way to go karthi :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanguine Sridhar
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way to go karthi :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanguine Sridhar
http://specials.rediff.com/yearend/2...ricketers1.htm
Rediff Top 5 Indian Cricketers of the year 2007
Eggs and abuse hurled at Murali and officials
Cricinfo staff
February 2, 2008
The troubled times of Muttiah Muralitharan in Australia continue with another disturbing incident © AFP
Members of the Sri Lankan camp in Australia for the CB series were the target of verbal abuse and had eggs thrown at them on Thursday night in Hobart. Muttiah Muralitharan and a team selector were part of a group walking from a restaurant to the team hotel and the selector was hit on the back by an egg. As a result, the Sri Lankan board has asked Cricket Australia (CA) to tighten security around the team.
"Muralitharan, along with one of the selectors and the team masseur, were walking on the street in Hobart when suddenly from nowhere a car passed them and the guy starts abusing," a source close to the team confirmed to Cricinfo.
"He then came back a few more times and repeated this and suddenly he started throwing eggs in their direction. One landed on the back of the selector. The team management has lodged a protest with the cops but fortunately nothing untoward happened on the ground."
It is not clear whether Muralitharan was the target of the attack, though Sri Lanka's manager, Sriyan Samararatne, suggested it was unlikely, arguing it was dark and that the car was travelling at too great a speed for recognition.
"I don't know the exact motive. I doubt whether they recognised Murali but unfortunately he was there," Samararatne told the Fox Sports website. "We told Cricket Australia about it and they were very upset." Samararatne added also that nothing untoward had occurred when Sri Lanka played a Test in Hobart last November.
Muralitharan's presence is bound to complicate matters. The spinner, who is the world's leading Test wicket-taker, has had a difficult time in Australia in the past. His action was no-balled early in his career in 1995-96, since when crowds have often heckled him at various venues. The reaction was so hostile Muralitharan refused to tour Australia in 2004, but he returned for Sri Lanka's series last November when the heckling seemed to have eased off.
K Mathivanan, the SLC secretary, said the board had informed CA about the matter and had asked for security for the team to be enhanced. "We have drawn the attention of Cricket Australia to this incident yesterday. They have already given the team security. But we have asked the authorities whether this can be beefed up further," Mathivanan told PTI.
I was going thru bradman's stats in cricinfo.
Aussies send their 9, 10 & 11 in the first innings to bat at 1, 2 & 3 in the second innings.
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/stat...tch/62678.html
THIS IS ODD :roll:
No shuttlecocks! India cancel national camp
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India have scrapped a training camp for this month's Thomas and Uber Cup qualifiers because of a lack of shuttlecocks, badminton officials said on Thursday.
The federation sent home over 30 players due to start training on Thursday, blaming the state-run Sports Authority of India (SAI) for not supplying the stock or allowing them to import.
The qualifiers are due to be staged in Vietnamese capital Ho Chi Minh from February 19-24. India, who qualified for the Thomas Cup finals last time, are in Group C with Japan and Pakistan.
"It is a very lackadaisical attitude," Badminton Association of India (BAI) president V.K.Verma told Reuters on Thursday. "They're supposed to provide shuttles, but are doing the game a great disfavour.
"We can't have our 30 best shuttlers, juniors and seniors, twiddling their thumbs with only five tournaments left to qualify for the Olympics."
Verma said the state agency had not even done the initial paperwork on a request forwarded six weeks ago.
The SAI chief Ratan Watal told the Times of India that supplies would be made soon and that bird flu in China were hindering imports.
Came across this in Orkut. Damn hilarious :rotfl:
Quote:
Bomber" Wells, a spin bowler and great character, played for Glocuestershire and Nottinghamshire. He used to bat at No.11 since one couldn't bat any lower. Of him, they used to paraphrase Compton's famous words describing an equally inept runner.
"When he shouts 'YES' for a run, it is merely the basis for further negotiations!" Incidentally, Compton was no better. John Warr said, of Compton "He was the only person who would call you for a run and wish you luck at the same time."
