All posts by csb10.top

The death of Hansie Cronje, South Africa’s disgraced former captain who was killed in a plane crash in the Western Cape in June 2002, may have been no accident, according to a report in the latest edition of Observer Sport Monthly. The report alleges that Cronje, who had been banned for life from cricket for his part in the match-fixing scandal, may have been murdered to ensure that the full extent of the corruption never reached the light of day.Cronje, who had been forging a new career as a businessman, was killed along with two pilots when his chartered plane crashed in mountains near his estate in George, a small town on South Africa’s Garden Route. It later transpired that Cronje had missed an earlier flight and had arranged a lift in a cargo plane, but at the time no suspicious circumstances were reported. Given that Cronje was a devout Christian, it struck many as being the ultimate act of divine retribution.But Gavin Branson, the chief executive of AirQuarius, the owners of the crashed plane, is one of many people who remains troubled by the circumstances. “There are a lot of unknowns about what happened,” Branson is reported as saying. “I think it will be a long time before the [Civil Aviation Authority] report comes out. I have a million questions that I haven’t even started asking yet. We’d been flying that route daily and in far worse weather without experiencing even a hint of trouble.”The investigation is destined to take a long time, especially as there are unconfirmed rumours that the ground landing system at George Airport had been tampered with. “I understand that police have found evidence of sabotage,” one investigator is reported as saying. “But they’re reluctant to go public on this. The full cost of a follow-up investigation would be too great in a country that is already riven by crime. It suits the police to have a closed case.””A lot of people wanted Cronje dead,” adds the source. “They feared that he would one day tell the full truth, and then many more would be implicated. I know people who have looked closely into what happened but who were warned off by threatening phone calls. They’re scared of getting a bullet in the head.”Cronje, who first stood in as South Africa’s captain at the age of 24, finished his career with a record of 27 victories in 53 Tests, making him South Africa’s most successful captain in Test history. He scored 3,714 runs at an average of 36.4, including six centuries, and to this day remains revered by many of his former team-mates, despite his spectacular fall from grace.At the King Commission in 2000-01, which investigated the extent to which match-fixing had permeated the game, Cronje confessed to what he called “an unfortunate love of money”. He claimed to have accepted at least $130,000 from illegal bookmakers, although recent revelations suggest that he possessed as many as 72 bank accounts in the Cayman Islands. His death, one way or another, has ensured that the full story may never be told.Click here to read the full Observer Sport Monthly article

Humiliated former Pakistan captain, Waqar Younis, blasted the selection committee for axing him from the Sharjah-bound squad.Talking to Dawn, Waqar who led Pakistan in the disastrous World Cup-2003, agreed that he may have not led the side according to expectations, but as a player his performance was certainly better than most of the squad members.”I am not responsible alone for the debacle, the other seniors are equally responsible but surprisingly they are ‘rested’ and I am dropped,” Waqar said.The chief selector, Aamir Sohail, while announcing the team for Sharjah Cup categorically mentioned that Waqar was dropped while Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq and Saeed Anwar were rested.Aamir also indicated that the senior players could be considered in the near future and that too would depend on the performance of the young guns included in the 16-man squad.Waqar said that the national selection committee had no need to wait for his retirement from cricket.”I played cricket for 15 years without taking any advice fromany quarter and will decide on my own when to call it a day,” he said.He demanded an explanation from the selectors for the discriminatory treatment meted out to him.

