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Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, has backed the idea of day-night Tests, saying the concept will draw in bigger crowds, increase viewership and generate greater revenues for the game

Cricinfo staff11-Jun-2010Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, has backed the idea of day-night Tests, saying the concept will draw in bigger crowds, increase viewership and generate greater revenues for the game. Afridi echoed the views of the outgoing ICC president David Morgan, who had said “it won’t be too long” before day-night Tests are played in India or Australia, and former Australian captain Steve Waugh.”I definitely support this idea to have Test matches under lights because in this changing world it is necessary to make changes according to times,” Afridi told . “When you can have Twenty20 cricket and 50-overs cricket under lights, why not Test matches? I think it would increase the crowd participation and increase revenues and viewership for Test matches.”The prospect of day-night Tests has been raised to increase crowds but the concept has been held back by problems with coloured balls lasting more than 80 overs. Afridi, however, believed things would fall into place once the idea was implemented. When they used white ball for the first time in one-day cricket, it took time before things fell into place.”It is the real test for cricketers but it is also a fact that nowadays people don’t have time to go to the grounds for five days during the day time. I support any move that is aimed at betterment in the sport.”

Cricket Australia officials are still lobbying to gain enough support to install John Howard as the ICC’s vice-president in Singapore

Peter English28-Jun-2010Cricket Australia officials are still lobbying to gain enough support to install John Howard as the ICC’s vice-president in Singapore over the next two days. The appointment of Howard, the former Australia prime minister, is supposed to be a formality but it has become increasingly uncertain following complaints raised by Zimbabwe and South Africa.Howard’s vice-presidency will be a key issue at the ICC’s executive board meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, which occurs before the elevation of India’s Sharad Pawar to the top job. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, and the chairman Jack Clarke are in Singapore for various talks this week and are attempting to secure the seven votes required for Howard to get the deputy’s role. “There are still discussions taking place,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said on Monday.In an effort to improve relations with Zimbabwe, Howard, who as prime minister was critical of Robert Mugabe’s regime, met with senior cricket officials there last week. A similar approach to speak with South African administrators was rejected while Howard was in the country for the football World Cup.Despite the claims of Zimbabwe Cricket’s managing director Ozias Bvute that reports of its influence were “maliciously incorrect”, its senior officials raised the initial protest through its South African counterparts outside ICC meetings in Dubai in April. The issue has continued to simmer and there are concerns India will side with the African countries in the executive meeting to block the appointment.David Morgan, the out-going ICC president, supports the Howard nomination, which was proposed by Australia and New Zealand following a drawn-out selection process. Under the ICC’s guidelines Howard should become president in 2012, replacing Pawar, the Indian politician.

Dale Steyn is fed up of South Africa’s ‘chokers’ tag, and believes they do not deserve to go into the 2011 World Cup with a question mark over their ability to succeed in crunch games

Cricinfo staff06-Aug-2010Dale Steyn is fed up of South Africa’s ‘chokers’ tag, and believes they do not deserve to go in to the 2011 World Cup with doubts over their ability to succeed in crunch games.South Africa had looked the part in four of the five World Cups they participated in since 1992, before losing in the elimination rounds. They were knocked out in the first round of the 2003 edition at home, on the back of a wrong reading of the Duckworth-Lewis par scores. They have faced similar problems in the first three editions of the World Twenty20 despite going in as pre-tournament favourites on each occasion, yet Steyn felt it was unfair to put undue pressure on the young side, several of whom will be in their first World Cup next year.”For me, to be labelled as chokers really sucks,” Steyn told . “This team is made up of a lot of young guys who will play for South Africa for a long time. Why are we being called chokers, a lot of us have never been to a World Cup before.”I’ve played in two Twenty20 World Cups but there was hardly a year between them and you could hardly pick yourself up from the last one. It was extremely disappointing what happened in the West Indies [in the 2010 World Twenty20], but we have another opportunity at the end of this season and hopefully we can get this monkey off our back,” Steyn said.The South African player group is currently gearing up for the final lap before the World Cup with a conditioning camp in the High Performance Center at Tuks University. Their upcoming commitments are three ODIs against Zimbabwe, five ODIs and two Tests against Pakistan in Dubai, followed by three Tests and five ODIs at home against India.”With the World Cup just around the corner, we need to have the perfect side to play in those conditions, players that will fit like a glove,” Steyn said. “If you ask me one year from now what was the highlight of the season, whether it’s beating India at home in a Test series or the World Cup, let’s be honest, we want to bring that trophy back with us.”

