Kochi Tuskers Kerala players to be re-auctioned?

With the IPL governing council meeting scheduled for next month, there might be some ray of hope for the players allied with the sacked IPL franchise, Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

According to the media reports, Kochi players can be put on auction once again and the IPL governing council is deliberating various ideas to allow the other franchises to spend some extra bucks on them in the IPL-5 auctions.

The players are yet to receive a small part of their payments from the terminated Kerala franchise.

However, its learned that the BCCI is likely to provide the players with an opportunity to earn their price in the next IPL auctions.

The likes of Mahela Jayawardene, VVS Laxman, Muttiah Muralitharan, Sreesanth, RP Singh, Brendon McCullum and Parthiv Patel could all now be free to sign for one of the remaining nine IPL sides after representing Kochi last season.

Earlier this year, the BCCI confirmed that Kochi Tuskers have had their Indian Premier League license revoked.

The Kerala-based franchise was one of two new sides added to the competition for the 2011 season alongside Pune Warriors and was sold to a consortium called Rendezvous Sports World in an auction for US$ 333.33million.

Both Kochi and Pune had appealed for their initial bids to be reduced after the originally scheduled 18 matches per season was lowered to 14 for each side, but their case was rejected.

Reports suggested that Kochi's current problems are related to defaults on their payments, but while BCCI president N Srinivasan confirmed they would no longer be part of the lucrative Twenty20 league he did not expand on the reasons.

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Andy Flower named Best coach of the year

England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier has praised the work of England team director Andy Flower after he claimed two awards last night at the 2011 UK Coaching Awards.

Flower won the prize of UK Coach of the Year and High Performance Coach of the Year at a ceremony in London, having led England to their first Ashes triumph in Australia since the winter of 1986-87 at the start of this year and then taking the team to number one spot in the world Test rankings with a 4-0 whitewash of India.

Collier said: "Andy has been an outstanding coach to the England cricket team and I am delighted that his dedication, knowledge and all-round leadership skills have been recognised within the wider sporting world.

"The last 12 months have been momentous ones for the England cricket team and this is in no small part due to Andy's personal drive and determination to bring the best out of his players and ensure that our preparation and performance are second to none."

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Virender Sehwag pin hope on Ravichandran Ashwin

Virender Sehwag has hope that Ravichandran Ashwin, India's best cricketer in the Test series next to the West Indies, will carry on to present well and get more awards in future.

The BCCI had announced Ashwin's name for Dilip Sardesai Award after his series winning presentation next to the Windies.

Appreciating the Indian Cricket Board's choice to award Ashwin with Rs 5 lakh prize money, India's stand-in-skipper Sehwag said Ashwin was going in the right direction.

"It's truly good for him. I am truly happy for Ashwin because he has performed really well. It's good that his presentation is respected by the BCCI," said Sehwag.

"May he get more awards in future? When you get award from the government that's the biggest achievement. Getting a national award like Arjuna or Padma awards is the biggest achievement for a sportsperson.

"I hope in coming years he performs well. I am sure that Ashwin will get those also," he added.


Ashwin picked 22 wickets in his debut Test series, as well scoring a century in three matches against the West Indies and picked up two men of the match awards en route to being adjudge the player of the series.

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Ricky Ponting: Overhaul 10 years past due

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has back Cricket Australia's new renovate process saying "it was past due for last ten years".

Under force to hold his place in Australia's batting order, 36-year old Ponting said cricket was taking a more qualified track under the new regime led by chairman selectors John Inveracity and existing head coach Mickey Arthur.

Cricket Australia has announce series of sweeping changes in which turning round policy and selection process have come under huge scrutiny.

"I think it's great. I think it's the way the game should have gone a long, long time ago," Ponting told journalists.

"I think the way things have twisted out at the instant is what (former coach) John Buchanan was asking for 10 years ago."

"It's a much more professional move toward. "We've got quality people in and approximately the team and I think, even already now, we're starting to see just a somewhat different feel and a few different results as a result of that," he said.
"I think Australian cricket is absolutely on the right track."

Ponting also backed skipper Michael Clarke's comprehensive role in team selection and the new policy is bound to take Australian cricket to the top spot from the fourth position.

Ponting's thumbs up to the new CA policy comes after the former coach Geoff Lawson sharp criticism of the turning round policy in team selection.

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Oz director intersted to take cricket movie on India, Pakistan, Australia

 The world has suffer from fewer films being made on cricket, Australian film great Phil Noyce says, adding that he`s keen to make an India-Pakistan-Australia co-produced cricket film, if the money permit.

Noyce, who has been honored with a display at the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), was speaking to journalists Sunday at the festival venue.

"We need to make more movies on cricket. The world suffers from fewer films on cricket. The shine of the ball, the texture of the pitch, the swing, the strokes, all need to be captured in films," Noyce said.

Noyce, a self admitted cricket buff, said that the need of the times of a cricket movie featuring India, Australia and Pakistan, all three of which have global petition and are noted for intra-team competition.

"We must make a cricket film with co-production between India Pakistan and Australia," he said.

Noyce, along with French filmmaker Luc Besson, is being honored with a showing section devoted towards their films at IFFI.

A garland of films - "The Quiet American", "Clear and Present Danger", "Dead Calm", "Newsfront" and "Back Roads" - froms the part of Noyce`s demonstration being shown here.

He also wielded the megaphone for popular films like Angelina Jolie starring "Salt" (2010), "The Bone Collector" (1999) and Val Kilmer starring "The Saint" (1997).

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India can draw cheerfulness from the series

In the past, a player's seriousness was measured by his performance adjacent to the powerful Caribbean teams. A lot has distorted in the cricketing hierarchy over the last two decades and yet India can draw huge cheer from its 2-0 victory next to Darren Sammy's men in the three-Test series that finished with a exciting draw in the final match at the Wankhede Stadium here on Saturday.

The West Indies may no longer be the force it once was but during the series, the visitors show glimpses of talent and trust that tested the Indians and for M.S. Dhoni and the selectors, the visible gain are R. Ashwin's appearance, Pragyan Ojha's progress, Virat Kohli's recovery and the promise seen in men like Umesh Yadav.

Ashwin grab the opening and during these memorable three weeks, his life changed radically.

He set up victory at Delhi, flew to Chennai to shed his bachelor tag, re-connected with the squad at Kolkata, played his part in another success and notched a high here while bag five wickets in the first innings and scoring a 103 that helped India avoid the follow-on.

His bowling skills and batting calm were again visible during the second innings and the off-spinner with 22 wickets and 121 runs from his first appearance Test series has made the perfect start in cricket's most-demanding format.

Ashwin's spin-partner Pragyan Ojha, with a tally of 20 wickets, has learnt a lot over the last few months. A short period with Surrey bred belief within him and the left-arm spinner has worked on his expertise while sticking to his core strengths of a good line and length. Ojha is a spirited customer and his inborn violent behavior is a trait that he shares with Ashwin. The spin-duo may have walked away with the bowling honors and provisionally closed the door on Harbhajan Singh but the seamers led by Ishant Sharma, have played their parts. Umesh Yadav (nine wickets) and Varun Aaron showed that the probable seen in them is a reality, which should be nurtured.

The bowlers have sparkle while India despite its highly praised batting rare breed needed to find fresh batsmen with fiery hearts and steady willows. In the imminent Australian sojourn, the clapping that will trail Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman right from the time they step out to bat in the first Test at Melbourne, will reiterate respect and also reflect the plain fact of them being in their dusk zone.

