‘Looking forward to playing T20 world champions’

Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Friday said his team was not looking at Saturday’s one-off Twenty20 cricket match as a chance for revenge against India for their loss in the World Championships in South Africa.

“There’s nothing about trying to get even. We are looking forward to playing against the Indian team which won this format of the World Championship a few weeks ago. This match has been talked about even more than the (seven-match) ODI series,” Ponting said on the eve of the Twenty20 International at the Brabourne Stadium here.

“We were pretty disappointed about losing the last ODI from a winning position. We lost to the Indians in the T20 World Championship. But you win some and lose some. What’s important is enjoying the game. It’s an enjoyable format,” said the Tasmanian batsman.

Australia were knocked out by the Mahendra Dhoni-led side in the semi finals of the T20 event at Durban and went on to clinch the inaugural world crown in the shortest format of the interntional game.

Ponting also said some of the Australian cricketers were down with sore throats, including left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg, who was a key member of the ODI squad that defeated the hosts 4-2 in the series that ended on October 17.

“We will have to take a call on Brad Hogg later this evening. He has a sore throat,” said the Aussie skipper who expected in-form opener Matthew Hayden to return to action after missing the last two ODIs because of a hip injury.

India’s cricket was spasmodic in nature

Cricket is a lot about timing. It’s not just about meeting the ball with the sweet portion of the willow but timing performances.It got its timing wrong in the Future Cup series. When it mattered, the side succumbed to the pressure in Vadodara and was found wanting in end-game skills in Nagpur.

India deserves credit for winning two matches against Australia, but one of these victories arrived after the series had been decided.

India’s cricket was spasmodic in nature; the side lacked consistent intensity that makes champions.

India allowed the moments to fly away. Dropped catches hurt the host, so did some ordinary shot-making and predictable bowling.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has realised captaincy is not pure impulse. He is settling down and he rightly set attacking fields for Murali Kartik as a skipper. However, he still has a tendency to ring in too many changes. Taking a bowler off soon after he is punished can result in conceding the psychological point to the opposition.

At the Wankhede Stadium, old failings returned to haunt the Indian top and middle order before the lower order settled the issue. This does not excuse the specialist Indian batsmen, save Robin Uthappa. The tendency to play away from the body can be fatal on a seaming track.

That India wriggled its way back in the seventh ODI was as much about the determination of the lower order batsman as the Kookaburra ball losing its sting after the initial overs. This is particularly true on the harder sub-continental grounds. In such a scenario, a side in pursuit of a total less than 200 is always in with a chance; a couple of middle-level partnerships could see a team home.

With challenging assignments ahead, India has to get the pivotal No. 3 slot sorted out. Sadly, there have been too many faces walking in at the fall of the first wicket for India.

Dravid the best

 

Rahul Dravid is still India’s best batsman at No.3 and the chances are that he would occupy this position in the one-day series against Pakistan and the triangular series in Australia. Yuvraj Singh’s limitations in footwork do not work in his favour if the ball darts around early. There were a few gains for India. Kartik’s outstanding spell of bowling on Wednesday augurs well for the future. As a specialist left-arm spinner, Kartik brings much variety to the attack.

On a turning wicket, a left-arm spinner is perhaps the hardest bowler to handle for a right-hander. This is particularly true for someone like Kartik, who can both turn the ball away and send down the arm-ball.

Kartik does give the ball a rip and can contain and strike in the middle-overs. In a journey dotted with injuries, shabby treatment by the wise men and the odd temperamental flare-up, Kartik is back on the road.

Uthappa was another positive for India. The natural stroke-maker has tightened his game. He is coping well with stressful situations, is batting with flair and solidity. Uthappa’s straight-hitting has been laudable.

In bowling, Irfan Pathan, another man coming back, was steady. The time has come for India to prepare specialist death bowlers. Pacemen with swing, consistent full length and change of pace should be encouraged. The scorching yorkers have been missing.

Why Warne missed out on Test captaincy

If Shane Warne did not know why he was never chosen as Test captain he does now. Cricket Australia’s board outlined seven reasons in August 2000 to prevent him from holding a senior leadership role and they have been revealed in the official history of the organisation.

Not captaining Australia was one of Warne’s few regrets in an unmatchable career and the crucial decision was made during the fallout from his texting controversy with an English nurse. Warne was cut as vice-captain, being replaced by Adam Gilchrist, and the board minutes record the reasons behind the move.

