Imtiaz Patel cites family, friends and country for opting out

Imtiaz Patel, opts out:

 

"My family and I have reflected deeply on the wonderful opportunity which the ICC presented to me to fulfil such an important role in a sport that is in my blood. After considering my position carefully, I have, however, resolved to remain in my beloved country, South Africa, and continue in my challenging and fulfilling role as chief executive officer of SuperSport International," Patel said.

 

It is intriguing that people cite family, friends and country when they opt out of a job. Surely interested parties would have sounded him out, before forwarding his candidature.

 

Don't they consult family and friends before applying or is it an excuse for having second thoughts?

 

 

 

 

What is the rationale behind Kaif's recall?

Mohammed Kaif's makes a deserved return to the Indian cricket team on the back of excellent performances in the domestic tournaments.

 

However, he is unlikely to make it to the final eleven. Yuvraj despite repeated failures in Tests in all probability will play in the place of Tendulkar.

 

It is an enigma that players like Kaif or Murali Karthick have never given a sustained run in the Indian team. They are either selected and do not play or they are dropped after putting in an excellent performance.    

 

Therefore, the rationale behind his selection when he has no chance of playing is debatable. Would not it be better to select some promising player who has never had the opportunity to soak in the Test atmosphere?

 

 

Gloster fitness report, fitness test and fitness

The outgoing physio John Gloster had mentioned a long list of players who were carrying injuries. He had also recommended various periods of rest according to the nature of the injuries.

To assure itself that the players were fit; the BCCI conducted a fitness test for all the players. They are certified fit and selected for the first two Tests.

However, on the first day itself the fitness test revealed itself as a sham. R.P. Singh’s bowling and fielding revealed that he was unfit. Tendulkar missed part of the game during the first, second and the third days play. Kumble missed two sessions on the final day.

Even though various reasons can and will be attributed to their injuries it is patently obvious that these players were carrying injuries into the game. Then how did they pass the fitness test?

Actually, there was a lot of truth in John Glosters report and the BCCI used the fitness test as a smoke screen to divert attention. Sickeningly, the BCCI used the report to deny selection to a few.

However, it pains a keen Indian fan to learn about Kumble’s and Tendulkar’s complicity.

IceRocket Tags: cricket,Tendulkar,Kumble,John Gloster,fitness report,BCCI

Chennai IPL franchisee goes about its job quietly.

The owners of the Chennai Super Kings team have gone about tying up with sponsors with typical South Indian restraint.

They have gone for a judicious mix of cricket with the glamour of Tamil cinema by signing up the former Indian team Captain and a media personality K.Srikkanth along with the leading actors in Tamil cinema Vijay and Nayanthara as brand ambassadors.

They have also shown considerable business acumen by signing Aircell Cellular Services, a leading mobile phone service provider as team sponsor along with Reebok as team apparel sponsors.

It is obvious that the Indian Cements group has a head start over the other IPL franchisees and chosen subtlety over hype.

Mustaq and Rana a 'test' case for both IPL and the ICL

The participation of the Pakistan pair Mushtaq Ahmed and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan in the 2008 English domestic season could very well be a test case for both the IPL and the ICL.

 

Until now cricketers associated with the rebel league ICL have been treated as 'non-entities' and denied opportunities to play in other major tournaments.

 

The PCB by issuing 'NOC' to these players has set the cat among the pigeons and opened the door for them to play in county cricket.

 

In effect it challenges the very core of BCCI's 'understanding' with other cricket boards regarding the ICL players.

 

For the ICL ,the PCB has given them reason to believe that their tournament and their players are gaining wider acceptance.

 

Yousuf ruled out of the inaugural IPL?

Yousuf is unlikely to get out of the legal tangle with ICL until the end of April. This effectively rules him out of a major part of the inaugural IPL as it starts by April 18.

 

Moreover, even if the arbitration panel decides in his favour, ICL is likely to throw other legal challenges in his way and deny even a token participation..

 

It is a pity that an impulsive decision has cost Yousuf an opportunity to play in the big stage.

