Muralitharan to play for Bengal in 2008-09 Ranji season

Bengal came out with a price catch for it's campaign in the coming Ranji Trophy season by roping in Sri Lankan spin wizard and Test cricket's highest wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan.

The Cricket association of Bengal (CAB) managed to rope in the legendary off-spinner after pondering over scores of names including his compatriot Sanath Jayasuriaya and Australia's Ricky Ponting.

The Sri Lanka Cricket has already given the 36-year-old spinner a no-objection certificate to play for Bengal in the 2008-09 Ranji Trophy season.

"The Lankan board chief, Duleep Mendis, has sent across a fax to us, mentioning that Muralitharan will be available for Bengal in the upcoming first-class engagements," CAB president Jagmohan Dalmiya said.

Following the confirmation of the SLC's letter, the CAB also obtained a green signal from the BCCI, added Dalmiya.

The former ICC president however refused to share further details.

"Murali is now available to play for Bengal. With his experience of 756 Tests and 479 ODI wickets, Bengal cricket will benefit heavily. Further details of his availability will come later," Dalmiya added.

The Dalmiya-led CAB has earlier roped in 1983 World Cup hero Mohinder Amaranath as Bengal consultant.

However, it's not yet known if Murali will play in the initial stages of the Ranji Trophy or will join the team only in the knock-out phase.

However, some CAB insiders fear that his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings could make a last ditch effort to woo the top off-spinner for one last time before the transfer window closes.

If the Sri Lankan spin wizard eventually shows up, then Bengal will be fielding two high-profile names - Murali and former India captain Sourav Ganguly - in the Ranji Trophy's otherwise low-key Plate League.

The BCCI has fixed October 1 as the deadline for state associations to register foreign cricketers as 'guest players' for the 2008-09 domestic season.

The Sunil Gavaskar-led Technical Committee, had on August 30, decided to allow each association to select a maximum of four outstation players -- one of whom can be a foreigner --in their squads.

Thirty-six-year-old Muralitharan eclipsed the previous record-holder Shane Warne to become Test cricket's highest wicket taker in Test cricket.

He is also the second highest wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals.

Bengal open their Ranji Trophy (Plate League) campaign against Assam in Guwahati on November 3.

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No change in Test venues for Australia series

Saturday's bomb blast has not forced either the Indian cricket board or its Australian counterpart to take a fresh look at the four Test venues and the tour will ago ahead as scheduled.

"The Australians have not raised with the Indian board the issue of security or sought any changes in the tour itinerary," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) spokesman Rajeev Shukla said.

About the Home ministry's advisory on Sunday to all the states and union territories to tighten security, Shukla said he would be meeting the union Home secretary on Tuesday to discuss the matter and provide board's inputs in making security fool-proof at all the four Test venues, three of which had been targets of terror attacks in recent months.

"To be fair to Cricket Australia or the team management, now in Jaipur, they did not complain or sought any assurance from the board on the security steps in place. Still, the security can be beefed up to their satisfactory level, but no venues will be changed," said Shukla.

Two of the venues, Bangalore and Delhi, have been the targets of bomb blasts.

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Pakistan likely to bring young pacers for India series

The Pakistani cricket team, struggling with a depleted pace attack, can draft at least two young cricketers in their squad for next year's home series against India, an official said.

Pakistan's bowling is looking blunt because of the unavailability of their top three pacers - Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul either because of disciplinary reasons or injury.

Pakistan Academy coach Aaquib Javed said fast bowlers Anwar Ali and Mohammad Talha are ready for Test cricket and if needed, can get a look in for the home series against India starting early January.

India will be playing three Tests, five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 game during its tour of Pakistan.

"We have a few exceptional fast bowlers in the Pakistan Academy side and at least one of them - Anwar Ali - is now ready to play Test cricket," said Aaquib, a former Pakistani fast bowler.

The Karachi-based Anwar has been the biggest success story for Pakistan Academy on its ongoing African safari, during which it won all its matches in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Anwar is capable of swinging the ball, both old and new, at a decent pace. He shot to fame with a destructive display in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup final against India in Colombo, when his 5/35 guided Pakistan to a comfortable victory.

The youngster was selected for the Pakistan team's training camp earlier this year and has since been knocking at the doors of Test cricket.

