Mission T20 World Cup (September 2012):

2007 year change indian cricket, by wining first T20 world cup and become first t20 champion under captainacy of Mr. Cool of cricket M S Dhoni. After that year Indian cricket changes rapidly. Now its time to lead the World cup title race......

Indian team selector announced 30 men probable team for world cup. It include lot of fresh talent who has been fantastic IPL recently. Here is probable 30 men squad.....

Probables: MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Mandeep Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ravindra Jadeja, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Naman Ojha, Dinesh Karthik, Praveen Kumar, L Balaji.

Sehwag-Dhoni spat storm in a teacup, says Sanjay Manjrekar

NAGPUR: He has this no-airs persona about himself - no celeb tantrums and no pretensions. From 'playing the shots' as one of India's most stylist batsmen to now 'calling the shots' as a commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar has slalomed a lot over last two decades.

Nothing much, though, has changed the way he thinks about the game. He has an eagle eye on the Indian cricket but rarely does he make heavy weather of the game.

While the gossip mills are working overtime regarding the tumultuous relationship betweenMS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag, Manjrekar maintained that the 'spat' was merely a storm in the teacup.

"I feel these things are custom-made by the media. When the actual on-field cricket is not active, these reports always crop up. Gossips always fill in the slot allotted for cricket. I honestly think the media is blowing the issue out of proportion," said Manjrekar while talking to the reporters on the sidelines of a function organized by IMA on Sunday.

Manjrekar also asserted that once the game will resume, the controversy will die its natural death. "Even the people reading stuffs like these will forget the issue once the cricketing season starts next month," he added.

When asked about India's chances in the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup, given that it's happening in the sub-continent, Manjrekar again kept it simple. "I feel Twenty20 World Cup is kind of a lottery. It's such a small tournament lasting just two weeks, that you just cannot predict who's going to win.

"I also feel that T20 World Cup has arrived quite early. We should have given a bit more time for T20s to establish as a concept before dishing out the World Cup," he added.

Manjrekar has always been of the opinion that the BCCI should use Rahul Dravid's cricketing brain for the betterment of the game.

"He (Dravid) is a role model for every youngster. Though we hardly read him opining about certain things, I believe he has a great cricketing brain. Once he'll be given charge of certain things, I am sure, he'll do tremendously well," said Manjrekar.

The BCCI is not a big fan of DRS and so is Sanjay Manjrekar. "I think DRS shifts the focus to the accuracy of umpiring decisions than the actual game. It would have been a wise idea to introduce the DRS had the success percentage of umpiring decisions been 50% or 60%. Right now, it's above 94%. Then, what is the need of DRS," he signed off.

Misbah sees bright future despite defeat in Sri Lanka

LAHORE: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq on Saturday said Pakistan's future was secure with the emergence of promising young players despite losing the Test and one-day series on their tour of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lost the five-match one-day series 3-1 and three-Tests 1-0 on the tour which ended on Thursday. They levelled a two-match Twenty20 series 1-1.

The Test defeat ended Pakistan's unbeaten run of seven series since losing to England on the 2010 tour which was marred by spot-fixing allegations in the Lord's Test.

That unbeaten streak also included a 3-0 whitewash of world number one Test team England earlier this year.

Misbah, who captained Pakistan since their defeat against England in 2010, deplored the defeats on the Sri Lanka tour.

"Defeats in the one-days and Tests are disappointing," Misbah told reporters on the team's return home on Saturday.

"We could have won the one-day series but our fielding let us down in the last two matches."

Pakistan hired former Australian batsman Dav Whatmore as head coach and EnglishmanJulien Fountain as fielding coach earlier this year, but their fielding has still been a grey area.

"The Test defeat was also unfortunate. But the performance of young players like Azhar Ali,Asad Shafiq and Junaid Khan assured Pakistan has a good future," said Misbah.

"Our junior players did very well in the Tests. Ali, Shafiq and Junaid have done well in the series and with their performance we can say that our future is secure," said Misbah.

