India's most successful captain Sourav Ganguly unsold in the IPL Auction... Its a real shame on all cricket fans around the world. No one came forward to pick dada for a base price of $400,000. It was pre-planned.
Dada's Achievements in Cricket:
1. 31 Times Man of the match in ODI
2. 7 Man of the series in ODI
3. 6 Man of the match in Tests
4. 3 Man of the series in Tests
5. Sportstar Person of the Year 1998
6. Arjuna Award 1998
7. CEAT Cricketer of the Year 1999
8. CEAT Indian Captain of the Year 2001
9. Award for Cricketing Excellence 2003
10.Padma Shri in 2004
11.Rammohan Roy Award 2004
12.Young Achiever's Award 2008
13.Castrol Batsman of the Year 2008
14.Castrol Asian Cricketer of the Year 2008
15.Banga Ratna 2009
Monday, 10 January 2011
Friday, 29 October 2010
South Africa prevail in desert heat
South Africa 207 for 2 (Kallis 66 retd hurt, de Villiers 51) beat Pakistan 203 (Hafeez 68, Younis 54, Tsotsobe 4-27) by eight wickets
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According to Ramiz Raja during commentary, Shahid Afridi asked Graeme Smith at the toss on Friday who Lonwabo Tsotsobe was. Having already suffered two top-order collapses at Tsotsobe's hands in the Twenty20 internationals, Afridi should have known him. He didn't, but Tsotsobe's four-wicket haul that set up an eight-wicket South African triumph in the first ODI should leave Afridi in no more doubt.
This time Tsotsobe shuffled things up, causing Pakistan's middle and lower order to implode quicker than a poorly-made soufflé. The key script was written in the middle overs, the dead air of ODIs. Having chosen to bat, Pakistan were cruising at 140 for 1, propped up by fifties from Mohammad Hafeez and Younis Khan. But they lost the meat of their batting between the 31st and 40th overs and, though credit should not be taken from Tsotsobe, the bowling was standard ODI fare - straight, honest and well mixed.
First, Hafeez did little to dispel the impression that he is more than just an ice sculpture in the desert: good to look at but not long-lasting. Having worked his way to a pretty 68, he cut a nothing ball from Johan Botha straight to point. Younis, who provided 54 further reasons why the PCB chairman should have resigned long ago, was leg-before and suddenly Botha's career haul against Pakistan was doubled.
The real implosion came with Tsotsobe's return. He complemented an opening spell in which his triumph was to not flag in the heat. Misbah-ul-Haq returned to ODIs after 13 months, only to remind many why he was dropped in the first place. A scratchy 25-ball 14 ended with him slogging Tsotsobe off his pads to deep square leg; Afridi went three balls later as Afridi does. When Abdul Razzaq and Fawad Alam fell, Pakistan had lost six wickets for 37 and the advantage, and Tsotsobe had taken three. In all they lost eight for 46, limping to 203.
Until then the sides had gone at each other with all the intent of a jar of valium. The intense heat and two burn-outs in the Twenty20s didn't help, so Pakistan returned to the ODI policy that served them well since the Miandad six of 1986: keep wickets in hand, explode late.
Younis and Hafeez's 114-run stand was substantial but mostly unremarkable. There were nice strokes, a punch through covers from Younis, a whippy cut from Hafeez, and enough single-pinching to keep the threat of a late burst alive. Neither pace nor spin tested them and they were polite enough to not take full advantage.
Tsotsobe was unlucky not to pick up Hafeez when he was on 5 and, 15 overs later, he reached 50 off 63 balls. It was surprisingly swift, given that he got off the mark in the seventh over. Soon Younis was celebrating an untroubled 38th ODI fifty with excessive demonstration - understandable after a frustrating nine-month absence.
All of it came to nought, however, and the chase was a doddle. South Africa got just the start from Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith. His bat looking ever more like a toothpick in his hands, Smith was even beginning to locate some of the authority that deserted him in a fifty-less year. But after crunching Shoaib Akhtar through cover, he was hit on the hand by a swift, short one and retired hurt subsequently. Amla looked unusually hurried, but littered the innings with enough quality shots to instill in it a good dollop of authority. Two stood out; a pull as conclusive as a slap in the face off Shoaib and then a cut so late off Afridi, he looked to have been beaten.
Tight spin from Afridi and Saeed Ajmal briefly kept sense of a contest, but there was never enough to defend. Amla was trapped in front but once AB de Villiers had pulled and driven Umar Gul after the drinks break, a comfortable groove had been found.
