which starts on Saturday in Cape Town.

IPL to impose fine up to $360,000 for slow over-rates

Heavy fines ranging from USD 20,000 to USD 360,000 await captains and teams which fail to bowl their 20 overs inside stipulated time during the Indian Premier League starting in Cape Town on SaturdayEach team will get 80 minutes to bowl its 20 overs with breaks of seven and a half minutes each after every 10 overs in the matches that will last for three hours and 15 minutes.Failure to complete the overs in time at first would invite a USD 20,000 fine for the captain, the 'Beeld' newspaper reported, quoting IPL chairman Lalit Modi.A second transgression would lead to a USD 220,000 fine for the entire team, while a third offence will mean a USD 360,000 fine and a one-match suspension for the captain.The IPL starts at Newlands on Friday with Chennai Super Kings taking on Mumbai Indians, followed by a clash between Bangalore Royal Challengers and defending champions Rajasthan Royals..

Zimbabwe must upgrade structure to make test return

Zimbabwe can nurture hopes of a return to the test arena by upgrading its domestic structure and introducing a more competitive first-class league, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday.A task force headed by ICC director Dr Julian Hunte, formed last year to help restore Zimbabwe to the test fold, has now submitted a report to cricket's governing body."The report presented a series of recommendations on how best to assist Zimbabwe to improve its performances so as to allow its return to the test arena as soon as appropriate," an ICC statement said after the first day of a two-day board meeting.Domestic structures needed to be upgraded and a longer and more competitive first-class league introduced, added the report.It also said a sustainable return was only possible when teams in Zimbabwe had satisfied reasonable performance criteria in first-class and other multi-day matches.In addition, the report said there needed to be an ongoing partnership between Zimbabwe Cricket and the ICC member services department to track the former's performance against the plan.Zimbabwe Cricket has accepted the recommendations and agreed to work with the sport's governing body to ensure they are processed, said the ICC statement.The troubled African nation has not played tests since January 2006 after the team were left depleted following disputes between senior players and the administration..

Ricky Ponting welcomes return of star players

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has welcomed the return of some of his star players following the team''s 3-1 defeat in the one-day series in South Africa."We have sort of been stretched quite a bit in the last eight or 12 months with our bowling in both forms of the game, with Brett Lee not being around, and Stuie Clark not being around, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle being rested from this (one-day) tour. It''s good that we''ve got a couple of the more experienced guys coming back into our group in the next little bit. They''ll add a lot of class and a lot of experience back to our bowling group again," The Herald Sun quoted Ponting, as saying.Ponting conceded the home side had "outplayed us in every facet of the game" and thoroughly deserved the prized top ranking."They have got a very good team. They are at their absolute full strength at the moment. We''ve played this series here with about half of our regular team. There have been glimpses of some good stuff in the last two games that we''ve played. But glimpses of good cricket is not good enough to win against a very good South African side," he said.South Africa''s series victory means Graeme Smith''s side now claim the ODI No. 1 ranking..

Harbhajan promises exciting fare at IPL

NEW DELHI: Harbhajan Singh has always wanted to slam the bowlers. He has long nurtured a dream of scoring a breezy Test century, a sensational stroke-filled show in a limited-over match, or best, swing a match with his bat in Twenty20 cricket.He is a bowler who would “love to be acknowledged as a batsman” worthy of making priceless runs when they matter. Most of his batting aspirations are visible at the ‘nets.’So, when he promises some explosive stuff at the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, Harbhajan needs to be taken ‘seriously.’He rightly opined on Wednesday that every player assumes a level of “explosive batting” in Twenty20 but added that “I am no less” even as he promised some exciting fare. His aggregate thus far from four T20 international innings is 30 runs.That he has no regard for batsmen is well known. The sight of a batsman stirs him into raising his game and Harbhajan, with 330 Test wickets to his credit, said that he would like to play the role of a match-winner with greater “consistency” now.“I want to win more and more matches and I am all charged up for the IPL,” he said.He had missed the inaugural edition of the IPL following the slapping incident with S. Sreesanth.“I don’t like to be reminded of that incident time and again. It is a closed chapter. There is no animosity between us,” said Harbhajan, who signed a deal for licensing his brand name at a function, here on Wednesday.Licence India would now ‘sell’ Harbhajan as a brand ambassador for setting up restaurants, sportswear and cricket academies.The 29-year-old off-spinner typically dismissed the multiple-captain theory of John Buchanan.True, the noted Australian coach’s theory was yet to be implemented, but it had not stopped reactions from all possible quarters.“I don’t care if they employ 11 captains. I wish them luck,” said Harbhajan, known to mock at anything that emanates from an Australian.On not being able to receive the Padma Shri award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, Harbhajan pleaded, “I had some important family commitments.”.