The trio batted well in the series but there will come a time when they will bow out and it is very important for the junior crop to grab the imperfect chances now. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina failed in that endeavor and the focus has shift to Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

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McCullum streak to ton in warm-up

New Zealand opener Brendon McCullum has marked to a century next to Australia A in a warm up match of their Australian tour in Brisbane.

McCullum cut a four throughout point to the boundary to bring up his triple figures innings, smash 15 fours and five sixes off 85 balls on the opening day of the 4 day match.

The visitors raced to 106 runs without loss by lunch and were cruise after the interval before the opening partnership of Brendan Guptill (43) and McCullum was broken in the 29th over.

Guptill look to be on his way to the half-century mark after beating a patient 43 runs innings off 89 balls but an attempt cut shot fell short to Nic Maddinson at gully.

The Black Caps sit at 164/1 with Kane Williamson (3 runs) joining McCullum at the crease.

New Zealand team:

Ross Taylor (c) - Central Stags
Trent Boult - Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell - Central Stags
Dean Brownlie - Canterbury Wizards
Martin Guptill - Auckland Aces
Chris Martin - Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum - Otago Volts
Jesse Ryder - Wellington Firebirds
Tim Southee - Northern Knights
Kane Williamson - Northern Knights
Reece Young - Canterbury Wizards

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Subramaniam Badrinath eyes No.6 spot in India's Test squad

While there are quite a few in the race to grasp the No. 6 spot in India's Test squad, Tamil Nadu's middle-order basis Subramaniam Badrinath, on Wednesday, claim that he was the best bet for that position.

"I have been to come in the sidelines. Honestly, there is just one spot left (in the middle-order). To be truthful, I do not want to be that one guy who is only in the squad and not playing. I want to play in the eleven and that is my biggest inspiration," Badrinath said.

"I have been in the national team for a while but didn't get a chance to play. In the back of my mind I know I haven't actually lost. Maybe the spots would open up soon and I sense I am the best guy to do the job," insist the 31-year-old, who has played two Tests and seven ODIs.

Stating that Michael Hussey, who made his international debut at the age of almost 30, is his "idol", Badrinath said, "I have spoken to him quite a lot concerning this (the age). I am backing my fitness, which has forever been my strength.

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'When we compete we've exposed we are on par with India'

West Indies cricket is on a downslide for a couple of decades now, and the Caribbean’s' winning something now comes crosswise as a surprise more often than not.

For the record, the West Indies have won just five Test matches in the last five years!

Not much was, therefore, probable from them when they landed in India for the three-Test series. Two matches later, they have expectedly lost the Test series and are staring at a first whitewash next to India in their history.

To his credit though, Darren Sammy was still able to find positives. The wry smile on his face is still whole even as he believes that the West Indies team is going forward contrary to what many would like to believe.

Asked what his first Test series as captain in the subcontinent has taught him, Sammy was categorical.

"I've been asked this question right from the time I stepped in India. I think it's my mental toughness," he said, before proceeding to elaborate his point.

"I'm leading a side that nobody expects to go out there and do well," he explained, adding, "Therefore, I was quite happy that while batting at Eden we scored the highest second-innings total by a West Indian team (463) following on.

"To get 400-plus in the second innings is good to see."

The captain was equally categorical about what his team lacks.

"We just have to be more consistent, especially with the bat," admitted Sammy.
"If we bat well in one innings, we don't do so in the second," he added, referring to the two innings of the second Test in Kolkata .

Sammy also went a step ahead and offered a solution, which he believes can ensure better results for the West Indies.

"Throughout the series, when we competed we've shown we are on par with India," he explained, adding, "I'd like to see a scenario where (Darren) Bravo, (Kirk) Edwards, (Devendra) Bishoo and (Kemar) Roach come good for us and be consistent.

"I'm looking forward to be part of that consistency."

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Pakistan pace man Wahab dropped for Bangladesh tour

Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz has been unnoticed for the squad touring Bangladesh after his name was mention in the spot-fixing trial in London at the start of November.

Chief selector Mohammad Illyas said Wahab had been drop for the tour after consultations between the selectors and team management.

"We have picked the best probable team," Illyas told a news meeting in Lahore on Monday.

Wahab was part of the teams that played a test series next to Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates last month but was then drop for the one-day series and sent home soon after his name was mention in the trial.

During the trial, an in secret reporter told the jury that Pakistani player agent Mazhar Majeed had told him he had several cricketers working for him and mention the names of Wahab and not needed wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

At the Southwark Crown Court on Nov. 1, Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were handed jail terms ranging from six to 30 months for taking bribe to fix parts of a test match during Pakistan's tour to England last year.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was disinclined to comment on Wahab's keeping out but sources within the body long-established to Reuters that the bowler was sideline because his name was mention during the trial.

"The PCB has determined not to select any players whose names were linked to the spot-fixing trial," one source, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Wahab's keeping out is a blow to the team after a string of good performances in domestic and international cricket since making his test first appearance at the Oval last year.

His exclusion forced selectors to make one change to the test squad that hit Sri Lanka, replacing Wahab with young pace man Mohammad Talha.

The selectors have retained the same one-day squad participates in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka in the Gulf.

"Bangladesh is always a formidable side at home and we didn't want to take risks. As it is the team is on a winning impetus and we want that to continue," Illyas added.

Pakistan will play two tests, three one-dayers and a Twenty20 international in Bangladesh from Nov. 26.

Test squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Taufiq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul.

One-day international squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Imran Farhat, Umar Akmal,, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Junaid Khan, Aizaz Cheema, Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul.

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India dropped Yuvraj Singh for final test against Windies series

Yuvraj Singh's test career stammers again on Thursday when the left-hander, a usual match-winner in one-day cricket, was drop from the Indian team for the third and final test next to West Indies.

The 24-year-old right-hander Rohit Sharma will return Yuvraj in the Mumbai test starting on Nov. 22, Indian cricket board (BCCI) secretary Sanjay Jagdale said in a statement.

India clinches the three-test series by winning in Delhi and Kolkata. Yuvraj, who turns 30, next month, wasted the probability he got in the series with innings of 23, 18 and 25 next to West Indies.

One of the cleanest strikers of the ball and an lively fielder whose left-arm spin is more than handy in the 50 and 20-over formats, Yuvraj has struggle to strengthen his place in the test side in more than a decade of international cricket.

Active in India's 20 and 50-over World Cup victory in 2007 and 2011, Yuvraj has played 37 tests but never been a repeated choice in five-day cricket.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni sympathized with the left-hander before the team for the third test was announced.

"Yes, he is going throughout a hard phase but it's important to show self-confidence in him," Dhoni said after India beat West Indies by an innings and 15 runs in the second test at Eden Gardens.

"We all know he is brilliant. He has played really well next to all the big bowlers, particularly in the ODI format which means he has talent to do well in test format as well.

"One more reason is that he has been in and out of the side. It's very hard to back yourself. You have that bit of nervousness. It's a bit hard on him. But optimistically he will recover and do well for India," Dhoni added.

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rahul Sharma, Varun Aaron.

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India unsighted cricket team arrive in Lahore

The Indian sightless cricket team at home in Lahore yesterday in front of their three-match T20 series against Pakistan, which starts here today.

India captain Shekhar Naik said that holding the series indicate relations between the two countries were improving. “It’s actually nice to tour Pakistan,” Naik told reporters. “I hope this will help get better relations between the two countries.”