At that stage, Pakistan's best hope lay in the remaining batsmen falling over from heat exhaustion, as Kallis threatened to in the run-in to the first drinks interval. An extended break, however, restored him. Thereafter, he relocated his impenetrability and emulated de Villiers with an accomplished 66, but he succumbed to the conditions eventually. It was the first time two batsmen had retired hurt in the same innings to not return since 1990, a rarity that would not have amused either side.
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ICC World Cup 2011 in Bangladesh
It's Bangladesh's 1st time co-hosting WORLD CUP. Its really a great opportunity for Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and also People of Bangladesh and Cricket team and Players. Fourteen Cricket team will fight in World Cup. The First Match to be played Bangladesh Shere Bangla National Stadium @ Mirpur, Dhaka in 19 February 2011.
Bangladesh Cricket Team is now good form. Bangladesh win series vs new zealand . It was 4 ODI series.
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Indian investors have their eye on Aussie T20 league
Indian investors have reportedly set their sights on grabbing a share in Australia’s soon-to-be revamped T20 competition. Cricket Australia are all set to start an IPL-like tournament from January 2012, and Indian investors have reportedly already approached two state associations — New South Wales and Victoria — with big offers to buy stakes in the sides.
The names of Adani group, which failed to win a franchise in the IPL, and Dheeraj and East Coast – a real estate giant that’s already the main sponsor of Victoria, are doing the rounds in the Australian media as the interested investors.
The Australian claimed that these two sides have also been in talks with Jai Mehta, the co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, there’s a major obstacle to be surmounted before the Indian investors could get their fingers into the Australian pie. Cricket Australia is yet undecided on whether to accept private equity from Indian or other overseas investors as part of the ownership of Australian teams.
It will meet on Friday to decide on what could change the landscape of the Australian cricket. No matter what the CA decides, they will be under tremendous pressure from the states to give green signal to the foreign investment.
Even as CA is getting ready to discuss the issue, The Daily Telegraph, an Australian daily, claimed that New South Wales and Victoria have already sold shares to giant Indian corporations for around 60 million dollars (59 million US). The newspapers said that Cricket Australia, keen to cash in on the IPL T20 phenomenon, is looking at starting a new city-based competition in 12 months.
“It's a moment as big, if not bigger, than the Kerry Packer moment when his role resulted in ODI cricket taking off and basically funding the development of Australian and world cricket for 25 or so years,” CA spokesman Peter Young told The Daily Telegraph.
The Telegraph said Indian investors want a 49 percent share of a NSW Cricket business entity, known as Blues Inc, for around 30-35 million dollars (R120-140cr). “The Twenty20 franchises in Australia could eventually be worth 80 million dollars each,” an unnamed source told the newspaper.
According to the newspapers, overseas stars from India, England, the West Indies and South Africa will be offered huge contracts to play in a tournament that will replace Australia's traditional one-day cricket over January and February.
Cricket Victoria said late Thursday that it had not sold any properties “to date as per claims in some reports”.
“Cricket Victoria is extremely excited about the future Twenty20 cricket in Australia, and continuing to be a successful force in this format into the future,” Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide in a statement.
“There has been some interest in potential partnership opportunities and should the eventual new competition structure in Australia allow for these types of arrangements, CV may consider them further if they are in the best interests of Victorian cricket.
“Speculation of the terms of these opportunities is premature as the structure and terms of engagement in the competition is yet to be determined.”
Gambhir wants Kirsten retained even after WC
Indian opener Gautam Gambhir feels that the Indian Cricket Board should renew the contract of coach Gary Kirsten after it expires at the end of the World Cup next year.
"Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. I don't need to speak much about him. His fabulous record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe that he should be retained after the World Cup also," Gambhir said at the sidelines of a promotional event.
Gambhir is thus the latest among the Indian stars to join the bandwagon who want the South African to be retained as his home nation wants him to take over once he finishes his stint with the Indian team.
The opener also supported Kirsten's idea of sending the top-order batsmen to South Africa, a week in advance so that they can get themselves acclimatised to the pace and bounce of wickets over there.
"We haven't played much cricket in South Africa of late. So it will be a great idea if we go there a bit early to get used to the conditions. If such a thing happens, it may just work in our favour," Gambhir said.
He also reiterated that one can't continue his blazing form for life and there is bound to be ups and downs.
"Right now I am coming back from injury. It's always a difficult thing when you come back from injury. Only when you spend considerable time out there in the middle, you get to know how it's shaping up for you," he said.
The Delhi batsman also feels that just because Bangladesh whipped New Zealand 4-0 in the ODI series, it did not mean that it will be a cakewalk for the Indians when they meet the Black Caps from November 4.
