Andrew Flintoff is fit and will play in next weeks final Ashes test, which will also be his last test. Flintoff missed the fourth test after he was declared unfit at the last moment.
The English selectors meanwhile are looking for ways to strengthen their middle order. They havent ruled out the possibility of Mark Ramprakash.
Meanwhile Bell, Cook and a few others are back to the County circuit to get back into form.
The fifth test looks like turning into a cracker, hope it lives up to its expectations.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Aussie fans responsible for firealarm prank on English team
The Australian cricket team fans nicknamed 'The Fanatics' have claimed responsibility for a firealarm on Friday morning that left the English cricket players out in their PJ's.
The alarm at the Radisson Hotel went off at 4.30am on Friday leading to the evacuation of the cricket team and the other guests. Two fire engines searched the premises for the source of the alarm and the English team were left outside for upto 20 minutes.
"Yes it was one of our guys who did it as a bit of a prank," Mr Livingston, head of the Fanaticssaid yesterday. "I got a text message after it happened, its good old fashioned Aussie high jinks."
The prank seemed to have good effect as the English were all out for 102 on the first day.
The alarm at the Radisson Hotel went off at 4.30am on Friday leading to the evacuation of the cricket team and the other guests. Two fire engines searched the premises for the source of the alarm and the English team were left outside for upto 20 minutes.
"Yes it was one of our guys who did it as a bit of a prank," Mr Livingston, head of the Fanaticssaid yesterday. "I got a text message after it happened, its good old fashioned Aussie high jinks."
The prank seemed to have good effect as the English were all out for 102 on the first day.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tendulkar aims for 15000 test runs and World Cup win
Sachin Tendulkar has revealed that he is not content with the runs he has scored and is aiming for 15000 tests runs. He has also set his eyes on winning the 2011 World Cup.
He also has a dig at former Australian coach John Buchanan, who recently wrote about Sachins shortcoming against the short ball. "It is only his opinion; John Buchanan doesn't have to be right all the time. If I couldn't handle short deliveries, then I wouldn't still be scoring runs. Maybe he needs to change his opinion. There must be something very wrong with all the bowlers around the world that they have allowed me to score so many runs."
He also said that Virender Sehwag comes closest to his style of play. He is not thinking about retirement yet saying he will know when its the right time to go and wont have to be dragged away.
He also has a dig at former Australian coach John Buchanan, who recently wrote about Sachins shortcoming against the short ball. "It is only his opinion; John Buchanan doesn't have to be right all the time. If I couldn't handle short deliveries, then I wouldn't still be scoring runs. Maybe he needs to change his opinion. There must be something very wrong with all the bowlers around the world that they have allowed me to score so many runs."
He also said that Virender Sehwag comes closest to his style of play. He is not thinking about retirement yet saying he will know when its the right time to go and wont have to be dragged away.
Kumble on panel to sort out doping issue
Anil Kumble will join a special ICC committe to sort out the issues related to the WADA 'whereabouts clause' which has been rejected by some of Indias elite cricketers.
The new committe called The International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) working group will be chaired by Tim Kerr. Other members of the committe are Haroon Lorgat, N Srinivasan and IS Bindra.
Top Indian cricketers have been critical of the WADA clause which requires players to specify their location three months in advance to facilitate off season testing.
Yuvraj Singh is one of the players who is against this and he has asked to treat cricketers differently because of their busy schedule. Indias Sports Minister is not impressed with this stance by the cricketers and says they should adhere to the WADA codes just like all other athletes.
It sure is going to be a tough time for the panel to come out with a good solution
The new committe called The International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP) working group will be chaired by Tim Kerr. Other members of the committe are Haroon Lorgat, N Srinivasan and IS Bindra.
Top Indian cricketers have been critical of the WADA clause which requires players to specify their location three months in advance to facilitate off season testing.
Yuvraj Singh is one of the players who is against this and he has asked to treat cricketers differently because of their busy schedule. Indias Sports Minister is not impressed with this stance by the cricketers and says they should adhere to the WADA codes just like all other athletes.
