Indian Premier League

Mohammad Asif’s hearing on drug use postponed

sitansu — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:32:49 +0530

Suspended Pakistani bowler Mohammad Asif on Thursday cancelled his visit to Mumbai after he was told that hearing of the drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League (IPL) had been put off due to fresh terrorist attacks there.

Asif, who was due to leave on Thursday morning with his lawyer Shahid Karim for the two-day hearing from November 29, said he had been told to remain in Pakistan.

"After the Mumbai attacks, I called them up to find out the status quo of the drugs tribunal hearing and they told me they will convey fresh dates later on to me," Asif said.

He supported the decision to cancel the hearing pointing out that what had happened in Mumbai was a huge tragedy.

"I don't think the hearing is that important now. Whenever it is held I am confident of being cleared as we have prepared well for it," Asif said.

Asif was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board after he tested positive during a dope test held during the IPL.

His 'B' sample test also came positive although the traces of the banned substance found in his sample differed in both tests.

Asif and his lawyer have made this the basis of their appeal and have challenged the procedure adopted conduct the dope tests during the IPL.

The drugs inquiry tribunal was expected to give a decision on the case at its latest hearing with fears of a two year suspension for the Pakistani player.

ICL says no place for dope-tainted Asif

manoj — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:43:50 +0530

The Indian Cricket League has rubbished Mohammad Asif's claim that he was approached by the 'rebel' league with a mouth-watering offer and said the disgraced Pakistani pacer first has to come out clean from all doping charges.

ICL executive board member and tournament director, Kiran More said that they have no intentions of signing up the dope-tainted pacer, who seemed to have been spreading false rumours to pressurize the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Asif claimed recently that he had been offered lucrative contract by the ICL through former Pakistan skipper Moin Khan and have no option but to defect to the league since the PCB had suspended him from all forms of cricket.

"We have never made any offer to Asif and don't have any plan either. The reports are absolutely baseless. Even when I first heard, it was a news to me," More told PTI.

Asif is presently locked in an expensive legal battle with the PCB to avoid a possible two-year ban after tested positive for a contraband substance while playing for the Delhi Daredevils in inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"If he wishes to play in the ICL, then also he won't be allowed to until and unless he is cleared of all doping charges because we adopt very stringent policy against doping," More said.

The former India stumper also expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the breakaway league and hoped although the first round of dialogue with the BCCI didn't transpire well, getting official status is just a matter of time now.

"We had a very short meeting with BCCI President Shashank Manohar but till now nothing has been worked out. We have again written to the ICC and are waiting for their response," More said.

"Things have been very positive. People are now getting to know what exactly the ICL is. People are speaking for us as well. We have done our bit, now just waiting for the ICC's feedback," he added.

Flintoff rues lack of IPL exposure

manoj — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:46:47 +0530

Andrew Flintoff has blamed England's dismal show in the ongoing one-day series squarely on their non-participation in the Indian Premier League, which he believes has helped Indian players develop their game by leaps and bounds.

"I think through playing the shorter form of the game they (India) have developed new skills with both bat and ball, and we have been found wanting a little bit," Flintoff said.

"Their game has developed through playing Twenty20 cricket, you just have to look at the way the guys hit the ball and the positions they get into. You also look at the bowling skills that Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma have too. They are developing slower balls and Yorkers," added the England all-rounder.

The England all-rounder also sought to clarify that the reason for his teammates' keenness to play in the IPL was not just the big bucks they could earn through it.

"A few of our players are keen to go to the IPL. The thing that most people write about when they mention the IPL is the financial rewards, but it should also be looked at as something that helps with a player's development," Flintoff told the Independent.

However, England players are yet to know if they would get a chance to play in the second edition of IPL due to ongoing tussle between the England and Wales Cricket Board and the IPL organisers.

IPL is keen to ensure that English cricketers commit to their presence in the event, but the ECB is ready to release the players only for a limited period, which was not okayed by IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi.

Besides, the dates also coincide with their home series against Sri Lanka in April next year.

The England players have not yet signed their central contract with their Board as they want the assurance that they will released for the second IPL edition, which clashes with the Lanka tour.

Flintoff also reckoned that the bang-slam format has not only helped Indian players but players worldwide.

"It is not just the Indian players who have benefited from it and taken their game forward. Look at Chris Gayle from the West Indies, he has too. We have a Twenty20 World Cup in England next summer and it would be good if the lads were given the chance to have a go in India," he said.

Flintoff admitted that India emerged the superior side in the one-dayers and urged his teammates to take cricketing lessons from the remaining matches for the Test series.

"India are a very strong side and they have outplayed us in every department in each of the four games. We have three games left and we have to take something out of them. We can't win the one-day series but we have to try to take something in to the Test series, which starts in three weeks' time," he said.

