CA interviews Waqar for Aus bowling coach

Melbourne: Cricket Australia (CA) has interviewed former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis as Craig McDermott`s successor for the position of Australian bowling coach.

Waqar, who is based in Sydney since finishing his two-year term as Pakistan coach last year, according to `ESPNcricinfo.Com`, has spoken to CA`s team performance manager Pat Howard about taking on the role that was left vacant by McDermott at the conclusion of the Australian tour of the West Indies.

Australia`s highly promising battery of young pacemen will surely benefit should Waqar is appointed to the post.

Known for his mastery over reverse swing, Waqar would help Australian bowlers muster the art, something the team has struggled to make best use of down the years.

Under McDermott, the Aussies learnt the importance of sticking to the basics -- bowling full, straight and moving the ball conventionally, and they will look to build on those gains if Waqar is appointed.

Waqar, who has taken 373 wickets in 87 Tests and 416 from 262 ODIs, resigned as Pakistan coach citing personal and health reasons.

Source:http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=250119896

Gayle brings quality to the side, says chief selector

St. John`s (Antigua): Chairman of selectors Clyde Butts has welcomed Chris Gayle`s return to the West Indies team for the one-day tour of England, saying the big-hitting left-hander will bring a "quality dimension" to the Caribbean side.
The talismanic Gayle was Monday chosen in a 15-man squad, ending a protracted impasse with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that kept him out of the regional side for the last 14 months, reports Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

"Chris is a player of proven quality and we are looking forward to him adding the new dimension to the side and his contributions as a senior member of the squad," Butts said.

The way was paved for Gayle`s return after he sat down in a high-level meeting in St Vincent on Sunday with his representative Michael Hall, WICB president Julian Hunte, WICB director Elson Crick and the Board`s legal officer Alanna Medford.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer also attended the meeting.

Gayle, who has scored 8,087 runs from 228 ODIs with 19 centuries, will now join the side led by Darren Sammy and which includes eight members of the squad already in England playing a Test series.

Trinidadian opener Lendl Simmons has also been recalled after recovering from injury while Dwayne Smith has been given the nod in a one-day unit for the first time in over two years.
Butts said the composition of the team reflected the continued preparation for the 2015 World Cup in Australia.
"We are now moving into the next phase of the development of the team as part of building our ODI side for the 2015 World Cup," said Butts.
"A number of players, who have been exposed to international cricket, have been retained as they have performed well."
"There is, what we believe, is a balanced combination of young rising players like Sunil Narine in the bowling department and Johnson Charles in the top order of the batting in addition to the well-known senior internationals."
West Indies face England in three ODIs from June 16-24.

Source:http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/gayle-brings-quality-to-the-side-says-chief-selector_743354.html

Axed Adrian Barath welcomes Chris Gayle return for ODIs

West Indies opener Adrian Barath has said "it's great" Chris Gayle is returning to the one-day squad -- even if the recall has come, in part, at his expense.
Former captain Gayle has been selected for the three-match one-day series against England later this month after a 14-month dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The 32-year-old dynamic opening batsman, with a West Indies record 19 hundreds in 228 ODIs to his name, has not played international cricket since a defeat by Pakistan in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in March last year.
A month later, Jamaica left-hander Gayle, one of the world's most ferocious hitters and a dazzlingly quick run-getter when in form, criticised the WICB and team coach Ottis Gibson after being left out of a squad for a one-day series against Pakistan.
However several meetings between the WICB and Gayle, brokered by senior Caribbean politicians, have ended the stand-off.
Both Barath and Kieran Powell, who have struggled against England in a Test series where the West Indies are 2-0 down heading into the third and final match starting at Edgbaston here on Thursday, have been left out of the one-day squad.
But, sportingly, Barath said Tuesday: "We always welcome players into the set-up. He's been in the set-up for years and everyone has respect for Chris.
"It's great to have him back and he'll lend experience to our players," added the 22-year-old Trinidad batsman, who in 14 one-dayers has scored one hundred.
"We're looking forward to having him in the set-up and everyone will learn from him.
"Having Chris in our team (makes it) a really solid team. The depth in our batting - with Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, the Bravos (Dwayne and Darren), Marlon Samuels, Andre Russell - once we get going in the powerplay it would be difficult to say how could we not chase a big score or set one.
"So once we get it right, we have a good ODI team and we're working on getting there in Tests, also."
The one-day series starts at Southampton on June 16 before further matches at The Oval (June 19) and Headingley (June 22) are followed by a stand-alone Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge on June 24.
Source:http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/191357-axed-adrian-barath-welcomes-chris-gayle-return-for-odis

Barath welcomes Gayle return for ODIs

Birmingham: West Indies opener Adrian Barath has said "it's great" that Chris Gayle is returning to the one-day squad -- even if the recall has come, in part, at his expense. Former captain Gayle has been selected for the three-match one-day series against England later this month after a 14-month dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The 32-year-old dynamic opening batsman, with a West Indies record 19 hundreds in 228 ODIs to his name, has not played international cricket since a defeat by Pakistan in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in March last year. A month later, Jamaica left-hander Gayle, one of the world's most ferocious hitters and a dazzlingly quick run-getter when in form, criticised the WICB and team coach Ottis Gibson after being left out of a squad for a one-day series against Pakistan. Continue reading below

However several meetings between the WICB and Gayle, brokered by senior Caribbean politicians, have ended the stand-off.