It sure is going to be a tough time for the panel to come out with a good solution
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Champions League Cricket 2009 Schedule
Groups -
A - Deccan Chargers (IND), Trinidad & Tobago (WI) and Runner up from England
B - Eagles (SA), New South Wales (AUS) and Winner from England
C - Cape Cobras (SA), Otago (NZ) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (IND)
D - Delhi Daredevils (IND), Victoria (AUS) and Wayamba (SL)
Venues -Hyderabad - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Delhi - Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Bangalore - M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Schedule -
Thu Oct 8- Group C - Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Cape Cobras at
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 9 - Group B - Eagles VS New South Wales at
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Fri Oct 9- Group D - Delhi Daredevils VS Victoria at
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sat Oct 10- Group C - Cape Cobras VS Otago at
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Sat Oct 10- Group A - Deccan Chargers VS T2 at
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sun Oct 11- Group B - New South Wales VS T1 at
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Sun Oct 11 - Group D - Delhi Daredevils VS Wayamba at
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Mon Oct 12 - Group A – T2 VS Trinidad & Tobago at
Bangalore at 16:00 PM local
Mon Oct 12- Group C - Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Otago
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Tue Oct 13 - Group D - Victoria VS Wayamba
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Tue Oct 13 - Group B - Eagles VS T1
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Wed Oct 14 - Group A - Deccan Chargers VS Trinidad & Tobago
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Thu Oct 15 - League B - C1 VS D2
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 16 - League A - A2 VS B2
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Fri Oct 16 League A - A1 VS B1
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sat Oct 17 League B - C2 VS D2
Bangalore at 16:00 PM local
Sat Oct 17 League B - TBC VS TBC (C1 VS D1)
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sun Oct 18 - League A - TBC VS TBC (A2 VS B1)
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Sun Oct 18 - League A - TBC VS TBC (A1 VS B2)
Hyderabad 20:00 PM local (night)
Mon Oct 19 - League B - TBC VS TBC (C2 VS D1)
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Wed Oct 21 - 1st semi-final - Winner B VS Runner up A
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Thu Oct 22 2nd semi-final - Winner A VS Runner up B
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 23 - Final - TBC VS TBC
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
A - Deccan Chargers (IND), Trinidad & Tobago (WI) and Runner up from England
B - Eagles (SA), New South Wales (AUS) and Winner from England
C - Cape Cobras (SA), Otago (NZ) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (IND)
D - Delhi Daredevils (IND), Victoria (AUS) and Wayamba (SL)
Venues -Hyderabad - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Delhi - Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Bangalore - M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Schedule -
Thu Oct 8- Group C - Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Cape Cobras at
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 9 - Group B - Eagles VS New South Wales at
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Fri Oct 9- Group D - Delhi Daredevils VS Victoria at
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sat Oct 10- Group C - Cape Cobras VS Otago at
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Sat Oct 10- Group A - Deccan Chargers VS T2 at
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sun Oct 11- Group B - New South Wales VS T1 at
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Sun Oct 11 - Group D - Delhi Daredevils VS Wayamba at
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Mon Oct 12 - Group A – T2 VS Trinidad & Tobago at
Bangalore at 16:00 PM local
Mon Oct 12- Group C - Royal Challengers Bangalore VS Otago
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Tue Oct 13 - Group D - Victoria VS Wayamba
Delhi at 16:00 PM local
Tue Oct 13 - Group B - Eagles VS T1
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Wed Oct 14 - Group A - Deccan Chargers VS Trinidad & Tobago
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Thu Oct 15 - League B - C1 VS D2
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 16 - League A - A2 VS B2
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Fri Oct 16 League A - A1 VS B1
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sat Oct 17 League B - C2 VS D2
Bangalore at 16:00 PM local
Sat Oct 17 League B - TBC VS TBC (C1 VS D1)
Bangalore at 20:00 PM local (night)
Sun Oct 18 - League A - TBC VS TBC (A2 VS B1)
Hyderabad at 16:00 PM local
Sun Oct 18 - League A - TBC VS TBC (A1 VS B2)
Hyderabad 20:00 PM local (night)
Mon Oct 19 - League B - TBC VS TBC (C2 VS D1)
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Wed Oct 21 - 1st semi-final - Winner B VS Runner up A
Delhi at 20:00 PM local (night)
Thu Oct 22 2nd semi-final - Winner A VS Runner up B
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Fri Oct 23 - Final - TBC VS TBC
Hyderabad at 20:00 PM local (night)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Champions Trophy 2009 schedule
Since the ALP is almost certainly gone to dumps this year, what better to focus on than the Champions Trophy. After a year of delays its finally set to roll out on the 22nd of September.