Naik added that his team was using the series to get ready for the upcoming World Cup.

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Nafees Ahmad said the team stands a good possibility of winning the series. “Our team is ready and we have a good chance to win,” he said.

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Cricket: India hush-up series with innings triumph

Pragyan Ojha dismiss Darren Bravo after lunch to activate a West Indies fall down as India claim an innings and 15-run victory in the second test today to take a important 2-0 lead in the three game series.

India dismisses the West Indies for 463 in its second innings eight minutes before tea on the fourth day after the visitors resume the day at 195-3.

India, which had a huge 478-run first innings lead, faced stiff struggle from Bravo (136) and Marlon Samuels (84), before spinners Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin took two vital wickets each to regain control.

It was then left to pace bowler Umesh Yadav to help remove the tail and finish with figures of 4-80.

The West Indies batting lineup showed a new power in its second innings as its free caress play changed the tempo of the game even although it was always destined to lose after being dismiss for only 153 in the first innings.

The West Indies was cruise at 401-4 at one stage before Ojha, Ashwin and Yadav claim a pair of wickets each to choose up the last six for just 62 runs.

"It was a extended fielding session after we got them out happily in the first innings," India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said. "We saw that the track was getting compliment and there was not anything in it for the bowlers.

"I think the first innings was ideal. After that it was a tolerance game. I thought Bravo batted very well."

Bravo was the pick of the batsman and his violence seem to rub on to others. After making 195 against Bangladesh at Mirpur last month, Bravo brings up his second test century in 12 matches.

The 22-year-old left-hander conquered the bowling and reached his century with a four, celebrating by taking off his helmet, pumping his fist in the air and waves his bat on the way to the dressing room.

Bravo earlier survive a chance on 54 when Gautam Gambhir's throw from mid-off went wide of wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni with the batsman approximately at the other end.

Then on 119, he was given not out when replays show a clear bat-pad catch taken by Gambhir at short-leg off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

His fifth-wicket partnership with Samuels made the Indian bowling look walker as they plunder 132 runs off 158 deliveries before Bravo was out caught to a low catch by Rahul Dravid at slip off left-arm spinner Ojha.

Dravid also took a fine one-handed catch to his right off Ojha to release Carlton Baugh for 3, before offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin attentive Samuels’s lbw in the next over to end West Indies' hopes of prolong actions.

Captain Darren Sammy made a stylish 32 off 37 balls with one four and three sixes, but the end was always predictable.

"I'd like to praise the guys at the way they batted in the second innings," Sammy said. "If we put two innings jointly we can pose a challenge to other teams. India showed us how to bat on this track, it called for request. Bravo batted superbly."

Earlier, Chanderpaul, seen as the visiting side's best hope of putting up a resistance, was dismissed when he seemed to be settled in for another big innings.

Chanderpaul hit six fours off 94 balls before he was dismissed by Yadav with the second new ball. Chanderpaul, resume on 21, played-on a release around the off stump much to the joy of the few thousand audience at the stadium.

The final test will be held in Mumbai from Tuesday.

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Australia's West Indies tour confirmed in next year

West Indies Cricket has long-established details of Australia's tour of the Caribbean next year.

Australia will play five one-day matches, two Twenty20s and three Tests during the six-week tour.

The Test series, which decide the Frank Worrell Trophy, starts on April 7 in Barbados with follow-up matches in Trinidad (April 15 to 19) and Guyana (April 23 to 27).

It continues a heavy workload for the Australians, who begin in August with the tour of Sri Lanka.

Australia will play 14 Tests, eight T20 matches and up to 31 one-day games during an approximately incessant nine-month period.

The Windies have not won a Test series next to Australia since triumph 2-1 Down Under during 1992/93.

Their last Test victory next to the Australians was at St John's in 2003.

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India on top as West Indies looks to delay predictable

A dominant India put themselves on course for a series-clinching victory even as West Indies fought resolutely in their second innings to delay the inevitable after conceding a huge 478-run lead in the second cricket Test here today.

West Indies were 195 for three at stumps on day three, still 283 runs behind, after India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni enforced the follow-on after bowling the visitors out for a paltry 153 runs in their first innings.

India had amassed a mammoth 631 for seven declared in their first essay, and then rode on Pragyan Ojha's four-wicket haul to take a massive lead.

But the West Indies then launched a spirited fightback riding on half centuries from opener Adrian Barath (62) and Kirk Edwards (60).

Darren Bravo (38, 84b, 1x4, 3x6) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (21, 40b, 3x4) were the two unbeaten batsmen at the crease at the close of play on an eventful third day.

The penultimate day's proceedings will once again begin 30 minutes earlier (8.30am) to make up for the lost time because of poor light on day two.

The visitors had two contrasting batting displays today. First, they batted like school kids to concede a huge lead, their biggest first-innings deficit since 1930 when they fell behind England by 563 runs, but in the second essay they frustrated the Indians with a dogged approach.

India still have a slim chance of bettering their biggest victory of innings and 239 runs, achieved against Bangladesh in Dhaka (2007). India's biggest margin of win over West Indies is by innings and 112 runs in Mumbai in 2002.

Resuming at 34 for two, West Indies batted poorly in the morning session to straightway hand over the advantage to the Indians.

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Bangladesh prepared to tour Pakistan if ICC clear protection

Bangladesh can tour Pakistan in April next year but they need security authorization from the game’s governing body, a top official from Bangladesh Cricket Board told AFP on Wednesday.

International cricket has been balanced in Pakistan since March 2009 after an attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore which left eight people dead and seven visiting players and their assistant coach wounded.

Sri Lanka turned down an invitation to tour Pakistan in May this year following attacks on a military base in Karachi, forcing their hosts to shift the ongoing series to a neutral venue in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday said he was doing his level best to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and has invited Bangladesh to tour the country.

Mustafa Kamal, president of the BCB, told AFP his country can tour provided the International Cricket Council (ICC) clears security in Pakistan.

“I met Ashraf who is keen to bring cricket back to Pakistan and for that he has invited us also and we have an obligation to tour them but for that we need the ICC’s clearance on security,” Kamal said.

Under the ICC Future Tours Programme Bangladesh is due to tour Pakistan in April 2012. Kamal said he has also discussed the prospect of the tour with ICC officials.

“I am also discussing the issue with the ICC officials and since they have to send umpires and other officials for the series they are also reviewing the situation and we will also continue to discuss the matter with Pakistan,” said Kamal.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat on Monday said Pakistan will be supported in their efforts to bring back international cricket to the country.

Kamal said the negotiations will continue with Pakistani officials who are due to tour Bangladesh soon.

“Since the Pakistan team is also touring us we have invited their officials to come and discuss the matter further,” said Kamal of the tour during which Pakistan play a Twenty20, three one-day and two Tests.

The tour starts with a Twenty20 on November 29.

Kamal said he felt for Pakistani fans who have been deprived of international cricket.

“I started (career) from Pakistan,” said Kamal of the times when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan before gaining independence in 1971.

“I know they are cricket loving people and at some point in time, someone has to tour them to give them international cricket.”

Kamal said Bangladesh was also open to send Under-19 and ‘A’ teams to Pakistan.
Bangladesh and Pakistan were also due to nominate a joint candidate for the ICC vice presidency and Kamal hoped a final name will come up in the next two weeks.