Aaquib said Pakistan now has the option of selecting youngsters like Anwar, whom he believes has the potential to win big games. "I'm really impressed with Anwar. He is getting faster and can swing the ball both ways effortlessly. He is Test material."

Aaquib was also all praise for tall fast bowler Talha, who also had a successful African tour. "Its after a long time that in Talha, Pakistan has got a fast bowler with a natural yorker. He can beat the best of the batsmen with his yorker. He is also ready for Pakistan duty," said Aaquib.

Pakistan manager Haroon Rasheed, a former Test batsman, believed all-rounder Fawad Alam is also ready for Test duty and can do well against the Indians. "Fawad is exceptionally talented and has matured immensely. He can play Test cricket anytime now," said the manager.

Fawad, 22, has played 10 ODIs for Pakistan. He sparkled during the African safari with some superb knocks that included a triple hundred against Kenya in a four-day game in Mombasa last week.

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Blast casts shadow over Delhi Test

The long trail of terror continues to haunt Australia's subcontinental sojourns. Ricky Ponting's Australians had a scrappy start to their first competitive outing on Saturday but they were more shook up by news of yet another bomb blast in Delhi, which has cast a shadow of doubt over the third Test of the series scheduled to be held at the Kotla from October 29 to November 2.

Although news filtered in late in the evening and the Aussie camp failed to relate to their Cricket Australia bosses back home any specific inputs on the altered security scenario, they went into an immediate huddle at the team hotel. Discussions on the matter between security consultant Frank Dimasi, tour manager Steve Bernard and team security staff continued through the night. An independent security review is expected to be undertaken.

Officially, though, the Aussies are, for now, avoiding any expression of panic. "It's late in Australia and I don't think we will receive any instructions before Sunday morning," media manager Matthew Slade told TOI.

"But we are sure to have a security briefing in the morning. I'm not saying it's a concern at the moment, or that there could a request for a possible venue change, or other issues. We'll come to know soon."

A BCCI official said it wouldn't be surprising if the Aussies sought a change of tour plans, but said the board was preferring to "wait and watch" for the moment.

"Our security advisors will liaise with administrators in Australia," said batsman Simon Katich following a briefing on the blast after the conclusion of the first day's play in the practice game against a Rajasthan XI side. "It hasn't sunk in yet for the players. The details of the blast are sketchy," he said.

With the previous serial Delhi blasts of Sept 13 already heightening security concerns even before their arrival, the Australians have, since last Monday, been shrouded here in a web of round-the-clock surveillance systems, emergency response teams, special protection groups and an impressive array of Rajasthan police personnel.

The team hotel is a fortress, with even the lobby being kept out of bounds for the media or casual visitors. It remains to be seen what additional measures they can ask for after this.

A Delhi and District Cricket official told TOI that the blast would heavily alter security plans. "We were having trouble organising the kind of security we wanted since the match immediately follows Diwali," he said, "Now we hope our demands will be met. But I won't be surprised if the Aussies decide to head somewhere else."

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Chance for India A youngsters to impress national selectors

A host of youngsters will be looking to impress the national selectors when they turn out for India A against New Zealand A in the first of the two four-day matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Sunday.

India A skipper Suresh Raina, all-rounders Yusuf Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja, bowlers Amit Mishra and Pradeep Sangwan, among others will be watched with more than casual interest.

Having finished runners-up to Australia A in the just-concluded three-nation One-day tournament here, the Indians would be only too keen to start afresh and make up for the rather disappointing show in the final that they lost by 156 runs.

The Indian team for the two-match contest has undergone several changes, notable omissions being openers Swapnil Asnodkar and Robin Uthappa, both of whom failed to measure up in the One-day competition, and also wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik who did not live up to the promise he had shown in recent times.

Also missing would be middle-order batsmen Subramaniam Badrinath and Rohit Sharma, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla and all-rounder Irfan Pathan, all of whom are in the Board President's team that will be taking on the touring Australians in Hyderabad from Thursday.

Despite that, the Indian team appears strong enough although in recent times, there has been a lot of gap between promise and performance.

