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Thursday, June 28, 2012

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Posted: 28 Jun 2012 12:34 PM PDT

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Live Streams England vs Australia 1st ODI Lords 2012

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 01:18 PM PDT


England vs Australia 1st ODI Live Streams Online. Watch Australia vs England, 1st ODI, Live Streams played at Lords, London on June 29, 2012.

Live Cricket Streaming: England vs Australia (Eng vs Aus) 1st ODI Live stream online. Australia tour of England 2012 will be available live online. Watch Australia in England Live Streams online on Sky Sports HD or Star Cricket. All the matches will be telecasted on Sky Sports / Star Cricket. Cricket Live Streams of Australia vs England in the tour of England is given below. Watch England vs Australia live streaming 2012.

Match Timings: June 29, 2012 (10:45 local | 09:45 GMT | 15:15 IST)


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Australia vs England Highlights 2012 | Aus vs Eng

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 12:00 PM PDT


Australia vs England ODI Highlights 2012. Watch Australia in England 2012 cricket highlights. England vs Australia One-day cricket highlights 2012. Australia tour of England 2012 cricket highlights watch online. Australia to play 5 ODI’s agains England in England. The series is not comparable to Ashes but is nothing less as well. Its going to be one of the exciting series of the year.

Australia at the no. 1 position in ODI’s and England definitely be looking for a tough fight against their rivals. England have recently beat West Indies in all the formats and are high in confidence. Definitely England looks to be favorites but its game of cricket where anything can happen. So just stay with us for all the highlights of Australia tour of England 2012 right here:

1st ODI: England v Australia at Lord’s
Jun 29, 2012 (10:45 local | 09:45 GMT | 15:15 IST)

2nd ODI: England v Australia at The Oval
Jul 1, 2012 (10:45 local | 09:45 GMT | 15:15 IST)

3rd ODI: England v Australia at Birmingham
Jul 4, 2012 (14:00 local | 13:00 GMT | 18:30 IST)

4th ODI: England v Australia at Chester-le-Street
Jul 7, 2012 (10:45 local | 09:45 GMT | 15:15 IST)

5th ODI: England v Australia at Manchester
Jul 10, 2012 (14:00 local | 13:00 GMT | 18:30 IST)

Preview: Australia vs England 1st ODI Lords 2012

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 11:01 AM PDT


After thrashing West Indies, the high-spirited England side will now aim to continue their winning momentum against Australia in the five-match ODI series starting on Friday.

The traditional rivals will face off in the first ODI at Lord’s and a confident England, who have recently trounced West Indies in the Test and ODI series, will now eye to maintain their winning streak. While on the other hand, Australia, with quite a few talented youngsters in their side, can pose a threat to the hosts

Led by Alastair Cook, England start as favourites, but considering Australia's resilience, things won't be easy for the home team even in their own backyard.

Ian Bell and Cook come into the series with brilliant centuries against the West Indies. Moreover, Bell, who replaced Kevin Pietersen after his ODI retirement, will be a key player against the Australians. He scored 179 runs in two matches with an average of 89.50, which included a century and a fifty.

In the absence of Pietersen, players like Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Jonathan Trott and Johny Bairstow provide a sense of solidarity to the English middle-order, but it's nothing like the quality Pietersen used to bring with him, especially in the swinging England conditions.

The bowling department has been more consistent than England's batting in the last couple of years. Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Tim Bresnan are in prime form and will be a force to reckon with for the Aussie batting line-up. Add on the world's best offspinner Graeme Swann to the list and it wears an intimidating look.

Australia would start their campaign coming from two big wins in their practice matches against county sides Leicestershire and Essex. However, the No.1 ODI team has won only 13 of their last 25 one-day matches and the main concern for the Aussies would be their batting in the absence of Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting. That means the likes of Peter Forrest, George Bailey and Steve Smith will have to make their opportunity count.

