Afridi handed two-game ban

Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi has been banned for two Twenty20 internationals after appearing to bite the ball during the fifth one-dayer against Australia.

pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi

The all-rounder was caught by television cameras putting the ball in his mouth during a match that the tourists lost by two wickets at the WACA in Perth.

The third umpire reported the incident to the on-field officials Asoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel, who immediately ordered the ball be replaced.

In a hearing straight after the game, Afridi pleaded guilty to breaching article 2.2.9 of the International Cricket Council’s Code Of Conduct after being charged with “changing the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket”.

Maximum penalty

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle decided to imposed two suspension points on the player, equating to two T20 matches for his country.

“I imposed the maximum penalty under the code to Shahid and reminded him of his responsibilities as a national captain which is to ensure that the match is played according to the laws of the game and in the spirit in which it is intended to be played,” Madugalle said.

“Shahid, when pleading guilty, apologised and regretted his actions.”

Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam branded the behaviour of Afridi, who was captaining the side in the absence of Mohammad Yousuf, as “unacceptable”.

“It’s unacceptable,” said Alam. “It shouldn’t have happened but it happened and I feel sorry for him.

“Being a captain you should be above everything but unfortunately it’s happened and it’s up to the referee what sort of charges he’s going to level against him. I have no idea.”

Afridi will now miss the fixture against Australia on February 5, as well as the first of two matches against England in Dubai on February 19.

Spectator

The game was also overshadowed by an incident during the home side’s run chase when a fan ran onto the field and rugby tackled Pakistan’s Kalid Latif, who was not hurt in the incident.

Australia seamer Clint McKay, who took 4-35 to help bowl the tourists out for 212 earlier in the day, was outraged by the spectator’s intrusion.

“I thought it was disgraceful,” he said. “Something you don’t want to see ever.

“For someone to go out there and to touch one of their players is not on. Hopefully it all gets put to bed and he gets a right whack. It’s not something you want to happen.

“It’s probably the worst thing that can happen on a cricket field, so hopefully it gets stamped out and we don’t see it again.”

Preview:India look to wrap up series

A win away from clinching the series, India will bank on their explosive batting line-up as they battle history and injury in the fourth One-day international against Sri Lanka at the half-filled Eden Gardens here Thursday.

Indian cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, left, and Virender Sehwag interact during a practice session

The rollicking form of seasoned campaigners Sachin Tendulkar (208 at 104 average) and stand-in-skipper Virender Sehwag (194 at 64.66 average) is a big plus for the hosts with the duo having amassed nearly 400 runs between them in the five-game series that India lead 2-1.

But more vital is the way they have scored the runs. While Tendulkar has a strike rate of 94.97, Sehwag’s is an enviable 144.97, and the Lankan bowlers must be burning the midnight oil to find a way out to check their tormentors on a ground which is hosting an ODI after 32 months.

Gautam Gambhir, the other vital cog in the Indian batting department, has so far failed to fire in the series and the hosts would be hoping that he gets into form on the morrow in the absence of regular skipper and aggressive bat Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is serving a two-game ban for India’s slow overrate in the second ODI at Nagpur.

India are also without the stylish left hander Yuvraj Singh, who has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the series with a finger injury.

In bowling, young left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja’s spectacular showing (4-32) in the third ODI at Cuttack has raised hopes of finding a suitable partner for experienced offie Harbhajan Singh, more so at Eden, where the spinners have often played a decisive role.

Having last staged an ODI in February 2007, one would have hoped to see a full house at the large Eden stadium, but the renovation of four galleries in preparation for the 2011 World Cup has reduced its capacity.

With only 53 percent of the seats in the 83,635-capacity stadium now available, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has done away with priced tickets for the match, which will be the fourth the two teams will play here. They have won one apiece while the other was a no-result.

For Sri Lanka, dashing opener Tillakratne Dilshan has been in superb form, cracking two back-to-back hundreds before a blitzy 18-ball 41 at Cuttack. Dilshan’s opening partner Upul Tharanga and skipper Kumar Sangakkara are also among runs, though Mahela Jayawardene is going through a lean patch.

Speaking to mediapersons on the match-eve, Sehwag said the Indians would aim to get Dilshan out quickly.

“It is difficult to stop him. It is better to try and get him out. If we can get his wicket, we can put pressure on the Sri Lankan middle order,” he said.

The visitors are also playing the series without several of their regulars, and the absence of the Muttiah Muralitharan — back home after the Test series following an injury — could hurt the Lankans the most Thursday.

