The Cricket Chat Thread !!

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Australian media slams 'lowest of the low' cricketers

SYDNEY: Australia's cricketers were on Tuesday damned by the press as the "lowest of the low" after a disastrous loss to New Zealand and branded a team in crisis ahead of a Test series against world number two India.

Michael Clarke's men handed the Black Caps their first victory on Australian soil in 26 years after a dramatic batting collapse in the second innings in Hobart, described as arguably their most embarrassing defeat in Test history.

"Lowest of the Low," read the headline in Sydney's Daily Telegraph over a photo of a crestfallen Australian number 11 Nathan Lyon, while the Sydney Morning Herald remarked on the once dominant team's loss of form.

"Once the kings of world cricket, Australia are no longer capable of putting away eighth-ranked New Zealand," the Herald said.

Commentators rubbished Australia's batsmen, who gave away a solid lead going into the fourth day to succumb to New Zealand with Clarke and Michael Hussey both out for nought and Ricky Ponting making just 16.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 13th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

'Aussie cricket crisis' declared after New Zealand defeat

Australia reacted with a wave of panic on Tuesday after falling to a first home Test defeat to New Zealand in more than a quarter of a century with a series against India just two weeks away. "Aussie cricket crisis", "Black Monday", the "Lowest of the Low", "The Flat Empire" were the
headlines adorning the back pages of the country's newspapers above pictures of celebrating New Zealand and forlorn Australian cricketers.

"Once the kings of world cricket, Australia are no longer capable of putting away eighth-ranked New Zealand and ... they are in disarray heading into the series against India," read the back page of Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

The thrilling drama of the conclusion to the Hobart Test, which New Zealand won by seven runs, was largely forgotten as critics lined up to take pot shots at the team.

Opener Phil Hughes, who was out in almost identical fashion in all four innings of the series against the Black Caps making just 41 runs, was the most pilloried but experienced batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were also lambasted for failures.

"The time has come for change," Richard Hinds wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Most pertinently, the time when a couple of much-loved veterans, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, could nominate their retirement dates has passed."

Former coach Bob Simpson led calls for the recall of Simon Katich, who controversially lost his central contract with Cricket Australia in June despite being one of his country's best Test performers over the previous three years.

The 36-year-old opener, however, told the Telegraph he thought his Test career was probably over.

"I pretty much know they've made their decision, there is nothing much else that has happened," said Katich, who was reprimanded last week for comments suggesting captain Michael Clarke had been behind the loss of his contract.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times, 13th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Shane Warne to spin in T20 despite burnt hand

Cricket legend Shane Warne said on Tuesday he was almost certain to make his comeback in Australia's revamped Twenty20 competition as planned, despite burning his hand badly while cooking. Sporting a heavily bandaged hand, the former Test champion gave himself a "95% chance" of playing in
the opening match for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League against the Sydney Thunder in Melbourne on Saturday night.

"It should be fine by Saturday," he told reporters.

Warne's kitchen accident left his bowling hand and fingers with blisters, including "a couple of awkward ones on the spinning fingers".

He brushed off suggestions he could wear bandages or a glove to stop the wounds ripping open during the match.

"Bowling legspin is all about feel so if I put a glove on I'm not sure I can tweak them down there that well," he said.

"I'm hoping I won't need that and I'll be ready to go."

The 42-year-old said while he hoped to take the field, he would not play unless his hand was healed enough for him to bowl properly.

"If I won't be able to bowl then I won't be playing -- that would let the team down," he said.

Warne apparently called an end to his stellar cricket career at the Indian Premier League (IPL) in May but recently confirmed he would play with the Melbourne Stars, saying he had never been fitter.

The cricketer said part of his desire to return for the Big Bash was so his three children could watch him, and agreed it was an "added bonus" that his British fiancee Liz Hurley would be there too.

Warne, who has not played Test cricket since helping Australia to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England in January 2007, had led the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL until this year.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times, 13th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

It's like I'm starting all over again, says Yuvraj Singh

MUMBAI: Yuvraj Singh celebrated his 30th birthday like he normally does, if he's not travelling with the Indian team: quietly, with his family and close friends in his home town. Yet, it was very different.

