Guyana icons inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Two more former West Indies icons were inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the lunch break of the first one-day international between West Indies and England at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Friday. 

Lance Gibbs alongside his cousin Clive Lloyd, ex-ICC match referee and now Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, were inducted in a special ceremony in front of a large and appreciative crowd. 

Commemorative caps were presented to the pair by West Indies Cricket Board President (WICB) and International Cricket Council (ICC) director Dr Julian Hunte and Chetram Singh, President of the Guyana Cricket Board in front of a large and appreciative crowd. 

The cousins are two of the three Guyanese players to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, the third inductee being Rohan Kanhai who is due to receive his cap later in the year. 

Lloyd and Gibbs are part of a group of 13 West Indians who are in the initial intake of 55 players into the Hall of Fame*, a joint venture between the ICC and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA). 

In a career divning 18 years, Lloyd played 110 Tests for the West Indies, scoring 7,515 runs, including 18 centuries and finished with an average of 46.67. Lloyd also played in 87 ODIs in which he scored 1,977 runs at an average of 39.54. 

After finishing his career as a cricketer in 1985, Lloyd joined the International Cricket Council in 1992 as part of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and stood in 53 Test matches and 133 ODIs before retiring in 2007.

The 64-year-old Lloyd continues his association with the ICC to this day and is the Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, a role he took over in 2008 from another ICC Cricket Hall of Famer and former India maestro Sunil Gavaskar. 

Reflecting on his induction in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, Lloyd said, “This is a great moment for me to receive my ICC Cricket Hall of Fame cap. I enjoyed my cricket career and I am happy to have done well for my country Guyana and for the West Indies. 

“My greatest honour as a cricketer was to captain the West Indies team and to win the first-ever World Cup in 1975. 

“This is also a great moment for my family as my cousin Lance Gibbs has also been inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. As a young man growing up, I always looked up to him and with him here today makes it that much more special.” 

Gibbs, a crafty off-spinner, played in 79 Test matches for the West Indies taking an impressive 309 wickets. Gibbs career also divned over 18 years for the West Indies during which he took five wickets in an innings 18 times and 10 wickets in a match twice. He had a strike-rate of 87.8, whilst conceding runs at a mere 1.99 per over. 

Gibbs also has the honour of being only the second bowler and first spinner to take over 300 wickets in Test matches, the first bowler being another ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Fred Trueman of England. 

“For me this is a tremendous honour. I am truly delighted to be inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame,” Gibbs said. 

“To be standing alongside players such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Don Bradman and many other outstanding players is truly an honour and the one I will cherish for a very long time. 

“I hope that by being named in the Hall of Fame, this will be a form of encouragement for cricketers in Guyana as well as spinners in the West Indies and around the world.” 

The cap presentation ceremony is a key part of the celebrations to mark the ICC’s centenary year as it acknowledges the greats of the game and the contributions they have made to ensure cricket is a great sport with a great spirit. 

Other ICC Cricket Hall of Famers to have received their caps so far in 2009 are ex-Australia wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, nine former West Indies players or their family members or representatives – batting great Sir Vivian Richards, champion all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, the three Ws Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell, opener Gordon Greenidge and fast bowlers Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts – also ex-South Africa batsmen Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock – and former Pakistan stalwarts Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan. 

Further cap presentations will be made during the course of the year and a limited number of inductees, in addition to the 55 already chosen, will be named during 2009. 

*ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – initial inductees (55): 

Sydney Barnes, Bishan Bedi, Alec Bedser, Richie Benaud, Allan Border, Ian Botham, Geoffrey Boycott, Donald Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Denis Compton, Colin Cowdrey, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Lance Gibbs, Graham Gooch, David Gower, WG Grace, Tom Graveney, Gordon Greenidge, Richard Hadlee, Walter Hammond, Neil Harvey, George Headley, Jack Hobbs, Michael Holding, Leonard Hutton, Rohan Kanhai, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Jim Laker, Harold Larwood, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Clive Lloyd, Hanif Mohammad, Rodney Marsh, Malcolm Marshall, Peter May, Javed Miandad, Keith Miller, Bill O’Reilly, Graeme Pollock, Wilfred Rhodes, Barry Richards, Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Garfield Sobers, Brian Statham, Fred Trueman, Derek Underwood, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Frank Woolley, Frank Worrell. 

About the ICC centenary year 

ICC President David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat officially launched the ICC centenary year in Sydney, Australia on 2 January by announcing the formation of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, in association with FICA. 

The ICC’s centenary year of 2009 will be a global celebration with events taking place around the world to reflect all that is great about the game. 

On the field these events include the ICC Women’s World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the ICC World Twenty20 event for men and women and the ICC Champions Trophy. 

And off the field there will be the opening of the ICC Global Cricket Academy and the inauguration of the ICC’s new headquarters, both of which are in Dubai, and an ICC cricket history conference at St Antony’s College, Oxford in the United Kingdom in July. 

The ICC will also be celebrating the contribution of volunteers across the world through the award of 1,000 centenary medals and will announce new developments to its social responsibility partnership on HIV/AIDS. 

During the course of 2009, each of the ICC’s 104 Members will be hosting activities inspired by the special spirit of cricket as part of the global Catch the Spirit centenary celebration.

ICC Media Release
Saturday, March 21, 2009 2:25:12 PM

Lessons of 2005 can help turn new page for UAE cricket

Four years ago, on the lush, green grass of Castle Avenue in Dublin, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates was beaten by the Netherlands in what was perhaps the single most important match in that year’s ICC Trophy.

It was not the final or even the third/fourth-place play-off but the fifth/sixth-place play-off and considering the top five teams from that tournament won a place at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, it must have seemed like a winner-take-all affair. 

Back now in the somewhat more sandy surrounds of Dubai, Khuram remembers bitterly the feelings of that day when Dutchmen jumped for joy and the world fell out of the UAE’s World Cup dream. But for every crushing defeat there is a rebuilding and Khuram now believes the time is right for cricket in the Emirates to make a long-awaited comeback from the heights it attained by reaching the previous 2003 World Cup in South Africa. 

“Preparations are going very well,” said the 37-year-old all-rounder speaking about next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier (as the ICC Trophy is now known) which will take place in South Africa from 1 to 19 April. 

“We started a couple of months ago with our new coach (former Sussex and England batsman) Colin Wells and the guys are shaping up very well. We have some new players, some youngsters in the team so it looks good for the future as well but we are ready now,” he said. 

Asked about his side’s aspirations going into the big event considering the relative strength of some of the other competing teams, Khuram is unequivocal. 

“Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup. We have played against some of the teams such as Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands and others – they are very good teams but we are going well. We have played some practice matches and we are also involved in the Emirates Airline Pro-Arch tournament against six English county teams taking place in the UAE. I’m sure the other teams are working hard but our preparations are going well too. 

There is obviously a development factor in mind for Khuram and he is anxious that the sport should continue to be promoted in the UAE. 

“I think cricket will grow in the UAE, especially if we qualify for the World Cup. The ICC moving here is also a boost for cricket in the UAE as is the completion of the cricket stadium in Dubai Sports City and the ICC Global Cricket Academy. So cricket is developing here day by day. 

“Cricket has a huge following in the UAE especially if you take the big expatriate populations from places like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. For locals it’s not the number-one sport but there are many local people who play the game and that number is increasing,” he said. 

