Hampshire allrounder Liam Dawson has signed on as as the overseas player for the Zimbabwe franchise Mountaineers

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2011Hampshire allrounder Liam Dawson has signed on as the overseas player for the Zimbabwe franchise Mountaineers.Dawson, 21, scored 908 runs for Hampshire in the County Championship Division One at an average of 36.32 including two centuries and also picked up three wickets. Hampshire finished at the bottom of the points table and were relegated to the second division.”I’ve never been over there [Zimbabwe] before but I’ve got to be prepared because there’s extra pressure and responsibility as an overseas player,” Dawson said. “You’ve got to prove that you’re good enough to take their overseas place – there should be a few other players from England out there too.”

Michael Clarke has said Ricky Ponting is on the brink of one of the best series of his career

Firdose Moonda in Centurion18-Oct-2011Without the burden of captaincy, the pressures of leading the world’s best one-day team and the complications that come with being the man in charge, Ricky Ponting is a freer man. According to new Australia captain, Michael Clarke, he is also a fiercer one.”I have a feeling he is on the brink of having one of the best series of his career,” Clarke said. “Watching him in the nets, I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets Man of the Series in the one-dayers and is our leading run-scorer in the Tests.”Such a vote of confidence comes after Ponting finished as the second-highest run-scorer for Australia in their ODI series against Sri Lanka in August and scored 87 for Tasmania against Western Australia last week. To have a senior player in good nick will serve Clarke, who is still in his early days as captain, in good stead. “Ricky has been a big help to me throughout my career,” he said. “He is a wonderful guy, very experienced and talented, still has a lot to offer in Australian cricket in both ODIs and Tests.”After leading Australia to victories in Bangladesh and the ODI and Test contests in Sri Lanka, Clarke faces arguably the biggest challenge of his leadership so far, in South Africa. Apart from the famous rivalry between the two countries, there are rankings at stake in both formats and Clarke recognises that it will be a significant test of his leadership.”It’s always great when you get the chance to play against tough opposition. I have enjoyed every challenge I have had against them,” Clark said. “They are a very strong, experienced team. They’ve got some youngsters as well, who haven’t played much cricket which is pretty similar to our team.”Australia’s youth have burst onto the scene, with teenage paceman Pat Cummins stealing the headlines after his performances in the two T20s. He was fast-tracked into their Test squad and many feel he is on the brink of something special. Clarke was measured in his praise of Cummins, compared to T20 captain Cameron White and New South Wales team-mate Shane Watson, but recognised his potential. “He is very exciting young prospect, he can bowl fast, he can move the ball and for a youngster he has great knowledge of fast bowling.”He was equally conservative about the other prospects, James Pattinson and Mitchell Marsh, and made it clear that they will have to graft to make their names. “I’m excited to see the guys get an opportunity to stake their claim and now they have got hold of their chance and are playing for Australia.”It’s in the fast-bowling department that Australia have sprouted talent and Clarke said that has more to do with the conditions in South Africa than the need to look for replacements for the likes of Brett Lee. “We’re just trying to pick the right combination for where we are playing. Having two spinners and four quicks is the right mix, now we are just trying to pick the best 11 on the day.”Clarke said Australia will put their best foot forward, particularly because have their status as the No. 1 ranked ODI team in mind and want to hold on to it. “It’s certainly something that we are aware of and very proud of. Hopefully we can continue playing good cricket and stay on top.” South Africa could close that gap to a fraction if they win all three matches in the series. Hashim Amla said the team has not even thought about that because “they have bigger things to worry about.”Michael Clarke on Ricky Ponting: “I have a feeling he is on the brink of having one of the best series of his career.”•Associated Press