IPL chairman Modi receives death threat

Nicholls and Steyn, the South African security agency acting on behalf of the Indian Premier League, has confirmed it took "the necessary precautions" following reports of a death threat to Lalit Modi, the IPL's highly influential chairman and commissioner. The threat is alleged to have come from criminals in the Indian underworld thought to be unhappy at the effect the decision to move the tournament from India to South Africa has had on their illegal betting operations. "We are aware of it and we have taken the necessary precautions," Bob Nicholls, joint head of the agency, told Cricinfo. "I'm not going into any details on that."
Modi was equally tight-lipped, saying only: "I don't want to say anything on this issue." The news threatened to detract from a hectic build-up in Cape Town, where the tournament starts on Saturday and follows concerns about staging a match in the city on the day of the South African general elections – Wednesday 22 April – as well as the high levels of crime in the country. Mumbai police have been aware of the threat since March, and have stepped up surveillance at Modi's home in the Indian capital..

Ireland qualify for Cricket World Cup 2011

Ireland beat the Netherlands by six wickets in Pretoria on Wednesday to clinch a second consecutive appearance at the World Cup.The Dutch were all out for 222 at LC de Villiers Oval and captain William Porterfield made 78 and Eoin Morgan 76 as the Irish reached 226-4 with 5.3 overs to spare.Victory moved the Irish to the top of the 2011 World Cup Qualifier Super 8 table with 10 points and beneath them the other seven contenders still have a mathematical chance of filling the three remaining places.United Arab Emirates pulled off a shock five-wicket win over Canada, minnows Afghanistan defeated Scotland by 42 runs and Namibia hammered Kenya by 201 runs on a day when the bottom three countries triumphed.
Canada remain best placed with eight points, Kenya, Netherlands and UAE have six each and Namibia, Afghanistan and Scotland four apiece entering the final round of matches on Friday.With just two points separating six teams, net run rate could come into play before it is known which three countries accompany Ireland to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the ODI showpiece.Opener Alexei Kervezee was the only Dutch batsman to trouble the Irish attack, scoring 77 off 112 balls during a knock spiced with two sixes and six fours.Alex Cusack took three Dutch wickets for 26 runs in six overs and Boyd Rankin also claimed three while conceding 48 runs in 10 overs. Peter Connell (two), Regan West and Trent Johnston were the other Irish wicket takers.Opener Porterfield scored his runs off 105 balls before being run out by Tom de Grooth and Morgan sped to his total off 62 balls, including four sixes and five fours.With the teams tied on 222, Kevin O'Brien struck the winning four and sealed a return to the World Cup for Ireland, who shocked top-tier nations Bangladesh and Pakistan at the last tournament in 2007..

Modi blames PCB for absence of Pak players in IPL

NEW DELHI: Chairman Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi on Tuesday said that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was responsible for non-participation of Pakistani players in the second season of the league.Modi said that he had made it clear to the PCB that Pakistan players will have to get NOC from their government. But the board replied it would not be possible due to which Pakistani players could not take part in the IPL.Modi further said that he regretted the absence of Pakistani players from the league, but the reason was not to submit NOC before deadline.

Gibbs ton sets up SA series win over Aussies

Herschelle Gibbs made an emotional return to form as he hit a century which set up a series win for South Africa in the fourth one-day international at St George's Park on Monday.South Africa won by 61 runs to take a winning 3-1 lead in the five-match series. It was South Africa's third successive one-day series triumph against Australia and ensured they would retain their world number one ranking in one-day cricket.Gibbs hit 110 as South Africa made 317 for six after being sent in to bat on a slow pitch.Australia made a good start in reply, with Brad Haddin (78) and Michael Clarke (50) putting on 129 for the first wicket. But their innings lost momentum against the slow bowling of Roelof van der Merwe (three for 46) and Johan Botha (one for 48).Fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 44 to wreck the bottom half of the Australian innings as the tourists were bowled out for 256.Gibbs and AB de Villiers (84) put on 136 off 123 balls for South Africa's third wicket in a partnership filled with sparkling strokes and audacious running between wickets.When he reached his 21st one-day international century Gibbs acknowledged the crowd then sank to his haunches and appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.Ponting's decision to send South Africa in to bat in a must-win game for Australia was influenced by a good record for teams batting second on the small Port Elizabeth ground, including a successful chase by Australia, who were set to make 327 in 2001/02.Australia had won four out of five previous matches against South Africa at the ground.Haddin raced to a half-century off 41 balls as he and Clarke gave Australia an ideal start.Haddin appeared to target Johan Botha, the off-spinner who has bowled economically in two series against Australia, hitting two sixes in Botha's first over, which cost 14 runs.Botha was taken off and was hit for another six by Haddin when he returned four overs later. But in trying to hit another ball out of the ground he lofted a catch to long-on.Van der Merwe took the next three wickets with his left-arm spin as the required rate climbed rapidly.Ponting hit four boundaries off Steyn in the first over of a batting power play in the 41st over but hit the last ball to midwicket to be out for 53, effectively ending his team's hopes..

