Indian, England have reservations on enhanced Test Championship

Perth, January 31: The ICC Board on Saturday held here the first day of its two-day meeting -- the first of the four scheduled meetings it holds each .

Among the matters discussed were the following:

Future Tours Programme (FTP) post-2012
With the BCCI and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) expressing reservations about the idea of an enhanced Test championship, the Board agreed further consultation was necessary between ICC management and the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee with a view to producing an acceptable model. It was further agreed this process would be led by ICC General Manager – Cricket David Richardson and would take place in the lead-up to and during the next CEC meeting, due to be held in Johannesburg in February.

The Board endorsed the view already expressed by both the CEC and the ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat that over-rates were a key issue to be addressed in international cricket and CEC’s discussions should include consideration of ways to do this. The current FTP concludes in May 2012.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwe A task team, headed by Dr Julian Hunte, the president of the West Indies Cricket Board, presented an interim report to the ICC Board. This followed a visit to Zimbabwe by Dr Hunte and ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat in November last year. When a timetable was drawn up last October it was always the intention to present an interim report at this meeting with a final report to be submitted at the next Board meeting, in Dubai in April. Pending submission of that final report, the Board was told that none of the stakeholders spoken to during the visit were of the view that Zimbabwe was ready to return to Test cricket, with timeframes proposed ranging from six months to two years or more.The Board was informed that both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) had offered playing and administrative support to Zimbabwe Cricket. Zimbabwe stepped back from Test cricket in January 2006.

Indian Cricket League (ICL)

Consideration of the ICL’s application for approval by the ICC was deferred pending further discussions between representatives of the BCCI, ICL and the ICC.

Members attending were:
David Morgan OBE: ICC President
Sharad Pawar: ICC Vice-President
Haroon Lorgat: ICC Chief Executive
Jack Clarke: Australia
Mahbubul Anam (alternate for Lt. General Sina Ibn Jamali): Bangladesh
Giles Clarke: England
Shashank Manohar: India
Alan Isaac: New Zealand
Ijaz Butt: Pakistan
S. Liyanagama: Sri Lanka
Mtutuzeli Nyoka: South Africa
Dr Julian Hunte OBE: West Indies
Wilfred Mukondiwa (alternate for Peter Chingoka): Zimbabwe
Associate Member Representatives:
Neil Speight: Bermuda
Samir Inamdar: Kenya
Imran Khwaja: Singapore
In attendance:
I.S. Bindra: ICC Principal Advisor

SA dethrone Australia in ODI rankings, India at heel

Dubai, January 30, 2009: South Africa have gone to the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table following its 39-run victory over Australia in Perth on Saturday. India are on their heels at the third spot and sniffing the top spot.

South Africa’s 4-1 series win puts them ahead of Australia by a fraction of a ratings point but Ricky Ponting’s men have immediate chance to regain number one place

The match may have been a dead rubber as far as that series was concerned with South Africa having already won three out of the previous four matches but there was still plenty at stake and Johan Botha can now claim to be captain of the highest-ranked side in the world.

The Proteas had been three ratings points behind Ponting’s men going into the fifth and final ODI of the series but now they move ahead by a fraction of a point and top the ladder for the first time since April 2008 when they briefly wrestled number-one spot from Australia’s grasp.

But the good news for Australia is that it has an immediate opportunity to go back on top as its five-match series against New Zealand begins on Sunday. The table is so tight at the top that victory in that first ODI will send Australia right back to where it has spent the vast majority of the past seven years since the rankings were devised.

Meanwhile, India are hovering just outside the top two and is now only five ratings points behind South Africa and Australia after winning the first match of a five-ODI series in Sri Lanka. Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men will be doing their best to keep the pressure on the top two with plenty of ODI cricket coming up on the horizon.

At the other end of the table, Zimbabwe has moved up one place to 10th in the rankings after winning the opening two matches of its five-ODI series in Kenya. Prosper Utseya’s team has now beaten the home side in the two games in Mombasa and so heads to Nairobi full of confidence for the remaining three.

That means Ireland slips to 11th position while Kenya loses ratings points and stays in 12th spot. However, if Kenya was to win the remaining three matches, it would move to 11th place, just one ratings point behind the Irish while Zimbabwe would fall all the way to 12th and last spot on the table. So there’s still plenty to play for in the series.

Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship (as of 30 January)

Rank Team Rating

1 South Africa 125
2 Australia 125
3 India 120
4 New Zealand 113
5 Pakistan 111
6 England 108
7 Sri Lanka 106
8 West Indies 91
9 Bangladesh 46
10 Zimbabwe 20
11 Ireland 19
12 Kenya 1

BCCI to help Zimbabwe cricket

Mumbai, January 30: Peter Chingoka, chairman of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, had a meeting with Shashank Manohar and N. Srinivasan, president and secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) respectively, in Mumbai.

They discussed the role the BCCI can play in the redevelopment of Zimbabwe cricket, which is in turmoil for various reasons. It was decided that a Zimbabwe President’s XI will participate in the Deodhar Trophy in March 2009, along with the usual five zonal sides.

The BCCI has also agreed to invite the Zimbabwe President’s XI to participate in the Duleep Trophy from the 2009-10 season onwards, besides extending the facilities at the Bangalore-based National Cricket Academy for the training of Zimbabwean players.

A team from Zimbabwe will also participate in the Buchi Babu tournament later this year.

Under fire Lalit Modi forms arbitration tribunal

Jaipur, January 30: In order to resolve certain issues raised by some district associations of Rajasthan, Lalit Kumar Modi, president of the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has appointed a three-member arbitration tribunal with immediate effect. The bench of arbitrators comprises Justice R.C. Lahoti, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India (SCI), Justice Kuldeep Singh, retired Justice of the SCI and Justice A.R. Lakshmanan, retired Justice of the SCI.

Modi’s action is as per Article 43 of the RCA by-laws that makes it a duty of the president to refer any dispute relating to constitution, management and election of the Association to Arbitration. In order to put an end to all controversies and any doubt with regard to the impartiality/integrity of the arbitrators, Modi appointed the eminent judges to arbitrate on the following terms of reference:

A. Whether the Resolution dated 28.1.2009 passed by the RCA is a valid resolution and should be acted upon;

B. Whether the election of the RCA should be held immediately or should it be held subject to the outcome of the interim application filed before the Supreme Court;

C. Whether the resolutions of the RCA have been validly passed;

D. Whether there have been any financial irregularities on part of any member of the executive committee of any office bearers of the RCA;

E. Whether the office bearers of the RCA, including myself, are entitled and fit to continue in our respective posts;

F. Any other matter that may be raised by any other member

In the resolution adopted by the Rajasthan Cricket Association on January 28 it was decided to move the Apex Court to seek appropriate directions with regard to holding of election for the Rajasthan Cricket Association immediately.

The election was last held on Feb 21, 2005, under the supervision and chairmanship of Justice Anil Dev Singh, the retired chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court. Since the term of the elected body is four years as per the constitution of RCA such a resolution became imperative.

Accordingly, the RCA secretary Subhash Joshi approached lawyers to move the Apex Court. In a curious turn of events Joshi retracted the steps initiated, which led to RCA president Modi to move the court as per the resolution and curtail the power and authority of Joshi as secretary of RCA.

The application was moved by Abhishek Manu Singhvi before the Chief Justice wherein he strenuously argued that the elections are due on February 21, 2009, as the four-year term of the existing committee was coming to an end. However, the Court listed the matter for February 23 keeping the urgency in view.

The said action has been taken to ensure proper management of the affairs of the association and due to certain action taken by Subhash Joshi that were prejudicial to the interest of Rajasthan Cricket Association.

The President was constrained to invoke his emergency powers provided under Article XI(1)(IX) of the Memorandum and Rules and Regulations of the Association to divest Joshi of all his rights, powers and duties as the honorary secretary of the association.

The public is advised that Rajasthan Cricket Association shall not be responsible or bound by any action taken by Joshi claiming to be taken on behalf of Rajasthan Cricket Association.

112 cricketers for second IPL auction on Feb 6

Mumbai, January 29: The Indian Premier League on Thursday announced a final list of 112 cricketers from around the world for the second player auction to be held in Goa on February 6.

The list comprises the cream of cricketing talent from around the cricketing world. It includes 21 Englishmen, 27 Australians, 13 South Africans, 15 Sri Lankans and an assortment of players from across the West Indies, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.

Indian and indeed IPL fans all over the world will for the first time be able to witness the best-of-the-best from England led by the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Shaun Udal, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swan and Owais Shah, who have all signed up to participate in the second edition of the DLF Indian Premier League, which is set to kick off on April 10.

The 26-strong Australian contingent up for grabs at the auction includes Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke, Bradd Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Bradd Hogg, Shaun Tait, and Jason Krejza, amongst a host of other international stars.

South Africans Charles Langeveldt, J P Duminy, Andre Nel and Paul Harris will also be a part of the auction.