United Arab Emirates (squad): Khuram Khan (captain), Saqib Ali, Arshad Ali, Amjad Ali, Amjad Javed, Naeem Uddin, Fahad al Hashimi, Zahid Shah, Sameer Nayak, Fayyaz Ahmed, Nithin Gopal, Qasim Zubair, Ravi Kumar, Owais Hameed, Muhammed Aman.

ICC Media Release
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:15:09 PM

ICC announces umpire appointments for play-offs and final of ICC Women's World Cup 2009

The ICC today announced details of the umpire appointments for the play-offs and the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009, which will be played on Saturday and Sunday. 

On Saturday, the third/fourth-place play-off between Australia and India will take place at Bankstown Oval, Sydney with Sarika Prasad and Tony Hill as the on-field umpires and Kathy Cross acting as third umpire. 

The fifth/sixth-place play-off between the West Indies and Pakistan will also be played on Saturday at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney, and will be umpired by Shahul Hameed and Lakani Oala with Neil Harrison performing the duties of third umpire. 

Like the play-offs, match referee Brian Aldridge will lead the playing control team for the final, which will be played between England and New Zealand at the North Sydney Oval, Sydney, on Sunday. 

Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Brian Jerling of the International Panel will be the on-field umpires. Tyron Wijewardena will be the third umpire while Jeff Brookes has been named as fourth umpire. 

Davis, the 56-year-old who made his international debut in December 1992, has stood in 82 ODIs and 17 Tests in men’s international cricket, while 50-year-old Jerling has made 75-ODI and four Test appearances in the men’s game. 

21 Mar – Australia v India, third/fourth-place play-off, Bankstown Oval – Sarika Prasad and Tony Hill, Kathy Cross (third) 
21 Mar – West Indies v Pakistan, fifth/sixth-place play-off, Drummoyne Oval – Shahul Hameed and Lakani Oala, Neil Harrison (third) 
22 Mar – England v New Zealand, final, North Sydney Oval – Brian Aldridge (match referee), Steve Davis and Brian Jerling, Tyron Wijewardena (third), Jeff Brookes (fourth)

ICC Media Release
Friday, March 20, 2009 11:08:57 AM

Hosts try to end campaign on a high

Australia will try to end a disappointing World Cup campaign on a high when it takes on India on Saturday at Bankstown in the 3rd/4th play-off.

It will be trying to avenge a defeat last weekend which effectively destroyed its chances of reaching Sunday’s final.

India, who missed out on the final after defeats to England and New Zealand, will be hoping to continue its excellent bowling performance on Thursday that saw it dismiss the West Indies for 84 all out.

In Saturday’s other game, Pakistan and West Indies will contest the 5th/6th play-off final at Drummoyne.

Both England and New Zealand will train today ahead of tomorrow’s final at North Sydney Oval.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 5:23:55 PM

India beats Australia by three wickets in third-fourth position play-off

India recorded its second successive victory over Australia when it defeated the dethroned world champions by three wickets in the third-fourth play-off at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 at Bankstown Oval on Saturday. 

In a match reduced to 46-over-a-side, due to rain, Australia was all out for 142 in 44.4 overs. India reached the victory target with 13 balls and three wickets to spare. 

Batting first after winning the toss, Australia was in trouble at 27-2 when heavy rain came down and stopped play. When the match resumed, the umpires decided to reduce the match to 46 overs per side but Australia plunged into deeper trouble when play started as it slipped to 63-5 in 27 overs. 


At that stage, captain Karen Rolton and Lisa Sthalekar rescued their side with a gutsy 60-run partnership that allowed the home team to reach 144 all out in 44.4 overs. Rolton finished as the top scorer with a fine 52 that came off 93 balls and included a six and a four while Sthalekar contributed 30 from 32 balls with two fours.


For India, wickets were evenly shared between Jhulan Goswami (2-21), Priyanka Roy (2-21), Rumeli Dhar (2-24) and Gouher Sultana (2-27).

India, in its target chase, put together small but useful partnerships to achieve the target in 43.5 overs. Sulakshana Naik finished as the top scorer with 28 while Rumeli Dhar chipped in with a priceless 24 not out. 

In the fifth-sixth play-off, the West Indies avenged for its four-wicket defeat last Saturday when it defeated Pakistan by three wickets in the fifth-sixth play-off. By virtue of this win, the West Indies retained its fifth-placed ranking while Pakistan jumps from eighth to sixth spot. 

The star of the match was West Indies’ Shanel Daley who claimed her career-best 4-29 to dismiss Pakistan for 131 all out in 46.3 overs. She then returned to contribute 24 with the bat as the West Indies achieved victory with 3.3 overs to spare.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 5:54:49 AM

England and New Zealand ready for final showdown

Kiwis have noses ahead after winning 29 out of 49 matches to date; Haidee Tiffen aims to win her second World Cup while rival captain Charlotte Edwards searches for her first title

Belinda Clark heads selection panel which will decide player of the tournament and ICC Team of the Tournament

Photos from the training sessions of the two teams and captains’ photo with the trophy available for free download from the ICC FTP site

Former champions England and New Zealand will try to add another title to its collection when they square-off in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 in front of the ESPN STAR Sports cameras at North Sydney Oval, Sydney.

England has won the World Cup twice – the inaugural tournament in 1973 on its home turf and then in 1993 when it defeated New Zealand in the final by 67 runs – while New Zealand’s only success has come in 2000 in its backyard when it beat Australia in a dramatic final by four runs.


The two teams have previously met 49 times with New Zealand winning 29 matches and England 18. Their first match against each other in the 1982 World Cup ended in a tie after both the sides finished on 147 at Auckland while one match was abandoned.

The two sides have qualified for the much-awaited final after finishing in the top two of the Super Six stage. After winning their respective groups, both the sides lost one match each in the Super Six stage – England defeating New Zealand by 31 runs last week before losing to Australia by eight wickets on Thursday.

The two teams have showed a lot of flare, aggression, method and purpose behind their performances in the last couple of weeks which is evident from their convincing victories. New Zealand defeated defending champion Australia by 13 runs (D/L Method), West Indies by 56 runs, South Africa by 199 runs, India by five wickets and Pakistan by 223 runs while England also beat Sri Lanka by 100 runs, India by nine wickets, Pakistan by eight wickets and the West Indies by 146 runs.

The players of the two sides are also peaking at the right time with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates clobbering 19 fours and six sixes in a 105-ball 168 against Pakistan on Thursday. She is the second leading run-getter in the tournament after England’s Claire Taylor who has scored 303 runs to date, including a century against Sri Lanka and an unbeaten 69 against India.

Other in-form New Zealand batters include captain Haidee Tiffen, who has scored 249 runs, Amy Satterthwaite (162) and Sara McGlashan (153) while for England openers Caroline Atkins (211) and Sarah Taylor (177) have shown remarkable consistency at the top of the order while captain Charlotte Edwards, ICC’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2008, has yet to find her magical touch despite scoring 127 runs.

England’s Laura Marsh has undoubtedly been the find of the tournament. The 22-year-old off-spinner from Kent has taken 14 wickets so far at an average of 9.28 while New Zealand vice-captain Aimee Mason is her side’s most successful bowler with nine wickets at an average of 14.33.

The two sides had their final workouts on Saturday morning ahead of Sunday’s final and both the captains were confident and excited in their pre-match press conferences.