English players may lose central contracts for IPL

manoj — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:37:01 +0530

English cricketers wanting to play in the Indian Premier League next year may be asked to give away their central contracts by an adamant ECB, which has made it clear that international engagements are top priority.

England team Managing Director Hugh Morris has categorically stated that the England Cricket Board (ECB) can release the interested cricketers for only two weeks as scheduled Tests and ODI programmes cannot be altered.

And those wanting to go for the full event may be asked to forego central contracts.

"We will be playing Test matches in the early part of May and clearly that will have an impact on the amount of time that players may or may not go to IPL," Morris was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

"My understanding is that the ICC, IPL and the ECB have made it very clear from the word go that international cricket takes precedence over domestic tournaments, and I think that will be the case. That's the very clear message we get from ICC. I understand that is what IPL think as well," Morris added.

English players are yet to sign this year's central contracts with the ECB, but there is every possibility of a standoff between players and the Board.

"I think we've made it very clear that we are very happy for the players to have a window of opportunity for the players to play in the IPL," said Morris.

"Last year at the IPL, the Australians were only there for 25 percent of the time because they had a Test series in the West Indies," he added.

As per IPL rules, all cricketers participating in the Twenty20 tournament need a 'No Objection Certificates' from their respective boards.

Asif slapped with a whopping legal bill

manoj — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:16:33 +0530

Dope-tainted pacer Mohammad Asif's miseries just don’t seem to end as the troubled Pakistani cricketer has now been slapped with a whopping bill as the legal costs for his release from detention in Dubai earlier this year.

Asif was detained for 19-days in Dubai for possession of a banned substance and the Pakistan Cricket Board had hired the legal firm, Afridi and Angel, to represent the pacer in the case contested with the Dubai police.

"The issue now is that the previous PCB management has forwarded a bill sent by the Dubai based Afridi and Angel firm to Asif for payment," a well-informed PCB source told PTI.

"Asif has taken up the issue with the present management pointing out that no one ever consulted him or took his consent while hiring the services of the firm that time, so why should he pay for the legal costs," the source added.

The source said the bill was in thousands of dirhams and Asif, shaken by the demand, has told PCB that the representative of the Board Nadeem Akram, sent to assist him in Dubai in June, had bothered to visit him just once at the detention centre during his nearly two weeks stay in Dubai.

Asif has already submitted an application to the present PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt for release of money due to him as per his central contract with the Board, even though he is suspended at present.

"The PCB Chairman will review Asif's request for release of funds this week as the pacer also wants the Board to review the ban imposed on him after he tested positive in a dope test carried out during the Indian Premier League," the source disclosed.

He said Asif wanted to know why the ban was imposed as he was neither representing Pakistan in the IPL and the tests were conducted in a foreign country and under foreign laws which had nothing to do with Pakistan cricket.

ICL eyeing Asif, Sohail Khan?

manoj — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:20:47 +0530

The Indian Cricket League may soon have some more Pakistani players under its umbrella as it is eyeing to sign fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Sohail Khan for the next season.

Sources close to the players said that both the pacers were under consideration to join the ICL bandwagon which already has signed some 18 players from Pakistan, the most recent being senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf.

The source said that Asif had been approached with an offer, while the ICL had been given good feedback on the young pacer Sohail Khan who has played a few one-day internationals and has been successful in domestic circuit.

"Asif is pretty frustrated that the Pakistan board has not accepted his request to provide him legal support in his doping offence case with the Indian Premier League drugs inquiry tribunal," one source told PTI.

"Asif is also upset because the Board has put on hold all his payments this year because of his doping offence," the source added.

He said Asif personally was not happy with the inquiry being held into his doping offence by the IPL tribunal and had discussed the ICL option with some players.

The pacer was suspended by the PCB after he tested positive in a doping test carried out in the IPL in June.

Both his tests have come positive but the ratio of the banned substance in his sample is different raising questions by Asif and his lawyer about the authenticity of the doping tests procedures in the IPL.

The IPL drugs inquiry tribunal will hear Asif again on November 29 and the PCB has said it can't offer any support to the pacer until he is cleared.

"The ICL is interested in both players but will wait and see what happens on November 29th, a source said.

Yousuf having second thoughts about ICL

megha — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:38:30 +0530

Pakistan's senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf is having second thoughts on joining the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League (ICL) after threats from the Indian Premier League to take him to court for breach of contract with it.

Sources told PTI that Yousuf was recieved by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq in New Delhi on Monday evening and the duo consulted legal experts on Yousuf's problems with ICL and IPL.

"One does not know what the legal experts exactly told Yousuf but the official announcement of his signing with the ICL could be delayed as he is having a second thought to the whole issue now," one source said.

