Vaughan Dropped for India Tour!

Michael Vaughan has been dropped from the England Test side for the India series. He has planned to take a three-month break from international cricket, sources said.

Michael has not been selected for the tour of India because his place in the Test squad cannot be justified based on recent form," said England and Wales Cricket Board national selector Geoff Miller. "Our view is that it will be to England's benefit if he takes a break from international cricket in the period leading up to Christmas and spends time working on his game," he added. (source: Msn.com)

The team selection was delayed a little bit giving time for Vaughan to prove his form. The team was announced after the county games, but he was not able to score runs as expected and hence was omitted from the team. He scored just 41 runs from four innings that he played for Yorkshire.

Let us hope that this stylish batsman will return to his form and gain the place in national team! All the best Vaughan!

Munaf Patel fined!

In the Irani Cup final, on Day 3 Rest of India fast bowler Munaf Patel had an altercation with Chopra of Delhi. This forced Delhi skipper Virendra Sehwag to intervene who was also abused by Munaf.

Subsequently Sehwag lodged an official complaint with the match referee. It was said that Sehwag returned to Delhi at the end of day 3 though Delhi is still batting at 113 for 3 chasing 378.

Match Referee Jadeja enquired and said to have sent the report to BCCI. The unofficial news is that Munaf Patel found guilty and was fined 75% of his match fee.

This is not the first time the pacer is involved in an incident like this. He was found guilty of verbally abusing Gamini Silva after the umpire turned down the leg before wicket appeal.

Jadeja said, "Delhi was represented by coach Vijay Dahia, while Rest of India was represented by Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and Munaf."

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Sehwag walks out of Irani on Day 3!

Sehwag, skipper of Delhi team playing against the Rest of India team in the Irani Cup went home at the end of Day 3 though Delhi were still playing at 113 for 3.

It was said that the trip was already planned due to his personal reasons, but other sources had a different story to say.

They said there was a rivalry between Munaf Patel and Sehwag and in protests of that, Sehwag returned to Delhi.

Munaf Patel had a altercation with Delhi opener Chopra. Sehwag interevened and Munaf abused Delhi skipper as well. This forced Delhi skipper to lodge an official complaint with the match referee R R Jadeja.

This was the reason stated for Delhi captain to walk out of the match mid-way. Others said that he was going to personal work which was already planned and he was calm and cool when checking out of the hotel. So, there is no walk out here!

Only Sehwag knows the reason!

SL Lifts Ban on ICL Players!

The Sri Lankan Cricket announced today that they are revoking the ban on players who joined ICL. This is a very good move and is appreciated by ICL.

"Players will be allowed to play for their respective clubs and share their expertise, but cannot represent the country," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media manager Shane Fernando said. (source: cricketnext.com)

The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) banned five of its players for playing in ICL--Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardena, and Saman Jayantha.

The SLC said that they can play in domestic matches but not for the nation. Looks like it is a good start and good step forward in favor of ICL.

Relief for these five players, other players representing other countries, and ICL.

Why Not ICL?

What is happening in Cricket? What is the Cricket governing body of international cricket--ICC is doing? They want to promote cricket, but at the same time, do not allow people who help the cause?

The ICL (Indian Cricket League) started by the Zee Television Group was the eye opener for BCCI. It is almost like privatization of government handled units or activities. BCCI does not want anybody to conduct any kinds of matches.

Why? I have analyzed the situation like anyone else and found few reasons which may be valid from BCCIs pespective, though they are not correct:

Loss of Revenue:

Every citizen of India and people around the world who follow cricket knows the reason. If they accept ICL, the money would be shared between BCCI and ICL, which means loss of revenue for BCCI.

Sharing of Power:

The money power that BCCI has today may go away or at least get reduced if there is a competitor.

Confusion for Players:

If both BCCI and ICL conduct events, then players will be in dilemma which one to pick. Though priority can be worked out between BCCI and ICL, the former would try to dominate always.

Ego:

They have not accepted ICL at the first instance and started banning players. Now, if they go back, it would hurt their ego. More than the game, the individual ego is playing a key role.