The West Indies Cricket Board and its selection panel have started the 2003 Cable & Wireless Series with a master stroke by appointing Brian Lara as team captain and Ramnaresh Sarwan as his deputy.It’s now up to Sir Vivian Richards and his fellow selectors to maintain the trend for the composition of their squad for the opening Test against Australia starting in Guyana next Thursday.While Carl Hooper remains a potential class act as a batsman, he was unable to produce the type of imaginative leadership qualities that were necessary and his ability as a tactician was only modest.It was immensely satisfying that Lara has decided to accept the job, which up until recently he indicated he had no interest in.It is even more pleasing that Sarwan, still only 22 in spite of seven years’ experience as a first-class player, is being groomed as a leader for the future.It was almost puzzling that Hooper’s deputy over the past two years was someone only a year younger than he.The million-dollar question now surrounds the immediate future of Hooper, who left us in the dark a few days ago.On one hand, he said he believed he still possessed the physical skill, desire and passion to continue at the international level. At the same time, he said he must be unselfish and ask himself if his presence in the team would not be unfair and block the development of young players.If he plays, it is almost certain that he will "block the development" of someone like Marlon Samuels.Having said that, I still have room for the enigmatic Guyanese. His overall record as a batsman is modest for someone of his talent, but his record as a batsman [1609 runs at an average of 45.97] since coming out of retirement is one that suggests he should not be dropped at this time.Bearing in mind the West Indies’ opponents are the all-conquering Australians, his presence and experience will be even more important. Had the opposition been weaker, I would have thanked him for his wonderful service to West Indies’ cricket.It means then that Samuels can only find a place if Sarwan is not fit enough to play.The remainder of the middle-order picks itself with Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul joining Hooper and Sarwanor Samuels.Chris Gayle has been the established first-choice opening batsman for some time and his partner at the top should be fellow Jamaican Wavell Hinds.Hinds, in particular, must know that the selectors cannot ignore the credentials of Devon Smith for much longer.The 21-year-old Grendadian has hardly put a foot wrong during the last two years. Last season he scored 750 runs(ave. 62.50) and followed up this year with 572 runs (ave. 40.85).The wicket-keeping slot should trigger some debate among the selectors. Ridley Jacobs has been a reliable servant for most of the last four years, but hardly anyone will dispute that he is on the decline.At 35, it is time the selectors identify a long-term replacement for Jacobs. Junior Murray and Courtney Browne still remain good enough to play at this level, but Carlton Baugh’s outstanding season for the West Indies "B" that brought him 486 runs (ave. 40.50) runs and 15 dismissals makes him a genuine contender.The slow, low nature of the Bourda pitch means it is almost certain the selectors will not opt for four fast bowlers.Mervyn Dillon is the spearhead, even if most believe his inconsistency suggests he should not carry that tag.Pedro Collins bowled disappointingly in the World Cup when he was bothered by injury. His performance against Trinidad and Tobago gave the impression that he was back to full fitness and form and should be pencilled in as Dillon’s new ball partner.When Vasbert Drakes returned to the international arena last September at the age of 33, the general feeling was that he would be a key member of the limited-overs team and would perhaps not go beyond the World Cup.That has changed. The experienced professional has proven he is also a wicket-taking bowler and his batting makes him the most qualified No. 8 in the Caribbean at the moment.For all his promise and pace, Jermaine Lawson should be among the reserves for the first Test, but his chance will definitely come sooner rather than later. The same can be said of Tino Best, the most successful bowler in the regionthis season.The choice of a spinner is likely to pose the most headaches. No one has come forward to demand automatic selection.Neil McGarrell was the most successful slow bowler this season, but both he and his fellow Guyanese Mahendra Nagamootoo are steady moreso than threatening.Had Sulieman Benn played the last two matches, he might very well have been thetop wicket-taker among the slow bowlersthis season.It is interesting to note that Lara, without being prompted, said it was unfortunate he didn’t geta chance to see Benn this season. Some are boundto ask why should he bein contention when he is not in his national team.It should not disqualify him for selection because we all know of his ability as an orthodox left-arm spinner and capablelower-order batsman.Dave Mohammed’s left-arm back-of-the-hand stuff presents something of a difference, but he has not done much since returning to the first-class game in mid-season.My team: Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan [Marlon Samuels if Sarwan is not fit], Brian Lara, Carl Hooper, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carlton Baugh, Vasbert Drakes, Mervyn Dillon, Sulieman Benn, Pedro Collins. Reserves: Samuels [Devon Smith if Sarwan is unfit], Jermaine Lawson