* Taught a lesson
* Leadership brings other responsibilities
* Given opportunities and shown that he can’t
* Not this one issue (texting)
* History of incidents
* Catalogue of reckless conduct
* Responsibility to maintain public confidence

However, Gideon Haigh, who co-authored the book with David Frith, wrote there was a final line in the minutes that suggested: “Warne had not disqualified himself altogether.” While he led Australia in 11 ODI matches, he was not used in Tests. He first missed out in 1999 when Steve Waugh became captain and Ricky Ponting was preferred in 2004.

Damien Mullins, a Queensland barrister, was one of the board members who had the strongest concerns. “You can have different views as to his personal behaviour or about its dimensions or its implications,” Mullins said in Inside Story, Unlocking Australian Cricket’s Archives. “But my view about his qualifications for assuming high office has been consistent all the way through. To put it in simple terms: I knew if he was put in a position of authority, sooner or later he would always let you down.”

Warne, who is currently being considered for coaching and promotional roles by the board, did have support from the former chairman Bob Merriman. “I’ve always felt there should be a limit on any sentence,” Merriman said. “That’s why I supported him. I’ve had a lot of issues with Shane but I’ve always had a lot of good times with him. I enjoy talking to him; he’s just beaut.”

Indian cricket fans arrested for racial abuse

Four Indian cricket fans will face charges of racially abusing Australian batsman Andrew Symonds with monkey gestures, police in Mumbai said yesterday.The four were ejected from a one-day international match, which India narrowly won on Wednesday, after officials showed police pictures of the three men and a woman making the racist gestures at Symonds, who is the only black player in the Australian team.

The fans were charged with misbehaviour and harassment and freed on bail to appear in court later. Australian newspapers carried photographs of the Mumbai crowd, clearly showing spectators making offensive gestures.

The seven-match series, which Australia won 4-2, has been marred by allegations of racial comments aimed at the Australians. Symonds, the outstanding batsman of the series, complained that crowds in a match against India in the western city of Vadodara this month had begun monkey chanting. The city’s police chief had claimed the supporters were praying to the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman.

However both Indian and Australian cricket officials have condemned the Mumbai spectactors. “There is no place for racism in cricket either on or off the field,” said a statement by Sharad Pawar, India’s top cricket official, and Creagh O’Connor , his Australian counterpart. “All cricket nations have to be on guard to ensure that the fun does not cross the boundary into unacceptable behaviour.”

Indian cricket fans arrested for racial abuse

Four Indian cricket fans will face charges of racially abusing Australian batsman Andrew Symonds with monkey gestures, police in Mumbai said yesterday.The four were ejected from a one-day international match, which India narrowly won on Wednesday, after officials showed police pictures of the three men and a woman making the racist gestures at Symonds, who is the only black player in the Australian team.

The fans were charged with misbehaviour and harassment and freed on bail to appear in court later. Australian newspapers carried photographs of the Mumbai crowd, clearly showing spectators making offensive gestures.

The seven-match series, which Australia won 4-2, has been marred by allegations of racial comments aimed at the Australians. Symonds, the outstanding batsman of the series, complained that crowds in a match against India in the western city of Vadodara this month had begun monkey chanting. The city’s police chief had claimed the supporters were praying to the Hindu monkey god, Hanuman.

However both Indian and Australian cricket officials have condemned the Mumbai spectactors. “There is no place for racism in cricket either on or off the field,” said a statement by Sharad Pawar, India’s top cricket official, and Creagh O’Connor, his Australian counterpart. “All cricket nations have to be on guard to ensure that the fun does not cross the boundary into unacceptable behaviour.”

One gets used to the pressures of being a senior player: Dravid

Rahul Dravid is determined to enjoy the season ahead of him.Despite being left out of the Indian playing eleven for the Mumbai One-day match against Australia on Wednesday, Dravid appeared committed to staging a comeback.

“A lot of matches are coming up. I am looking forward to enjoying the season and try and play the best as I can,” remarked Dravid, who flew into Dubai yesterday morning to attend a press briefing as brand ambassador for Skyline Construction and Housing Private Limited.

Though his contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prevents him from making any controversial statements, Dravid, ducking intelligently at some tricky questions, spoke freely about Indian cricket.

Right decision

When asked why he gave up Indian captaincy, which is the dream job of every cricketer, Dravid said: “I stepped down because at that stage I was not enjoying the job.”It is important for me to enjoy the job and do it to the best of my ability. I felt at that it was time to move on.”

Dravid spoke about how he felt on playing under a young captain like Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“I’ve enjoyed playing under him. Like with any job, you grow up in captaincy with experience. Whatever Dhoni has done so far has been promising,” said Dravid, who led India to two historic series victories against the West Indies and England.

To a query whether Dhoni does approach him for advice, Dravid said: “We interact a lot during the course of the matches. Conversations do come up asking for my thoughts and I have always been willing to provide it.”

