ICL Decide Against Duckworth-Lewis Method

 In the event of any interruptions due to rain, bad light or for other reasons during the forthcoming Indian Cricket League (ICL), the organisers will not follow the Duckworth-Lewis method, Cricket365 has learnt.

A Kerala-based enginner V Jayadevan has devised an exclusive programme, known as the VJD system, for Twenty20 matches based on data from the World Twenty20 Championships and this will be used for the inagural ICL tournament.

“We shall be using it for one year and will observe the difference,” an ICL source told C365.

The effort of 44-year-old Yayadevan was hailed by India’s greatest batsman Sunil Gavaskar, and the BCCI have also decided to use it during the current season.

Jayadevan, an engineer from Thrissur, has devised a method that claims to be “superior” to the existing Duckworth-Lewis method.

Jayadevan’s method is based on a mathematical model of the natural development of an innings through its various stages of settling down, making use of field restrictions, mid stages of stabilising, acceleration towards the end and the final ‘slog’ overs.

Based on the general scoring pattern and research of past matches, a ‘normal’ statistical curve has been developed. Regression analysis was carried out using ‘spread sheet’ software and a cubical polynomial equation was used for determining the scoring pattern.

Putting all this into use, Jayadevan has generated a ‘target curve’. He also provides a ‘target table’ where the revised target can be computed depending on the percentage of total overs that were completed for different percentages of wickets. To make the entire process easy, a computer programme has been devised.

Jayadevan started to work on the VJD System in 1998 and gave it a proper shape in 2001. The D/L method has led the pack for several years, and Jayadevan’s system will come under closer scrutiny from the ICC before a decision is made on whether to deploy it.

ICL would be bigger hit than IPL: Cairns

Gurgaon : The BCCI-backed Indian Premier League may have the best of current players on its roster but the Indian Cricket League recruit Chris Cairns feels the so-called rebel venture would be a bigger hit with the fans as it has more local youngsters.

“The IPL will have a lot of current players and all of them are huge stars. But ICL has an edge because we have a local flavour to our sides, which makes it easier for the fans to connect with us,” the former New Zealand all-rounder said.

“We have a nice mix of youth and experience in all our teams. On one hand we have recently-retired megastars like (Brian) Lara and Inzamam-ul Haq, who can pull in crowds on any given day. And on the other, there are youngsters from within India, who will get an opportunity to showcase their talent,” he added.

Cairns said another factor which makes ICL more appealing to fans is that it would be the first of the two Twenty20 leagues to take off.

“IPL hasn’t even started and it will be some time before it happens. But we are getting started right away and being the first has its advantages because if everything goes off well and spectators enjoy our product, it will raise the bar for IPL. So as I see it, ICL is certainly bigger at the moment,” he explained.

The 37-year-old felt it was unfair to call ICL a rebel league.

“More than anybody else, I think its the media which is trying to build it up as a rebel series. I don’t agree with this description. Take for instance my case, How can you call me a rebel? I am not contracted to my country’s board any more, so no one has the right to stop me from coming here and playing,” he said.

“As for the boards threatening to ban players, it’s unfortunate. Playing in ICL does not make you ineligible for selection. Why can’t we treat it as just another opportunity to go and play cricket?” he asked.

On his own reasons to sign up with ICL, Cairns, who would be playing for Chandigarh Lions, said, “Playing here would help me stay in touch with the game that I love and which gave me so much. It’s an interesting format and I found the whole package quite appealing.”

“And it would be interesting to find out how I do against the younger lot,” he quipped.

Parchment named in Windies tour of South Africa; Gayle

BRIDGETOWN : Jamaican batsman Brenton Parchment was the only player without Test experience named in the 15-man West Indies squad for three Tests and five One-Day Internationals in South Africa from next month.

A slim right-handed opener, Parchment is a former West Indies Under-19 captain and ‘A’ team representative. He is on his first senior assignment with West Indies in Zimbabwe for five One-dayers preceding the South African tour.

Fellow Jamaican Chris Gayle was retained as captain on Tuesday with Ramnaresh Sarwan, who led the team on last summer’s tour of England, still sidelined by a foot injury.

Pedro Collins, a left-arm fast bowler, makes another comeback despite having signed a Kolpak deal to play with English county side Surrey in 2008.

At 31, he is the most experienced of a four-man pace contingent that also includes his half-brother Fidel Edwards and Jamaican pair Daren Powell and Jerome Taylor.

Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy are two seam bowling all-rounders. Bravo, just three-and-a-half years into his international career, serves as vice-captain to Gayle.