The 40-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya, whose aggressive batting and part-time spin could come in handy for the Lankans, may make a comeback into the team after being dropped for two ODIs.

“There is always a chance for him to play. We haven’t finalised the 11,” said Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss at the pre-match media meet.

Bayliss did not think Dhoni and Yuvraj’s unavailability would give a boost to his side. “They have only two players out of the team. We have five,” he pointed out.

The pitch appeared firm, but the extent of the wind and the dew could play a vital part in determining the course of Thursday’s game.

Sewhag said he would opt to field if he won the toss to avoid the problems the bowlers could face because of the evening dew.

Bayliss, however, said the wicket looked hard and good and full of runs.

Traditionally, the sprawling Eden Gardens has seen moderate scores, compared to the now-familiar scenes of teams belting 350 or even more in the 50-over games on other parks. Only once has a team scored 300 plus on this ground, and the credit goes to Sri Lanka who amassed 301 against Pakistan 12 years ago.

While India have emerged victorious in eight of their 15 limited over games at Eden, they lost three of their last four ties. One was rained out.

Sri Lanka have won three of their half-a-dozen games at Eden and lost two, while one was washed out.

Teams (from):

India: Virender Sehwag (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma and Sudeep Tyagi.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain-wicketkeeper), Tillakaratne Dilshan, SanathJayasuriya, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Tharanga, Chanaka Welegedara, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Suraj Randiv and Thissara Perera.

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (South Africa), Sanjay Hazare (India).

Third umpire: Shavir Tarapore.

Match starts at 2.30 p.m.

Preview:First Test South Africa vs England

Experienced South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis will not be able to bowl in the first test against England, captain Graeme Smith said on Tuesday.

Jacques Kallis of South Africa stretches during a South Africa Nets Session at Centurion Park on December 15, 2009 in Centurion, South Africa.

Kallis has fractured rib cartilage and will play as a specialist batsman only, weakening an attack that will rely on fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel and spinner Paul Harris.

“We obviously won’t have the luxury of Jacques bowling, but the other bowlers know they have to take responsibility and they’ve been picked to do their jobs well,” Smith told a news conference.

“It’s been a lengthy period since we last played test cricket but we have a very mature squad who have enjoyed a lot of success and they know what to do. We are as best-prepared as we can be, there’s been a good calm, focus and intensity about our preparations.”

England captain Andrew Strauss leads a team including four players born in South Africa, himself, batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

“The fact there are South African-born players in the team is not an issue for us, we know we have the best 15 players in England here. The fact some of them were born somewhere else doesn’t come into it, it’s a non-issue,” Strauss said.

England will delay naming their side until Wednesday morning but Strauss said he had a full squad to choose from.

“We’re very happy with the way Jimmy Anderson has pulled up, his knee niggle has never stopped him from bowling at any stage and he has progressed the way we wanted.

“Graeme Swann’s side is still niggling him but as a spinner he does not put as much strain on it as a seamer and it’s something he’s more than capable of playing through,” Strauss said.

FRONTLINE BOWLERS

England may call up all-rounder Luke Wright and play just five specialist batsmen, or name six specialist batsmen and just four frontline bowlers.

“Obviously if the pitch is going to do a huge amount, it makes a case for playing an extra batsman, but we’re still not 100 percent sure how the pitch will play,” Strauss said.

The match will be the first for each side since the official introduction of the umpire decision review system.

“We’ll have to be smart about how we use the review system. My initial reservations about it have not gone away, but I hear the more you use it, the better it gets,” Strauss said.

“I think the review system still needs to prove its worth,” Smith said. “I’m a little bit sceptical about it but we’ll have to be positive.”

Ntini plays his 100th test and Smith praised him not only as a fast bowler but also a significant figure in a troubled country still grappling with profound racial issues.

“Transformation is ongoing, it’s something we have to keep working on, but Makhaya has been a real success case and it’s been great to have been part of his career,” Smith said.

“He’ll tell you that his success is down to a lot of hard work, he’s had his ups and downs but he’s always met them with 100 percent commitment.

“Makhaya has become the spearhead of our attack and I’ve been very grateful for his energy and commitment as a leader.

“He’s a vibrant person and he’s played a prominent role not just in this team but in South Africa,” Smith added.

Pakistan team racially abused in N Zealand

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was Tuesday planning to lodge a formal complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) claiming the national team was racially abused on the final day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Napier.

