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.

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.

Munaf Patel fined!

Indian bowler Munaf Patel was fined 75% of his match fee for arguing with the umpire in the 2nd ODI against Sri Lanka.

Munaf was penalised for breaching ICC's level 2 offence after on-field umpire Gamini Silva lodged a complaint to match referee Chris Broad citing that Munaf argued with him regarding an LBW decision.

However, the Indian team management denied the allegations saying that the Baroda pacer has never got into an argument with Silva.

Team manager Sanjay Desai said they will decide whether to appeal against the decision after discussion with the BCCI.

Champions Trophy Decision on Sunday!

With unsuccessful attempts in convincing the players of New Zealand, England and Australia, the ICC will be discussing over conference call on Sunday to decide on the fate of Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Ite seems that players association of New Zealand and Australia have advised their players against touring Pakistan.

With major countries pulling out, it will be tough decision for ICC. The decision will be taken on Sunday's meeting.

ICC Tries to Convince Teams!

ICC is trying to convince Australia, England, New Zealand about playing in the champions trophy. These teams were not ready to participate in the Champions Trophy 2008 stating the current situation Pakistan.

They were not convinced about the security of the players and all the players are worried about playing in Pakistan.

South Africa was considered as the second option, but ICC finally decided to stay with Pakistan. After this decision, Australia, England and New Zealand continued to say that they will not be participating and ICC is talking with each team.

Ponting is not sure about his team's participation. New Zealand continues to remain with their decision of not participating and ICC is not able to convince them yet.

Champions Trophy Retained in Pakistan!

The ICC committee has decided to continue with Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2008. South Africa was expecting that the venue would be changed to their country but ICC went ahead with their decision. Based on the report submitted on the security situation in Pakistan, ICC has gone ahead and did not change the venue.

Several countries are not happy with this decision and not sure about their participation in this Champions Trophy.

Australia is almost sure that they will not play this season. England has confirmed 90% that they will not participate. They said no players should be forced to play as the security of the players is more important.

New Zealand board is talking with the players to find out their comfort level.

With major teams not participating or at least hesitating to participate, it is better that ICC change thier venue or work out some other solution by which all the countries participating in this tournament are free from fear and play competitive cricket.

PCB Unhappy with Pakistan Team!

The letter sent by PCB chairm Ashraf has clearly stated that the PCB is not happy with the performance of the team against India. The letter said that the defeat of 140 runs is a devastating defeat and should have never happened.

It questioned the committement, fire, dedication of the captain, coach and other team players.

They wanted the team to improve the performance in the next match.

Samuel to Fight Two Year Ban!

Marlon Samuel has hired lawyers to fight his case agains the two year ban. The disciplinary committee found Samuel breached section C4 of the ICC's Code of Conduct regulations, which involves receiving money, benefit or other reward which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute.

"From the outset, we wish to make it pellucidly clear that we propose to challenge the findings of the majority [3 to 1] by way of judicial enquiry, as we believe a most grave injustice has been done by their finding of our client's liability of one of the ICC's disciplinary offences," the lawyers said in a statement issued yesterday.

The lawyers raised the following points to make a case for their client:


"The evidence in the hearing was that the hotel bill paid for our client by Mr Mukesh Kochar was a loan from a friend and father-figure which was to be repaid on Marlon's return to the West Indies."

"The evidence in the hearing was that Mr Mukesh Kochar was not a bookmaker."

"The evidence in the hearing was that Marlon only came to need a loan because money which he had expected to earn from a contract to participate in a television reality show that would have earned him a sum considerably in excess of the hotel bill, did not in fact materialise. Further, his credit card which he had tendered to meet the bill, was declined."

"It is because of the foregoing why we consider that an application for judicial review stands a realistic chance of success and we, therefore, propose to pursue it actively," the attorneys said.

Samuel to Appeal Against Ban!

West Indian all rounder Marlon Samuel, who was found guilty of dealing with bookmaker before a one-day match against India in Nagpur in January 2007.

Read: Samuel Found Guilty!

He has been slapped with a two-year ban for leaking weather information to an Indian bookie during the Indian series.

The player has decided to move the court against the ban. The unofficialn news is that, he has the support of one of the members who imposed the ban.

Good luck Samuel!

Harbhajan and Sree downplay the event fearing Punishment!

After the slapgate incident between Harbhajan and Sreesanth, match referee Farooq Engineer was asked to conduct the enquiry. Before that, both Harabhajan and Sreesanth downplayed the incident as if nothing had happened between them.

