CL T20: Bangalore to take on Chennai in semis

Durban: It is going to be a battle between Mahendra Singh Dhoni's spirited leadership and the strategic acumen of experienced Anil Kumble when their teams Chennai Super Kings andRoyal Challengers Bangalore take on each other in the Champions League Twenty20 semifinal here on Friday.

Both the teams will put up no-hold-barred efforts to win Friday's contest at the floodlit Kingsmead ground here and take another stride to become the first Indian Premier League team to win the show-piece tournament.

Riding on a disciplined performance by the bowlers, the Chennai team snatched a 10-run win over Warriors, and Dhoni would surely expect an encore when IPL champions take the ground.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who scalped three wickets for just 24 runs against Warriors, and left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger would look for some early breakthroughs on Friday while in the middle oversSuresh Raina's contribution with the ball is expected to be crucial.

Chennai spin department would be spearheaded by legendary Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralidaran, while left-arm tweaker Shadab Jakati would have to extend support.

Opener Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay would have to play their role to give the team a strong opening, with captain Dhoni and S Badrinath coming down the order.

On the other hand, in-form Rahul Dravid will be the mainstay of the Bangalore batting order.

Dravid, who cracked a fine unbeaten 71 against Mumbai Indians, would try to do it again in the final-four match. And even though the team will miss South African star Jacques Kallis but Manish Pandey, who played a fine knock against Lions, is expected to help Bangalore enter the summit-stage.

New Zealander import Ross Taylor, who has played a couple of breezy innings in the tournament so far, and Virat Kohli, would have to live upto the expectation if their team to are to chase down a stiff target.

In the bowling department, captain Anil Kumble, who has led from the front so far in the tournament, would once again spearhead the bowling attack with two Kumars - Praveen and Vinay expected to give him a good support.

Meanwhile, Dale Steyn, who is yet to hit his best form, may just be able to cause some problems in Chennai's batting line-up.

All in all, both Bangalore and Chennai have their sets of strengths and weaknesses and any one of these two teams, on its given day, can make a difference.

29 cricketers suspected of spot-fixing in IPL 2

London, Sep 12 (IANS) In a startling revelation, 29 cricketers are suspected of spot-fixing in the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa last year.

The list, compiled by the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, includes some high-profile names but none from England or Pakistan. Pakistan's players did not take part in the Twenty20 tournament.

'Some betting patterns were very suspicious at IPL 2,' Sunday Times reported.

There have been long-standing concerns about the integrity of IPL, whose commissioner Lalit Modi is suspended on corruption charges.

Earlier, three Pakistani players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by the ICC after their alleged involvement in the spot-fixing controversy during the fourth Test against Englandat Lords.

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India-Aus series a saviour

NEW DELHI: Australia's upcoming tour of India could provide a healing touch to the match-fixing controversy engulfing cricket, according to former Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson.

Three Pakistani players -- Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- have been suspended over spot-fixing allegations during the Lord's Test against England.

Lawson, a former Australian fast bowler who coached Pakistan in 2007-2008, said cricket needed a series of riveting matches to restore fans' faith in the game.

"Cricket is a very resilient sport. What is needed urgently is a tough, hard series of Test cricket. And the game will move on," Lawson told reporters in Mumbai late on Tuesday.

Lawson said Australia's two Tests against the top-ranked Indians next month, followed by three one-day internationals, were crucial for the health of the game.

"This India-Australia series is very important," he said.

"People in Australia are looking forward to the Ashes. A good, tough and hard series before the Ashes will do a lot to retain people's faith in the game.

"If players play good cricket and the public see good cricket, they will forget what's gone on before. The people want their heroes to play well. There wasn't a hero in this controversy," said Lawson.

Ricky Ponting's Australia will arrive in India on September 21 and play two back-to-back Tests in Mohali (October 1-5) and Bangalore (Oct 9-13).

The Tests will be followed by one-day matches in Kochi (Oct 17), Visakhapatnam (Oct 20) and Goa (Oct 24).

