 |
|
|
Sri Lanka Sacks Cricket Coach Whatmore COLOMBO: Aiming to bring some change into the Sri Lankan cricket team, the country's Board of Control for Cricket sacked the national coach Dav Whatmore on Monday. The replacement was intended to inject "fresh thinking" into the team. The cricket chiefs have decided that they will not renew his contract after Sri Lanka bowed out in the semi-finals of the recent World Cup in South Africa, says a report in New 24.com. What more, a Sri Lanka-born Australian became a national hero when he masterminded Sri Lanka's World Cup triumph in 1996. "What more has been with the team for a long time and what we feel is that there should be fresh thinking," said Anura Tennekoon, chief executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. Tennekoon said they were already looking for a replacement of Whatmore, whose contract ends in May. The national team's long-time physiotherapist, Alex Kontouri, will also be replaced next month, he added. However, Whatmore will continue to be in charge of the team for the Sharjah Cup against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Kenya from April 1-10 and the subsequent home series against New Zealand from April 25. John Wright's Contract Extended (Go
To Top) KOLKATA:: The Boarch for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to extend the contract of coach John Wright for two months, it was announced here on Monday. The contract was mainly extended on an ad hoc basis keeping in mind the upcoming tri-series in Bangladesh scheduled for next month. It would be formalised at the next working committee meeting of the board, according to sources. Wright, who is now at his home in Christchurch, confirmed the development. He said BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya telephoned him on Sunday and asked him to continue for two more months. "I am quite happy at the BCCI's decision", he said, adding, that he has very good rapport with the Indian players. The tri-series in Bangladesh including India, South Africa and the host country, is scheduled to begin on April 11 and go on till April 20. However, there has been doubts over the tournament following South Africa's pull-out from the Sharjah tournament in the first week of April in view of the war in Iraq. PCB Ask ICC for Match-fixing Evidence Against
Wasim (Go
To Top) KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for any evidence of corruption and match-fixing against former captain Wasim Akram. The PCB request to the ICC for fresh or old evidence has been placed before it starts hearing the appeal of Wasim Akram against the fine and other sanctions imposed on him by the Justice Malik Qayyum match-fixing Inquiry Commission. A source in the Board explained that this was the normal procedure followed by the Board even while hearing out the appeal of former fast bowler Ataur Rehman. "The report of Justice Qayyum Commission has been ratified by the ICC, its executive board and code of conduct commission. Before any moves are made to hear the appeals of affected players by the Board against the sanctions imposed on them, the Board needs to get clearance from the ICC and its Anti-Corruption Unit," he explained. Campbell Too Calls It a Day (Go
To Top) LONDON: Former Zimbabwe cricket captain Alistair Campbell has announced his retirement from international cricket. Campbell was particularly hurt over the national selectors' decision to ignore him for the forthcoming Sharjah tournament. Campbell is the fourth Zimbabwe player to retire since the mega event in South Africa. The other three were Andy Flower, Henry Olonga and Guy Whittal. While announcing his retirement here late on Saturday, the 30- year-old batsman said, "at this age I was looking forward to the best years of my career. But the selectors forced my hand and that was obviously not ideal for me." After making his debut at the 1992 World Cup, Campbell scored 2858 runs from 60 Test matches at an average of 27.21 with two centuries. In one-dayers, he made 5185 runs in 188 games with seven hundreds at an average of 30.50. He declined to comment on his future plans. Dalmiya 'No' to PCB (Go
To Top) KARACHI: India has formally called off next month's cricket tour to Pakistan through a letter written by BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya to the Pakistan Cricket Board. Indian cricket team was scheduled to tour Pakistan in April this year to play three Tests and as many One-Day Internationals but the escalating border tensions between the two countries had put the tour in jeopardy since early last year, reports the News. Dalmiya informed the PCB on Friday that India was formally calling off the tour due to security reasons. In response, Pakistan team's return tour of India has also been cancelled. Did Negligence Claim Hansie Cronje's Life? (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: What exactly caused the plane crash last year that claimed the lives of former South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje and two pilots? Well, if Paul O'Sullivan, former security chief of Airport Companies (ACSA), is to be believed, it was nothing but sheer negligence. In his signed affidavit, O'Sullivan claims that the instrument landing system (ILS) at the George airport was faulty during the night of the crash. The ILS sends a beam into the sky at a particular angle. An incoming aircraft "crosses" the beam and uses it to descend. The system often went down during thunderstorms and sometimes even without any obvious reason. O'Sullivan's statement says that ACSA knew of the problems quite a while before the accident, but "no steps were taken to rectify them," reports News24. "Although ACSA was told to replace the system, they decided against it in order to economise," it read. O'Sullivan also stated that ACSA refused or failed to supply the investigating officials of the civil aviation authority with the required information. This was done because it could reflect badly on the ACSA. The report has been sent to the office of the public protector for evaluation. Meanwhile, in response to the allegations, Solomon Makgale, ACSA spokesperson, said that ACSA did not undertake investigations, which was in the hands of the civil aviation authorities, and that they were awaiting results expected to be out in August. He pointed out that the maintenance of instruments at airports was done by the air traffic and navigation services. Makgale also revealed that insurmountable differences existed between ACSA and O'Sullivan. Cronje, captain Willie Meyer and co-pilot Ian Noakes were killed on June 1 last year when the cargo plane flying from Johannesburg to George crashed into a mountain just outside George in inclement weather. Nehra to Undergo Ankle Operation After World
