Elated after guiding India to a facile, series-clinching win against Sri Lanka, star batsman Gautam Gambhir said he would rate the unbeaten 150 as the best innings of his career so far. He also expressed satisfaction of staying till the end and guiding the team to victory.

“This is the first time I finished a game remaining unbeaten. It was important for me to get going and convert it into a big one. It feels great that I finished the game,” Gambhir said after being named as the man of the match for the Kolkata contest. It was a brilliantly paced innings by the left-hander who added 224 runs with Virat Kohli (107) for the third wicket to put India’s chase back on track.

Gambhir said the series-clinching victory was made possible by the team’s impressive bench strength.

“We have enough guys in the bench who can prove themselves even in the absence of great players like Dhoni and Yuvraj,” Gambhir said.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

A win away from clinching the series, India will bank on their explosive batting line-up as they battle history and injury in the fourth One-day international against Sri Lanka at the half-filled Eden Gardens here Thursday.

Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Virender Sehwag interact during a practice session

The rollicking form of seasoned campaigners Sachin Tendulkar (208 at 104 average) and stand-in-skipper Virender Sehwag (194 at 64.66 average) is a big plus for the hosts with the duo having amassed nearly 400 runs between them in the five-game series that India lead 2-1.

But more vital is the way they have scored the runs. While Tendulkar has a strike rate of 94.97, Sehwag’s is an enviable 144.97, and the Lankan bowlers must be burning the midnight oil to find a way out to check their tormentors on a ground which is hosting an ODI after 32 months.

Gautam Gambhir, the other vital cog in the Indian batting department, has so far failed to fire in the series and the hosts would be hoping that he gets into form on the morrow in the absence of regular skipper and aggressive bat Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is serving a two-game ban for India’s slow overrate in the second ODI at Nagpur.

India are also without the stylish left hander Yuvraj Singh, who has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the series with a finger injury.

In bowling, young left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja’s spectacular showing (4-32) in the third ODI at Cuttack has raised hopes of finding a suitable partner for experienced offie Harbhajan Singh, more so at Eden, where the spinners have often played a decisive role.

Having last staged an ODI in February 2007, one would have hoped to see a full house at the large Eden stadium, but the renovation of four galleries in preparation for the 2011 World Cup has reduced its capacity.

With only 53 percent of the seats in the 83,635-capacity stadium now available, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has done away with priced tickets for the match, which will be the fourth the two teams will play here. They have won one apiece while the other was a no-result.

For Sri Lanka, dashing opener Tillakratne Dilshan has been in superb form, cracking two back-to-back hundreds before a blitzy 18-ball 41 at Cuttack. Dilshan’s opening partner Upul Tharanga and skipper Kumar Sangakkara are also among runs, though Mahela Jayawardene is going through a lean patch.

Speaking to mediapersons on the match-eve, Sehwag said the Indians would aim to get Dilshan out quickly.

“It is difficult to stop him. It is better to try and get him out. If we can get his wicket, we can put pressure on the Sri Lankan middle order,” he said.

The visitors are also playing the series without several of their regulars, and the absence of the Muttiah Muralitharan — back home after the Test series following an injury — could hurt the Lankans the most Thursday.

The 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya, whose aggressive batting and part-time spin could come in handy for the Lankans, may make a comeback into the team after being dropped for two ODIs.

“There is always a chance for him to play. We haven’t finalised the 11,” said Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss at the pre-match media meet.

Bayliss did not think Dhoni and Yuvraj’s unavailability would give a boost to his side. “They have only two players out of the team. We have five,” he pointed out.

The pitch appeared firm, but the extent of the wind and the dew could play a vital part in determining the course of Thursday’s game.

Sewhag said he would opt to field if he won the toss to avoid the problems the bowlers could face because of the evening dew.

Bayliss, however, said the wicket looked hard and good and full of runs.

Traditionally, the sprawling Eden Gardens has seen moderate scores, compared to the now-familiar scenes of teams belting 350 or even more in the 50-over games on other parks. Only once has a team scored 300 plus on this ground, and the credit goes to Sri Lanka who amassed 301 against Pakistan 12 years ago.