Peter Anderson was back at his desk at the County Ground on Friday morning after attending a meeting in London on Thursday.Acting on behalf of the eighteen first class counties Mr Anderson, along with Stephen Coverdale of Northamptonshire and David Collier from Nottinghamshire had met with ECB Chief Executive Tim Lamb.Mr Anderson told me: “The major issue under discussion was how we can arrest what is perceived to be the dumbing down of first class cricket. The first-class counties perceive the problems as twofold. Firstly, central contracts deny local members the opportunity to see top-line players, and secondly in some sections of the press County Championship cricket is seen as inconsequential to international cricket.”The counties are concerned that the number of contracts increases from 12 to 20, and that if England have additional overseas tours which start in early October and end in late March, centrally-contracted players will be unavailable to their counties.”The Somerset Chief Executive continued, “One of the avenues that we are looking at is that an agreement should be struck with the Professional Cricketer’s Association that is under employment law acceptable by Brussels, that eight players qualified for England must be on the pitch at any one time. In effect this would mean that three overseas players could be used by the counties.”One idea that we are starting to talk through is that you could have any number of overseas players on short term contracts who would be available to play during the year as long as there were eight England qualified players on the pitchwe feel that this would make the game more attractive.”Another subject under discussion was the probability of having a wage cap for players salaries.Mr Anderson said: “What is happening at present is that good county players who won’t play for England are being poached by more wealthy counties, and therefore wages are being driven up.”Clubs like Somerset can’t compete in this wage spiral, neither can the game as a whole, so something has to give. The problem at the moment is that county players cannot earn more than the lowest paid England contract players.”This might be all right from the England perspective but it actually restricts counties from being competitive by signing players to fill gaps when they feel that they are going to be weak in their current team.”The Somerset Chief Executive is due to go to London again on January 23rd, to a meeting to discuss the future structure of first class cricket.”We will also be looking to try to rationalise the growing problem of the interface between first class cricket and the recreational game. For instance do we need Second XI, Under-19 and Board XI cricket, and do we need to put so much emphasis on Premier League cricket, all of which costs lots of money?”

Sir Vivian Richards, Ambassador Courtney Walsh, Clive Lloyd, Deryck Murray, the late Malcolm Marshall, and Andy Roberts, all former West Indies stars, will have their names attached to the individual incentive awards for the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series."We are very honoured and greatly indebted that everyone has consented to the use of their names on the awards, and in the case of the late Malcolm Marshall that his widow, Connie, also agreed," remarked Darren Millien, Manager of Events, Promotions and Information Technology at the West Indies Cricket Board."As in the previous two years, prizes for the Caribbean teams should provide the impetus and incentive to become the Carib Beer Cup winners and the Carib Beer International Challenge champions."To create this incentive, trophies and cash will be awarded to individual players for outstanding performances as the WICB is most anxious to make a real success of the Championship."The Top Caribbean Batsman will now win the Sir Vivian Richards Award, the Top Caribbean Bowler will get the Courtney Walsh Award, the Top Caribbean Wicketkeeper will receive the Deryck Murray Award, the Top Caribbean Fielder takes the Clive Lloyd Award, and the Top Caribbean All-rounder will win the Malcolm Marshall Award.All the winners of these individual prizes will receive US $1,500, while the Most Promising Fast Bowler will receive the Andy Roberts Award and pocket US $1,000.The Man-of-the-Match in each of the matches will receive US $150 and medallion.The Carib Beer International Challenge champions will take home US $10,000, and the Carib Beer Cup winners will bag US $7,500.This year, Carib Beer reached a five-year sponsorship agreement with the WICB to become the Title Sponsor of the West Indies four-day, first-class championship. It has now been renamed the Carib Beer 2003 Cricket Series.