Anyway, when Wells played for Gloucs, he had an equally horrendous runner as the No.10. During a county match, horror of horrors... both got injured. *Both* opted for runners when it was their turn to bat. Bomber played a ball on the off, called for a run, forgot he had a runner and ran himself. Ditto at the other end. In the melee, someone decided that a second run was on. Now we had *all four* running. Due to the confusion and constant shouts of "YES" "NO", eventually, *all* of them ran to the same end. Note - at this point in time, the entire ground is rolling on the floor laughing their behinds out. One of the fielders - brave lad - stops laughing for a minute, picks the ball and throws down the wicket at the other end.
Umpire Alec Skelding looks very seriously at the four and calmly informs them "One of you buggers is out. I don't know which. *You* decide and inform the bloody scorers!"
:rotfl:
:rotfl2: :rotfl: :lol:
Ultimate :rotfl:Quote:
Umpire Alec Skelding looks very seriously at the four and calmly informs them "One of you buggers is out. I don't know which. *You* decide and inform the bloody scorers!"
"In a country where there is such a huge debate on young (read youth) and experience it feels great to get an award with the word 'young' before it."
Sourav Ganguly on receiving the young achiever's award from the chamber of commerce in Kolkata
:rotfl: :lol: :lol: :rotfl2:
Quote:
Originally Posted by littlemaster1982
itha evalo thadava padichaalum sirippu varuthu :rotfl:
Quote:
Originally Posted by ajithfederer
:lol: sourav is one cricketer who is known for his sarcasm and dig at the people. well said.Quote:
Originally Posted by littlemaster1982
Cricinfo
:shock: :shock: :shock:Quote:
Singapore batsman hits Twenty20 double hundred
May 5, 2008
A batsman in Singapore has scored what is believed to be the first Twenty20 double hundred, bludgeoning a remarkable 219 from 56 balls in a club match.
Sagar Kulkarni, 28, hit 18 sixes and 23 fours in his in Marina Club's 368 for 3. His partner for much of his innings was Mulewa Dharmichand, who made 89 off 44 deliveries. "Sagar's most amazing shot was a six over extra-cover which went out of the Kallang ground into the netball courts," Dharmichand said.
"I'm known for ones and twos in regular cricket but I can play shots all around too but even I was shocked by the way I batted," Kulkarni told the Asian Cricket Council. "It's a great feeling and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be able to achieve this feat, especially when nobody in world cricket has done it."
:shock: this guy might play in the IPL next year!Quote:
Originally Posted by littlemaster1982
India Cements.. Vaangunga pa Intha payyana!!Quote:
Originally Posted by CEDYBLUE
Unruly crowd upsets Ponting
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/wiva...ry/356159.html
My life is under threat from my own son: Gony's mother
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/jul/01gony.htm
Lee up there with Holding, Marshall: Richards
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/jul/02lee.htm
England 'disappointed' by India itinerary
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/indi...ry/361036.html
Proposed itinerary
November 6, 2008 England arrive in Mumbai
November 9 One-day warm-up match, Mumbai
November 11 One-day warm-up match, Mumbai
November 14 1st ODI v India, Rajkot
November 17 2nd ODI v India, Indore
November 20 3rd ODI v India, Kanpur
November 23 4th ODI v India, Jamshedpur
November 26 5th ODI v India, Cuttack
November 29 6th ODI v India, Guwahati
December 2 7th ODI v India, Delhi
December 5-7 Three-day warm-up match, Baroda
December 11-15 1st Test v India, Ahmedabad
December 19-23 2nd Test v India, CCI Mumbai
Asif suspended by Pakistan board
http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ipl/...ry/361192.html
CricinfoQuote:
Champions Trophy postponed until October 2009
The ICC has postponed the Champions Trophy, which was due to begin in Pakistan in 19 days' time, to October 2009, after five of the eight participating nations confirmed during a teleconference on Sunday that they would not send their teams for the event due to security concerns.