David Warner and Shane Watson as an opening pair can be deadly upfront with David Hussey, who has raised his stakes as a key limited-overs player for Australia with both bat and ball.

On the bowling front also, Australia have nothing to worry with some proven performers like Ben Hilfenaus, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and there are chances of a likely return of Mitchell Johnson.

Probable XIs:
England: 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Craig Kieswetter (wk), 3 Ian Bell, 4 Ravi Bopara, 5 Jonathan Trott, 6 Eoin Morgan, 7 Johny Bairstow, 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn

Australia: 1 Michael Clarke (capt), 2 Shane Watson, 3 David Warner, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Peter Forrest, 6 David Hussey, 7 Mathew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Ben Hilfenhaus, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 James Pattinson

We can’t force India into accepting DRS: ICC

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 04:40 AM PDT


Left red-faced after the powerful BCCI opposed the Decision Review System at the Executive Board Meeting here, the ICC on Thursday said that it will not force India to accept the controversial technology in bilateral series.

With India unrelenting in its opposition to the DRS, the ICC Board did not ratify the Chief Executive Committee’s recommendation for universal application of the DRS and the new Chief Executive Dave Richardson defended the decision.

Addressing a press conference after taking over from fellow South African Haroon Lorgat, Richardson said he would not try to force India to accept the technology.

“I don’t think (the ICC Board decision is) negative at all. We’ll see DRS in the majority of series and there would be no sense in forcing anything upon anybody. The point is that the Board of Control for Cricket in India need to make that decision for themselves. It’s never good to take anyone kicking and screaming to do anything,” Richardson said.

“The introduction of technology has always been controversial… but slowly but surely that’s changed and I think we’re pretty much at that point where everyone is accepting, certainly at international level,” he said.

The ICC was left red-faced at its Annual Conference here when its chief executives proposed mandatory DRS in Tests and ODIs, only for the board to reject the move after India let it be known that it could not accept the technology.

The issue was discussed by the ICC Board but was allowed to pass without voting.

Richardson also denied that dealing with financially powerful India would be his main preoccupation as chief executive.

“The bottom line is, the ICC board determines policy for the ICC going forward. I don’t think my job will involve any special negotiations with India. A lot is made of that but there are 10 full members and I think our task is a lot more simple and a lot more practical than these high-level talks you might imagine.”

Richardson took up his post alongside new president Alan Isaac of New Zealand, who assumes the reins from India’s Sharad Pawar, at the conclusion of the five-day Annual Conference.

The two will have to steer the sport through a tricky period as it tries to recover from spot-fixing scandals and rationalise the demands of its three competing formats.

Outgoing chief executive Lorgat, who was also present at the press conference, warned against expecting quick progress towards the more contentious reforms, which will be discussed at the next board meeting in October.

“I think it would be unfair of any of us to expect overnight change,” Lorgat said. (PTI)

Shane Warne slams ECB over Pietersen’s ODI retirement

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 04:00 AM PDT


Australia great Shane Warne has said the “ego” of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) forced Kevin Pietersen’s retirement from all limited overs internationals. Pietersen wanted to give up 50-over one-day internationals (ODIs) while still playing Twenty20 internationals. However, the ECB said the South Africa-born shotmaker, who remains a Test match cricketer, could only play in both shortened formats or none at all.

As a result Pietersen, the Man-of-the-Tournament when England won the World Cup Twenty20 in the Caribbean two years ago, is set to miss the defence of their title in Sri Lanka this September. He will also be absent from the upcoming one-day series against Australia and Warne, who captained Pietersen at county side Hampshire, said England had damaged themselves.

“Any team that hasn’t got Kevin Pietersen is significantly weaker,” Warne told the Independent. “He’s a match-winner so that’s a big loss. It staggers me and I’m very surprised that the ECB didn’t try and negotiate that better, drop their egos and say, okay we understand this, we want to keep our best players playing all the time.”