Amla, himself, forms one of the sub-plots of the series, which was initially supposed to be a contest of the young leaders between AB de Villiers and Clarke. He said he is “enjoying it although it is taking some getting used to.” While Clarke did not give an appraisal of Amla’s leadership, he said the stand-in skipper may be under some strain. “I think it’s more of a concern that they haven’t got AB. He is a very good player. They’ll certainly miss him and there’ll be a little bit of extra pressure on Hashim’s shoulders.”The return of Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn had Amla beaming as he welcomed back “familiar personnel” but the resumption of a format of the game in which has excelled seemed to please Amla more. Amla had only played three T20s for South Africa before captaining in the previous two and was dismissed cheaply both times. Now, he returns to the fifty-over game, where he is the world’s top ranked batsmen and it seems he enjoyed the extra time it allows. “It will give us more time to assess and it’s not just a case of one the day someone makes a big impact,” he said.Amla also hoped the change in format would result in a change in fortune for his opening partner Graeme Smith, who was in miserable touch in the T20s, after making his return from injury. “There is a lot more time to build innings so hopefully he will do well.”

The Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) has contacted the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) seeking assistance over the delay in the cricketers’ salaries for series following the World Cup this year

Kanishkaa Balachandran30-Nov-2011The Sri Lankan Cricketers’ Association (SLCA) has contacted the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) seeking assistance over the delay in the cricketers’ salaries for series following the World Cup this year.Sri Lanka have played three series since the end of the World Cup in April and the players are still awaiting payment, including match fees and contract payments. Tim May, the FICA chief executive, stated in a release that the association had been contacted to ensure the payments were made as soon as possible.”We are aware that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is undergoing some cash flow difficulties at present as it awaits its final payment from the ICC for World Cup hosting fees,” May said. “But SLCA and FICA will be looking at possible ways of ensuring the monies owed by the ICC, which are due to be paid in late December 2011 or January 2012, are released with urgency, and on condition it is used to pay the players forthwith.”SLC is expecting to receive payments from the ICC to the tune of US$4.3million for co-hosting the World Cup.May also expressed concern that the long wait for payments could lure players towards lucrative options such as playing in global Twenty20 tournaments, at the expense of playing for the country. “With the IPL and other Twenty20 competitions emerging as a realistic alternative to international cricket for players, the SLC urgently needs to address this situation with its players,” May said.”The players have been incredibly patient to date and continued to play in the interests of their country, but this is now reaching a critical point.”The ICC is expected to disburse payments only after they complete the World Cup audit. “This is a matter for SLC, not for the ICC. In terms of standard policy, the final payments due from the World Cup is only paid on completion of the audits, which is expected to be signed off at the next ICC Board meeting,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.An SLC official said the board is aware of these concerns and that steps are being taken to ensure the situation is under control. “The sports ministry is making arrangements to resolve this issue,” the source told ESPNcricinfo. “The players will be paid very soon. They need not worry.”SLC has been in a financial crisis in recent months following the construction of new stadiums in Hambantota and Pallekele, and the renovation of the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the World Cup.Upali Dharmadasa, the chairman of SLC’s interim committee, was critical of the previous administration for spending expansively on those stadiums. All three were handed over to the military earlier this month because the board was struggling to maintain them. The World Cup had left SLC in debt to the tune of $23 million and the board had to ask for a grant from the Sri Lanka government.The payments crisis has coincided with team’s plunge in form – since August, they have failed to beat Australia at home and Pakistan in the UAE. The team heads to South Africa next month for three Tests and five ODIs.

On a gloomy day at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Punjab became the first team to take the first-innings lead against Karnataka this season