 

 

 

 

Why is the PCB going around with a begging bowl?

The alarm bells have never stopped ringing in Pakistan’s political and cricketing establishment since Australia postponed its tour of Pakistan citing security reasons,

So much so, it has driven the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to announce one tour or the other on a daily basis. Everyday there is an announcement that one country or the other will tour Pakistan only to be followed by a rebuttal by the said country.

Initial impressions were that PCB was trying to recoup its loss suffered by the postponement of Australia’s tour to Pakistan. However, the truth is PCB at the behest of its political masters is hell bent on a tour in order to show the world that Pakistan is a stable country.

Sadly, the PCB by its ham handedness has only managed to show its country, its people and its cricketers in poor light.

One is even driven to ask the PCB to stop using its cricketers and the glorious game of cricket to make political statements.

What do you say?

Technorati Tags: Cricket,PCB,Pakistan,Australia

Can Virender Sehwag break Lara’s record?

Virender Sehwag’s 300 from 278 balls is in terms of the number of balls the fastest triple-century in Test history.

If Sehwag scores another 91 runs on Saturday, he will overhaul Lara’s 400 not out against England in Antigua in 1994.

Going by today’s blistering form, a well- rested Sehwag in all probability should be able to do it on Saturday.

However, can he do it?

Did Warne ditch Hampshire for the IPL?

Newspaper headlines such ‘Shane Warne leaves Hampshire for the IPL’ give the impression that the legendary Australian leg spinner, has chosen to play in the IPL tournament over his county cricket commitments with Hampshire.

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The facts speak otherwise.

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove emphasised that the split was amicable. "It's not just about the IPL," he told the BBC. "I think the cumulative effect of his business commitments, poker tournaments, TV appearances and so on meant that another two months away from home would have been more than he could reasonably bear. We also had to think about how much we could squeeze our season to accommodate one player, however great he is."

It is clear that the big bucks IPL tournament had only a small role in this affair.

County Cricket Chiefs wary of player-power

The BBC conducted a survey to find out how India’s Twenty20 leagues, namely the IPL and the ICL, will affect the English county cricket.

County cricket chiefs were unanimous that the Twenty20 leagues will have a dramatic effect on the future of the English game.

Apart from this generalized opinion, the BBC survey also revealed a range of concerns.

1. The game could split
2. Teams or county’s going bankrupt
3. Rampant player power.

Out of the three, the first two are genuine cause for concern. However, their fear of player-power is as irrational as their fear of BCCI taking over the ICC.

It is irrational because there is no reason to believe that player –power is bad for the game. It also reveals a rather egoistical attitude that they only know what is best for the game of cricket.

One thing is evident, by expressing their alarm, the county cricket chiefs have unconsciously acknowledged that their unchallenged reign is coming to an end.

Why do' we' want to ban sledging?

In light of the recent acrimonious series in Australia, one would have thought that the cricketers would have had enough of sledging. However, if you are to go by their statements, it is obvious that they are against a ban on sledging, albeit with reservations.

 

Apparently the cricketers have reasons to believe that sledging gives them an advantage over their opponents and hence, their opposition to a complete ban.

 

Leaving their opposition aside it is interesting to note that it is the bloggers, the mainstream media and the cricket administrators who are vocal supporters of the ban.

 

One wonders why the section least affected by sledging are vociferous in their dislike? 

 

 

The lost art of drawing a Test match

I know I am not the first to wonder why teams are unable to draw a match.

 

Witness the SL-WI Test at the Providence Stadium. Set an impressive target the West Indies were 2-170 for lunch. What happened later is that the SL demolished the WI for a 121 run triumph.

 

Five years ago a score of 2 -170 at lunch gave rise to two possibilities, either a spirited chase or if some quick wickets had fallen, a well –fought draw. The possibility of a final day batting collapse was unthinkable.

 

However, with regularity we see teams collapsing in just one session. Experts have pointed to the ODI's as the prime cause. They say that with its popularity, the batsmen have lost the art of playing defensively.