"You can never take any international opposition lightly. Just because Bangladesh beat them 4-0 doesn't mean that we can take it easy against the New Zealanders. Their team consists of some proven match-winners who can turn a match head on. So we need to be very careful and can't take things for granted," Gambhir said.
On a lighter vein, he said that walking ramp is tough but not as tough as opening the batting for the country.
He also said that he hasn't seen the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni walk the ramp but said that a cricketer's endeavour is to perform on field rather than score points off it.
 Gary Kirsten has played a crucial role in taking Gautam Gambhir's career into the right direction. |
"Gary is the best coach India has ever had. I have often said that and I keep on stressing that we need Gary. I don't need to speak much about him. His fabulous record speaks for itself. He has been a great man-manager. So I believe that he should be retained after the World Cup also," Gambhir said at the sidelines of a promotional event.
Gambhir is thus the latest among the Indian stars to join the bandwagon who want the South African to be retained as his home nation wants him to take over once he finishes his stint with the Indian team.
The opener also supported Kirsten's idea of sending the top-order batsmen to South Africa, a week in advance so that they can get themselves acclimatised to the pace and bounce of wickets over there.
"We haven't played much cricket in South Africa of late. So it will be a great idea if we go there a bit early to get used to the conditions. If such a thing happens, it may just work in our favour," Gambhir said.
He also reiterated that one can't continue his blazing form for life and there is bound to be ups and downs.
"Right now I am coming back from injury. It's always a difficult thing when you come back from injury. Only when you spend considerable time out there in the middle, you get to know how it's shaping up for you," he said.
The Delhi batsman also feels that just because Bangladesh whipped New Zealand 4-0 in the ODI series, it did not mean that it will be a cakewalk for the Indians when they meet the Black Caps from November 4.
"You can never take any international opposition lightly. Just because Bangladesh beat them 4-0 doesn't mean that we can take it easy against the New Zealanders. Their team consists of some proven match-winners who can turn a match head on. So we need to be very careful and can't take things for granted," Gambhir said.
On a lighter vein, he said that walking ramp is tough but not as tough as opening the batting for the country.
He also said that he hasn't seen the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni walk the ramp but said that a cricketer's endeavour is to perform on field rather than score points off it.
England are absolutely prepared for the Ashes: Strauss
Andrew Strauss believes England will go into the Ashes in perfect shape to end their long run of failures in Australia.
Strauss's side fly out to Perth this week ahead of five Tests and a limited-over series against Ricky Ponting's team and the England captain is delighted with the way preparations have gone so far.
England have struggled badly on Australian soil and last won an Ashes series Down Under way back in 1986-87.
They were thrashed 5-0 on their last trip to Australia but Middlesex batsman Strauss is confident they are in a much better frame of mind this time around.
"I think so yes. We have had a lot of success over the last 18 months so confidence levels are very high," he told reporters in London on Thursday.
"Our preparation has been very good. (Coach) Andy Flower has prepared us well for this tour so there is a feeling of relaxed excitement about what lies ahead.
"We have an excellent chance of winning over there, we are a good tight unit, we know what to expect and can't wait to get over there.
"We have prepared as well as we can do in the time we have had available to us.
"We have been thinking about this series for a long time now. It's a big challenge to go to Australia and win but we have left no stone unturned in terms of making sure we hit the ground running.
"Preparation only takes you so far, you still have to front up when it matters and win the crucial sessions but I have every confidence that our players can do that."
The first Test gets under way on November 25 at the Gabba in Brisbane and Strauss knows it is essential that England stop Ponting getting into his stride early in the series.
"The great player in their ranks is Ricky Ponting," Strauss said. "As captain he has a responsibility to lead the side and his record in Ashes series is very good.
"Aside from that, neither side is going to be significantly different from the last time we played so we'll know each other pretty well.
"It's going to boil down to crucial periods of play and who wins them."
The pre-series mind games began in earnest on Wednesday as Ponting and vice captain Michael Clarke had their images projected on to Big Ben in London with a message reminding Strauss not to forget the urn.
It was a reference to the confidence of the Australian team, but Strauss took it in good spirit.
"I didn't see it myself but I think it's the fun and games of the Ashes," he said.
"That's the great thing about this Ashes series. Australians and English people, they get down and support their countries. It helps to build-up the series.
"In reality the series doesn't need building up but the banter adds to the atmosphere."
Strauss believes the Australians will be worried about in-form spinner Graeme Swann, but played down the idea the hosts' own spin stocks are low.
"Graeme Swann's been outstanding the last 18 months so he's going to be a handful for them," he said.