He added: “I think it’s just a bit too much ego for my liking from the ECB. Who wouldn’t want Pietersen in your side? He’s a match-winner and he puts bums on seats because people love watching him play. His attitude rubs off on the rest of the players. So to me it’s a huge loss. More people might give up one-day cricket or they might give up Twenty20,” added the legendary legspinner, who contrasted Pietersen’s situation with that of Michael Clarke, the Australia captain. “Michael Clarke’s given up Twenty20 in Australia because he can’t play all three forms at that level, but you can’t imagine Australia dropping him and saying don’t worry about one-day cricket, just stick to Tests.”

England play Australia in the first of five one-day internationals at Lord’s on Friday. Without Pietersen, an opener in limited overs cricket, England saw his spot filled by Ian Bell, who made a hundred and a fifty, and Alex Hales, who struck 99, in ODI and Twenty20 wins respectively over the West Indies this month.

© AFP

Alan Isaac elected as new ICC president

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 03:32 AM PDT


Sharad Pawar’s reign as the president of the International Cricket Council ended on Thursday as New Zealand’s Alan Isaac took charge from him for a two-year term at the ICC Annual Conference here.

The 60-year-old Isaac, a former New Zealand Cricket chief, became the eighth president of the ICC, while former South Africa wicket-kepeer David Richardson was confirmed as the new chief executive of the world body, taking over from Haroon Lorgat.

Issac will be the last to hold the post in its current shape as it will become a ceremonial role once he steps down in 2014. Over the past two years, Isaac has been the ICC’s vice-president, a position that the body plans to abolish by amending the constitution. The amendment envisages the appointment of a chairman, who will hold office for two years, as the head of the ICC.

“When I look at the list of previous presidents, I am reminded of the importance of this office. In the midst of my pride at being chosen as president, I recognise that there is, of course, much hard work and much progress needed if we are to maintain the game’s current healthy state,” Isaac said.

“I believe that the challenges ahead are no less daunting than those we have faced in the last two years if we are to maintain the vibrancy and viability of the three formats of the sport. We are fortunate as a sport — indeed unique — to have three different formats at international level.

“We will all strive not only to preserve those formats but to build on their foundations. In that way the ICC will continue to oversee a great sport and we will all work to make it even greater. I look forward to serving the game with honesty and integrity and to the best of my ability. I look forward to handing on the guardianship of the sport with the game enjoying even greater health,” he said.

Richardson, after being confirmed as successor to Lorgat who stood down after four years as the ICC chief executive, said, “It is a real honour to be confirmed as the ICC Chief Executive and I want to pay tribute to Lorgat.

“I have learnt much in the last four years and I inherit a game in great health with much to be optimistic about. I look forward to building on that and tackling the challenges ahead,” Richardson, who played 42 Tests for South Africa and has been ICC’s general manager – for the last 10 years, said.

Meanwhile, it was decided that necessary amendments to the ICC and IDI Articles of Association would be made to create the post of chairman, remove the role of vice-president and vary the role and powers of the president, all with effect from the close of the 2014 Annual Conference.

The formalisation of these amendments will give effect to the principles agreed by the ICC Board earlier this year. Until the end of the 2014 Annual Conference, the role of the ICC president will remain in its current form, but from the end of the 2014 Annual Conference it will become ceremonial in nature with a term of only one year.

A new role of chairman of the ICC and IDI Board will be created from the end of the 2014 Annual Conference. The term of office will be two years and the chairman will be appointed by the Board at its first meeting following the 2014 Annual Conference.

Russia and Hungary were confirmed as new Affiliate members of the ICC but Switzerland was removed as an Affiliate member having been suspended at the 2011 Annual Conference for failing to comply with the ICC’s membership criteria and remaining unable to do so by the 2012 Annual Conference.

There are now 106 members of the ICC. The ICC Annual Conference is made up of representatives of the 10 full members, 36 associate members and five affiliate regional representatives.