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Graeme Smith rue Test championship conclusion

South African captain Graeme Smith thought on Wednesday he was dissatisfied that the International Cricket Council had determined not to bring in a world Test championship before 2017.

"It's a bit unsatisfactory," said Smith. "I personally felt it wasn't the right decision for cricket."

ICC chief administrative Haroon Lorgat announces on Monday that the foreword of a championship had been pressed out from 2013 because of commitment to broadcaster and sponsors.

"Obviously the ICC contains their reasons but five years is a attractive long time," said Smith.

"You can skip a making in five years. As cricketers you want the ICC to make the best decisions in the interests of the game and I'm not sure that that's happen now."

Smith said his players were focus on performing well in the second and final Test against Australia, starting at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.

South Africa are 1-0 up subsequent an eight-wicket win in the first Test in Cape Town last week but Smith said the players were not taking anything for granted.

"It's our second Test match in seven or eight months and we're really aggravated to perform. We have a lot of admiration for Australia and we're definitely not going to take our foot off the gas. We want to earn the right to win the series."

Smith said he expected Australia to bounce back after being bowled out for 47 in the second innings at Newlands.

"They've got sufficient players with sufficient knowledge to have deal with things like this and put it at the back them.

"They know it's a fresh start. But if we can put them under force again maybe the amount of stress they've been under this week can come out."

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'Only talent can't put aside WI cricket'

Brian Lara feel if not the Caribbean cricket infrastructure is better just talent can't pull the side out of the slump.

"(We) still a very long way to go. I would not have been astonished if we won this game because I know what we are able of - sporadic, good sporadic performance - one here, one next year, but in terms of steadiness, Trinidad, West Indies lack that, and that is not something that you recover overnight," he told the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

"I think our infrastructure is terrible managerially, we have got it wrong on many occasions."

Lara, who scored 11,953 runs in 131 Tests before reserved after the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, said West Indies need to plug the administrative loophole first and then think of humanizing in a decade's time.

"Our player-board relationship - that has gone wrong for many years, gone sour and we need to get better these things, fix it, set a base, get the infrastructure in and then think about five, 10 years down the line.

"So it might be a miserable outlook, but if we keep just trying to put a splash on every sore that we have, it's not going to work. So, I hope one day somebody's going to take it up and really get things going."

West Indies had taken a 95-run first innings lead against India in the opening Test in Delhi but were then bundle out for 180 in their second essay as India fight back to win the Test.

"As I said, on any given day, I think we've got the best gifted cricketers in the world," said Lara.

"It's always been the case over the years, since even before my days ... cricket has gone a long way now. Talent is only a very small part compared to 20, 30 years ago, when it was a major part - your physical fitness, your talent - that played a bigger role.

Lara said Trinidad and Tobago had mismanage the talent.

"Now (with) technology, there is a lot of things coming into play and I say it all the time - we in the West Indies take very good talent and make it average and people (in places) like Australia and England and India take average talent and make it very, very good, and that is where the problem lies," he said.

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Cricket-India win toss and choose to bat in second test

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opt to bat first in the second test next to West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday.

West Indies bring in paceman Kemar Roach for Ravi Rampaul, who has been admitting in a hospital with a distress stomach, while opener Adrian Barath replaces Kieran Powell.

India retains the same side than won the first test in Delhi to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Teams:

India: Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Yuvraj Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav.


West Indies: Adrian Barath, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kirk Edwards, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Carlton Baugh, Darren Sammy, Kemar Roach, Fidel Edwards, Devendra Bishoo.

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Langer admit Aussie cricket at low position

Former Test star and existing supporter coach Justin Langer admits Australian cricket, in many compliments, has reach rock bottom.

The team's batting counselor has struggle to sleep since the disgrace of considering Australia bowled out for 47 in the loss to South Africa in the first Test at Cape Town.

An exceptional opening batsman throughout the golden era of Australian cricket in the 1990s and 2000s, Langer said there were a number of factors which contribute to their lowest total in 109 years.

Langer decided that the occurrence of Twenty20 and one-day cricket was having a potentially negative crash on the younger generation of players at Test level.

The 40-year-old, who is in the running to be Australia's new head coach, said poor shot selection, an incapability to read the circumstances of the game and possible satisfaction after bowling out the Protease for 96 in the first innings and assuming a 188-run lead, were all partly to blame for the shambles which has brought the team to its knees.

Amid calls for mass selection changes, Langer said it is the largest challenge he has seen Australian cricket face.

"When I made my entrance in 1993 I came into a team of very senior players. Allan Border was the captain, Mark Taylor, the Waugh brothers - a very senior team. From '89 to now we haven't been in a situation like this," Langer said.

"Sport is cyclical, there's no uncertainty about that. Fortunately our cycle went a lot longer than usual.

"The actuality is, we've seen over the past 12 months or a little bit longer, that our cycle has ... I don't know if we've reach the bottom of it yet but I haven't seen it (this low) in my career."

Australia held a not obligatory training session at Newlands on Saturday, but only a handful of squad members participated.

Langer said the low turnout was not an issue because some players need to "freshen up".
The team had an honesty session instantly after the match ended, not even halfway through day three, and vowed to close the book on the debacle and move on as they get ready to square the series in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Langer was sure Australia could turn its fortunes around but admit there were a number of issues that wanted to be addressed.

"I've lost a group of sleep over it. In the past, really good teams would have consideration we're going to do whatever it takes to absolutely bury them," he said.
"Maybe we got a bit relaxed.

"There's game wakefulness. You have to adjust. There are times where, if you played the first morning of a Sydney Test, Steve Waugh would say to Matthew Hayden and myself, 'I'm going to win the toss and bat here. I know it's going to be hard but you're going to have to adjust your game.'

"I'm hearing all the clichés come out, flat-track bullies and you can make it when it's easy.

"We'll cop that on the chin. We have to get better at adjust to circumstances.
"There's absolutely something to that (T20 affecting batting). It's something we've got to be very aware of.

"You can't ever take away that positive intention but you've got to make better shot selection."

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South Africa Stuns OZ in day 2 of First test

Australia were bowled out for 47 in the second innings of the first test against South Africa at Cape Town. At one point they were 21 for 9 and their last pair helped them avoid the lowest ever test score. 23 wickets fell on the enthralling second day of the first test match.

Debutant Vernon Philander had a wonderful day with a 5 wicket haul. Aussies second innings was over in just 18 overs and last man Nathan Lyon was the top scorer with 14.

Earlier the baggie green started the day with spectacular 150 for skipper Clark and were bowled out for 284 in the first innings.

Shane Watson failed with bat, but he was the chief architect with a ball. Watson picked 5 wickets and bowled out the Proteas for mere 96 in their first innings. Pacer Ryan Harris picked up 4 wickets.

South Africa are edging closer to victory chasing a target of 236, Smith’s men were 81 for the loss on one wicket at the end of day two.  Jacques Rudolph was out for 14 runs. Smith and Amla are the crease.

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India strike West Indies by 5 wickets to lead series 1-0

India hit West Indies by five wickets in the first test to take a 1-0 go ahead in the three-match series on Wednesday.

Sachin Tendulkar cut down short of his 100th international ton but his luminous 76 helped India beat West Indies by five wickets in the first test on Wednesday.

Tendulkar, who reach 15,000 test runs on Tuesday, together his 62nd test half-century as India chase down the 276-run victory aim just after the lunch smash with the loss of five wickets.

