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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Shoaib, Akmal fail to submit foreign assets details
7:10 PM | 
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saraiki
 LAHORE: The future of Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal rests with the decision from PCB, anticipated to be presented within few days, however, the duo have yet to submit details of their foreign bank accounts sought by officials, sources privy to PCB confirmed to Geo News.Shoaib Malik, former Test captain, appeared before Integrity Committee of PCB here in Headquarters of Pakistan Cricket on Saturday, but, he failed to satisfy replying to questions posed by the committee members. When asked about having a joint bank account with his spouse Sania Mirza, he replied ‘No’. Besides, he could not present details on some of his contracts with sponsors as, according to him, those were verbally and had no written record. On his contrary, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal submitted to PCB details on the contracts with sponsors. However, he too failed to submit details on foreign bank accounts, excusing that the procedure, according to him, needed more time. Sources, close to PCB, also confirmed that Shoaib Malik, in reply to questions in connection with his foreign assets, could not satisfy members of PCB committee. Apart from this, Shoaib was also unclear about money on some of his bank accounts, but confirmed that he had spent that money. Later, Kamran Akmal sought time till end of Quaid-e-Azam trophy for submission of details on his foreign assets, arguing that his engagement in the tournament would not allow him time for this job to be done. |
England annonce provisional World Cup squad
LONDON: Injured pace bowler Stuart Broad has been named in England's preliminary 30-man squad for next year's World Cup in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka. The squad, which will be halved by Jan. 19, includes all of those named in the one-day international squad for the series against Australia as well as eight members of the England Lions squad set to tour the West Indies next year. Broad, who has been ruled out of the current Ashes tour in Australia with an abdominal injury, is joined by pacemen Steven Finn and Chris Tremlett in the squad. Broad is expected to regain fitness in time for the tournament. Twenty20 world champions England have been drawn in a group alongside Bangladesh, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa and West Indies. "We have selected a squad of players with a strong track record in limited overs cricket either for England or in the domestic game," England national selector Geoff Miller said in a statement. "Recent series have shown we have made progress in one-day cricket and we will be looking to continue this form during next year's World Cup and challenge for another global title." The World Cup runs from Feb. 19 to April 2. England squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Jimmy Adams, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Steven Davies, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, James Hildreth, Craig Kieswetter, Michael Lumb, Eoin Morgan, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad, Darren Stevens, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Chris Tremlett, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy. |
India name preliminary World Cup squad
 MUMBAI: Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane was the lone uncapped cricketer in India's 30-member preliminary squad for next year's World Cup, the Indian cricketboard announced on Saturday. The squad contains four wicketkeepers including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Right-hander Rahane, 22, was rewarded for scoring consistently in the domestic season. Selecton committee chairman Kris Srikkanth said the squad was devoid of any surprise inclusion or omission. "This is a probables team and everyone selects himself," he told reporters. "The World Cup is happening in the subcontinent and I am confident that the team will do well." India squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane, Saurabh Tiwary, Yusuf Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan, Amit Mishra, Piyush Chawla, Cheteshwar Pujara, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar. |
South Africa pile up 591-3 as De Villiers blasts 74-ball ton