"In difficult situations these players performed well for us. The way Adnan Akmal played (in Pallekele Test) with a fractured finger is a good sign. Junaid is a big plus."

Ali scored two hundreds in the Tests, while Shafiq hit a match-saving century in the final Test at Pallekele which ended in a draw.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs while the rain-hit second Test in Colombo also ended without a result.

Left-arm pacer Junaid took 14 wickets in the three Tests, including five-wickets hauls in the second and third Tests.

Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez said team's loss in the first T20 match was due to inexperience.

"We had a number of new players in the Twenty20 so the first match was lost because of inexperience but we came back well to win the second game," said Hafeez.

Brett Lee was a fierce competitor: Shoaib Akhtar

KARACHI: Pakistan express fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday paid tribute to pace rivalBrett Lee who has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying the Australian was a fierce competitor.

The 35-year-old Lee said on Friday he was quitting, ending a glorious career that was marred by injury problems.

Lee sent down the second-fastest delivery on record at 99.9 miles per hour (160.8 kph) at Napier in New Zealand, only surpassed by Akhtar who hit the 100-mile barrier on two occasions, first in 2002 and then in 2003.

"Lee was a fierce competitor and became an identity for express bowling with his passion and love for the game and for fast bowling," Akhtar, who retired last year after a career plagued by injury and controversy, said.

Akhtar said Lee's retirement was a sad day for the game.

"Friday was a sad day for international cricket because a bowler with express pace has retired, someone who was loved by the fans around the world, and he will be missed," said Akhtar.

"Lee gave everything to cricket and was a true Australian: fierce and battle-hardened. He was always willing to bowl and willing to bowl fast and like all the fast bowlers had injuries, which is part and parcel of fast bowling."

Akhtar said cricket would be less attractive with the absence of express pace.

"Cricket had very few express pace bowlers and now after the retirement of Lee we don't have any bowler who can bowl 99 mph and the terror on the batsmen will be less," said Akhtar.

Akhtar, 36, remembered his good times with Lee.

"I had very good friendship with Lee and spent some good days with him in Sydney and he was always warm and cordial whenever we met, so I wish him all the best in his future," said Akhtar.

Lee retired from Tests in February 2010 as Australia's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker but played on in one-day and Twenty20 cricket up until Friday's announcement.

He took 310 Test wickets at 30.81 from 76 matches and 380 one-day international wickets at 23.36 from 221 matches.

India slip to fifth spot in ICC Test rankings

DUBAI: India, who were the No. 1 Test side this time a year ago, have lost a position to slip to the fifth spot in the latest ICC Test Championship rankings table after the annual update took place on Saturday.

The Indian team that last played a Test match in January against Australia, has swapped places with Pakistan.

Pakistan, despite a 0-1 defeat in the three-Test series, which finished in Sri Lanka on Thursday, have moved up to fourth position, pushing M S Dhoni's men down to number five.

Meanwhile, England extended their lead as top Test team after gaining 122 ratings points, while Australia moved to the second place.

Although South Africa has fallen to third spot, they can still leapfrog into top position if they manage to win the three-match Test series against England, which begins at The Oval on July 19.

If South Africa win the series 1-0 or 2-1 it will be level on ratings points with England but when the rankings are calculated to a fraction of a decimal point then Graeme Smith's team will have the edge.

A drawn series or a 1-0 win will mean England retain the number one position and if Andrew Strauss's side were to win 2-0 or 3-0 then South Africa would tumble to fourth spot.

Lower down the table, West Indies have fallen below New Zealand, who are now placed at seventh position.

Ross Taylor ton in vain as Windies wrap up series

New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor smashed a fine century but it was not enough to prevent West Indies wrapping up the one-day series with a 24-run win in Saturday's fourth match.