Both Barath and Kieran Powell, who have struggled against England in a Test series where the West Indies are 2-0 down heading into the third and final match starting at Edgbaston here on Thursday, have been left out of the one-day squad. But, sportingly, Barath said on Tuesday: "We always welcome players into the set-up. He's been in the set-up for years and everyone has respect for Chris.

"It's great to have him back and he'll lend experience to our players," added the 22-year-old Trinidad batsman, who in 14 one-dayers has scored one hundred. We're looking forward to having him in the set-up and everyone will learn from him."

"Having Chris in our team (makes it) a really solid team. The depth in our batting - with Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, the Bravos (Dwayne and Darren), Marlon Samuels, Andre Russell - once we get going in the powerplay it would be difficult to say how could we not chase a big score or set one. So once we get it right, we have a good ODI team and we're working on getting there in Tests, also."

The one-day series starts at Southampton on June 16 before further matches at The Oval on June 19 and Headingley on June 22 are followed by a stand-alone Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge on June 24.

Source:http://cricketnext.in.com/live/news/barath-welcomes-gayle-return-for-odis/66228-13.html

India-Pakistan cricket ties may resume soon: Pakistani envoy

New Delhi: In what will be music for the ears of thousands of sub-continental cricket lovers, Pakistani High Commissioner Shahid Malik on Tuesday expressed the hope that bilateral cricketing ties between India and Pakistan will soon resume.

Talking to reporters at Indian Women Press Corps, he said that Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani talked to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during World Cup semifinal at Mohali last year on restarting bilateral cricket matches.

"I hope that the cricket bilateral series between India and Pakistan resume soon," Malik said.

"There is a desire on the part of the leadership of both countries that this start," he said adding that Manmohan Singh had said he would take up the issue with the Indian cricket board.

Malik also pointed out that PakistanCricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf was in India at the invitation of Indian cricket board to witness last month's Indian Premier League final at Chennai.

Ashraf had met board president N Srinivasan in Chennai, and later, in Delhi, he met ICC chief Sharad Pawar and IPL commissioner Rajiv Shukla.

"The two cricket boards are discussing the possibility of restarting the cricket ties and series," Malik said.

He also said Pakistan's T20 tournament winners have been invited to participate in the Champions League tournament in India later this year.

"That is a sort of breaking of the ice," Malik said.

Source:http://sports.in.msn.com/cricket/article.aspx?cp-documentid=250119898

TROTT CONTENT WITH BUSY SCHEDULE

Jonathan Trott is highly unlikely to follow Kevin Pietersen's lead, and start narrowing his options as an England cricketer.

As both South Africa-born batsmen began their preparations for tomorrow's third Investec Test against West Indies, it was Trott who found himself quizzed on the ramifications of his team-mate's decision to retire from limited-overs international cricket rather than Pietersen explaining his apparent change of heart.

It is barely three months since Pietersen was racking up successive one-day international hundreds for England, and pledging himself to the cause as far as the next World Cup in 2015.

Yet last week, it became clear that those two match-winning innings in the United Arab Emirates would be Pietersen's last in 50-over cricket for his adopted country.

Trott, surplus to Twenty20 requirements for the past two years since the last of his seven caps in the shortest format, remains a central plank of England's middle order in ODIs and Tests.

He wants to keep it that way too.

"You have to speak to the guys who play all three (formats) about how they feel, but I'm really happy with the scheduling for me," he said.

"It's really busy - but that's part of being an England cricketer... it's part and parcel. You have to accept it and get on with it.

"Kevin's made his mind up about what he wants to do, and that's fine.

"The guys support and understand the decision he's made."

Trott is confident too that, although Pietersen's retirement is a "huge disappointment", others will be able to pick up the slack.

"There's plenty of talent to come in and take his place. It's a bit of a blow, but you have to pick yourself up and get on with it.

"He's box-office, as everyone will tell you. He's a great fielder and a really entertaining, powerful and destructive batsman - so it will take a bit to replace him. But I'm sure there are people up there who can do the job."

In the immediate future, Trott is relishing the opportunity to try to complete a 3-0 whitewash on his home ground - where he was absent through injury last year when England beat India to go to the top of the world rankings.

"I missed out last summer, so there's an extra incentive," he said. "It was strange.

"To be part of the build-up to the India series last year and then have some of it taken away, it was tricky."

Trott and Pietersen may have to deal with the mystery spin of Sunil Narine, should West Indies select him as a Test debutant here.

Trott will be respectful of Narine's variations, but will not be losing any sleep either.

