30/01/2009

DLF IPL’s Second Player Auction –2009

The Indian Premier League announced a final list of 114 cricketers for the second player auction.

 

LIST OF PLAYERS FOR SECOND PLAYER AUCTION

 

 

Goa, February 6th 2009

 

 

Sr. No

Player Name

 

 

AUSTRALIA

 

 

1

Brad Haddin

2

Michael Clarke

3

Nathan Hauritz

4

Stuart Clark

5

Brad Hogg

6

Beau Casson

7

Mark Cameron

8

Peter Forrest

9

Lee Carseldine

10

Doug Bowler

11

Michael Dighton

12

Jason Krejza

13

Nathan Reardon

14

Chris Hartley

15

Shaun Tait

16

Ashley Noffke

17

Bryce McGain

18

George Bailey

19

Michael Hill

20

Travis Birt

21

Chris Swan

22

Michael Klinger

23

Ben Edmondson

24

Aiden Blizzard

25

Mark Cosgrove

26

Adam Voges

27

Shane Harwood

 

 

BANGLADESH

 

 

28

Tamim Iqbal

29

Junaid Siddique

30

Rajin Saleh

31

Mehrab Hossain Jr

32

Shakib Al Hasan

33

Mohammad Ashraful

34

Mashrafe Bin Mortaza.

35

Tamim Iqbal Khan.

36

Shakib Al Hasan.

37

Mohammad Junaid Siddique.

38

Ziaur Rahman

39

Mahumudullah Riyad

40

Nadif Chowdhury.

41

Mohammad Mushfiqur Rahim.

42

Mohammad Raqibul Hasan.

 

 

ENGLAND

 

 

43

Ravi Bopara

44

Monty Panesar

45

Robert Key

46

James Foster

47

Tyron Henderson

48

Sajid Mahmood

49

Matt Prior

50

Ian Bell

51

Paul Collingwood

52

Owais Shah

53

Shaun Udal

54

Darren Gough

55

Ryan Sidebottom

56

Graeme Swan

57

Luke Wright

58

Kevin Peterson

59

Andrew Flintoff

60

Steve Harmison

61

James Anderson

62

Ed Joyce

63

Dominic Cork

 

 

NEW ZEALAND

 

 

64

Mark Gillespie

65

Tim Southee

66

Jesse Ryder

67

Jeetan Patel

68

Kyle Mills

69

Chris Martin

70

Jamie How

71

Peter Fulton

72

James Franklin

 

 

PAKISTAN

 

 

73

Asim Kamal

74

Yasir Hameed

75

Danish Kaneria

76

Mohd. Hafeez

77

Yasir Arafat

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA

 

 

78

Gulam Bodi

79

Rory Kleinveld

80

Charles Langeveldt

81

Ashwell Prince

82

J P Duminy

83

Martin Van Jaarsveld

84

Roelof Van der Merwe

85

Andre Nel

86

Neil Mckanzee

87

Yusuf Abdullah

88

Paul Harris

89

Johan Botha

90

Morne Van Wyk

 

 

SRI LANKA

 

 

91

Thilina Thushara

91

Nuwan Kulasekera

93

Mahela Udawatte

94

Dammika Prasad

95

Thilina Kandamby

96

Kaushalya Weereratne

97

Jehan Mubarak

98

Dilhara Lokuhettige

99

Malinga Bandara

100

Malinda Warnapura,

101

Michael vandort,

102

Prassanna Jayawardane

103

Upal Tharanga

104

Jeevantha Kulatunga

105

Kaushal Lokuarachchi

 

 

WEST INDIES

 

 

106

Sylvester Joseph

107

Darren Sammy

108

Kieron Pollard

109

Andre Fletcher

110

Kieron Powell

111

Fidel Edwards

112

Dwayne Smith

113

Kemar Roach

 

 

ZIMBABWE

 

 

114

Vusi Sibanda

  

 

 

27/01/2009

No tears for Shoaib Malik

 

           A sacking long overdue.

 

Eighteen months into his captaincy, to everyone's relief, Shoaib Malik has been dethroned.

 

He has been at the receiving end from all most all quarters from the day he accepted the Captaincy and it is wonder that he lasted so long despite internal mechanizations.