Scorecard
 Taylor, playing in his first match of the series after injuring his shoulder in an earlier Twenty20 international between the two sides in Florida last month, made 110 off 115 balls. It was an innings which included six boundaries and five sixes for his sixth one-day century.
But as his team chased a 267 target, he was outshone by West Indies seamer Tino Best who marked his recall to the team with 4-46, a performance which included the wickets of Taylor and the dangerous Jacob Oram.

Earlier, Kieron Pollard hit a patient half-century as West Indies recovered from 105-5 to make 264 all out. Pollard top-scored with 56, Marlon Samuels made 46 while the recalled Devon Thomas hit a useful 37. Victory gave West Indies an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series which concludes with the fifth and final match at Warner Park on Monday.

"It's a good feeling indeed," said West Indies skipper Darren Sammy.

"The good thing for us today was that the lower order came through. New Zealand improved as the series went on, but it was good to see we kept our cool."

West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine, who took 2-20, was named man of the match and he won rich praise from Taylor.

"You have got to give credit to West Indies," said Taylor. "They were under pressure. We would have liked to put the foot down on the throat, but we didn't execute well.

"You have got to back yourself to get 79 off the last 10, but you have to give credit to Narine."

West Indies were helped by an untidy performance in the field by New Zealand whose bowlers sent down 20 wides.

The home side lost Johnson Charles (1), Chris Gayle (16) and Dwayne Smith (0) by the seventh over with their team on 20.

After Dwayne Bravo had gone for just 18, Samuels and Pollard added 46 for the fifth wicket before Pollard and Samuels put the West Indies back on the road to recovery with a partnership of 85.

Thomas hit three fours and a six in his 43-ball stay while Pollard smashed five boundaries and a six off 70 deliveries.

Sammy (26) and Andre Russell (29 with two big sixes) added valuable late runs.

Dravid's retirement has created an irreplaceable void: Sachin Tendulkar

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar feels the retirement of his long-time teammateRahul Dravid has created an irreplaceable void at number three position in the Indian Test team.

Sachin says Dravid will be sorely missed in the dressing room.

"Rahul has been an incredible player for India and for world cricket. Nobody is going to be able to replace Rahul in that position," said Sachin.

"You need someone to be dedicated, be committed and disciplined. The entire country will miss him because we were all used to Rahul padding up batting at number 3. However, these things will continue to happen because that's how the game goes around for years. All great players retire one day."

Dravid retired from all forms of the game in March, ending a glorious 16-year-old career. His decision followed the team's disastrous show in England and Australia where it lost eight Test matches in a row.

Sachin was part of the two tours and he says it would be incorrect to blame India's domestic structure for the team's poor show.

"I don't think we can point our fingers at our structure because with that same structure we hit the number one spot. So if there was something wrong with the structure, we would have never reached that spot."

'I should be able to make a mark while playing for India'

Irfan Pathan hates the idea of being another run-of-the-mill cricketer who is just happy about plying his trade day in and day out without making a mark. 

"I look at my career as someone who should be able to make a mark while representing the country rather than being a cricketer who just comes, plays and goes back home. 

"I want to use each and every opportunity that I get to win matches rather than just be another cricketer," Irfan, who has been named as a replacement for R Vinay Kumar, told PTI during an interview.

Fit-again Zaheer targets Lankans

India’s bowling spearhead for the past decade, Zaheer Khan, is no stranger to such physical inconveniences, having broken down in matches and on tours, most famously when he hobbled out of action on the opening day of India’s first Test against England, at Lord’s in 2011. India was blanked in the series, thanks in part to the bowling losing its sole mode of attack and the team resembling a list of the walking wounded.  Although the left-arm fast bowler returned for the tour of Australia later last year, a similar depressing 0-4 rout ensued.

Zaheer was rested from the Asia Cup on grounds of injury and is currently at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore to assess his fitness for the upcoming ODI and Twenty20 trip to the Emerald Isle.
Saying that it was too early for him to start priotritising a particular format, Zaheer, in touching distance of 34, was clear that his focus would unwaveringly be on the 10 Test matches -  two versus New Zealand four apiece against England and Australia -  in the season ahead.