Australia will then return home to prepare for the Ashes series against England starting in Brisbane on November 25.

Help Wildlife Impacted by the BP Oil Spill

Don’t miss your chance to fight for loggerhead sea turtles! Hi Fellow Wildlife Advocates! For decades, the loggerhead sea turtle has fallen victim to loss of nesting habitat, degradation of their marine habitats, and entanglement in fishing gear. And now, the impacts of the BP oil spill disaster in the Gulf have only made their habitat go from bad to worse. In fact, reports from the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), show that 1070 sea turtles were displaced or killed from the oil spill, with 21 loggerhead sea turtles found alive and 53 dead. Currently, the U.S. government is considering whether to reclassify the loggerhead sea turtle from "threatened" to "endangered" under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This re-classification would help loggerhead sea turtles get the stronger protections they need in light of the many challenges they face. TAKE ACTION! Please take a few seconds to send in your comments in support of stronger protections for loggerhead sea turtles today: https://online.nwf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=homepage&page=UserAction&id=1301&autologin=true&s_src=OilSpillFBCause Thanks for all you do and continue to do for wildlife! --Megan, National Wildlife Federation Action Fund

Call to Action Link: NWF Action Fund Action Center: View Link

Dhoni wants harsh punishment for those guilty of fixing

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Sunday called for harsh punishment for the Pakistani players if found guilty in the spot-fixing scandal.

Three Pakistani players -- Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif -- have been named for their involvement in spot-fixing in the fourth and last Test against England at Lords'.

Dhoni said the fixing allegation has brought disrepute to the game.

'Definitely harsh decisions need to be taken, otherwise soon people will start blaming the entire cricketing fraternity,' Dhoni told NDTV.

'It's sad what has happened with the Pakistan team. Investigations are going on. Something like match fixing or spot-fixing doesn't only restrict to the people who are doing it or the side they belong to. People start associating it with the whole fraternity which means all cricketers whichever team you're playing for.'

Dhoni said it is unlikely that any Indian player could be lured into taking money for fixing.

'The kind of effort we put in the field, I can't even think about it. End of the day what's the money all about? There's a bracket on money, after that whatever money you earn you'll still eat the same, go in the same car,' Dhoni said.

'All cricketers come from middle class backgrounds so they are aware of the situation. I think most of them want to play for the country and get the fame. They are clever enough to know that money is bound to come if you are playing cricket for India.'

'I believe the struggle they go through in the starting phase of their career teaches them really well and that they don't think about the money. You have already gone through the harsh part of life, travelled through sleeper class, and at times in a bus with no reservation or nothing. I feel most of the cricketers go through it. I don't think anything like that will happen in the Indian team.'

Teacher's Day

On Teacher's Day, apart from celebrating the occasion in a serious manner, you can have a lot of fun too, with your teachers. Throwing a party is a nice idea, because it would set the mood for fun filled enjoyment. At that moment, you can banish the barrier between teachers and students and allow them to enjoy dancing.

Although teachers are not born, but made, they are considered special people created by God, for the betterment of humanity. They are regarded as the reservoir of knowledge, love and compassion. The best teachers known to the world are not just popular for being the reservoir of knowledge, but also for their commitment, while in service.

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Today, September 5, is Teachers Day 2010. Wishing all the teachers a very Happy Teachers Day 2010. Today, is not only a big day for all the teachers but also for all students. Every students would want to thank and express his/her love for their teachers, who have been quite instrumental in shaping their present as well as future.

Every year, the Teachers Day is celebrated in September 5, to mark the birth anniversary of India’s 1st Vice President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Many of his students wanted to celebrate his birthday but Radhakrishnan said that he would want everyone to rather celebrate that day as Teachers Day. From that day onwards, September 5th is observed as Teachers Day.

A simple short and sweet sms or message can make your teacher’s Day. You may even send your teacher an egreeting, poems and best wishes through an email. You may post / upload Teachers Day scraps or status message on social networking sites like orkut and facebook.