West Indies A beat India A in the first unofficial ODI

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 01:10 AM PDT


West Indies A beat India A by two wickets in a low-scoring first game of the three match One-Day series at the National Stadium in Grenada.

After being dismissed for 190, the Indians looked like pulling it off when they reduced West Indies to 158 for eight before a critical, unbroken 35-run stand between skipper Veerasammy Permaul and tail-ender Nikita Miller steered the hosts to victory without further loss with three balls to spare Wednesday, reports Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

Man-of-the-Match Permaul, who was earlier chiefly responsible for restricting India’s score taking four wickets, was 22 not out while Miller chipped in with 12 to give West Indies a 1-0 lead in the series.

India, bowled out off the last ball of the innings after winning the toss, got a good start with Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 58 his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan getting 30. Manoj Tiwary (26) and Jalaj Saxena (22) were the only other batsmen to cross 20.

Permaul’s four wickets with steady left-arm spin came for a measly 28 runs while seamers Jason Holder (2/30) and Jonathan Carter (2/41) chipped in with wickets at crucial stages.

West Indies A lost Test opener Adrian Barath for five early in the run chase and fellow Test opener Kieran Powell followed soon (42/2) after hammering a brisk 25 off 24 balls with three fours.

Out-of-form Test batsman Kirk Edwards then stroked 33 off 44 balls with two fours anda six to add 29 for the third wicket with Nkrumah Bonner (14).

When Bonner perished at 71 for three, Edwards combined with top-scorer Jonathan Carter (39)to put on another 27.

Edwards departed with the score on 98, paving the way for a 54-run, fifth wicket stand between left-handers Carter and Assad Fudadin.

Carter faced 75 balls and hit two fours while Fudadin, who made his Test debut on the tour of England, scored 26 from 44 balls.

Both fell in a slide that saw four wickets tumble for six runs before Permaul blasted a four and a six off 13 balls to see his side home.

Fast bowler Ashok Dinda finished with three for 35 while 21-year-old seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/14) and off-spinner Rohit Sharma (2/32) bowled steadily.

Brief scores: India A 190 all out in 50 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 58, Shikhar Dhawan 30, Manoj Tiwary 26, Jalaj Saxena 22, Veerasammy Permaul 4-28, Jason Holder 2-30, Jonathan Carter 2-41) lost to West Indies A 193 for 8 in 49.3 overs (Jonathan Carter 39, Kirk Edwards 33, Assad Fudadin 26, KieranPowell 25; Ashok Dinda 3-35, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-14) by two wickets.

West Indies team anxious to rebound against New Zealand

Posted: 28 Jun 2012 12:54 AM PDT


West Indies cricket team manager Richie Richardson said the under-fire Caribbean side was anxious to rebound from their wretched tour of England by beating New Zealand in the two-match Twenty20 series at Fort Lauderdale over the weekend.

West Indies failed to beat England in a single match on a tough two-month tour, which ended Sunday, but Richardson said there was a hunger in the side to make amends, reports Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“There’s lots of sunshine here so the guys are going to enjoy that. We’re accustomed to the sun on our backs. I don’t believe the ball is going to move around as much as it did in England, so I think the guys will relish conditions here. It’s a little bit humid but it’s what we’re accustomed to,” Richardson, a former West Indies captain, said on Wednesday.

West Indies face New Zealand in the first T20 Saturday at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium before playing the second fixture the following day at the same venue.

West Indies will thus play a bilateral series outside the Caribbean and Richardson says the team was upbeat about the prospect of playing before the large Caribbean diaspora in the Sunshine State.

“There are a lot of West Indians here and they are backing us to do well. They have made their homes here in the United States and they still have West Indies in their hearts,” said Richardson.

“As a team we really appreciate the kind words and we really want to win for them this weekend.