Auckland has not been shy in boosting its promising youth players straight into the hurly-burly of the State championship which starts next Monday.Four young players, Nick Horsley, Sam Whiteman and Reece Young who attended the New Zealand Cricket Academy this year, and New Zealand Cricket’s young player to Lord’s this year Rob Nicol, have been named in the side which will field seven players with international experience.Not considered for selection were CLEAR Black Caps in Australia Adam Parore, Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent, and the injured Dion Nash.State Auckland’s opening game in the State championship is against the State Central Districts side on Eden Park’s Outer Oval starting on Monday.The squad is: Andre Adams (Grafton United), Aaron Barnes (Cornwall), Tama Canning (Suburbs New Lynn), Chris Drum (Birkenhead), Mark Haslam (East Coast Bays), Matt Horne (Grafton United), Nick Horsley (Parnell), Llorne Howell (East Coast Bays), Tim McIntosh (Parnell), Kyle Mills (Howick Pakuranga), Richard Morgan (Cornwall), Rob Nicol (Cornwall), Richard Pudney (Grafton United), Brooke Walker (captain – Howick Pakuranga), Sam Whiteman (Howick Pakuranga), Reece Young (Suburbs New Lynn).The Auckland A squad to contest the Provincial ‘A’ Team Competition from December 2001 to January 2002 is: Gene Andrews (North Shore), Scott Barnes (Howick Pakuranga), Hamish Barton (Parnell), Terry Crabb (Birkenhead), Guy Coleman (Grafton United), Michael Hendry (East Coast Bays), Nick Jury (Grafton United), Brad Nielsen (Howick Pakuranga), Stephen Pearson (Waitakere), Akshay Reddy (Parnell), Gareth Shaw (Papatoetoe), Tane Topia (Grafton United).

The drawn Test match in India prompted a lot of discussion amongst my friends and family and I am sure it did with you as well. So, this week we will have more of an international flavour as I try to give some insight into a captain’s dilemma regarding declarations.The timing of the declaration is key and there are several points you take into consideration. Enough time to bowl the opposition out is a major factor and although we gave ourselves a day and a bit, it is not nearly enough on a benign surface. Here lies another dilemma because if the pitch is still good for batting, it means you must set a very challenging total to avoid losing comfortably. This would have been the reasoning behind England’s extended second innings; they could not afford to lose. Very often the best declarations gives the opposition a chance of winning so their approach to batting is different and maybe not as cautious.Hussain also knew it was going to take a huge performance from his bowling unit to level the series so he would have looked at his options. Naturally, spin was going to be his main weapon and he had two in his ranks. Despite Giles’ five-wicket haul in the first innings the jury was still out on whether he could complete the Test with another big workload on the final day. His spinning partner Dawson was in his second Test match and although he has acquitted himself very well so far, he has only been playing first-class cricket for six months.There probably is enough there to make a captain uncertain but just in case there is not, he would have looked at his other options. Hoggard is leading the pace attack and is still very inexperienced particularly on an unresponsive pitch. Flintoff backed him up in a role that is foreign to him. Taking the new ball in international cricket is no easy task. Taking it in India is an unenviable one but taking the new ball with no prior experience is a huge ask for the young Flintoff. The reason Flintoff is there at all is because White is not fully bowling fit. It is enough to cast doubt even over the most adventurous captain.As Hussain pondered over his decision, some statistician would be emphasising how prolific the Indian batmen are on home soil and he would be thinking the series could be lost here and it would not be true reflection on England’s near dominance of the Test. Right, the decision is made. We will try to win but we will not give India even an outside chance because we cannot lose.I predicted this and knew that our only chance of winning was to be bowled out cheaply in our second innings leaving India a fairly modest total to chase. They would have been tempted and may have lost their top five in the bid to chase runs. Considering that they might be still 80 runs or so short of their target, I will then back the bowlers to clean up the lower order with some determined and `fired up’ fielders behind them.If the situation occurs again, I am confident that Hussain will be more adventurous and England will go all out to square the series. The difference is that England can afford to risk losing in an attempt to win.