South Africa had on Saturday pulled out of the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held from Sept 12-28 in Karachi and Lahore, and the ICC was informed on Sunday that Australia, England, New Zealand and West Indies, too, would not be participating.
The ICC will now meet in September to finalise a window for the tournament in 2009 and, while Pakistan will be given "first preference" to host it, a decision on the venue may be taken only after a security assessment of the country is done around February, after the India tour.
Sources who attended the ICC's teleconference said there was the option of the tournament being relocated to Sri Lanka, the official alternate venue, but India and Pakistan remained adamant against a change.
India, the sources said, were not willing to sacrifice Pakistan. The Sri Lankans too didn't press their case, as they supported the Pakistan view that a venue change could not be made on security grounds. The meeting was held in an amicable atmosphere because most of the issues had been thrashed out among the members beforehand, rendering the final discussions a mere formality.
"There was unanimity in the decision to postpone the event until October next year," David Morgan, the ICC president, told Sky Sports. "India is very influential but so is Giles Clarke (ECB chief executive), Australia, New Zealand - they all bring their influence to bear.
"The vote was totally in favour of the postponement until October next year. And India were quite influential in persuading some other nations that that was the right course of action."
The ICC have appeased Pakistan, at least for the time being, in choosing not to cancel the competition entirely but postponing it until October next year. Morgan, though, was insistent that "appeasement was not part of the meeting at all".
"The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have been extremely reasonable about the whole subject, (it has been very clear) they have worked jolly hard to try to give comfort to the member boards, and the eight teams that are touring, that it would be safe and secure," Morgan said. "Unfortunately, five of the participating nations found it impossible to send their team to Pakistan because of safety concerns."
Though the postponement means there will be a rare 33 days without international cricket this year, the schedule for 2009 promises to be every bit as packed - besides, the next edition of the Champions Trophy is coming up in 2010. "Every cricketing year is a busy one," Morgan said. "We're more aware of it in the UK because of the Ashes, the World Twenty20 and the one-day series against Australia, but it is no busier a year than any other.
"There will certainly be more security assessments. We're going to meet around the table in 3 or 4 weeks in Dubai to discuss the mechanisms of the postponement. There are numerous things to be discussed and we're planning on meeting in the middle of September to discuss the consequences of the decision."
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, added: "Every one of our members wishes to ensure the ICC Champions Trophy is a world-class event and the prospect of relocating it at short notice in order to make sure it was played this year would not allow that criterion to be fulfilled."
Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB's chief operating officer, said that postponing the tournament was the only option in light of boycott threats. "Cricket is not going to die here, it's just that we are going through a difficult phase," Naghmi said. "We would have lost the hosting rights had the Champions Trophy been relocated [to Sri Lanka].
"With four of the eight teams threatening to pull out, "it made little sense to organize a four-team competition," he said.
Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said his board supported the ICC decision and had last week "explained their reservations and security concerns about staging the tournament in the aftermath of the resignation of the Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf last Monday."
newindpress..
Under-recognised boxers search greener pastures
31 Aug 2008 03:53:00 PM IST
If there’s magic in boxing, it’s the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It’s the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you. So philosophised Eddie ‘Scrap Iron’ Dupris (played by Morgan Freeman) in the Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby.
This is no longer the scenario in professional boxing. It is now the magic of money and fame that draws boxers. Underpaid and under-recognised as boxing is in India, many talented boxers have sought the dicey pastures of professional boxing in the USA and England.Gurcharan Singh,who is settled in California, is a classic example.
After his agonising quarterfinal loss to Andri Fedtchouk at the 2000 Sydney Olympics,Gurcharan was left in the lurch
Leading the final round 11-10, Gurcharan was only five seconds away from entering the semifinal and ensuring a bronze in the 81-kg category. But the Ukranian fought back and tied the bout 12-12.
The jury resorted to countback and the scores of three judges were averaged after striking off the scores of the judges who gave the highest and lowest points and Andri won the bout 60-42.