The selectors included Rawl Lewis, a 33-year-old who boasts the most expensive average in Test history, as the only specialist spinner. The leg-spinner, who toured South Africa in 1998-99, has taken one wicket for 388 in four Tests since 1997.

There are two changes to the 15-man team currently in Zimbabwe with fast bowler Ravi Rampaul replaced by Collins and the experienced Daren Ganga included instead of Narsingh Deonarine.

The tour of South Africa begins on December 14 and concludes on February 3.

Malik should get tough with players: Afridi

KARACHI: All-rounder Shahid Afridi wants captain Shoaib Malik to get more tough and demanding with the players for Pakistan to make a comeback in the current Test series against India.

Afridi, who was omitted from the squad for the three-match series after Pakistan lost the One-day rubber 2-3, on Tuesday said he believed Malik should be more proactive.

“If a player(s) is not performing to his optimum level, the captain must be tough and demand more. I think our team was in a position to win the first Test,” Afridi said in an interview.

The hard-hitting batsman felt Pakistan could have sealed the match on the third day when they were nosing ahead of India in their second innings.

“The batting didn’t go all the way after a good start. I have no doubt if we had got another 80 to 100 runs, we could have won this Test match,” he said.

Afridi said there was nothing wrong with the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground and with a little application, batsmen could have scored more runs.

“We were in a position to win the match which was very close. It was disappointing to lose out in the end. I am sure the rest of the team will be eager to make a comeback in the second Test in Kolkata. But the other bowlers also need to give more support to Shoaib Akhtar,” he said.

Pakistan lost the low-scoring first Test by six wickets on Monday with Akhtar the standout bowler with six wickets, including four in the second innings.

Afridi lamented that other bowlers could not take more wickets.

“They must have tried hard but the results are important. I was surprised that leg-spinner Danish Kaneria didn’t take more wickets on this pitch.”

Kaneria failed to take a wicket in India’s fourth innings run chase.

“I think Danish was not as effective because of his shortened run-up. He will get more bite into his bowling if he goes back to his old bowling action which allows him more flight and turn,” he said.

Afridi, himself a leg-spinner, felt that Kaneria remained a key bowler for Pakistan and, along with Akhtar and Umar Gul, could still win the series for Pakistan.

“It is just a matter of getting back the confidence. In 2005 when we were down in the series, we only came back in the final Test in Bangalore because we believed we could do it and Inzamam (former captain) kept telling us we were close to squaring the series. But the batting must click big time like it did in Bangalore,” he noted.

“The players must have self-belief. The One-day series was very close despite our loss. I feel the Test series will also be close.”

Afridi praised the captaincy of Anil Kumble and said his experience as bowler and captain was vital.

“Experience counts for a lot and Kumble led their team well and intelligently. Malik can also do a similar job but he needs to be confident ahead of the second Test and must push the players to do better,” he added.

Lots of issues to be discussed: Gary Kirsten

MUMBAI : Since the news of his Monday night interview with the BCCI became official, former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten has been inundated with calls from the media. “I have had plenty of calls. I have tried to answer quite a few,” joked Kirsten as he took time off for an interview with TOI . Excerpts:

How did this interview happen?

About two weeks ago, I got a call from a member of the BCCI asking me if I was interested.

What was your first reaction?

I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call. But I considered it as a huge honour because right from my playing days I believed that I had a lot to offer. That (BCCI) call just gave me a sense of confidence that they had belief in my credentials.

Was coaching a national side always on your mind?

I run my own coaching academy in South Africa and have been with Cricket South Africa (CSA) as a high performance manager. So coaching a national side was always something I wanted to do down the line.

Have you finalised any agreement with the BCCI? Is it likely that you could join the side in Australia only mid-way through the tour?

We have a lot of issues to discuss and both sides will get back in a week’s time. I have to sort out a number of longstanding commitments and the date of my joining is something that is yet to be decided. I have two young kids, so have a lot to decide.

Did you get a chance to speak to skipper Anil Kumble?

Anil and I did have a chat. We have played a lot against each other. So it was an easy discussion around the team and current scenarios. There was nothing specific about it.

Have you been keeping a track of the Indian team’s performances in recent times?

I have been watching them. They have got a very experienced side and was very impressed with what they have done. I was particularly impressed with the Twenty20 performance where young players showed they could handle the pressure at the highest level.

What has struck you most about the Indian team?

I think it has a fantastic structure with a number of senior players at the core of the team. They have done well without a coach and it is now for me to add some value and continue the good work.