The Report by Siddarth Ravindran at the Chinnaswamy Stadium15-Dec-2011
Scorecard
On a gloomy day at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Punjab became the first team to take the first-innings lead against Karnataka this season. Mayank Sidhana’s second half-century of the match, and bad light that ended play more than an hour early made a draw the likeliest result as Punjab ended the day nearly 200 ahead with only three wickets down.The odds on the draw were even shorter than the scoreline suggested, as Karnataka lost two of their frontline bowlers to injury – S Aravind struggling with a knee problem, and Stuart Binny having hamstring trouble after completing his second century of the season. Robin Uthappa came into the match as a batsman, but had a surreal day in which he first shared the new ball and then took over as wicketkeeper after the specialist gloveman CM Gautam went off with a bruised foot.Karnataka began the day with only a slim chance of overhauling Punjab’s first innings total, but with overnight pair of Binny and Gautam starting with a bunch of boundaries, the chase was on. Gautam reached his fifty with a cut behind point and Binny moved into the 90s with a six over long-on. Left-arm spinner Rajwinder Singh snapped the stand with Karnataka still 139 behind, getting Gautam lbw with a delivery that stayed low.Binny reached his hundred with a sharp run to point – raising both hands in celebration even as he began the single – but Punjab hit back with the second new ball. Fast bowler Harmeet Singh struck three times, including the wicket of Binny for 119, as Karnataka lost their final four wickets for nine runs, to give Punjab a crucial 76-run lead. If this game ends in a draw, as seems probable, Punjab will get three points which will be vital in a tight race for the third and final qualifying spot – four teams are currently separated by one point.Like Karnataka, Punjab’s top order made a wobbly start. Karnataka’s only fit quick bowler, NC Aiyappa – playing his first match in three years – bowled Ravi Inder Singh for 2, before Sarul Kanwar was run out and Karan Goel chipped a catch to mid-off leaving Punjab at 32 for 3.If Karnataka briefly had hopes of a glorious turnaround, they were crushed by Sidhana’s attacking innings. A flurry of driven fours from Sidhana took him to 50 off 73 deliveries, as he dominated in an 87-run stand with Uday Kaul. Kaul was more subdued, surviving several loud appeals for lbw.Barring some major drama on the final day, Karnataka will end up being second best in a Ranji match for the first time this season. But with qualification more or less guaranteed, it won’t affect them as much as the news that they will be without their main fast bowler, Aravind, for four weeks.

Stuart Law has demanded higher standards from his fielders after a series of dropped catches left the team struggling to save the second Test

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Dec-2011Stuart Law, Bangladesh’s coach, has demanded higher standards from his fielders after a series of dropped catches left the team struggling to save the second Test against Pakistan in Mirpur.”We are under pressure from Pakistan’s performance; when you’re dropping good players, you’re giving them two chances at bat,” he said. “There’s no excuse, there are no 38-year-olds [in the Bangladesh team] running out there. They are all in their mid-twenties. Young men should be fighting fit for four to five days.”That is an area of concern for us. I think our bowlers did well and created enough opportunities. It’s not a practice thing. We practice till hands are sore.”On the fourth day, Bangladesh put down three catches – Robiul Islam shelled a simple chance at mid-on, Mahmudullah dropped another at slip and Sunny one at midwicket – as Pakistan went on to take a lead of 132 and then knock over five Bangladesh wickets with the hosts still in the deficit.However, Law has confidence that Bangladesh can still draw the game. “If the two at the crease [Mushfiqur Rahim and Nasir Hossain] can bat, we can [secure a draw]. If we can bat 2-2.5 sessions, I believe we can.”Bangladesh had lost wickets in a hurry, after making up a commendable 338 in the first innings, with some of their batsmen – Mahmudullah in particular – playing questionable strokes. That shot, Law said, stemmed from the fact that Bangladesh play more one-day cricket.”I’ve spoken to him [Mahmudullah] about that. It comes from being a one-day cricketer. We don’t play a lot of Tests. It’s okay if you play that shot when you chase eight or nine an over but in a Test match, when you’re looking to save the Test, it’s not the right option. We need to play more of long format of the game, as a team.”Bangladesh were set back by a double-strike from Umar Gul that accounted for Tamim Iqbal and Shahriar Nafees on the stroke of tea. Both batsmen, though, received rough umpiring decisions in a series where the DRS isn’t available.”They [the umpires] have the most difficult out there,” Law said. “It’s not the decisions, but the timings of them. Just before tea to lose two wickets in two balls to decisions that we felt were quite questionable. It’s a massive kick in the guts.”It’s just a great reminder to everybody that this DRS is something that as a team [we could use]. A lot of talk about us fighting for survival in the international scene. If decisions don’t go our way, and there seem to be quite a few, it makes our job that much more difficult.”Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez said his bowlers had put the team in a fine position. “Our bowlers have worked very hard and have taken five wickets today. The new ball was doing a bit. We are in a position where we can put pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen and we are very much on track [to win the Test].”Hafeez also appreciated Shakib Al Hasan’s effort – the allrounder followed up his century with six-wicket haul. “Shakib’s performance was great. I think he was under some pressure for not scoring in the ODIs. He came out with a strategy and executed it well.”He bowled really well after scoring the hundred, which is something special. He is doing a wonderful job for Bangladesh.”

