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.

Holding Quits ICC over decision on Pakistan England Match!

The former West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding has resigned from the ICC cricket committee. The reason stated was, "he is unhappy with the ICC's decision to change the result of the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan from a forfeited win for England to a draw."

"I have just written my letter of resignation to the ICC cricket committee because I cannot agree with what they've done," Holding said while commentating for Sky Sports during a domestic match in England. "That game should never, ever be a draw. When you take certain actions, you must be quite happy to suffer the consequences.

"A lot of things are happening today that I don't want to be involved with, so I've moved on." He also felt that Pakistan deserve the punishment because they did not come to the field though they were cleared off ball tampering. The refusal to go play should not go unpunished.

Click here to read Other Story related to this topic!

ICC Considering the Result of Forfeited Match between England and Pakistan!

The ICC is considering to change the decision of the match awarded in favor of England during their match against Pakistan. The umpire Darrell Hair punished Pakistan of ball tampering and awarded 5 runs to England. Pakistan team lead by Inzmam-ul-Haq did not accept that and Inzmam did not come to the field after tea on the fourth day.

Pakistan had, at the time, been in a strong position in the match, having secured a first-innings lead of 331 and removed four England batsmen second-time around. There was nothing at stake in the series, with England already leading 2-0 after wins at Headingley and Old Trafford, but the eventual forfeiture was the first in the history of Test cricket.

"England and Pakistan have agreed to declare the Oval Test as a draw to maintain the dignity of Pakistan in world cricket, especially after the ball-tampering charges were dropped," a web site mentioned the source as a person who attended the meeting.

If this happens, it may affect England's the position in the ICC rankings.

Symonds in Trouble Again!

Remember, in the contraversial second test between India and Australia in Sydney? Symonds was given not out by Steve Bucknor when the entire city heard the noise of the thick outside edge and he did not walk! He was on 12 and Australian were already under big trouble at that time! He then went on to score 162.

Once again he did not walk, but this time against the host West Indies. He acknowledge that he was out, but it was umpire's job to give out.

He was on 14 and then went on to make 52 to take Australia past 200.

Umpire Mark Benson refused to raise his finger when he gloved Brovo's delivery.

West Indian skipper Gayle said, ""It's up to the individual what he wants to do at that particular time -- there is nothing we can do. That's cricket. Sometimes it goes your way, there is nothing you can do about it, but carry on with the game."

I believe Australians have lot to learn, especially on the basics of cricket--discipline, being honest, behaving professionally on and off the field, respecting visitors and opponent players. It is not only whether you score a century and beat other team by wickets and huge runs, but it also depends on other factors.

A man can be successful, but his character, attitude, discipline are very important otherwise, all the success has no meaning! Fundamental Guys! Didn't your teachers teach you all this in school?

Mumbai Indians Launch Official Complaint Against Suresh Shastri!

The Mumbai Indians management has launched an official complaint against the third umpire Suresh Shastri. The complaint was over two dubious decisions given by him during the match against Kings XI Punjab, in which Mumbai Indian lost by one run.

Sachin expressed dissatisfaction on the poor umpiring decisions and said that those two runs would have saved his team.

The loss against Kings XI Punjab has made Mumbai's chances of entering semi-finals difficult. They have to win their remaining matches or wait for other teams--Delhi Daredvils an Chennai Super Kings to lose their matches.

The first incident was the run out of Luke Pomersbach of Kings XI Punjab. Shaun Pollock's throw from deep extra cover appeared to have hit the stumps directly with the batsman short of his crease. Since the TV replays were not conclusive, the umpire went in favor of the batsman. The batsman was on 21 then and finally scored 79.

The second incident was the run out of Smith. Smith was struggling to reach his crease while the bowler Piyush Chawla appeared to have knocked the bail with hims arm keeping the ball in the hand. Once again the TV replays were not helping.

The coach of Mumbai Indians Lalchand Rajput confirmed that the franchise owners have filed an official complaint.

Tendulkar said, "the whole world has watched what it was all about. Everyone has seen what happened and in whose favour the decisions eventually went. Had we got those two run-out decisions our way, we would have added two more runs to the tally and won the match."

Shastri, however, defended his decisions, saying he went by the law. "I don't want to make any comments. I can only say I went by law 28.1 (The wicket is down)." The law states that a dismissal is made if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or a stump is struck out of the ground by (i) the ball, (ii) the striker's bat, whether he is holding it or has let go of it, (iii) the striker's person or by any part of his clothing or equipment becoming detached from his person, (iv) a fielder, with his hand or arm, providing that the ball is held in the hand or hands so used, or in the hand of the arm so used.

GA Pratap Kumar Suspended!

The umpire GA Pratap Kumar officiating the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders has been suspended for a match, declared IPL.

He was charged for listening to the player and taking a decision to go with the third umpire.

In the match, Ganguly was caught at deep mid wicket by Smith. The catch created doubt in the mind of Ganguly, who completed the run after hitting the ball, went to Pratap Kumar and asked him to refer to the third umpire Asad Rauf. Immediately, GA Pratap Kumar asked the third umpire. Either he should have done it on his own or left it as it is and taken a decision. He should not have listened to the player and allow them to rule the game.

The TV replay did not provide clear pictures and the third umpire was forced to go in favor of the batsman.

Ganguly and Warne were fined 10% of the match fee for forcing umpire to refer third umpire and for openly speaking and accusing respectively.

Warne Disppointed Over Ganguly's Behavior

Ganguly Hits Back!

Ganguly and Warne Fined!

Ganguly and Warne Fined!

After a spat between Kolkata Knight Rider's captain Ganguly and Rajastha Royals skipper Shane Warne, both the players were fined 10% of their match fee.

Both the players have agreed for paying the penalty.

Match umpire GA Pratap Kumar has been suspended for a match because he listened to Ganguly for checking for the third umpire.

Warne takes on Ganguly!

Ganguly Hits Back at Warne!

They both are not happy with the decision of the IPL, but accepted the decision and ready to pay the fine.

It was said that Ganguly was not available to comment on the decison taken by IPL to penalize 10% match fee. He was in the nets with the rest of the team practicing for the match ahead.

Both the teams have agreed to put the issue aside and focus on the game. The team spokes person said that they have agreed to pay the fine and wanted to forget the incident.

Ganguly was fined for violating the code of conduct by forcing the umpire to ask for third umpire, when he was caught at deep midwicket by Smith. His version of the story was, he did not ask the umpire GA Pratap Kumar to refer third umpire. All he said was, the catch was not cleanly taken.