Cricket Australia says players can decide on IPL

Cricket Australia will let players involved in the IPL make their own decisions about whether to take part in the tournament following threats on their safety from India. The Shiv Sena political party has said they would not allow Australians to play in Maharashtra following attacks on Indian students in Melbourne.

"At the end of the day those players make their own decision about whether or not they go," Peter Young, the Cricket Australia spokesman, told AAP. "But we want them to be able to make informed decisions and we'd like to work with the ACA [Australian Cricketers' Association] to ensure they can make informed decisions.'' The IPL is due to begin in March and Australian players feature heavily in the franchise line-ups.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith said the final decision on whether players go to the country would rest with Cricket Australia. "They [Shiv Sena] are known to make colourful remarks, and they have engaged in conduct which both India and Australia have been disapproving of in the past, so far as disrupting cricket games are concerned," he said in the Courier Mail. "But we take any threat to Australian sportsmen and sportswomen ... playing sport overseas very seriously."

Player security has been an issue for Australia whenever they are scheduled to travel to the subcontinent. Australia has not toured Pakistan since 1998 due to the safety situation and sends independent security personnel to review arrangements before each trip.

"Our policy, as demonstrated over the years, is to only travel if dispassionate, expert, independent advice suggests that it is safe," Young said. "On those occasions when advice has suggested otherwise, we have not travelled, including when the ICC said Pakistan was safe and our advice was that it was not."

In 2008 there were a series of bombs that went off in India before the Test visit, which went ahead without any problems. However, teams are much more sensitive following the attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore, and this week three of the Togo football team were killed by gunmen who targeted their vehicle in Angola.

Tim May, the international players' association chief executive, claimed in the Australian the security situation in India was now as worrying as a year ago, when Mumbai terrorist attacks and a national election forced the tournament to be moved to South Africa at the last minute.

"We don't have to go too far back to the attack on the bus carrying the Togo soccer team in Africa," May said. "It underlines the fact that sporting teams are very palatable targets for terrorist organisations who want to make a lot of noise and lift their international profile."

May said a franchise had written to a player saying "if you're scared, don't come" to the IPL. "That doesn't do the player any good and it doesn't do the IPL any good," May said. "You'd like to think the IPL would realise that it is a reasonable request by players wanting to know about security arrangements." Australia are also due in India for another seven-match one-day series at the end of the year.

PCB - living in self-denial or fools paradise (VI)

By trying to be injudiciously self-evasive, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and their sycophantic officer-bearers have started to trace their steps to fool’s paradise. Arrogance, hotchpotch policies, confused mix of even planning.

Abruptness, brazen lies contrary to the documentary evidence, intolerance to criticism, complete dearth of vision and plans for the future, unnecessary and often irrational justifications, paucity of authenticity and unabated self-denials, indignant enough to challenge common man’s rationality.

Pakistan cricket is vanishing into a dream, on course to ‘self destruction’ and ‘neo-fascism.’ Interesting it is that the infallible PCB chairman is recorded during a telephonic conversation to have committed saying that it was during his times that Pakistan won the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009 and also qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy for the first time ever.

Pakistan qualified for the semi-finals twice before, once against New Zealand in Kenya in 2001-02 and th other against the West Indies in England in 2004-05; I hope his representatives stop questioning the intellectuality of the often well-read people otherwise it is going to be a poor reflection on their abilities as ever.

2009 was a year that should better be forgotten as it saw rise of a new incompetent cricket’s elite, the bureaucratic chairman, as his age goes, on the other side of the midnight, and so many puppet masters trying to pin down the truthful analysis of Pakistan’s deterioration, engineering coups, rebutting their own claims and the ensuing musical chairs when directors came in and went, fast-track, circular politics so that in January 2010 we have arrived at the beginning.

Mr Ijaz Butt’s tenure so far, and it likely to continue, so it seems, has been nothing more than an act of mercy killing of the soul and spirit and the real essence of the Pakistani game, and also accentuating a mongrel governing process. Ironically, instead of piling up the load of every wrong on the previous regime, that certainly didn’t comprise of angels, and not really the children of lesser god, Mr Ijaz Butt with his magnitude, a ‘glorious past’ as he averaged 19.92 in Tests as an opener, was welcomed at the first place because he stood up like a statue of liberty in the hollowness of the pyramids of self-destruction that Dr Nasim Ashraf’s government had left for him.