Mentioned here is the list of teachers day sms, messages, quotes, scraps which can be send to your teachers to express love and pay gratitude.

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Today, September 5, is Teachers Day 2010. Wishing all the teachers a very Happy Teachers Day 2010. Today, is not only a big day for all the teachers but also for all students. Every students would want to thank and express his/her love for their teachers, who have been quite instrumental in shaping their present as well as future.

Every year, the Teachers Day is celebrated in September 5, to mark the birth anniversary of India’s 1st Vice President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Many of his students wanted to celebrate his birthday but Radhakrishnan said that he would want everyone to rather celebrate that day as Teachers Day. From that day onwards, September 5th is observed as Teachers Day.

A simple short and sweet sms or message can make your teacher’s Day. You may even send your teacher an egreeting, poems and best wishes through an email. You may post / upload Teachers Day scraps or status message on social networking sites like orkut and facebook.

Mentioned here is the list of teachers day sms, messages, quotes, scraps which can be send to your teachers to express love and pay gratitude.

A teacher

Takes a hand……

Opens a mind……….

And touches a heart.

You are one such teacher for me!

Thanks for being there!

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Sri Lankan player under ICC investigation

The ICC's anti-corruption unit has been monitoring the unusual activities of a leading Sri Lankan player after team members alerted their skipper Kumar Sangakkara of his late-night activities with a man believed to be an illegal bookmaker.

Sri Lankan players passed on their concerns to the captain, who followed ICC protocol by contacting the anti-corruption unit. The player has since been investigated by Sri Lankan police, although no charges have been laid, British daily The Guardian reported on Sunday.

However, Sri Lanka Cricket has kept the entire matter away from the public spotlight by concealing the entire police investigation surrounding the player.

The player concerned has been under the ICC's scanner since the Twenty20 World Cup in England in 2009.

The officials from the ICC's anti-corruption unit are said to be dismayed at the lack of progress.

"The (anti-corruption unit's) working is not that of a policing agency or a newspaper. They have no power to arrest or seize, or carry out a sting operation.

"Getting international players to question the honesty of one of their own team-mates is a considerable challenge, but it is essential if the ICC is to root out corruption," Haroon Lorgat, the ICC's chief executive, said.

The News of the World, which published its expose into cricket corruption a week ago after a sting operation against the Pakistan players' agent, Mazhar Majeed, provides further evidence on Sunday to support its allegations.

The newspaper claimed that the Pakistan players face 23 ICC charges between them and that the Metropolitan Police have recovered between 10,000-15,000 pounds of bills marked by the News of the World from Butt's room.

It also states Butt was warned five times that he must report any irregular dealings.

Yasir Hameed, who was recalled for the final Test at the Lord's the Test that was the subject of the British tabloid sting was quoted as saying: "They were doing it [fixing] in almost every match. God knows what they were up to."

Aamer was in grip of evil, ICC should be lenient: Atherton

London: Former England captain Michael Atherton says young Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamer, implicated in the spot-fixing scandal, was in the "the grip of evil" and should be given a second chance by the ICC.

Aamer, fellow pacer Mohammad Asif and Pakistan captain Salman Butt have been suspended after a sting operation by a tabloid revealed that they bowled no-balls to order during the Lord's Test againstEngland last week. Cricketer-turned-journalist Atherton said he hopes to see the 18-year-old Aamer getting a fresh chance to mend his ways.

"Nasser Hussain, who I once saw walking around the team hotel in Sri Lanka in the early hours of the morning before a Test match unable to sleep, so worried was he about his form, spoke for us all when he said, 'Please don't let it be the kid'," Atherton wrote in 'The News of the World'.

"The 'kid' in question was Mohammad Aamer, the young, good looking and prodigiously talented Pakistanbowler who had blown England away on the second morning at Lord's with a mesmeric spell of left-arm fast bowling and who now, we had been told, had overstepped the front line twice for a few dollars more," he added.

