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The BCCI’s Working Committee has approved a proposal to allow IPL franchises to play a limited number of friendly matches in ICC Associate and Affiliate countries between June and August, subject to guidelines that the board will set down at a later date

Tariq Engineer12-May-2012The BCCI’s working committee has approved a proposal to allow IPL franchises to play a limited number of friendly matches in ICC Associate and Affiliate countries between June and August, subject to guidelines that the board will set down at a later date. While reactions have been muted given the lack of immediate clarity, the decision is being seen as a way for franchises to extend their visibility beyond the league’s two-month window.A board official told ESPNcricinfo that the decision arose out of a number of discussions the IPL governing body has been having with the franchises over the years.The possibility of the franchises playing games outside the IPL was discussed at the franchise workshop held in Goa earlier this year, a franchise official said. The teams are eager to do so as it gives them a chance to generate more revenue while also helping them to build their fan bases, both in and outside India. One the problems the teams have faced in building fan loyalty is that the IPL season only lasts six weeks and so they struggle to keep their fans engaged the rest of the year. The more matches a team plays, the longer they can hold the interest of their fans.Arvinder Singh, the chief operating officer of Kings XI Punjab, told ESPNcricinfo that they “are very happy to get this permission”. According to him, Kings XI has been contacted by a number of Associate and Affiliate countries, such as Canada and the USA, to stage exhibition games in those countries. There has also been interest from the UK and the West Indies. CEO of the Delhi Daredevils franchise, Amrit Mathur, was also pleased by the development. “It is good for brand promotion and for fan engagement,” he said. “It is a major step forward.”While the details of the number of matches, their locations and the modes of funding are still to be decided, some of the franchises envisage being able to organise their own series of matches, either against an Affiliate country’s national side or against local teams from that country. There is precedent for IPL teams playing matches in other countries. In July 2009, Rajasthan Royals, then the IPL’s defending champions, played the Middlesex Panthers, then the reigning English Twenty20 champions, in the British Asian Cup.In February, 2010, Royals announced plans to create the first global sport alliance as they joined forces with Hampshire, Cape Cobras, and Trinidad and Tobago to form a worldwide Twenty20 brand. The Australian domestic Twenty20 champions, Victoria Bushrangers, were also believed to be close to confirming their participation in the venture. However, the BCCI’s decision to terminate Royals later the same year effectively ended that enterprise, though Royals were able to fight their way back into the IPL through the courts.

The ICC has confirmed that next month’s matches between Kenya and Namibia to be played in Nairobi have been postponed

ESPNcricinfo staff16-May-2012The ICC has confirmed that next month’s matches between Kenya and Namibia in Nairobi have been postponed until September 2012 due to security concerns.Nairobi Gymkhana was to host the four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup match between the two sides from June 6, followed by two 50-over ICC World Cricket League Championship matches on June 11 and 13.The ICC considered holding the match at an alternate venue but decided against it due to logistical difficulties. The final dates and venue are yet to be announced.There have been no international matches in Kenya since Ireland’s tour in February.

Sri Lanka have recalled fast bowler Dilhara Fernando to the squad for the second Test against Pakistan, which begins at the SSC on June 30

Sa'adi Thawfeeq27-Jun-2012

Sri Lanka squad for second Test

Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vc), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Parnavithana, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Dilhara Fernando, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis

Sri Lanka have recalled fast bowler Dilhara Fernando to the squad for the second Test against Pakistan, which begins at the SSC on June 30, as a replacement for the injured Chanaka Welegedara. The selectors were short of options, with several back-up seamers nursing injuries.Fernando’s last Test appearance was the Boxing Day match against South Africa in Durban in 2011. His inclusion is the only change to the Sri Lanka squad that won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs.”Fernando has recovered from a shoulder injury and we have included him in the 15, but I am not sure whether he will play,” chairman of selectors Ashantha de Mel said. “The team management will take a call on who should support Nuwan Kulasekara.”Nuwan Pradeep bowled impressively but he has a history of injuries so I don’t know whether he will play back-to-back matches. If Pradeep is rested his place is likely to go to either Thisara Perera or Fernando.”De Mel said the two other bowlers who would have been in contention, Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga, were both nursing injuries.”Lakmal has a serious ankle injury and he is out for at least six months, and Eranga is having a nerve problem in his back,” De Mel said. “We have sent Dhammika Prasad to South Africa with the Sri Lanka A team to gain fitness and to bowl many overs in the four-day unofficial Test matches. These bowlers cannot play an entire Test series without breaking down or getting injured.”