Only a lukewarm welcome awaited Gurcharan back home.His employers, Services,withdrew a promotion they had promised him while he waited for months to obtain a telephone connection to his house. Disgruntled, he embraced professional boxing in the USA and disappeared without a trace. It was only after a few months that his friends informed his employers and the media that Gurcharan was in the USA.
Similar was 1994 World Cup bronze medallist Venkatesh Devarajan’s fate. According to Devarajan, the Indian Boxing Federation was indifferent to his needs and refused to send him to Cuba for a training stint despite his insistent pleas. So he vanished from the Atlanta Olympics camp and went to England. “Even after I had bagged a bronze in the World Cup, the government was reluctant to support me financially. To make ends meet, I pursued professional boxing in England for a few months,” recollecs Devarajan. Upset at developments, national boxing coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu blasted the attitude of the boxers
“They are not only hurting themselves, but also betraying the country which spends so much money to train them. They don’t know what they are getting into.They have absolutely no idea about the demands of professional boxing.Mentally, they are not tough enough to deal with it,” is what he said
Sandhu’s judgment was spot-on.For, only a few Indian pugilists like Dharmender Yadav and Gurcharan have flourished in this exceedingly competitive and demanding world of professional boxing. Gurcharan, especially, has been quite successful in his switch-over and has made a small fortune too. He has an enviable 18-0 record, including 10 knockouts, in the heavyweight segment this season.Managed by Dennis Hobson, he earns close to $20,000 a bout
All the same,many talented boxers who have ventured into the professional circuit like Devender Thapa, Lakha Singh and Raj Kumar Sangwan have fallen by the wayside. “Professional boxing is an altogether different ball game.Amateur boxing is a bout while the latter is a fight. You need raw energy, power, stamina and mental toughness to succeed.Amateur boxing is more scientific; there are only four rounds and it is about getting points,” points out Olympian Devarajan
Now that Indian boxers have excelled at the Beijing Olympics, the federation should promote boxing and support boxers in a better way
Otherwise, more boxers will seek the rings of professional boxing. After all, money matters
Symonds mulls quitting cricket
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/sep/01sym.htm
Symonds told to seek psychological help
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/sep/02symonds.htm :shock:
http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/15/stor...1556501900.htm
Saina Nehwal scripts a historic win
Principal Correspondent
Becomes first Indian woman to win two GP singles titles
DREAM COME TRUE: Saina Nehwal’s title win in Taiwan, close on the heels of her quarterfinal appearance at the Beijing Games, is further proof of her talent and augurs well for her future.
HYDERABAD: Saina Nehwal, ranked World No. 14, became the first-ever Indian woman shuttler to win two Grand Prix singles titles when she won the $1,70,000 Yonex Chinese Taipei Grand Prix Gold badminton championship in Taiwan on Sunday, according to information received here.
“It was one of my most memorable days. It is a dream come true for me. Coming so close to the quarterfinal appearance in the recent Beijing Olympics, it gives me extra pleasure,” said a delighted Saina in a chat with The Hindu from Taiwan immediately after recording a 21-8, 21-19 win in the final against Li Ya Lydia Cheah of Malaysia.
For someone who after winning the 2006 Phillipines Open had a lacklustre showing in the international circuit till the creditable performance at the Beijing Olympics, Saina believes that this title should prove to her critics that her Olympics performance was no flash in the pan.
Simple strategy
Reflecting on her win on Sunday the 18-year-old said that she had a simple strategy for the final. “I was not too worried about the occasion. My strategy was to play to my potential and let things happen,” she said. “The first game was much easier. But, in the second game the familiar problem of drift because of blowers inside the stadium was there. That was the reason I had to struggle a bit and trailed 5-11, 10-15,” she added.
“But importantly I moved into top gear when it mattered the most and that is most satisfying. The doubts over my ability to come up with big points should have been put to rest with this victory,” said Saina.