Atherton, however, said underperforming for money is worse then even flunking a dope test. "It is worse than doping, because the fixer is deliberately trying to underperform, so deceiving the paying public."

The former batsman said though he hopes to see lenient treatment for Aamer, the ICC is "unlikely to show any clemency now". "This is not necessarily arbitrary or unfair, simply a realisation that there are mitigating circumstances for an 18-year old. It would be grossly unfair to ban a kid for life for overstepping the line twice."

Changed format proposed for 2011 IPL season

Mumbai: The IPL Governing Council met on Sunday and decided to introduce a changed format involving a total of 74 matches during the expanded fourth edition of the twenty20 extravaganza. "There would be a total of 74 matches in all," IPL's interim chairman Chirayu Amin said after the meeting.

"Each franchise would get to play a minimum of seven matches," according to another IPL source. Indications are that the teams would be split into two groups in the initial phase.

Till last season there were eight franchises who played on a home-and-away basis leading to 56 matches in the league phase, followed by two semi-finals, a 3-4 placings match (played only in IPL-III) and a grand final - making it a total of 60 matches.

With two additional franchise teams added to the fray, Sahara Warriors of Pune and as yet unnamed Kochi franchise, a continuation of the home-and-away format would mean a total of 94 matches which the Council members did not find feasible.

Among the other major decisions taken today were the retention of players for next few seasons by the original eight franchises and date of the next players' auction.

Afridi says 'sorry' for spot-fixing row

Cardiff: Pakistan One-day captain Shahid Afridi apologised on Saturday for the 'spot-fixing' row engulfing the tourists, and said the team had been warned not to discuss it.

Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif have been charged with various offences under the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption code and provisionally suspended, while the trio have all been interviewed by police.

The three were withdrawn by Pakistan from their Twenty20 and one-day series against England after being allegedly caught up in a plan to deliberately bowl no-balls during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last week.

"I think this is very bad news," Afridi said at Cardiff on Saturday, where the first of two Twenty20 internationals against England takes place on Sunday.

"On behalf of these boys - I know they are not in this series - I want to say sorry to all cricket lovers and all the cricketing nations."

He added: "These two Twenty20s and (five) one-dayers (against England) are a big challenge for me as a captain. The coach (Waqar Younis) and I have told the boys not to talk about this (spot-fixing) issue. It is none of our business - we are here to play cricket. The boys know that. They want to win, motivate themselves - and as a captain, that is what I want."

Britain's News of the World alleged it paid Mazhar Majeed, an agent for several Pakistan players, 150,000 pounds (185,000 euros, 230,000 dollars) in return for advance knowledge of the no-balls, which could then be bet upon.

Afridi said Mazhar had been "travelling with some of the team guys, in Australia and the West Indies. "I saw him on the tours and I didn't know anything about it."

The News of the World is a Sunday tabloid and Afridi said: "I've told the boys 'don't read the newspaper tomorrow - just focus on cricket'. I know the people (in Pakistan) are very upset, and it is very disappointing. But we all love cricket. We want to play good cricket, aggressive and positive cricket. If we can do that, maybe then when we go back home things will settle down."

Asked if all the One-day matches between England and Pakistan would go ahead, regardless of any fresh revelations, Afridi replied: "Yes, definitely." England Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood said players might have to be more forthcoming with suspicions if they wanted fixing "eradicated" from the game.

"There's always been rumours but gradually, as things come out, it may be up to the players to tell the authorities if they think something is going on," Collingwood said. "Not just the players but commentators, umpires, all of us, we've all got a job to do in the end to get rid of all this."

The News of the World published its allegations last Sunday - the same day as England beat Pakistan by an innings and 225 runs - Pakistan's heaviest Test defeat of all time - to seal a 3-1 series win.

"Sunday was one of the saddest days in my career... I don't really what to have that feeling on a cricket pitch ever again," Collingwood said.