On a day of two declarations, Essex and Hampshire were locked in an intriguing struggle for victory in their Championship match at Chelmsford

21-Jul-2012
ScorecardOn a day of two declarations, Essex and Hampshire were locked in an intriguing struggle for victory in their Championship match at Chelmsford. Faced with a target of 360, Essex will go into the final day needing a further 258 for victory, with Billy Godleman seeking to add to his 37 that has so far spanned three hours.Following a complete wash-out on the second day, Hampshire lost their remaining wickets for 20 runs after resuming on 303 for 6. Neil McKenzie added just five more runs to his overnight 134 before he was caught behind pushing forward against David Masters.Graham Napier claimed two of the other wickets to finish with 4 for 62 and leave India spinner Harbhajan Singh to bring the Hampshire innings to an end by having Danny Briggs caught in the covers. It was Harbhajan’s first success for the county, coming in his 44th over since he joined them.Essex openers Godleman and Jaik Mickleburgh then crawled to 18 in as many overs before lunch, at which point the declaration came with the home side still 305 runs adrift. Obviously captains Mark Pettini and Jimmy Adams had agreed upon a target that Essex would be set and Hampshire declared their second innings after openers McKenzie and Adams had reached 54 in the 15th over.That left Essex four and a half sessions to try and claim only their second victory of the summer in the competition but they were to lose Mickleburgh with the total on 25 when he was bowled by James Tomlinson attempting to turn the ball to leg.While Godleman continued to drop anchor, Tom Westley struck an entertaining 26 before being removed lbw by David Balcombe with Essex still 300 runs short of their target but that was to prove Hampshire’s last success.The rock-like figure of Godleman has so far faced 141 deliveries and will resume his partnership with Pettini as Essex go in quest of a further 258 runs for victory. The pair have so far put on 42 in 24 overs and while the home side still face a huge task to achieve their objective, the placid nature of the pitch gives them hope of a victory which seemed remote at the start of the day.

Vernon Philander scored his first half-century in South Africa whites as the second day of their drawn tour match against Derbyshire was dominated by bowlers

Firdose Moonda at Derby11-Aug-2012
ScorecardVernon Philander started the day by taking a wicket and ended it by hitting fifty•Getty Images

Vernon Philander scored his first half-century in South Africa whites as the second day of their drawn tour match against Derbyshire was dominated by bowlers. In complete contrast to day one, on which more than 400 runs were scored and five wickets fell, both attacks had success with the ball.The South Africans, led by Lonwabo Tsotsobe, took eight wickets in the morning session before Derbyshire picked up six in the middle period, as the tourists gave their lower order an opportunity to bat. Philander batted at No.7 and survived being hit in the nether regions by Ross Whiteley to post a good score and justify the claim that he could become an allrounder.Apart from a stoic contribution of 26 from replacement gloveman Thami Tsolekile, South Africa’s other fringe players and bowlers struggled with bat in hand. Faf du Plessis was out in the first over, missing a straight one from Mark Footitt, who took four wickets.Robin Peterson’s full-blooded cut was caught by Matt Lineker, who dived full length at gully to stop a ball that was destined to find the boundary. Morne Morkel shuffled across his stumps and was trapped lbw, Imran Tahir offered a more straightforward chance to Lineker and Albie Morkel top-edged Jonathan Clare.Tsolekile withstood the damage and lasted 61 balls. He showed significant composure in an innings that could have ended much earlier, given the movement on offer. Eventually, he was done for by it and bowled by South Africa-born Tim Groenewald.Philander had an easier time at the crease and played shots freely. Despite being hit and appearing in some pain, he has been declared fully fit. Dale Steyn partnered him and made a score of substance for the first time on the tour.In the morning session, Steyn bowled only five overs as Tsotsobe stole the show with his four scalps, including two in three balls. Tsolekile also enjoyed a good outing and pouched five catches.It was Philander who struck in his first over when he removed Usman Khawaja. The Australia left-hander may have seen the day as an opportunity to nudge his national selectors ahead of South Africa’s tour later in the year but only added one to his overnight score of 36 before inside-edging a good length ball through to the keeper.Derbyshire’s other South Africa-born player, opening batsman Wayne Madsen was next to go. He feathered a leg-side Morne Morkel delivery to Tsolekile, who took his third catch. Tsolekile took two more, off Tsotosbe’s bowling, after Graeme Smith caught Dan Redfern at slip, also off the left-armer.Tsotsobe was, before today, best remembered in England for a petulant display when he represented Essex last season. It was during a game against Derby that Tsotsobe bowled off a few paces and behaved in a disinterested fashion, before being released from his contract and told to return home.Instead of continuing in that vein, a more disciplined Tsotsobe turned up this time, bowling a consistent line and length and troubling the batsmen with subtle movement of the ball. More impressive than that, was his evident commitment. Tsostosbe is on his second tour with the Test squad and, although he has little chance of breaking into the starting XI, he appears to have made progression with his bowling, particularly in the pace department.Smith took another good catch, after it seemed the ball had gone past him at slip, off Tahir’s bowling. Allan Donald, South Africa’s bowling coach, will be pleased that Tahir did not bowl a single no-ball in the Derbyshire innings after struggling with overstepping in the previous two Tests.Whiteley was the only Derbyshire batsmen to make an impact and struck a composed half-century. The highlights of his knock included three sixes off Robin Peterson, who was the most expensive of the South African attack.