Can a person in the stature of Kapil Dev would do anything bad to Indian Cricket? The chances he had while playing was more than the chances he has now to spoil Indian cricket. He could have lost a game, he could have taken bad decisions when he was a member of BCCI or coach of Indian Team. If he didn't do it when he had the power or opportunity to do, do you think he is doing it now? Crazy.

I would strongly suggest and recommend ICC that accept ICL as a recognized body and allow them to conduct cricket events. BCCI alone cannot play opportunities to 1.2 billion people or at least 25% of them, who really play cricket.

We still need one more body like ICL and all of them should work together to find the right talent for the game and for the country.

When BCCI is accepting and allowing Indian players to play in English County, why not in another event within our own country?

Guys, competition brings out the best! You are trying to kill or make your partner dark and then play. This is not fair game and not good for Cricket and Country! I don't have anything against BCCI or anything in favor ICL, I am just thinking about CRICKET and COUNTRY and so many young people dreaming that they will get an opportunity!

Xavier Marshall Test Postive!

The West Indies opening batsman Xavier Marshal tested positive in the drug test conducted during the camp in Antigua. He was in the list of provisionals for the Stanford Superstars squad to play against England in the Standford T20.

WICB confirmed this news and they said the attorneys are working on this matter and suitable action will be taken against the player.

The drug details were not disclosed and kept confidential.

Photo Source: cricinfo.com

PCB Allows Shoaib Akhtar in T20!

Based on the court directions, PCB has allowed Shoaib Akhtar to play in the T20 tournament even though he did not pay the fine money of Rs.70 million.

His ban was revoked, but Shoaib was asked to pay Rs.70 million as fine to PCB. Only after his payment, he will be allowed to play for Pakistan, said PCB.

Shoaib moved the court again and court asked PCB to allow him to play the T20. So, until the court hearing, he will be allowed to play at the national level.

Basher Shocked Over Ban!

Former Bangladesh Cricket Team captain Habibul Basher who joined the rebel ICL this week was banned by BCB for 10 years. Hearing this news, Basher expressed shock and said that this punishment is too harsh.

"It is really unexpected. The ten-year suspension is too harsh. I can't believe it," he told the Dhaka-based Daily Star. "Hopefully we [the 'rebels'] will meet tomorrow to decide our next course of action. We may try to meet with the board officials to explain everything."

"I think the people in this country will not misunderstand us because we didn't commit any crime, rather we just want to play cricket. It would be an unbearable pain for me to be cast as a banned cricketer after playing for my country for so many years. I don't understand why people call us rebel cricketers. There were reasons for me to take such a decision. I didn't consider only money because I know how big it is to represent the national team."

It is very unfortunate that BCCI is allowing the Indian players to play in English County Cricket, but not another league in the same country. Do they want to monopoly the cricket? Do they have to till have the top hand in the International Cricket (and threaten ICC sometimes?). People who are behind this only will know the answer apart from God!

Photo Credit: cricinfo.com

India is Safer than Pakistan - Ponting!

The Australian captain Ricky Ponting defended the decision by Cricket Australia to continue their tour to India. He said, the decision was right as the conditions between the two countries are totally different and India is safer than Pakistan.

"As we all know and has been outlined already, these are very different circumstances between India and Pakistan right at the moment and Cricket Australia has made that very clear. As captain of the side and as a player, right at the moment I am very comfortable to go on the advice of Cricket Australia and the players' association," The Australian quoted Ponting as saying.


He said that security team which toured India for ensuring safety measures are taken, found no issues and are happy with the situation.

His comments came out after Pakistan Cricket Board alleged that CA is biased in picking the tours. They withdrew the Champions Trophy tour to Pakistan citing security concerns, but they are going travelling to India despite the recent blast in Delhi, the capital India.

BCB Bans ICL Joined Players for 10 Years!

The BCB has banned all the 13 players who have sent retirement letters to Bangladesh Cricket Board and joined the ICL (Indian Cricket League) for 10 years. The reason is that ICL is not a ICC recognized body and hence those participating in their events would be treated as playing against ICC.

Though there were letters sent to ICC by ICL several times, the ICC is yet to recognize them. Maybe, it is because that BCCI is putting pressure as they did in other scenarios.