The two-time National champion, having come of age thanks to the recent exposure trips and training stints abroad, feels that her quarterfinal win against Thai Porntip Buranaprasertsuk was decisive. “Though I was up against a player ranked World No. 42, given her potential to get the better of the best in the business, that victory lifted my confidence level and made me believe that I can win the title here,” said Saina.
Great feeling
“It is always a great feeling to be the first to win a title of this magnitude. And, I hope this will just be the beginning in my long pursuit to win an Olympic medal,” she said. She will now leave for Tokyo for the Japanese Open and then from there for the China Open championships.
Pullela Gopi Chand said that it was a tough final and gave full credit to Saina. “This should be a major morale booster for her,” he said. “There is no doubt that she really playing in a different level. Maybe, the best phase of her career so far. All that she needs now is to remain focussed and just go out there and play her normal game.”
A delighted Harvir Singh, who spoke to his daughter Saina immediately after her victory, felt vindicated about his belief in her.
“I know how much struggle we had to undergo over the years. But, thankfully the results are coming in now which should only spur Saina to aim higher,” he said.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/25/stor...2561721300.htm
Kapil Dev begins a new innings
NEW DELHI: Veteran cricketer Kapil Dev was decorated with the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army at a colourful ceremony at Army headquarters here on Wednesday. The honour was conferred on him by the Army Chief, General Deepak Kapoor.
Speaking on the occasion, Kapil Dev said: “It is truly a proud moment for me. I will try to do my best in the second innings. Whatever instructions are given to me by my bosses I will try to fulfil them. It is the duty of every citizen to strengthen his or her country.” Kapil, who led the victorious World Cup cricket team in 1983, donned the army uniform as he is now part of the 150 Territorial Army (Infantry) battalion of the Punjab Regiment.
While Kapil will not take part in the training of the Territorial Army, he will act as a “brand ambassador” for the armed forces.
:D :clap:
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/sep/25kris.htm
Srikkanth most certain to be head of selection committee
:redjump:Quote:
Originally Posted by directhit
1. No more of his commentary
2. Potentially good for Thamizhagam
:lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by crajkumar_be
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by directhit
Joshna wins Super Satellite crown
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/no...lite-crown.htm
Warne doubts Dada’s leadership qualities :banghead:
Melbourne, Dec. 1: Shane Warne has good things to say for almost all the top-100 cricketers of his choice in his book but could not camouflage his dislike for former India captain Sourav Ganguly in whom he found neither the hallmarks of a great batsman nor an extraordinary leader. “Sourav Ganguly might not be my cup of tea as a bloke, but what he did for Indian cricket has to be respected,” he said justifying the Indian’s inclusion in his book Shane Warne’s Century.
“He is a feisty sort of character, not short of self-confidence or unaware of his standing in Indian life. He is regarded over there, especially around his teeming home city of Calcutta, as one of the greatest ever Indian captains. They won more games under him than anybody else, so I guess the statistics back that up. Personally, I am not so sure. I think he had some outstanding players and solid characters in the team. Do you need to be a great leader to win games with Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble in the ranks. Tactically, he was not among the best leaders I came up against, and his management skills left a bit to be desired.”
Warne felt Ganguly was not outstanding as a batsman and said even minnows Bangladesh tried to encash on his vulnerability to short-pitched bowling. “I think that every bowling attack in the world, even Bangladesh, has tried to get him with the short ball or has placed a couple of gullies for those left-handed slashes that he likes,” he said adding, “Maybe his strength is in one-day cricket, where there are strict rules on the use of bouncers... He can also play some glorious looking drives with perfect timing, like most of the Indian batsmen. But he did have the knack of rubbing up opponents the wrong way without seeming to try very hard.”
Source: Deccan Chronicle
Last week he said that he never feared Sachin. Now he is turning to Ganguly.
Shame Shame Warne. :evil:
Dhoni's security to be upgraded :)
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2008/d...y-upgraded.htm
Dhoni thread-la post panna DH remba santhosha paduvaaru... :lol:
Pakistan is the only one of cricket's nine test-playing nations which will end 2008 without playing a test match.