The Kiwis, who won only one game in the recent tri-series, have brought in fast bowler Iain O'Brien, who has played eight Tests and looking to regain his spot, in place of Mark Gillespie while 19-year-old left-arm paceman Trent Boult, still to make his first-class debut, has replaced spinner Jeetan Patel.

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Tendulkar declared fit for Australia Tests

India's most prolific batsman Sachin Tendulkar was declared fit on Friday for the four Test home series against Australia starting in Bangalore on October 9.

Tendulkar, 35, pulled out of a domestic match this week to recover from an elbow injury sustained during the third Test in Sri Lanka last month which forced him out of the subsequent ODI series.

A board statement said the physiotherapist who assessed Tendulkar's fitness at the National Cricket Academy had declared him fit. It said Tendulkar would join a training camp in Bangalore next week.

Tendulkar, who has become increasingly injury prone, is 76 runs short of retired West Indian Brian Lara's world record of 11,953 Test runs.

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Lankan players to play in IPL despite England tour

Sri Lankan sports minister has allowed players to play in the second season of million-dollar Indian Premier League (IPL) even if it meant sending a weakeened team to the summer tour to England.

The Sri Lankan board met with their government earlier this week and were told by sports minister Gamini Lokuge that they must not undermine their relationship with the powerful Indian cricket authorities even if they have to send a second grade team to England next year, media here reported.

Several leading Sri Lankan players have IPL deals in place. The second IPL season clashes directly with the England tour and ticket details for the two Tests, at the Riverside and Lord's, are yet to be released.

"I want the contracted players to honour their commitments with the IPL," Lokuge was quoted as saying in Telegraph. "I don't want the tour to England be called off. But the team on English soil can have non-contracted IPL players."

Officials at Durham have been told to await England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) clearance before issuing ticketing details for the second Test, which is due to begin on May 15. The second IPL season ends on May 29 and the Sri Lankan players reacted angrily as soon as the tour to England was announced.

The tour was agreed to by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chairman Arjuna Ranatunga during the International Cricket Council (ICC) board meeting in June that saw an intense period of political horse play as England engineered Zimbabwe's removal from the World Twenty20 Championship.

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Australian media terms Kumble as danger man

The Australian media on Thursday said Indian skipper Anil Kumble's performance would have a strong bearing on the outcome on the four-match Test series between the two countries, beginning with the first Test in Bangalore on October 9.

"The leg-spinning Kumble is an astute, humble and skillful cricketer who will have a major role to play in the battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy," Daily Telegraph said in its report.

Kumble, who will turn 38 next month, is under increasing pressure from ODI and Twenty20 captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's supporters to step down and hand over the reins to the dynamic wicket-keeper but the report highlighted Dhoni's batting failure in Australia last summer while crediting the leg-spinner's feat.

"Dhoni can also be a batting hurricane but he failed to flatten Australia last summer, scoring just 141 runs at 17.62 while Kumble, the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history, responded with 20 scalps in an epic series.

"Dhoni has impressed some officials with his deeds in the Twenty20 and the 50-over game, but others are wary of over-burdening a man who had to sit out the entire mid-year Test series against Sri Lanka because of fatigue," the report read.

Dhoni, though, has played down the suggestions, saying it makes no sense.

"I've never given too much thought to these things. There's no point. I'm just happy to be playing the game, playing for the country and enjoying every moment," he said.

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India A favourite to win tri-series final against Australia A

Riding on two back-to-back victories, India A will be the favourites to win the tri-series cricket final against Australia A on Friday.

The home team apparently learnt their lessons from their defeat against the Aussies in the first round of the tournament played in Hyderabad as they avenged the loss with a strong performance that they will be hoping to carry into the final.

The Indians Sunday had beaten New Zealand A, the third team in the competition, in a convincing fashion after making 305 and the win against the Aussies while chasing 273 further underlined their batting strength, although the openers failed yet again.

Though the Indian bowling attack at times appeared rather thin and ragged, the batsmen, especially the likes of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan have more than made up for this shortcoming to carry the team through to the final.

The Aussies have more or less conceded the home advantage to the Indian team as their skipper Cameron White admitted the other day when he said: "On home pitches, the Indian team is always difficult to beat."

In defeating Australia Wednesday, the Indian team showed definite signs of a side coming together as a fighting unit and the visitors will have to produce something extra on the morrow to pull off a victory.