The culture dominated by ‘self-servers’ needs to be regressed if not abolished if ever Pakistan cricket is to be rejuvenated. It has been mentioned recently that the 2009 was an unforgettable year for Pakistan cricket since Mr Ijaz Butt worked wondrously despite being haunted by the unforgiving geo-political circumstances. I, at least like Aamir Sohail, the former Pakistan captain, get puzzled that while Dr Nasim Ashraf was dispensing money like a thick water stream why was Mr Ijaz Butt quieting being the chairman of the audit committee, being the member of the board of governors. And why didn’t he try taking the previous regime and his predecessor to task if he was sure that board’s exchequer had been floundered? Already it is beginning to shape up as a scam. It looks, all the beneficiaries have come to the PCB voluntarily or on by the choice of the ‘towering’ Mr Ijaz Butt. And he hates nepotism, jobbery or any influence directly or indirectly brought on him; the prime example is the presence of his brother-in-law Mr Mohammad Naeem as the financial advisor despite his appointment not being recommended by the board of governors to go beyond the month of November 2009. And his travelling to different countries either to sign the MOUs or make financial deals and the lucrative daily allowances is part of the austerity drive being trumpeted by Mr Ijaz Butt and his handpicked management team. Isn’t nepotism? It seems that the PCB is someone’s personal property and almost a colony of a private enterprise.

There seems to be present a healthy tradition of chicanery. And, quite rudderless and hopelessly Mr Ijaz Butt is trying to prevail over the judicious criticism against his failed regime? After this recent defeat at the Sydney Ground, it is evident that cricket is a story of betrayal. Pakistan cricket’s philosophy isn’t as simple as it seems. There is a well-defined skepticism about it, as a product of a sequence of inept management teams administering the game since the mid-1990s. There is distrust towards ethical and professional values, especially when there are high expectations concerning societal demands, institutions and authorities which are unfulfilled. Since 2003 the top tier PCB managements weren’t really bad; they were the worst, each having better credentials to surpass the other. They were completely oblivious of classical Greek and Roman Cynics regarding virtue as the only necessity for happiness, and saw virtue as entirely sufficient for attaining happiness.

It appears, almost throughout Pakistan cricket’s period of disillusionment, impressed by Geoffrey Chaucer and Francois Rabelais used irony as a tool to ridicule the basic working methodology, insulting the Pakistani game and reviving cynicism. Their policies communicated the low opinions of certain manifestations of human nature. People like Dr. Nasim Ashraf presumably knew the price of everything and the value of nothing and in the Pakistani game contrary to George Orwell’s hypothesis that defined cynicism as the direct opposite of fanaticism, this ruling elite stood up like mummies drenched with grandiosity, not allowing patriotism, truth and progress penetrating parts of mass consciousness.

PCB’s regime led by Mr Ijaz Butt went a step further his team working with an attitude of distrust towards the social environment rejected the need to be socially involved. Cricket’s unpredictability and a visible stagnation in Pakistan is a product of bad governance and the one where political engagement has no option but to be overtly blinded.

Mr Ijaz Butt’s start was promising, looking self righteous about the need to expose cricket’s inherent hypocrisy: to point out breaches between the ideals and the practice. And most candidly, I must admit, that unless I am struck by the same bolt of lightning that had struck Mr Ijaz Butt and made him chairman of the PCB aged 70 plus, it is a dead certainty that I am going to end up working as clinician, and at least looked up to in the more respectable circles. I pray that I am not party to mercy-killing of Pakistan cricket ever.

Former Pak cricketers lash out at adamant Akmal

Embattled Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has come in for sharp criticism for his statement that he would play the final Test against Australia in Hobart as a specialist glovesman and not as a batsman alone.

Akmal's statement came even though the Pakistan Cricket Board and national selectors have rushed in young Sarfaraz Ahmed to Australia as his replacement and said he would play in the Hobart Test. "Akmal's statement just shows what is going on in the Pakistan team right now.

The whole nation does not want him to play after his poor performance in the Sydney Test and yet he is insisting he will play, saying the management and players also supporting him," former captain Rashid Latif told a television channel. "I don't understand what is happening in Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan cricket needs young blood, says Wasim

Former Pakistan captain and legendry pacer Wasim Akram has said that Pakistan lost the second Test against Australia in Sydney because of scare of defeat and urged the selectors to induct new blood in the team.

In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle Urdu Service, Wasim, before leaving for India, said that in order to win Test matches against powerful teams one needed special talent, skill, passion and mental fitness. The present Pakistan side lacks these traits. Unlike Twenty20 and one-dayers, Test cricket is like a long race,” he added.