"You have to treat any new bowler the same, figure him out," he said. "There's a certain amount of respect that goes around facing someone new. But you don't fear them; you play them, as anyone else."

Source:http://www.sportinglife.com/cricket/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=cricket/12/06/06/CRICKET_England_Trott.html&BID=615

Pietersen ODI retirement no surprise to Trott

Birmingham: Jonathan Trott is saddened but far from shocked at fellow England batsman Kevin Pietersen's decision to retire from limited overs international cricket.
Pietersen had indicated he wanted to help England retain the World Twenty20 title he did so much to help them win in the Caribbean two years ago when they defend their title in Sri Lanka later this year.
But with England insisting players must make themselves available for both 50-over one-day internationals and Twenty20 contests -- in part to ensure there isn't a mass exodus from the longer format in an increasingly packed schedule -- Pietersen announced his retirement from all limited overs contests last week.
It means England will be without one of their best batsmen in all but Test cricket from now on, despite it being just over three months ago since he scored back-to-back hundreds in England's 4-0 one-day series sweep of Pakistan.
But as Trott prepared to play alongside Pietersen at Edgbaston, where England will try to complete a 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies, he said he had not been taken unawares by his fellow South Africa-born batsman's decision.
"It wasn't a huge surprise," Trott said Tuesday.
"You can understand it in a way, but it's a huge disappointment as well, " added Trott
"Kev's his own guy and has to make his own decisions. The team fully support his decision. Whatever he decides to do with his cricketing career is fine."
Missing players has become something of a theme heading into the third Test, due to start on Thursday, with England controversially resting spearhead seamer James Anderson ahead of a home series against South Africa where Trott and his team-mates will put their world number one Test ranking on the line.
"It's happened in the past, and probably will in the future as well - with the schedule getting busier and busier," said Trott. "It's only right that these things happen.
"Jimmy would have liked to have played, and quite rightly. He's the spearhead of our bowling attack, and you can understand that he will probably be a little bit disappointed.
"But with the bowlers and their heavy workload, it's going to happen from time to time.
"It's not as if you're giving away international caps. We have guys who are vying to play, and whoever takes his place should do a great job."
As for the prospect of completing a Test series whitewash, Trott -- who play at Edgbastpn for Midlands county Warwickshire -- said: "We've got the opportunity to win 3-0, so it's really important we drive home that advantage and don't take our foot off the gas."
Source:
Source:http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/191356-pietersen-odi-retirement-no-surprise-to-trott

West Indies pride at stake - Barath

Sunil Narine could come into the West Indies side for the third Test at Edgbaston

Adrian Barath has called on his colleagues to help restore the pride of West Indies' cricket in the final match of the Test series against England at Edgbaston.

Barath, like the rest of West Indies' top four, has struggled to deal with England's seam attack in the first two Tests, but feels the team have shown signs of improvement and now just need to maintain their performance over a whole game in order to win tangible rewards for their progress. England have already secured the three-Test series with victories in the first two Tests at Lord's and Trent Bridge.

Barath has a point, though. Several times in recent Tests, West Indies have earned a position from which they might have gone on to win. Against India in Delhi - where India eventually won by five wickets - and against Australia in Bridgetown - where Australia won by three wickets - West Indies held the advantage after each side's first innings. Similarly, when England slumped to 57 for 4 chasing 191 to win in the first Test of the series at Lord's, West Indies had a wonderful opportunity to clinch a rare victory. On each occasion, however, one poor session has cost West Indies dear and allowed their opponents back into the game.

"We are getting ourselves into positions to win Tests over the last couple of months," Barath said. "Where we need to move forward in our cricket is carrying on for five days. Sometimes we dominate the game for three days, but then we mess up in one session. That's the mindset we're working upon. That is what Test cricket is all about. It's not a couple of hours; it's over the course of five days. You have to be on the money every day, every hour, every over.

"It's important, having not had any wins in the series so far, that we finish well in this last Test. There is a lot at stake. The pride of West Indies' cricket has been showing some signs of improvement for the last couple of months. It's about getting a Test win; getting a win against England. It's definitely nothing impossible for us. We showed at Lord's where we got those early wickets. If we had carried on getting wickets anything would have been possible. We're really looking forward to getting a win here and bringing some pride to the West Indies."

The tourists have strengthened their squad in recent days with the call-up of spinner Sunil Narine. While it is asking a great deal of Narine, a man with only six first-class games behind him, to come into the team for a Test debut after only a few days' acclimatisation, West Indies may well feel they have little to lose and that 'mystery' spin is England's Achilles heel. Narine looked some way below his best in the nets at Edgbaston on Tuesday and it would remain something of a surprise if he displaced Shane Shillingford, a man who took a ten-wicket haul against Australia only two Tests ago. But Narine's record - both in his limited first-class career and as arguably the leading bowler in the recent IPL season - is nothing short of exceptional. In those six first-class games he has claimed five five-wicket hauls and, in his last three, he has claimed 31 wickets at an average of under 10.