 

I think that is too simplistic a cause. For example, India has Dravid who has the reputation of being technically adept and capable of playing till the cows come home. He too has been a part of many such collapses. (I am sure other teams have such players).

 

I attribute this alarming trend to the fact that the modern batsman has no 'stomach for a fight'. It is not a question of mental strength; it is indifference for he knows a flashy 40 runs is sure to get him more endorsements than a dour 50.

 

To what do you attribute these batting collapses?

Are the U-19 WC winners over 19?

Presenting the controversy of the day courtesy of Peter Roebuck.

 

Read what he has to say in an article titled Boys or men?

 

Those responsible for choosing India's Under-19 squad must have known, or at the very least strongly suspected, that several of the leading candidates were too old, writes Peter Roebuck.

 

I am struck dumb by these allegations. 

 

Anyone know the truth?

 

 

No decision to remove Gavaskar - ICC confirms to Niranjan Shah

O k guys! This is straight from Niranjan Shah's mouth:

 

"Media speculation about removal of Sunil Gavaskar as Chairman of the Cricket Committee of the ICC based on a report in a London paper is incorrect. ICC has confirmed to the Indian board that there has been no decision to remove Sunil Gavaskar."

 

He, however, admitted Gavaskar would explain his columns to ICC representatives.

 

However, what is there to explain?

 

Yellow cards in cricket

What is the world coming to?

Mark Taylor suggests yellow cards for sledgers.

In cricket the umpire is not running with the ball and hence he is always away from the scene of the crime. So how is he going to know whether anything offensive is being said or not.

Also imagine Bucknor summoning Symonds to come to him by blowing a whistle, then make Symonds turn his back to each and every scoreboard in the ground and flourish his yellow card.

Ridiculous isn’t it?

England Beat New Zealand to record an overseas victory in three years.

England beat New Zealand by 121 runs in the third and deciding cricket Test to clinch its first overseas series victory in more than three years.

OMG! This enough to send the pompous English press into raptures.

Atleast one player from this team is assured of an OBE.

However the most heartening aspect of this win is Panesar's return to form.

Well done England!

 

Smith will find it sticky to 'do the job'

The SA skipper has declared that he is confident that his team can 'do the job' .

Avid readers would have immediately co-related the phrase 'do the job' to the book Godfather. Apparently, the mafia use it to denote to 'kill off' or 'finish their rival'. It is also a term with sexual connotations - 'do the job' on a girl.

However as an 'experienced' Chennaite I would like to say one thing to Smith, his attempt to 'do the job' may come to an 'sticky end' as "On-field temperatures of around 38 degrees celcius in this southern Indian city, combined with stifling 90 percent humidity, will test both teams over the next five days."

Indeed not only the climate, the Indian team's rich vein of form can make it sticky for Smith.

Gavaskar pisses off ICC

Gavaskar dual role of being the establishment and also against the establishment has incensed the ICC. So much so they have girdled up to ask Gavaskar to choose between conflicting roles.

From where I stand, it looks as if the ICC have decided to object to Gavaskar criticisms.

However for the life of me, I do not understand how criticism can become a 'conflict of roles' issue.

One is tempted to ask whether there is some truth to Gavaskar's over the top allegations?

Technorati Tags: Gavaskar,ICC,Cricket

Will rain affect the Chepauk Test?

The last two days have seen heavy rains in Chennai. It has hampered the preparations for the Test.

If the rains continue, in all probability it will, it could mean a washout out or at the very least it will curtail the India -SA Test match.

The last two International fixtures have been abandoned due to rains. All signs portend that the India-SA Test match may end up the same way. A cricket aficionado has every reason to believe that the rain Gods are against him.

Should the CA and the ECB defer to the BCCI?

Gavaskar latest column has managed to stir up another controversy. The usual suspects have started wiping up passions. The methods are the same, quote a statement out of context or play up on the prejudices by talking about the BCCI as an imperialist force bent upon subjugating the free and liberal ICC.

For example here is a post from Andrew Bolt:

India rises, and it’s no more nice to the sahib:

INDIAN batting great Sunil Gavaskar has accused Australian cricket of having “a misplaced belief that they are the only ones with honesty”.