"Yes, it feels different, it's like a new life for me," he told TOI on Tuesday, a day after the muted celebrations. "It's almost like I am starting all over again," he said, unable to subdue the joy and excitement in his voice.

The year going by has truly been a roller-coaster for him: one moment, he found himself at the top of the ride; the very next he was at its lowest point. "I was living my biggest dream, winning the World Cup and taking the Man of the Tournament trophy too; and then I got to know that I had a tumour in my lung," he conceded.

At that point, he didn't know that it was non-malignant; at that point, he didn't know that he would be one of those lucky few who would go all the way to hell and come back too. "I just couldn't understand how life could serve me both at virtually the same time."

Yuvraj, though, doesn't believe in moping or even living in the past. "The New Year is round the corner. I am hoping it will bring fresh tidings. People around me are happy. I am happy," he said.

Explaining the trauma, he confirmed that he knew something was terribly wrong during the IPL. "I had started feeling breathless during the World Cup. I used to vomit every time I ate. When the problem continued even after that, I decided it was time to go for a checkup. "I was shocked beyond words when I first got to know.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 14th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Viru can do remarkable things, says Kirsten

JAIPUR: Gary Kirsten, the man who guided India to the World Cup triumph earlier this year, talks about India's prospects Down Under, coaching South Africa and how he will always cherish working with MS Dhoni. Excerpts from an interview...

It's been eight months since you left India. How's life as South Africa coach?

I've enjoyed the new challenge so far. I've also been able to see more of my family and with the recent birth of our third child, it has been good to be around.

Which is tougher, coaching South Africa or India?

I don't really look at it like that. To have had the opportunity to be involved with two international teams has been a privilege. While the dynamics are different, I've enjoyed both.

India will play Australia later this month. Given that you are held in such high regard by the present bunch of Indian players, what are your expectations from Dhoni's team?

They are playing really well at the moment with many players in form. India enjoy playing against Australia and have a good record against them. With Zaheer Khan fit again, it will help considerably. My guess is it will be a great Test series and another good advertisement for Test cricket.

Being stuck at 99 international centuries, will Sachin Tendulkar be under pressure?

It will be an awesome milestone for him to reach, but knowing Sachin he will be focused on helping India win a series in Australia.
Newspaper:Times Of India, 14th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

My faith in BCCI has been shaken: Sunil Gavaskar

NEW DELHI: Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday lashed out at the BCCI after his demand of $1 million (Rs 5 crore) per season for media and governing council related activities involving the IPL was turned down by the board's working committee.

"BCCI has made an U-turn on my contract. I am baffled that BCCI has refused to pay me my dues. I am shaken by the reports I have been reading," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar had claimed that he had been assured by former BCCI president Sharad Pawar and Arun Jaitley that the dues would be cleared.

"Sharad Pawar and Arun Jaitley both promised me that my dues will be cleared. Sharad Pawar and Lalit Modi had promised me Rs 4 crore IPL contract after I refused the initial offer," he said.

The issue came up for discussion in Monday's working committee meeting after Gavaskar wrote to BCCI.

"I had requested the BCCI president and he said all 'we needed was a confirmation from Mr Pawar. Pawar then spoke to (Arun) Jaitley who assured me it would come in the meeting."

Gavaskar said he was not worried about this controversy having any impact on his commentary stint.

"I don't see any conflict with contract. These are two completely different things. One is the broadcaster contract and the other is about commitment regarding IPL."

Asked to comment on Anil Kumble's resignation as NCA's chairman, Gavaskar said, "When someone of his (Anil's) credibility speaks about a programme then one should always discuss it properly. You may not agree with him 100 per cent but one should look at what he says.
Newspaper:Times Of India,14th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Test cricket needs to be protected, says Rahul Dravid at Bradman Oration

MUMBAI: If Rahul Dravid was a respected cricketer Down Under after his epic knock of 233 which helped India win a Test from a near hopeless position on the sun-kissed Adelaide Oval turf eight summers ago, he became a revered man on Wednesday.