Barath, a fellow Trinidadian, knows Narine's game as well as anyone and feels he has what it takes to be a success at Test level.

"He has the ability to be a world-class bowler," Barath said. "What is good about him is that he is humble and he is always trying to figure out ways to improve and develop new deliveries. Everyone is looking at him on TV, doing their homework and trying to pick him. But he is always working on a new type of delivery. He is always developing something. A spinner of his capabilities will adjust his pace and flight to the conditions.

"Everyone has seen him in T20 and he's obviously made a name for himself even before he's played a Test. But I've played a couple of first-class matches with him this season and it wasn't easy. Most of the batsmen were really guessing and just sticking their bat out. I was fielding at bat-pad and I had a lot of catches there. It was not easy. Obviously the conditions are different - the ball doesn't turn as much in England - but by the fourth and fifth day any good spinner will extract spin."

Barath also admitted to some feelings of relief in the omission of James Anderson from the England team. While Anderson's series averages are relatively modest - he has claimed nine wickets at an average of 26.88 - he has beaten the bat often and proved particularly dangerous with the new ball.

"Any opener would say the same," Barath said, admitting his delight at Anderson's absence. "He's bowled well. He is deservedly England's cricketer of the year. There is no doubt in that when you face him. At Lord's he was swinging the ball all over the place - both ways - and bowling the best deliveries, but just not hitting the edge. Broad took seven wickets but Anderson looked like he was the one who would have taken seven wickets. He was unlucky."

Barath also welcomed the return of Chris Gayle to the West Indies limited-overs side. While Gayle's return came, arguably, at his expense, Barath appeared genuinely excited about the depth of West Indies squad.

"He's been in the set-up for years and everyone has respect for Chris," Barath said. "It's great to have him back and he'll lend experience to our players.

"Having Chris in our team makes it really solid. The depth in our batting - with Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy, Darren and Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Andrew Russell - mean that once we get it right at the top of the order and we get going in the Powerplay it would be difficult to say how could we not chase a big score. Or set one. So once we get it right, we have a good ODI team."

Source:http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-west-indies-2012/content/current/story/567433.html

England v West Indies: Andy Flower - I had to rest James Anderson for his long-term future

Andy Flower has defended resting James Anderson from the third Test, warning that rotation was something both the players and the public would have to get used to with an ever-growing international schedule.

Flat out: James Anderson receives treatment during a drinks break in the second Test at Trent Bridge

We are making this decision in the best interests of English cricket and not trying to over-complicate or devalue the game in any way,” Flower, the England team director, said at Edgbaston.

“I perfectly understand why James Anderson is disappointed to be left out, I would be surprised if he felt any different.

“Over the next couple of years the schedule is incredibly heavy so it is not only going to be Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan who are going to be our bowlers.

"It would be crazy and naive to think so. We are going to use other fast bowlers. This is part of growing our pool of fast bowlers.”

As ever, Flower’s passionate justification has logic and rigour. Yet, on the face of it, there is little difference in his prescription of rest for Anderson and Kevin Pietersen's desire to ditch 50-over internationals from his busy schedule.

The result is that both have ended up miffed; Pietersen because he has been forced to retire from all one-day cricket; Anderson for being told to stay at home for this match.
In this instance, context is everything and while Flower would not discuss Pietersen, he did admit that players and management “should be able to communicate like adults on these subjects”, and that players were “always able to discuss whether they needed a rest”.
Pietersen’s problem, it seems, is that he did not ask for his request (to drop 50-over cricket) to be considered but rather delivered a demand, one that England’s management clearly found unacceptable.
Anderson is not the sort to make demands – except when bowling – but he is unhappy at missing out at Edgbaston. Having taken 17 wickets in his past three Tests there he probably felt a decent haul was his for the taking again.
But Flower is, rightly, a stickler for putting personal goals behind those of the team and with the series already won he felt the collective benefit would come from the leader of the attack being rested.
“We came into this series with one goal, and that was to win the series. We’ve achieved that so our Test-match priorities now shift to the South Africa series,” Flower said.
“There is also a slight shift to the West Indies one-day series because that series stands at 0-0. If the Tests were 1-1 Anderson would play here, he’s not badly injured, just carrying a few niggles.”
Flower’s brief is to enable England to win cricket matches but perhaps it should be broader.
What his decision over Anderson does not take account of is the young lad turning up for this Test hoping to see Anderson, his hero, bowl the home side to victory.
It is of minor interest to him if England are able to get another 18 months out of Anderson three years down the line if his one chance to see him is now.
It is the one minor flaw in Flower’s argument. That apart, you cannot really fault his motivations for trying to keep his bowlers fresh, and it would be no surprise if Stuart Broad was also stood down for this match.
“The days of us playing our players until they snap physically or mentally are over,” Flower said.
“We think it our responsibility to manage things better than that. Does Wayne Rooney play every game for Manchester United? No, because he would break down.
Would you play your most valuable pitcher in every single game in a baseball season? No. In fact, you don’t even see them play full games.”
All teams would want their best players available for the big games though and England’s stance over Pietersen means he will not be part of their World T20 defence in Sri Lanka this autumn.
It is a big loss but one Jonathan Trott feels the team has taken philosophically.
“It’s a bit of a disappointment,” Trott said. “KP is box office and entertaining and a destructive batsman so it will take a bit to replace him.
"But the guys understand and support his decision and I’m sure there are people out there who can do the job.”

Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/9312422/England-v-West-Indies-Andy-Flower-I-had-to-rest-James-Anderson-for-his-long-term-future.html

Middlesex and Somerset even at Lord's on day one

Honours are even between Middlesex and Somerset following a rain-affected first day at Lord's.

Somerset slipped to 1-2 and 45-3 with Corey Collymore, Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones all taking wickets.

Craig Kieswetter and James Hildreth (58) put on 80 for the fourth wicket, before Hildreth became a 100th first-class wicket for Gareth Berg.

Rain arrived in mid-afternoon and play was called off with Somerset on 130-4, Kieswetter unbeaten on 48.

“It was an intense morning session and Middlesex may feel unlucky not to have picked up a couple more wickets before lunch”

Kevin HandBBC London 94.9

Only seven points separated the two sides going into this game, with third-placed Somerset having played one more game than Middlesex in fourth.

Chris Rogers won the toss and invited Somerset to bat, a decision that initially paid dividends.

Opener Alex Barrow was out for a third-ball duck with wicketkeeper John Simpson pulling off a stunning diving catch, full stretch in his left glove.

Nick Compton, who last week became thefirst player to reach 1,000 runs this season, made only one.

Arul Suppiah played on to Roland-Jones for 15, before Hildreth and Kieswetter then put on 80 in 25 overs to recover the situation for Somerset.

Hildreth hit six fours in his three-hour stay at the crease, facing 132 balls, but was caught behind by Simpson as Berg brought up his milestone in his 48th first-class match.

VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand:

"Middlesex will feel relieved to have removed James Hildreth before the early close after he and Craig Kieswetter led a recovery for Somerset.

"The visitors still have plenty of work to do after they were put in and reduced to 45-3. Much like the Sussex match last week, the new ball appears to be key at Lord's.

"It was an intense morning session and Middlesex may feel unlucky not to have picked up a couple more wickets before lunch.

"To their credit Hildreth and Kieswetter showed great resolve to hold the innings together but, with the partnership broken, the hosts will once again target early scalps on the second morning to restrict their opponents to a below-par total."

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/18238194

French Open: Andy Murray aims to end David Ferrer clay dominance

Coverage: Live text commentaries on BBC Sport website from 10:00 BST; updates & commentary on BBC Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra and online

Andy Murray says he feared injury would bring a premature end to his French Open campaign, as he bids to beat David Ferrer on clay for the first time.

After overcoming a back injury to ease past Richard Gasquet, Murray heads into Wednesday's quarter-final 5-4 up in past matches with the Spaniard - but has lost their three meetings on clay.
"A few days ago I thought I was done so to get this far is great," Murray said.
"I've always found it tough against him on clay but I feel I'm playing well."

Head to head

Murray		Ferrer
25	Age	30
4	World ranking	6
22/7	2012 win/loss record	33/7
1	2012 titles	3
22	Career titles	14
$20,376,752	Career prize money	$13,878,532

Having been troubled by a back spasm during his win over Jarkko Nieminen in round two, the 25-year-old's injury worries appeared to have resurfaced when he was left clutching his hip as Gasquet easily won the first set on Monday, only for the Scot to rally and clinch a 1-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 triumph.

Although history is not in Murray's favour against Ferrer, the pair have not played each other on clay for two years and, since that meeting in Madrid, the world number four has won four of their five clashes on hard courts.
"Every match is different," said Murray. "A lot of the clay courts play differently - quicker, slower. Conditions change things. We'll just see whether having lost to him a few times on the clay before is a factor or not."
Six-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal, who faces Nicolas Almagro,is likely to await the winner in the last four, but Murray, the only non-Spaniard left in the bottom half of the draw, insists talk of a semi-final rematch against the reigning champion is premature.
He said: "I think he (Ferrer) is one of the toughest guys to play on any surface. He's number six in the world, and he's been there for a long time now. He's had a good clay-court season so far.
"We know each other's games very well, and he's one of the best players in the world on any surface, so it's going to be a tough match."
Ferrer, seeded sixth, has never been past the quarter-finals at Roland Garros, but is yet to drop a set in Paris this year.
He said: "I don't know if I'm playing my best tennis, it's difficult to say that, but I am in a good moment. I am playing very good at both this tournament and overall this season."
Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/18332437

Strauss issues Twitter warning to England squad

England captain Andrew Strauss issued a warning to his squad on Thursday regarding the dangers of Twitter after Kevin Pietersen's latest spat on the social networking site.