As per the guidelines set by the Governing Council for the DLF IPL 2009, each Franchisee will have a maximum purse of $ 2 million, less any amount spent on signing temporary replacements from last year to select the cricketers best suited for their team's strategies.

Speaking on the occasion Lalit Modi, Chairman & Commissioner, DLF Indian Premier League said: "The enthusiasm and interest displayed by players from all around the world to participate in the second season of the league has been truly overwhelming. Clearly the DLF Indian Premier League has set new standards in helping uncover and hone some exciting new talent, that have gone on to gain international recognition, all of which augurs well for development of world cricket. We are extremely happy with the interest the league has garnered globally and look forward to the action at the second player auction in Goa."

FULL LIST:

Australia: Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Brad Hogg, Beau Casson, Mark Cameron, Peter Forrest, Lee Carseldine, Doug Bowler, Michael Dighton, Jason Krejza, Nathan Reardon, Chris Hartley, Shaun Tait, Ashley Noffke, Bryce McGain, George Bailey, Travis Birt, Michael Hill, Chris Swan, Michael Klinger, Ben Edmondson, Aiden Blizzard, Mark Cosgrove, Adam Voges, Shane Harwood

England: Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Ravi Bopara, Monty Panesar, Robert Key, James Foster, Tyron Henderson, Sajid Mahmood, Matt Prior, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Owais Shah, Shaun Udal, Darren Gough, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright, James Anderson, Ed Joyce, Dominic Cork

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Rajin Saleh, Ziaur Rehman, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim, Raqibul Hasan, Nadif Chowdhury

New Zealand: Mark Gillespie, Tim Southee, Jesse Ryder, Jeetan Patel, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Jamie How, Peter Fulton, James Franklin

Pakistan: Asim Kamal, Mohammad Hafeez, Yasir Hameed, Danish Kaneria, Yasir Arafat

South Africa: Gulam Bodi, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy, Martin van Jaarsveld, Roelof van der Merwe, Andre Nel, Neil McKenzie, Yusuf Abdullah, Paul Harris, Johan Botha, Morne van Wyk

Sri Lanka: Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Mahela Udawatte, Dammika Prasad, Thilina Kandamby, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Jehan Mubarak, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Malinga Bandara, Malinda Warnapura, Michael Vandort, Prasanna Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Jeevantha Kulatunga

West Indies: Sylvester Joseph, Darren Sammy, Andre Fletcher, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Fidel Edwards, Dwayne Smith, Kemar Roach

Zimbabwe: Vusi Sibanda

FIFA, world’s largest publisher of collectibles sign deal

The exclusive agreement will cover the next two FIFA World Cup in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 for trading cards and sticker album collections. Panini collections have proven to be so popular over the last 10 tournaments that Panini became the natural choice to continue its work with FIFA.

Thierry Weil, FIFA’s director of marketing said: “FIFA is proud to work with our long-term licensee Panini for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup, especially after the success story of Germany in 2006.”

The 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany created the opportunity for Panini to mastermind the most successful collectable campaign in history. Panini sold its programme in almost 100 countries around the world, smashing all previous sales records.

Trading cards and stickers are collected by an increasing number of consumer groups. Three generations have now grown up with the hobby as a firm favourite, with many children benefiting from the keen assistance and involvement of their parents and grandparents. However, many enthusiasts within the older age brackets do not need children as their excuse to get involved and are openly as keen to complete their collections.

Peter Warsop, Panini’s Group Licensing Director said: “The Panini Group is privileged to have been appointed the exclusive collectible sticker and trading card licensee again. FIFA’s decision to re-appoint us as its licensee is a great reward for the investments made previously. We are already in discussions with our promotional partners and are committed to continuing the positive trends we have already seen across all product categories.”

The Panini Group was established almost 50 years ago in Modena, Italy and with its subsidiaries throughout Europe and Latin America, it is the world leader in the published collectibles sector. Panini is also the leading multi-national publisher of comics, children’s magazines and manga in Europe and Latin America. The Panini Group is expected to record sales in 2008 of approximately $1 billion, has distribution channels in more than 100 countries, and employs a staff of more than 700.

Number of appeals in umpire decision review trial reduced

Dubai, January 29: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the ongoing trial of the umpire decision review system will afford each side two unsuccessful reviews per innings rather than the three that have been available up to now.

The change to the playing conditions of the trial has been made after receiving initial feedback from players and match officials and will apply to the upcoming Test series between the West Indies and England, the ICC announced here on Thursday . If it proves to be a successful modification in the first two Tests of that series, it will also be introduced for the final series to be used in the trial, namely Australia’s tour to South Africa.