Sreesanth said:

Bhajji and him are like brothers; He is an elder brother and I have forgiven him;
He has the right to do what he did;
It was just a handshake in the wrong side
He need not apologize

Bhajji said:

He is like a brother;
He did not slap him;
They both will play together;
He spoke to Sreesanth after the match;
He is not sure about the complaint to be lodged by Kings XI Punjab!

After the scene and hype created by both the players and media, both of them were saying, everything is okay and nothing wrong happened. Looks like both of them fear about the action that would be taken against each of them. Something should have provoked Bhajji and hence both would be punished. Is that reason for going back on the statements?

Only official enquiry can reveal what has happened!

Warne finds no fault in preparing spinner friendly tracks!

Instead of cribbing about the turning tracks in India, visiting teams should learn to play on them as there is nothing wrong in the host side's insistence on having wickets that work to its advantage, feels Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

India drew the three-match Test series against South Africa 1-1 after winning the third match in Kanpur on a crumbling track that invited the Proteas' ire.

But Warne, who is in Jaipur to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals team, said visiting teams should come prepared for turners.

"I see nothing wrong in this. Every team visiting India expects such kind of wickets. Every team tries to take advantage of the home conditions and their strengths. I would love to have a spinning track right here if it suits Rajasthan Royals," Warne said on Monday.

"Don't the Indians have to play on hard and bouncy wickets in Australia or South Africa? That is the whole fun in cricket. You have to play on different kind of surfaces and have to prove yourself on them. It is a great challenge," he added.

In the past we have seen India struggle in Australia, especialy Pitches like Perth. Also, in West Indies and South Africa, the bouncy and pacy wickets have put India in the back foot. So, what is wrong in preparing a spinner friendly wicket and expect the team to play both pace and spin. Bad luck South Africa!

Mikey Arthur Slammed Kanpur Pitch! Opens Controversy!

South African coach Mickey Arthur has opened up a new controversy saying that the Kanpur wicket was below standards. He said, his team deserved better wicket and facilities in the final test match against India.

He said all the visiting teams complained about the Kanpur wicket because of the poor facilities offered.

He said the wicket was assisting spinners and the most dangerous was the uneven bounce.

Though Ahmedabad wicket helped South African pace bowlers and gave a win to South African in the 2nd test. He praised both Chennai and Ahmedabad wicket, but slammed the Kanpur wicket.

Many cricketers have come in support of India and said that it is normal to prepare a wicket that helps the home team. It is always a pratice to create a wicket that help home team and the visiting teams are expected to take up the challenge of playing in different conditions.

Sachin Withdraws from Carrying Olympic Torch!

In a surprise move, the master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, has withdrawn from carrying the olympic torch citing his fitness has the reason. He earlier volunteered to participate in the run, has cited the groin injury that he is suffering as the reason for withdrawing.

He has been advised rest by the Indian physio after the down under tour of Australia. Though he played the first test against South Africa in Chennai, he did not play the remaining two test, which India lost and won respectively.

ICC Seeks Explanation on Kanpur Pitch!

The ICC has received a copy of the match referee's poor report on the Kanpur pitch and is now waiting for a response from the Indian board on the same. But the BCCI played down the issue of what Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, called a "poor cricket wicket".

"It's a normal process where the match referee submits a pitch report to the ICC at the end of the match, a copy of which is also given to the board," said Ratnakar Shetty, the board's chief administrative officer.

South Africa beat India by an innings and 90 runs in Ahmedabad on a bouncy track but lost the Kanpur Test by eight wickets after their batting line-up crumbled on an under-prepared surface. Both matches ended in three days.

"This is not the first time that a match ended in three days," Shetty said. "Definitely there were suggestions for some corrective measures but I don't think it was a notice to the BCCI."

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive, said a letter had been sent to the BCCI seeking an explanation on the pitch.

Shoaib to be questioned by ICC.

The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of ICC to be questioned by ICC is the unofficial news. Already couple of officers are in Pakistan to question him.

Shoaib mentioned that he was approached by match-fixing brokers during the tours of South Africa and India.

Earlier a local channel here reported that an ACU official was in Lahore to probe the claims made by Akhtar.

The ICC has officially said that its officers would talk to Akhtar for his statements on a television show that he was offered money to under-perform in matches on several occasions but he turned them down.

ICC Code of Conduct states that any player who fails to report an approach to fix games or under-perform to his captain, team manager, board or ACU officers may face a minimum ban of one year and maximum of five years.

Akhtar never reported these approaches to any team official, the board or ACU officers.

Hayden feels he could have used better words aginst Harbhajan!

Hayden regretted his remark against Harbhajan. He said, he could have used better words instead of "obnoxious little weed" remark aginst Harbhajan. He felt his remarks added "fuel to the fire" during the down under tour.

