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

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.

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!

Slow Over Rate Gives 4 Match ban to Collingwood!!!

The ICC match referre Javagal Srinath handed over a 4 ODI ban to England captain Paul Collingwood for bowling slow against New Zealand. This was considered a level 3 offense as per ICC regulations and hence he faced either a 4 ODI or a 2 Test Match ban.

His offense was pushed to level 3 from level 2 as he committed the mistake within a year. AS per rules, he cannot repeat the mistake again within the year.

His team bowled more than two overs short in a game against India in August last year.

A short of more than two overs in an ODI brings with it an automatic Level 2 charge against the captain involved, but if that captain has already been charged and found guilty of the same offence within the preceding 12 months then the penalty imposed is elevated to Level 3.

Each player will be fined 5% of the match fee for every over short with the captain fined 10%.

Up t level 4 offense, the player can appeal and if he does it, until the verdict, the punishment will not be in effect.

If the ban stays, he will miss the final ODI against New Zealand, the T20 and the two ODIs against South Africa.

Bhajji Banned for 5 ODIs

In the slapgate incident involving Harabhajan and Sreesanth, the BCCI disciplinary committee today handed down a 5 ODI ban on Harbhajan Singh. He has accepted that he is guilty and was punished.

Sudhir Nanavathi submitted his report after he was appointed as the enquiry officer for investigating this incident.

He met both the players involved--Harbhajan and Sreesanth and few other players also before preparing his report.

He submitted a 14-page report to the board, but did not include his recommendation on the punishment. He said the disciplinary committee would go through the report and take a decision on the punishment.

What would it mean for Harbhajan? He has to sit out of the tri-series in Bangladesh between June 8 and 14 and then two of the Asia Cup matches scheduled in June and July this year.

"The Committee accordingly decided to ban Harbhajan Singh for five one-day internationals, starting today and further observed that any further instance of misconduct will invoke a life-ban," the BCCI said in a statement after the committee's hearing.

"The Committee invoked Rule 3.2.1 of the BCCI Regulations for Players, Team officials, Managers, Umpires and Administrators. Under this provision, the maximum punishment that can be meted out to a player is a ban up to a maximum of 5 ODIs and / or 3 Test matches," Pawar told reporters. He also said that a copy of the report was given to Harbhajan.

"The Disciplinary committee also considered Sreesanth. He has to improve a lot and if he is does something similar in future, he will be dealt with firm hand," Board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

As far as I am concerned, I think Sreesanth was let off with a mild warning. He shoud have been banned at least for an ODI. Look at the below pictures to see for yourself on his agression. Is he fighting a war in the border against terrorists?



As far as Harbhajan is concerned, I think it is sort of okay because this five match ban carries a severe warning and could end up as life ban if he misbehaves one more time.



I think all the cricketers should behave themselves as they are representing their country and are brand ambassadors for both the sports and their country. They are role model for so many youngsters and also sports and cricketing fans around the world. Is this how they behave?



This is a general question to all cricketers. What are you guys doing after taking a wicket, especially if you take it after long time or if you take it after hit for a four or a six? You show agression agains the batsman, a fellow cricketer, pump in the air, show route to pavilion, etc.



Are you playing cricket or are you fighting war against the terrorirsts? You probably should go to the border or to the war and show this. Guys, either behave properly...after all you have just taken a wicket... and did not kill a terrorist in the war field..or do not play the sport...any sport!

Other Stories:

Harbhajan to get Fair Trial!!

Mumbai Played Without Harbhajan!

Harbhajan's Hearing Today!

Harbhajan and Sreesanth Downplay the Event!

Harbhajan Suspended Until Hearing!

Bhajji Slapped Sreesanth!

Sudhir Nanavati Submits report on Slapgate Incident!

Sudhir Nanavathi submitted his report to BCCI on the slapgate incident involving Harbhajan and Sreesanth.

He met both Sreesanth and Harbhajan separately and did a complete inquiry into the incident. He was given 15 days to complete the enquiry and submit the report.

He said, he was nervous while preparing the report. The report is of 14 pages and has been submitted to the BCCI,

The report will be given to Sharad Pawar, the president and he will forward that to the disciplinary committee.

He said, he did not recommend any punishment and it will be taken care by disciplinary committee.