It was scheduled to play three home-tests in March before Australia canceled its tour due to security reservations. September's Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament was also postponed until next year after four leading teams — South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and England — expressed concerns over security.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...stan-India.php
Q. Following on from last week's question about the late Paul Hibbert, is Adam Parore's 96 against India in 1994 the highest individual score in a one-day international without a boundary? asked Sayontan Sinha from the United States
A. That's a nice, simple one: yes, Adam Parore's 96 for New Zealand against India in Baroda (now Vadodara) in 1994-95 is indeed the highest known ODI score not to include a boundary (there are some early matches for which we don't have full details, but it is highly unlikely that there has been a higher boundary-less score). Parore faced 138 balls during his innings, and put on 181 with his captain, Ken Rutherford, whose 108 included 13 fours.
http://content-eap.cricinfo.com/maga...ry/382335.html
Sachin scored century in this match for India's win.
scorecard:
http://content-eap.cricinfo.com/indi...tch/65999.html
Sri Lanka's interim board dissolved, Ranatunga sacked
Sa'adi Thawfeeq
December 23, 2008
Controversies during Ranatunga's tenure
April: Media manager Samantha Algama is sacked and replaced by former SSC cricketer Shane Fernando.
- A five-match ODI series against Pakistan is arranged which clashes with the inaugural IPL.
- Criticises IPL by comparing Twenty20 cricket to 'instant noodles'.
July-August - Antagonises Indian board by inviting banned Sri Lankan ICL players to the podium for award ceremony during Sri Lanka-India Test and ODI series.
- Hashan Tillakaratne, who was appointed by Ranatunga as manager of the national team, is replaced two days into the job by the sports minister.
September Signs MoU with ECB to send Sri Lanka team to England in April-May 2009. The tour clashes directly with second IPL tournament. Series fails to materialise after sports minister intervenes on IPL-contracted players' request.
- Indian board says it will provide cash-strapped SLC US$70m over a 10-year period but is concerned at 'totally unjustified' hostility of Sri Lankan management. At an IPL meeting in Bangkok, Indian delegation reportedly says there will be no deal as long as Ranatunga is chairman.
October: Interim Committee fails to take decision on Badureliya CC relegation/promotion incident. Issue drags on for five weeks before it is finally resolved by the Sports Council.
December: Sixteen SLC employees who are dismissed by Ranatunga appeal to the President and sports minister, who overrules the sackings as the decision was taken without consulting him.
- Sports minister dissolves Interim Committee.
Sri Lanka's sports minister Gamini Lokuge has dissolved the interim administration of Sri Lanka Cricket, headed by Arjuna Ranatunga, saying the situation at SLC demanded an immediate change.
The sports secretary, S Liyanagama, will oversee the SLC administration until a decision is taken - within the next week, Lokuge said - on whether to call for elections or to appoint another interim administration.
"Arjuna Ranatunga has not been cooperating with the company or the players," Lokuge was quoted as saying by PTI. "We tried to sort it out but could not and he has been removed."
The immediate issue was the sacking of 16 SLC employees by Ranatunga last week. At the time, SLC officials explained the decision by saying those sacked were holding positions no longer required by the organisation. However, the decision was apparently taken without informing the minister, directly contravening his order that he be consulted on every move.
Rantunga accepted the minister's decision and said he did not want to comment on the issue. "I only wanted to make the SLC a clean place and serve cricketers," Ranatunga told Sri Lanka's Daily News. "I did not go there to do any politics."
Ranatunga, appointed to the post in January 2008 after Jayantha Dharmadasa decided to step down, has had a controversial tenure. Perhaps his most controversial decision was negotiating a tour of England that would overlap with the second season of the IPL, to which many of the players are contracted. Ranatunga said his cash-strapped board badly needed the US$2 million which the ECB was offering as guarantee money for the tour. After a protracted tussle, the tour was eventually called off with West Indies slotted in to replace Sri Lanka.
