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!

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.

Collingwood Resigns!

Collingwood also has put in his papers as England ODI captain. With Vaughan quitting as Test captain, Collingwood stepping down as captain has put England in trouble.

Kevin Pietersen has replaced Collingwood as captain for the ODI and Michael Vaughan for test.

All the players have said that they will give full support to Pieterson, who is looking forward to the ODI series. He said, it is going to be exiciting phase in his career.

Michael Vaughan Quits!

England, the hosts lost the test series against South Africa in the recent tour. With his resgination, his five year term has come to and end. He is the most successful England captain in tests with 26 wins.

Pietersen said: "I am very thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to captain England. It's a huge honour for me and a terrific challenge for me at this stage of my international career."

He has captained the England ODI team against New Zealand during Collingwood's ban.

ECB has announced the test and ODI squad

Test squad:

Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen (capt), Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose (wk), Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar.

One-day squad:

Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen (capt), Owais Shah, Ian Bell, Samit Patel, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior (wk), Andrew Flintoff, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Chris Tremlett, Luke Wright.

Gayle Resigns!

What's happening to West Indies? No one has the right answer which could turn the West Indian cricket to its (g)olden days. Captains have resigned including Lara though he took charge again after discussion with the board.

The recentl development in West Indies is not a good one to WI Cricket. The captain Chris Gayle has submitted his resignation and it has reached the board. Unconfirmed internet sources give the reason as "he is not happy with the selection of team for the 3rd ODI against Australia."

Wait and see the developments in this site!