But Collingwood insisted the England Twenty20 team, the reigning world champions in the format, were ready for their two matches, both in Cardiff. "The players are definitely 100 per cent focused on the cricket that is coming up tomorrow and Tuesday."

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Aamer, Asif axed from awards list

 Embattled Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif, currently embroiled in a corruption storm, have been dropped from the International Cricket Council's annual awards list.

Aamer was in the running for the best emerging player award while Asif was listed in the best cricketer category. The awards ceremony will take place in Bangalore on Monday.

Aamer and Asif, as well as Test captain Salman Butt, are all being investigated following allegations of 'spot-fixing' in the fourth Test against England last week.                               


"The pair's nominations have been withdrawn and the jury has been informed," an ICC spokesman confirmed without giving further details.

All three have been charged by the ICC with "various offences" under its anti-corruption code and they have been suspended pending a decision on those charges.

Fixing scam biggest chance to clean cricket: Dravid

New Delhi: Former India captain Rahul Dravid has called for a "thorough and comprehensive" investigation into the spot-fixing scam and said the current scandal is "cricket biggest chance to clean itself".

Terming the International Cricket Council's (ICC) move to suspend three Pakistani cricketers - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - for their alleged role in spot-fixing during the Lord's Test a step in the positive direction, Dravid said the inquiry against the trio should be taken to its logical conclusion.

"The last thing we need is for the events of this week to be swept under the carpet. No guilt must be attached until the investigations are complete, and everyone deserves a fair chance to defend themselves. But the process must be thorough and comprehensive," Dravid said.

Dravid, who wants ICC's investigation to be completed before the matter moved on to a "proper inquiry carried out by investigators with the law of the land behind them", said, "It (scandal) has been a horrible scar on cricket, cricketers and fans."

"The most necessary outcome would be swift and strong punishment to anyone found guilty. "In the past people once judged guilty turned up after a few months just because time had passed. It was as if everyone had forgotten what days like these feel like for the majority of honest players in the game," the right-hander said.

While recommending a full-fledged inquiry with severe penalties to those proved guilty, the mainstay of India's Test line-up, said he does not like the security measures which are in place at the moment.

"No one wants to be under watch all the time. I hate that there are cops and security on our floor in every hotel the team lives in, but that is what the game requires," Dravid said.

About ICC's Anti-Corruption Code, he said, "It's not just about the right rules being laid down but also ensuring that people who break those rules pay the penalties and face the consequences."

New one-day format could hurt World Cup chances - Ponting

 Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the new domestic one-day format could damage the World Cup preparations of fringe players.

In a radical departure from the conventional 50-over game, Cricket Australia (CA) recently announced it will trial a 45-over game this season split into two innings of 20 and 25 overs.

Ponting, however, has added his doubts over the new format -- designed to revive flagging interest in the shorter game -- to those of Australia's cricketers association.

"We need to be playing as much 50-over cricket as we can with the World Cup just around the corner," he told reporters on Saturday.

"It'll be okay for the guys that are in the national side, we'll probably play another 12 or 13 one-dayers before the one day World Cup comes around.

"The guys on the fringe that are playing domestic cricket won't play any 50-over games really until that World Cup.

"Probably for the young spinners around Australia in particular, they're going to find it difficult this summer."

The World Cup begins in February in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Ponting insisted the players should have had more of a say before the drastic changes were brought in.

"The players probably felt that they didn't have the input that they probably would have liked to have had," he said.

"I know there's been a lot of speculation about how it's going to be played, but it's up to the players now to play it as well as they can and make it a good spectacle."

Pakistan 'fixing' maybe worst since Cronje

London: ICC boss Haroon Lorgat said on Friday the betting scam allegations involving threePakistan players had the potential to be the worst corruption case in cricket since that of South Africa's Hansie Cronje.

But International Cricket Council chief executive Lorgat, himself a South African, insisted the suspension of the three players did not represent the "tip of an iceberg".