"The board decided to impose a ban of ten years on players, officials, and technical staff of the BCB, who participate in cricket events which are not authorized by the ICC and BCB," the board said in a media release. "The player, official, technical staff concerned will be banned from all events and competitions organised by the BCB and will not be allowed to use BCB facilities.

"The board is also looking into legal technicalities for taking appropriate proceedings against the players who have reportedly joined the Indian Cricket League. It has also decided to review the existing format of the contracts with players to discourage such abrupt action by cricketers in the future."

The players involved are:

Habibul Bashar, former Bangladesh Captain
Aftab Ahmed
Alok Kapali
Shahirar Nafees
Farhar Reza
Dhiman Ghosh
Mosharraf Hossain
Mohammed Raffique
Tapash Baisya
Manjurlal Islam
Mohammad Sharif

The reserver wicket keeper Golam Mabud and Mahbudul Karim is currently touring Sri Lanak is also part of this group.

These players have their own concern about playing for Bangladesh. They say that the BCB is not worrying about the players and hence this decision.

Top Bangladesh Players go to ICL!!

Top Bangladesh cricketers have decided to quit playing for the nation and decided to join the rebel league ICL. They have sent their retirement letters to the Bangladesh Cricket Board, which is yet to receive and accept it.

Six players who have decided to join the ICL said that they are not happy with the current systems.

Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, said he felt let down by the team management, coach Jamie Siddons in particular. The situation was getting difficult for me," Bashar, who was dropped from the side for the Asia Cup, told the Dhaka-based Daily Star.

"I was not receiving support from anyone. Even the coach's attitude was discouraging and I was in the middle of a lot of uncertainty. I was out of cricket for seven months."

Left arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain said, "they don't think of us, so why should we think of them."

BCB has to immediately look into the situation and do something about it. Else, it would be too late and they will be in deep crisis.

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Australia Tour to India in Danger!

With terrorists rocking Delhi with their bombs, killing innocents lives regardless of child, young, middle aged or senior citizens. Not sure what they wanted to achieve? They say "freedom!" How? I think by killing innocent people, they want freedom and rule a place only with terrorists. One of them from their own group will kill others for either power or money and finally all getting killed.

It has not only impacted the regular life of the people, but also the foreign revenue through sports. Yes, the Australian tour to India is in trouble.

The Champions Trophy was postponed to next year because of the bomb blasts in Pakistan. Now, with the recent blast in Delhi, the Cricket Australia has decided to review the security in India.

Hope the series has no problem, though there seems to be a little danger! Let us hope that it does not stop!

BCCI v. PCB!

While PCB is trying to find out all the possible routes to conduct the Champions Trophy, BCCI is becoming a bottleneck in their approach.

After the announcement by ICC to postpone the event to next year, Pakistan was trying to invite various teams to play with them a ODI Series or a triangular tournament. But, nothing went in favor of them.

Extract from Times of India:

As per PCB sources, "India is not interested in having the Champions Trophy at all. It has made clear that they see no necessity for this event on the ICC Calendar."

BCCI is clear that they will not change the Australian itinerary scehduled in October 2008 for a 7-match ODI series.

With Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand annoucing withdrawal from the tournament fearing security and safety reasons, ICC postponed the event to October 2008. They retained the hosting rights with Pakistan.

India basically feels that with world cup scheduled for every four years and T20 World Cup every year, Champions Trophy is not needed. But, ICC feels that this woudl spread cricket and help fuding the associate countries.

Pakistan is hopeful of conduting the Champions Trophy next year.

Symonds Dropped!

What's happening to Symonds and Cricket Australia? Well, with this decision, one has t really appreciate the bold decision taken by Cricket Australia. Of course, Discipline first and then the game.

The all-rounder in form has been dropped from the 15-member squad for the Indian tour in October 2008.

It has to be linked to his discipline and nothing else. Morever, he is not ready to correct them and fix the problem.

CA has told that selectors will be advised once Adnrew can be considered again for selection.

Bad luck this time Symonds! You hould have been dropped along with Harbhajan for your meaningless complaints and improper behaviour! You escaped then, but caught now!

Clarke v. Symonds: Round 1 to Clarke!

It is rumoured that Clarke, the current skipper of the Australian team (in the absence of Rick Ponting due to injury) is the main culprit and man behind the suspension of his friend Symonds from the team.