Younis urges Pakistan to be positive vs Australia

DUBAI (Reuters) - Pakistan skipper Younis Khan wants his players to stay positive and cash in on being fresher than Australia in their five-match one-day series in the United Arab Emirates from April 22.Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with security concerns at home heightened after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore on March 3.Pakistan did not play any home test last year as teams refused to tour due to safety fears and have not played international cricket since six Sri Lankan players were injured in the ambush while being driven to the stadium for the third day of the second test."It was really tough for the Sri Lankans," Younis told reporters on Tuesday. "They are still suffering from the trauma. We're also shocked because our bus was just 500 metres behind them. This is tragic for cricket and tragic for sports."Australia will arrive in the UAE having lost the one-day series to South Africa.Hosts South Africa lead 3-1 in the series with the final game to be played on Friday.Skipper Ricky Ponting, batsman Mike Hussey and in-form paceman Mitchell Johnson have also been rested to give them a deserved break..

Pity Warne's class is lost to Australia

EVERYONE thought the last word had been written about Shane Warne, the great competitor, the old rogue.But there he was, larger than life, fitter than usual, wheeling away in the nets, encouraging his players, calling out "drop and run" and towards the end of a long net session in baking sunshine, urging them to keep going.Rajasthan Royals, his team, has made its base camp in Cape Town and under the ageing leg-spinner's stewardship was preparing for a few friendlies and then the start of the IPL season on Saturday. The Royals are the surprise title holders and determined to defy the odds a second time. And Warne is their brain and their heartbeat. The previous night he had told the players to be unselfish, for its own sake and because "no one takes any notice of losing sides.

Shoaib Akhtar:Pakistan can Easily beat Australia:

LAHORE: Pakistan’s world renowned fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said that by defeating Australia in UAE, Pakistan can prove themselves the best team in the world.Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan Cricket Board has reposed its confidence in him and he would make all out efforts to get Pakistan win the series against Australia.Talking with media in Lahore, Shoaib Akhtar said that the Pakistan-Australia ODI series would be a difficult series because grounds in Dubai are above sand. This is why the board has decided to take the team to Dubai early enabling the players to adjust themselves to the conditions.Shoaib Akhtar further said that the absence of star Australian players would make a difference but despite this fact their batting line-up is very strong and if Pakistanis bowl well then Australia can be defeated.

Younis predicts clean sweep for Pakistan

Lahore: Pakistan captain Younus Khan has said that his team would beat Australia 5-0 in the forthcoming one day international series in the UAE.Talking to reporters at the Gaddafi Stadium here, Khan, while replying to a question said: "No doubt it will be 5-0, but in favour of Pakistan."He admitted that Pakistan has not played much international cricket in recent times, and it could affect its performance in the series.Khan, however, said his team was capable of handing out surprises."Remember how Pakistan defeated England in 2005, which came here after beating Australia in the Ashes series," The Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.When enquired about Shoaib Akhtar’s slack performance in the ongoing training camp, he said it was not the right platform to judge a player like his caliber."One should watch Akhtar in the match as that was the real platform to examine the performance of a player," Khan added.Replying to a question about suggesting Akhtar about his role in the team, Khan said: "Who am I to give him advice, he is not a child and knows very well what the team expects from him.""Shoaib is also duty bound to play for the country and the team and not for himself. I feel no difference between Shoaib Akhtar and upcoming Ahmad Shahzad as far as performance of a player is concerned," he added.Khan said he would have liked to perform against a full strength Australian team.Australia has rested their three top players Ricky Ponting, M Hussey and Mitchell Johnson for the five match series..

ICC watching Fast Bowler Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar (in AFP photo) can be targeted by the International Cricket Council if it opts for random dope tests during a one-day series between Pakistan and Australia starting in Dubai on 22 April. According to the media reports today, some cricketers featuring in the series can be asked to undergo the tests. Shoaib tested positive for nandrolone during the 2006 Champions Trophy in India. He has been mostly out of international action since then owing either to injury or suspension. He made a stunning comeback to the Pakistan team for the series against the Aussies after a series of fitness tests. The reports suggested he might find himself in trouble.