Lorgat, speaking at a news conference at Lord's here on Friday, said: "In terms of corruption in the sport, this must rank as the next worst since the Hansie Cronje case."

A decade ago, former South Africa captain Cronje, who died in a plane crash in 2002, was revealed to have accepted money from bookmakers in a bid to influence the course of games as well as trying to corrupt his team-mates.

Britain's News of the World newspaper alleged that it paid Mazhar Majeed, an agent for several Pakistanplayers, 150,000 pounds (185,000 euros, 230,000 dollars) in return for advance knowledge of pre-arranged no-balls - normally accidental - which could then be bet upon, in last week's fourth Test against England at Lord's.

The tabloid named Test captain Salman Butt and pace bowlers Mohammad Aamer amd Mohammad Asif as the players involved and the trio were all provisionally suspended by the ICC on Thursday.

Lorgat, who insisted the ICC had not, to his knowledge, "buried" fixing cases involving past players, insisted ignorance would not be a defence for any of the trio, even the 18-year-old Aamer. He added they would have all received briefings from the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) about the dangers of match-fixing, some as many as "three or four times".

ACSU head Ronnie Flanagan denied the fact players had been banned on the back of a press report represented a "failure" for his organisation. "Absolutely not," Flanagan, sat alongside Lorgat, insisted.

"If the charges are proven, I congratulate the News of the World on what it's done but it (sting operations) is not something the ICC want us to engage in. We can't be 100 percent fool-proof." He added the ACSU had "prevented" many instances of possible corruption.

"The conclusion that we have come to is that there is a really arguable case to answer," the former Northern Ireland police chief explained. Pakistan's High Commissioner to Britain, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, said Friday the ICC had "no business" to suspend the players while the police investigation was ongoing.

But Lorgat insisted the ICC was not singling out Pakistan, saying it was trying to help the country remain fully involved in world cricket despite the fact it has become a no-go area for the international game since last year's armed attack on Sri Lanka's team bus in Lahore.

"I can assure you there is absolutely no truth there is a conspiracy against Pakistan cricket." Meanwhile Flanagan reiterated the ACSU had, as yet, no evidence that January's Test between Australia andPakistan had been "fixed" after Australia overturned a huge first innings deficit to complete a remarkable win.

"Our view is that it was a dysfunctional tour, things went on that were not in the spirit of the game but we have no evidence they were for financial gain." However, he added: "The ACSU continuously looks at information we receive."

There have been concerns the vast gap between the earnings of Pakistan players and their counterparts in wealthier nations made them particularly vulnerable to underhand approaches.

But Flanagan said: "I assume they are paid in terms of market forces, but whatever they are paid can be no excuse for corrupt or criminal behaviour." The ICC has charged Butt, Aamer and Asif with "various offences" under its anti-corruption code and has suspended them pending a decision on those charges, which Flangan declined to specify as part of his wish to ensure "scrupulous fairness" for the players.

He added this case might lead to a strengthening of the ACSU and, in a wider context, a more co-ordinated approach amongst all sports when it came to combatting issues involving betting scams.

"I do not see this as tip of an iceberg. It's not a contagion widespread throughout cricket, we need to look wider than cricket," Flanagan said

No Indian cricketer ever approached by a bookie: Tendulkar

New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar, in a startling disclosure, said Thursday that in his 21 years of international career no bookie has ever approached an Indian cricketer. Tendulkar's statement comes as a big surprise as his second captain Mohammad Azharuddin was banned for life for match-fixing in 2000.

'No, in my 21 years of international cricket, I have never heard of any Indian player being approached by bookies,' said Tendulkar.

It was perhaps for the first time in all these years, that Tendulkar has spoken on match-fixing and also asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to thoroughly investigate the 'spot-fixing' scandal and punish the Pakistani players if found guilty.

Tendulkar feels the revelations made by the British tabloid The News of the World, if proven true, will bring disrepute to the game that has worked hard to clear itself from the stains of match-fixing scandals in 2000.

