Vaughan to step down as NZ cricket chief

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin Vaughan announced Wednesday that he would step down at the end of November, after more than four years in the job.

New Zealand Cricket

Vaughan said the NZC needed a chief executive who could commit to remaining in the position until the 2015 Cricket World Cup and his young family meant he was unable to do that.

He said the lead-up to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, would involve intense travel and he felt it was time to move on.

“Its been a hard decision to make but Im certain its the right time for me to explore new opportunities,” he said.

NZC chairman Chris Moller said that since his appointment in 2007, Vaughan had had overseen a 60 percent increase in the organisation’s revenues and helped restructure the Black Caps.

Moller said changes introduced by Vaughan include appointing former Test batsman John Wright as head coach and one-time Australia coach John Buchanan as director of cricket.

“Justin can be proud of his achievements,” he said.

The NZC said the search forVaughan’s replacement would begin immediately.

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.

England gifted first win

England claimed their first international win since August in farcical circumstances when West Indies miscalculated the Duckworth-Lewis target at the end of the opening one-dayer in Guyana on Friday.

stuart-broad-paul-collingwood-andrew-strauss

West Indies, chasing England’s 50-over total of 270 for seven, were offered the chance to go off due to rain and bad light and their Australian coach John Dyson beckoned the batsmen off the field.

However the hosts were one run short of the Duckworth-Lewis target, the method used to calculate results when the full overs are unused, and with no opportunity to return to the field England were declared winners with West Indies on 244 for seven from 46.2 overs.

Dyson left his seat in the pavilion to consult match referee Javagal Srinath and England were soon celebrating their first win since a one-day victory over South Africa at Lord’s.
“I was on the wrong column (on the sheet) … I thought we were ahead of Duckworth-Lewis but in fact we were behind by one run,” Dyson told Sky Sports television. “There was a lot of noise going on and it was my responsibility so that was it. DYSON’S MISTAKE “I accept responsibility for it and I’ve apologised to the team and that’s all I can do. It was my mistake.

For Complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/2294/England-Finally-Won.htm

McGain debuts as Australia bat in final Test

Ricky Ponting won his sixth toss in a row against South Africa and decided to have a bat on what he contently termed “a good wicket” in Cape Town.

Jacques Kallis has spent the better part of the last couple days trying to put everyone at ease as to how he was made captain in the absence of an injured Graeme Smith, but there was still a fair amount of apparent reluctance. Having to field first against a form line-up is no envious way to start a Test South Africa need to win to avert a whitewash.

Phillip Hughes avoids a bouncer.

Spin has played more of a role at Newlands than any other venue in the country and with Marcus North failing to come up from his illness the journeyman leg spinner Bryce McGain was finally handed a debut. The last few months have not been short of drama for McGain – his first tour with Australia was cut short in October when he was sent home from India with tendon damage in his shoulder and his second trip began with a missed flight. At 36 years and 359 days, McGain has become Australia’s oldest debutant since Bob Holland in 1984.

As expected, South Africa went in with a new-look opening pair of the debutant Imraan Khan and returning Ashwell Prince. The allrounder Albie Morkel makes his Test debut, replacing brother Morne.

It has been a dramatic switch for both teams since the previous series. Australia have turned around their fortunes dramatically, with rookies playing key roles, and in doing so they have managed to pass on the restless, testy cape they wore at home to South Africa. Under a steely blue Cape Town morning sky, the heat is definitely on the hosts.

Australia 1 Phillip Hughes, 2 Simon Katich, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Hussey, 5 Michael Clarke, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Andrew McDonald, 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Bryce McGain, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.

South Africa 1 Imraan Khan, 2 Ashwell Prince, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis (capt), 5 AB de Villiers, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Albie Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.

For Live Cricket Commentary Visit: www.octansports.com/cricket/live-cricket-match.aspx

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1st ODI Preview, India Vs New Zealand

Towering on back to back wins in twenty20 series, New Zealand will have the advantage when they meet India in Mclean Park, Napier to play the first of 5 ODIS on Tuesday (01:00 GMT.)

brendon-mccullum

But Black Caps coach, Andy Moles is trying to be humble as he fancies India as the predominant force in five match epic. “We must respect them but we mustn’t be scared of them,” Moles said to New Zealand Herlad, “The two results have given the guys the confidence that they can compete”.

“From an individual point of view, some of the younger players have found there’s nothing to be scared of and are looking forward to the next challenge.”

Moles felt Kiwis gave too much of a respect to Indian bowling as they chased 150 runs to win the two match series in Wellington and players should know the line which separates respect from getting bogged down.

Brendon McCullum’s recent twenty20 knocks of 61, 56, 49, and 69 has pleased the coach Moles but believes that other players also need to chip in if host are going to make an impact in the series.

For Complete Preview Visit:www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket_info/258/1st-ODI-Preview,-India-Vs-New-Zealand.htm

West Indies Magnificent

England face a quest for survival after West Indies made 749 for nine declared thanks to a masterful 261 run partnership between double centurion Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin.

Ramnaresh Sarwan

Sarwan fell just nine runs short of a triple century, after batting from the evening of the second day, while wicketkeeper Ramdin made 166 before being bowled by five-wicket Graeme Swann.