Cup (Go
To Top) DURBAN: Left-arm pace bowler Ashish Nehra is most likely to undergo ankle operation after the ICC World Cup tournament, it was reported on Thursday. It may be recalled that Nehra injured his ankle in the opening match against Holland in the ongoing World Cup tourney. The aggressive fast bowler, who has so far taken 13 wickets in the tournament, admits it was not easy to bowl with an injured ankle. But he refuses to give up even as India prepares to enter the finals. Musharraf Extends PCB Chief Zia's Term (Go
To Top) KARACHI: The Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has received a much needed vote of confidence in the midst of a crisis facing Pakistan cricket. It was confirmed on Tuesday that the chief patron of the Board, President Gen Pervez Musharraf, has extended the tenure of Lt. Gen Tauqir Zia as PCB chairman and an official notification in this regard would be issued soon. "Tauqir has been told to stay on and look after cricket affairs for an indefinite period. He has also been told that if he wants to start re-building a new team for Pakistan, he should go ahead without any qualms," the News said quoting a source close to the Board. Although Tauqir himself had made it clear he would not resign after the disappointing World Cup campaign, there were fears that given the rising criticism against the Board and the players he might succumb to the pressure and step down. But the source said Tauqir was on the contrary working over-time on the re-building phase of the Pakistan team. "Even the patron has asked him to drop his planned visit to South Africa for attending the International Cricket Council (ICC) executive board meeting and the World Cup final and remain in Pakistan and concentrate on the re-building process," said the source. Sources said that President Musharraf had given the vote of confidence to Tauqir because he was also fed up with the disappointing performances of the senior players and their lack of commitment towards the national team and wanted Pakistan cricket to take a new course. "Another thing is that Musharraf, despite the criticism against the Board, is well aware of the many other positive steps taken by Tauqir to re-organize Pakistan cricket. "The patron has got his own independent feedback from reliable sources on the performance of Tauqir and his level of commitment towards Pakistan cricket, after which he took the decision to extend his tenure and allow him to start a new chapter in Pakistan cricket," said the source. "In the next few days there should be some interesting developments now that Tauqir has got the vote of confidence. In principle he has taken a decision on the new captain and coach and even discussed matters with them but the announcements will come later," the source confided. Sources said that Tauqir had spoken to Javed Miandad in Dubai and got his consent on making a comeback as national coach and also sought his approval on the new captain and team. Wasim, Youhana Appear Before PCB Review Committee (Go
To Top) KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has been examined by the review committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which has been entrusted with the task of finding out the reasons for the poor World Cup performance. The chairman of the committee, former Test player Naushad Ali confirmed that so far Wasim and Yousaf Youhana were among the few players called for examination by the committee. Aaqib Javed and Sultan Rana are the other members of the committee that has to submit its final report to the Board by March 24. Naushad said not all members of the World Cup squad would be called by the committee and only those players whose presence was required would be invited to attend. Pakistan captain Waqar Younis is also to appear before the committee which has already met some board officials and team management members. Naushad stressed that the committee was not conducting an inquiry and its basic purpose was to find out the causes which led to the below-par performance in the World Cup and recommend remedial measures. No details were available about the statements made by Wasim and Youhana before the review committee. Rashid Latif New Pak Captain, Miandad Returns
as Coach (Go
To Top) KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday appointed wicket keeper Rashid Latif as captain, Javed Miandad as coach and former Test player Haroon Rasheed as team manager. PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan said the changes were made following the team's disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa. "The Board is hopeful that the new combination will work well," said Hasan. Latif, 34, replaced Waqar Younis to lead a new Pakistan team into next month's Sharjah Cup against Sri Lanka and South Africa. "I have accepted the responsibility of leading the team at this critical stage as I want to play a key role in the revival of the senior team," Latif told reporters. This is the second time Latif has been named captain. In 1998, he led Pakistan to Bangladesh, South Africa and Zimbabwe before being removed by the Board. In November, he announced his retirement from Test cricket and indicated he would retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup. Latif, who has played 34 Tests and 149 one-dayers since his debut in 1992, was one of the few successes for Pakistan in the World Cup with his neat keeping and useful batting. The team for Sharjah is due to be announced by Friday and several new and young faces are expected in the side for the triangular tournament. Former captain Miandad was coach twice between 1998 and 2001 before being forced to step down because of differences with senior players. Miandad, 45, remains Pakistan's highest Test run-maker and is a revered figure in Pakistan cricket. Another former captain and opener, Aamer Sohail, will head the new selection committee of former Test players Saleem Yousaf, Shoaib Muhammad, Farukh Zaman and Shafiq Ahmed. India Pull Out of Azlan Shah Hockey Cup (Go