Dravid avoided a question about the Indian media’s scathing attack on seniors like himself, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly after the Twenty20 World Cup win. However he spoke about how he handles the pressures of being a senior.

“One gets used to the pressures during the course of one’s career. It is just a question of learning to adapt and adjust. I have the experience of playing for nearly 13 years for India and I have enjoyed it.

“You learn about your cricket and your personality as you go along and in the process you also learn to handle the pressures. In fact you grow along with your experience.”

Dravid was not part of the Twenty20 World Cup, team. Did he feel upset at not being part of a team that made history?

No bad feelings

“It was a glorious moment of Indian cricket and I enjoyed watching it. It was great to see India win and I did not feel bad that I missed the tournament. What made me most happy was the fact that India won the trophy. It was also nice to see the enthusiasm and celebrations of the people.”

Talking about the oncoming series against Pakistan, Dravid said: “It is a big series. The Indian players are looking forward to it as much as Pakistani players.”

Finally, to a question on what will it take to beat Australia? Dravid responded: “To beat Australia you need to play good cricket consistently.

Victors take Brooklyn Twenty20 Cricket Cup

Victors beat Pak USA by 21 runs to capture the inaugural S.A. Sports sponsored Twenty20 cricket cup, along with the $3,000 prize money at Marine Park on Sunday.

Brooklyn 2020 Silverware

Batting first after winning the toss, Victors scored 147 for six in 16 overs. Esnod James top scored with 36, while Mark Audain got 24, Jacob Emmanuel, 22; McNeil Morgan, 19 and Charles Lee, 15 not out.

Bowling for Pak USA Rashid took one wicket for 13 runs from two overs; Qasim, one for 18 from two; Abid, one for 24 from three and Hunain, one for 32 from four – the lone bowler allowed to bowl four overs.

Victors fell short of the projected score of over 150, unable to capitalize on the start produced by Emmanuel and Audain, having realized the first fifty inside the fifth over. Having been able to pick the seamers, it was with the introduction of spin that Victors lost wickets, being unable to maintain the initial run rate.

In reply Victors formidable bowling attack did well in defending what was considered an average score at this version of the game. Being able to remove both openers within the first two overs, Victors set Pak USA on the back foot and with steady inroads being made they were unable to stage a recovery. Victors could only get to 126 for eight when the final ball of the 16th over was delivered by former Windward Islands pacer Casper Davis. Razzaq was the leading score for Pak Eleven with 25, Rashad getting 20 and Asad, 14.

Mark Audain with three for 20 from three overs; Esnod James, two for 13 from three; Dominic Audain, two for 32 from four and Marcus Bethel, one for 22 from three overs were Victors main bowlers.

Victors won two in a row

Victors had defeated Pak Shazi in their semifinal encounter earlier in the day by 70 runs to storm into the final, rallying around a six wicket haul by seamer Marcus Bethel.

Batting first after being sent in by Pak Shazi, Victors scored 152 for six from their 16 overs. Former Windward Islands player McNeil Morgan led the batting with 40, his former teammate Casper Davis getting 35 and Dominic Audain, former US under19 player, 32.

Bowling for Pak Shazi, Sarfaz Ahmen took three wickets for 11 runs from two overs; Umar, three for 24 from three and Shawaiz, one for 32, also from three overs.

In reply, Pak Shazi was bowled out for 82, Marcus Bethel taking a record six for 18 from 3.5 overs; Mark Audain, two for 29 from four overs; Esnod James, one for eight from one and Dominic Audain, one for 25 from three. Anwar with 23 and Imtiaz, 16 were the only Pak Shazi batsmen to get into double figures.

The presentation ceremony followed immediately, as the leading player of each club was recognized along with the Brooklyn League executives, finally drawing the curtains on a fine season of exciting cricket. It was, however, the members of the Victors cricket team who soared in the success of the chilly evening as they celebrated an unbeaten run for their money and trophies alike – having also been the only team that was never bowled out at any stage of the tournament.

Fast bowler Asif ruled out of first one-dayer : Pakistan aim to bounce back as ODI series begins today

Shoaib Malik and his men are aiming to bounce back when the five-match one-day international series against South Africa begins with the first ODI at picturesque Gaddafi Stadium here on Thursday (today). The hosts, who lost the two-match Test series 1-0, are confident of doing well in the shorter version of the game. “We need to put the Test series loss behind us and I know all the players are professional and know their responsibilities, so I am confident of a good show,” captain Malik told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday.

Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 47 ODIs: the visitors enjoy the upper hand with 32 wins, Pakistan have 14 victories to their credit while one contest ended without any result. The Gaddafi Stadium has hosted three matches between the two teams: Pakistan winning twice while South Africa pulled one victory.

Malik said pace bowler Mohammad Asif had been ruled out of the first one-dayer due to an elbow injury. “He is required to have more rest to regain full fitness.” However, the hosts have been bolstered by the return of all-rounder Shahid Afridi who did not take part in the Test series because it coincided with the holy month of Ramadan.

Malik said the immediate task ahead of the team was to go all out for a victory against South Africa. “Its wrong to say that we are under any psychological pressure. We are fully focused on tomorrow’s game,” he maintained. Malik urged his team members to show improvement in the fielding department. “Fielding is the key to win matches. In subcontinent conditions, I think fielding is the area where if a team does well it has a good chance to win,” Malik stated.

On the other hand, South African captain Graeme Smith said he was anticipating a close competition between the two teams. He said he was wary of Pakistan’s one-day side after their success in last month’s Twenty20 World Cup. “Limited-overs cricket is a different proposition. Pakistan’s confidence will be high after their recent success in the Twenty20 tournament,” he said. “But obviously it’s another challenge for their captain Malik. It’s going to be a close contest but we will try to put them under pressure,” he added.

Injury to Vernon Philander is the only worry for the South Africans, with the fast bowler struggling to recover from a hamstring problem. “Philander is struggling to walk at the moment and we don’t know exactly how long he will take to recover.” The visitors have some good memories of their last tour to Pakistan in 2003 when they came back from 2-0 down in the one-day series to win 3-2. To a question, Smith said his men would be looking forward to maintain a tradition of impressive one-day performances against Pakistan. “Planning is going to be key in this series as we have a tough task ahead of us. If we execute our plans well, we can win the ODI series,” he said.

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur hoped to carry the momentum from the Test series into the five one-day games. “We have no illusions because one-day cricket is a totally different game. Pakistan will probably bring the momentum of their Twenty20 form into the series. But I am very confident because I think we have a very good side,” he said. “I see ourselves in with a good chance as we have a good mixture of youth and experience and we have guys who know their roles well,” he concluded.

Teams from:

Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Nazeer, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Misbahul Haq, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Tanveer, Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Abdur Rehman and Umar Gul.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher, Jean-Paul Duminy, Vernon Philander, Albie Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Johan Botha and Charl Langeveldt.

Umpires: Billy Bowden (New Zealand), Nadeem Ghauri (Pakistan)

TV umpire: Zameer Haider

Match referee: Alan Hurst (Australia).

BCCI steps up security for Twenty20

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has said that it will take measures to prevent bad crowd behaviour during the Twenty20 international between India and Australia at the Brabourne Stadium on Saturday.

“The BCCI has appointed chief administrative officer Professor Ratnakar Shetty to deal with the crowd-control issue and it will be done in consultation with the Mumbai police,” BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi was quoted as saying in PTI. “We can only persuade the crowd to control themselves but cannot make any arrests. All we can do is to eject people from the ground.”

Another BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that police personnel would be posted in various enclosures to prevent poor behaviour.

These measures follow the issue of Andrew Symonds being subjected to alleged racial abuse once again during the seventh ODI at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. An Australian photographer captured on camera certain spectators in the North Stand enacting monkey chants, a complaint that had been first made during the fifth one-dayer at Vadodara last week.

Crowd behaviour has embarrassed even host fans: Ponting

A livid Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said continuous “racial abuse” directed towards all-rounder Andrew Symonds by the crowds during the one-day cricket series against India must have left even the host fans embarrassed.

“I am sure there will be a lot of embarrassed people around this country as well to know that this stuff has happened again at one of their cricket venues,” Ponting said after Australia won 7-match ODI series 4-2.

Ponting said he was hoping for better crowd behaviour during the Twenty20 match on Saturday.

“It is done now, hopefully in the Twenty20 match on Saturday it does not happen there” he said.

Ponting said he wanted an end to the hostilities and called on the spectators to behave during the tour finale at Brabourne stadium.

“Some of the other stuff that went on today (Wednesday) was totally unnecessary. I just hope that it does not happen again at another cricket venue that I play in because it leaves a bad taste in everybody’s mouth,” the skipper said.

Symonds has alleged that racial taunts have been directed at him in the last three one-dayers at Vadodara, Nagpur and here, a claim backed by match referee Chris Broad, who has mentioned the incidents in his report to the ICC.

Even during last night’s match here, four spectators were detained by the police for “misbehaviour”.

Symonds was booed when he came out to bat and it continued after he was out first ball. The man of the series was once again jeered by the crowd during the presentation ceremony.