'ICC should make a thorough probe in the 'spot-fixing' scandal related stories and take appropriate action if the players are found guilty. If the allegations are true, they will certainly bring disrepute to the game,' said Tendulkar.

Tendulkar said he is not an expert to speak on the topic by sitting far away in India, but the incident has certainly disappointed him.

British tabloid News of the World, in a sting operation, revealed that bookie Mazhar Majeed, who was arrested and then released on bail, allegedly paid 150,000 pounds to Pakistani trio of Test skipper Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer for bowling deliberate no balls at predetermined times during last week's Lord's cricket Test against England.

SAAP BHI MARE,LATHI BHI N TUTE TO KYA PROBLEM HE BHAIJAAN

Actually Scotland n ICC offi. can not understand all this drama ever …. Bt I think ALL INDIANS will agree with dis …… Here’s sm details of d big scandal : Bcoz of tight security , restrictions n constant watches of anti currption squad, It is very hard conditions for bookies to make a big deal now….. n players r also scared to do lik this …. So bookies r trying to convince players in this kind of list risk deals lik spot fixing…. n making them agree easily bcoz players (including d players who had never deal for their gameloss or any kind of country loss) also lik dat non risk formula … (“SAAP BHI MARE,LATHI BHI N TUTE TO KYA PROBLEM HE BHAIJAAN”) THE another face of it : PCB itselfs involved in dis …. Becoz all the great institutions in pak r feeling proud to funding in terrorism activities … n according to their mentality D art OF playing cricket must have to help their communities n giv one share of income to it ……(CRICKET BADA YA KOM  )dats y they r using fixer cricketers n makin their kind of heroes of PAK……………….N sharing all the money SM BIG NAMES r also connected with three fixers .. so they r hiding this … first they agree with London police n now they r defending this 3 , its their strategy to handel it nicely……….. if pcb is not involved , how can bookies meet to players so easily in this kind of security…. Players only can not manage dis.. n I think if pcb had don all this for PAK flood relief funding , they hav to prepare now for the biggest attacking flood of slag to their country……… 

Don't damage Pak cricket, Kapil to ICC

India's former captain Kapil Dev has asked the International Cricket Council and its member countries to ensure that Pakistan cricket is not damaged badly by the spot betting scam currently under probe in England.

Kapil told Geo Super channel that Pakistan cricket was an important part of international cricket and the ICC and its member nations needed to sit down and put their heads together to find out ways to ensurePakistan cricket was not hurt permanently by the fixing scandal.

"The ICC is the sport's world body and its duty is to ensure that its rules and regulations are also followed properly and they need to see how to avoid such situations in future," he said.

Kapil said that as a cricketer he was ashamed with the latest scandal and the way the image of cricket was being hurt but instead of criticism concrete steps were required to educate future generation of cricketers.

"Everybody makes mistakes but you can't hang them, you need to reform them and make them aware about the pitfalls of mixing with undesirable characters. There is a dire need to educate these cricketers.

"We need to work together to save this great sport. This scandal has obviously hurt cricket and understandably the people who support cricketers and the game are also angry but we need to work jointly to win back their confidence.

"Our young players must be educated and Pakistan cricket needs support. They have already suffered because of the security issues in their country," he said.

Kapil, who led India to the 1983 World Cup title win, also felt that only one man could dig Pakistan cricket out of its current state of controversies and problems.

"I think this is the time for Imran Khan to come in to Pakistan cricket and set things right. He is the most honest cricketer from Pakistan and he played with lot of heart. He is one of the most respected cricketers in Pakistan," Kapil said.