Haidee Tiffen said: “We are really excited about tomorrow’s game and have been working extremely hard over the last couple of weeks. At the same time, we have been improving on our overall performance on the way.”

“We have been learning as we went along and we have made sure we have given our players plenty of opportunity. That game against Pakistan was great as we got a good hit out.”

Tiffen, who has scored 2,889 runs in 116 ODIs and will equal Maia Lewis’ record of captaining New Zealand in most ODIs (45) on Sunday, said her team would not only depend on Bates. “Against Pakistan, Suzie batted the best I have ever seen of her. She is an outstanding player for us but there were some other good performances on that day and all through the tournament.

“Look, you will be nervous if you are not nervous. There will be some nerves around - that is a positive thing. But it’s all about how you channelize those nerves.”

Haidee, who was also a member of the New Zealand side that won the title in 2000, refused to be drawn into comparing the present side with Emily Drumm’s side. “The memories of the 2000 World Cup are very close to my heart. It is certainly the highlight of my career. Whilst the teams are different, certainly the passion, commitment and pride for our country are evident in both the teams. We are looking forward to (Sunday’s) occasion and the girls have been doing very well.”

In sharp contrast, Charlotte Edwards has been in the three previous semi-finals but will be making her first appearance in the final. She is not only her country’s most experienced player with 123 caps, she is also the most successful batter with 3,647 runs.

Edwards said Sunday’s match would be the biggest match of her career. “I have played in a lot of big games but never in a World Cup final. I am looking forward to tomorrow which will be the biggest game of my career. The World Cup comes only after four years and I think I am lucky to be in the final after three semi-finals,” she said.

“Hopefully, Claire Taylor’s and my experience will see the girls through tomorrow. The good thing about our team is we have youngsters and all they know is success at the moment. It is a good mixture of youth and experience and we have been telling the youngsters to just enjoy the day as not many people play in a World Cup final.

“Yesterday was quite a long day, having a day off. But yes, there is excitement today and we are just ready to play cricket. This is something we have worked towards for a number of years now and we can’t wait for tomorrow to happen and get underway.

“Tomorrow’s match will be all about which team handles the pressure better and whose key players perform. These are two very good and evenly matched teams and the team that plays best cricket on Sunday will win the match.

“On Thursday (against Australia), there was a minor blip but we have been playing good cricket. We have a lot of confidence and are going along nicely.”

Match referee Brian Aldridge will lead the playing control team on Sunday. Steve Davis of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Brian Jerling of the International Panel will be the on-field umpires while Tyron Wijewardena has been named as third umpire and Jeff Brookes will be the fourth umpire.

The player of the tournament will be announced on Sunday while the ICC Team of the Tournament will be named on Monday by a five-member selection panel that includes Belinda Clark, Brian Aldridge, Danny Morrison, Kathy Cross and Allison Mitchell.

Squads: 

New Zealand – Haidee Tiffen (captain), Aimee Mason (vice-captain), Suzie Bates, Nicola Browne, Abby Burrows, Sophie Devine, Lucy Doolan, Sara McGlashan, Beth McNeill, Katey Martin, Rachel Priest, Kate Pulford, Amy Satterthwaite, Sarah Tsukigawa.

England – Charlotte Edwards (captain), Caroline Atkins, Katherine Brunt, Holly Colvin, Lydia Greenway, Lauren Griffiths, Isa Guha, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Beth Morgan, Ebony Rainsford-Brent, Nicola Shaw, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor.

Match referee: Brian Aldridge

Umpires: Steve Davis and Brian Jerling

Third umpire: Tyron Wijewardena

Fourth umpire: Jeff Brookes

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 4:22:56 AM

Daley delighted with career-best figures

Shanel Daley was delighted after winning the Player of the Match Award for the West Indies against Pakistan.

 Daley took career best figures of 4-29 as the West Indies recorded a dramatic three-wicket win over Pakistan in the 5th/6th Play-Off.

“I surprised myself how well I bowled today as I didn’t start that well, but it developed into something good,” said Daley, the daughter of former Jamaican player Aaron Daley.

Although she had hoped that the West Indies would improve on its ranking of five in the world, she was still proud of her side’s efforts.

“I am very proud of the team and our performance. I don’t think we had a great tournament, as I think we could have done better, but that is how it goes,” said Daley.

“I am happy that we maintained our faith, as we haven’t been on the international scene for a while, so I am proud how we came back.”

Daley admitted she has greatly enjoyed her World Cup experience and is keen to gain more experience in Australia to further her cricket education.

“I love Australia and I am hoping to come back next summer to play some club cricket. It has been an amazing experience and I wouldn’t give it up for anything,” she said.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 4:03:02 AM

India captures third place after thrilling victory

India sealed third-place at the ICC Women’s World Cup after a tremendous three-wicket victory over Australia.

In a repeat of the 2005 Final, Australia stumbled its way to 144 all out, in a rain affected innings, with only Karen Rolton (52) and Lisa Sthalekar (30) making any score of note.

India’s bowling display was extremely impressive from the first over, when Jhulan Goswami bowled Leah Poulton, with the wickets shared around the Indian attack.

Sthalekar and Erin Osborne then combined to put India in all kinds of trouble at 104-7, but a 41-run partnership between Rumeli Dhar (24 not out) and Jhulan Goswami (18 not out) helped the side to a brilliant victory.

This was India’s second consecutive victory over Australia, having also beaten them in the Super Six stages.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News- Saturday, March 21, 2009 3:56:01 AM

ICC announces umpire and referee appointments for upcoming series

The International Cricket Council has announced match referee and umpire appointments for upcoming Test, ODI and T20I series in New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. 

On 18 March, the first match in a three-Test series between New Zealand and India will get underway in Hamilton. Alan Hurst of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees will lead the playing control team for all three matches.

Simon Taufel of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Ian Gould of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires will stand in the first Test. When the action moves to Napier for the second Test, Gould will be joined in the middle by Billy Doctrove, also of the Emirates Elite Panel. 

The third Test, in Wellington, will see the return of Taufel, who will officiate with Doctrove. 

Meanwhile, with the Tests now complete, the West Indies and England go head-to-head in a five-match ODI series beginning in Guyana on 20 March. Javagal Srinath of the elite panel will be the match referee for all five matches. Aleem Dar of the elite umpires’ panel will stand in all five matches along with local appointments. 

In South Africa a two-match Twenty20 International series and a five-match ODI series will get underway on 27 March in Johannesburg. Jeff Crowe of the elite panel will be the match referee and he will be joined by local umpire appointments for the two T20Is. 

Ranjan Madugalle, also from the elite referees’ panel, will take charge for the ODIs with Asoka de Silva of the elite panel standing in all five matches along with local appointments. 

Appointments for upcoming series will be made in due course. 