Mohammad Yousuf (C) captain of Pakistan celebrates as Pakistan players walk from the field after their win during the Second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Basin Reserve on December 6, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he is yet to receive any complaint from the team management regarding the ugly incident that marred what was an interesting final Test at McLean Park.

“I will only contact the ICC regarding the issue after getting a formal complaint from the team management,” Butt told Geo Super.

A brother of New Zealand MP Chris Tremain and his 17 friends chanted slogans of ‘Pakistani terrorists’ from a corporate box at the McLean Park, New Zealand media reports said.

A sign saying “no racist comments please” was displayed on the park’s scoreboard about 5 p.m.

However, Pakistan manager Abdul Raqeeb said that he and his players didn’t hear any racist remarks.

According to New Zealand media reports, a corporate box hired by a brother of National MP Chris Tremain was refused alcohol after racial abuse was hurled at Pakistani cricketers.

Mark Tremain, 38, younger brother of the Napier MP and son of rugby legend Kel Tremain, hired the family company Tremain Real Estate’s corporate box for themselves Saturday, the second day of the Pakistan-New Zealand test.

Spectator Bill Stacey, of Clive, said he was embarrassed by the group’s “drunken stupidity” and the racist comments, which included shouts of “Pakistani terrorists”.

Chris Tremain, who is a director and shareholder in Tremain Real Estate, said: “Clearly what happened is unacceptable.”

NZ Cricket public affairs manager Stephen Hill said staff took action as soon as they heard of racist insults. “Our security staff were on the ball and they took steps to resolve the situation, and got them to modify their comments.”

“Racist abuse was more common in other countries. It arises from time to time, but it’s not common here. We have messages to put on the board sometimes, or the speaker system. We want the sport to be free of abuse,” he said.

Pakistan is scheduled to leave for Australia Wednesday for a full series after ending its three-match Test series at 1-1.

Sehwag Powers India to Highest total

Virender Sehwag blazed to a career-best 146 to steer India to their highest one-day total of 414 for seven in the opening game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag acknowledges the crowd after scoring a century during the first one-day international cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Rajkot, India, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009.

The opener hit his 12th one-day hundred off 66 deliveries and smashed 17 fours and six sixes to leave Sri Lanka gasping after skipper Kumar Sangakkara put India into bat hoping to exploit early life on the pitch.

Sehwag, 31, looked good to surpass the one-day record score of 194 until he edged a full toss from paceman Chanaka Welegedara to be caught at point in the 36th over.

He dominated a 153-run first wicket partnership with Sachin Tendulkar (69) and added 156 for the second with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to demoralise the bowling attack.

Dhoni hit 72 with seven fours and three sixes after promoting himself to number three but was caught in the next over after Sehwag’s dismissal to give the visitors some respite.

The total bettered India’s record of 413-5 set against Bermuda at Port of Spain in the 2007 World Cup. It is also the highest notched against Sri Lanka, surpassing the 373 India made in the 1999 World Cup. At 311 for three in the 37th over, India looked set to surpass Sri Lanka’s ODI record of 443, but were checked by some tighter bowling.

Sehwag, whose previous highest one-day score was 130, raced to 50 off just 34 deliveries before easing off slightly as Tendulkar took over with a flurry of shots.

The record-breaking batsman notched his 92nd one-day fifty until he missed the line to be bowled by Fernando. Pace bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara and Dilhara Fernando took two wickets each.

Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh missed out due to finger injuries.

Yuvraj doubtful for Rajkot ODI

India batsman Yuvraj Singh is likely to miss the first one-day international of the series against Sri Lanka here Tuesday with a finger injury.

India's Yuvraj Singh's injured finger is seen as he talks to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, right, during a practice session in Rajkot, India, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. India will play the first one day international cricket match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Yuvraj fractured a finger on his left hand while fielding in the second Twenty20 international in Mohali, Saturday night. Yuvraj was the star of the match with his 25 ball 60 and also picked up three wickets to help India win.

Team sources told IANS that the injury could even rule out Yuvraj from the rest of the series.

An MRI scan was conducted Sunday at the team hotel here Sunday. And reports suggested that Yuvraj would need at least three weeks to recover.

Modi denies dumping reports

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi pooh-poohed reports circulating in a section of the media that he is being eased out of the cricket’s biggest money-spinner.

Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lalit Modi gestures during a news conference of the Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament

Talking to IANS from Germany, Modi said there was no truth in “these planted stories” as he was appointed by the cricket board’s general body for five years to run the IPL.