Sri Lanka have left out left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara and batsman Thilina Kandamby for the tri-series, which begins on August 10 in Dambulla

Cricinfo staff07-Aug-2010Sri Lanka have left out left-arm seamer Chanaka Welegedara, allrounder Farveez Maharoof and batsman Thilina Kandamby for the tri-series, which begins on August 10 in Dambulla. Chamara Silva, who last played in the tri-series also involving India and Zimbabwe in May and June, makes a return, as does fast bowler Dilhara Fernando. Sri Lanka have also picked allrounder Thisara Perera, who was the leading wicket-taker in the one-day games on the A tour of Australia in June and July.Muttiah Muralitharan, who recently retired from Tests, was rested, though he has made himself available for selection for the 2011 World Cup. Maharoof’s omission is surprising because the allrounder impressed in the Asia Cup, taking a hat-trick during a five-wicket haul in the league match against India.Silva, at one point, was a regular in Sri Lanka’s middle order until a series of low scores cost him his place in the Asia Cup. Fernando played in the second Test against India at the SSC, while Perera represented Sri Lanka in 10 ODIs and was also part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in the IPL. The other participating teams in the tri-series are India and New Zealand and all the matches will be held in Dambulla.Squad: Kumar Sangakkara (capt & wk), Mahela Jayawardene (vc), Chamara Silva, Thisara Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath.

Harbhajan Singh seemed to be in some discomfort while bowling in the nets at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Monday

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2010Harbhajan Singh, the India offspinner, has had an injury scare in the lead-up to the Test series against Australia. He seemed to be in some discomfort while bowling in the nets at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Monday.”He underwent an MRI scan around the pelvic and hip area,” quoted local hospital sources as saying. “There is no serious injury but since he got a sprain, it would be advisable to take rest for the next few days.”During the net session, Harbhajan took a break and came back with Nitin Patel, the Indian team physio, by his side. Either side of the break, though, Harbhajan bowled sizeable spells. also reported that he bowled in the nets at the Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh in the evening, after the conclusion of the three-day tour game between the Australians and the Indian Board President’s XI.Harbhajan’s previous Test series was a fitness disaster. In Sri Lanka he started off with a flu, played the first two Tests at less than full fitness, and sat out the third with a calf strain. He managed only two wickets in those two Tests. He made his comeback to top-flight cricket in the Champions League T20 in South Africa.The first Test between India and Australia begins in Mohali on October 1.

Mark Turner will be leaving Somerset after signing a two year contract, starting in 2011, with Derbyshire

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2010Fast bowler Mark Turner will be leaving Somerset after signing a two-year contract with Derbyshire. Turner, 25, moved from Durham to Somerset in 2006 in search for more permanent opportunities but, as with many quicks, found Taunton a tough place to prosper and did not play any first-class cricket this season.He was offered a new deal by the Somerset but has revealed that a longing for more opportunities to play first-team cricket is behind his decision to sign for Derbyshire.”I have played quite a bit of one-day cricket with Somerset and I’ve done quite well,” Turner said. “But I haven’t managed to establish myself in the four-day game and that is what I’m trying to achieve.”Derbyshire showed an interest in me and after speaking to John Morris I knew the move was the right thing to do. The opportunity to play in all forms of cricket is something I can’t turn down at this stage of my career. I am looking forward to the challenge.”Turner won’t be a stranger at the County Ground having previously played alongside Steffan Jones and Wes Durston with Somerset.”The plan is to get to Derbyshire and work really hard to push for a place. My new club are getting somebody who can bowl with a bit of pace and somebody who runs in and tries his hardest with every ball he bowls.””Mark is a talented cricketer with his best years ahead of him and I am delighted to add him to our squad ahead of the 2011 season,” added John Morris, Derbyshire’s head of cricket. “That fact that he has been prepared to make this move in search of first team cricket demonstrates that Mark is an ambitious cricketer who is striving to better himself. That is just the kind of player we want to bring to Derbyshire.”