It will be a very short tournament this time around. Only 15 matches will be played at two venues.
Teams wil be divided into two groups, the top two from each group will proceed to the semies.
Group A - Pakistan, West Indies, India and Australia
Group B - South Africa, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand
Since there are so few games, there is very little margin for error.
Here's the schedule
Tuesday 22 September -
South Africa v Sri Lanka (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Wednesday September 23 –
Pakistan v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Thursday September 24 –
South Africa v New Zealand (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Friday September 25 –
England v Sri Lanka (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sat September 26 –
Australia v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday September 26 –
India v Pakistan (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday September 27 –
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sunday September 27 –
South Africa v England (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Monday September 28 –
Australia v India (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday September 29 –
England v New Zealand (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Wednesday September 30 –
Australia v Pakistan (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Wednesday September 30 –
India v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Friday October 2 –
1st Semi-Final - A1 v B2 at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Saturday October 3 –
2nd Semi-Final - B1 v A2 at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Monday October 5 –
Final - TBC v TBC at SuperSport Park, Centurion
It will be a very short tournament this time around. Only 15 matches will be played at two venues.
Teams wil be divided into two groups, the top two from each group will proceed to the semies.
Group A - Pakistan, West Indies, India and Australia
Group B - South Africa, Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand
Since there are so few games, there is very little margin for error.
Here's the schedule
Tuesday 22 September -
South Africa v Sri Lanka (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Wednesday September 23 –
Pakistan v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Thursday September 24 –
South Africa v New Zealand (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Friday September 25 –
England v Sri Lanka (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sat September 26 –
Australia v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Saturday September 26 –
India v Pakistan (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday September 27 –
New Zealand v Sri Lanka (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Sunday September 27 –
South Africa v England (B) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Monday September 28 –
Australia v India (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday September 29 –
England v New Zealand (B) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Wednesday September 30 –
Australia v Pakistan (A) at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Wednesday September 30 –
India v West Indies (A) at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Friday October 2 –
1st Semi-Final - A1 v B2 at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Saturday October 3 –
2nd Semi-Final - B1 v A2 at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Monday October 5 –
Final - TBC v TBC at SuperSport Park, Centurion
Thursday, July 23, 2009
American Premier League likely to be cancelled
Some sad news for cricket fans in America. The APL is most likely to be cancelled this year. The league has sent its proposals to the USA Cricket Association in a bid to gain official recognition. They have not received a response yet, which puts the tournament in doubt for this year.
The USA Cricket Association meanwhile has its own plays for a T20 league. Its turning out to be a battle like the one between the IPL VS ICL.
Lets hope this dispute is resolved soon.
The USA Cricket Association meanwhile has its own plays for a T20 league. Its turning out to be a battle like the one between the IPL VS ICL.
Lets hope this dispute is resolved soon.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Talking about the Ashes ...
Nothing interesting from the APL for a few days now, and so I was think what to write about. And then a great idea struck me - The Ashes.
The Ashes is one of the oldest rivalries in sports, dating back to 1882. Now some 120odd years later the rivalry is as fierce as ever. Who can forget series of 2005, what a thrilling contest that was.
Now back to 2009. The first test has just concluded, but not without a twist. Australian Captain Ricky Ponting had a great match - scoring 150 runs and named man of the match - but he wasnt a happy chap at the end of it all. He accused England of using stalling techniques to draw the game. For those who are not aware of what happened, heres a breif summary. With 1 wicket in hand and needing to survive just a few minutes for a draw, England decided to send their 12th man to deliver new gloves to the pair in the middle. Just an over later -and much to the dissappointment of the Australian captain- they were at it again. To add insult to injury, the team Physio was also sent out for no apparent reason. An unimpressed Ricky Ponting questioned England spirit after the game. Aussie Nathan Hauritz however said he would have done the same if he were in Englands shoes.
The series looks to heading to a new level now, with both teams eager to beat each other. Theres a little concern for England though, Andrew Flintoff the hero of 2005 is in serious doubt for the second test. His loss will be a major blow to England.
Injuries apart, this series is promising to be an exciting one
The Ashes is one of the oldest rivalries in sports, dating back to 1882. Now some 120odd years later the rivalry is as fierce as ever. Who can forget series of 2005, what a thrilling contest that was.