Did you do any sort of research before you came to India? Or was it all about your own experience?

Most of what I know about India is drawn from my experience as a player. I am aware of Indian cricket, its culture and the way people follow it passionately over here. I have been fortunate that I have toured India four times. So I have a fairly good understanding of the country. If I do take up the offer, I will continue to research and learn.

Would it have been easier, if you had taken over ‘at home’ rather than in Australia?

Again I must reiterate that there has been no final decision on my appointment. But we all know Australia will be a tough tour. They (Australia) have a great cricket side. In fact, it will be a clash of two great sides. It will be a tremendous challenge to add some value. If the side performs well and that is what you will be measured against.

What will your basic role with the Indian team?

Well, it is really to optimise the performance scale and put it on the upward curve. If I am able to do that atleast for 70 to 80 per cent then it will be very good. The good thing is India have a lot of Test cricket coming up and going on to win those series will be my objective. Getting up everyday and working on all the different aspects will be my job.

What is your best moment of playing in India?

There are many, but one that I remember most is the double hundred in the 1996 Kolkata Test. That was one of the highlight of my career. Playing at Eden Gardens was a tremendous experience. Everyone must get an opportunity to play there.

Tait looking for opportunity to team up with Lee

MELBOURNE : Speedster Shaun Tait is preparing himself for the possibility that Australian selectors will opt for a four-pronged pace attack for the first cricket Test against India starting here on December 26.

Pain-free in his right elbow for the first time in 12 months, Tait is aware he must perform to force his way back into contention after a series of injury setbacks.

The Chappell-Hadlee One-day series against New Zealand presents his most immediate chance of an international recall, but uncertainty about the fitness of leg-spinner Stuart MacGill has created speculation that selectors will consider a rare pace assault at the MCG against India.

Though it is likelier that wrist spinner Brad Hogg, who is in the form of his career, would be called upon should MacGill be ruled out of the series, chief selector Andrew Hilditch has not ruled out the prospect of playing four specialist pacemen, with some part-time spin from Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke.

“We made it pretty clear before first Test selection that we consider our best balance will contain a spinner but there are going to be various conditions where a four-pronged pace attack will not be ruled out,” he was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’ on Wednesday.

“It will all come down to the conditions at that particular time, and where we are playing” he added.

Tait has not played for Australia since his breakthrough World Cup campaign in April and Mitchell Johnson grabbed the position vacated by Glenn McGrath in his absence.

However, the continuing control and maturity of Brett Lee meant Tait saw no reason why two tearaways cannot bowl in the same team, with Johnson for variety and Stuart Clark for steadiness.

“The fact is we (he and Lee) are wicket-takers, and people look into it too deeply, I think. They think, ‘He sprays ’em, and he sprays ’em as well’, but the fact is we bowl teams out and you can’t win a game without doing that. So why not play both of us I don’t see the problem,” he said.

Tait said he was pushing speeds of 150 km/h before his most recent setback last month and the problems with his elbow would not effect his pace.

“It is pain-free at the moment, which is the first time in over a year it’s brilliant. It’s just getting my body back to match fitness, basically,” he said.

“They might do something like that (play four quicks), and that would work in my favour if I am performing at the time. Ben Hilfenhaus is around the place and Ashley Noffke is dominating at the moment, so it’s not going to be that easy, but if I can come back and bowl full pace again and take wickets, there is no reason why I can’t be a chance to get picked again,” the South Australian added.

Curator Tony Ware expects the Boxing Day Test wicket to offer plenty of bounce and carry, and also take some turn on days three and four.

Pak jolted by Akhtar’s illness

There is a good news and bad news for Pakistan from the infirmary — the bad news was especially disturbing.

Misbah-ul-Haq, who played through a throat infection in the Delhi Test, is recovering; captain Shoaib Malik, who twisted his ankle in practice soon after the loss at the Kotla on Monday, is also better.

Mohammad Sami, the second string in the Pakistan pace attack but who was completely ineffectual in Delhi, is also sick, according to a team source, though his malady is “mild”.

Now the real bad news — Shoaib Akhtar, the only Pakistan bowler who looked like taking wickets in the first Test, was taken to hospital, to be put on an intravenous drip, “so that he could recover faster”.

“The doctor diagnosed a chest infection and said it was advisable to put Shoaib on injectible antibiotics and intravenous fluids. He has been admitted to the hospital,” said Ehsan Malik, the team’s media manager.