The Australian campaign nearly went off rails at Hyderabad when they were shot out for 106 by the Kiwis before recovering to beat India and stay in the reckoning.

If Yusuf Pathan has been one of the mainstays of Indian batting, then so has been David Hussey for the Aussies who, despite boasting of a talented set of bowlers in Shaun Tait, Ashley Nofke and White himself, struggled to contain the hosts.

The placid nature of the pitch at the MA Chidambaram stadium has also contributed to the string of big scores, but the ground staff has had little or no time to carry out repairs in view of the near continuous cricket played at the venue.

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Poor India record affecting Ponting: Zaheer Khan

India paceman Zaheer Khan believes Ricky Ponting's poor batting record in India is affecting the Australian captain's confidence going into the high-profile four-Test series starting next month.

Ponting is one of seven batsmen to have scored over 10,000 Test runs but the 33-year-old right-hander averages just 12.28 in eight Tests in India.

Ponting last week said India start as favourites because they have more experienced players and Australia, the world's top-ranked side, are the underdogs.

"I was actually surprised by the statement made by him, for a captain who is leading the number one Test side to say something like that definitely shows that there is a lot of pressure on him getting into the series," Zaheer told a news channel on Thursday.

"The reason can be that he hasn't scored many runs in India. That should definitely work to the advantage of us," the left-arm bowler added.

Australia arrived on Monday ahead of schedule to spend a week acclimatising at the Rajasthan cricket academy. Australia won a four-match series 2-1 on the previous tour in 2004 to record their first series victory in India in 35 years.

Pointing played only the final Test, which the hosts won, after missing the first three with a thumb injury.

Australia won an acrimonious four-Test series 2-1 against India at home early this year.

From the current squad only Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have Test experience in India and the tourists are rebuilding following a series of high-profile retirements.

Zaheer said Hayden's wicket would be the key. The powerful left-hander averages an impressive 61 in India, plundering 793 runs in seven Tests.

"The Australian team definitely relies quite a lot on Hayden, especially when the tour India. It will be good to get him out early," Zaheer said.

The first Test starts in Bangalore on October 9. The remaining Tests are in Mohali, Delhi and Nagpur.

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Bradman's first bat fetches record price

Sir Donald Bradman's first Test cricket bat that went under the hammer Thursday night fetched 25,000 Australian dollars more than the pre-sale estimated price and much to the relief of many in Australia, it will stay in the country.

One of the most coveted willows in the Baggy Greens' history, the bat was snapped by an Australian bidder for a record price of 145,000 Australian dollars.

With wide interest in the auction from overseas, including India, it was feared the bat, signed by the entire 1928-29 Australian and English teams, could end up overseas.

"This is very special - any piece that Donald Bradman used or wore in his Test career is really the pick of the tree as far as Australian cricketing memorabilia is concerned. To have the bat he used in his first Test was really a sensational piece for us. We are delighted that the market agreed with us", Auctioneer Charles Leski was quoted as saying in the local media.

Surprisingly, the bat did not see much action as Bradman scored only 18 and 1 run in the first Test against England in Brisbane in 1928-29 and was dropped from the team following his ill-fated debut.

However, Bradman had the presence of mind to get it signed by both the Australian and English teams.

"It's almost amusing to think about it - the 20-year-old Bradman did not do particularly well. Unlike all the other bats he used, this one he had signed by the players from both teams," Leski told reporters.

"It's interesting, then, to think about his career after that. A month later, he was cementing his place on the cricket team, a year later a star in his own right," Leski added.

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Asif gets date with IPL inquiry tribunal

Tainted Pakistani pacer Mohammad Asif's efforts to get a fresh date of hearing finally paid off with the drugs inquiry tribunal of the Indian Premier League asking him to plead his dope violation case on October 11.

Asif had complained that he was frustrated with the delay in the IPL tribunal giving him a hearing so that he could clear himself of the doping charges.

"We have got a mail from the IPL saying that the hearing would take place on October 11 and we have been directed to appear in person with full documentation," Shahid Karim, the lawyer for Asif said.

He said that sports medicine and doping specialist, Dr Graham would accompany them for the hearing as he had played an important role in preparing the defense for the pacer.