He said Yousuf was aware that he could find himself totally out in the cold if the IPL also lodged a legal case against him for rejoining the ICL.

"Obviously if Yousuf does play in the ICL it would be a coup for the organisers of the rebel league as the Pakistani batsman is a big name. So it would not be surprising if the IPL decide to spoil the party for him," the source added.

Indian board officials have made it clear that Yousuf was contracted to play in the IPL and had also been given an advance payment on the insistence of the Pakistan board and if he signs again for the ICL they would take him to court.

To make matters worse, Yousuf is already embroiled in a legal battle with the ICL over a breach of contract case.

PCB legal counsel, Tafazzul Rizvi who was representing Yousuf in his legal battle against the ICL before the Indian arbitrator and the Mumbai High Court said he was shocked by reports that the senior batsman had flown to India to join the 'rebel' league.

"I don't understand what he is trying to do because till few days back he was discussing the case with me to prepare for the next hearing," Rizvi said.

The ICL had filed the case against Yousuf claiming he took advance money in 2007 for signing a contract with them and then broke the contract without returning the money.

Yousuf had been saying he had returned the money to former Pakistan captain Moin Khan whom he claimed to be his agent for the ICL.

"The interesting part is that it was due to the efforts of Inzamam and Moin that the ICL management agreed to reopen negotiations with Yousuf and consider him for a contract to rejoin the rebel league," a source said.

He said Inzamam and Moin had mediated between the ICL and Yousuf after the Pakistani batsman approached them earlier this year and told them he was fed up of the way he was being treated in the Pakistan team and also by the fact that the PCB had not kept its promise that it would ensure he can play in the IPL.

Yousuf could not play in the IPL's inaugural season as the ICL had obtained a stay order against him from the arbitrator to play for any other league.

Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt has told his officials to make one final contact with Yousuf and ask him clearly if he was intending to join the ICL so that the board can act accordingly.

Modi using Pietersen and Flintoff as pawns, alleges EPCA

sitansu — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:16:12 +0530

England Professional Cricketers Association (EPCA) chief executive Sean Morris has lashed out at IPL chairman Lalit Modi for using pressure tactics on players which has led to Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff being used as "pawns and bargaining chips" in a global power struggle between India and England.

"Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff are keen to play in the IPL, so they'll not be very happy with this news. But they are pawns in a game of international politics between the two boards," Morris said.

"Everyone says you need to create an official window in the international cricket calendar to let the IPL happen. What I am seeing is the manipulation of Test teams," he was quoted as saying in the Sunday Observer.

Morris' comments came after Modi said England players were welcome to play in the second edition of the IPL starting April 2009, only if they commit "for a substantial number of games 15 or 16 matches."

"The critical issue for us is whether they are appealing enough for our club owners to have English players only for a few matches," said Modi, adding, "They must be there for substantial numbers of games or for all the matches.

"But I don't think they will commit to playing all the matches, unless something radical happens."

Modi also questioned the value England players would add to their IPL teams if they turn our for a brief stint.

"Are the franchise owners happy for Pietersen to play a handful of matches and then go away? I don't think anybody would be happy with that. He wouldn't add any value and would be more of a disruption. It takes time to gel with team-mates and to become part of team strategy and implement that strategy. They need to be there for 15 or 16 matches," Modi said.

IPL 'revived' Mishra’s career

manoj — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:28:14 +0530

A dream Test debut ended his five year wilderness and Haryana leg-spinner Amit Mishra has no doubt whatsoever that it was his performance in the India Premier League (IPL) that revived his career.

Amit was unceremoniously jettisoned from the ODI squad in 2003 after which he toiled silently in the domestic cricket for the next five years.

Amit proved his worth for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, which included a hat-trick against the Deccan Chargers, and was in fact a surprise inclusion in the squad for the ongoing series against Australia.

Lady luck smiled on the chubby leggie and Amit was drafted into the playing XI at the eleventh hour only after regular skipper Anil Kumble was ruled out due to an injured shoulder. And the youngster responded by taking five Australian wickets.

Looking back, Amit is convinced it was IPL which put his career back on track.

"Those five years, it was difficult indeed and I did feel sad as well. But I worked hard in domestic cricket, interacted with many people and learnt a lot. Wherever I played, I gained in experience. Then came the IPL. It was very, very competitive and I think the selectors took note of my performance there," said the soft-spoken leg-spinner.

Amit took the opportunity to thank Kumble and former leggie-turned-selector Narendra Hirwani for their encouraging words.

"Anil bhai was very helpful. He told me to bowl just the way I do. He said 'you are doing well and do show some variations.' He was the first person to call me when I was selected and wished me. Now coming from someone who has taken 650 wickets, it's a huge boost. He gave me a couple of tips and those were of great help," said Mishra.