Wasim suggested that cricket authorities of the country should give chance to new players after consistent failure of the senior players. “When the seniors are creating problems for the team and getting out after making only few runs then why not include younger players as they will learn in a year and serve the country for at least two decades. And for this purpose, captain, cricket board and selectors must sit together, communicate and plan. But, unfortunately, I can’t see that happening.”

Due to security problems and foreign teams’ refusal to play in Pakistan, Pakistan hosted only one complete Test match in the last 27 months and according to Wasim playing away from home and lack of Test cricket was also one of the reasons of Sydney debacle. “They have played very few Test matches especially on the home soil and that’s why players are short of confidence,” maintained Wasim, who claimed 916 wickets in both forms of the game.

Defending skipper Mohammad Yousuf defensive moves on the decisive day of the Sydney Test, Wasim said no body was born a leader. “Yousuf is an inexperienced captain and made few mistakes. But he will learn art of captaincy in the long run.” Wasim said coaches Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younus and Aaqib Javed should have told Yousuf when he was getting too defensive and what mistakes he was making. About wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal lapses, Wasim said Kamran was a wonderful and talented cricketer. “Last year his wicketkeeping seemed to be improving but he had a bad day at Sydney. Hopefully, he will work hard more because Pakistan team needs players like Kamran.”

Commenting on Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, Wasim said Pakistan had experienced regional system that was not successful because one cannot have control over regions. “Even players were deprived of their money which perhaps goes to officials. On the other hand, departments groom players by giving them jobs and players are more relaxed.

But over all its a tough call for the cricket board and requires a lot of time for introducing a new domestic system and no one has time for this in this country.” Wasim advised the PCB to hold day-night one-day and Twenty20 domestic matches to keep things going and attract people in stadiums. Wasim Akram urged both India and Pakistan to hold a Test series. “Indo-Pak Test series is imperative because these matches not only generate revenue but also interest on both sides of the border,” he concluded.

Australia rides Hussey ton to victory

Commentator Michael Slater called it a "great advertisement for Test cricket - the ebbing and flowing of this match have been incredible. it was one of the most extraordinary games ever played."

Australia dismissed Pakistan for 139 to win by 36 runs. Pakistan was chasing only 176 to win. Doug Bollinger claimed the first wicket of Pakistan's second innings, having Imran Farhat caught low at mid-off by Johnson for 22.

Then, two wickets in one over from Mitchell Johnson gave Australia hope of an unlikely victory. Johnson, bowling first change, had Faisal Iqbal (7) caught behind with a magnificent delivery which left the right-hander late and took the edge on the way through to wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. Two balls later Haddin took a spectacular one-handed catch, diving horizontally to his right to catch Salman Butt (21) as he flicked at a delivery down the leg side.

Nathan Hauritz did most of the rest, taking 5-53 off 12 overs. Australia's hopes were earlier kept alive by Mike Hussey, 134 not out, and Peter Siddle, who scored a career-best 38 off 117 balls. Their ninth-wicket partnership added 123.

Hussey's hundred was just the second by an Australian in five Tests this summer following Shane Watson's 120 not out during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The win seals the three-match series for Australia, who have two wins, with one match remaining in Hobart, starting in a week.

Cricket-South Africa v England - third test scoreboard

Scoreboard at lunch on the third day of
the third test between South Africa and England in Newlands,
Cape Town, South Africa on Tuesday. South Africa first innings 291 (J. Kallis 108, M. Boucher
51; J. Anderson 5-63) England first innings (overnight 241-7)
A. Strauss c Boucher b Morkel 2
A. Cook c Prince b Morkel 65
J. Trott b Steyn 20
K. Pietersen c & b Steyn 0
P. Collingwood lbw b Morkel 19
I. Bell c Duminy b Kallis 48
M. Prior b Steyn 76
S. Broad b Steyn 25
G. Swann c Smith b Morkel 5
J. Anderson c Smith b Morkel 0
G. Onions not out 4
Extras (lb-6, w-2, nb-1) 9
Total (all out; 88 overs) 273 Fall of wickets: 1-2 2-36 3-36 4-73 5-133 6-174 7-225 8-241
9-241 10-273 Bowling: Morkel 22-4-75-5 (w-1), De Wet 16-3-36-0 (nb-1),
Steyn 22-5-74-4, Kallis 14-2-27-1 (w-1), Harris 9-0-39-0, Duminy
5-0-16-0. South Africa second innings
A. Prince lbw b Swann 15
G. Smith not out 22
H. Amla not out 14
Extras (lb-1, b-4) 5
Total (one wicket; 17 overs) 56 Fall of wicket: 1-31. Bowling: Anderson 5-0-8-0, Onions 4-1-13-0, Swann 4-0-16-1,
Broad 4-0-14-0.