Both the West Indies and England have approved the change.

Once those series are finished, a full appraisal of the trial will be undertaken and the issue of whether to continue with the review system or discard it will be debated at the ICC Cricket Committee in May.

“The umpire decision review system trial has so far received mostly positive feedback from players and officials but we want to get it right before we consider applying it to international cricket on a permanent basis,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat.

“That is why we have made this refinement to it. It has become clear during the trial so far that three unsuccessful reviews per innings is too many as there is potential there for frivolous or unnecessary reviews to be made by one side or the other.

“This is all part of the trial process. We are testing different playing conditions so that we can find the best one and give the trial every chance of succeeding. We listen to feedback and we have been hearing that two is a preferred option.”
With this change, the system will see the fielding and batting side allowed two unsuccessful appeals to the umpire per innings to change a decision if it is perceived to have been incorrect.

The rest of the playing conditions for this trial remain unchanged. The appeals can be made only by the batsman in receipt of the umpire’s original decision or the captain of the fielding side, in both cases by the player making a “T” sign with both forearms at shoulder height.

The on-field umpire will consult with the third umpire, who will review available television coverage of the incident before relaying fact-based information back to his colleague.

The on-field umpire will then deliver his decision either by raising his finger to indicate “out” or by crossing his hands in a horizontal position side to side in front and above his waist three times – as per a “safe” decision by an official in baseball.

If it is different to his original decision, the umpire will touch both shoulders, each with the opposition hand, to revoke the previous signal and then make a fresh signal as per the revised decision.

Commenting on the trial, ICC General Manager – Cricket David Richardson, a former Test and ODI player for South Africa, said: “Our Emirates Elite and International Panel umpires already ensure the vast majority of decisions made in any Test or ODI are correct but we want to see if we can enhance the game further by reducing or removing the few clearly incorrect ones.

“The fact that each side is now allowed only two unsuccessful requests to review in each innings should mean that players will not make frivolous challenges and, instead, only seek a referral to decisions that, it is quickly clear, are highly likely to be incorrect.

“By seeking to reduce these potentially contentious decisions we believe we can help remove a source of tension and frustration among players and spectators as well as any resultant pressure on umpires.
“At the same time we have sought to ensure the continued primacy of the on-field umpire. The man on the field’s role is to consult with his colleague, not to refer the decision away, and he still decides whether or not to change his original decision.

“Once the trial is over we will conduct a thorough review of the process before deciding whether the trial was successful and worth persevering with.”

The four-Test series between West Indies and England begins in Jamaica on 4 February while the South Africa v Australia series gets underway in Johannesburg on 26 February.

IPL bid for Kevin Pietersen set to start at $1.3 million

London, January 29: Telegraph Sport can reveal that Pietersen has been valued at the highest ever fee by the IPL and will almost certainly smash the record of $1.5million paid last year by Chennai Super Kings for India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, writes Nick Hoult.

Andrew Flintoff has been valued at $900,000 at the auction when the IPL futures of 13 other contracted England players will be decided. The auction on Feb 6 clashes with England's first Test against the West Indies and the tour management will have to ensure the players remained focussed on the match at Sabina Park.

That will not be easy with salaries bandied around beyond the dreams of many cricketers.

Flintoff and Pietersen's advisers will have noted last year's auction during which Dhoni cashed in on a bidding war which saw his base price of $400,000 rocket.

Both Pietersen and Flintoff have been courted by almost all of the eight IPL franchises and competition for their signature will be fierce despite their limited availability this year. "Pietersen can name his own price," said one franchise owner recently.

England's centrally contracted players will be available for only 21 days of the IPL and will be paid on a pro-rata basis. That could still represent a minimum of $86,000 per match for Pietersen who could cram six appearances into three weeks.

Pietersen and Flintoff will also benefit from the dollar's current strength against the pound and their IPL salaries will also be swelled by the hugely lucrative marketing and endorsement opportunities afforded to India's leading cricketers.

The Bangalore Royal Challengers, owned by the flamboyant billionaire Vijay Mallya, met with Pietersen last year and remain the favourites to sign him while Flintoff has been linked with joining Sachin Tendulkar at the Mumbai Indians.

The base prices for the remaining England players will be decided today (January 29) although none is likely to be valued higher than $250,000.

Dominic Cork and Sajid Mahmood were among other English cricketers to be added to the auction list sent yesterday to the franchise owners. Ed Joyce, the Sussex batsman, has also been listed as has Darren Gough, Rob Key and Essex's James Foster.