As if the prospect of playing two Tests against Australia wasn’t daunting enough for Bangladesh, John Buchanan, Australia’s coach, has warned that his side won’t be easing off during next month’s two-Test series.”Our game will always be to be as aggressive as we can be, and to try and put our opposition under as much pressure as we can, right from the word go, so that won’t change,” he said. As for fatigue on the part of his players, he said, “Those players who played both the one-day and the Test matches were certainly feeling the pinch through the West Indies tour.”He explained that the prospect of playing at new venues – the Tests will be held at Cairns and Darwin – would offset any weariness in a side who have been on the road almost continuously for 18 months. “With four or five weeks off, coming to a new venue, playing a new team, in something that will begin a tradition, I think really excites them.”But Buchanan did have some encouraging words for Bangladesh, particularly with regard to Dav Whatmore, their new coach. “I think what he’ll do is bring them direction, I think he will bring them some discipline and give them some shape,” he explained. “Whether that happens immediately, time will tell. But I think that’s a very good move for them, and something that will improve their cricket a little bit quicker than maybe what it has done in the past.”

Kent have announced the signing of former Middlesex fast bowler Jamie Hewitt on a two-year contract.Hewitt made his debut for Middlesex in 1995 and was awarded his county cap three years later. The 25 year-old commented: “I am delighted to be given an opportunity to join Kent and very much look forward to playing a full part in the Club’s future.”Kent’s Chief Executive, Paul Millman, said: “Jamie playing for Kent is an exciting prospect. He has bowled at the highest level and we very much hope that having him with us as support for our existing attack will do much to ensure that our bowling resource can remain competitive through what promises to be a tough season.”Hewitt was released by Middlesex after a disappointing season in which he only appeared in four first-class matches, taking ten wickets at over 38 runs a time.

* Bharadwaj amasses 158 as KSCA XI post huge totalA star studded Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) XI posted astrong total of 365/9 off their allotted 90 overs. On winning thetoss, KSCA XI skipper Anil Kumble promptly elected to bat first. Whileyoungsters Mithun Beerala (23) and Barrington Rowland (29) posted anopening partnership of 48 for the first wicket, it was India discardVijay Bharadwaj who stole the limelight with a mammoth 158.Overshadowing every other batsman, Bharadwaj struck 12 boundaries and4 sixes in his patient knock. Spending over four hours at the wicketBharadwaj faced 245 balls in his stay at the crease. On the back ofBharadwaj’s innings, the KSCA XI amassed a huge 365/9 off 90 overs. Itmust be said that the KSCA XI are in an extremely strong position withinternationals like Sunil Joshi, Anil Kumble and David Johnson to dothe bowling tomorrow.* Rathour leads India Pistons to 295The Coromandel Cup semi-final clash between India Pistons XI andRoofit XI at Bangalore saw the side from Chennai take the honours onthe opening day. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, theIndia Pistons side notched up 295 in their 84.5 overs. In responseRoofit were 21/0 off four overs when the day’s play ended.Earlier in the day, the opening pair of Vasanth Kumar and VikramRathour got India Pistons off to a rollicking start. The pair put up apartnership of 111 runs at the top of the order before Vasanth Kumar(58 runs, 91 balls, 7 fours) was dismissed. The skipper went on to topscore, making 75 from 132 balls with 8 boundaries and a six. R Sathish(39) and S Mahesh (37) propped up the innings in the middle order andthe India Pistons side made it to 295 before being all out in 84.5overs. Anand Yalvigi with 3/38 was the most successful of the Roofitbowlers. In response, the Roofit openers both remained unbeaten andtook the score to 21/0 in four overs.