“People might not know it but cricket is pretty big over here and this is a wonderful opportunity to win over more fans to West Indies cricket. This could be an added dimension to the game and could start something new.”

Constructed at a cost of $70 million, the stadium was opened five years ago and hosted its first international matches when New Zealand and Sri Lanka met in a similar T20 double-header two years ago.

Richardson, who played in a celebrity tournament at the venue in 2008, praised the facilities and said the team was looking forward to getting on to the pitch.

“It is great to see the game coming to America. We have been very impressed with the facility – the practice pitches have been good, the outfield is in immaculate condition and the players are quite comfortable,” he said. (IANS)

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

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Put cricket before cash: Greig to BCCI

Posted: 27 Jun 2012 03:13 AM PDT


Former England captain Tony Greig has urged India to accept that “spirit of cricket is more important than generating billions of dollars.”

India is cricket’s economic powerhouse, driving the finance of the global game through the sponsorship and broadcast deals that derive from the sport’s huge popularity in the world’s second most populous nation.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also oversees the lucrative Twenty20 Indian Premier League franchise tournament.

However, many observers believe the BCCI has used its huge influence for its own interests rather than those of the global game and that, as a result, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is not functioning properly.

They cite as evidence the BCCI’s ongoing refusal to accept the television replay Decision Review System ( DRS), despite repeated calls for its universal implementation by senior ICC committees.

South Africa-born Greig, 65, giving the 2012 MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture, named after his late former England teammate Colin Cowdrey, at Lord’s on Tuesday, said: “Much of the game is controlled by the BCCI because it controls enough votes to block any proposal put forward at the ICC board meetings.

“The reason for this is some countries would not survive without the financial opportunities India provides.”

Greig, who called for the IPL to be expanded into an Asian league, backed former Australia captain Steve Waugh’s suggestion for players to take lie detector tests in a bid to root out corruption from cricket.

But the thrust of his speech was aimed at the BCCI, with Greig saying India could solve most of the sport’s existing problems “if it embraces the spirit of cricket and leads for world cricket, not just India”.

However, he also said the BCCI’s financial focus had led to a lopsided international calendar.

“The net result is Test cricket is suffering; some players appear not to have the same feeling for Test matches as their predecessors; there are more and more meaningless ODIs (one-day international matches).”

The former all-rounder continued: “This situation can only be resolved by India accepting the spirit of cricket is more important than generating billions of dollars; it’s more important than turning out multi-millionaire players; and it’s more important than getting square with Australia and England for their bully-boy tactics towards India over the years.”

Greig was himself accused of denigrating Test cricket by acting as the ‘recruiting sergeant’ for Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, which lured players away from official matches with improved salaries.

Greig, explaining why he’d “sacrificed” the England captaincy to become involved with “an Australian television tycoon”, pointed to quotes from a transcript of his meeting with Packer soon after he had led England in the Centenary Test against Australia in Melbourne in 1977.

“Kerry, money is not my major concern. I’m nearly 31-years-old. I’m probably two or three Test failures from being dropped from the England team. I don’t want to finish up in a mundane job when they drop me. I’m not trained to do anything. I am at the stage in my life where my family’s future is more important than anything else. If you guarantee me a job for life working for your organisation I will sign.”

For the past 35 years Greig, as a World Series player and as a cricket commentator for Australia’s Channel Nine television station, has worked for the Packer organisation.

© AFP

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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Yuvraj Singh starts practice, target T20 World Cup for comeback

Posted: 26 Jun 2012 02:56 AM PDT


Hoping to make a comeback to international cricket with the Twenty20 World Cup in September, Yuvraj Singh on Monday batted for the first time after undergoing treatment for a rare germ cell cancer earlier this year. “Grilling session at nca! Happy to hit a few balls after almost 6 mnths. Strength is ok need to build on cardio!! Target t20 w cup. Let’s c,” Yuvraj tweeted.