New Zealand 

Series match referee Alan Hurst 

18-22 Mar – New Zealand v India (Test), Hamilton – Simon Taufel and Ian Gould 

26-30 Mar – New Zealand v India (Test), Napier – Billy Doctrove and Ian Gould 

3-7 Apr – New Zealand v India (Test), Wellington – Simon Taufel and Billy Doctrove 

West Indies 

Series match referee Javagal Srinath 

20 Mar – West Indies v England (ODI), Guyana – Aleem Dar and local appointment 

22 Mar – West Indies v England (ODI), Guyana – Aleem Dar and local appointment 

27 Mar – West Indies v England (ODI), Barbados – Aleem Dar and local appointment 

29 Mar – West Indies v England (ODI), Barbados – Aleem Dar and local appointment 

3 Apr – West Indies v England (ODI), St Lucia – Aleem Dar and local appointment 

South Africa 

27 Mar – South Africa v Australia (T20I), Johannesburg – Jeff Crowe (match referee) and two local appointments 

29 Mar – South Africa v Australia (T20I), Centurion – Jeff Crowe (match referee) and two local appointments 

3 Apr – South Africa v Australia (ODI), Durban – Ranjan Madugalle (match referee), Asoka de Silva and local appointment 

5 Apr – South Africa v Australia (ODI), Centurion – Ranjan Madugalle (match referee), Asoka de Silva and local appointment 

9 Apr – South Africa v Australia (ODI), Cape Town – Ranjan Madugalle (match referee), Asoka de Silva and local appointment 

13 Apr – South Africa v Australia (ODI), Port Elizabeth – Ranjan Madugalle (match referee), Asoka de Silva and local appointment 

17 Apr – South Africa v Australia (ODI), Johannesburg – Ranjan Madugalle (match referee), Asoka de Silva and local appointment

ICC Media Release
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 7:44:32 PM

Unbeaten England reaches first final in 16 years

New Zealand stays on course for final showdown against England by overpowering India but needs to beat Pakistan to knock defending champion Australia out of the title race 

Video News Release available via SNTV; photos from the NSO and Drummoyne matches available through Getty Images; images from England and the West Indies match also available from the ICC FTP site 

England sealed a place in its first World Cup final in 16 years when it extended its unbeaten run at this tournament to five matches by defeating the West Indies by 146 runs, while New Zealand stayed on course for a final showdown with Charlotte Edwards’s side when it overpowered India by five wickets in the penultimate matches in the Super Six stage of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2009 on Tuesday. 

At the Drummoyne Oval, England openers Sarah Taylor (78) and Caroline Atkins (50) featured in a 134-run first wicket partnership before Claire Taylor (65) rescued her side from a middle-order collapse as the two-time former champion reached an imposing 236-8 in 50 overs. Off-spinner Laura Marsh then took 3-17 as the West Indies was bowled out for 90 in 38.2 overs, with Shanel Daly unable to bat due to illness. 

At the North Sydney Oval in front of ESPN STAR Sports cameras, New Zealand rode on an excellent 71 by player-of-the-match Kate Pulford and a priceless 47 not out by Suzie Bates to achieve the victory target of 208 runs with five wickets and 15 balls to spare which made it the first side in the tournament to score over 200 runs in the second innings to win a match. 

While England is guaranteed a place in the 22 March final after collecting maximum points, New Zealand now has six points and can set up a repeat of 1993 World Cup final at Lord’s against England if it beats Pakistan on Thursday at Drummoyne. And if it manages to do this, defending champion Australia will be knocked out of the final race and instead will be left to play in the third-fourth place-off against India on 21 March at the Bankstown Oval. 

Australia’s only chance of reaching the final is if it beats England on Thursday and also hope that eighth-ranked Pakistan turns the table on New Zealand. This scenario will put both Australia and New Zealand on even points and on equal wins which will bring the net run-rate into play. 

India can also come into the equation if it beats the West Indies by a convincing margin and both Australia and New Zealand lose their last matches with the net run-rate to decide which team joins England in the final. The calculations are hypothetical and highly unlikely but certainly not impossible. 

At Drummoyne, England showed its class in an excellent all-round performance, even though it collapsed from 134-0 to 178-5 and then from 204-5 to 225-8. However, Claire Taylor brought all her experience into play and held the middle-order innings together to help England reach the fourth highest score of the tournament so far. 

Claire Taylor, the top-ranked batter in the Reliance Mobile ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings for batters, slapped two sixes and six fours in a hurricane 65 that came off 56 balls. 

However, it was player-of-the-match Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins who provided England with another positive start. Taylor, the 19-year-old Londoner, was the first batter to be dismissed in England’s innings when she was run-out for a fine 78 that came off 101 balls and included seven fours. 

Atkins joined Taylor in the dressing room three balls later when she became one of the three Shanel Daley victims after scoring 50 from 95 balls with three fours. When Atkins reached 49, she became only the 11th Englishwoman to score 1,000 or more ODI runs after Charlotte Edwards (3,639), Claire Taylor (3,541), Janette Brittin (2,121), Laura Newton (1,324), Barbara Daniels (1,309), Sarah Taylor (1,244), Arran Brindle (1,176), Clare Connor (1,087), Carole Hodges (1,073) and Jane Smit (1,003). 

West Indies, in its run-chase, never threatened England and was finally bowled out for 90 in 38.2 overs . 

Captain Charlotte Edwards was relieved to reach the final with an impeccable record. She said: “It has been our goal since the previous World Cup to make it to the final. I have been in semi-final before so it is great to finally make it to the final. 

“But the job is only half done and I am sure we will be ready and waiting for Sunday. We’re on a successful run of form at the moment and we don’t want to slip up. We want to keep the winning run and momentum going into the final.” 

Edwards was also happy with Sarah Taylor’s form. “It wasn’t going to be long before she got some runs – she is too talented not to. She is another person firing and we have got everybody where we want them to be. Everybody is in good form and we just have to continue doing the basics well.” 

At the North Sydney Oval, India batted first after winning the toss and despite opener Anjum Chopra’s 18th ODI career half-century managed only 207 all out in 49.4 overs. Chopra (52) hit three fours in a watchful 106-ball knock but it was Reema Malhotra’s knock that lifted India to the eventual score after it had slipped to 153-7. Malhotra clubbed eight fours in a 53-ball 59 not out. 

New Zealand, in its run-chase, took advantage of India’s sloppy bowling and fielding performance to achieve the victory target of 208 with five wickets and 15 balls to spare. 

Kate Pulford and Suzie Bates were the stars of New Zealand’s well calculated run-chase. Pulford shifted gears at the right time and finished with an excellent 71 off 88 balls that included 10 fours. Together with captain Haidee Tiffen (23), Pulford put on 78 runs for the first wicket which was a crucial partnership in the context of the match. 

After Pulford’s departure, Bates took the responsibility of carrying her team through by returning unbeaten on 47 that came off 65 balls and included three fours. 

Haidee Tiffen said her team had approached the match as a semi-final. “I am really pleased with the way the girls lifted themselves after the defeat against England. I saw India’s last game against Australia and had a fair idea how to take them on. 

“I suppose we took the match as a semi-final and came hard at India. I am happy to know that we achieved something which no other team has achieved in the tournament to date (successfully chase a target of 200 or more). I am also happy that we were able to avenge for previous World Cup’s defeat (when India beat New Zealand by 40 runs in the semi-final).” 

India captain Jhulan Goswami was emotional and almost in tears in her post-match press conference. “It is a very disappointing day. We worked extremely hard for the World Cup but all has gone down the drain because of one bad performance. It is a devastating blow to all of us as the next World Cup will be after four years and who know who will be there by then. 

“It is very difficult to lift your spirits after you know you have been knocked out of the title match. But yes, we have to motivate ourselves and try to win matches against the West Indies and Australia so that we could finish, at least, third in the tournament.” 