"The next season is a very crucial one. Lots of important series are coming up this season. I am really looking forward to this season because England and Australia are coming. It is a long season so I have to plan it well. I am very excited about playing 10 Test matches this year and I am looking forward to contributing in a big way in whichever capacity I can.”

"Right now, the focus is to build up the bowling fitness. I am happy with the way I am shaping up for the Sri Lanka series. The trainers have chalked out the guideline and how to go about it,” he added. Zaheer admitted there was little one could do once an injury took place; all one could do was take precautions and prevent them from occurring.

"Being a fast bowler and the way my whole career has gone, often marred by injuries, I just want to do all the right things and focus on the processes.The break has been good and I am happy with the way I am going about my bowling. I am focusing on my bowling fitness now as the season is going to be long. Right now the focus will be on the Sri Lanka series."

"Being a fast bowler you cannot escape injuries. When it is going to happen, it varies with different people. But as a fast bowler, you are prone to injuries. And you have to live with that, you have to be patient and you have to do things which are under your control. You have to make sure you take hundred per cent time to recover and that’s what Varun Aaron has done.

"You have to be patient. You should be dedicated to your rehab programme. Importantly, you have to ensure that you are 110 per cent when you are back on the field after an injury."

First Series win for Sri-Lank after Muttiah Muralidharan Retirement

A placid track on the fifth day provided Sri Lanka an ideal chance of pushing for victory by chasing down 270 in the allotted 71 overs, a result that looked a strong possibility after an aggressive start led by Dinesh Chandimal. But his dismissal at the stroke of tea slowed down the innings considerably and, despite a fluent Kumar Sangakkara at one end, Sri Lanka's focus turned to securing their 1-0 lead. The change in approach squeezed the excitement out of the chase, but succeeded in ensuring Pakistan lost a Test series for the first time since that ill-fated tour of England in 2010. It was also Sri Lanka's first Test series win in nine attempts since August 2009, and the first after the retirement of Muttiah Muralidharan.

Irfan replaces injured Vinay Kumar

Irfan Pathan, the India allrounder, will join the squad for the Sri Lanka tour after fast bowler Vinay Kumar was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Vinay will be sidelined for three weeks, and will miss the short limited-overs series that starts on July 21.

All Time Hit Speed Sensation : Brett Lee

Cricket: Arthur salutes 'phenomenal' Boucher

Former South Africa coach Mickey Arthur hailed the "phenomenal" Mark Boucher after the Proteaswicket-keeper was forced into premature international retirement by a freak eye injury.

Boucher had to undergo three hours of surgery after being struck in the left eyeball by a bail on the first day of South Africa's opening match of their tour of England against Somerset at Taunton on Monday.

The incident occurred when a ball from spinner Imran Tahir clean bowled Gemaal Hussain, with Boucher stood up to the stumps and wearing a cap instead of a helmet.

The 35-year-old, a Proteas mainstay for the best part of 15 years, was due to return home after being released from hospital on Tuesday and South Africa captain Graeme Smith, speaking at Taunton, read out a statement on Boucher's behalf that confirmed his international retirement.

"I was really disappointed for him," Arthur, now coaching Australia, told BBC Radio ahead of the fifth one-day international against England at Old Trafford here on Tuesday.

"I know he wanted to come here because he wanted it to be his real swansong as a Test series, so it is really disappointing to end this way for Mark."

Arthur, who worked with Boucher at both domestic and international level, added: "I have lots of memories as his coach, too many memories. I was really close to Mark, I had a special affinity for him, I knew his family very well."

Arthur also recalled the time when Boucher was dropped for the tour of India in 2004.

"We went through a lot of hard times together, a lot of blood, sweat and tears with Bouch.

"I thought he was a fine cricketer a guy you really wanted on your side, a guy that never, ever gave up, fought to the bitter end and that's how I'll always remember him."