To Top) NEW DELHI: India on Monday pulled out of the Azlan Shah hockey tournament in Malaysia after the Government refused permission to participate citing recent harassment of its IT professionals in that country, a top Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) official said. The decision was conveyed to the IHF barely a few hours before the team's departure for Malaysia for the invitational six-nation tournament to be held at Ipoh from March 22 to 30. IHF chief KPS Gill said the decision to pull out was taken by the sports ministry in consultation with the external affairs ministry. "We respect the decision of the Government. It is a policy decision taken in the larger interest of the country," Gill said. Father Denies Hansie Had Secret Bank Accounts
(Go To
Top) JOHANNESBURG: Ewie Cronje, father of the late South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje, has dismissed as "nonsense" an article in the Sunday Telegraph which claimed his son had secret bank accounts in the Cayman Islands. "The report is nonsense. There are no facts to support the report. As far as I know, Hansie was never in the Cayman Islands and had no bank accounts there. Investigations have been made into his affairs for a long time and nothing has been found that Hansie didn't declare to the King Commission. Hansie died in June last year. He is not here to say whether this report is true or not. I thought reports such as this would stop once Hansie died, but I hoped in vain," Ewie was quoted as saying by News24. According to the article, Hansie had 71 or 72 illegal bank accounts in the Caymans that he did not declare to the South African Reserve Bank or the King Commission looking into the match-fixing scandal. It stated that the amounts involved in the "more than 70" bank accounts were never determined. It also claimed that the 130,000 dollars Cronje declared to the King Commission as the payoff he received from professional bookmakers was only the tip of the iceberg. Many Changes in SA Squad for Sharjah Likely (Go
To Top) JOHANNESBURG: Following the World Cup debacle, the South African selectors are all set to announce this weekend a 15-man squad for the upcoming triangular series in Sharjah, beginning April 1, and Bangladesh, starting April 11. Among the changes expected in the side, perhaps the most significant is likely to be the omission of all-rounder Lance Klusener, who had a disastrous World Cup. The 31-year-old has gone on record as saying that he "should've rather gone fishing" than participated in the disaster. This sort of attitude could see him on the selectors' "not-wanted" list, reports News24. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher could be stripped of his vice-captaincy. And while Allan Donald and Jonty Rhodes have retired, Gary Kirsten is still available for Sharjah. Although selection convener Omar Henry has said that talks with the veteran player are "ongoing," the team would certainly require his services at the top of the order. The batting line-up could see the inclusion of 21-year-old left-hander Jacques Rudolph, who has been in impressive form recently, and Neil McKenzie, especially if a new vice-captain is needed. Boeta Dippenaar, who had a solid World Cup against the minnows but made no impact in the crunch games, might not find a place in the team. As far as the bowling is concerned, left-armer Charl Willoughby looks set to finally add to his single ODI cap. Unorthodox left-arm spinner Paul Adams could also sneak his way back into the team. The following players are likely to make it to the squad: Herschelle Gibbs, Gary Kirsten, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock (capt), Andrew Hall, Robin Peterson, Makhaya Ntini, Charl Willoughby, Monde Zondeki, Charl Langeveldt, Neil McKenzie and Paul Adams. How to Bend It Like Beckham (Go
To Top) LONDON: In what will certainly bring a cheer or two to all the budding David Beckhams, British and Japanese scientists have revealed that the England captain's ability to score from a free kick lies in a combination of Magnus forces, rate of spin and climatic conditions. According to the study, the first of its kind published in Sports Engineering, this is what makes the perfect free kick - aiming the centre of the toecap of the boot at a point precisely 120 mm from the centre of the football. Using footballers and computer simulations, the scientists established links between the rate of spin of the ball, the point of contact, the position of the foot, friction and the curve of the ball. They also worked out that drying a wet ball can increase its bend. "If friction between the boot and ball is reduced, possibly caused by wet conditions, the imparted spin will be less and the ball will not bend as much in flight. This demonstrates the need for players, in wet conditions, to either take care in wiping the ball and boot before taking a kick, or to aim more to the left to ensure such a kick is successful," Dr Matt Carre, of Sheffield University, was quoted as saying by the Independent. The researchers filmed footballers taking kicks at goal and also looked at the behaviour of a ball in a wind tunnel. A high-speed video camera running at 4,500 frames a second was used to film footballers kicking an official Fifa ball. Simulations have demonstrated that a ball struck at the centre will follow a near straight trajectory, dipping slightly before reaching the goal. A ball struck off-centre will bend before reaching the goal, but as velocity is lost for such a kick, it will need to be launched at a steeper angle and will result in a significantly longer flight time. For the goalkeeper, the good news is that bending the ball slows the shot down by 30 per cent. The bad news, however, is that he will still have less than 1.6 seconds to react if the ball is hit in the right place. -ANI |
|