West Indies qualified for the Super Eights of the World T20 after rain prevented a second innings in their key game against Ireland

The Report by George Dobell24-Sep-2012
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsWest Indies put in an improved performance in the field but the rain had the final say•AFP

West Indies qualified for the Super Eights of the World T20 after rain prevented a second innings in their key Group B game against Ireland in Colombo. It meant Ireland exited on the back of a no-result for the second World T20 running, after they were denied the chance to beat England by the weather in Guyana in 2010.With both teams having lost their first game in the tournament, this was a must-win encounter. But while Ireland will feel understandably aggrieved at the manner of their elimination, they will also reflect that they produced two under-par displays with the bat and that, had the rain that started to fall heavily straight after their innings stayed away, West Indies would have been strong favourites to overhaul a target of 130 in 19 overs. They qualified through virtue of a superior run-rate to Ireland.The unsatisfactory manner of Ireland’s exit will do nothing to improve the reputation of this event, though. Staging such a high-profile tournament during the monsoon season in Sri Lanka was always likely to prove a high-risk strategy and there was something almost inevitable about rain ruining one of the few games in the event so far where the result actually mattered. Tellingly, spectators once again stayed away from this game in their droves.The result also underlined the importance of winning the toss in this World T20. With the limitations of the Duckworth-Lewis method becoming increasingly apparent in this format, the opportunity to bat second and benefit from D/L is an obvious advantage. Had the rain relented, West Indies could have been set a target of just 44 in five overs with all of their wickets intact.Ireland will reflect, however, that they never really found much fluency with the bat. William Porterfield, for the second game in succession, was dismissed by the first ball of the match. Perhaps anticipating a repeat of the bouncer that he hooked down the throat of fine leg against Australia, Porterfield was this time beaten by a fine, inswinging yorker from Fidel Edwards.Perhaps the rain that interrupted their innings after only five overs was also crucial. Before the delay, Ireland were well placed at 33 for 1, with Ed Joyce having guided his first ball to third man and inside edged another boundary later in the over and Paul Stirling looking increasingly fluent. While Ravi Rampaul’s first over cost just two, Stirling top-edged a pull to the boundary off Edwards and then greeted Darren Sammy’s introduction into the attack in the fifth over by giving himself a little room and crashing a pair of fours through the covers.Sunil Narine came into the attack after a rain delay of about an hour, with the game reduced to 19 over per side. He soon showed the value of his spin bowling, beating Joyce’s outside edge with his first two deliveries and then bowling him as the batsmen attempted a sweep with his third. At the end of the power-play, Ireland were 35 for 2.Sammy dismissed Stirling, top-edging an attempted pull, in the seventh over, and almost has Gary Wilson in similar fashion later in the same over. On this occasion, however, Wilson gloved the ball over the keeper’s head and capitalised by sweeping Narine for one boundary and cover driving Russell for another. The introduction of Chris Gayle accounted for Wilson, though, when he edged an arm-ball to the keeper to leave on 70 for 4 in the 12th over.A partnership of 26 between Kevin and Niall O’Brien gave the Ireland innings some impetus. Niall pulled one six off Andre Russell, while Kevin drove another off Edwards, but when Gayle beat Niall O’Brien with a quicker ball and Kevin O’Brien, in moving across his stumps to glance, was bowled by a yorker, Ireland’s last recognised batsmen had gone.Narine, perhaps unsettled by Nigel Jones carting him for six over long-on, donated a free-hit to the Irish cause by over-stepping in the penultimate over and Trent Johnston thrashed one six over long-on off Gayle, but their total of 129 for 6 was still likely to prove some way short of par.West Indies had made two changes to their side for the game. Russell came in for Dwayne Bravo, who had a groin strain, while Darren Bravo replaced Dwayne Smith.Ireland were without Boyd Rankin. He had not recovered from the illness that has swept through the Irish camp in recent days, so Max Sorensen was drafted into the side in his place. It means that Rankin, who a few weeks ago announced his decision to retire from international cricket with Ireland in order to concentrate on playing Test cricket for England, has probably played his last match for the country of his birth.