Scores in brief: 

At Drummoyne, England 236-8, 50 overs (Sarah Taylor 78, Claire Taylor 65, Caroline Atkins 50; Shanel Daley 3-31) 

West Indies 90 all out, 38.2 overs (Deandra Dottin 23; Laura Marsh 3-17) 

England won by 146 runs Scorecard

At North Sydney Oval, Sydney, India 207 all out, 49.4 overs (Reema Malhotra 59 not out, Anjum Chopra 52, Mithali Raj 21; Sophie Devine 2-35, Kate Pulford 2-38) 

New Zealand 210-5, 47.3 overs (Kate Pulford 71, Suzie Bates 47 not out, Haidee Tiffen 23, Aimee Mason 23, Priyanka Roy 2-60) 

New Zealand won by five wickets Scorecard

Fixtures for Thursday 

19 Mar – Australia v England, North Sydney Oval 

19 Mar – India v West Indies, Bankstown 

19 Mar – New Zealand v Pakistan, Drummoyne

ICC Media Release
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 4:46:12 PM

Unfit Antigua ground not to host international cricket for at least 12 months

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) that no more international cricket can take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua until extensive remedial work is carried out and it passes an inspection by the ICC. 

In February the ground was the scene of a Test match between the West Indies and England that lasted just 10 balls before being abandoned because of an outfield that has been described in the ICC’s report as unfit. 

The ICC has also given the WICB an official warning for not preparing the ground effectively for the match. Appropriate work must now be carried out and monitored by the WICB before the inspection can take place. Such inspection will be conducted no earlier than 12 months from yesterday, the day the ICC informed the WICB of its decision. 

The decision is in accordance with the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, which was introduced in 2006 to ensure international cricket was played in conditions of a suitably high standard. 

The first stage of that process followed the match in question on 13 February. Alan Hurst of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees submitted a report to the ICC expressing his concern over the quality of the playing surface. 

Under clause 3.3 of the regulations governing the process, and following receipt of the match referee’s report, the ICC wrote to the WICB enclosing a copy of Mr Hurst’s report. In accordance with clause 3.4 of the regulation the WICB provided a reply to the ICC’s request for information on the reasons behind the condition of the outfield. 

Also in accordance with the process, the ICC’s General Manager – Cricket David Richardson and the ICC’s chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle then considered all the evidence, including studying video footage of the match, before passing judgment. 

Detailing the decision, Mr Richardson said: “We have come to the decision that the outfield was, in fact, unfit for play and of an unacceptable standard for international cricket. 

“The abandoned Test match was an embarrassment to the local authorities in Antigua, to West Indies cricket in general and to the international game as a whole. The image of the game and the integrity of our sport cannot afford to have such farcical scenes play out as they did on the first morning of the match. Steps must be taken to ensure that it never happens again. 

“The responsibility for delivering a venue fit for international cricket rests with the Member Board. This requirement has been agreed by all the Members and was reaffirmed by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee meeting in Johannesburg last month,” said Mr Richardson. 

The ICC had the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue in question in the case of repeated offences.

ICC Media Release
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 4:36:09 PM

ICC Board teleconference confirms Cricket South Africa as new host for ICC Champions Trophy

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board has unanimously agreed that the host of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 will be Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The Board met via teleconference to discuss a recommendation made by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee on the same subject last week.

The decision was made after concerns were expressed over weather conditions in Colombo during the dates set aside for the tournament, 24 September to 5 October. This is especially relevant given that the length of this year’s ICC Champions Trophy has been reduced to a short, sharp 12 days as on that basis there would be no room for reserve days.

With the need to minimise risk and create certainty around the event, the meeting agreed to recommend that CSA be sought as the alternative host, with Wanderers and Centurion as the venues, provided agreement on the financial arrangements can be reached. Originally planned for Pakistan, the venue for the event had to be shifted due to security concerns.

ICC President David Morgan said: “I think the Board has made a sensible decision that will give the event every chance of success. We now have clarity on the subject and we can make firm plans for what is going to be a great spectacle of ODI cricket.

“With Wanderers and Centurion, Cricket South Africa can provide two world-class venues in what is effectively one location and as we know from the ICC World Twenty20 2007, weather conditions in the area around Johannesburg in September and October are stable and ideal for cricket.

“I would like to thank Sri Lanka Cricket for its commitment to offer an alternative to Pakistan. And also, I want to acknowledge its willingness to step aside in this matter. I’d also like to thank CSA for putting its hand up and offering to host this event.”

The Board also considered expressions of interest from other potential venues. However, in order to attain immediate certainty and clarity, South Africa was identified as the preferred location on this occasion.

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: “In particular, we looked at an impressive submission from the United Arab Emirates. Although not successful on this occasion, I have no doubt Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be the scene for top-level international cricket in the future and I certainly would not rule out the possibility of an ICC event being hosted there at some stage.”

The teleconference also unanimously agreed that the dates for next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies would be between 30 April and 16 May.

The tournament will take place in St Lucia, Guyana, Barbados and St Kitts with the latter island staging matches in the women’s tournament that will take place at the same time.

ICC Media Release
Monday, March 16, 2009 7:29:59 PM

William says Ireland is ready to conquer the Associate world

Captain Porterfield says main threat will come from old foe and defending champion Scotland 

Following the success of Ireland at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies, expectations were high that the team would continue to make strides on the world stage. 

After a brief period of coming back down to Earth which coincided with a number of key players being unavailable, William Porterfield’s team returned to winning ways, making it through to the ICC World Twenty20 in England later this year as well as winning its third successive ICC Intercontinental Cup and other regional events. 

But with that success comes more expectation and Ireland is one of the favourites to win the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier which gets underway in South Africa on 1 April. Porterfield maintains that the expectation translates into the team as confidence rather than pressure. 

“We are quietly confident within the squad in the preparation we’ve been doing,” said the 24-year-old opening batsman. 

“We know it’s not going to be easy – we saw that before the last World Cup (at the ICC World Cricket League Division 1) in Kenya when we failed to perform so we’re taking nothing for granted. But we’re still quietly confident we can go all the way,” he said. 

“There probably will be some extra pressure on us but we are not looking at it like that. We were favourites going into the World Twenty20 Qualifier last year and we came through on top so we know we are going to have to deal with the tag as favourite and the pressure that goes with that. We would rather have the tag as number-one Associate and we will be trying to end the tournament in South Africa in the same position.” 

“I think cricket in Ireland has been developing really well. Even since the World Cup in 2007 I think we have taken some massive steps. I think we’ve got to continue to take those strides and so qualification for all the major tournaments is a must for ourselves. We have to not only be the best Associate team but also be knocking on the door of Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and trying to compete with them before we move up a level. It’s a really exciting time to be involved in Irish cricket.” 

Coming out of the European winter, there is the danger that Ireland will be a little rusty compared to sides from Africa and Asia who have plenty of match practice under their belts. But Porterfield is happy with preparations so far. 

“We have had a long pre-season indoors and we are just looking forward to getting outdoors now and putting into practice what we have been training for. The guys are in good shape, we have a full squad and we are very excited. 

It’s one thing getting to the top but it’s another thing staying there. One of the biggest things the Ireland players have to guard against these days is complacency when they take the field against teams they know they should beat. 

“Anyone who has seen what we have been doing over the past few weeks and months will know that we are a side that doesn’t get complacent,” said Porterfield. 

“We know we have to stay one step ahead of everyone else. The level we are playing at, everyone knows everyone else – you know where their strengths are and where their weaknesses are and so we are constantly trying to improve so we can stay ahead of the game.” 