A spokesman for Apollo Gleneagles Hospital said Akhtar had complained of breathing trouble, with cough and fever. The spokesman also said that doctors have prescribed several antibiotics and expectorants for the Pakistan pacer.

Akhtar was scheduled to be in hospital till 12 in the night, though a source said that he could remain in the hospital for the night, depending on the doctors’ opinion. “He could have been treated in his hotel room too, but being hospitalised would ensure a faster recovery,” the source said.

When HT talked with Akhtar in the evening, he had an intravenous drip on him.

“I was unwell in Delhi, but it got worse after I reached Kolkata,” he said. “Misbah was also unwell, and perhaps that caused my infection.”

“On the fourth day of the game, I was running high fever — 101°F,” he said, breaking off to cough liberally. “I was completely exhausted after the match… It was a very tiring experience at the Kotla.”

And Akhtar has not been in peak fitness. He was seen using an inhaler during the one-day series and at nets, but Pakistan trainer David Dwyer recently averred that Akhtar is not asthmatic.

Akhtar had represented Pakistan on just 10 match days in the year before the Delhi Test.

He was sent back from South Africa before the Twenty20 World Cup could begin after a dressing room row with Mohammad Asif. After making a comeback into the ODI team late last month against South Africa, Akhtar has played five ODIs. His only other appearance for Pakistan in the year was the Port Elizabeth Test against South Africa in January.

“I believe I’ll be fit for the second Test,” said Akhtar. And Pakistan, one down in the series, would also hope that, desperately.

‘Get Tendulkar’ to be Australia’s focus against India

Operation “Get Tendulkar” will be one of key areas of focus for the Australian team when they take on India in the four-Test series in this country next month. Ricky Ponting and his team will be relying heavily on former coach John Buchanan’s video analysis of the master batsman.Buchanan has handed over his plan and blueprint to unsettle Tendulkar who he feels is susceptible to short-pitched bowling early in his innings.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Buchanan said he had noticed Tendulkar’s footwork become sluggish, especially early in his innings. That makes Tendulkar vulnerable to quicker and shorter bowling and that can be followed by a fuller delivery, which could pack the batsman back to the pavilion.

“What I’ve been seeing for a while is that his feet don’t move early in his innings and he is not very fluid early on,” Buchanan told the newspaper. “That makes the good-pace short ball a great weapon. It’s something that Australia should be very conscious of this summer.”

Elaborating, he said, “It doesn’t necessarily mean you will get Sachin out with the shorter ball. But you can push him back on his crease and then look for a full ball, which he can tend to squirt to the slips early in his innings when he doesn’t have great control.”

Buchanan admits Tendulkar is one of the great players, but adds: “He still has greatness within him like all great players. It is still there but it does not appear as regularly.”

The general impression is that most batsmen from the subcontinent have problems on bouncy and fast wickets in Australia.

Despite Buchanan’s theory, Tendulkar has a fairly consistent average against Australia. Tendulkar has an average of 54.16 in Australia as he does overseas. He has also averaged over 54 throughout his career and even when broken in two parts it does not change much. Between 1989 and 1999, the first half of his career, his average was 55.38 in Tests and since 2000 his average is 54.43.

Buchanan also noticed the discomfort of Tendulkar against left-arm pace, even battling against modest left-armers such as West Indian Pedro Collins. Australia’s pacer Mitchell Johnson got the better of Tendulkar in last year’s DLF Cup one-day series in Malaysia.

“Mitchell Johnson has bowled very well to Sachin in the past and I’d expect him to trouble him again with his left-arm variety,” Buchanan said. “Brett Lee will also be a key man because of his pace.”

Stage set for ICL to take off from Nov 30

Stage is set for the Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) Twenty20 tournament to take off from November 30 in Chandigarh with a host of former international stars promising to add spice to the rebel series.

The tournament, which is spread over two weeks, will have Delhi Jets taking on Chandigarh Lions in the inaugural match at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.

Besides these two teams, Mumbai Champs will be led by legendary Brian Lara while other teams Kolkata Tigers, Chennai Superstars and Hyderabad Heroes will be vying for a place in the semi finals of the tournament, which will have a round-robin format.

Apart from Lara, the other top players to watch out for will be former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu, who will be captaining the Delhi Jets team, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Dinesh Mongia, Lance Klusener, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje, Vikram Solanki, Paul Nixon, Hamish Marshall, Andrew Hall and Daryl Tuffey.

There are a host of domestic cricket stars as well which will form part of each team along with the former international ones. The teams would be reaching here tomorrow after taking part in several practice matches at different venues.