Ranatunga has been a vocal critic of the IPL, once comparing it once to instant noodles, and antagonised the Indian board by stating that India lost the first Test to Sri Lanka in July because they played too much Twenty20 cricket. He also sought tighter control for the national board over player contracts with the IPL.
In September, the SLC broke ranks with the official cricketing establishment by deciding to allow five cricketers and an umpire who had signed up for the unauthorised ICL to play domestic cricket.
Ranatunga met Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapakse on Tuesday and it was widely speculated that he would be given a ministerial post.
Double-sided bat to debut
Most reverse-sweeps still come off the front of the bat - Andrew Symonds' version of the stroke being an exception - but batsmen could soon have the option of using the back of their blade :o. A double-sided bat will be trialled during two Australian domestic Twenty20 games this week.
David Warner, the New South Wales batsman who has just signed up for the IPL, will use the bat against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday and Victoria's Aiden Blizzard will test it against Western Australia at the MCG on Thursday. Warner had a hit with the new-style bat in the SCG nets on Sunday and he said he didn't think it would significantly change the game.
"Generally when I'm playing the reverse I'm swapping hands, and now I don't really have to so it's going to be better. It gives you a couple of extra seconds," Warner told the Age. "If people think it's going to be an advantage to batsmen, I have to disagree.
"The person who is using the timber is in control, so I just see it as another shot for other people to try as well. Everyone is trying it these days, especially in Twenty20, so why not have the back of the bat flat as well? It makes it easier, but it's not a real advantage. You've still got to play the shot."
India to tour Sri Lanka next month
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/j...n-february.htm
What keeps Sreesanth motivated?
http://www.rediff.com/cricket/2009/j...h-motivated.ht
:rotfl2:Quote:
From setting inspirational songs as his mobile ringtone to wearing I-Never-Give-Up T-shirts, pacer S Sreesanth [Images] has come up with unique methods to keep himself motivated as he waits for a recall to the Indian cricket team.
The flamboyant pacer has declared himself fit after recovering from a back injury but with the Indian pace bowling attack doing well with Zaheer Khan [Images] and Ishant Sharma [Images] at the helm, the Kerala [Images] bowler may have to wait a while before getting a recall.
And in a bid to keep his motivation intact, Sreesanth has turned to some unconventional ways.
"The ringtones of my cell phones keep me going, especially the title song of Rocky 5 and the other by A R Rehman 'yeh jo des hai tera' from the movie Swades [Images]. Actually, this song keeps telling me 'come on Sreesanth, you have to work hard and make a comeback, keep working hard'," Sreesanth told ESPN-STAR Sports.
"My business manager got T-shirts for me from Mumbai [Images] with messages on them. The one that I have now reads 'I never give up. That is the mantra for me, I dont want to give up ever, just keep fighting," he added.
The bowler also got the backing of former Sri Lanka [Images] captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who feels bringing him back into the attack would lend variety to Indian bowling.
"Zaheer Khan is a left-armer, Ishant Sharma is a bowler who hits the deck and if Irfan Pathan [Images] is not in top form then I think the Indian think tank should contemplate having Sreesanth for the Sri Lankan tour," Ranatunga said, referring to the upcoming five-match one-day series between India and Sri Lanka.
"He has a wonderful out-swinger which can be handy with the new ball. On top of that, he bowls well with the old ball with his reverse swing and yorkers. I know he is making a comeback but if at all he has to make a comeback, it can be now," he added.
The Indian selection committee meets on Sunday to pick the squad for Sri Lanka where the team will also play a Twenty20 [Images] game.
Sreesanth has declared himself fit for selection and is raring to go.
"I am completely fit and hopefully I can make my comeback sooner than later, may be with the Sri Lankan trip itself," he said.
The 25-year-old bowler last played for India against South Africa [Images] in Kanpur but following a back injury he has been out of action.
"Thanks to the National Cricket Academy staff Dav Whatmore, Paul Chapman and Paul Close and others that I am able to make a comeback to the game. Now, let's see if I am able to take the next step," he said