"Hirubhai also encouraged me a lot. When he talks to me, he talks as a former leg-spinner and not as a selector. We chat whenever we meet. Besides, (stand-in skipper MS) Dhoni also boosted my confidence and told me to go and bowl without any worry," he added.

Told that he has made it difficult to accommodate Kumble once he recovers from his shoulder injury, Amit said, "Well, selection is not my headache. I just wanted to go out and perform and that's what I did."

Ricky Ponting and his men would be rather surprised to know that though Amit respects Kumble a lot, he derives inspiration from an Australian and looks forward to pick some more tips from him.

"I idolise Shane Warne. I got to interact with him during the IPL and I'm looking forward to meeting him again and learning a few things from him," Amit said.

Deep resentment over IPL-Sri Lanka deal

megha — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:09:05 +0530

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to discuss, at its two-day executive board meeting starting on Tuesday, the Indian Premier League's (IPL) lucrative offer to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that has irked the member-countries like England,

Lalit Modi, the chairman of the IPL, has reportedly negotiated a deal with Sri Lanka's sports ministry, promising it a whopping $70 million in return for guarenteeing their top players' participation in the IPL for the next 10 years.

The deal has left ECB fuming as the IPL schedule is clashing with England's home Test series against Sri Lanka in May.

As things stand, the Sri Lanka tour of England is most likely to be scrapped though the ECB has not received any official communication. Compensation is the least that the ECB would expect, but the bigger question is who is running international cricket.

ICC president David Morgan has already condemned the deal in no uncertain terms, saying the world's governing body has pledged to maintain the sanctity of Test cricket and such deals are "unacceptable." And so has Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, who insisted on "Test cricket's primacy".

The issue is likely to be debated hotly at the board meeting here as ECB feels that ICC needs to reaffirm its control over the game and not allow the money-minting Indian cricket board to hijack it. Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, is expected to condemn India's behind-the-scenes manoeuvrings at the meeting.

England feels if the ICC does not control the game by enforcing an international calendar to suit all, then, rather than moving into a luxurious new offices in Dubai's sports city, it might as well just turn out the lights.

The ECB's main problem is that it is not only the 13 Sri Lankan players who want to play in the IPL, several England players will also be hoping that next summer's Sri Lanka tour collapses.

Modi's aggressive scheduling of the IPL to clash with England's May Test series has also prevented sought-after England cricketers such as captain Kevin Pietersen from maximising their IPL earnings.

Although some England players expect to play in the IPL next spring, they will be allowed a fortnight at best in a competition that runs from April 10-May 25 before the Sri Lanka series.

If reports are to be believed, the deal being discussed with Sri Lanka could soon be offered to Pakistan. The likely outcome therefore is that the ICC's Future Tours programme will be designed around whatever extravaganzas that India wants.

Morgan condemns IPL on proposed SLC deal

megha — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:28:27 +0530

International Cricket Council's (ICC) President David Morgan has condemned Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi's offer of $40 million to cash strapped Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the long term release of their players for IPL next year.

Morgan in an interview to The Daily Telegraph, said the deal Modi proposed to Sri Lanka last week was "quite unacceptable behaviour against the background of Sri Lanka's signed agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)".

As per the deal, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be sending its team for the IPL league for the next 10 years.

The five-member Sri Lankan cricket delegation will arrive in India on October 18 to finalise the deal with IPL, the country's sports minister Gamini Lokuge had said on Saturday.

The deal, if ratified, would force the abandonment of Sri Lanka's Test series in England in May.

Morgan pointed out that only last month the "ICC reaffirmed the primacy of Test cricket with the unanimous agreement of all Full Members."

"Everyone signed up to the order of priorities, starting with ICC events like the World Cup," he said.

Sri Lanka's 13 best cricketers are contracted to the IPL. Their IPL salaries are many times higher than what they receive from their own board for international cricket. None would want to miss the IPL final, which is to be staged on May 25, or the semi-finals, or the qualifying round which is due to end on May 19 or 20.

The ECB would expect to receive compensation of around two million dollars from Sri Lanka if they cancel the tour.

If Sri Lanka sends its second rung team to England, it would be liable to suspension from ICC and international cricket for "non-acceptable non-compliance"; but India commands the votes to prevent a ban, the report said.

India has also agreed to play another tri-nation series in 2010 which will bring in additional money to SLC.

Asif hopes to come clean on dope charges

sitansu — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:14:41 +0530

Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif will be keeping his fingers crossed in his bid to escape a two-year ban for doping offence when he faces the drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League on October 11.

Asif left for Mumbai on Thursday with lawyer Shahid Karim to attend the hearing which has to decide if there is enough evidence to turn Asif's present suspension into a two year ban or whether he be cleared on technical grounds.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) suspended the pacer two months back after he tested positive for a banned substance while playing in the IPL in June and his 'B' sample also showed up the same result.