Boucher was the first keeper to take 500 Test catches and Arthur was in no doubt of his quality as a gloveman.

"I think he's right up there (with the best wicketkeepers), you have a look at his batting and wicketkeeping stats and they're phenomenal."

In the short term, AB de Villiers, primarily a batsman but who has kept for South Africa, seems set to take over for the first Test at The Oval on July 19.

"They do need to get over it, I'm sure they will. He's going to be missed hugely though," said Arthur.

"I remember the series we (South Africa) won here in 2008, the Test match we won at Edgbaston was on the back of a very good innings by Graeme Smith, but Bouch was there at the end of it.

"I remember him telling me at tea time, he said 'coach if I'm at the wicket, and I will be there, we're going to win the series, we didn't come all the way to lose this'.

"That just typified exactly what he was like. He was always in there, he was always up for a challenge.

"I've been in contact, and it is uncertain for him. Let's just hope that he gets his eyesight back and everything's good."

De Villiers ready for Boucher role

July 12, 2012

AB de Villiers says he is "looking forward to the challenge" of combining his role as a batsman with succeeding Mark Boucher as South Africa's Test wicketkeeper, if he is handed the gloves as expected.

South Africa will begin their attempt to wrest the No. 1 ranking away from England at The Oval next Thursday in what is set to be an emotional first Test after Boucher's enforced retirement from international cricket due to an eye injury sustained whilst standing up to the stumps in a warm-up game at Somerset.

De Villiers has kept in only three of his 74 Tests but became South Africa's first-choice ODI wicketkeeper in 2010 and is now likely to get the job for the Test series against England as well. He will keep wicket in South Africa's three-day match at Kent, although the specialist Thami Tsolekile has also been added to the squad and a final decision is yet to be made.

The unexpected loss of the world's leading wicketkeeper, with a record 555 Test dismissals to his name, has undoubtedly affected South Africa. Boucher was such a part of the fabric of the team that Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, had to be reminded of his absence during a practice session at Canterbury. However, de Villiers, who regarded Boucher as a mentor, believes that the team can draw strength from the situation.

"He will be in the back of our minds no matter what," de Villiers said. "In our keeping drills today, Smithy even called me Bouch at one stage, and I was like, 'it's me now.' He will be there in the back of our minds but it's more for inspiration as much as anything else. He'll take us a long way to winning this series. It's not a bad thing, as long as you don't get too emotional about it."

"He's been an idol in South African cricket for many years. He's been the rock, the guy with the guts. He's someone who was there when I started off my career, who looked after me, took me under his wing and helped me a lot in my cricket. I probably wouldn't be here without him - it's a big call but it's true.

"They're huge boots to fill, obviously, if not the best. I'm a little bit undercooked when it comes to Test wicketkeeping but I've had a lot of experience, in IPL, T20, ODIs for my country and my keeping has improved a lot over the last few years. It's something I'm looking forward to, if the gloves come my way, in the Test matches. It's something I'll take with both hands."

It could be quite a challenge, as de Villiers is also a key part of South Africa's batting line-up. Greats of the game such as Alec Stewart and Kumar Sangakkara have struggled to combine wicketkeeping duties with consistent runscoring - both averaging significantly less when taking on those extra duties - but de Villiers was sanguine about having to multitask, even suggesting that he might have an easier time of it than in his usual fielding position at point.

"In my experience, I rest a bit more when I keep, I really do," he said. "The only thing I have to look after is my back - that takes quite a bit of stress when I'm keeping. But you don't run a lot as a wicketkeeper. I'm at point and, during a big partnership, I'm running all over that field and I'm really tired after. If anything I might rest a little bit more. I don't think it will influence my batting, maybe I'll go through a bad patch, maybe I'll do even better."

"The captain and coach will have to sit down and take a proper call. I'm keeping in the three-day game, I'm preparing like I'm going to take the gloves in the first Test match and obviously I'm going to prepare like I'm going to bat at five as well. It's not a massive tweak; it's the way you've got to adapt at this level."