George Bailey, Australia’s new T20 captain, has set himself the marker of ensuring the high standards reached by the Test team against India do not slacken in the game’s shortest format.

Daniel Brettig in Sydney31-Jan-2012New captain, new format, same attitude. Australia’s new Twenty20 captain, George Bailey, has set himself the marker of ensuring the high standards reached by the Test team against India do not slacken in the game’s shortest format.Bailey has been passed the leadership baton from Test captain Michael Clarke and is leading a much-changed side in the first Twenty20 at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. He is intent on making sure India are again pressed to their limits and beyond by a team that works harder and more assiduously at the game’s fundamentals, irrespective of the difference in format and personnel. Bailey also wants to keep the sense of happiness and clear objectives maintained under Clarke, mindful his group has only six fixtures between now and the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.”It’s important we continue the momentum of the Test team, not just in the cricket they played, but in the standards they’re setting in the Test team at their training and the great feel around the group as well,” Bailey said. “We’ve spoken about that and about the great energy they’ve provided, and the great start and the great feeling among that group, and how they feel like they’ve set a real standard.”We’ve talked about that as a T20 group as well, continuing that, allowing the one-day side to have that feeling when they get together as well, and knowing you don’t get the T20 group together that often, so up until the World Cup in six months time we’ve got six games. Every opportunity we get to hit the ground running and make a big impression, we have to take.”As the first Australian since Dave Gregory in the first Test match of all to make his international debut as captain, Bailey is poised to create rare history. The other side of this achievement, of course, are the sniggers about whether or not Bailey is worth his place in the XI, having been elevated to the role as much for his leadership as his feisty middle-order batting.”It wasn’t me who picked the team. I’m just excited to be here and be leading it and hopefully continuing on the great form and the great start to the summer that Australia have had,” Bailey said. “I’m nervous about both [captaincy and debut], from the playing aspect you’re anxious to get out there and perform really well, and the captaining side of things I’m really comfortable with that, it’s more getting to know the players as quickly as I can. We’ve had some great training sessions, really hard sessions … once I get my head around knowing the players as well as I can, that’ll fall into place nicely.”At the opposite end of the scale to Bailey in terms of international experience are Brett Lee and Brad Hogg, two well-travelled bowlers likely to play a significant role for the new captain at the top and tail of the Indian innings. Bailey said Lee’s leadership of the bowling attack would be critical.”That experience is going to be really important and something that we’ll tap into,” he said. “I think his numbers in the recent Big Bash were outstanding, particularly for someone who bowls in your key periods at the top and also at the death. Lee embraces that role as the leading fast bowler in our team, and his experience is outstanding, and the thing I love about him is just how competitive he is.”