The IPL drugs inquiry tribunal may now ban him for two years, a decision in line with the International Cricket Council's anti-doping regulations and which the PCB will have to adhere to.

Asif, Karim and British sports medicine specialist Dr Michael Graham hired to help the pacer in the case – are pinning their hopes on the fact that the two positive dope results produced different levels of traces of the banned substance, Nandrolone.

“I am hoping to return home vindicated because I have never used banned substances or drugs in my life," Asif told reporters before leaving for Mumbai.

He said he was hopeful of a positive outcome at the hearing as his lawyer and doctor had prepared a strong case to defend him.

Afridi comes clean on Deccan skipper row

manoj — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:56:21 +0530

Pakistani all rounder Shahid Afridi on Friday sought to clarify that he never demanded removal of Deccan Chargers' captain VVS Laxman and claimed his remarks that the Indian was not suitable for Twenty20 version was quoted out of context in the media.

"Tim Wright, the new Chief Executive of the (Deccan Chargers) team, spoke to me about the incident and about the ongoing inquiry. I told him that I had not made any demands for Laxman's removal. I told him some of my quotes were taken out of context," Afridi said.

"They also went through the audio tapes of the interview in which I spoke on the IPL and Chargers' team performances. I explained to Tim Wright that I had a lot of respect for Laxman and the team management and that I was misunderstood," he said.

The two players were involved in a war of words after the Afridi advised Laxman to show more aggression in his captaincy and approach to Twenty20 cricket and also rooted for Adam Gilchrist as captain of the Deccan Chargers team, which finished at the bottom with just two wins out of 14 matches in the inaugural IPL season.

The Chargers management last week dropped Laxman and coach Robin Singh replacing them with Gilchrist and Darren Lehmann in an apparent bid to improve their team's show in the next season.

Afridi confirmed that he had been conveyed the inquiry into his issue with Laxman was over now.

The flamboyant all-rounder, who himself didn't click with the bat in the inaugural season, said he had now been told the matter was closed and he should start concentrating on how to improve the team's performance in the next season.

"I hope this issue is now finished and I wish Laxman the best of luck against Australia," Afridi.

Choosing his words carefully, the experienced all-rounder declined to comment on the changes in the team management and said whatever decisions had been taken would hopefully bear positive results.

"We have to perform as a team to give positive results and we will hopefully do that next season. I myself want to improve my performances and contribute more as a senior player," he added.

IPL catalyst in ending acrimony, says Hayden

monika — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:50:16 +0530

Sparks flew and acrimony shrouded Australia's home series against India last summer but towering opener Matthew Hayden believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) has healed the wounds and the animosity would not recur again.

India's tempestuous tour of Australia threatened to tear apart the cricket world following the racism row involving Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. Hayden, on his part, contributed to the tumult when he described Harbhajan as an "obnoxious weed".

Then came the IPL which had players from various countries sharing the dressing room and Hayden believes that normalised relations between individuals.

"IPL definitely came as a big help. It increased the players' understanding of each others' culture. I enjoyed playing for Chennai Super Kings alongside someone like (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni. It was a fantastic opportunity for me," Hayden said in Hyderabad.

Asked how he planned to tackle the Indian spinners, especially Harbhajan, on the spin-friendly tracks, Hayden said, "As opener, my primary job is to help the side see through the first 30-40 overs, before the spinners come in the picture. But I enjoy the challenge of spin, more so when it's on the Indian soil."

Hayden said the forthcoming series would pose a new challenge for him.

"As opener, I take on the new ball and it gives me an opportunity to shape the innings. In this series also, I have the important job of shaping up the innings and a good start is always the key," he said.

Talking about the current team, Hayden said he did miss Symonds, who was dropped from the squad for lack of commitment, but was sure of the burly all-rounder's comeback.

"Of course we miss him, he is a great mate. But I know he is going to come back stronger. He is a great player and would definitely return, no question about that," Hayden said.

Gilchrist to lead Deccan Chargers

monika — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:08:39 +0530

In what will be seen as the first corporate sacking of Indian Premier League (IPL), Deccan Chargers on Monday removed VVS Laxman as captain and Robin Singh as coach of the team

Chargers handed the captaincy reins to former Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist while another Australian Test player Darren Lehmann is the new coach.

Laxman and Singh were in the firing line as Deccan Chargers, despite boasting of a strong line-up, surprisingly finished at the bottom of the IPL standings, winning only two of their 14 matches.

Stylish Laxman, who has been long out of India's ODI team, could make little impact in the slam bang version and was out of the later part of the tournament with injury. Gilchrist had led the side in Laxman's absence.

Questions were raised about Laxman's ability to lead the side as Shahid Afridi kicked up a storm saying the Hyderabadi was not an inspiring captain.