While India have emerged victorious in eight of their 15 limited over games at Eden, they lost three of their last four ties. One was rained out.

Sri Lanka have won three of their half-a-dozen games at Eden and lost two, while one was washed out.

Teams (from):

India: Virender Sehwag (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma and Sudeep Tyagi.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain-wicketkeeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan, SanathJayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga, Chanaka Welegedara, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Suraj Randiv and Thissara Perera.

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Sanjay Hazare (India).

Third umpire: Shavir Tarapore.

Match starts at 2.30 p.m.

Last man Graham Onions played out a tense final over from Makhaya Ntini as England escaped with a draw on the fifth and final day of the first Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park on Sunday. The match seemed to be heading for a routine draw when Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen batted together for more than three hours but South African new cap Friedel de Wet produced an inspired spell with the second new ball to leave England hanging on.

De Wet dismissed Trott in the second over with the new ball and had a spell of three for three in five overs. Five wickets fell in the final 15 overs but Paul Collingwood and Onions survived the last 20 balls . England, set 364 to win, finished on 228 for nine on Sunday.

South Africa takes on England in the second test at Kingsmead, Durban from 26th of December.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Australia snared the one wicket needed to win the third Test against the West Indies in Perth today.  The West Indies, resuming at 9-308, added 15 to their overnight total before being bowled out for 323, handing Australia a 35-run win.

The Windies resumed play perilously placed, needing 51 more runs with just one wicket in hand. And Gavin Tonge (23 not out off 22 balls) threw caution to the wind, slashing away in a bid to whittle off the runs quickly. But the victory target of 359 proved too much, with Roach dismissed in the fourth over of the morning.

Had the West Indies reeled in the total, it would have been the eighth highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Test history.
But it wasn’t to be, despite yesterday’s best efforts of 26-year-old Narsingh Deonarine (82) and Brendan Nash (65), plus some late hitting from Sulieman Benn (33 off 28 balls).

Australia’s win erased some of the demons of last summer, when South Africa cruised to 4-414 to snatch a remarkable victory in Perth. Victorian Clint McKay, making his Test debut, returned figures of 0-45 and 1-56 and will be replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan if the Tasmanian proves he has overcome a knee injury.

Chris Gayle said Australia played the better cricket and deserved to win. “I was proud of players like Adrian Barath and Kemar Roach,” Gayle said. “I was proud of my own form but disappointed at the same time.” Gayle was judged man of the match and series.

Australia Vs West Indies Score Card

Source: Cricket Nirvana

After missing out by an agonizing margin in Rajkot, Sri Lanka made amends in Nagpur. The islanders held their nerve and emerged victorious by three wickets, chasing down India’s 301 to level the five-match series one all.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was once again the hero for Sri Lanka as he notched up his sixth ODI century and second of the series. His sparkling 123-run knock came off 113 deliveries with the help of a dozen hits to the fence and two mammoth sixes. His brilliant knock made him an obvious choice for the player of the match award.

Earlier, Indian skipper MS Dhoni combined the power of punches with the art of placement as he paced his 111-ball innings with utter beauty to bat India to a competitive 301. The scintillating knock of 107 was pierced with eight powerful boundaries and two thunderous sixes.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Experienced South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will not be able to bowl in the first test against England, captain Graeme Smith said on Tuesday.

Jacques Kallis of South Africa stretches during a South Africa Nets Session at Centurion Park on December 15, 2009 in Centurion, South Africa.

Kallis has fractured rib cartilage and will play as a specialist batsman only, weakening an attack that will rely on fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel and spinner Paul Harris.

“We obviously won’t have the luxury of Jacques bowling, but the other bowlers know they have to take responsibility and they’ve been picked to do their jobs well,” Smith told a news conference.

“It’s been a lengthy period since we last played test cricket but we have a very mature squad who have enjoyed a lot of success and they know what to do. We are as best-prepared as we can be, there’s been a good calm, focus and intensity about our preparations.”

England captain Andrew Strauss leads a team including four players born in South Africa, himself, batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

“The fact there are South African-born players in the team is not an issue for us, we know we have the best 15 players in England here. The fact some of them were born somewhere else doesn’t come into it, it’s a non-issue,” Strauss said.