India’s run-chase had a solid basis lay by Virender Sehwag’s fifty on day three, and Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman faced every confront posed by the WIndies on Wednesday; however, it was disaster for the swarm as the little master once once more unsuccessful to complete his ton of tons.

After Tendulkar bring up his 62nd half century, all eyes were on him even as strokes came with regularity off VVS Laxman’s bat. Tendulkar reacted by playing a few violent strokes that swelled his score to 76. But he misread the length of a Devendra Bishoo delivery and was adjudged lbw at 76.

Rahul Dravid was the first man to fall on to reduce India to 162/3. Dravid could add only one to his immediately score of 30. Tendulkar and Laxman then combined for a 71-run fluent partnership, which broken with the former’s removal from office when India needed just 43 more to win. Yuvraj Singh and Laxman then took the total to 254/4 at Lunch as India scored 102 runs in the first session off 29 overs.

Laxman finished his 55th half century in the post-Lunch session off 91 balls. It was also his 11th next to the West Indies. However, Yuvraj got out for 18 when India wanted just one run to win. Dhoni then came out to accompany Laxman, who hit the winning boundary to end at 61 not out as India won by five wickets.

Debutant Ravichandran Ashwin was named the Man of the Match for his 9-wicket pull in the match.It was a much-needed win for India, who lost their top test ranking after a 4-0 whitewash in England.

The second Test begins from November 14 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

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Sachin Tendulkar fall small of ton in win

Sachin Tendulkar slam a solid 76 to help India score a at ease five-wicket victory over the West Indies on Wednesday in the first test, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Sachin Tendulkar miss out on a potential 100th international century, but his innings put India in a winning place on the fourth day at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.

He added 67 for the third wicket with Rahul Dravid (31) and 71 for the next with V.V.S. Laxman (58 not out) as India cruise to the win with approximately five sessions to spare.

Yuvraj Singh (18) was bowled by West Indian captain Darren Sammy with just one run wanted for victory, departure captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the other not out batsman without scoring a run.

Tendulkar, who resume on 33, stopped up in on the historic 100 centuries milestone but was attentive lbw by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo when trying to pull a short-pitched delivery. He hit 10 fours in his 148-ball innings.

A crowd of more than 10,000 had turned up at the ground to watch Tendulkar get another three-figure mark but went back dissatisfied as the Mumbai batsman failed to do so.

Tendulkar, who became the first batsman to reach 15,000 test runs on Tuesday, has been on 99 centuries since the World Cup in March-April this year when he strike tons against England and South Africa.

Tendulkar smashed two fours each off over’s from pace bowlers Darren Sammy and Ravi Rampaul to lift hopes of ensure a win as well as attainment the milestone.

Laxman, who had started with a couple of brand shots off the leg to pace bowler Fidel Edwards early in his innings, struck six fours off 105 balls.

The wristy Hyderabad batsman ensures India returned to winning ways in style after an unmemorable earlier test series which it lost 4-0 in England.

Earlier, overnight batsman Dravid was out for 31, adding only one run to his overnight score.

Pace bowler Fidel Edwards bowled a striking incoming delivery that went between bat and pad. Dravid bat for a total of 154 minutes, beating only three fours off 101 balls.

The West Indies, which had won a earlier two-test series in Bangladesh by a 1-0 margin, had a at ease 95-run first innings lead but failed to drive home the benefit when India bowled the visitors out for only 180 in the second innings.

"That was a big lead, we all feel we did not bat the way we should have in the first innings," Dhoni said. "It was not an easy wicket to score; you had to be aware of the ball that kept low."

India's well-known batting lineup, which had folded for only 209 in the first innings, made few mistakes the second time around and also hidden fears of low bounce on a pitch which did not see huge scores.

"When you play next to a top team, you want to create the chance to win which we did that in the first innings," Sammy said. We did not bat well in the second but consider we can win matches here."

The next test will be detained in Kolkata from Nov. 14 to 18 and the final game in Mumbai from Nov. 22 to 26. The tests will be follow by a series of five one-day internationals.

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New Zealand cricket in most terrible state in a decade - Adams

Auckland all-rounder Andre Adams has hit out at New Zealand cricket saying it's in a "worse state than it's been for some time".

The former Black Caps yesterday led Auckland to a 19-run victory over Northern Districts in the opening round of the Plunked guard, final the match with figures 11-123.

The 36-year-old, who has been playing in England since 2007, lashed out at the New Zealand Cricket board today saying it has too lots of "old people".

"I think New Zealand cricket is in a inferior state than it's been for some time. That's not being harsh that's just a directly outlook on it. There are so many things here that are wrong and players are crying out for the right structure," he told RadioSport's Tony Veitch.

"The New Zealand Players Association is working actually hard to get things sorted out. The biggest difficulty is the board; there are too many old people on the board. They're not with the professional era. That's the issue. For us to move forward we need to sort that out sooner rather than later or else the game is going to stagnate."

Adams played 42 ODIs and one test for New Zealand before moving to England to play county cricket with Nottinghamshire. He has excelled in the England finishing as the third top ticket taker in the County Championship last season with 67 wickets. He said New Zealand Cricket has gone backwards in recent years.

"We've lost what was an institution. With Radio Sport not having the cricket yesterday that would have been a unbelievable game to have enclosed but the fact is New Zealand Cricket have gone so far backwards that we're not even covered on radio and that's an reflection on the game, that's a real shame.

"If things carry on as things are, we didn't even have a sponsor last year for the New Zealand one-day domestic, there's no excuse for that sort of substance that's just poor. If we want cricket to move further in this country we must sort this stuff out sooner rather than later and not just make excuses like we don't have sufficient funds or we have to go out and find those funds. Whatever has to happen - has to happen very quickly."

Adams, who is disqualified to play for New Zealand due to his playing agreement with Nottinghamshire, optional that New Zealand Cricket should think big and try to attract bigger names to the domestic competition.

"To make cricket have more of a crash it needs to be more thrilling and it needs to appeal to people over the summer. Otherwise they're going to do something else. You're not going to get people to come along and see something they've seen before and know that it's boring." he said.

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Cricket-Warne come out of retirement for 'Big Bash'

Shane Warne is bringing his short departure to an end and recurring to cricket in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash opposition next month, the leg-spinning huge said on Tuesday.

Less than six months after reserved from all cricket, the 42-year-old said he would play in the revamp league for the Melbourne Stars this season and has not ruled out ongoing beyond that.

"I'm a young 42 at the moment, so I'll see how it goes this year," he told a news meeting in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"This is something fresh, this is something new and we're all learning without delay away. Let's see how it goes this year and we'll take it from there."

In May, Warne said he was bring the curtain down on his specialized career after his final match for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League to focus on media work and his business interests.

Warne last played in Australia during the 2006-2007 Ashes whitewash of England before end his test career in victory at the end of that series with 708 wickets to his name.

He remainder one of his country's most popular cricketers and his signing is a major boost to the Big Bash League, which begins in Sydney on Dec. 16.

The Melbourne Stars play their first match in the eight-team competition next to the Sydney Thunder at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Dec. 17.

"Having one of the most cricketers of all time join the Melbourne Stars ... is an enormous win for everyone," Cricket Australia's Mike McKenna said in a news release.

"Fans will be looking onward to Shane making a response not only at the home of cricket but at other grounds around the country."

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Pakistan clutch on for series victory

Pakistan claim a morale-boosting Test series win over Sri Lanka today after the third and final match between the sides in Sharjah finished in a draw.

