Rixon appointed Aussie fielding coach

Former Australia wicketkeeper Steve Rixon has been selected as the national team's new fielding coach.

Rixon, who played Test and one-day cricket for Australia throughout the 1970s and 1980s, will join the team on the upcoming tours of Sri Lanka and South Africa.

"I am excited with this appointment and look forward to working with the Australian team over the next two tours," said Rixon.

"Fielding skills play such a important role in the modern game and often proves the difference between winning and losing.

"I feel my information firstly as a player and more significantly a successful coach across the world can help many of these young Australian players, jointly with the outstanding group of assistant [Australia coach] Tim Nielsen has at his disposal."

Rixon made his Test first appearance against India at the Gabba in 1977 and played 13 Tests and six One-day internationals for Australia as wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman.

Cricket Australia acting chief executive Michael Brown added: "We are very excited Steve is joining our staff as a field coach.

"His practice as a player and unbeaten coach at both domestic and international level will be invaluable for our group as we prepare for hard tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa in the next six months."

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ICC CEC make key recommendation

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) conference in Hong Kong has announced vital changes in the way the game is being conduct. Here are the key recommendations.

Decision Review System

The CEC today generally recommended universal standards for the usage of technology in decision-making (Decision Review System) in all Test matches and One-Day Internationals subject to accessibility and commercial considerations. The agreed principles will include infra-red cameras and audio-tracking devices.

The CEC also agreed that further self-governing and specialist research will be carried out into ball-tracking technology and its correctness and dependability. The continued use of ball-tracking technology as a decision-making aid will depend on two-sided agreement between the participating Members.

CEC, which also approved the Cricket Committee’s recommendation to decrease the number of ineffective reviews in ODIs from two to one, believed that this was a step forward as the game embraces the main beliefs of technology.

Format of ODI Cricket

CEC granted with the ICC Cricket Committee’s recommendation for the further improvement of international 50-over cricket with the restriction of the elective power plays to between the 16th and 40th over’s of each innings and also to the use of two new balls per innings – one from each end. This will come into effect from 1 October.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “Even though the achievement of 50-over cricket played during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was generally acknowledged, the CEC rightly support the enhancements recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further, including hopeful Members to trial some specific innovation in their domestic cricket.”

These innovation include a review of the maximum number of overs that a bowler can bowl; an increase from one to two for the number of short balls permitted per over; no compulsory condition for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

Runners

CEC approved with the Cricket Committee’s recommendation to eliminate runners in international cricket.

Over-rates

The CEC, like the ICC Cricket Committee, was anxious at the slow over-rates in Test match cricket and settled on stricter sanctions against captains for over-rate breaches. A captain will now be balanced for two over-rate breaches in a 12-month period in any one format of the game rather than the current position which is three breaches prior to delay.

Other ICC Cricket Committee recommendations including the sustained research into the use of different color balls to facilitate day/night Test matches and the directive that batsmen can be given out for obstruct the field if they change their way when running between the wickets to block a run-out chance, were also approved.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2015

The CEC recommended that there should be a qualification process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 but did not make a reference to the ICC Executive Board on the number of teams that should struggle in the event to be held in Australia and New Zealand.

Reliance ICC Rankings

CEC gave its common support to the present Reliance ICC Rankings system following an appearance by statistician David Kendix, who devise and operate the system for the ICC.

Mr Lorgat said: “There was accord and a great deal of approval that we have a robust and dependable rankings system that presents a true reflection of the quality and standing of the performances of international teams and that this system will be used for necessity and/or promotion and demotion purposes.

“It was also noted that the system is recognized by players, officials and supporters who are flattering more familiar and referring to the Reliance ICC Rankings to gauge their teams’ progress.”

Context and Content for International Cricket

CEC approved and suggested the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2012-2020 to the ICC Executive Board for acceptance.

The ICC Executive Board will get together in Hong Kong on 28 and 29 June 2011.