"I would love to see him come in and head the cricket board and work with the cricketers. I think he is the right man to take Pakistan cricket out if its current crisis. I know he is a busy man and politician now but he is the best man to lead Pakistan cricket," he added.

my Indian sguad to play for world cup 2011

Hello, mr. Srikanth sir. i think the time is come for to call the real hitting hero Robin Uthappa. He is a wonderfull player, he can change the game very quickly from the opposition. The indian 15 for the world cup will be, Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Raina, Dhoni, Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Harbajan Sing, Zaheer Khan, Nehra, Dhinesh karthik, Virat Kohli, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun. Rohi Sharma not included in the squad because he is not performing well, he got may oppertunities but he not done very much for the team. The comin world cup is on India, Srilanka, Bengladesh etc., so we need atleast 3 spinners in the team, so we have harbajan, Ojha and mithun. We also have five all-rounders, Irfan, Dhoni, Sehwag, Yuvraj, and we can consider Harbajan and Praveen also as an all-rounder. We need karthik only as a second wicket keeper. But the question is, why the selection cimmittee not selecting Uthappa?

Patience And Perseverance

The Kris Srikkanth led selection committee might be tempted to press panic buttons following the inconsistent showing of the Indian team in the just concluded tri series in Sri Lanka. They would be better of in resisting that temptation.

Successive selection committees headed by Dilip Vengsarkar and Srikkanth have made it clear that a youth policy is the best bet for the future, even as they build a team for the World Cup to be held in the sub continent early next year.

By adopting such a policy the selectors have succeeded in picking players who have excelled while making the India the No 1 Test team and the No 2 ODI team in the ICC rankings. The Indian team at full strength is an ideal blend of youth and experience. 

It is important to put into proper perspective the showing in Sri Lanka for it must be remembered that the Indian side was not at full strength. It is never going to be an easy task to take the field without the services of Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan. 

Under the circumstances two wins, two losses and one no result was about par for the course. After all it's well known that Sri Lanka are a difficult team to beat at home and, unlike India and New Zealand, they were at full strength. 

By and large the Indian team is now wearing a settled look and to make changes now is not desirable. I know, questions have been asked as to the failures of the three young batsmen Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Kartik as also Ravindra Jadeja who has not exactly fitted the utility man's slot at No 7. Kohli and Rohit are perhaps the two best young batsmen in the country and to drop them now would be a folly after investing in them for so long. 

Looking ahead to the World Cup it is clear that barring unforeseen circumstances the first choice batsmen will be Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni. Kohli and Rohit should be the first reserves for the extra batsman's slot while Kartik can double up as deputy to Dhoni behind the stumps. In what is expected to be a long campaign it is important to have a second wicketkeeper.

Zaheer, Ashish Nehra and Praveen Kumar should be the first choices for the new ball attack while Harbhajan Singh still remains the No 1 spin bowler. Pragyan Ojha has gained experience and has done well enough to be included as the second spinner, unless the selectors pull off a surprise and recall Murali Kartik, who has been enjoying a successful county cricket season in England for a couple of years now.

For me the only real question mark hovers around the No 7 slot and I have always believed that Irfan Pathan is still the best bet as utility man. Besides bolstering the late order batting he also makes the pace quartet complete. The World Cup squad should be built around these players.

As I said, the team is wearing a well settled look and at full strength is an ideal blend of youth and experience. Any major changes at this juncture with the mega event under six months away will only jeopardize the by and large smooth build up.

The selectors should not get carried away by one or two defeats along the way.

In fact, Srikkanth and his team would do well to take inspiration from the chairman of a previous selection committee some 40 years ago. Vijay Merchant also adopted a youth policy during the 1969-70 season and for the Tests against New Zealand and Australia he gave caps to eight youngsters including Chetan Chauhan, Eknath Solkar, Mohinder Amarnath, Gundappa Viswanath and Ashok Mankad.

When India fared badly, Merchant came in for a lot of criticism for investing too heavily on youth as his detractors put it. Undaunted, he continued to blood youngsters and the following season gave, among others, Sunil Gavaskar his big break. The far sighted approach paid off in 1971 with India winning a Test series in West Indies and then in England both for the first time.

Most of the youngsters blooded by Merchant played notable roles in the twin triumph. The current selection committee should show the same qualities of patience and perseverance.