Asif is presently suspended from playing cricket by the Pakistan cricket Board after he tested positive for a banned substance during doping tests conducted during the IPL semi finals in late May.

His "B" sample test also showed the same banned substance but there was a difference in the quantity of the substance found in his sample.

The Board has said that it would not be interfering in the case as the dope test came positive in a foreign country and Asif would have to fight his case according to their laws.

The IPL has constituted a drugs inquiry tribunal headed by a sports medicine and doping specialist and also includes former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar.

Asif who is presently in Karachi said he was confident of winning his case as there were some technical issues with the way the tests were conducted that would be placed before the IPL tribunal.

"I have never used banned substances in my life so I am confident that I will be cleaed of this slur that has badly damaged my career," Asif said.

The IPL tribunal had earlier given August 30 as a date for hearing but Asif and his lawyer had requested for a fresh date because of shortage of time.

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ICC to regulate T20 tournaments

As popularity of the Twenty20 format of the game seems going through the roof, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering regulating the spree of T20 tournaments to protect the attraction of international cricket.

"All these tournaments are springing up and what we are trying to do is regulate them in a more effective way. A private businessman might have different ambitions but we have to protect the game of cricket," ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

"Twenty20 is an opportunity that people have spotted they can take advantage of, but that doesn't detract from what has been agreed by all members that we will not sacrifice nation-v-nation cricket. Everyone recognises its importance. People are not disregarding it," he said.

Interestingly, Lorgat's comment came days after six Bangladesh cricketers, including former captain Habibul Bashar, resigned from the national team in an apparent move to join the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).

"If there wasn't an interest in the sport there wouldn't be so many challenges. I would rather come into a scenario where things are moving at great speed, with new forms of cricket and a new audience," the South African added.

The lucrative Indian Premier League, brainchild of BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi, was a huge success in India and the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 tournament will also be held here in December.

The rebel ICL will also start its third session from October 10.

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Skipping Pak tour was right decision

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has said that the expert security advice his team received halted what could have been a disastrous tour of Pakistan.

A suicide bomber detonated a truck packed with explosives on Saturday in Islamabad, killing about 60 people and injuring 200 at the Marriott Hotel.

It has been described as one of the biggest terrorist attacks in Pakistan's history, and there were fears more dead would be found inside the hotel, a popular gathering place for politicians, foreigners and the Pakistan elite.

"It's devastating for the people involved in Pakistan. I mean, we'd be talking hypothetically, if us being in the hotel or England or South Africa being in the hotel.

I think what we've done, and what we've done right the way through, is that we just have to listen to the advice from the experts and our Department of Foreign Affairs," Ponting said.

"Security advice right the way through has been (that) they have not been happy for us to tour Pakistan, so obviously nothing has changed right now," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

"It is an absolute shame that things like this continue to happen in Pakistan, because, as players you want to travel all around the world," he added.

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Rest of India sweat it out for Irani Trophy

It was was hot and humid since morning on Monday, but both Delhi and Rest of India made the most of their practice sessions, two days ahead of their crucial Irani Trophy tie at the IPCL ground here.

Delhi practised for more than three hours and Rest players bowled and batted equally hard at the nets.

Delhi arrived at the ground first, though they were scheduled to come only in the afternoon. Fast bowler Ashish Nehra looked in good touch as he worked up decent speed. He spent a long time at the nets and Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya admitted later that the team is depending heavily on Nehra. This, despite India's latest pace sensation Ishant Sharma being part of the team.

"Nehra is in good touch and he is enjoying his game now. We are depending on him a lot. Captain Virendra Sehwag is also in fine touch," said Dahiya.

The Rest squad turned up for practice in the afternoon. Senior batsmen like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman batted for quite some time with the former hitting the ball in his characteristic style - straight down the ground.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble first bowled to Dravid and then Harbhajan Singh got into the act. MS Dhoni on the other hand, preferred fielding and catching practice along with RP Singh and Mohammed Kaif.

Munaf Patel bowled a bit along with Zaheer Khan but the former didn't seem to be enjoying the session. "Rest of India is a strong side as it has got some very good players. But we also have experienced players and we will give them a tough fight," said Dahiya.