Pietersen, one of England's leading batsmen, was fined an undisclosed sum on Wednesday by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for going on to Twitter to question the credentials of former England international Nick Knight as a Test match commentator of Sky Sports.

Strauss, speaking on the eve of the second Test against the West Indies here at Trent Bridge, said that Twitter was a double-edged sword.

"I'm far too boring to use it!," he joked. "There are always shades of grey with Twitter. It does a really good job of publicising the game but players can find themselves in hot water occasionally.

"There is a line they need to tread with regards to their conditions of employment. We have our own code of conduct and it is manageable.

"You will get occasions when people step out of line and they will be dealt with accordingly," he said.

Pietersen reacted to being fined an undisclosed sum, part suspended for 12 months, by insisting he had nothing against Sky, whose commentary team includes several former England captains.

"Just so as you know, (Michael) Atherton, (Nasser) Hussain, (David) Gower and (Ian) Botham, legends," Pietersen said as he walked into the pavilion after net practice here on Thursday.

Pietersen took to Twitter last week to question the credentials of Knight, who averaged just 23.96 in 17 Tests with one hundred, as a broadcaster.

"Can someone please tell me how Nick Knight has worked his way into the commentary box for the Tests? Ridiculous," said Pietersen, who has 20 Test hundreds to his credit.

Pietersen's comments about Knight were especially sensitive, as Sky agreed in January a new four-year deal to show live international and county cricket believed to be worth at least £260 million ($408 million) - the ECB's main source of income.

An ECB statement issued Wednesday said Pietersen had been fined for comments considered to be "prejudicial to the interests of the ECB and a breach of the England player conditions of employment in relation to clauses regarding public statements."

ECB managing director Hugh Morris, himself a former international batsman, is wary of Twitter, once labelling its use by England players as "like giving a machine gun to a monkey".

The 31-year-old Pietersen, 31, had previously taken to Twitter to accuse Knight of "stealing a living" from Sky last year and had also run into trouble after using the site to announce his omission from an England one-day squad.

Knight, who has questioned Pietersen's place in that one-day team, said, in comments reported by the Daily Mail on Thursday: "He (Pietersen) has his opinions and I have had my say about him on a professional basis.

"A lot of it has been full of admiration for the way he plays and I don't see this as a big issue."

The second Test - in which Pietersen is expected to play - starts on Friday with England 1-0 up in the three-match series following a five-wicket win over the West Indies at Lord's.

Source:http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/190601-strauss-issues-twitter-warning-to-england-squad

BCB clears payment due to Pak players after legal threat

Karachi: Pakistan players have finally received their outstanding dues from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), after a legal action threat issued by the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) to the BCB over non-payment of dues to the players who took part in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). 

"I got my full dues two days back from the BPL," the Daily Times quoted former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, as saying.

Afridi was one of the most expensive players purchased in the players bid for the tournament. 

FICA chief executive Tim May had sent a letter to BCB president Mustafa Kamal a few days ago, asking him to clear the dues of all overseas and local players who took part in the BPL within five days or face legal action. 

Afridi, who only played in the semi-final and final for Dhaka and had a price of around 700,000 dollars in the bid, said he had enjoyed his experience of playing in the BPL. 

The FICA stepped in after several overseas players, including Australians, who played in the BPL claimed that the franchises had not fulfilled their promise of clearing their full payments within 45 days after the last match of the BPL. 

Source:http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/bcb-clears-payment-due-to-pak-players-after-legal-threat_742721.html

People who are raving about IPL are mad: Bishan Singh Bedi

New Delhi: Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi lashed out at the Indian Premier League and asked the youngsters ‘don`t fall for this trap’ as the Twenty20 extravaganza make them ‘go astray’.

“Players like Rahul Dravid, Adam Gilchrist have finished with the game. Michael Clarke does not want to play T20 cricket for Australia; Sachin Tendulkar doesn`t want to play T20s for India. This is just an outing for them to have some fun and in the process, make a quick buck. Youngsters should not take it as a role model activity, but unfortunately, they will,” he told Mid-Day.

“People who are raving about IPL are mad. They are raving about IPL because of the money. This nonsense is all about money, money and more money. The base of the entire IPL is very, very fragile. It is a business proposition and any business must have the base of ‘principles first, profits afterwards’. But, here, there are no principles, only profits and that too, only for the players and BCCI,” he added. 

Source:http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/ipl-2012/people-who-are-raving-about-ipl-are-mad-bishan-singh-bedi_742728.html

Michael Clarke to quit cricket before his late 30s

Melbourne: Just-married Australia captain Michael Clarke has said that he will quit cricket before he passed his mid-30s, unlike many of his predecessors.

Clarke said he won`t continue to play on into his late 30s like former Australian captains Steve Waugh who played till 38, and Ricky Ponting who, at 37, is still there in the fray.

The 31-year-old said he has been `blessed` by cricket and marriage to Kyly Boldy and would be settling down within a few years.