By the end of this century, with the respective growth rates as they are, we may learn to be as deferential to India as Indians were once to the colonialists.

Whatever the type of false propaganda, the BCCI has failed  to counter it by being transparent about its intentions. Sadly, Gavaskar and his ilk have only intensified the xenophobia. Surely he could have said the same thing and as forcefully without resorting to sensationalism. If he had written it expecting it to stimulate debate, then he is mistaken. It has only served to harden positions.

However, the answer to the question whether the BCCI is bent upon bringing the ICC under its control is a resounding ‘no’. It is high time CA and the ECB acknowledged the BCCI as an equal and stopped treating it as an upstart.

They can begin the process by asking their minions to cease this unsavoury campaign of imputing ‘imperialist’ motives.

This is exactly how we felt about umpiring

View this video in the context of the Sydney Test match and Clarke’s bump catch appeal.

Gavaskar claims England, Australia fear India’s importance

Articulating a perception held by ‘sub continentals’ that England and Australia fear India's importance, Sunil Gavaskar, the International Cricket Council's cricket committee chief continued in his syndicated column that

"Those worried of the prospect of India's hegemony were conveniently forgetting that only a few years back, there were two Australians at the top of the ICC.

"Once again, it is a misplaced belief that they are the only ones with honesty, integrity and have the welfare of the game at heart, while the 'subcontinentals' do not.

"Every controversy in international cricket has shown that no country has the monopoly on honesty and integrity, and so should not be looking down upon others.

"Still, it is a habit that is hard to get over, and so it is anathema to think that those who were the ruled can one day become the rulers."

This column should stir another controversy like his earlier one on Mike Procter and this blogger unashamedly admits that he is looking forward to the coming days with glee.

 

The Art of making money- Blame IPL

PCB is the latest is to join the bandwagon of cricketing associations blaming IPL for a variety of ills.

Sources close to top PCB officials said that the two boards had come under pressure soon after PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf announced that Sri Lanka had confirmed touring Pakistan for the series.

The IPL tournament was announced atleast a couple of months back, then how can IPL be blamed for clashing with the just firmed up plans of Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan? It should be the other way around. The PCB along with the Sri Lankan Cricket board has deliberately scheduled their tours to clash with the IPL.

This is nothing but an obvious attempt by the PCB and the Sri Lankan Cricket board to get some money out of the BCCI.

Giles Clarke – a cricket administrator, hypocrite and a rabble rouser.

What would you think of a person who condemns IPL and in the same breath reveal plans to do the same in the guise of strengthening domestic cricket? For starters, I would call him a hypocrite and among other choice epithets I would also call him a rabble rouser. In an interview to Sky Sports 1 England and Wales Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke has done just that.

In that interview he condemns ‘rouge leagues’ in no uncertain terms and assures that such leagues have no place in England. However he lays bare his hypocrisy when he elaborates on his plans for strengthening England’s domestic Twenty20 league.

Clarke says he is keen to revamp England's own domestic Twenty20 competition in order to compete with its Indian counterpart.

He is prepared to adopt a similar policy of recruiting top overseas stars, though is determined the majority of each team must remain England-qualified.

In essence what he says is that when BCCI conducts a Twenty20 tournament with overseas players then he sees it as rape and pillage of cricket and positions IPL as evil. However, when ECB proposes to do the same, others should see it as an attempt at revamping England’s domestic cricket.

In this case signing overseas cricket stars is benign, but when BCCI signs overseas stars for their domestic tournament (IPL) then it is malignant. If this isn’t the classic double speak then what is it? Undoubtedly, Giles Clarke is a hypocrite par excellence.

 

Ranatunga wants Hair to be 'tested'.

Reinstating Hair has drawn diverse responses. In fact Hair himself seems to have realised that and sought to smooth ruffled feathers by announcing his intention to be more communicative,especially with teams or players unfamiliar with the English language.

Since he had been given time to think,learn and gradually ease himself to officiating/ umpiring tier 1 playing nations,reinstating him is the right thing to do.