The eight franchises will be able to spend $16million between them and the auction list is expected to contain 50 players. Middlesex' South African Twenty20 specialist Tyron Henderson is also hoping to pick up a deal.

Symonds fined $4,000 for breach of code of conduct

Melbourne, January 29: A Cricket Australia Code of Conduct Commission hearing has upheld a charge that Australian player Andrew Symonds has breached the Cricket Australia (CA) Code of Behaviour Rule 9 relating to detrimental public comment.

Symonds pleaded guilty to the breach at the hearing. Code of Conduct Senior Commissioner Gordon Lewis issued a fine of $4,000 as penalty for the breach.

CA reported Symonds for the CA Code of Behaviour breach following a radio interview in which Symonds made comment about New Zealand and NSW player Brendon McCullum last Friday.

The hearing was held at CA’s offices in Melbourne this afternoon.

BCCI, ECB agree on IPL, bilateral tours after acrimonious battle

New Delhi, January 27: Following meetings in India prior to Christmas and a further meeting in Singapore this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and England Cricket Board (ECB) are pleased to announce that England players will be available to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction on February 6 and to play in the Twenty20 tournament for a minimum of three weeks in 2009 and 2010.

The two boards have further agreed to work together to seek materially similar dates for the IPL in 2010 as 2009 within the international fixture schedule.

BCCI and ECB have also agreed to schedule Test and ODI series over a four-year cycle commencing 2011.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier commented: “The discussions held between our respective Boards have been most productive and ECB is grateful to the president and honorary secretary of BCCI for the excellent relationship which has been developed with the BCCI on a wide ranging number of issues. Our agreement is good for the players, the respective boards, our counties and for cricket. We look forward to welcoming India, the reigning ICC T20 World Champions, to England for the T20 World Championship this summer and for the tour of England and Wales in 2011.”

BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said: “We are very pleased with the out come of the discussions. BCCI looks forward to building upon our warm relationship with the Senior Officers of ECB.”

Wow, what an end to an acrimonious battle for one-upmanship between the BCCI and ECB.

Moral of the story: Money can turn best of enemies into best of friends.

More tickets go on sale for ICC World Twenty20 England 2009

London, January 25: A new release of tickets to the ICC World Twenty20 England 2009 will go on sale later this week, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 29.

These newly available tournament tickets will give cricket fans and families the opportunity to enjoy this summer’s most exciting international tournament being staged at four venues across England: Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton.

Beginning on June 5, 2009, and finishing on June 21, the two-week ICC World Twenty20 will set a sporting global precedent with the men’s and women’s tournament integrated for the first time. The semi-final days, which are being hosted at Trent Bridge and The Oval, and the final day at Lord’s will feature the women’s match followed by the men’s.

“We saw unprecedented interest when the first allocation of tickets went on sale in June 2008 with all those match days selling out in hours,” said tournament director Steve Elworthy.

“We welcome the new release of these tickets to fans and I urge cricket spectators and families who missed out on the chance last year to get in early when these tickets go on sale on January 29.”

All prices have been tailored to ensure a value day out for fans and families with 20 of the match-days including two games showcasing four international teams. This double-header format allows spectators to view two games for the price of one match-day ticket.

“Twenty20 is fun, fast and exciting. This year’s tournament brings together the world’s top male and female players in a competition that pits nation against nation and where the top prize is to be crowned the ICC World Twenty20 champions,” said Mr Elworthy.

“This latest ticket offer also gives fans from Associate countries Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands, who qualified after the first ticket launch, a chance to purchase tickets.”

Tickets can be purchased via the ICC website, www.icc-cricket.com. UK-based fans can also call 0844 847 2020 to purchase tickets.

More information can be found at the tournament website: www.icc-cricket.yahoo.com/wt20-2009/. UK fans can also check out the latest news at http://www.ecb.co.uk/news/world/icc-world-twenty20-2009/

ITINERARY CHANGED

India to play only one ODI in Dambulla

New Delhi, Jan 22: As per the revised the itinerary, India will now play only one one-day international in the central Sri Lankan city Dasmbulla in the five-match series starting January 28, the Indian board has announced.

Four of the five ODIs will now be played in Colombo, with the second and third matches deferred by a day.

REVISED ITINERARY:

Jan 28 - First ODI at Dambulla

Jan 31 - Second ODI at RPICS, Colombo *

Feb 3 - Third ODI at RPICS, Colombo *

Feb 5 - Fourth ODI at RPICS, Colombo *

Feb 8 - Fifth ODI at SSC, Colombo

Feb 10 - Twenty20 at RPICS, Colombo *

* denotes day/night match