“Also, there’s no truth in the report that the post of IPL commissioner is being abolished,” he insisted.

IPL vice-chairman Niranjan Shah, too, indignantly refuted the so-called move, saying that someone was trying to play a prank and the media fell hook, line and sinker for the bait. “How can anyone believe such trash without giving it a thought?” he shot back.

Another senior board official, not wanting to be dragged into the unsavoury controversy nor wishing to be identified, told IANS that there was not even discussion on the subject at any of the recent board meetings.

“Yes, some months ago, there was some loud thinking whether the chairman and commissioner’s posts be delinked but there was no serious discussion. One suggestion was that the board president should be the IPL chairman,” said the board insider.

The official said that someone tried to link the development with the recent Rajasthan Cricket Association election, in which Modi was defeated by union Rural Development Minister C.P.Joshi.

Modi worked out the modalities of IPL during the tenure of Sharad Pawar and it became a huge commercial success.

He is also the chairman of the Champions League that draws the best Twenty20 teams of the cricketing world.

Yuvraj spurs India to victory

Birthday boy Yuvraj Singh gave a stunning all-round display to spur India to a record six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second and final Twenty20 international on Saturday.

India's Yuvraj Singh, left, reacts as he returns to the pavilion with teammate Dinesh Karthik after India won the second Twenty20 cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Mohali, India.

India reached the highest chasing total, amassing 211 for four in 19.1 overs after Sri Lanka had made a daunting 206 for seven. The series was drawn 1-1.

Yuvraj, who turned 28 on Saturday, smashed a 25-ball 60 not out after he had grabbed three for 23 bowling left-arm spin on his home ground.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for the second game in a row, making 59 off 31 balls as a sloppy India dropped five catches.

Sangakkara hammered eight fours and two sixes after stroking a match-winning 78 in the opening game in Nagpur on Wednesday.

Sehwag hit 64 off 35 balls and added 58 runs with fellow opener Gautam Gambhir (21) and 50 for the next wicket with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (46).

Yuvraj took over, adding 80 runs with Dhoni for the third wicket, hammering five sixes and three fours, and finishing off with a six.

India surpassed the 208 for two South Africa made while beating West Indies at Johannesburg in 2007.

The teams play a five-match one-day series from Tuesday.

SriLanka Won By Seven Wickets

SriLanka beat Pakistan by seven wickets and claimed their maiden series victory against the reigning Twenty 20 world champions.

Herath and kulasekra took 13 Pakistan wickets in two innings and scripted their teams victory. Kulasekra ransacked Pakistan claiming four wickets in the first innings bundling tourists for mere 90.

Preview: India vs Ireland

India started their title defense with a convincing victory over Bangladesh; who were expected to qualify along the defending champions to the super eights. But fate had some other plans as cricket minnows Ireland showed Bangladesh the exit door.

India's Harbhajan Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni

Though both India and Ireland have qualified for the Super eight but the win will certainly give psychological edge to the winner.

India seems to have quickly adjusted to the English conditions, after patchy show in the warm up match; they raised their level and crushed Bangladesh by 25 runs.

Defending champions have the best batting line up of the format; Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma top the order capable of turning game with their aggressive stroke play.

The team has gifted players like Suresh Raina who can adjust accordingly with the situation in this fastest format of cricket.

Yuvraaj Singh and Skipper MS Dhoni complete the ideal middle order and are a delight to watch when in flow, Pathan brothers provide  additional depth to the side with their all round abilities.

RP Singh, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar have been lethal with pace and swing through out the IPL 2 and are in good touch. Harbhajan Singh and P Ojha made their impact in the recently concluded league.

Ireland’s first foray into the shortest form of the game saw qualification for the World Cup secured with wins over Scotland, Bermuda and Kenya – this Associate tournament domination was achieved, amazingly, without a single IPL veteran.

Attack displaying their full potential against Bangladesh and an unseasonable thunderstorm against India might facilitate an escape from Group A. Further progress will depend on England poaching no more players.

Andre Botha. South African, batting at No4, seems well-suited to T20 – knocking 61 runs in the three qualifying matches.They have the likes of  Niall O’Brien, Northants wicketkeeper and William PorterfielGloucestershire left-hand opening batsman who took the captaincy last year at the age of 23.

Boyd Rankin. Standing 6ft 8in tall the right-armer is capable of achieving serious bounce.

Over all  team India is perfectly balanced, and surely are the favorites not only against Ireland but for the Cup too.