 CENTURION: AB de Villiers scored South Africa's fastest Test century as the host nation continued to pile on the runs on the third day of the first Test against India at SuperSport Park here on Saturday.South Africa were 591 for three at lunch, a first innings lead of 455. Jacques Kallis was on 182 not out and De Villiers was on 119. De Villiers raced to his century off 74 balls with 11 fours and five sixes, beating the previous record of 95 deliveries, shared by Denis Lindsay (v Australia 1966-67), Jonty Rhodes (v West Indies, 1998-99) and Shaun Pollock (v Sri Lanka 2000-01). It was an extraordinary innings by De Villiers, who in his previous Test match scored a South African record 278 not out against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last month. De Villiers played a dazzling array of strokes, from sweetly-timed drives and delicate cuts to reverse sweeps and fearless slog-sweeps over fielders placed on the mid-wicket boundary. He reached his 12th Test century with two successive hits for six off part-time spinner Suresh Raina. Jacques Kallis was nearing his first test double century as he continued unperturbed to 182 not out at the break. South Africa resumed their first innings on 366 for two and Hashim Amla, Kallis and De Villiers launched a mind-numbing assault on the lacklustre Indian bowlers, lashing 225 runs in 36 overs in the morning session. India's only success came when Amla, who had cruised to 140, edged a terrible delivery, way down the leg-side, from Ishant Sharma to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. It was Amla's fourth successive century against India, equalling the world record shared by South African Alan Melville against England (1938/39-1947), West Indian Everton Weekes against India (1948/49) and Pakistan's Shoaib Mohammed against New Zealand (1984/85-1990/91). Amla and Kallis's partnership of 230 in 238 minutes was their fifth double-century stand in tests, just one behind the world record set by Australians Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Kallis and De Villiers have added 195 in 30.3 overs against an Indian team who look dead on their feet. |
Australia set to level Ashes series
 PERTH: A resurgent Australia looked all set to level the Ashes after a historic century by the reborn Mike Hussey in the third Test against England at the WACA Ground on Saturday.At stumps on the third day England were in disarray at 81-5 in their second innings having been set 391 to win, with night-watchman James Anderson yet to score. Up 1-0 in the series, England needed their biggest ever run chase to win the match and their hopes appeared forlorn after their top five -- Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood -- all went cheaply late in the day. Cook was trapped lbw by Ryan Harris for 13 and Strauss (15) became Mitchell Johnson's seventh victim for the match when he nicked a ball to Australian captain Ricky Ponting in the slips. Pietersen, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, made just three before being caught by Shane Watson at first slip from the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus. Just minutes before stumps, Trott fell to Johnson (2-28) for 31, caught by Brad Haddin on the rebound off the hands of Ponting, who immediately left the field with an injured finger on his left hand. Then from the last ball of the day and without any addition to the score, Collingwood (11) was brilliantly caught by a diving Steven Smith in slips from the bowling of Harris (2-22). If England can somehow conjure an unlikely win here they retain the Ashes, while an Australian win levels the series with two Tests to play. England have only ever successfully chased 300 in the fourth innings three times in Test cricket. Their biggest ever chase was back in 1928 at the MCG, when they made 332-7 to defeat Australia. The Australian second innings of 309 was anchored by another brilliant effort from Hussey, who was the last man to fall for 116 and has 517 runs in the series at 103.40. The left-hander, who was close to being dropped for the first Test at the Gabba, also became the first batsman in Ashes history to pass 50 in six consecutive innings. He produced a number of classical pull shots during his innings, including one to bring up his 13th Test century and second of the series. Hussey, who became recalled seamer Chris Tremlett's (5-87) fifth scalp of the innings and eighth for the match, batted for 315 minutes, faced 172 balls and hit 15 boundaries. He had been given out lbw to Tremlett, from the last ball before lunch, but his challenge was successful after replays showed the ball was going over the stumps. Opener Watson again fell agonisingly short of a Test century when trapped lbw by the impressive Tremlett for 95. Watson, who was chasing his third Test century, fell in the 90s for the fourth time at the top level. Watson challenged the decision and was clearly unhappy when it was upheld as he felt he had edged the delivery into his pad, but replays showed his bat actually made contact with the pad rather than the ball. He had been at the crease for 241 minutes and 174 balls, hitting 11 boundaries, and combined with Hussey for the only century partnership of the match so far. |
Friday, December 17, 2010
Australia take 200-run lead over England on 2nd day
PERTH: The Ashes was delicately poised Friday after Mitchell Johnson single-handedly lifted Australia back into contention with an inspired display of fast bowling on the second day of the third Test.Derided in Brisbane and then dropped for Adelaide, Johnson (6-38) evoked memories of local fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee as he sliced through the England top order, with the tourists dismissed for 187.