The West Indies score, the ninth highest innings total in a test match, sets up an unexpectedly tricky final day for Andrew Strauss’s side after they made 600 for six declared in their first innings.

No team has ever lost a test match after making such a big first innings total but West Indies will take heart from the first test when they bowled a panicking England out for 51.

For Complete News Visit:www.octansports.com/Cricket/cricket-news/1702/West-Indies-Magnificent.htm

England Look For Changes

England will be without the likes of Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior when they play West Indies in hope of leveling the series during the third Test in Barbados on Thursday.

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been sidelined due to a strained hip muscle he sustained during the drawn third Test. Matt Prior will be on a maternity leave to England to see his wife and just born son.

andrew-flintoff

Flintoff’s presence at number six allowed England to add another bowler in all the three Tests – second Test was abandoned due to unplayable conditions at Sir Viv Richards Stadium in Antigua, but in just two days time another Test was added to the schedule and was played in the near by Antigua Recreation Ground, which turned out to be a belter – West Indies managed a draw in the final hour of match.

To replace the talent of Andrew Flintoff will impossible for Andrew Strauss but he has got substitutes to fill the big shoes in Barbados and the replacement will be either freshly arrived Ravi Bopara or Ian Bell.

England might go with Bopara who hasn’t played a Test match for England from last 14 months, but considering the form of Bell, Strauss might favor the all-rounder candidate.

For complete Feature And Latest Updates Visit: www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1619/England-Look-For-Changes.htm

Preview: First Test Australia vs South Africa

This might be the golden phase of South African cricket “But” the ghost of Wanderers has always haunted the home side. If the Proteas want the top echelon, they have to drop this monkey off their back and change the poor record they have at Johannesburg.

As South Africa’s test record on this ground is patchy; Australia has won the last two test matches one with an innings in 2002 and their previous visit in 2006 produced a thriller with the tourists managing to chase 292 on the last day of Test match. Even India and England have comfortably won against the home side on this hostile track.

Toss will play the decisive role at Jo’bourg where since 2000 all eight Test matches have produced a result, and six of these are won by the side who had the better of coin.

The first match of the Test series will be crucial as a positive result will definitely give the winning side the psychological edge.

South Africa will go with the same winning eleven with no weak links, making them the favorites. They have the likes of Hashim Amla and Paul Harris, exciting match winners Greame Smith and Dale Steyn, trusted lieutenants Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Makayah Ntini, the nerves of steel comes in the likes of wonder kid JP Duminy.

Where as Australia will go with new faces; Philip Hughes will open with Katich, Ponting, Hussey, and Michael Clarke (unfit) will   complete the top order. Brad Haddin, who has been the new Australian hope in recent past will be holding the lower order with Andrew McDonald or Marcus North who will compete for the all rounder’s spot.

For Complete Preview visit:  http://www.octansports.com/cricket/cricket-news/1601/Preview:-First-Test.htm

Sri Lanka Start Solid

Opener Malinda Warnapura and Kumar Sangakkara scored crisp half centuries to lead Sri Lanka to 120 for two against Pakistan at lunch on the opening day of the first test in Karachi on Saturday.

kumar Sangakkara

Sangakkara was unbeaten on 51 while captain Mahela Jayawardene was on five at lunch after Tharanga Paranavitana fell for a first ball duck on his debut at National Stadium.

Pakistan awarded test caps to opener Khurrum Manzoor and pacer Sohail Khan. Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first on a pitch which offered some movement to the fast bowlers.

Umar Gul struck for the home side on the fourth ball of the first over when he had Paranavitana caught at second slip by Misbah-ul-Haq.

Warnapura and Sangakkara then teamed up to play some fluent shots, putting on 90 from 105 balls as the tourists made steady progress.

Warnapura hit seven fours in his sixth test fifty before he was also caught at second slip by Misbah off Yasir Arafat who was Pakistan’s best bowler in the session.

Sangakkara also made his 29th test fifty from 84 balls, striking six fours.

Pakistan is playing its first test after 14 months after overseas teams refused to tour the country because of security fears.

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Flintoff’s Fitness in Doubt

Concerns about Andrew Flintoff’s fitness are gaining fresh ground after  his friend and bowling partner Steve Harmison hinted a serious problem with English all-rounder.

Andrew Flintoff

Fears are that he may miss the fourth Test in Barbados starting on 26 of Feb are growing, after he just balled three uncomfortable overs on the fourth day of third Test and left the field.

English management initially denied anything wrong with the talismanic all-rounder, but when he left the field, they admitted that he had an anti-inflammatory injection in a hip, and Harmison said: “I am not going to lie to you and say that everything’s all right. Where he goes from here, nobody knows. We just hope he’ll be fit for the next Test in Barbados.”

Big lad of England cricket is struggling with a series of injuries in recent past. He has been off-field because of troubling knee injury and has also complained of a side strain which forced him to have a scanner in St Kitts, Jamaica just before the series.

The fourth Test is not the only concern, but team is worried that he may miss rest of the tour to make sure he fit for the two Test match series against West Indies at home and the all important Ashes.

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