India A squandered a solid start to hand the initiative to New Zealand A at the end of a rain-affected first day of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2012
ScorecardIndia A squandered a solid start to hand the initiative to New Zealand A at the end of a rain-affected first day of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln.India were sent into bat and started strongly through their openers Unmukt Chand and captain Abhinav Mukund. The duo put on 50 runs in 11 overs and added 87 runs for the first wicket before Mukund (42) was dismissed. Anustup Majumdar followed soon after but Chand held firm to carry India from 87 for 2 to 118 for 2. However Chand fell soon after reaching his half-century and New Zealand struck once again before bad light halted play to reduce India to 136 for 4. Only 36.4 overs had been bowled at that stage, but rain meant no further play was possible.

Round up of the Zimbabwe One-Day Competition matches on October 6

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2012Mashonaland Eagles began their limited-overs competition with a comprehensive win over Southern Rocks at the Harare Sports Club. Their bowlers turned in a collective performance which kept the Rocks to just 151 for 9 in 50 overs. The Rocks, after being asked to bat, slipped to 50 for 6 at one stage but Tendai Chisoro, who finished unbeaten on 73, took the team past three-figures and ultimately past 150. He added 57 with No.8 batsman Trevor Garwe, but it was insufficient. Four Eagles bowlers – Tatenda Manatsa, Nathan Waller, Elton Chigumbura and Ray Price – picked up two wickets each. Regis Chakabva, the wicketkeeper, collected five catches behind the stumps.The Eagles were in early trouble in their chase, losing their first three wickets for just 16. But Sikandar Raza (43) and Forster Mutizwa took their team to 97. Mutizwa stayed through to the end, guiding his team home with a half-century, helping seal victory with more than 13 overs to spare.In Bulawayo, an all-round performance by Mountaineers helped them effect a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Matabeleland Tuskers in the Zimbabwe One-Day Competition. Tino Mawoyo and Kevin Kasuza, the two openers, put on 170 runs as Mountaineers chased down 212 in the 46th over after their bowlers took wickets regularly to restrict Tuskers to 211.Mountaineers, after opting to field, struck in the third over, removing Terry Duffin for 3. Although Tuskers didn’t suffer collapses, they weren’t allowed to build big partnerships. Besides the 94-run stand between Charles Coventry and Craig Ervine, the innings was based on small stands worth between 2 and 32. Prosper Utseya was the Mountaineers’ highest wicket-taker with three wickets, including those of Ervine, who scored 62, and Coventry.Their openers, both of whom got out in the 80s, made sure the contest was virtually over after batting 38.3 overs to be separated, with 42 more runs to win. Two more wickets fell in the 42nd over, but Greg Lamb and Timycen Maruma ensured there weren’t further hiccups.