England were in the box seat at the start of play at the WACA -- the home side had made just 268 on the opening day and England were cruising at 78-0 with openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss in command.
Johnson ran in for the first ball of his seventh over on Friday with series figures of 0-187.
Twenty-seven balls later, the top run-scorer in the Australian first innings had the prized scalps of Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood in an unexpected four-wicket blitz that revived the home team's hopes.
Facing a first innings deficit of 81, England fought back late in the day as the dismal form of Australian captain Ricky Ponting (1) and Michael Clarke (20) continued.
Disciplined batting from Shane Watson (61 not out) and Mike Hussey (24 not out) steadied the ship and the home side were 119-3 at stumps, an overall lead of 200 in a match where a result is highly likely.
If England win, they retain the Ashes, while an Australian win levels the series with two Tests to play, so the stakes are huge for the remainder of the match.
Cook (32) was the first to go, caught at gully by a diving Mike Hussey as he attempted to drive at the first ball of Johnson's seventh over.
The Australian took the catch low to the ground and Cook simply asked the fielder if he had caught it cleanly, accepting Hussey's word before heading off rather than challenging the decision.
Johnson was getting late swing and trapped Trott lbw for just four in his next over, before sending dangerman Kevin Pietersen, coming off a double-century in Adelaide, back to the pavilion, lbw for a duck to claim his third wicket in 12 balls.
Pietersen challenged the decision without success.
Ryan Harris (3-59) then joined the party to remove Strauss, who should have been caught behind from the same bowler on 16, for 52.
When Collingwood (five) was given out lbw to the resurgent Johnson on a challenge by the Australians, England had lost five wickets for 20 runs to slip to 98-5.
England recovered slightly, but then lost their last four wickets for just six runs, with Johnson picking up Chris Tremlett and James Anderson to complete a stunning form reversal for both team and player.
Butt told to file fresh reply to corruption charges
KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has told Pakistan's suspended test captain Salman Butt to file a fresh reply on Friday to charges of spot-fixing from its
anti-corruption and security unit.
Aftab Gul, one of the lawyers who had been representing Butt, said the ICC had rejected a 40-page reply filed this week.
"Now the ICC has said that he must file a fresh reply by later today or he could lose his right of defence against the allegations made against him," Gul said.
Gul said he was no longer representing Butt and other lawyers were now handling his case.
An ICC code of conduct tribunal will hear charges of spot-fixing leveled against Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif from Jan. 6-11.
The trio were suspended pending an investigation into allegations that they arranged for deliberate no-balls to be delivered in the fourth test against England this year.
anti-corruption and security unit.
Aftab Gul, one of the lawyers who had been representing Butt, said the ICC had rejected a 40-page reply filed this week.
"Now the ICC has said that he must file a fresh reply by later today or he could lose his right of defence against the allegations made against him," Gul said.
Gul said he was no longer representing Butt and other lawyers were now handling his case.
An ICC code of conduct tribunal will hear charges of spot-fixing leveled against Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif from Jan. 6-11.
The trio were suspended pending an investigation into allegations that they arranged for deliberate no-balls to be delivered in the fourth test against England this year.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Australia struggling against England in Ashes Test
 PERTH: Australia were fighting a rearguard action to keep their Ashes hopes alive after a horror start to the third Test at the WACA in Perth on Thursday.England won the toss and reduced the hosts to 36-4 after sending them in to bat on a greenish pitch. Recalled opener Phil Hughes (2) and under pressure skipper Ricky Ponting (12) were among the casualties as Australia struggled to 179-6 at tea, with wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin (52 not out) battling to revive their cause. England lead the five-Test series 1-0 after their second Test win by an innings in Adelaide and victory here will guarantee they retain the Ashes, after wresting the urn off Australia in England last year. Hughes made just two on his return to the Test arena, clean bowled by recalled paceman Chris Tremlett (3-41), while a stunning catch from Paul Collingwood off the bowling of James Anderson (1-41) soon had Ponting heading back to the pavilion. With the hosts limping at 28-2, vice-captain Michael Clarke was next to go, caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior off Tremlett for four, before Watson was trapped lbw by Steve Finn for 13 as Australia slumped to 36-4. Steve Smith, recalled to replace Marcus North, made just seven before he was caught by England skipper Andrew Strauss at first slip off Tremlett to leave the score at 69-5, before Haddin, Mike Hussey and Mitchell Johnson (25 not out) tried to salvage the innings. Hussey made 61 and put on 68 with Haddin before he was given out caught behind on a referral in spinner Graeme Swann's second over, after umpire Billy Doctrove had initially turned down the appeal. |
England seamers rout Australia top order
PERTH: England's seamers obliterated Australia's top order early in the third Test in Perth on Thursday to leave the hosts reeling at 65 for four at lunch and buoy the tourists' hopes of sealing the Ashes before Christmas. Andrew Strauss, bidding to become the first English captain since Mike Gatting 24 years ago to bring the Ashes home, landed the first psychological blow by winning the toss
and sending Australia in to bat on a green-topped pitch at the WACA.