England will delay naming their side until Wednesday morning but Strauss said he had a full squad to choose from.

“We’re very happy with the way Jimmy Anderson has pulled up, his knee niggle has never stopped him from bowling at any stage and he has progressed the way we wanted.

“Graeme Swann’s side is still niggling him but as a spinner he does not put as much strain on it as a seamer and it’s something he’s more than capable of playing through,” Strauss said.

FRONTLINE BOWLERS

England may call up all-rounder Luke Wright and play just five specialist batsmen, or name six specialist batsmen and just four frontline bowlers.

“Obviously if the pitch is going to do a huge amount, it makes a case for playing an extra batsman, but we’re still not 100 percent sure how the pitch will play,” Strauss said.

The match will be the first for each side since the official introduction of the umpire decision review system.

“We’ll have to be smart about how we use the review system. My initial reservations about it have not gone away, but I hear the more you use it, the better it gets,” Strauss said.

“I think the review system still needs to prove its worth,” Smith said. “I’m a little bit sceptical about it but we’ll have to be positive.”

Ntini plays his 100th test and Smith praised him not only as a fast bowler but also a significant figure in a troubled country still grappling with profound racial issues.

“Transformation is ongoing, it’s something we have to keep working on, but Makhaya has been a real success case and it’s been great to have been part of his career,” Smith said.

“He’ll tell you that his success is down to a lot of hard work, he’s had his ups and downs but he’s always met them with 100 percent commitment.

“Makhaya has become the spearhead of our attack and I’ve been very grateful for his energy and commitment as a leader.

“He’s a vibrant person and he’s played a prominent role not just in this team but in South Africa,” Smith added.

Virender Sehwag blazed to a career-best 146 to steer India to their highest one-day total of 414 for seven in the opening game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag acknowledges the crowd after scoring a century during the first one-day international cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Rajkot, India, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009.

The opener hit his 12th one-day hundred off 66 deliveries and smashed 17 fours and six sixes to leave Sri Lanka gasping after skipper Kumar Sangakkara put India into bat hoping to exploit early life on the pitch.

Sehwag, 31, looked good to surpass the one-day record score of 194 until he edged a full toss from paceman Chanaka Welegedara to be caught at point in the 36th over.

He dominated a 153-run first wicket partnership with Sachin Tendulkar (69) and added 156 for the second with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to demoralise the bowling attack.

Dhoni hit 72 with seven fours and three sixes after promoting himself to number three but was caught in the next over after Sehwag’s dismissal to give the visitors some respite.

The total bettered India’s record of 413-5 set against Bermuda at Port of Spain in the 2007 World Cup. It is also the highest notched against Sri Lanka, surpassing the 373 India made in the 1999 World Cup. At 311 for three in the 37th over, India looked set to surpass Sri Lanka’s ODI record of 443, but were checked by some tighter bowling.

Sehwag, whose previous highest one-day score was 130, raced to 50 off just 34 deliveries before easing off slightly as Tendulkar took over with a flurry of shots.

The record-breaking batsman notched his 92nd one-day fifty until he missed the line to be bowled by Fernando. Pace bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara and Dilhara Fernando took two wickets each.

Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh missed out due to finger injuries.

I have a University paper in 2 days, but the match is looking pretty irresistable, for all of you missing live action here is a handy link to view Live Scores.

Check it out click here

India batsman Yuvraj Singh is likely to miss the first one-day international of the series against Sri Lanka here Tuesday with a finger injury.

India's Yuvraj Singh's injured finger is seen as he talks to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, during a practice session in Rajkot, India, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. India will play the first one day international cricket match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Yuvraj fractured a finger on his left hand while fielding in the second Twenty20 international in Mohali, Saturday night. Yuvraj was the star of the match with his 25 ball 60 and also picked up three wickets to help India win.

Team sources told IANS that the injury could even rule out Yuvraj from the rest of the series.

An MRI scan was conducted Sunday at the team hotel here Sunday. And reports suggested that Yuvraj would need at least three weeks to recover.