 

You can almost say the recent humiliating loss to Sri Lanka was the final straw and the PCB after a show of calling for reports sacked him and appointed Younis Khan as the Captain.

 

However, Younis Khan as is his wont has not confirmed his acceptance presumably to do some behind the scenes negotiating.

 

A Designer ‘Ball’

British, fashion designer Paul Smith has designed a cricket ball that has 100% natural cork innards wrapped with premium leather.

Obviously, a ball designed for swingers and not for 'swinging'.



Hat tip: Freshness


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26/01/2009

Much fun in Pakistan

Pakistan’s timid submission to Sri Lanka has set off the usual reactions. As usual the manner in which the batsmen played or to be exact got out, has everyone speculating about match fixing. Leaving the weightier issues to the side, over the board reactions of the PCB Chairman has come as a welcome relief.

Apparently caught unaware, he has asked skipper Shoaib Malik, coach Intikhab Alam and team manager Yawar Saeed to submit a report to the Pakistan Cricket Board outlining the reasons for the humiliating series loss to Sri Lanka, within 48 hours.

Now an intrigued reader may ask what the Chairman was doing during the match. Was he busy elsewhere or was he so dispirited that he closed his eyes when the game was being lost?

Fascinatingly, the PCB Chairman has expediently forgotten to ask for a report from the Selectors who are widely acknowledged to have succumbed to the pressure from the seniors.

Keeping up his reputation for asking inanities, this blogger questions the need for a 48-hour deadline.


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24/01/2009

Lack of evidence - A rogue's defense

Those familiar with the politicians in India know that even when confronted with unassailable facts they claim that there is no proof and are hence innocent. A host of sportsmen including cricketers when caught cheating has adopted this ploy.

 

For example, the whole world knows about Asif's drug problems, however, his lawyer is going to argue that since the A and B urine samples reported two different quantities of the banned drug nandrolone he is innocent. (A technicality, nevertheless it will save Asif's career).

 

Mushtaq takes a similar tack. Despite the fact that the Quayyum Report found him guilty of match fixing and associating with gamblers he claims:

 

'Wherever you go in the world you need evidence to make accusations, and when you don't have any evidence you cannot assume any wrongdoing. I am a very satisfied man. I never associated with gamblers and never want to.'

 

To show how blatant his denial consider this, the ICC has asked ECB to make sure that Mushtaq abides by the code of conduct also takes an anti-corruption course. The ICC has also reserved the right to study his mobile telephone bills.

 

I wonder if this is not clinching evidence then what else will stand up to these rogues exacting standards.

 

 

Do we need more teams?

Harsha Bogle, provoked by the frequency with which the teams are playing each other, raises the now familiar bogey of too few international teams.

Cricket needs more variety, fresher competition. It’s bad enough having such few teams, its worse when feuds emerge and some teams cannot play against others.

Although there is merit to his desire for more teams, the pathetic performances of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe makes one chary of leapfrogging teams into the elite Test playing team’s category.

One believes that the solution is in rivalries, the kind seen between India – Australia, Australia – England, Australia – South Africa, India – Pakistan and now India – Sri Lanka.

Do you believe more teams are the panacea for dull cricket?





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23/01/2009

"I am not interested in India. Not interested in Indian cricket".

Guru Greg Renounces India.
Miffed at Virendra Sehwag's outburst, Greg Chappell has decided to sever all ties with Indian cricket, including the lucrative job he has with the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA).
The man who landed a hard slap on Greg Chappell's pouting face at the Bhubaneswar airport had the right idea and deserves a Padmashree.

22/01/2009

Global Test XI - 2014

Rob Steen indulges himself in Cricinfo by naming a Global Test Eleven for the year 2014. Unfortunately, it is hard to say why or on what basis he has compiled the squad.

 

Gautam Gambhir (India), Hashim Amla (SA), JP Duminy (SA), AB de Villiers (SA), Ross Taylor (NZ), Shakib Al-Hasan (Bangladesh), Prasanna Jayawardene (Sri Lanka), Mitchell Johnson (Australia), Dale Steyn (SA), Ishant Sharma (India) and Ajantha Mendis (Sri Lanka).

 

A quick look confirms that the author has a South African bias. For it is impossible to explain otherwise how four South African's and only one Australian make it into the team. His bias becomes prominent when one notices that no English man makes the cut.  