The Pakistani game has be rocked by the custodial sentences hand to former captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir in the UK last week for their role in a spot-fixing plan, but today's effect meant Pakistan's nine-wicket win in the opening Test in Dubai was sufficient for a 1-0 series victory.

Rain destined no play was likely in the first session and when play finally did get under way, Sri Lanka quickly affirmed on 181 for six, leaving chosen hosts Pakistan need a notional 255 to win from 61 over’s, though their primary goal was simply to protect wickets.

They manage it cheerfully, as the captains shook hands on the draw with Pakistan on 87 for four in fading light.

Sri Lanka made a positive start in their bid to bowl out Pakistan as Mohammad Hafeez was run out for 13 after he was uncertain in making his ground for what looked like a straightforward single, with alternate fielder Lahiru Thirimanne claim the direct hit.

Azhar Ali was attentive lbw by the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath for seven to go away the hosts two down with 30 on the board.

Thirimanne was also a lot involved in the discharge of Younus Khan, as the Pakistan batsman strangely drove a straightforward-looking Chanaka Welegedara delivery to him at mid-on.

Opener Taufeeq Umar took tea victorious on 26 having faced 87 balls, but tamely gave his wicket away in the final session, lob the ball to Kumar Sangakkara off Suraj Randiv for 39 before the umpires bring the players off for bad light.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had opted not to declare directly upon the recommencement after the rain wait. Kosala Kulasekara was the first man out today, bottom-edging a doosra from Saeed Ajmal onto his stumps having added just seven to the tourists' total. Opener Tharanga Paranavitana batted on to 76 not out before the statement came.

The sides will now reconvene in Dubai for the first leg of a five-match one-day series on Friday before Sri Lanka's tour conclude with a one-off Twenty20 international on November 25.

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Audience are waiting for: Sachin Tendulkar hundredth ton

So the long wait continues. A Sachin Tendulkar ton on this hard batting track would have made India's day in more ways than one, but maybe Delhi's audience knew something we didn't.

One would have predictable the stands to be satisfied on a public holiday in expectation of watching Tendulkar bat. But only a handful of spectators cheer the man as he walked in. It all seems worlds away from the normal thunderous ovation Tendulkar are used to.

Would this be the grand stage? The team surely needed it, but natural stroke players had struggle on this pitch. Recovering match strength was the primary focus. He lasted only 18 balls, failing to get to twice figures. A solid punch to the point boundary off a loose Bishoo release was the only highlight.

As he trudges back at a pin-drop silent Kotla, the truth unexpectedly dawned: Players gain legend status merely by scoring 15-20 international centuries. This man has scored 99 of them. Maybe we're forget how tough it is to score just one Test ton. He is coming out of injury. He nearly got there with the 91 at the Oval. He hasn't had match carry out. He will surely get there.

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni go past Kirmani's record

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday done another milestone as he piped Syed Kirmani to become the Indian wicketkeeper with the highest number of dismissal in his kitty.

Dhoni confused Kraigg Brathwaite off Pragyan Ojha's bowling to bag his 199th victim in his 62nd Test match - one more than Kirmani who represent India in 88 Tests. Among Dhoni's 199 victims, 173 are wedged behind and 26 are stampings.

Apart from Dhoni and Kirmani, only Kiran More and Nayan Mongia are the other two wicketkeepers who have record more than 100 dismissals. More had 130 dismissals from 49 Tests while Mongia had 107 wounded from 44 Tests.

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Chanderpaul century thwart India another time

West Indies 256 for 5 (Chanderpaul 111*, Brathwaite 63, Ojha 3-58) Vs India

India will look to enclose up the West Indies first innings when they take the field on the second day of the first test at the Feroz Shah Kotla..

On the first day, Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored a winning century to help the West Indies reach 256 for five at stump in New Delhi.

The duo had put on 108 for the fourth wicket before Brathwaite became the third wounded of the day for Pragyan Ojha (three for 58).

Ojha's fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (two for 79) claims the other two wickets to fall on an opening day where honours ended relatively even between the two sides.

Having win the toss and opted to bat, West Indies openers Brathwaite and Kieran Powell put on 25 before the later became the first wicket to fall.

Powell had previously been drop by Ojha off his own bowling in the 10th over but he was not so fortunate two overs later when, still on 14, he was attentive lbw by the same bowler.

That brought Kirk Edwards to the fold and he added 20 with Brathwaite before becoming India's second injured party, Ojha this time cling on to a caught-and-bowled possibility to send the 27-year-old back for 15.

The West Indies' plight worsens after lunch when they lost Darren Bravo for 12, bowled by Ashwin.

However, the entrance of Chanderpaul gave Brathwaite the support he wanted and the duo started to turn the match around with an imposing century stand, during which both players bring up their half-centuries.

Brathwaite's fifty was only his second in Tests - compare to 57 for Chanderpaul - but the 18-year-old could not twist that into a maiden ton as he was dismiss in the final session.

The youngster was drawn onward by an Ojha delivery and he could not get his foot back in time before Mahendra Singh Dhoni whip the bails off to total the stumping.

That left the West Indies on 180 for four and they lost one more batsman not long after when Marlon Samuels, having strike three fours in a rapid 15, edged Ashwin through to Dhoni.

With their opponents 200 for five, India might have felt the challenge was edging their way, but Chanderpaul and Carlton Baugh (19 not out) respond with an continuous 56-run stand to leave the Windies in a sensible position at stumps.

During that partnership, the 37-year-old Chanderpaul reach his 24th Test century, attainment three figures with half-a-dozen fours and two sixes.

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Sri Lanka countenance encounter to save series

Sri Lanka 413 and 164 for 5 (Paranavitana 66*, Sangakkara 51) lead Pakistan 340 (Younis Khan 122, Misbah 89, Azhar 53, Welegedara 5-87) by 237 runs


Sri Lanka retain hope of salvage a series draw next to Pakistan after final day four with a 237-run lead in spite of the loss of several late wickets.

The tourists head into the final day on 164 for five in their second innings after a middle-order fall down, but will hope to push their guide out towards 300 in the morning before having a break at the Pakistan batsmen.

Tharanga Paranavitana reach stumps on 66 not out after a stable 156-ball stay at the fold which features four fours and a six, while Kumar Sangakkara's half-century also kept Sri Lanka ticking along.

But Sangakkara's way out for 51 shortly after tea was the prelude to a trying evening session for the tourists.

Mahela Jayawardene (20), Angelo Mathews (13) and Kaushal Silva (naught) were all attentive lbw as the Pakistan attack summary Sri Lanka from 80 for two to 155 for five.

Paranavitana and Kosala Kulasekara (4no) saw Sri Lanka to stump without further loss, and both players will need to kick on in the morning if the tourists are to level the best-of-three series at 1-1.

Earlier in the day, Chanaka Welegedara claim his first five-wicket Test haul to help bowl Pakistan out for 340, giving Sri Lanka a useful first-innings benefit of 73.

Pakistan started the last but one day on 282 for six, trailing Sri Lanka by 131 runs, and they suffered a miserable start as Abdur Rehman (three) was dismiss in the first over without any addition to the overnight score, Welegedara the bowler with Paranavitana taking the catch in the slips.

Umar Gul could only give five to the total before him too fell, caught at mid-off by Mathews off the bowling of Rangana Herath, as Pakistan slip to 289 for eight.

However, captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who was winning on 50 overnight, help Pakistan, cut into Sri Lanka's benefit as he put on 47 for the ninth wicket with Saeed Ajmal.

That stand came to an end when Misbah, having strike seven fours and a six in his 89, was wedged at backward short leg by Tillakaratne Dilshan, Suraj Randiv the successful bowler.

The departure of Misbah bring Junaid Khan to the wicket but he was not capable to hang around as Welegedara bowled him between bat and pad for a duck, implementation his maiden five-wicket return in Tests and ending Pakistan's innings in the process.

Sri Lanka suffer an early blow as they looked to build on their lead after lunch when the prolific Dilshan was out in the opening over for four, the opener nick a Gul delivery to Mohammad Hafeez at third slip.

That bring Sangakkara to the wicket earlier than he would have hope, but the elegant left-hander steadily helped Sri Lanka recover next to opener Paranavitana.

Sangakkara's knock came to an end when he got too much altitude as he attempt to cut away a Hafeez delivery for four and Asad Shafiq took the catch at point.

Jayawardene look in good touch as he race away to 20 off just 30 balls before being attentive in front by Gul, while the off-spin of Ajmal accounted for Mathews and Silva inside four balls late on as Pakistan broken the day on top.

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Pak Judges Responsibility PCB in force for fixing

Pakistan's senior judges, who conduct match-fixing investigation in the past, on Sunday said their recommendations to check dishonesty in cricket were ignored and that led to the latest betting disgrace.

A British judge on Thursday sentence former captain Salman Butt to 30 months, fast bowler Mohammad Asif to one year and Mohammad Amir to six months of jail for their roles in spot-fixing last year's Lord's Test next to England.Their agent Mazhar Majeed established a 32-month jail term.

Pakistan conduct different investigation on match-fixing between 1994 and 2000 but the menace resurfaced during the tour of England last year.

"When the young cricketers see a lot of money in the game, they get unfocused and go out of their minds to earn," said Justice retired Malik Mohammad Qayyum, who conduct a complete inquiry between 1998 to 2000.

"It was because of that I optional the Pakistan Cricket Board to check players' possessions from time to time, but no action was taken. Look at Amir; he is so young and talented, but had there been a proper check on him, this case would not have happen."

Retired judge Fakhruddin Ibrahim said fixing was not new in international cricket. "It's old and widespread disease," Ibrahim told.

"Too much money has made the game a business and too much dishonesty has come in, and that's not restricted to Pakistan only. It's a problem in India as well and other countries."

Ibrahim led the 1995 one-man charge to investigate allegation by Australian trio of Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh, who answerable then Captain Salim Malik for offering a bribe to underperform during their tour of Pakistan.

Ibrahim absolved Malik of all charges due to lack of proof after the Australian trio refuse to give their statements to the investigation in Pakistan.

"PCB needs to make this current case an example, but the trouble is that the appointments in the PCB are also political and merit is not follow, so such troubles surface," said Ibrahim.

Justice Qayyum record the trio's statement in Australia and barred Malik and paceman Ata-ur-Rehman. It also fine former captains Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Mushtaq Ahmed and Akram Raza.

Another judge Ijaz Yousuf said he optional certain players to be banned in 1998. "We conducted an inquiry and optional that some players be banned and a new team be made, but that was never implement," said Yousuf.

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All eyes on Sachin Tendulkar in Delhi

Sachin Tendulkar's offer for his 100th international century will be the focus of concentration when India hosts West Indies in the first Test at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla on Sunday.

Tendulkar has been on the brink of the extraordinary and historic highlight since March when he hit a century in an ICC World Cup win over South Africa.

The 38-year-old has, however, been forced to wait to reach the landmark due to poor form and injury after an unmemorable tour of England when his side failed to win an international match.

Tendulkar failed to bring up three figures in four Tests on the tour before a toe wound forced him home in front of time at the start of the one-day international series.

The 'Little Master' has since healthier and will be fully predictable to complete the feat on home soil against a West Indies team who record a rare away series win in Bangladesh last month.

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson is confident the hysteria around Tendulkar may sidetrack India - who play Test cricket for the first time since being whitewashed 4-0 in England - even though he admits he expect the veteran to reach the mark during the three-match series.

"I feel if there is too much hype, it would be tough for Tendulkar," Gibson said after a practice session at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Friday. "But Tendulkar is a fable and he would get it anyway any time soon."

India will be looking to bounce back from their humbling in England, which saw them lose the number one Test ranking, and have made a number of changes to their squad.

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has been axed with R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha and Rahul Sharma to take over the spin duties.

Zaheer Khan is also not yet fit meaning the hosts will look to the future of their pace bowling with the uncapped Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav selected.

Their inclusions are significant ahead of the winter tour to Australia - when the quicks will be relied upon - and batsman VVS Laxman admits the series will be important as they look to get back to winning ways ahead of that tour.

"It's going to be an important series - especially after the dismal time we had in England," he said. "We want to come back strongly and regain the top position.

"Hopefully, the Test team will start off the season on a winning note so that we will be high on confidence before leaving for Australia."

West Indies coach Gibson believes his side's hopes of backing up their 1-0 series win in Bangladesh will fall on their pacemen.

While the pitches in India are likely to favour the spinners, Gibson - a former West Indies quick - believes his fast men hold the key to success.

"Over the last six to 12 months our fast bowlers, Ravi Rampaul, Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach and Darren Sammy have done well and won us matches," Gibson said.

"We know that India obviously will be heavy on spin but we believe in the quality of our fast bowlers.

"We believe that we have the quality to back ourselves. We know that the ball doesn't swing very long. You need to have added skills and we pay a lot of attention to that.

"We are skilled enough to reverse it and get wickets as well."

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Wasim Akram: West Indies will struggle in India

Series next to Windies will help India pick the right arrangement for the Australia series, says former Pakistan captain.

Wasim Akram believes the West Indies bowlers would find it very difficult to send away India double at home in the Test matches. Speaking entirely to Mobile ESPN from Karachi on Friday evening, the Sultan of Swing said, "West Indies have won against Bangladesh, but the serious challenge starts now next to the big boys."

The 45-year old stressed out on the need for this series to be used as a launch-pad for the all-important tour to Australia in December. "India can use this series to come up with the right combination and balance. This tour will help them regain the lost confidence after the thrashing in England. The team can perhaps blood in new players who could be used Down Under", said Akram.

Harbhajan Singh's omission from the side has been conventional with complementary emotion from the Indian cricketing fraternity. However, Akram sees no reason why the 'Turbanator' has been left out of the side for the first Test against West Indies.

"I can't appreciate why Harbhajan is out. Players should be chosen in the squad, keeping long-term plans in mind and Bhajji certainly fits the bill. He has been drop after just one bad series in England, which I think is unjust because he is only 31", added Akram.

"Ashwin and Ojha are good no uncertainty, but they should be used to balance Harbhajan. Given his vast experience, India can't do with no Bhajji's class," quip Akram.

While the top five of the Indian batting line-up look solid, the number six spot has been up for grabs in new times. Akram felt the team could do with the healthy contest. "(Virat) Kohli and (Suresh) Raina are gifted, but they need to learn to play the longer format. If Yuvraj is fully fit, he walks in at number six", experiential Akram.

Speaking on the composition of the visitors, Akram felt Chris Gayle's dropping would prove to be very costly for the visitors. "There is clearly a announcement gap and a clash of egos between both parties. It should be solved for the good and Gayle should give priority to his country. West Indies is surely bigger than Chris Gayle," he signed off.