Symonds missed the team meeting and preferred to go for fishing. This was seen as lack of committment towards the team. Symonds was sent home in the middle of the Bangladesh series.

Cricket Australia said that it is not Michale Clarke who took this decision. It is a team decision invoving four members--Ponting, coach Tim Nielsen and team manager Steve Bernard.

It was a tough decision for Clarke, because both Symonds and Clarke are good friends.

Michael Hussey, vice-captain in Darwin and the man overlooked for skipper duties for the younger Clarke, praised him for making the big call at the risk of sacrificing his friendship with Symonds, which remains uncertain.

"It was very hard for him, he and Andrew are very good friends. But he seems to have handled it very well; he is the same person and hasn't got himself down about it. In a leadership position you will be required to make those tough calls, and he has done so," Hussey said.

Let us see what happens to him!! All the best Symonds!

Is Symonds Career Over?

What's happening in cricketing world now? Is it a season for finishing a career?

Andrew Symonds, 33, was caught in another controversy. He enters the list of bad boys in the game. He had a famous controversy with Harbhajan Singh. He then missed a bus for attending the training session.

Now, he entered another controversy by preferring to fishing than the team meeting.

Symonds was sent home from last week’s one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin after going fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting.

There was a question about Symonds committment to the Australian team? He never apologized or had taken any steps in correcting himself.

Cricket Australia will be deciding on his future.

Two More Years Left in Me: Ganguly

Famous for bouncing back, the Prince of Kolkata, said in clear terms that he has left at least two years of cricket in him. He will not hang his boots until then.

He said, the senior players have understood that the ODI is more for younger players. Looks like he has realized that the doors are shut for the ODI. But, he is sure that test cricket and T20 is still left in him for at least 2 years.

"I would like to think I have a couple of years left," Ganguly said when asked if he would miss cricket once he quits the game.

"But I won't say I'll miss touring. I'll miss the cricket we play the satisfaction you get from scoring a century or from winning a Test," the left-hander told 'The Sun' today.

He further added that, he misses the one-day game but the older players understand we won't be playing in the 2011 World Cup. So now it is time for the young players to get match experience.

"So I will finish both IPL and Test cricket at the same at this stage of my career I am not playing for financial gain, it's all about the performance." he said.

"You want to finish with reputation in tact, not with people questioning your ability," he added.

Source: Internet

Kirsten and Kumble in Ganguly's Dropping?

It is rumoured that one more time the coach of the Indian team has played role in Ganguly's omisison in the team. This time, it was the role of Kirsten. It was rumoured that he proposed the suggestion to the skipper Kumble and he agreed to it.

Kumble was not ready to drop either Dravid or Laxman. So, he has to decide against Ganguly.

The tough compeition may have forced Kumble to take this decision...probably, not his fault!

Ganguly Not in Irani Cup! End of Road?

Once again the selectors have given room for everyone to talk about the career of former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly.

He is not sure why should he be the victim? Why is he always? It all started with the rift between him and former Indian coach Chappell. He bounced back and got a place into both Test and ODI team.

He is one among the four who did not perform during the test series against Sri Lanka in 2008.

Should be really disappointing for him and his fans. Can he bounce back one more time? Is there enough time left for him to bounce back?

Though, the BCCI panel is going to change before the team selection for the Australian tour, but have to wait and see whether he will get his chance.

All the best Ganguly!

Laxman Not Aggressive - Afridi

Afridi has opened his mind and gave a strong feedback to Laxman, his IPL Captain. Laxman lead Hyderabad Deccan Chargers

The Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi denied undermining the authority of Laxman, but still insisted that he lacks the aggressiveness.

"Perhaps what I said about the Chargers team on the television show has come out a bit too strong but my only point was that Laxman needs to be more aggressive on the field," Afridi said. He further added, "There was neither any intention to demean Laxman's stature or contribution as a player and captain nor to create a controversy. I was asked a simple question and I answered it honestly."


Stung by Afridi's remarks, Laxman said the Pakistani lacked team ethics and criticised him for his outburst without any provocation.

His outspoken views were termed as violating the code of conduct. He said there is no question of violating the team ethics. He agrees to disappointing his fans, his captain and the team. He vows to rectify it in the next season.