Ben Cutting is used to aiming for the corridor of uncertainty instead of being stuck in it after an off-season spent wondering when he will return from a bad case of fast bowler’s ankle

Peter English11-Oct-2010Ben Cutting is used to aiming for the corridor of uncertainty instead of being stuck in it after an off-season spent wondering when he will return from a bad case of fast bowler’s ankle. At the end of last summer Cutting, 23, was being discussed as a national prospect, but as the 2010-11 campaign began he was playing as a specialist batsman in grade cricket and limited to practising his action off a couple of steps.Rather than celebrating his breakthrough summer of 46 Sheffield Shield wickets at 23.91 – the most in the competition – Cutting had a scan on his ankle straight after the final loss. It showed a stress fracture as well as a crack in his heel and he had surgery after some rest to settle the problems.”It was meant to be six weeks before I could do running, but it’s turned out to be six months,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “The frustrating thing is I can’t work to a timeline. I might have a bowl, and pull up sore, so I can’t go harder the next day.”While Cutting was playing in the Shield final in March, South Australia’s Peter George was called up as a standby player with the Test team in New Zealand. There was talk that if Cutting wasn’t involved in the decider it might have been him covering for Ryan Harris.As Cutting spent the off-season in rehabilitation, George re-joined the national team in England and on Saturday was picked for his first Test. “To be honest, it didn’t really bother me,” Cutting said of the rise of George and Josh Hazlewood during his absence. “It will take me a while to get on the park, and if I have a really good season this year it will take care of itself.”He did have a down period two months ago when he realised he’d probably miss the start of the summer, but he was cheery as the Bulls prepared for their opening matches. “The business end is after Christmas, you’ve got the Big Bash and the two finals as well, so I’ve got that in the front of my mind,” he said.Queensland began the season with Harris also on the injured list and Luke Feldman joined him after breaking his wrist in the opening one-day match against Tasmania on Wednesday. The setbacks leave the Bulls missing three of their major weapons and Cutting’s team-mates are desperate to know when he’ll be back. Currently his best chance of a return is the 2nd XI game against Tasmania on October 19.

Brett Dorey and Michael Beer combined for six wickets as Western Australia moved off the bottom of the ladder with their 241-run win over Victoria

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Nov-2010Western Australia 368 & 3 for 222 dec beat Victoria 141 & 208 (Hussey 57, Dorey 3-33) by 241 runs

ScorecardBrett Dorey took three wickets to help set up Western Australia’s win•Getty Images

Brett Dorey and Michael Beer combined for six wickets as Western Australia moved off the bottom of the ladder with their 241-run win over Victoria. The hosts needed to reach 450 but only David Hussey, the stand-in captain, could resist for long and the game was over shortly after tea.The Bushrangers resumed at 0 for 43 but could not overcome an attack led by Mitchell Johnson, who finished with six wickets for the game. Dorey was the pick with 3 for 33 in the second innings while Beer, the spinner, ran through the lower order with 3 for 39.Johnson helped dismantle the top by removing Aaron Finch, with his 1 for 58 following his first-innings 5 for 35. Hussey posted a hard-working 57 but when he was caught behind off Michael Hogan the end was near.Victoria weren’t helped by being without Andrew McDonald, who broke his hand on day one, and limped to 208. The Warriors moved to fifth, two points behind the Bushrangers.

Shitanshu Kotak, who played his 100th Ranji game this season, was a relieved man after Saurashtra defeated Assam by 172 runs and avoided relegation to the Plate league