One can't fault the 'rehabilitation process, but how does one know that he has become more understanding? How does one gauge whether he is embittered by the whole process?

Instead, the ICC has taken the easy way out by isolating him from umpiring Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka.  This may prevent confrontation but it will never let us know the effectiveness of the 'rehabilitation' process.

It is for that reason I am with Ranatunga,when he says, "if Hair is eligible to umpire I think he should do all matches featuring India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, otherwise he won't be tested."

Moreover,if his attitude has changed for the better, it is unfair to deprive cricket of a good umpire? Do you agree?

Why no media manager among Kirsten’s support staff?

After the usual dithering and delay, BCCI announced the support staff for Kirsten.

They include:

Paddy Upton (physical and mental conditioning and strategic leadership coach)

Venkatesh Prasad (bowling coach)

Robin Singh (fielding coach)

Paul Close (physiotherapist)

Ramesh Mane (masseur)

Russell Radhakrishnan (Travel Assistant).

Surprisingly there is no media manager. With the media giving cricket blanket coverage a full time media manager is a must. He would have eased the burden on the Captain, Coach and the players.

Yes, we need more cricket.

The wait for the India – South Australia series to start seem interminable. After the acrimonious India –Australia series there is nothing interesting happening. Even though the South African Cricket Board President briefly got my goat by making ‘thumping’ statement, I let it pass. It is much better to retort to this ‘chest thumping’ after the series is ours.

On the domestic cricketing front, undoubtedly, the ICL tournament is going on. However, the lack of star power and the meaningless of the games has deflated my interest. On the international front, barring the first Test, the ‘bleaters’ England and the ‘over achievers’ New Zealand are playing unimaginative cricket.

To make matters worst, my dear friend Niranjan Shah has either been gagged or suddenly seen light and started talking sense. Most probably he too is tired off coming up with rib-ticklers and taken a sabbatical.

Meanwhile, this wait has become so bad that I am reduced to blogging about ‘swinger’ Charlz and 250 year old cricket club’s. Sorry, this ICL, England-New Zealnd series bakwas won't do.

Simply put, I need India to play cricket every day of the year. I need my daily fix of Sachin and his gang. Player’s burnout be damned, lets have more cricket.

'83 celebrations: Help the BCCI resolve this issue

All of us know that this year marks the 25 th anniversary of our World Cup win. The BCCI rightly feels it must be celebrated with pomp and grandeur.

Unfortunately, there is a problem, some of the team members are now part of a rebel cricketing association, namely ICL.

The issue is as follows:

Can the BCCI be involved in an event that involves men who have crossed over to the breakaway Indian Cricket League?

The BCCI feels it would not be in the right spirit to associate with the ICL, at the same time it feels that the 'rebel' heroes have to be felicitated.It is also imperative that the nation celebrates its one and only World Cup victory.

As they say, the BCCI is on the horns of a dilemma and knowing my appreciation of BCCI's contribution to the development of cricket in India and also my in depth knowledge of BCCI's contribution to our World Cup win, my dear friend Niranjan Shah has charged me with the responsibility of resolving a very sensitive issue.

As I could nt come up with an acceptable suggestion, ( my suggestion to dissolve the BCCI was dismissed out of hand) I am now falling back upon you, my loyal readers, to come up with something suitable.

Can you suggest a solution?

Ashish Nehra's remarkable comeback

A crippling injury had laid Ashish Nehra low for the last two years, but now he has made his comeback in the avatar of an IPL player.

The most remarkable aspect of his comeback is that Mumbai Indians outbid Jaipur Royals for his services, thus making him the highest paid cricketer who has not come up for action.

A couple of good outings for Mumbai Indians will surely thrust him into the reckoning for a place in the national team. If he does clinch a place in the national team it will be the crowning moment of a remarkable come-back.

Sadly his comeback story brings to light BCCI’s arbitrary and self-indulgent ways. To let an injured player fend for himself with no monetary support reflects badly on the richest sporting body in the world.

Surely, it must have been petty politics and not financial considerations that stopped the board from supporting him.