As the tour was already packed with lot of controversies, he felt he could have used better words. He claimd that this is first slip in the 15 years of cricket. He said, Harbhajan has expressed how he fells about Australian team and he wanted to sit with Bhajji during Austriali's tour to India and see how they both can improve the relationship. He reiterated that his remarks was not intended to disgrance him personally or the game, but he could have used better words.

His "obnoxious little weed" and Habhajan's remark of "liar" about Hayden would be one of the discussion points during Australia's tour to India. Hayden is clear that he wanted to discuss these with Bhajji, put an end to all of these issues and build better relationship.

Source: PTI

Harbhan in Trouble Again!

Even after the completing tour of Australia--famous for controversies, Australian players, board and media try to put pressure on Indian team especially Harbhajan. It was reported in the Australian media that Bhajji called Hayden a liar and mentioned that Gilchrist is not as good as everyone thinks in the on-field behavior.

Australian Board, Cricket Australia has written a letter to BCCI asking them to talk to Harbhajan and restrain him from creating new controversies / issues by talking about the completed tour of Australia. They wanted BCCI to handle this as they did it with Hayden.

BCCI has confirmed that they have received the letter and have asked Bhajji to not talk about the past issues! Bhajji has agreed for the same!

CBS - India v. Australia

Weather God Helped Whom?

The first match of the Commonwealth Bank Series between India and Australia was washed out due to rain! The match, though looked like going in favor of Australia during the middle overs of Indian batting, after the rain, the match swung in favor of India.

You never know the next moment in a rain impacted match. The team batting first may score 350 in 50 overs, but the team batting second may need to score 250 in 30 overs, but they have all the 10 wickets in hand. So, the chase could be little easy.

India won the toss and decided to bat first--a brave decision by captain Dhoni, considering the experience of the team. Shewag and Sachin opened the innings as expected and the start was good, but could have been better. Shewag's try to square cut the Bracken's delivery took in the inside edge of the bat and knocked the bails. Sachin was out strangely, the first ever time--hit wicket. Though Gambir and Rohit Sharma played well and added some score, it didn't last for long. The lower batting order also collapsed.

Rain stopped play and the overs was reduced to 45 a side leaving India with 9 overs when play started. Dhoni added few valuable runs, but Lee was demolishing with his superb bowling performance. India finished with 194 in 45 overs loosing all wickets.

Rain delayed the Australian innings and the target was revised to 141 in 26 overs.
Ishant Sharma's superb in-swinger removed Hopes's off stump and Sressanth's outswinger leavin the right hander, taking Pointings edge was the hall mark of Indian bowling. Rain stopped play when Austraia were 51 for 3 in 7.2 overs. Match was called off! Each team finished with 2 points each.

Final Score:

India 194 in 45 overs (Gambhir 39; Sharma 29; Dhoni 37; Harbhajan 27; Lee 5 for 27) match abandoned due to rain; Australia target 141 in 26 overs (D/L method) 51 for 3 in 7.2 overs (Hopes 17; Sreessanth 2 for 17)

Ricky and Australia Take Sweet Revenge in 20-20!

India lost the 20-20 match against Australia by 9 wickets and close to 9 overs spare. After winning the toss, I thought they will choose to bowl, but to my surprise, they batted first. With the inexperienced batting line up in Australian grounds, I would have bowled first. Anyway, they didn't bat well and nothing the bowlers can do.

No one except Irfan Pathan scored double digit figure. He batted sensibly and no one was there to play the full quota of 20 overs. It looked like a practice area for catching. The turning point of the match was the run out of Shewag, which of course was created by the great fielding by MJ Clarke. He should be given full credit for the wonderful fielding and direct hit at non-stricker's end when Shewag took a risk for a single.

I would advise Sreesanth to have his performance talk rather than his mouth and temperament talking. His performance should definitely improve as his experience is very less compared to the great players in the history of cricket. He is not McGrath, Lee, Akram or a Kapil to have his emotions talk rather than his performance.

The score card is given below:

Played at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 1 February 2008 - day/night (20-over match) - Toss: India; Captains: India-MS Dhoni; Australia-Ricky Pointing; Australia won by 9 wickets with 52 balls spare; Man of the Match: MJ Clarke; Umpires: BNJ Oxenford and SJA Taufel

India 73 all out in 17.3 overs (IK Pathan 26; NW Bracken 3 for 11; AC Voges 2 for 5) lost to Australia 75 for 1 in 11.2 overs (AC Gilchrist 25; MJ Clarke 37 NO; BJ Hodge 10 NO)

Hope the young and less experienced Indian team would learn from the mistakes and look for a good start in the Commonwealth Bank Series tournament that starts on February 3, 2008.