 

In addition to the evident bias, the inexplicable exclusion of the Pakistani players in the team makes one conclude that this Global Test Eleven is a result of one peg too many.

 

If you were to look at the year 2014 soberly, who do you believe would be the games superstars?

 

 

 

21/01/2009

Do they have a choice?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it would not seek compensation from the BCCI for cancelling the tour scheduled from January.

 

Though PCB suffered a loss of $ 40 million, they have chosen to maintain that relationships are more important than grievance.

 

It is apparent that PCB is relying on the resumption of cricketing ties once the relationship between India and Pakistan is back to even keel.

 

As BCCI is the financial engine that appears to power the International cricket, one wonders whether they (PCB) had a choice.


20/01/2009

Mohammed Asif Quits Delhi Daredevils

Here is a man bites dog story.

The Delhi Daredevils has released Pakistan medium-pacer Mohammad Asif from the team with immediate effect. The decision came following a request by Asif, who met the Delhi Daredevils officials here.

Considering Asif’s checkered past, his separation from Delhi Daredevils was imminent. However, the manner in which the real reason has been side stepped has caught even the most hard-bitten blogger like yours truly, by surprise.

Those in the know agree this is truly a man bites dog story.

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13/01/2009

Shaun Tait for Deccan Chargers?

Because of his comeback to Twenty20 cricket in Melbourne and the ball that almost cut de.Villiers into half, Shaun Tait has become one of the most sought after players by IPL franchisees.

 

During the IPL player auction set for February 5, Shaun Tait along with other players, notably Pietersen and Flintoff, will set off furious bidding among the franchisees.

 

One person has already indicated his interest. Darren Lehmann, (who by the way is a contender for England's coach job has decided to stick with the Deccan Chargers), confirmed he would bid for Tait.

 

However, Taits' mental and physical fragility may well mar the hype.

12/01/2009

ICL- Will it stand by its cricketers.

Indian Cricket LeagueImage via WikipediaMost Pakistan’s Indian Cricket League (ICL) rebels appear to have become innocent victims of the strained relations between India and Pakistan over the Mumbai terror attack.

These Pakistani players featured in the ICL (Lahore Badshahs) and won the title. Unfortunately, they may well end up waiting a long time to see the colour of the Rs.40 million due to them as winners.

According to the terms and conditions of the contracts, the Pakistani ( or any contracted player) players will have to be available for a minimum number of days in the league to get their contractual fees per annum.

Sadly, the second edition fell prey to the Mumbai blasts and was abruptly terminated. If ICL, who are within their legal rights, decides to stand by their contract, the Pakistani players stand to loose not only their prize money but also their contracted fees.

One hopes that the cricketers who are involved in the running of the ICL influence the management and help the Pakistani players get their due. This episode will reveal how ICL, which goes about projecting itself as an organization focused on the cricketers welfare, stands true to its claim.


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IPL – Dravid on a sticky wicket.

Reacting to some media reports the Bangalore Royal Challengers supremo Vijay Mallya made it clear that he had not yet finalised Rahul Dravid as captain of his Indian Premier League outfit.

Going by his statement, the Captain’s post is up for grabs and worse without the captains post to prop him up; Dravid may find himself warming the bench.

If Mallya’s circumspect denial is an indication of an imminent change, who do you believe will replace Dravid?

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11/01/2009

Smith finding women hard to get.


In a largely eulogistic article extolling Graeme Smith as Captain Biff - from zero to hero, the author slips this in:

Now, all that remains is to get that Biffness working with the ladies.

Just goes to show that beating Australia in Australia and playing through pain is insufficient; you need charm to win over women.

Image by casamelo


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09/01/2009

Who will coach England?

Andrew Strauss batting against Bangladesh at LordsImage via Wikipedia Now that the irreconcilable differences between Pietersen and Peter Moores culminated in both men losing their jobs, ECB has a job on their hands. Thankfully, the availability of Andrew Strauss as a replacement for Pietersen has lessened their burden to some extent.