Sriram Veera17-Dec-2010Shitanshu Kotak, who played his 100th Ranji game this season, was a relieved man after Saurashtra defeated Assam by 172 runs and avoided relegation to the Plate league. Saurashtra knew at the start of the game that they needed to win; a first-innings lead or a draw wouldn’t do and they prepared a spinner’s track to play to their strength. “Assam had just offspinners; we had a left-arm spinner,” Kotak said. “One thing was certain, we needed a result. The wicket was turning from day 1.”Saurashtra, who batted first, were shot out for 140 but they managed to get a 13-run lead. Kotak, who made 44 in the first innings, was run out for 29 in the second, backing up too far at the non-striker’s end but Ravindra Jadeja produced a fine knock of 84 to push Saurashtra to 235 before the bowlers took over. Today, Assam reached 67 for 3 but Amol Muzumdar fell to open the floodgates. The rest collapsed in a heap as Kamlesh Makvana picked up a six-for.Kotak was relieved at the end of the day but looked back at the season with mixed feelings. He felt the loss against Gujarat was the turning point. “We had the first-innings lead but one bad session in the second cost us dearly and we lost by two wickets. If we had won that, who knows we might still be in the running for qualification for the knockout. Ranji Trophy league can be tough; one bad game can change it. We should have finished off that game.”Kotak admitted that Saurashtra didn’t play well as a unit. “It was an average season. I think we didn’t do well in both batting and bowling. In batting, only Jogiyani and I crossed 300 runs. In bowling, if you take out this game, no bowler got 10 wickets. The good thing is we stay in the Super League and will bounce back strongly next season.”Saurashtra might not remember this season fondly as a team but Kotak had a memorable personal moment when he played his 100th Ranji game. He also brought up his 7000th run during that game against Railways in which he hit a fifty. No other Saurashtra player has tallied 5000 runs or played 100 games. “I am grateful for the career I have had; I don’t have any regrets. Playing for India doesn’t happen for everybody. I worked hard and god has been kind.”Kotak, who is famous for his stonewalling knocks, has been one of the chief forces behind Saurashtra’s rise from the anonymity of the Plate league. “I am very pleased that I played my part in getting the team to Elite. What gives me the greatest satisfaction was that I performed in the big games. As a team, once we had three to four performers, especially after the youngsters like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja came in, we started to win. Players started to believe in themselves. They started to think they can compete and qualify for quarterfinals and semi-finals.”He has no definite plans on how long he will continue to play. “I think it’s [career] gone too quick, too fast. I have lots of happy memories and have no plans for the future. I will continue playing till I feel I am good enough and can contribute to the team’s cause. When I stop enjoying, I will step down.”

Reece Young, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, has pointed to his move from Auckland to Canterbury in July as the key to his call-up to the national squad.

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Dec-2010Reece Young, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, has pointed to his move from Auckland to Canterbury in July as the key to his call-up to the national squad. While at Auckland, Young played alongside Gareth Hopkins, the man he has replaced, and had to play as a specialist batsman whenever Hopkins was in the team.”In Auckland, I was batting up the order and was a senior player, but I wasn’t keeping consistently,” Young told the . “That was the reason for leaving: to forge my own path and play head to head against Hoppy. Down here [in Canterbury] I get to be a senior player, bat up the order, and keep wickets consistently.”Young has been named in the 13-man squad for the two-match Test series against Pakistan that begins in Hamilton on January 7 next year, as well as in the Twenty20 squad for the three-match series beginning December 26.Hopkins was not only axed from the squad for the Pakistan Test and Twenty20 series, but left out of the 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. He played all three Tests on New Zealand’s tour of India in November, after Brendon McCullum decided he was not going to keep wickets anymore in Tests, and said his lack of batting form on that tour was what resulted in his exclusion.”To be one day in the starting XI and then not in the 30 is a long way to fall but I missed my opportunity and I have to look inwardly,” Hopkins, who is 34, said. “I felt I had a pretty good tour [of India] with the gloves but I let myself down with a lack of runs.”Hopkins could only manage 44 runs in five innings with the bat during the Test series and then got only 33 runs in the four ODIs he played. He averages 14.75 in 25 ODIs.The 31-year-old Young has averaged 54.96 in first-class cricket in the last three years. He has played 99 first-class games, which means a debut Test against Pakistan will be his 100th, and said the 12 years of experience he had in domestic cricket would hold him in good stead when he played for the national side.”I’m really glad to have put in the time in domestic cricket before I got my opportunity,” Young said. “I know what it’s like to succeed and to fail and I know my game.”Young said he had heard rumours he may be picked for the Pakistan series but didn’t get his hopes up till he got the call. “I did realise there was an opportunity,” he said. “Mark Greatbatch called me this [Wednesday] morning, it was a brief conversation, but it was obviously one I was wanting. It’s a great Christmas present.”