Twenty20 cricket is often about hammer and tongs but Kumar Sangakkara took batting to a different plane. In a fine exhibition of aggressive batting, the Lankan captain hammered Indian bowling attack to score a splendid 78 in 37 balls, taking Lanka to a massive 215 for five. In the end, it proved 29 runs too many, as India finished with 186 for nine after 20 overs. Incidentally, it was India’s fourth loss in a row in T20 internationals.

The captain, who got run out on the last ball of the match, led from the front and other batsmen pitched in with valuable contributions. Sangakkara, in his innings, scored 11 fours and 2 sixes and won the man-of-the-match award for his brilliant effort. The Lankan innings, which was a magnificent run feast, included 29 boundaries and 5 sixes.

In reply, India started off well, with openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. Nuwan Kulasekhara provided the Lankans with the  first breakthrough. He had Sehwag caught at deep point for a 14-ball 26.

Gambhir was in murderous mood, piercing off-side at will. He pulverized the Lankan bowling attack with a barrage of shots. Angelo Mathews removed him with a fuller delivery, knocking off his stumps in the ninth over.

Thereafter, Indian middle-order returned to pavilion in a procession. The humiliation was complete when India could only manage 186 for nine after 20 overs. India would be looking to respond strongly when the two teams meet for the second T20 International at Mohali on Saturday.

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Sri Lanka will be looking for the elusive 20-20 match and series win when they tour India for a Two T20 match series from November to December 2009.

India vs Sri Lanka 20-20 cricket Match Schedule

1st Twenty20 international
December 9, Nagpur

2nd Twenty20 international
December 12, Mohali

The longest form of the game returned to the historic Brabourne stadium after a hiatus of 36 years and the home team has dished out a performance full of class that will be remembered for as many years. An emphatic victory of an innings and 24 runs not only helps India seal the series with a margin of 2-0, but also takes them to the top of the ICC Test rankings. It is an historic day for Indian cricket as they now become the number one Test team in the world. The climb to the top slot is the culmination of hard work and consistent performance by India’s Test side over the last two years. Sachin Tendulkar made a very vital point in his assessment. The maestro from Mumbai thanked India’s ex bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh for their contribution. He also felt that the Brabourne pitch was a brilliant one. ‘The whole team’s goal was to get to the No. 1 position, all the players have worked hard to reach this position. The team believed they could achieve the top slot around 18 months back and worked hard to achieve the goal.’

Virender Sehwag bagged the Man of the Match award for his stupendous knock of 293 runs. The Nawab of Najafgarh also claimed the Man of the Series award.

MS Dhoni made the most important point of maintaining the ascent to the top spot. It is easy to reach to the top position but difficult to retain it. ‘Now we have got to maintain the top slot. The real tough task starts from here, we have got to keep up the momentum. When we are pushed to the wall, we comeback, overall I think it was a team effort from the boys.’

Source: Cricket Nirvana

England won their one-day international series against South Africa when the fifth and final match was rained out at Kingsmead on Friday.

England won the series 2-1, with two matches abandoned because of rain. Australia had been the only team previously to win a bilateral series in South Africa, where the host country had won 21 out of 24 home series, including the most recent 15 in succession.

Australia won series in 1996/97 and 2001/02 and shared a series in 1993/94.

South Africa will meet England in a four-match Test series, starting in Centurion on December 16.

Results

Nov 20, Johannesburg. No play – rain

Nov 22, Centurion. England won by 7 wickets

Nov 27, Cape Town. South Africa won by 112 runs

Nov 29, Port Elizabeth. England won by 7 wickets

Dec 4, Durban. No play – rain

Series: England won 2-1

Source: Cricket Nirvana

Indian Media Crushes Indian cricket Team,After They Lost Match Against Pakistan in ICC Champion Throphy 2009 Match.

COLOMBO: The situation for the final of the Tri-series between India and Sri Lanka on Monday is anything but ideal. Indian skipper MS Dhoni,after their loss to Sri Lanka on Saturday said that it is difficult to judge the strength or weakness of a team based on the performance of the day/night encounters here where toss plays such a crucial role.

“Winning the toss itself tilts the balance 50% in your favour. And if you can put something around 230 or 250 on the board, it grows to 80%. It is not an ideal situation but that’s the way it is,” said the skipper.