And mind you, he is yet to pick up a bat in anger on the upcoming tour.

The first foreign player to deliver the prestigious Sir Don Bradman Oration, Dravid, with clever use of anecdotes, turn of phrase and humour, had the august gathering in the Australian capital spellbound as he addressed issues like corruption, excessive cricket and growing commercialism with refreshing frankness, at least for an Indian cricketer.

A quintessential romantic, when it comes to preserving the sanctity of the game, especially its longest and oldest format, Dravid pleaded heartrendingly with the custodians and the powers that be to give a serious thought to day-night Test cricket; he feels that could be one way of "putting bums on the seats in stadiums" while also calling for reducing the number of meaningless ODIs and being on guard against the T20 revolution that seems to be sweeping most countries.
Newspaper:Times Of India,15th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

PCB loses hope of bilateral India series

The PCB has lost hopes of a bilateral series with India early next year after getting a cold response from BCCI officials during the Asian Cricket Council meeting in Singapore this week. According to a report in the 'Jang', it is unlikely that India will host Pakistan for the scheduled
future tour program Test series in March-April next year.

The report said there were many hurdles in the way, including the organisation of the Asia Cup in Bangladesh, India's packed international schedule and the IPL, which is due to start from second week of April.
Newspaper:Hindustan Times,15th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Interpol offers to help BCCI fight corruption

NEW DELHI: In a year which saw three Pakistani cricketers being convicted in a court of law for spot-fixing - a first in the history of the game - Interpol has offered its services to the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to battle corruption, rampant betting and thwart the underworld's influence on the game.

According to sources, the proposal was made when Interpol secretary general Ronald K Noble met BCCI vice-president and Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Rajiv Shukla and CBI director AP Singh on Thursday.

The BCCI, it is learnt, has accepted the proposal from Interpol, the world's top organization facilitating global police cooperation.

Sources told TOI, "This is great news for cricket. With Interpol's help, tracing the cricket-related activities of the underworld will become easier for BCCI. The secretary general of Interpol met the IPL chairman and offered all help, which was accepted. The BCCI will be following in the footsteps of FIFA, which already has a landmark agreement in place with Interpol."

In May this year, FIFA agreed to provide $20 million to Interpol over a 10-year period in an effort to help tackle the menace of global betting and to keep an eye on the activities of match-fixing syndicates.

The BCCI might not be able to match those figures but sources said the police agency would be receiving a fee to keep an observant eye out for cricket from its Interpol Global Complex in Singapore, where the FIFA anti-corruption training wing is also based. The BCCI's budget, as yet, is undecided.

"It is important to uphold the integrity of the game and with the spotlight on Asian betting syndicates, working with Interpol is crucial," said the source.
Newspaper:Times Of India,16th Dec

 

[M@zh@R]

RE: Cricket In Daily Newspapers

Dhoni reveals he wept after India won the World Cup

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was so emotional after winning the World Cup early this year that he wept after the summit clash along with his teammates.

"After the final match was over, all the players cried. I also cried though there was no footage of that anywhere. It was very difficult to control emotions as we all were dreaming of winning the World Cup," Dhoni, who was on Friday named the CNN-IBN Sportsperson of the Year, said.

"I was crying and when I looked up, all the other players were forming a huddle around me. I ran to the dressing room and there I saw two players crying and running towards me," said Dhoni in a video recorded before leaving for Australia for India's Test series starting later this month.

Dhoni said it was great achievement for India to have won the World Cup as no host country has ever bagged the coveted trophy.

"It was a special achievement as no host country has ever won the World Cup before and we are winning it for the first time after 1983. Pressure was very high as all the Indian cricket fans want us to win the World Cup. And we knew that if the 15 players selected remained injury-free and played to our potential we would win the World Cup," he said.

Chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth praised Dhoni for his leadership skills.

"The biggest quality of Dhoni is that he remains positive and takes decisions on the field. Those are qualities of a great captain. The important thing is that he keeps things simple and not complicated," said Srikkanth, who announced Dhoni's name for the award.
Newspaper:Times Of India,17th Dec