The rumour is that Harbhajan will not be given life ban, but he faces either a year ban or ban for 5 test matches or 10 ODIs.

Read Other Stories:

Harbhajan Slapped with 11 match Ban!

Harbhajan's Ban costs him 3 crores of Indian Rupees!

Hayden Not to Sledge Sreesanth or Bhajji!

Ganguly and Warne Fined!

What's Happening in West Indies Cricket Team?

It is not a good series for West Indies, which once was the dangerous team to play against. They were the world champions twie in the shorter version of the game, but that glory was not maintained well by the successors!

After the 1983 world cup, I would say, West Indies team's collapse started and there was less occassions where they won comfortably--either it be a match or a series. So many captains after Lloyd lead the team--Richardson, Walsh, Lara, Jimmy Adams, Carl Hooper, Ridley Jacobs, Chandra Paul, Ramesh Sarwan, Daren Ganga, Chris Gayle, and Dawne Bravo.

It is indeed a bad opening in 2008 for West Indies against the mighty South African. This 5-0 white wash should be removed from the memory and just the learnings should be carried forward. The West Indies Cricekt Board and the cricket supporters in and around the world, should treated it as an investment to the future!

The Short Scores of this Series:

1st ODI:

Played at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on 20 January 2008 (36-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 6 wickets with 12 balls to spare; Man of the Match: JP Duminy; Umpires: DJ Harper and RE Koertzen

West Indies 175 all out in 35.5 overs (RS Morton 41; DJG Sammy 51; DW Steyn 2 for 24; A Nel 2 for 36) lost South Africa 176 for 4 in 34 overs (JH Kallis 24; JP Duminy 79 NO; MV Boucher 26 NO)

2nd ODI:

Played at Newlands, Cape Town, on 25 January 2008 - day/night (50-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 86 runs; Man of the Match: SMPollock; Umpires: DJ Harper and BG Jerling

South Africa 255 for 9 in 50 overs (GS Smith 86; AB de Villiers 45; JP Duminy 68; JE Jaylor 4 for 34) beat West Indies 169 all out in 48.2 overs (S Chattergoon 34; S Chandrapaul 54; M Morkel 4 for 36; SM Pollock 2 for 13; CK Langeveldt 2 for 28)

3rd ODI:

Played at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, on 27 January 2008 (50-over match) - Toss won by West Indies; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 7 wickets with 8 balls to spare; Man of the Match: JH Kallis; Umpires: DJ Harper and IL Howell

West Indies 252 for 7 in 50 overs (S Chattergoon 52; PA Browne 35; MN Samuels 98; J Botha 2 for 29) lost South Africa 256 for 3 in 48.4 overs (GC Smith 56; JH Kallis 121 NO; JP Duminy 36 NO)

4th ODI:

Played at Kingsmead, Durban, on 1 February 2008 - day/night (50-over match) - Toss won by West Indies; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 5 wickets with 13 balls to spare; Man of the Match: AB de Villiers; Umpires: DJ Harper and IL Howell

West Indies 263 for 9 in 50 overs (BA Parchment 48; S Chattergoon 48; S Chandrapaul 28; PA Browne 34; JE Taylor 43 NO; A Nel 2 for 44; M Morkel 2 for 60) lost South Africa 266 for 5 in 47.5 overs (GC Smith 50; HH Gibbs 39; AB de Villiers 77; JP Duminy 44; DJ Bravo 2 for 31)

5th ODI:

Played at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on 3 February 2008 (50-over match) - Toss won by South Africa; Captains: South Africa--GC Smith; West Indies--DJ Bravo; South Africa won by 8 wickets with 13 balls spare by D/L method; Man of the Match: HH Gibbs; Umpires: DJ Harper and BG Jerling

West Indies 295 for 7 in 50 overs (DS Smith 91; S Chandrapaul 51, PA Browne 49 NO; DJ Bravo 40; RN Lewis 28 NO; CK Langeveldt 3 for 61) lost to South Africa 211 for 2 in 28.5 overs (HH Gibbs 102; JH Kallis 74 NO; DBL Powell 2 for 39)

South Africa Won the Series - 5-0
Man of the Series: JP Duminy (South Africa) and SM Pollock (South Africa)