"I think they'll be having meetings about how to deal with him and that's a pretty good starting point.
"I wouldn't underestimate their spin department. Nathan Hauritz did a good job over here, but ultimately we've got to be prepared for opportunities to get on top of their bowling attack."
 Andrew Strauss |
England have struggled badly on Australian soil and last won an Ashes series Down Under way back in 1986-87.
They were thrashed 5-0 on their last trip to Australia but Middlesex batsman Strauss is confident they are in a much better frame of mind this time around.
"I think so yes. We have had a lot of success over the last 18 months so confidence levels are very high," he told reporters in London on Thursday.
"Our preparation has been very good. (Coach) Andy Flower has prepared us well for this tour so there is a feeling of relaxed excitement about what lies ahead.
"We have an excellent chance of winning over there, we are a good tight unit, we know what to expect and can't wait to get over there.
"We have prepared as well as we can do in the time we have had available to us.
"We have been thinking about this series for a long time now. It's a big challenge to go to Australia and win but we have left no stone unturned in terms of making sure we hit the ground running.
"Preparation only takes you so far, you still have to front up when it matters and win the crucial sessions but I have every confidence that our players can do that."
The first Test gets under way on November 25 at the Gabba in Brisbane and Strauss knows it is essential that England stop Ponting getting into his stride early in the series.
"The great player in their ranks is Ricky Ponting," Strauss said. "As captain he has a responsibility to lead the side and his record in Ashes series is very good.
"Aside from that, neither side is going to be significantly different from the last time we played so we'll know each other pretty well.
"It's going to boil down to crucial periods of play and who wins them."
The pre-series mind games began in earnest on Wednesday as Ponting and vice captain Michael Clarke had their images projected on to Big Ben in London with a message reminding Strauss not to forget the urn.
It was a reference to the confidence of the Australian team, but Strauss took it in good spirit.
"I didn't see it myself but I think it's the fun and games of the Ashes," he said.
"That's the great thing about this Ashes series. Australians and English people, they get down and support their countries. It helps to build-up the series.
"In reality the series doesn't need building up but the banter adds to the atmosphere."
Strauss believes the Australians will be worried about in-form spinner Graeme Swann, but played down the idea the hosts' own spin stocks are low.
"Graeme Swann's been outstanding the last 18 months so he's going to be a handful for them," he said.
"I think they'll be having meetings about how to deal with him and that's a pretty good starting point.
"I wouldn't underestimate their spin department. Nathan Hauritz did a good job over here, but ultimately we've got to be prepared for opportunities to get on top of their bowling attack."
UAE want to stage more Pakistan cricket
A top official of the Emirates cricket board on Thursday offered Pakistan the possibility of staging more of their home matches in the UAE before international cricket resumes in the troubled country.
Pakistan was forced to play its home series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after New Zealand and England as foreign teams refused to tour them over security fears.
Pakistan has become a virtual "no go" zone for international cricket after terrorists' attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore last year which left seven players and an official injured besides killing eight people.
Following the attacks, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stripped Pakistan of its share of World Cup 2011 matches and formed a Task team to take measures to resume international cricket in the country.
Pakistan has played the West Indies, Australia and New Zealand in the UAE and are currently playing South Africa in a series shifted here after their rivals refused to tour them.
Dilawar Mani, chief executive of Emirates Cricket Board, said he has offered Pakistan the chance to stage their series against Sri Lanka here next year and then host England a year later.
"We don't want to be seen as opportunists, but since Pakistan is unable to stage its cricket at home we want them to decide on their series against Sri Lanka and England before time so that we can prepare," Mani told AFP.
Even before the attacks on the Sri Lankan cricketers, teams had refused to tour Pakistan because of the ongoing war on terror in and around the country since the 9/11 attacks on the United States in 2001.
Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998, forcing them to play their home series in Sri Lanka and Sharjah in 2002 and then in England earlier this year.
Mani said Abu Dhabi cricket Stadium is fast catching the eyes of international teams.
"Abu Dhabi will stage ICC shield match between UAE and Namibia in December this year and then ICC Second Division cricket league next year, so we have been getting enough cricket and besides that we want Pakistan to play here regularly."
Pakistan will also play two Tests -- one each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi -- next month, the first time Test cricket will be played at the two venues.
Mani said he will meet with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt to decide on the future games.
"Abu Dhabi has come a long way in the last ten years as we have entered into an agreement with the MCC (Marylbourne Cricket Club) who staged the English season opener here earlier this year which was great," said Mani.
English County teams are regulary using the Abu Dhabi Stadium for season warm-ups, said Mani.
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