While South Africa may worry about increasing the burden on their No. 5, who is ranked the third best Test batsman in the world, de Villiers' record as a keeper in ODIs is worth noting. In 37 matches he has averaged an astonishing 80.36 - scoring eight of his 13 hundreds - compared to 38.81 when playing solely as a batsman. He also seems to thrive when taking on added responsibility, having assumed the ODI captaincy earlier this year while continuing to pile on runs.

Although he described Boucher's injury as a "freakish accident," de Villiers will wear a helmet to stand up to stumps. "I always do," he said. He is not about to change after the horrors of the past week.

Brett Lee retires from international cricket

July 13, 2012

Brett Lee has confirmed his retirement from international cricket, but he has declared his intention to play on in the Big Bash League and the IPL. Cricket Australia scheduled a press conference at the SCG for 1pm on Friday at which Lee was to "discuss his playing future", and he confirmed his decision on Channel Nine ahead of the press conference.

"It has been a dream career, I guess, 13 years at the top. I couldn't ask for much more," Lee said. "Thirteen years, Friday the 13th, it's appropriate for me to go. I woke up this morning after not much sleep and it's the right time to go. It just came to me this morning and I just felt it's the right time to leave the game. It's been in the back of my mind for a few months."

Lee, 35, declined a Cricket New South Wales state contract last month, declaring that he wanted to win an upgrade to a Cricket Australia deal by playing enough ODIs and Twenty20s to qualify. He had planned to play on for the ICC World Twenty20 in September but his latest injury setback, a calf problem that forced him home from the one-day tour of England, is believed to have led Lee to reassess his future.

He will depart the game as Australia's equal leading wicket taker in one-day internationals, having moved level with Glenn McGrath on 380 victims. Lee retired from Test cricket in February 2010, but remained a valuable player in the shorter formats, for his country and his various domestic teams around the world.

Six in six balls, then out of the attack

July 12, 2012

Kieran Gray is only 11 years old and yet he might already have enjoyed the most memorable day of his cricketing life.


Kieran, who plays for Maidenhead & Bray's U13 side, a picturesque Berkshire ground on the banks of the River Thames, took a wicket with every ball of an over - inviting speculation from club officials that the feat might never have been achieved before in a competitive match.


He was surely the first bowler to be removed from the attack after taking six wickets in an over. As other juniors got a chance to bowl, he preserved remarkable figures of 1-1-0-6.


The first five batsmen from Taplow CC were all bowled and, with tension rising on the banks of the Thames, his sixth ball was struck straight to cover. Taplow, 0-6 after one over, were all out for 21 and lost by 131 runs.

Clarke says Oz still aiming for No.1 position in all formats

July 12, 2012

Australia captain Michael Clarke has said the team's goal to become number one in every format of the game hasn't changed despite getting hammered 4-0 by England in the five-match one-day series.

The number ranked team in one-day internationals, Australia, took a jolt in their ambitions after getting humbled in England with a near whitewash, albeit for a rain abandonment, but skipper Clarke still has lofty aspirations for the side.

"I would like to say our goal is to be No.1 in all three forms of the game. We have been giving guys an opportunity through one-day cricket to have a look at them for Tests as well but I don't think we have prioritised Test cricket to a level to say we will sacrifice T20 or one-day," The Age quoted Clarke, as saying.

"Australians want to be the best at what they do and my goal is to stay at No.1 in the one-day format, get back there in the one-day format," he added.

"I think we have enough good players in the country. We are going to have to work our backsides off but I think we have enough talent to be No.1 in all three forms of the game," he said.

Clarke said he also realises their ambition faces a major threat from old foes England, and admitted that the Poms have the best bowling attack in world for now.

"England's bowling attack is the best there is at the moment," Clarke said.

"They have experience and have played a lot of cricket together. It takes a long period of time to be No.1 in the world in the Test format and they're heading that way in the one-day format," he added.

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