“Conditions are like that here and you have to play. Having said that, I would like to add that one has to bat well after winning the toss. But I still say that the toss is crucial in these conditions,” he added.

Coach Gary Kirsten reiterates that the Indians are too good an outfit to lose a match with the toss itself, but the way the team crumbled against the Lankans chasing 307 belittles that. Kirsten and Co can’t do much about the toss. But the way the middle order slumped, once Rahul Dravid departed, during the last league game is something they tried working on during the optional practice session here on Sunday. Only five players – Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Praveen Kumar, Abhishek Nayar and Amit Mishra – turned up for the session with Kirsten, bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and the support staff.

And Kirsten marked Yuvraj for a special session. Yuvraj has back-to-back failures in the two league matches. And he is India’s key player in the middle. When on song, he is one of the most stylish players in world cricket who makes batting look easy and effortless. He also has this ability to play a long innings if he gets going. So whether India are chasing or batting first, a lot depends on how the southpaw fares.

Lasith Malinga exploited his lack of foot movement early on the other night. So Kirsten was virtually trying to make his feet move by throwing balls a little fuller than good length from 15 yards and making him drive on the front foot. After about half an hour, Yuvi was ready for another round – this time with the tennis ball served hard at him at different lengths again from 15 yards away. He was defending well, driving with poise and leaving a few with elegance.

When asked if India are going into the final with the same combination, Kirsten said: “Haven’t decided yet. I am yet to talk to the captain.”

Sri Lanka too had an optional net session after their win the previous night. Their lone worry was the form of Sanath Jayasuriya. But now, even that is taken care of. Though off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan didn’t play the last two games, because of a groin injury which he suffered during the Test series against New Zealand, he looks fit for Monday’s final.

Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara however remained non-committal on Murali, saying: “We don’t want to rush him with the Champions Trophy coming.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Legendary Australian spinner and captain of the Rajasthan Royals Shane Warne said that he is willing working to help the spinners in India if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offers him a job.

In an exclusive interview with IBN7 and CNN-IBN, Shane Warne said that he would consider any such offer in the future.

“If the BCCI wants to work in the spin department, I would have to work with our man Manoj Badale (co-owner, Rajasthan Royals) and I’m sure we can come up with something. I am not ruling any thing out but I am not saying I am agreeing to it now. It depends on my time and my family. But if there is an offer, any offer, I will see if it fits,” said Warne.

The former Australian player said that he has worked with the spinners in his Royals team and would love to impart his knowledge to other young Indian spinners.

“As far as the BCCI goes, I work with all the spinners. Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Raut and Ravindra Jadeja, who had a great last year, I work with all of them. I love cricket and I try to impart my knowledge on leadership on a lot of guys. As far as spin bowling goes, I would love to help any bowler. I would like to help (Amit) Mishra and Piyush (Chawla) and a few other guys as well,” stated Warne.

The Rajasthan Royals captain also said that he would cherish the opportunity of coming to India and working there.

“I love India these days. It took me a long time to embrace the culture and appreciate India. It probably took me a couple of tours to understand that. But the last two Australian tours and the last two seasons of IPL have been great. The Indian people have been wonderful and I really appreciate that. The way they have welcomed me I think they have really appreciated the way I have looked after the youngsters of the Rajasthan Royals. The way we play makes our brand of cricket very exciting, so I think every body has a soft spot for the Rajasthan Royals,” added Warne.

Both Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab are in a must-win situation as they face each other in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Centurion Park here Tuesday.

The two teams have to win all their four remaining matches if they want to make the semi-finals. But Mumbai Indians will also be looking to avenge their three-run loss to Kings XI Punjab in their previous encounter April 29.

Both the teams have come back to their winning ways after having lost their past few matches.

Mumbai Indians comprehensively defeated Bangalore Royal Challengers Sunday and will be hoping to carry forward the winning momentum.

South African Jean Paul Duminy, the Man of the Match against Royal Challengers, said that Mumbai Indians will be looking for a win against Kings XI.