Yuvraj is in his second week of rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. “I am right now in the second week of rehabilitation and I am feeling good. My body will slowly become stronger, I am sure,” he said while talking to reporters.

“The target is the T20 World Cup, and hopefully, I will be able to come just before that,” reiterated the 30-year-old left-hander, who has not appeared in any form of the game since last November when he was diagnosed with the disease.
He underwent chemotherapy in the United States before returning to India in April to continue his rehabilitation.

Yuvraj again thanked one and all for the incredible support he received during his treatment. “Great response… it is overwhelming… the wishes of the whole country. I want to come back and play for the country,” he said in Bangalore.

The 2011 World Cup’s Man-of-the-Tournament had earlier said that “playing for India is going to be a huge challenge for me because the body has been under a lot of shock which nobody can understand except me”.

Having already returned to light training, Yuvraj had also said that that his recovery was going well, and is enjoying a healthier lifestyle. “I’m feeling good. It’s been two months since I finished my chemotherapy. Initially my energy levels were low but now I am following my diet and eating loads of food and it’s getting better,” he said.

South Africa to host 4th edition of Champions League T20

Posted: 26 Jun 2012 02:48 AM PDT


South Africa will host the fourth edition of the Champions League Twenty20 in October with Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions being the new entrant, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

“South Africa will host CLT20 this year. All other details to follow soon,” Sundar Raman, a member of the CLT20′s technical committee, wrote on his twitter page, confirming the shifting of the tournament from India.

The decision to shift the tournament out of India was taken at a CLT20 Governing Council meeting in Chennai last month.

It was also decided that the Mumbai Indians, who are the defending champions, would be included as the fourth Indian team in the eight-team tournament.

The reasons for shifting the tournament to South Africa range from monsoon to Durga Puja celebrations that will coincide with the event.

It will be the second time that South Africa will host the tournament after 2010. Cape Town, Johannesburg, Centurion and Durban will be the venues for the event.

Earlier, GC had also approved the participation of Pakistan’s Sialkot Stallions in the tournament. They will take part in the qualifiers to make the cut in the main draw, which will feature four teams from India, two from Australia and one from South Africa.

New IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders, runners-up Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils are the confirmed participants for this year’s CLT20.(PTI)

Monday, June 25, 2012

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Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Post Match Presentation Galle 2012

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 06:29 AM PDT


Mahela: Coming from the ODI series, it was important to start well. The boys reacted very well. Kumar was brilliant and Kulasekara did well too in his comeback game. We had played only 2 and half days so the wicket was good. Our bowlers had bowled 60 overs already so we wanted to give them a break. We wanted to bat when the conditions were good and bat Pakistan out of the game. It’s all about Test cricket, it is not about having holidays! (explaining why SL didn’t enforce the follow on). It’s tough work, it’s a 3 Test series and we have to maintain consistency. I’m enjoying the challenge leading the side, right now the boys are doing well so I’m happy.

Hafeez: Congrats to Sri Lanka. It was tough but we were unlucky. Thumbs up to my team for showing good spirit on the field although it was tough. The batting is an area of concern, we should work hard in the nets. We’ll get back the most senior player and captain Misbah so it’ll be a big boost for us. Younis and Shafiq fought it out and Ajmal was a positive as well. Adnan is crucial in the lower order, it was a good fight.

Sangakkara: The longer you play, the more experience you get to cope up with different experiences. It’s possible to build an innings in ODI cricket as well and it was pretty easy to carry that into the Tests. Dilshan and Mahela did well too, it was a pleasure batting with them. The conditions were a bit better than it usually is in Galle, there was a nice breeze. Rehman, Hafeez and the fast bowlers made it tough for us but it was a great team effort from us. I was a bit disappointed (to miss the 200) but I let the opportunity to go, it’s ok.