So where will the main threat come from? Unsurprisingly, Porterfield says the Ireland v Scotland rivalry, which has been bubbling along since 1888 and is one of the oldest in international cricket, will be hugely important to how Group A finishes. The Scots beat Ireland in the final of this competition four years ago and the men in green will be out for revenge. 

“Scotland will be one of the main contenders in our group. On paper that will be one of the biggest games for us but as we have seen in previous tournaments, anyone can cause an upset. We won’t be taking anything for granted and we’ll be treating the next game as the most important. Our opening game is against Scotland so that will be our main focus initially so we can hopefully get off to a winning start. 

“We do know the opposition quite well at this stage so we will have individual plans as well as team plans going into the tournament and certain games. But we’re focusing on what we can do and if we’re on top of our game going into the tournament then that is the main thing for us. 

“We’ve got a full-strength team with all the county boys back. From a bowling point of view I think Boyd Rankin could cause a bit of trouble with his extra height and bounce. From a batting perspective we’ll have Eoin Morgan who has just come back off England Lions duty so he’ll definitely be one to watch out for. 

Ireland (squad): William Porterfield (captain), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, John Mooney, Eoin Morgan, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Regan West, Andrew White, Gary Wilson. 

This captain’s interview is one of 12 being sent out in the days leading up to the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The schedule for those releases is as follows (including those that have been sent out already): 

31 Jan – confirmation of all 12 participating teams 

10 Feb – fixtures and venues confirmation 

10 Mar – squad announcements (all 12 squads) 

Releases (12) in the month beforehand, each focusing on one of the teams: 

11 Mar – Namibia 

12 Mar – Bermuda 

13 Mar – Scotland 

16 Mar – Ireland 

17 Mar – Afghanistan 

18 Mar – Canada 

19 Mar – Netherlands 

20 Mar – UAE 

23 Mar – Uganda 

24 Mar – Kenya 

25 Mar – Oman 

26 Mar – Denmark 

In addition, there will be further tournament previews and other features sent out before the event gets underway on 1 April. 

In total there are eight venues being used for 54 matches played over 19 days with 12 teams fighting it out for the four qualification places on offer in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. 

The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, formerly known as the ICC Trophy, incorporates Divisions 1 and 2 of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League and is the gateway for the top Associate and Affiliate teams into the premier one-day tournament in the world. 

Day one of the event offers up perhaps the most eagerly awaited fixture of all with defending champion Scotland taking on fierce rival Ireland in an ODI at Willowmoore Park in what will be a repeat of the final in 2005. 

Among the teams will be Afghanistan and Uganda, which both qualified from January’s Pepsi World Cricket League Division 3 event in Buenos Aires. The WCL was created to provide a clear pathway for teams outside the top 10 towards improvement and ultimately, the ICC Cricket World Cup. This global event gives ICC Associate and Affiliate Members the opportunity to play similarly ranked sides in meaningful competition regardless of where they are located in the world. 

The 12 teams taking part in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier are split into two groups of six teams. Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Oman, Namibia and Uganda make up Group A while Kenya, Netherlands, Bermuda, UAE, Denmark and Afghanistan form Group B. 

Each side plays the other teams in its group once with the top four from the groups progressing to the Super Eight stage. The teams each play four Super Eight matches against the sides they did not meet in the group stage. All points won in the groups will be carried over to the Super Eight stage apart from those gained against the bottom two from each group. 

The top two teams in the Super Eight stage will contest the final to be played at Centurion on 19 April. The third and fourth-placed sides will play-off at Potchefstroom, the fifth and sixth-placed sides play off at Willowmoore Park while the seventh and eighth-placed teams play off at Stan Friedman Oval, Krugersdorp. 

The top four sides at the event qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The top six teams secure ODI status until 2013 and also qualify automatically for the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10. 

The bottom two teams from the CWCQ, which incorporates Divisions 1 and 2 of the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League, will be relegated to Division 3.

ICC Media Release
Monday, March 16, 2009 4:47:59 PM

We are desperate for a win: Flower

Former Zimbabwe glovesman, Andy Flower, who is now in the running to become the next coach of England, says that his team is desperate for win in the forthcoming series against West Indies. 

England was recently defeated 1-0 in the five-Test series and, on Sunday, loss again in a Twenty20 International against the same opponents. It has been a long time since England have won a match in any of the three formats of the game and like many of its players, Andy Flower – batting coach of the team – is also clearly frustrated at the lack of victories. 

The last match England won was the fourth ODI against South Africa in Lord’s in September last year. 

Since then it has lost the Stanford Twenty20 against West Indies, the five-ODI series against India and the two-Tests, also against India before the string of bad luck continued in the Caribbean. 

However Flower believes his team has a better chance in the limited overs format. 

"In one-day cricket I think we've got a clearer idea. We had some success against South Africa at the end of last season. We also went to India and even though we were soundly beaten in India, our batsmen were quite consistent and I think we have a better idea of how we to go about playing one-day cricket than Twenty20 cricket." 

"As an international cricketer, you're always under a certain amount of pressure. As a team, you're under pressure to win the game and, as an individual, you're under pressure to succeed and selection matters put you under pressure.” 
He went on to add, “Players have to find their own way of dealing with the pressures of international cricket. If you can, you'll have a successful career but if you can't, you won't." 

The five-match limited overs series against West Indies commences on March 20 at Guyana. 

“It's been a long, hard winter, but we look at these five games now as a separate tournament and we want to win this section of the tour." 

West Indies skipper Chris Gayle, who was injured in the fifth Test and subsequently missed the Twenty20 International, will return to captain the side for the ODIs. 

Although he is back with the team, after being treated for injury, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will not be part of the squad, at least, for the first few ODIs.

Sportz Interactive

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:29:53 PM

Mendis released from hospital

Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis has been released from hospital, two weeks after being trapped in the attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, Pakistan. 

Mendis was one of seven Sri Lankan players injured in the attack. Thilan Samaraweera and Mendis were admitted in a hospital in Colombo upon their return to Sri Lanka. 

Mendis recently became the fastest player in history of the game to scalp 50 one-day international victims. 

The Lankan players were injured when terrorists targeted the team bus as the team made its way to the Gadaffi Stadium for the third day of the second Test against Pakistan on March 3. 

Samaraweera had suffered the most serious injury among the Lankan players. Doctors removed a bullet from Samaraweera's left thigh and he is expected to be discharged in 2-3 days. 

Training for the rest of the team is expected to start from next week. The doctors informed that physiologists were also appointed to work with the players and that will continue for several more days. 

Kumar Sangakkara is the new skipper of Sri Lanka after Mahela Jayawardena stepped down from the role after the second Test against Pakistan.

Sportz Interactive
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:28:33 PM

India out to end 41-year Test drought in NZ

After securing its first limited-overs series victory in New Zealand, India begins its quest for its first cricket Test series win in the country in 41 years beginning on Wednesday. 

India enters the three-Test series in a confident mood after beating New Zealand 3-1 in the rain-affected five-match limited-overs series. New Zealand, which previously won two Twenty20 internationals, regained some confidence when it achieved a consolation victory in the last one-day international in Auckland on Saturday. 

Indian batsman Virender Sehwag, particularly, dominated New Zealand's bowlers in the ODIs which were played on perfect batting wickets. The reinforcement of the Indian Test squad with players such as Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman promises to make their batting lineup more formidable. 