“It has been a good experience so far. But there are few more games that we need to win now. Hopefully, we can carry forward this winning momentum to the coming matches. I am happy that I contributed to my team’s cause,” said Duminy.  READ MORE

Live Cricket Scores Widget – CMDN

Watch live streaming of all the IPL T20 matches from South Africa on Live-Cricket.co.in

Points Table

Today’s matches

1st Semi-Final – Delhi Daredevils v Deccan Chargers

from SuperSport Park, Centurion
May Fri 22 16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST

Live Streaming link

2nd Semi-Final – Chennai Super Kings v Bangalore Royal Challengers

from New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
May Sat 23 16:30 local, 14:30 GMT, 20:00 IST

Live Streaming link

Last updated: 30 Mar 2009
Posted By: Nasrun-Min-Ullah-Mir

I wonder what would have been the reactions of great Kerry Pecker to this cricketing ‘renaissance?’ It may be too early to envisage good and bad with this transformation, but for sure, a lot is happening.

Earlier one-day cricket was a three meal event, now it is a three hour game with loads of popcorn, cola and noise. It is similar to day’s highlights older generation was so used to seeing after returning from their work; except it is live.

Add to it the franchisee concept of Indian Premier League, gosh! Pecker would have been a happy man. After all, he was the man behind cricket’s glitz and glamour. But when it comes to Test Cricket,  I believe, he too was a conservative.

The longer version has more or less remained the same, except, partly induced referrals system, nothing much has changed. Though, that is just the half truth. A lot is happening, Ok! debated at this moment, in the corridors of uncertainty where the future of Test cricket hangs in balance, and everyday, new theories gain ground to keep the most enthralling (only if you love) format of the game on its feet.

During the recent Down Under which South Africa won 2-1, legendary leg spinner Shane Warne was vocal throughout the series, favoring day-night Test matches, which according to him will help attract crowds. Apart from that nothing much has made news, except the color of ball – if in future, Test cricket was played under lights – most favored to replace traditional cherry is pink, followed closely  by yellow and orange, nothing is settled yet.

But just giving a glimpse to what is happening in England, may be we don’t need a pinky anymore.

England and Wales Cricket Board in consent with Bangladesh are planning the first Test match under lights in 2010. Not only this they are going to scrap the traditional the white with colored uniform, that too at the home of cricket, Lord’s, from where it all begun.

The cricket intellectuals at the MCC believe by doing so, they will pull-in crowds to a series which otherwise goes unnoticed even to MCC members, forget about generation hip-hoppers.

Teams will play with a white ball instead of the leather red ball and the game would start at 2.30 and finish at 9.30pm each day.

Though they need permission from International Cricket Council, the game’s governing body it seems not a tough ask. Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, said: “Overall the ICC remains committed to the promotion of the Test cricket and if this means playing some Tests under lights we would certainly consider it.”  FOR MORE CRICKET NEWS

Liquor baron and owner of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, Vijay Mallya, has said that he would have preferred England to host the second season of the Indian Premier League.

Vija Mallya and Lalit Modi

The Twenty20 competition was moved out of India because of a clash of dates with general elections and the IPL organisers sealed a deal to organise the event in South Africa.

“To be honest, I would have preferred England to South Africa,” the Daily Express quoted Mallya, as saying.

Mallya agreed that there is a huge possibility of rain disruptions; but he believed the tournament would have drawn bigger crowds in England.

“You could have taken just one flight from five or six cities in India to England and it would have been cheaper. Besides, an average Englishman loves his cricket and the stands there would have been full of spectators. But, I guess the weather conditions clinched the issue for South Africa,” he said.

For Complete news visit : www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2468/Mallya-Desired-England-As-IPL-Venue.htm

The change in venue for the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has brought disappointment to the Indians who were batting for the Twenty20 competition being played in India.

Fans Enjoying Cricket

“It is like imagining Wimbledon in England, Australian Open tennis, or the UFA cups being played abroad. The charm of an Indian event has gone. It has become a television event,” said Diana Edulji, former Indian women’’s Test cricketer.

Jitender Kumar, a cricket coach, said: “It will send out a wrong message to the world that such a big country like ours could not provide security to a sporting event. I believe it would have been better if IPL would have been held in India.”

Disappointment was writ large on the faces of young cricket enthusiasts who felt that IPL should be hosted in India as very few matches are played on Indian soil.

For Complete news visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2463/Indians-Disappointed.htm