"I am enjoying playing now but in time I won`t be the guy playing at 38, 39, 40," Clarke was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

"I hope I can have my impact in a short space of time and then be finished. I would love to see the team have success, achieve what it can achieve," he added.

Clarke said that he will draw curtains to his career the moment he finished as Australia skipper, unlike Ponting who has continued to play under his successor for 10 months.

But before that Clarke said toppling South Africa this summer and then top-ranked ranked England were his priorities.

"I have so many goals I want to see this team achieve and when my time is up, it is up," he said.

Clarke will lead Australia in a five-match ODI series against England from June 29. 

Source:http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/michael-clarke-to-quit-cricket-before-his-late-30s_742729.html

Yousuf hopeful of making a comeback to Test cricket

Lahore—Despite being ignored once again by the selectors for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Yousuf has said that he has not given up hope on making a comeback to Test cricket.

“I want to complete the milestone of playing 100 Tests. There are so many players still active on the international circuit who have played 100 Tests. I have just played 90. I am not disappointed nor have I given up,” Yousuf told reporters here.

Yousuf, 37, who has scored 7530 Test runs at an average of 52, has not been picked since his last appearance for Pakistan against South Africa in the UAE in November, 2010.

From Pakistan only Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Salim Malik have played 100 or more Tests.
Source:http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=157039

Absence of int’l cricket in Pakistan affecting youngsters

 

LAHORE  - The absence of any international cricket in Pakistan for the last three years has started to have its effect on Pakistan cricket with the biggest losers being the budding talents at the domestic circuit.A senior cricket board official told PTI in an interview that the biggest setback for the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) has been its inability to organise regular tours for the national under-19 and ‘A’ teams. “It is a fact that in this area we have suffered a lot because such tours are only organised on reciprocal basis. The problem is with no team willing to tour Pakistan at the moment we can’t organise any under-19 or ‘A’ team tours,” the official said.He also pointed out that financially it was just not possible to have series of the ‘A’ team at the neutral venues like it was being done in the case of the national team. “The under-19 and ‘A’ team tours are supposed to be an opportunity to give exposure to the upcoming players. In the past we discovered top talent mainly from the under-19 and A team matches,” the official said. Former Test selector, Salahuddin Ahmed agreed that in the past the under-19 and ‘A’ team tours had helped the selectors find talents like Shahid Afridi, Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Moin Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq to name a few.Although the board official said that the other boards were keen to have exchange of ‘A’ team tours with Pakistan, he said “these tours are done on reciprocal basis and while our team can go abroad no team is willing to play in Pakistan and that is a big setback for us”. Since militants attacked the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, killing six Pakistani policemen and a van driver and wounding some of the visiting players, no foreign Test team is willing to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.Even as the PCB is making efforts to revive international cricket in the country but the security situation has been a big stumbling stone. In April, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) after agreeing to play a ODI and a T20 match in Lahore backed out at the last moment following the Dhaka High Court issuing an injunction on sending the Bangladesh team to Pakistan because of security concerns expressed in a petition filed with the court.Only Afghanistan has sent its team to play in Pakistan in the last three years against the Pakistan ‘A’ team but the board official admitted that series against non-Test playing nations didn’t help tap or groom the young talent.“There is no doubt that on one hand while the absence of international matches is hurting us financially it is also making it difficult for us to spot the right talent from the domestic circuit.” To make matters worse, the Indian Cricket Board ( BCCI) has also continued to resist the resumption of the bilateral ties after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008.“Not having bilateral ties with India is also hurting us in many ways. We have just managed to earn some money from the home series of the national team we have been forced to organise at neutral venues,” the official said. With a heavy workforce and increasing expenses the PCB is now preparing to cut down administrative and other expenses to keep itself financially viable. “We are fortunate that since 2009 we have received handsome amounts as part of our share from the ICC events, including the T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and 2011 World Cup and that has helped us keep moving ahead,” the official said.The PCB, besides its administrative expenses with a workforce of around 500 people all over the country also heavily subsidises the domestic cricket circuit with earning avenues scarce. “The Board pays monthly retainers, match fees and allowances to players of affiliated regional associations for at least six months in a year while we also have to subsidise ground development projects and other expenses of our affiliated units,” another official said.Chief operating officer, Subhan Ahmed said that the main purpose of trying to launch a premier league T20 tournament in Pakistan was not only to pave the way for international players to return to Pakistan but also turn it into a profitable venture for the board since T20 cricket was the most popular form of cricket these days.“As far as the proposed premier league is concerned we have got good presentations from Nimbus sports, Ten sports and are expecting another one from TWI as well. But one thing is definite whether we launch it on a small or big scale, the PPL will be held in October,” he said. He also made it clear that the PPL would be launched from Pakistan.
 Source:http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/sports/25-May-2012/absence-of-int-l-cricket-in-pakistan-affecting-youngsters

Survey shows UK under 'no threat' as Alex Salmond launches separatist campaign

The United Kingdom is under no threat of breaking up, according to a survey published to coincide with today’s official launch of the Scottish separatists’ referendum campaign.