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Gambhir advise 4-6 weeks' relax over shoulder injury

Gautam Gambhir could miss the limited-overs leg of India's tour of the West Indies next month following the stress of a shoulder injury that was continued during the World Cup final. Gambhir, named India's captain for that part of the tour, has been advise four to six weeks' rest by Andrew Leipus, the Kolkata Knight Riders trainer, and could even miss the following tour of England.

If it comes to pass, Gambhir's nonappearance will leave India without their three best expert openers - Virender Sehwag has freshly undergone shoulder surgery and Sachin Tendulkar has been rested for the short-format games. It will also fuel the discuss over the significance given to the IPL vis-a-vis international cricket, and - given that Sehwag also played throughout the IPL with his injury - raise questions over the liability of the BCCI, the IPL franchises and the players.

Gambhir played the IPL Eliminator on Wednesday, the same day Leipus wrote to the BCCI. However, Kolkata's loss to Mumbai Indians has saved Gambhir and the franchise from have to decide on his further contribution in the tournament.

In his letter, address to BCCI secretary N Srinivasan, Leipus - a former India physio - said the player felt sharp pain in his right carry while landing on it in the field at one point during the World Cup final next to Sri Lanka at the Wankhede stadium on April 2. Subsequent scans have now exposed a serious injury that would require him to avoid throwing or batting for four to six weeks.

"Gautam indoors in Kolkata at the start of the IPL complaining of a 'sore shoulder', the onset of which occur during the World Cup final," Leipus' letter said. "He clearly recollects a fielding incident where he landed on an outspread arm and felt a catch deep in the shoulder. In the elation at the time, his attention was deservedly elsewhere and he didn't bother telling anyone about it."

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Andre Botha announce retirement

Ireland Andre Botha has announced his international retirement.

The 35-year-old, who appears in the past two World Cups and made 141 appearance for his country, called time after stressed with damage in recent seasons.

"I have specified this matter serious and long thought, but eventually have come to the end that the time is right now," said Botha, who was controlled to just two games at the recent World Cup because of wound.

"I can declare you it's a substance I haven't taken frivolously, but sometimes your body makes up your mind for you." Botha has been a key figure in Ireland's new appearance on the world phase and took two for five in their significant victory over Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup.

In all he made 42 one-day international appearance, claiming 42 wickets at 27 while also averaging 19.58 with the bat. "Andre has been an essential part of this Irish team's success since his first appearance way back in 2001," Coach Phil Simmons said.

"He will be deeply missed, not only for his smartly disguised slower balls or his trademark square cuts, but for his total devotion to the cause and the team. "His courage ongoing to stand for Ireland with the dissimilar injury he's endure over the last pair of years has been unbelievable, and shows just what a big heart he has."

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Ireland buoy by ICC decision

Cricket Ireland has welcome ICC President Sharad Pawar's judgment to reopen argue about the structure of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.

After their inspirational efforts in the sub-continent this year, Ireland were apparent as the main victim of the ICC decision-making board's ruling that the rivalry would be reduced from 14 teams to 10 in four years' time - with only full member nation invited to take part.

Opposition to that decision emerge straight away, with legislative body from the likes of Ireland, Holland, Canada and Kenya joined by cricket fans from across the globe in curious plans to give out with any World Cup qualification until 2019.

Having made their protest to Pawar over the weekend, as well as submit a full document arguing their case, the non-Test playing nations have been buoy by news that the president has request the ICC decision-making board think again their plans for the competition.

Cricket Ireland chief managerial Warren Deutrom, who has been central to discussions, is pleased by the development but remains conscious that the ICC officials charged with making the decision are the same as last time.

"It is hopeful that the president has reopened this issue but there is still a way to go. This is a positive step but we're careful about it because it is the same 10 people having the same debate about the same issue," he told Press Association Sport.

"We (the 95 associate and associate members) have asked to assist in that process and request for our elected council to meet the ICC president and/or the vice-president to put our case, so that they can see the power of our resolve on this matter.

"There is a long way to go and it is down to how much impetus can be kept up, either through the media or throughout the public, who have been strong and common in their views."

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