Chris Gayle says that dealing with off-field issues is part and parcel of an international cricketer’s life

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2012Chris Gayle’s return to the West Indies ranks has been a happy one. He has tucked a Test century and a world title under his belt since June this year when the 15-month impasse with the WICB ended. He’s also worldlier, not just from playing all the Twenty20 leagues, but for being equipped to deal with every aspect of cricket administration, an aspect he thinks is a “part of life” as an international cricketer.”We are playing international cricket, so there’s going to be issues to deal with on and off the field,” Gayle said. “As a player you have to know how to deal with things around your career. You have to be strong-minded to get the job done. It is part of life.”Following the 2011 World Cup, the Gayle-WICB saga came to a head after Gayle criticised the selectors. He was first dropped for the visits of Pakistan and India to the Caribbean and was also ignored for the tour to Bangladesh in October. He went on to miss series against India, Australia and England from November 2011 to June this year, West Indies having won just 14 out of the 47 international matches during this latest stint away from the team. The standoff was only broken when he and his agent met the selectors in St Vincent, following which the WICB picked him for the limited-overs leg of the England tour.Despite the return, Gayle has said that off-field issues are endemic, and it has to be dealt with. “We will always have these things to deal with off the field, every particular board is going to have problems. It is something we have to live with.”Gayle has made it count though. He made 150 and another half-century over two Tests against New Zealand earlier this year and he has averaged above 50 in ODIs and Twenty20s since his return. And he’s been having fun in the dressing-room too.”If you don’t have fun, you’ll struggle in international cricket. I am enjoying it, it’s good to be back and contributing at the top of the order. Hopefully in the next couple of years, things can get better from a personal point of view. I will try and entertain as much as possible,” said Gayle who turned 33 during the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, a tournament that saw West Indies back on the winners’ podium after 33 years.Gayle said he can look back to the tournament with fond memories, but is now more inclined to focus on Test cricket. “It is great, to get that milestone of winning the World T20,” he said. “This is something that I can look back in the future and say I was a part of it. This is just another target we can set, and do better in the longer form of the game. That has been our major challenge in the last couple of years.”He was also happy to see Darren Sammy, the man who took over long-term from Gayle (though Dwayne Bravo and Floyd Reifer were in charge for three games in the interim), take strides as the leader.”He has played a particular role in the last two years,” he said. “It is not an easy role to be captain. We are trying to make his job as easy as possible. We try to play a part by helping him out, but he’s done well. He got a Test century this year which is a big improvement from his personal point of view. He’s doing well with the ball too. He will get to learn more and make changes and see how he can cope with it, to be a better captain.”When West Indies take on Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium from November 13, it will also be Gayle’s first Test away from home in almost two years.

A wrap of Group C games in the fifth round of the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2012
ScorecardVA Jagadeesh scored his second century of the season but his team-mates couldn’t give him support and Kerala slipped to 192 for 5 on the first day against Services in Delhi. Jagadeesh batted the entire day, facing 225 balls for 126. Kerala’s openers added 49 before Abhishek Hegde was lbw to Suraj Yadav. The Kerala captain Rohan Prem made 5 off 69 balls before he was dismissed and his team them slumped to 112 for 4. Jagadeesh dominated a 70-run stand for the fifth wicket before Sachin Baby fell close to stumps.
ScorecardAfter making half-centuries in his previous two games, Tripura opener Subhrajit Roy scored his first hundred of the season to lead his team towards an imposing first-innings score against Himachal Pradesh in Nadaun. Roy made 111 with 20 fours, adding 160 runs for the third wicket with Abbas Ali, who made 83. Roy did not see the day out but the Tripura captain Ajay Ratra made an unbeaten 55 to lead his team to 325 for 4 at stumps. Rishi Dhawan was the pick of Himachal’s bowlers, taking 2 for 83 in 25 overs.
ScorecardAssam seamer Arup Das took 4 for 58, his best figures this season, to prevent Jammu & Kashmir from having sizeable partnerships on the first day in Guwahati. J&K’s openers fell cheaply after they were asked to bat but the middle-order batsmen got starts. Only Parvez Rassol went past fifty though as Nos 3 and 5 were dismissed in the 30s. Wicketkeeper Obaid Haroon was unbeaten on 35 at stumps.
ScorecardAndhra were reduced to 137 for 4 by Goa in Visakhapatnam before Amol Muzumdar steadied the innings with a half-century. Muzumdar made and unbeaten 56, and had partnerships of 57 with AG Pradeep and 46 with Duvvarapu Shivakumar to lift his team to 240 for 5 at stumps. New-ball bowler Saurabh Bandekar caused the most damage for Goa, taking 3 for 63.