Now back to 2009. The first test has just concluded, but not without a twist. Australian Captain Ricky Ponting had a great match - scoring 150 runs and named man of the match - but he wasnt a happy chap at the end of it all. He accused England of using stalling techniques to draw the game. For those who are not aware of what happened, heres a breif summary. With 1 wicket in hand and needing to survive just a few minutes for a draw, England decided to send their 12th man to deliver new gloves to the pair in the middle. Just an over later -and much to the dissappointment of the Australian captain- they were at it again. To add insult to injury, the team Physio was also sent out for no apparent reason. An unimpressed Ricky Ponting questioned England spirit after the game. Aussie Nathan Hauritz however said he would have done the same if he were in Englands shoes.
The series looks to heading to a new level now, with both teams eager to beat each other. Theres a little concern for England though, Andrew Flintoff the hero of 2005 is in serious doubt for the second test. His loss will be a major blow to England.
Injuries apart, this series is promising to be an exciting one
Thursday, July 9, 2009
American Premier League fixtures/schedule
The dates for the American Premier League have been announced. It will start on the 6th of October, the first match will be played between the Bangladeshis and the Pakistanis.
The finals will be a best of three series, which is very fair for a T20 cometition
It will be played at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, and like any other T20 event it will include fireworks, dance and more.
SCHEDULE:
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM PAKS, OCT 6 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 7 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM AMERICANS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 8 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM INDIANS, OCT 9 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS, OCT 10TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 11 TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 12 TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 13TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 14TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM WINDEES, OCT 15TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM WINDEES, OCT 16TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM INDIANS, OCT 17TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 18TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 19TH, 5PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 20TH, 5 PM
1 ST SEMIFINAL, OCT 21ST, 5 PM
2 ND SEMIFINAL, OCT 22ND, 5 PM
FIRST FINAL
OCT 23RD 6 PM
SECOND FINAL
OCT 24TH 6 PM
THIRD FINAL (IF REQUIRED)
OCT 25TH 6 PM
The finals will be a best of three series, which is very fair for a T20 cometition
It will be played at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, and like any other T20 event it will include fireworks, dance and more.
SCHEDULE:
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM PAKS, OCT 6 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 7 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM AMERICANS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 8 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM INDIANS, OCT 9 th, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS, OCT 10TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 11 TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 12 TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM WORLD, OCT 13TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 14TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM WINDEES, OCT 15TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM PAKS VS PREMIUM WINDEES, OCT 16TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM INDIANS, OCT 17TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM BANGLADESHIS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 18TH, 5 PM
PREMIUM WINDEES VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 19TH, 5PM
PREMIUM INDIANS VS PREMIUM AMERICANS, OCT 20TH, 5 PM
1 ST SEMIFINAL, OCT 21ST, 5 PM
2 ND SEMIFINAL, OCT 22ND, 5 PM
FIRST FINAL
OCT 23RD 6 PM
SECOND FINAL
OCT 24TH 6 PM
THIRD FINAL (IF REQUIRED)
OCT 25TH 6 PM
Monday, July 6, 2009
The American Premier League
The American premier league(APL) is an unofficial Twenty20 cricket league based in the United States of America. Since its unofficial the International Cricket Council has issued a memo to member countries advising them not to release players for the tournament.
Six teams - Premium Americans, Premium Indians, Premium World, Premium Windies, Premium Bangladeshis and Premium Paks- will participate in the competition which is due to kick off its first season in October 2009. It will be played at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, a venue used by the New York Storm Pro cricket team.
The American premier league has signed some notable players including Inzamam ul-Haq, Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie, Lance Klusener, Nathan Astle, Mohammad Asif and Imran Farhat. While Sir Richard Hadlee has been signed on as an executive consultant.
Six teams - Premium Americans, Premium Indians, Premium World, Premium Windies, Premium Bangladeshis and Premium Paks- will participate in the competition which is due to kick off its first season in October 2009. It will be played at Richmond County Bank Ballpark, a venue used by the New York Storm Pro cricket team.
The American premier league has signed some notable players including Inzamam ul-Haq, Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie, Lance Klusener, Nathan Astle, Mohammad Asif and Imran Farhat. While Sir Richard Hadlee has been signed on as an executive consultant.
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