New Zealand's hope is that the Test series will offer both weather and pitch conditions which will better suit its bowlers, and will cause the Indian batsmen the difficulties of adjustment which have cost them every Test series they have played in New Zealand since 1968. 

The pitch at Hamilton's Seddon Park, a pleasant tree-lined oval near the center of New Zealand's fifth-largest city, has traditionally been helpful to bowlers and is likely to have more early grass-covering than the one-day pitches. 

When the teams last met in the city in December 2002 India tumbled to a hefty series defeat as both teams failed to make 100 in their first innings and New Zealand won by four wickets chasing 160. 

Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag and captain M.S. Dhoni are the ones who have a better understanding of Kiwi conditions. 

Dhoni was still reluctant to presume India's one-day success will translate to the Test arena, or admit New Zealand's win on Saturday had interrupted his team's momentum. 

"Before the one-day series, I was asked the same question because of the Twenty20 defeats," Dhoni said. 

"As I said, it's not about what we have done. We have to start from scratch again. Nothing changes; particularly when it comes to Test cricket, where you have to play consistent cricket over a period of time. I don't think (the defeat) matters when it comes to the last game of a one-day series." 

The New Zealand bowlers suffered some bruising to their confidence in the one-day series especially from Sehwag, who accumulated 299 runs at a strike rate of 150 with a top score of 125, and Tendulkar who scored 163 in Christchurch. 

The addition of Chris Martin, James Franklin and the uncapped Brent Arnel to their Test squad offers some hope those wounds won't be carried over to the Tests. 

New Zealand coach Andy Moles said his players respected India but were not intimidated by them. 

"We know that India are a great side. We respect them but we are not scared of them. We showed that (on Saturday)," Moles said. 

"We got early wickets and that put them under pressure. They make mistakes like everybody else."

AP
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:37:25 AM

Marcus North to replace Adam Voges in Australia Twenty20 squad

Cricket Australia today advised that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has replaced Adam Voges in the Australian Twenty20 and the One-day International squad for the Tour of South Africa 2009 with Western Australia all-rounder Marcus North.

Voges is getting married in Perth during the ODI series in South Africa and the NSP has replaced Adam for the duration of that series.

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said: “Adam was selected in the Twenty20 and ODI squad for the VB tour of South Africa. On being informed by Adam that he is to be married during that series, Adam requested consideration be given for him to fly back to Australia for the wedding. This would have rendered him unavailable for at least one if not two ODI’s of the five match series. Given the risk of injury in Adam‘s absence which could have left the Australian squad one batsman short for the tour, the NSP weren’t able to meet that request. Accordingly Adam informed us yesterday that he was withdrawing from the tour. Obviously this is a difficult decision for Adam to make and the NSP understands the position he’s in and the decision he’s made.

“The NSP has replaced Adam for the Twenty20 and ODI tour with Marcus North. Marcus was closely considered for original selection given his good form, which included a century in the Ford Ranger Cup immediately prior to the South African tour. That coupled with his excellent form since arriving in South Africa has led to his inclusion in this squad. We’re sure Marcus is in prime form to take this opportunity.”

Cricket Australia Media Advisory
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 7:19:12 AM

Gayle returns for WI against England

Captain Chris Gayle has returned to the West Indies squad for the first two one-day international games of a five-match series against England in Guyana on Friday and Sunday. 

The hard-hitting left-hander strained his right hamstring during the drawn fifth and final Test at the Queen's Park Oval last week, and missed the one-off Twenty20 International victory at the same venue on Sunday. 

The 29-year-old comes back at the expense of Andre Fletcher, who made only six in Sunday's contest that the West Indies won by six wickets. 

Denesh Ramdin, who stood in as skipper for the Twenty20 International match, is retained as vice-captain. 

There are two other changes from the initial Twenty20 squad with Jerome Taylor omitted because of a left calf strain that had already forced him to miss the fifth Test and the Twenty20 game itself. 

Fellow Jamaican pacer Daren Powell, who played all five Tests in the recently-concluded series, takes Taylor's place in the side. 

Sulieman Benn, who played a major role in West Indies' victories in the first Test and on Sunday, has been dropped. 

Fellow left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, with an impressive record in his 11 previous one-dayers, is recalled.

AP
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:43:10 AM

England aims to secure place in final

England goes into Tuesday’s match against the West Indies looking to secure a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup Final.
Knowing a win will guarantee it a place in Sunday’s final, England has been the team to beat at this event, and they have certainly impressed Australian legend Belinda Clark.

“England has played really well and I think they came to this tournament as favourites. As much as people were saying that Australia and New Zealand have played a lot of good cricket is true, but England comes with more experience than any other squad at this tournament, and have players in the top places in the rankings. Whether they can sustain it will be interesting as now the favourites tag is on them they will have to learn to cope with that pressure,” said Clark.

England has won three out of the five matches played between the side, with one loss in 1979 and one no result, and it comfortably won the last match between the two sides by 10 wickets on a green, seaming wicket at Loughborough last year.

In today’s other match, a repeat of the Women’s World Cup semi-final in 2005, India takes on New Zealand.

Both teams know that victory will go a long way towards claiming a spot in Sunday’s final, with New Zealand going into the match on a four-match winning streak against India in ODI games, although Jhulan Goswami’s side did win the friendly warm-up game between the two sides ahead of the tournament.

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News -Tuesday, March 17, 2009 6:22:06 PM

Pulford puts New Zealand a step closer to big day

A brilliant all-round performance from Kate Pulford helped New Zealand take a step closer to the ICC Women’s World Cup Final.

Two wickets and a sparkling 71 from 88 balls helped her side to a five-wicket win over India with 14 balls to spare and the Player of the Match Award.

Earlier half centuries from Reema Malhotra (59) and Anjum Chopra (52) rescued India’s innings as it posted a total of 207 all out of 49.4 overs.

Having been 83-4 and 126-6 this represented a solid recovery, in a keenly contested battle between two of the event favourites.

Sophie Devine and Kate Pulford both took two wickets, but Reema Malhotra’s powerful hitting transformed the innings as she struck eight boundaries in her 53-ball innings.

Pulford (71) and Tiffen (28) provided a solid opening partnership of 78, before Pulford finally fell when the score was 109.

A regular fall of wickets provided India with hope, but an excellent innings from Suzie Bates (47 not out) and Aimee Mason (23 off 16 balls) helped it comfortably reach its target.

New Zealand now faces Pakistan on Thursday knowing a win will guarantee its place in the ICC Women's World Cup Final. 

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News -Tuesday, March 17, 2009 2:30:00 AM

The two Taylors take England to World Cup Final

England sealed a place in the ICC Women’s World Cup final after a comprehensive 146-run win over the West Indies.

Player of the Match Sarah Taylor, made an excellent 78, while fifties from Claire Taylor and Caroline Atkins, helped build an imposing England total, before spinner Laura Marsh added to her growing reputation with three wickets.

On a difficult Drummoyne wicket, Sarah Taylor (78) and Caroline Atkins (50) added 134 for the first-wicket to give England a solid base, but the loss of four wickets for just 11 runs gave Charlotte Edwards’ side some cause for concern.

A brilliant innings from Claire Taylor then helped it record the fourth highest total of the tournament to date as it reached 236-8 off 50 overs.

Taylor smashed a brilliant 65, off 56 balls, including two sixes, as she gave the England innings some much needed momentum.