Alistair Darling said the opinion poll shows Alex Salmond, pictured, has failed in persuading Scots about separation 

A YouGov opinion poll commissioned by Alistair Darling, the former Chancellor, showed only 33 per cent of voters in Scotland want independence and 57 per cent are opposed.

In his first intervention since becoming leader of the pro-UK campaign, Mr Darling said the poll showed Alex Salmond “doesn’t speak for Scotland” and support for independence has barely shifted over the last four decades.

Mr Salmond will be joined in Edinburgh this morning by celebrities and the leaders of minor left-wing parties to formally start his bid to end the 305-year-old Union between England and Scotland.

Sir Sean Connery is expected to be among the stars who will encourage the Scottish people to vote for separation in the referendum, due in autumn 2014. Those present will all sign a symbolic declaration backing independence.

However, a major division emerged in the separatists’ campaign after Patrick Harvie, the Scottish Green Party co-leader, accused the First Minister of pursuing a “strategy for failure” by promising to keep the Queen and sterling.

The SNP said last night they remained “extremely confident” of winning the referendum but the poll results threatened to overshadow their campaign launch, which will feature a slogan promising to place the future in “Scotland’s hands”.
Mr Darling, the Edinburgh South West MP, said: “Alex Salmond may be the First Minister of Scotland but, as these new figures confirm, on the issue of independence he doesn’t speak for Scotland.
“The nationalists will go to great lengths to try and prove there is a groundswell towards leaving the UK but the truth is their campaign has stalled. Independence is an unpopular as it has ever been.”
The former Chancellor said Mr Salmond has failed to increase support for separation after deploying the “full resources” of Scottish Executive’s civil service, the SNP’s landslide Holyrood election victory last year and raising a war chest of millions.
His survey asked 1,004 Scots if they agreed Scotland “should become a country independent of the rest of the UK”. Only 27 per cent of women agreed with this statement.
Although the separatists have to make up a 24-point deficit, the poll showed only ten per cent did not know how they would vote.
In another blow to Mr Salmond, only 58 per cent of people who voted SNP last year said they would back independence, while 28 per cent were opposed.
Nearly half of respondents (47 per cent) said they thought Scotland would be financially worse off after separation compared to only 27 per cent who said it would be wealthier. Thirteen per cent said independence would make no difference.
Mr Darling was initially reluctant to assume leadership of the pro-UK campaign but has since agreed to coordinate efforts by Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats, all of which welcomed the YouGov poll.
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Conservative leader, said: “Alex Salmond is expected to pull out the stops for his big launch, but all the razzamatazz in the world can’t hide the fact that the majority of Scots have no wish to be separated from the rest of the UK.
“The First Minister knows he is in trouble when more than a quarter of his own voters don’t share his vision for a separate Scottish state.”
Angus Robertson, the SNP’s campaign director, said the survey should have used the SNP’s preferred question, despite polling and elections experts confirming that it is biased towards a ‘yes’ response.
“The referendum isn’t happening tomorrow, as the poll tries to pretend. Today is the start of the biggest community-based campaign in Scotland’s history,” he said.
“We are extremely confident of winning the trust of the people and achieving a ‘yes’ vote in autumn 2014.”
Meanwhile, the Advocate General for Scotland last night urged Mr Salmond to come back to the negotiating table over the referendum’s rules and wording to ensure it cannot be blocked by the courts.
Lord Wallace of Tankerness, the former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy First Minister, emphasised only the UK Government can stage a legal vote and power needs to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Salmond wants a second question on the ballot paper asking Scots if they want more powers, in case they reject full separation, but UK ministers want a single, straight proposition as soon as possible.
Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9288436/Survey-shows-UK-under-no-threat-as-Alex-Salmond-launches-separatist-campaign.html

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club backs call to reopen station

The club also hopes to redevelop the Nevil Road ground

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club has backed a transport campaign which aims to reopen a train station close to the cricket ground.

If successful, Ashley Hill will become a new link in a planned metro rail system for Gloucester, which connects to Parkway and Temple Meads in Bristol.

Chief executive Tom Richardson said the club was committed to promoting public transport for match travel.

The campaign is also supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

'Large crowds'

Earlier in the week, representatives of the ECB visited the grounds to look through the club's development plans.

The club is hoping to upgrade the facilities at the Nevil Road grounds so it can host international matches.

A new planning application to upgrade the grounds was submitted to Bristol City Council earlier this month after a previous application was rejected in January.

The Greater Bristol Rail Link  group wants some stations reopened, such as Ashley Hill, and more frequent services in the greater Bristol area.

Gordon Hollins, ECB managing director of events and county business, said: "The ECB is fully supportive of ensuring a variety of public transport options for travelling to and from matches and this is particularly important when large crowds are expected."

Source:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17563609