Final touches are being given to around 7,000 capacity stadium in Haryana’s Panchkula, where flood lights are being installed for the mega event.

Though tickets for the event have been moderately priced at Rs 100 for a single match and Rs 150 for two matches on the same day, the response from the fans has been lukewarm.

ICL Executive Board chairman Kapil Dev said, “we are keeping our fingers crossed. At the moment, we are excited and nervous. ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well.”

A concern at the stadium would be the outfield, which tends to be a bit slow, but Kapil said everything will be
taken care of before the tournament starts. 

The pavillion building is being upgraded to include individual lockers and dressing room for players, umpires and match officials while a hi-tech broadcast studio is also being readied.

ICL, an Essel Group venture, has taken the stadium on a 10-year lease from the Haryana Government. Executive Vice president of the Essel (Zee) Group, Ashish Kaul said in addition to the live broadcast of the tournament on Zee Sports, they would also try to have live feed on regional channels owned by the media conglomerate.

The event will have commentators like Tony Greig, Dean Jones, Pat Symcox, Jeffery Thomson, Mike Whitney and Ayaz Memon.

Cricket is our career, ICL should not be blocked

What made you join the ICL ?
It was a big challenge and an opportunity for me. I have never played enough T20 cricket. So, I just thought of challenging myself and my cricketing abilities. I want to continue playing cricket for another 2-3 years and maximize my talent. I also thought that the ICL would be an ideal opportunity to give back to the game.

What are your views on the various cricket boards’ stand on the ICL ?
I don’t think ICL should be blocked. It’s provides a great opportunity to cricketers, young and old to improve on their abilities. If we call cricket a career, one should not be denied a chance to earn. Imposing sanctions on the ICL would be unfortunate, as you tend to stop income/revenue, exposure and the experience of playing with the top cricketers.

What made you retire all of a sudden ?
It was not a sudden decision I made. I always had a fair idea of when I should retire. I did not want to hang around in a system I didn’t believe in and also, give opportunities to newer talent in Sri Lanka. And, half-way through my innings at Hobart, I knew that it was coming.

Did you retire out of frustration?
No. If I was frustrated, I would have left half-way through the World Cup.

What are your post-retirement plans ?
As I said, I want to continue playing cricket for the next 2-3 years, wherever it be. I will finish this tournament and then leave for Australia to play club cricket and also in the English summer, where I am scheduled to turn out for Lashings XI. Apart from that, I am in initial talks with Channel Nine over a commentary stint during the Triangular ODI Series in Feb 2008. I want to be involved with cricket for as long as I could.

You and John Dyson were instrumental in grooming Mahela as an international captain. Now that he is in the hot seat, what do you think about his captaincy ?
Mahela is doing well as a captain. It is always difficult for any captain to tour Australia. He has been growing into a really strong captain, with a great back-up in Kumar Sangakkara. 

With the Golden Generation of Sri Lankans in their swansong, how difficult is it going to be for SL Cricket to replace them ?
It wont be easy. We have enough, if not more talent. But what is the use of having a lot of talent and not giving them enough opportunities ? We need to give them enough chances to establish themselves in the international level. And, you got to know what your future is. 

What do you think about the state of school cricket in Sri Lanka ?
It was our feeder system to international cricket. But, since they have changed the rules, the school system has suffered. Since that happened, the game suffered and no good player coming through. The last batsman who genuinely broke through the schools was Farveez Maharoof. But I hope that they go back to the original system, else its just going down.

What about the selectors’ remark ? Do you stand by it ?
Yes. I stand by whatever I said. If anyone feels that I have said something wrong, why don’t they come up and let me know. I made that statement for the betterment of Sri Lankan cricket. I can only hope that the authorities were listening to what I said. I genuinely feel for the game in the country, and that’s why I said what I had to.

What was the best innings you ever played ?
In one-dayers, I think the 132 not out at Lords in the Emirates Cup Final has to be right up there. It was indeed my best one-day knock. As far as tests are concerned, I’d pick the 200+ I scored against Pakistan at Kandy, simply because it came against the best fast bowlers at that time.

How do you look to give back to the game?
I want to give something back to the game, and Sri Lanka would be an ideal starting point. After all the game has given me everything that I am today.

Any regrets ?
No. Not at all. I have lived a perfect cricketer’s life. Started off with five ducks in 6 innings and then to get 6 double hundreds was just great. I have to say I have been very lucky to represent my country for over 15 years.Very few coveted ones get that opportunity.