However, the replacement for Peter Moores is tricky, so much so a joke doing the rounds is Pietersen approached Shane Warne who appears to be cricket’s ‘Mr. Fix It’, to take over from Moores. (Warne has stoutly denied any such intention).Warne did not stop with denying his interest. He has in turn recommended Darren Lehmann for the job.

Unsurprisingly, Western Australia's coach Tom Moody appears to have thrown his hat in the ring. He admits to his interest in becoming England’s coach. Between the two Australians vying for the post, Moody’s chances appear stronger as David Gower, Ian Botham, David Lloyd and Jonathan Agnew have all backed his candidature.

To the ECB, more than the question of whom, identifying the right person before the West Indies tour slated to begin in a fortnight will be a hard task.

Will they appoint an interim coach or a full –time coach by then, is the question.

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02/01/2009

Make Cricket India's National game.

If one were to go by popularity then Cricket is the most popular game in India. If one were to go by results, the Indian cricket team has brought more laurels. If one were to go by financial might and its off-shoot power, then Indian cricket rules the roost.

Then isn't it time to make cricket India's national game?

Mansur Ali Khan Patudi thinks it is time cricket replaced hockey as India's national game and I have no intention of diagreeing with him.

Do you believe Cricket should be India's national game?

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Blame the BCCI.

Sri Lanka CricketImage via WikipediaImage via WikipediaAs anticipated, the confusion over Sri Lanka’s tour to Pakistan is being attributed to the BCCI.

To recap, Sri Lanka readily agreed to replace India and tour Pakistan. Then internal bickering between Ranatunga who headed the Interim Committee and the Sri Lankan Sports Minister came to the fore and resulted in the formers ouster. After a period of indecision, Sri Lanka confirmed the tour of Pakistan only to ask for some modifications later.

Instead of playing three Tests and five one-dayer, Sri Lanka now wants to play just two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 game a change that can be easily incorporated. Along with this modification, SLC also requested PCB to postpone the tour to mid February.

This postponement has set off allegations of BCCI’s interference, in part because if Pakistan accommodates Sri Lanka’s request, then it will put its scheduled tour in jeopardy. Pakistan believes this as an attempt by Sri Lanka to scuttle its tour at the behest of the BCCI.

In its rush to blame the BCCI the Pakistani newspaper ‘Jang’ appears to have conveniently forgotten that firstly, the Interim committee that agreed to the tour has been accused of many things namely not consulting with the Sri Lankan government and the players. The second issues gains prominence as Sri Lankan press reported that Jayawardene had met with the Sri Lankan Sports Minister to express the player’s safety concern over the tour.

Secondly, left to itself, the BCCI would have gone ahead with India’s tour to Pakistan and the decision to severe ties was a political decision.

Instead of blaming others, despite its protestations to the contrary, the PCB and its cahoots should realize that Pakistan is unsafe and teams would prefer to keep away.


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01/01/2009

Buchanan calls for a major overhaul.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS - APRIL 28:  Ricky Pontin...Image by Getty Images via DaylifeIf anyone knew the Australian team intimately, then it has to be its former coach John Buchanan.

However, when asked to identify what caused Australia’s fall from grace, he had only this to say:

“There are broader issues there. They've been overlooked for a long period of time and now we're starting to see the outcomes of those. It's systemic and that's been the case for some period of time but while things were going well people chose to ignore them,”

Buchanan’s opaque answer casts serious doubts on Australia’s ability to regain its pomp. His rather neither here nor there answer makes one wonder whether it was contractual obligations or hopes of another stint as the coach of Australia that stopped him from being more forthcoming.

All said and done it appears that the Australian team is set to slide further before it stabilises.

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Azhar strikes back.

Last time...Image by rodc via Flickr
This blogger has consistently held the view that Azharuddin is the only cricketer to have been victimised because of the corruption scandal that hit cricket in the late nineties.
When transgressions of players like Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and even Salim Malik were indulged, Azharuddin, mainly due to BCCI’s trigger happiness has been handed a life-ban.
Leaving Azharuddin’s ban aside, it is good to hear that Mohammad Ashaduddin, son of Mohammad Azharuddin, has been selected for the trials camp of Kolkata Knight Riders.
It is also interesting to hear that Azharuddin’s younger son Mohammad Aiyazuddin is widely tipped to emulate his father.
Can we call this happy event ‘the return of Azharuddin’?
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