"Chargers have appointed former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist their team captain with immediate effect," an official statement said.

Tim Wright, chief executive of Deccan Chargers said: "Gilchrist commands respect within the team and right around the cricket world. He has redefined the role of wicketkeeper-batsman in modern cricket."

"I am confident Gilchrist will unite Deccan Chargers' outstanding talent. Four members of our squad were on the India tour of Sri Lanka, more than any other IPL team, and the quality of our overseas players is well known," he added.

Gilchrist said he would work with the players to change the fortunes of the team in the second season.

"It's a tremendous thrill and honour to become captain of the Deccan Chargers. I look forward to working hard with everybody towards making the team successful,” he said.

"We are delighted to be giving Darren Lehmann his first post as coach and have no doubt he will be a great success. He has already brought considerable energy into the group. Lehmann is in India this week to run player trials in Hyderabad. We are looking to build a solid talent base for the future," said Wright.

Sri Lankan players all set to play in IPL

megha — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:46:11 +0530

Sri Lankan sports minister has allowed players to play in the second season of million-dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) even if it meant sending a weakeened team to the summer tour to England.

The Sri Lankan board met with their government earlier this week and were told by sports minister Gamini Lokuge that they must not undermine their relationship with the powerful Indian cricket authorities even if they have to send a second grade team to England next year, media here reported.

Several leading Sri Lankan players have IPL deals in place. The second IPL season clashes directly with the England tour and ticket details for the two Tests, at the Riverside and Lord's, are yet to be released.

"I want the contracted players to honour their commitments with the IPL," Lokuge was quoted as saying in The Telegraph. "I don't want the tour to England be called off. But the team on English soil can have non-contracted IPL players."

Officials at Durham have been told to await England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clearance before issuing ticketing details for the second Test, which is due to begin on May 15.

The second IPL season ends on May 29 and the Sri Lankan players reacted angrily as soon as the tour to England was announced.

The tour was agreed to by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chairman Arjuna Ranatunga during the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting in June that saw an intense period of political horse play, as England engineered Zimbabwe's removal from the World Twenty20 Championship.

Mumbai to host Champions T20 League final

sneha — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:26:33 +0530

Mumbai, venue of the semi-finals and the final of the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year, would host the final of the Champions Twenty20 League featuring eight teams from five countries for a total prize money of $6 million in December.

The other venues for hosting the 15 matches in the December 3-10 event, founded by the cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa, would be Bangalore and Chennai, it was announced at a media conference in Mumbai on Thursday by Champions League Chairman Lalit Modi.

"The Champions T20 League is the culmination of the IPL and will see the best among the best domestic teams competing to find out who is the best of them all with the winners taking home three million dollar," Modi said.

"The change of dates of the tournament from October to December has also resulted in change of the original venues."

"With most of the matches being night games the dew factor would come into the picture in northern India and the conditions would also be very cold. So we have decided to shift the venues from the originally announced Jaipur, Mohali and Delhi," Modi explained.

Besides IPL champions Rajasthan Royals and runners-up Chennai Super Kings, Western Australia Warriors and Victoria Rangers, from Australia, Titans and Dolphins, from South Africa, England's T20 champions Middlesex and the yet-to-be crowned T20 champions of Pakistan are to take part in the tournament.

"Cricket Club of India and D Y Patil Stadium (in Navi Mumbai that hosted the IPL final) are our options to host the final," Modi said.

Asif to plead dope case on Oct 11

manoj — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:42:23 +0530

Tainted Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif's efforts to get a fresh date of hearing finally paid off with the drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League asking him to plead his dope violation case on October 11.

Asif had complained that he was frustrated with the delay in the IPL tribunal giving him a hearing so that he could clear himself of the doping charges.

"We have got a mail from the IPL saying that the hearing would take place on October 11, and we have been directed to appear in person with full documentation," Shahid Karim, the lawyer for Asif said.

He also said that sports medicine and doping specialist Dr Graham would accompany them for the hearing, as he had played an important role in preparing the defense for the pacer.

Asif is presently suspended from playing cricket by the Pakistan Cricket Board after he tested positive for a banned substance during doping tests conducted during the IPL semifinals in late May.

His "B" sample test also showed the same banned substance but there was a difference in the quantity of the substance found in his sample.

The Board has said that it would not be interfering in the case as the dope test came positive in a foreign country and Asif would have to fight his case according to their laws.

The IPL has constituted a drugs inquiry tribunal headed by a sports medicine and doping specialist and also includes former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar.

Asif who is presently in Karachi said he was confident of winning his case as there were some technical issues with the way the tests were conducted that would be placed before the IPL tribunal.