Sangakkara is the Man of the Match for his 199*

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Day 4 Highlights 1st Test 25 June 2012

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 04:30 AM PDT


Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Day 4 Highlights 1st Test 2012. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Cricket Highlights. Watch Pak vs SL Day 4 Highlights 1st Test 2012. Sri Lanka vs Pakistan Cricket Highlights 1st Test played at Galle on 25 June 2012.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Presentation

West Indies recall Samuel Badree for T20 series against New Zealand

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 02:50 AM PDT


Uncapped leg-spinner Samuel Badree was included in the West Indies squad announced Sunday for two Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in Florida this coming weekend.

The 31-year-old Trinidad and Tobago bowler was the only player from outside the party selected for the tour of England to be included in the 13-man squad for the two games with the Black Caps at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill.

West Indies will be looking for a boost after Sunday’s seven-wicket Twenty20 defeat at Trent Bridge meant they’d failed to beat England across all three formats this tour, having gone down 2-0 in preceding Test and one-day series.

In a statement issued in Nottingham, chief selector Clyde Butts said the squad had been picked with a view to the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, which starts in September and that Badree’s performances in domestic Twenty20s, where he has taken 39 wickets at 15.61, merited his selection.

“The team is well-balanced and has been selected with the Twenty20 World Cup in mind,” said Butts. “Looking at the team, we expect this side to do very well against New Zealand.”

As for the new recruit, Butts added: “Badree has been a consistent performer in regional tournaments over a period of time and the selectors felt it was the right time to introduce him to the team.”

All-rounder Darren Sammy continues as captain and is set for another lengthy campaign given, after the two Twenty20s in Florida, West Indies and New Zealand travel to the Caribbean for five one-day internationals and two Tests.(AFP)

West Indies Twenty20 squad to play New Zealand:

Darren Sammy (capt), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wkt), Ravi Rampaul, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith

New Zealand to West Indies fixtures

Jun 30: 1st Twenty20, Central Broward Regional Park, United States

Jul 01: 2nd Twenty20, Central Broward Regional Park

Jul 05: 1st ODI, Sabina Park, Jamaica

Jul 07: 2nd ODI, Sabina Park

Jul 11: 3rd ODI, Warner Park, St. Kitts

Jul 14: 4th ODI, Warner Park

Jul 16: 5th ODI, Warner Park

Jul 20-22: WIS A v NZL, Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua

Jul 25-29: 1st Test, Vivian Richards Cricket Ground

Aug 02-06: 2nd Test, Sabina Park

Mandatory use of DRS recommended by ICC

Posted: 25 Jun 2012 02:29 AM PDT


The International Cricket Council’s Chief Executive Committee on Monday recommended mandatory use of the controversial Decision Review System, an innovation that has been consistently opposed by the BCCI, in Tests and one-dayers.

The CEC met for two days on June 24 and 25 as part of the ICC Annual Conference and “recommended to the Board the universal application of the DRS after being satisfied with the technology enhancements provided by new Hotspot cameras and the results of the independent research on ball tracking conducted by Dr Ed Rosten, an expert in computer vision technology.”

Dr Rosten tested the accuracy and reliability of ball tracking in a recent Test series and concluded that the results were “100 per cent in agreement with the outcomes produced from his assessments.”

CEC recommended that, subject to the Members’ ability to finance and obtain the required technology, DRS should be mandatory for all Tests and ODIs.

“Furthermore, Hotspot cameras must be included in the minimum requirements (two cameras) alongside ball tracking technology.

The CEC also recommended a minor amendment to the LBW protocols whereby the ‘margin of uncertainty’ regarding the point of impact with the batsman should be the same as that provided for the point of impact with the stumps.

“The number of successful reviews will be retained at two per innings for a Test and one per innings for an ODI.”

Outgoing ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said the recommendations have been made on the basis of independent trials.

“We have made good progress in independently testing ball tracking and the new enhancements has resulted in the CEC unanimously supporting the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation to universally apply the DRS in all Test matches and ODIs,” he said. (PTI)