In reply, the West Indies never looked like reaching its target, despite some big hitting from Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin who both hit sixes.

Dottin, who top scored with 23, put on a useful 44-run partnership for the West Indies, as it attempted to recover from 22-4.

But once Dottin was dismissed, the rest of the batting crumbled and it was eventually dismissed for 90 all out with Marsh taking 3-17. 

ICC Women's World Cup 2009  News -Tuesday, March 17, 2009 1:46:19 AM

No resolution yet on IPL dates

The Indian Premier League's 2009 season remained in doubt on Monday as organizers failed to secure the federal government's clearance on security for players and spectators during the lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

A meeting between Indian cricket board officials and top bureaucrats of the interior ministry ended without resolution Monday, less than a month before the competition is due to start.

"There's been no decision. The Home Ministry and the BCCI conveyed their respective views, and we also explained the concerns of the various stakeholders," Narainswamy Srinivasan, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said after the 90-minute meeting.

The Home Ministry, which has expressed concern about the six-week IPL tournament clashing with the country's general elections and stretching security forces too far, has now rejected two proposed schedules submitted by the IPL.

The league was scheduled to run April 10-May 24, while the elections for the Indian Parliament's lower house will take place across the country in five different phases between April 16 and May 13.

Tournament organizers altered their original match schedule after federal interior minister Palaniappan Chidambaram cited security problems due to the clash between the elections and the IPL.

Even the revised match schedule, designed to keep matches away from a city or state on the relevant polling dates, was rejected on Friday.

The BCCI sought Monday's meeting with the central government's interior ministry as several states had expressed a reluctance to host matches.

IPL officials are keen to stick to the same timeframe as it might not be possible to find another slot for the tournament on a crowded international calendar, with most of the star players required for the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.

The IPL has promised to take charge of all player security arrangements for the event, with tournament chief Lalit Modi saying the security budget was 10-times what it had been for the 2008 event.

AP
Monday, March 16, 2009 5:59:51 PM

McGain happy to wait for his Baggy Green dream

Bryce McGain, the only member of the Australian touring party to yet earn a Test cap, is happy waiting for his turn but with Australia having already wrapped up the series 2-0, the 36-year old may finally get the coveted Baggy Green when the third Test gets underway on March 19 at Cape Town. 

McGain was overlooked for the first two Tests in the ongoing series as Australia fielded its most inexperienced team and yet emerged victorious beating the hosts, South Africa, convincingly. Marcus North’s part time off spinners were preferred in the opening Test in Johannesburg and Simon Katich’s left arm wrist spin were employed in the Durban Test. 

A full-time bank employee for 17 years, McGain is just two weeks away from turning 37. After having already waited so much, the leggie does not mind waiting a bit more. 

The Newlands pitch is traditionally flat and offers turn and with the series in the bag, there is a possibility that McGain will be tried to asses his bowling before the Ashes. 

However, McGain's Test hopes face a hurdle in the form of opening batsman Simon Katich, whose three-wicket haul in South Africa's second innings served as a reminder of his potential with his left-arm wrist-spinners. 

"Of course I'd love to be playing - that's what we all want to do and play our role on the field. But if my role at the moment is running drinks around, that's okay, I'm happy to do it at the moment," McGain said. 

"As conditions change, the team make-up might change. Looking forward it's probably going to be hard to change a winning combination, they're doing so well." 

With Simon Katich's occasional spin claiming three key scalps in the second Test, the selectors may consider adding a full-time spinner to the starting eleven for the third and final Test at Newlands but, for now, McGain is happy to share in the success of his teammates. 

"I'm rapt for [Katich]. I'm as excited as he is," he enthused. 

"I guess that's the way I am. If I don't get a chance, well, I don't get a chance. I can't control that. But I know that if I do get the chance I'm going to grab it with both hands and do the very best I can. I'll be mentally nice and clear in my mind what I need to do." 

After suffering a series loss at home against the South Africans, the team suffered a barrage of criticism, but McGain insists the players always knew they could turn things around. 

"We haven't really been following the press back home but we understand now that there were some murmurings that maybe we were the worst group to go away," he said. 

"I know that there was a lot of belief in the group before we went and it's just a good bunch of cricketers. We've played against each other domestically for a long time. We knew everyone had the talent to put it all together."

Sportz Interactive
Monday, March 16, 2009 5:52:29 PM

Franklin looking forward to Test series against India

New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin says that he is looking forward to getting runs and taking wickets in the forthcoming Test series against India.

Franklin believes that his current form will hold him in good stead for the upcoming Test series against India. In a recent concluded first-class match, the all-rounder scored 76 and 107 and picked up three wickets in the first innings.

The fast bowler’s recent success with the bat gives him an edge to make it to the playing eleven at Hamilton when the first Test gets underway on March 18.

"I just do whatever job is asked of me by the captain and the team. If I do bat at 6 or 7, it will be great. I know there is responsibility there to score runs in that position." 

“I have had a good hit over the last three days at Wellington and Napier. It is nice to get a few runs and wickets under my belt.”

Franklin, who has six four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls in his 23 Tests, has not played a single match against India.

“My international career has been going for eight years now, but I am still to come up against the Indian batting line-up, which I am looking forward to," said the 28-year-old left-arm bowler.

According to the fast bowler India’s recent 3-1 drubbing in the one day international series gives the visitors a good advantage going into the Test matches.

"They played really well in the last couple of weeks in the one-dayers and have shown that they are a powerful batting line-up. We have got to be at the top of our game in the Test series.”

He continued by showering praises on the Indian bowlers who have been bowling consistently well in the recent past.

"Zaheer Khan is a wily old fox and he has been bowling very well of late. Ishant Sharma has been bowling fantastically in Test cricket since last year. Then there is Harbhajan (Singh) and (Amit) Mishra as well.”

“It is going to be a tough task, but I think we are well and truly capable of playing up to."

Asked what variation he will bring to the squad Franklin said, “I bring a little bit of variation as a left-arm bowler. I can swing the ball, so it will be a different angle of attack for the batsmen to come up against."

Sportz Interactive
Monday, March 16, 2009 5:29:29 PM

Sarwan steers WI to T20 win over Eng

An inspired performance by Ramnaresh Sarwan steered the West Indies to a comfortable six-wicket victory over England in their one-off Twenty20 International match at the Queen's Park Oval on Sunday. 

Sarwan helped run out two England players and then hit a fine 59 to spur the West Indies to 123-4 off 18 overs, finishing with 12 balls remaining, in reply to the visitors' modest 121 all out off 19.1 overs. 

Opener Steve Davies, on his international debut, top scored for England with 27. But Sulieman Benn took 3-24 and a total of three run outs caused England's innings to stutter. 

There was also a wicket apiece for Lionel Baker (1-12), Darren Sammy (1-14), Fidel Edwards (1-18) and Dwayne Bravo (1-34). 

The West Indies lost an early wicket but Sarwan, the standout batsman in the preceding Test series, guided his side to victory. 

Having already engineered the run-outs of Gareth Batty and Dimitri Mascarenhas, the 28-year-old right-hander lashed four fours and two sixes off 46 balls before he fell with the victory in sight. 

Lendl Simmons contributed a level-headed 23 not out while Kieron Pollard (4 not out) ended the match with a boundary.

AP
Monday, March 16, 2009 10:44:13 AM