End ICL, Take a Franchisee in IPL: BCCI to Subash Chandra

The ICL (Indian Cricket League) cleared the air on the rumours on its future saying that league has not gone bankrupt. It will continue as scheduled.

They agreed on releasing few players to play for their countries, and also confident that the countries will release them to play in ICL after their national duty is over.

"There is no question of being bankrupt. We are committed to holding the ICL," ICL business head Himanshu Mody said in a statement.

He also came out openly on the BCCI's offer to take up a franchisee in IPL rather than continuing the ICL.

"The BCCI has been offering a peace deal to ICL promoter Subhash Chandra asking him to take up a franchise in return for winding up the league, but this is unacceptable to the Zee boss," Mody was quoted as saying.

He furhter said, "We are awaiting the decision on our application to the ICC on giving those playing in the league an official status. If a resolution does not come through at the next ICC Executive Board meeting, we will pursue legal options. Our stated position is that we will take ICC to court in the UK citing precedents--Tony Grieg vs Doug Insole (England) and Kapil Dev and other players vs BCCI in Indian courts."

To a question on releasing the players from ICL, he said, "Yes, we have told some of these players that they can play for their respective countries. We will give them temporary suspension letters for the same. You have to understand that they are far more valuable to us if they continue to represent their countries as well. In any case, one way or the other, the ICC has to take a stand on their status. ICL is keen that these players are allowed to do national duty and then return to play in the ICL. We have no problem with that."

"People are spreading canards about the ICL going belly up and that due to this we are releasing players. This is all nonsense. Yes, we cancelled one event due to 26/11 but that doesn't mean the ICL is defunct. We are looking at two tournaments in October-November, a league in 8-9 cities on the round-robin format followed by the World Series," he said.

I think we should give due credit to ICL without which we wouldn't be enjoying the IPL. Though IPL is much more famous and has lot of moeny than the private ICL, if ICL did not happen, I think there is no IPL as well.

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

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

Zimbabwe has confirmed that they will not be participating in the Second Edition of the T20 World Cup to be held in 2009.

ZC arrived at the decision after recognising that England was unlikely to issue visas for the team for the World Cup Twenty20. Zimbabwe had already cancelled the bilateral series with England slated earlier in the year.

“We are grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for confirming the decision taken by its officials,” ICC president David Morgan said in a press release Wednesday.

“This allows the ICC the opportunity to plan with certainty the World Twenty20 as well as giving Scotland ... plenty of preparation time ahead of the tournament,” he said.

Bad luck Zimbabwe! It is not good for cricket especially for Zimbabwe Cricket.

Zimbabwe Stays in ICC! Pulls Out of World Cup T20!

After few days of discussion and boardroom negotiations, the ICC decided to retain Zimbabwe as part of ICC.

Zimbabwe, though decided to pull out from the World Twenty20 and cleared the roadblock for the competition to be staged in England, will receive its full participation fee for the tournament.

"We have been informed that the British government may not grant visas to our players, and that situation may prevail during the Twenty20 World Cup. We don't want to be gatecrashers; we will attend only those weddings to which we are invited," said Peter Chingoka, Chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket.

Thackery lashes out on usage of Cheerleaders in IPL!

In his editorial Samana, Thackery has lashed out at the usage of Cheer leaders in the IPL! He said, in the olden days when Gavaskar, Ajith Wadekar, Salim Durani, Polly Umrigar, Dilip Sardesai were playing, no cheer leaders were used. Didn't people come and watch the game? Was there no cheer during those times?

But, in today's cricket, in the name of cheer leaders, the organisers and promoters are trying to seduce the spectators. He said in an editorial of his party newspaper, "I am a lover of good sports and music. It is the secret of my cheerfulness. I have a special affinity towards cricket. But till now only cricket was played in the field. However, now things are changing with the bringing of cheergirls to seduce the crowd."

He added political color to it by saying, "At a time when farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada region are committing suicide because they are burdened by debts, it is not clear what the people, who are pumping money to bring cheergirls, want to convey."

I think he is absolutely right in whatever he said. There is no need for cheer leaders for Cricket. Already T20 (Twenty-Twenty) is a big hit a fast paced game. Hence there is no need for cheer leaders. Can they bring them for Test Matches--for five day cricket? Probably it would help both spectators and the cricketers because they play for 5 days and need some energy. I am sure they won't do it because it costs money.

Guys, please change! Leave the game as it was! Do not spoil the sanctity of the game!