The ICC has joined forces with the cricket boards in England and Pakistan to dismiss out of hand Danish Kaneria’s claims that he has already been issued with clearance certificates

David Hopps20-Feb-2012The ICC has joined forces with the cricket boards in England and Pakistan to dismiss out of hand Danish Kaneria’s claims that he has already been issued with clearance certificates that should leave him free to continue his international career in the wake of the spot-fixing scandalMervyn Westfield, the former Essex seam bowler, was jailed for four months last week and Kaneria was named as an accomplice at the Old Bailey, but the following day, while captaining Sind Province in the Pentangular Cup final in Lahore he insisted: “The Essex police cleared me and I have clearance certificates from both the ECB and ICC, so I am not feeling any pressure. I am just enjoying my cricket.”Those claims, which were widely regarded as unsubstantiated at the time, have now been officially scotched in a joint statement by the ICC, PCB and ECB. “Following reports in the media in which Danish Kaneria claims to have been issued with a clearance certificate, the ICC, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) can categorically deny that such a clearance certificate was ever issued.”The PCB stated that, following the Mervyn Westfield judgement, Danish Kaneria will again be called to appear before the integrity committee to explain his position. The PCB also confirmed that the Kaneria clearance matter is pending before the integrity committee of the PCB where in the last meeting he was directed to provide copies of the tapes of his Essex police interview.”Kaneria was named in court as the alleged go-between between Westfield and bookmakers who paid the Essex bowler £6,000 to deliberately concede an agreed number of runs in an over in a Pro40 match against Durham in 2009.Kaneria was released on grounds of insufficient evidence in 2010, shortly before Westfield was charged. But the PCB rejected a document that he submitted last May in a failed attempt to clear suspicions of spot-fixing and enable him to play for his country. Neither the ECB nor Essex, as his employer at the time, has deemed it fit to provide a clearance certificate since then.A further appearance in front of the PCB’s integrity committee is now inevitable after new evidence was outlined in court by Westfield’s defence solicitor, Mark Milliken-Smith QC, concerning Kaneria’s fixation with supposedly jocular conversations with team-mates about the money that could be made from fixing.The PCB has also never accepted a document provided by Kaneria from Essex police that he claimed was evidence that he had been cleared of all charges. In May, the PCB asked Kaneria for transcripts of the police interview which his legal representatives said could not be made available.Essex, determinedly silent on the affair, have given no indication about what information they might have provided to the PCB. Neither has the county explained why it took six months to report Westfield’s fix after he first showed a team-mate a plastic bag full of £50 notes.

A 201-run partnership helped England Women to a 14th consecutive victory and a 3-0 series whitewash over New Zealand Women in Lincoln.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-2012
ScorecardSarah Taylor made her fourth ODI century as England’s unbeaten run continued•Getty Images

A 201-run partnership helped England Women to a 14th consecutive victory and a 3-0 series whitewash over New Zealand Women in Lincoln. Sarah Taylor’s unbeaten 109 was the mainstay of the stand as England chased 221 inside 43 overs to win by six wickets.It was Taylor’s fourth ODI century and came in with England at 15 for 2, having lost captain Charlotte Edwards and Tamsin Beaumont both lbw to Rachel Candy for single-figure scores. Taylor, who became the youngest female to 2,000 international runs in the second ODI, struck nine fours in her 113-ball innings. Her partnership with Lydia Greenway came in 36.3 overs and guided England to another easy victory.Greenway also faced 113 balls, making 84 with six fours before being stumped with her side within a stroke of the target. It was left to Taylor to score the winning runs and keep England’s unbeaten run going, which stretches back to July 2011.New Zealand had looked on course to set a competitive total but having been 202 for 5, their innings collapsed for 18 more runs. After a solid start, Laura Marsh struck to remove Katey Martin for 38, then picked up wickets in successive overs, removing Suzie Bates and Anna Peterson on her way to 3 for 28.Amy Satterthwaite tried to rebuild the innings with a 69-ball 58 but after she fell to Arran Brindle, Danni Wyatt’s 3 for 36 ran through the lower order and England were faced with only a modest chase.”It was a fantastic team performance today,” Sarah Taylor said. “The bowlers bowled well to restrict New Zealand and I was delighted to contribute and get a big score. I think that was one of my best innings.”Lydia batted really well. It was great to share a partnership with her on such a fantastic wicket. Once we got in we just looked accumulate and build the runs. We knew that if we just batted the runs would come.”