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Hope spot-fixing conviction help cricket in comprehensive run: Waqar

He is dismayed by the conviction of three Pakistan cricketers in the spot-fixing scam but former head coach Waqar Younis hopes it would prove helpful to the game in the long run.

"I hope that the outcome of the trial would prove helpful to cricket in the future and also serve as prevention to other players," Waqar said from Dubai.

The former Test captain, who submissive as coach in September after the Zimbabwe tour due to individual and health reasons, said for him the spot-fixing scandal had been one of the darkest chapters of his cricket career.

Waqar was the coach when the disgrace first broke out last September resultant in bans on the concerned three Pakistani players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer by the ICC's Anti-corruption court and jail terms by the Southwark Crown Court in London after a criminal trial.

The court hand out a 30-month sentence to Butt, who was Test captain on the England tour, Asif was given a one-year jail term and 19-year-old Aamer was asked to spend six months in a youth confinement and correction centre.

Waqar said for him and Pakistan cricket, the spot-fixing scandal and following developments connected to it had been torture.

"I salute our team which in spite of this dark episode kept on focusing on the game and drama well even though there was so much pressure and spotlight on the team because of the scandal," Waqar recall.

"The scandal I consideration overshadowed the appearance of our team in England as a fighting combination," he added.

Waqar said while he felt sorry for the trial the families of the players have to go throughout but there is no understanding for the jailed offender as they had let the team and nation down.

"I just hope they regret what they have done and improvement themselves. But the episode also shows the ICC and member boards need to much more to fight corrupt elements in the sport."

Waqar said Aamer had bowled one of the three prearranged no-balls during the Lord's Test at the request of Butt.

Waqar said when he asked him about it, it was Butt who spoke out and said he had instructed the pacer to bowl it due to some strategic reasons during the course of the Test.

Waqar said he had knowledgeable the ICC anti-corruption about this when he gave his statement as a witness during the investigation into the matter.

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Pakistan increased security: England cricketers on guard

ANDREW STRAUSS and his England players will be secluded by increased security when they play Pakistan in January.

In the wake up of the Pakistan spot-fixing disgrace, the safety of the England team is to be reassessed.

They play three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 matches next to Pakistan in the Arabian Desert in January and February.

The matches are organism played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi since Pakistan is out of bounds for cricket tours due to security concern.

Even though the Emirates are not considered an A-level risk destination, England will be taking no chances following the jailing of three Pakistan cricketers and their manager at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

Ex-Pakistan captain Salman Butt was sentence to 30 months, while bowler Mohammed Asif was given 12 months.

Teenage bowler Mohammed Amir was sent to a young offender organization for six months. The trio's agent Mazher Majeed was locked up for two years and eight months.

The players have told how they were threatened by criminal world gangsters and illegal bookmakers who run the betting markets in Asia and the Middle East.

England team safety expert Reg Dickason will put in place the needed measures before the team depart for the tour on January 3.

A team insider said: "We trust Reg's decision totally and will follow any suggestion he makes. But there's no doubt emotion is running high.

"It is extraordinary for players to be sent to prison for their participation in match-rigging."

The England players are still offended that, although they were nothing more than blameless bystanders, they were sucked into the argument that destroyed the home series against Pakistan in 2010.

SunSport exposed on Thursday how Captain Strauss will tell his players not to allow residual anger to turn into personal vendetta when England faces Pakistan.

And Strauss is now calling on the ICC's anti-corruption unit to step up its chase of further cheats.

At a dinner at Lord's on Thursday evening, Strauss described the anti-corruption unit as "paper tigers".

Sir Ronnie Flanagan, head of cricket's dishonesty busters, is under huge force to make sure his team brings more cheats to justice.

England legends Ian Botham and Michael Vaughan are among those who consider more fixers are still playing international cricket.

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Mohammad Amir blame PCB for fit fiasco

An apologetic Mohammad Amir has answerable PCB for not calming him enough against corruption and vowed to make known "more" about the case.

Amir was sent to young offender custody centre for six months while Butt and Asif were sent to jail for 30 months and 12 months correspondingly after being found guilty of spot-fixing during last year's Lord's Test against England.

The young bowler held the Pakistan cricket establishment for not doing sufficient to create awareness among players about the pitfalls of getting into corruption.

"The PCB never told me just how serious an offence it was to get into these sorts of things. They didn't educate me sufficient about anti-corruption laws," he added.

He also expressed dissatisfaction at the way Butt and Asif slander him during the trial in a London court.

"They tried to refuse my standing and name during the trial and when the time comes I will reveal all about this case," said Amir, who picked up 51 wickets in his short career of 14 Tests.

Amir apologized for his role in the scandal. "I really regret what I have done. I am really sorry for what has happened. I can only now say sorry to my countrymen and all cricket lovers for my actions," Aamir said.

The 19-year-old left-arm pacer, who was compared to Wasim Akram and other greats at his tender age, said the realization of what he had done and how he had harmed his countrymen and the sport came very late.

"If I had known this would all end this way I would have stayed clear from such things? I got misled and was mistaken and today, I have paid the price for it," Amir told Geo News, shortly after the judge announced his sentence.

"I got approved absent and it was the biggest error of my life," he added.

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Andrew Strauss needs calm on jailed trio

England skipper Andrew Strauss is strong-minded to see that his players do not harbor any ill-feeling against Pakistan in the wake of spot-fixing scandal.

Several British players such as Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann have made their resentment public in the background of the spot-fixing scandal, in which three Pakistani cricketers were found guilty and sentence for varied terms.

Off-spinner Swann has exposed in his life story that England players required nothing to do with the Pakistan side (in 2010 tour) and that the situation was "vile."

Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad had said that they felt painful stay in the same hotel as Pakistan during the World Cup.

"Strauss himself has described dishonesty as a "cancer" in cricket, but will try to make sure his players remain listening carefully on beating Pakistan without distractions. He will hold a team conference at the start of the tour in the New Year and spell out the need to avoid any simmering rifts," a media report said.

A team insider said England will try to treat the series as "business as usual", the report in 'Sun' added.

England is listed to play three-Tests, four ODIs and three Twenty20 matches next to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

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Shane Watson needs life prohibit on fixers

Australia vice captain Shane Watson feels life bans should be handed out to dishonest cricketers to send out a strong signal to others.

Watson's explanation came after three Pakistani cricketers-- Salman Butt, Mohhamed Asif and Mohammad Amir -- were sentence to jail after being found guilty in a spot-fixing scandal.

Former captain Butt was sentence to two-and-a-half years while fast bowlers Asif and Amir received 12 and six-month terms respectively.

"In the end, I think a life ban is surely sufficient to be able to say to people that it's the wrong thing to do. It's challenging the truthfulness and taking the game of cricket down," said Watson.

"Whether it's jail, whether it's a life [playing] ruling, there's no doubt that the punishments are very severe for doing the wrong thing. Since I first started playing, you know that if you do something wrong in that look upon you won't be playing cricket ever again," he said.

The burly all-rounder said the Pakistani trio has got the action they deserve for their action.

"It's very unsatisfactory when you see the things that have happen in England with the Pakistan guys and, in the end, they deserve the sentence that they do get because they've done the wrong thing in a big way.

"For me for myself, it's given me an amazing life and something I only still dreamed of, so I would never would want to do anything that even question the aptitude for me to be able to play the game that I love so much," he told Australian Associated Press.

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