The call proved a masterstroke as towering seamer Chris Tremlett celebrated his return to the Test side by bowling Phillip Hughes for two with his sixth ball and removing vice
captain Michael Clarke for four in his fourth over.
In between, James Anderson clinched the key wicket of captain Ricky Ponting for 12, while Steve Finn trapped Shane Watson lbw for 13 to leave the large English contingent in the packed crowd singing in ecstasy under blinding sunshine.
Steve Smith, on five, and Mike Hussey (28) were left to mount a fightback on a pitch likely to provide little respite for the Australians in the afternoon sessions.
The fiery morning spell recalled England's furious attack at Adelaide Oval that saw the hosts lose three wickets for two runs within three overs of their first innings of the second
test.
After dismissing Australia cheaply, England then romped home to a crushing innings and 71-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.
Australia, subject to scathing criticism in all facets of their game in the wake of that defeat, needed their batsman to stand up in Perth after they failed to post competitive totals.
They had recalled 22-year-old Hughes to replace the injured Simon Katich and brought in 21-year-old Smith to replace the out-of-form Marcus North at number six, hoping that youthful exuberance might fire their flagging side.
Hughes's return to the Australia side lasted six balls, however, as Tremlett softened him up with a series of short-pitched deliveries then delivered a fuller ball that sneaked through the gate and crashed into his stumps.
Ponting, under pressure to score runs after failing twice in the second Test, then nicked a James Anderson delivery to the slips shortly after where Paul Collingwood made a superb one-handed catch, leaping high to his right to leave Australia 17 for two in the fifth over.
Tremlett, who replaced the injured Stuart Broad in the lineup, removed Clarke for four, enticing the 29-year-old to feather a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Watson, who had survived a caught-behind dismissal on his sixth ball from Anderson on review, had his second review turned down when trapped by a yorker from Finn that cannoned into the opener's toe.
The wicket left Australia mired in deep trouble at 36 for four shortly after the drinks break.
Hussey, who has been forced into the saviour role throughout the series, attacked Finn with abandon, and rode his luck to pull the young quick for six with a top edge that flew over the keeper's head.
He then drove a full toss to the boundary on Finn's next ball in a rare act of defiance by the Australian
Int’l cricket home to corruption: Aftab
 LAHORE: Aftab Gul, the counsel of cricketer Salman Butt, has said that corruption and fixing is very common in international cricket, adding that he had threatening and unbelievable evidences relating to corruption.Butt is currently suspended from international cricket over spot-fixing allegations, which were leveled during England tour this year. Talking to a British television, Aftab Gul said he shudders to think that how much international cricket has been plagued with corruption, adding that now ‘spot-fixing’ has made unlawful activities easier. He claimed having several concrete evidences and threatened to reveal the names of many international players involved in the menace. When contacted by mediamen on corruption issue as a big problem in Pakistan, Salman Butt termed misappropriation an international challenge, saying that every institution and in every field of life, people try to deceive others. But people should try to avoid it, he added. |
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