Ponting criticised for batting first on green SCG pitch

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has invited severe criticism for opting to bat on a green Sydney Cricket Ground pitch on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan.

"The question will be did Ricky do the right thing' In hindsight, I think he made an error of judgment,' said former Test opener Michael Slater.

An incredulous former Australian fast bowler and ex-Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson said he was amazed at Pontings decision to bat, while former Test leg-spinner Kerry O'Keeffe said he hadn't seen an SCG pitch so green in 20 years.

"He batted first on this' It's a pitch with a considerable greenish tinge to it and he batted first'' said a bemused Lawson.

"Pakistan would be pretty happy with losing the toss,' he added. Mike Hussey, who offered some middle-order resistance, last night said it proved Ponting was unlikely to bowl first on any pitch in the world.

Even with Australia's fast bowlers gazing wistfully at the pitch in the background, Ponting insisted his teammates were happy with his decision to bat. "It is always my preference to bat and the guys inside are happy with that decision as well. The bowlers will be disappointed I won the toss and batted, they would have liked to have got out here and had a crack on this sort of wicket,' Ponting said after winning the toss.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf said he would have bowled, while fans hit Internet sites to question Ponting's decision. According to a report in the PerthNow newspaper, It wasnt even a toss-up - the general consensus was that Australian captain Ricky Ponting should have given his bowlers first crack on an SCG green top yesterday when he won the toss.

There is no hiding the fact Ponting made a major blooper and exposed his batsmen to the humiliation of being bowled out for 127 as Pakistan stormed back into the series. It was Australia's lowest score on home soil in 13 years as Pakistani quick Mohammad Asif snared a career-best 6-41, the paper further goes on to say. The paper opines that Ponting was clearly haunted by ghosts from the last time he won the toss and bowled first - the famous Edgbaston Test which swung the 2005 Ashes for England.

T20 cricket has actually helped Test cricket - Afridi

Contrary to Mohammed Yousuf's assumption that Twenty20 cricket would eventually destroy Test cricket, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi says it has actually made the five-day games more result-oriented.

Test skipper Yousuf feels that batsmen these days are paying more attention to adjust to the slam-bang format and hardly care to develop technique, which is essential to be successful in Test cricket.

However, T20 skipper Afridi differs with Yousuf."I don't think that will happen because Test and ODIs both have their own charm.

Infact I would say T20 cricket has introduced a more positive attitude in players and led to Tests also being played more aggressively and being more result oriented," Afridi said.

"What we need to do is strike the right balance in our teams for all three formats of the sport," he added.

Afridi advocated the need to develop the national teams according to the abilities of the players. "Already we have certain players who are Test specialists including Yousuf himself.

Then they are players who are specialists for the limited overs cricket and in the third category they are players who are adjust in all three forms of the sport.

"It would not be a bad idea if we can build our Test, ODI and T20 teams according to this policy. We need to groom and develop our players accordingly," Afridi said.

Afridi, who was dropped for the Test series against Australia , said he was always available for his country and if the team management or selectors asked him to join the team for the Tests he would not hesitate to join.

"I would be willing to sacrifice my contract with South Australia if the team needed by services in the Test matches," said Afridi who had announced that he wants to concentrate on ODIs and T20 cricket until the 2011 World Cup.

Afridi said he still believed that Pakistan could beat Australia in the remaining two Tests if the batsmen perform well.

"We should take heart and play the last two Tests with more vigor and focus," he said.

'My Test career as good as over'

Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq , while stressing that retirement is still a long way off for him, has said that his Test career is almost over as the selectors are not to keen to recall him.

Talking to media persons, Razzaq said that the national selectors have told him that they would not consider him for any Test team in the future.

Razzaq, 30, said he now wants to focus more on the One-day and T20 formats of the game.

"I have no issues with that. I have around two years of international cricket left in me and doing well in next year's Twenty20 World Cup and then in the 2011 World Cup for my team are now my main ambitions," The Daily Times quoted Razzaq, as saying.

Razzaq, who has played 46 Test matches, said with the increasing amount of limited overs cricket being played internationally, keeping oneself fit for these forms was in itself a demanding task.