"I have never used banned substances in my life so I am confident that I will be cleared of this slur that has badly damaged my career," Asif said.

The IPL tribunal had earlier given August 30 as a date for hearing but Asif and his lawyer had requested for a fresh date because of shortage of time.

Hussey keen to pass the Indian test

manoj — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:56:53 +0530

He is yet to play a Test on Indian soil but Australian middle-order mainstay Michael Hussey is confident of succeeding in the "toughest challenge" of his career riding on patience and the experience gathered during his Indian Premier League stint.

"I have not played a Test on Indian soil but I feel patience is the key. I may have not played a Test here, but I have played other forms of cricket," Hussey said.

"The experience of playing IPL will come in handy. The IPL made us play on different kinds of Indian wickets, but Test cricket is different and it is not easy to make a smooth transition from one form of cricket to another," the left hander, who played for the IPL finalists Chennai Super Kings, said.

The late bloomer, who got the opportunity of playing Tests after crossing 30s, said beating India at home is the ultimate challenge that a team would crave for.

"The Test series against India on Indian soil is considered tough. It is the toughest series but it gives you immense satisfaction if you are able to notch up a victory here," said Hussey.

Harbhajan Singh has been a dreaded name in the Aussie camp due to his stranglehold over their line-up but Hussey said veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble and the Indian pace battery had an equally important role to play and none of his teammates could afford to take them lightly.

"Why only Harbhajan Singh? Anil Kumble and other Indian bowlers are also good. In fact, they have a good balanced attack," Hussey said.

"You have to have a clear gameplan on how to play spin. (Matthew) Hayden, (Ricky) Ponting or (Michael) Clarke have their own gameplan to tackle spin. They will deal with it in their own way. So will I, but you have to be clear how you are going to tackle it," he added.

Hussey said former India coach Greg Chappell, who is now an assistant to Aussie coach Tim Nielson, would also be giving his inputs in the team's strategy for the four-Test series.

"He knows the conditions here well and would certainly help us," he said.

Hussey played down the security concerns in the aftermath of Delhi blasts and said his team was satisfied with the arrangements put in place for them.

"We are perfectly ok. The hotel staff is doing wonderfully and security is fantastic and 100 per cent full proof," he said.

ICC seeks to regulate T20 tournaments

manoj — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:35:08 +0530

As the popularity of the Twenty20 format of the game seems going through the roof, the International Cricket Council (ICC) IS considering regulating the spree of T20 tournaments.

"All these tournaments are springing up and what we are trying to do is regulate them in a more effective way. A private businessman might have different ambitions but we have to protect the game of cricket," ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"Twenty20 is an opportunity that people have spotted they can take advantage of, but that doesn't detract from what has been agreed by all members that we will not sacrifice nation-vs-nation cricket. Everyone recognises its importance. People are not disregarding it," he said.

Interestingly, Lorgat's comment came days after six Bangladesh cricketers, including former captain Habibul Bashar, resigned from the national team in an apparent move to join the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

"If there wasn't an interest in the sport there wouldn't be so many challenges. I would rather come into a scenario where things are moving at great speed, with new forms of cricket and a new audience," the South African added.

The lucrative Indian Premier League, brainchild of BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi, was a huge success in India and the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament will also be held in December.

The rebel ICL will also start its third session from October 10.

Rajapaksa to meet SLC, players to sort out IPL issue

sneha — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:48:09 +0530

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to meet Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and the players, who are refusing to tour England for a Test series due to clash of dates with the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).

SLC Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has written to players asking them to skip matches of IPL 2009 that coincides with the Sri Lankan tour of England, the players have contended they have already committed to play for the Indian tournament.

Discussions are on to find a middle-path to enable the Sri Lankan players signed up for IPL to tour England while at the same time participating in the matches in India wherever possible when the dates of the two do not clash.

"I will call the two sides and look into the matter," Rajapaksa said earlier this week adding he would take up the matter after he returned from his US visit later this month.

The Sri Lankan President said he would explore the possibility of adjusting the dates so that the issue is sorted out amicably.

Ranatunga had said the tour of England would secure a payment of USD two million for the SLC which would help the governing body improve its financial position "and will go a long way in assisting the development of the game of cricket in this country."

The SLC chief said to accommodate a request from IPL, SLC agreed to cancel a proposed tour by India to Sri Lanka in 2009 at a loss of $14 million.

Cricket: Modi appointed chairman of CL T20 board

manoj — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:37:40 +0530

Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi has been appointed chairman of the board of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament scheduled in December.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the three founding member boards - the Board of Control for Cricket in India, (BCCI) Cricket Australia (CA) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The inaugural Champions League Twenty20 will be held December 3-10 in India.

Eight teams, consisting of the reigning winners and runners-up from the domestic Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia and South Africa, plus the winners of Twenty20 championships from Pakistan, and the reigning Twenty20 Cup champion from England, Middlesex, will compete in the event.

