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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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?

Symonds Reprimanded!

Symonds was reprimanded for not coming to practice on time! The entire team left on the team bus for the net practice, but Symonds did not join them on time.

He was sleeping and got up late to miss the bus. It was said that he had to get a taxi to reach the ground 10 minutes late.

Though he was not fined or punished for this, he was cautioned that he could end up in trouble.

Australia is leading the series 1-0 against the west Indies.

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!

Samuels found guilty of violating ICC Code, in trouble!

Marlon Samuels has been found guilty by West Indian Cricket Board's disciplinary committee of violating "ICC's Code of Conduct for receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute."

In February 2007, Samuels was caught on tape by the Indian police for passing match related information to an Indian bookie during West Indies' one-day series in India.

Samuels denied the allegations and said he did not give any information outside. He also promised to the board that he will support the enquiry.

The ICC's anti-corruption unit arrived in India for an enquiry. He was allowed to play in the world cup in West Indies.

The Anti-Corruption Unit's report said that he indulged in inappropriate activity and the behaviour was prejudicial to the interests of the game of cricket.

WICB, though supported Samuel, said that the enquiry will be conducted in a transperent manner. It conducted the inquiry and found that he is guilty.

The ICC has said that, they are happy with the enquiry conducted by WICB and the punishment will be decided soon.

He is facing a life ban, the maximum punishment. The disciplinary committee will spell out the punishment for Samuels soon!

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)