The prize money of $6 million will be shared between the teams and their players. The tournament will be contested by 12 teams from next year.

Cricket: Ranatunga talks tough in face of IPL row

monika — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:42:37 +0530

Getting tough with the national players who are refusing to compromise with the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) for the proposed England tour, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga stressed that he would not budge from his stand in honouring Sri Lanka’s tour obligation with England in 2009.

“As far as SLC is concerned we will not change our decision to send the Sri Lanka team to play in England. We have signed an MoU with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and we have to honour that,” the State-run Sunday Observer quoted Ranatunga, well-known as “Captain Cool” as saying.

The former World Cup winning Sri Lankan captain Ranatunga, who was well-known for backing players on and off the field during his playing days, has reportedly said that his duty was to look after Sri Lanka cricket even if the players went ahead and retired from the national team to partake in the IPL tournament.

Claiming that SLC had “never signed” a contract with the IPL contracted Lankan players permitting them to play in the IPL whenever they wanted to, Ranatunga has said that the players were given “the green light to play only in the inaugural IPL tournament”.

“They need to sign a two-year contract with the ICC and SLC even if they are to retire and go to the IPL,” Ranatunga said.

Sri Lanka are due to play two Tests and three one-dayers in May 2009 and the time table is clashing with the 2009 IPL tournament, which was ironically approved by SLC for the national players to play.

The players argue that the IPL contracts had been signed long before the idea of a tour to England was mooted and want to go ahead with their initial commitments.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardane, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Pervez Mahroof, Thilakaratne Dishan, Dilhara Fernando and Ajantha Mendis are some of the key players who have signed three-year contracts with the IPL.

According unconfirmed reports, some players are even contemplating retiring from the national team in order to honour the IPL contracts they have already signed.

Cricket: Deccan Chargers to probe Afridi-Laxman spat

sitansu — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:16:11 +0530

Taking a serious note of the verbal spat between IPL teammates Shahid Afridi and VVS Laxman, Deccan Chargers on Saturday said they will enquire into the matter to establish the facts.

Tim Wright, Chief Executive of Deccan Chargers said in a statement that necessary action will be taken after the inquiry.

"In the interest of fairness and of thoroughness both players have been advised of this process and have been invited to contribute to the inquiry," the Chief Executive said.

"When we have established the facts we will take whatever action we consider necessary and appropriate in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Premier League contracts between the players and Deccan Chargers," Wright said in the statement.

Afridi, the flamboyant Pakistani all-rounder had questioned Laxman's leadership qualities and said that Australian Adam Gilchrist was a better choice to lead Chargers in the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament.
Laxman, the wristy Hyderabadi, in retaliation had said that Afridi lacked team ethics.

Cricket: Duleep to seek solution on Lanka IPL participation

monika — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:25:51 +0530

Former captain Duleep Mendis has been asked to explore a solution on the vexed issue of Sri national cricketers committing to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) despite the cash-awash Twenty20 tournament clashing dates with the Lankan team's England tour in 2009.

"I have been asked to see how the matter could be sorted out. I will be having a chat with the players," Mendis told PTI in Colombo on Saturday.

Asked if a middle path could be explored to deal with the issue, Mendis said, "One of the options is whether the Lankan players could in between the IPL tournament join the national team for the England tour and then return back to the Indian tournament."

Mendis, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Executive Officer, refused to elaborate on the possible outcome of his meeting with the players and merely said he was hopeful of an amicable solution.

SLC Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has asked the players to be available for national duty during the England tour though the IPL-bound players reportedly expressed their reservations.
Ranatunga said SLC stance could be altered only by the Sports and Recreation Minister Gamini Lokuge's intervention, who last evening appointed Mendis to resolve the crisis between the Interim Committee and the players who have signed contracts with IPL franchises.

Since the second edition of the Twenty20 tournament will clash with Sri Lanka's tour to England next year, Minister Lokuge was expected to decide on the matter yesterday following a discussion with both the parties. But, he deferred a final decision as many players had expressed their inability to attend the meeting. He will now also take into account the report to be submitted by Mendis before arriving at any decision.

The reasoning by the players was that they had taken the permission from SLC before committing to play for the IPL much before the tour dates for England were finalised.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chamara Kapugedra, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Zoysa, Ajantha Mendis, Chamara Silva, Tillekaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are among those who have signed lucrative three year deals with the IPL franchises.

Sri Lanka accepted an invitation to play two Tests and three one-day internationals in England after ECB severed sporting ties with Zimbabwe because of the political unrest in the African country. The second edition of IPL starts on April 10 and clashes with the first Test match between England and Sri Lanka which is scheduled to start from May 8.