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Tight security for Irani Trophy match

In view of the serial blasts in different parts of the country, the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has put in place tight security arrangements during the Irani Trophy match between Rest of India and Delhi starting September 24.

The BCA has banned carrying of water bottles, radio, explosives and electronic equipment, fire crackers, match box, lighter, mobile phones, helmets and fire crackers in the Reliance Cricket Stadium.

The Rest of India team is headed by Anil Kumble and Delhi is team headed by Virender Sehwag.

Both the teams will have practice session on Monday and Tuesday and there will be tight security throughout the match.

The security will be assisted by private security agency. Right from the main road entrance to the ground and inside the stadium close circuit TV cameras have been installed.

Total 30 cameras have been installed, in addition two cameramen of BCA will be there throughout the match.

The CCTV cameras will be closely monitored by the Vadodara police in the police control room at the ground with the help of Plasma screen.

The entire match has been insured for an amount of Rs 2.45 crore covering all the aspect related to match.

BCA secretary Vijaysinh S Indulkar said that it is for the first time in a Irani Trophy match, entry for spectators is free.

He said the arrangements have been made to provide drinking water free of charge from water huts to be set up for the spectators.

Jatin Vakil, media manager and convener press committee of BCA said that sitting arrangements have been made for 5,000 spectators to see the match.

He said a medical team with doctors of different specialties will be available on call for any field emergency or assistance. An Ambulance will also be kept ready, Vakil added.

Vakil said that, an official communication from Sachin Tendulkar stating he would not play in this match has been received by the BCA.

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Dhoni, I am playing for the country

Even if some critics are furiously debating whether Anil Kumble should hand over the reins of the Test captaincy to his deputy, ODI skipper MS Dhoni himself is pretty cool about the whole controversy and wondering what the fuss is all about.

"If you ask me, I'm too happy and privileged to be playing under someone as great and as modest as Kumble," Dhoni told TOI on Sunday.

"He's a thorough gentleman. A legend. And a bowler of great skill and tremendous fighting qualities. He commands the respect of his team.

"Kumble is someone who is fiercely determined, one who never gives up. Even if the opponents need 10 runs to get on the final day, we know Kumble will come back and fight till the last run. These qualities are rare," explained Dhoni.

Cutting out the Test captaincy debate, he says, "I've never given too much thought to these things. There's no point. I'm just too happy to be playing the game, playing for the country and enjoying every moment.

"The way I look at it is, I never thought I would play for India but I did. I never dreamt of leading the country but I did. So I don't let such things creep into my mind, more so because it's none of my business. The important thing is to understand that we have a tough series coming up against the best side in the world, so we need to focus our energies on that. Period."

Like all of us, Dhoni too is hoping that Sachin Tendulkar recovers from his elbow injury ahead of the first Test against Australia.

"Sachin continues to be a key player in the middle order and he showed us why his presence is so very important in the last series in Australia," opined the charismatic Dhoni.

"Once he returns, it will only be a matter of time before he gets those 70-75 runs to become the highest run-getter in Test history. That is something the whole country is looking forward to. I'm sure it will be a great moment for him just as it will be for the entire team and the country."

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Ganguly fails to charm in Pearls Trophy

After three days of incessant downpour, the sun finally shone on Sunday, thus ending the agony of city cricket afficionados who were eagerly waiting to see former India skipper Sourav Ganguly wield magic with his willow.

However, Ganguly left them disappointed with a scratchy knock of 20, as his side Leaders in Cricket (LIC) side went down to Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) by six wickets in the 15th JP Atray Memorial Cricket Tournament for Pearls Trophy at PCA Stadium on Sunday.

He also didn't lead the side and looked comfortable playing under LIC skipper Rajesh Patha. However, Ganguly looked off colour and played a sedate knock.

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India A look to maintain momentum against New Zealand

India A hope to carry forward their form when they face New Zealand A in the second round of the tri-series also involving Australia A at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.

The Indians, led by Subramaniam Badrinath, kept themselves in the reckoning by defeating the Kiwis at Hyderabad, the venue of the first phase of the competition that involves fringe players and also those on the mend or comeback.

The Kiwis currently head the table on better Net Run Rate (+0.771) while the Indians are in second place with a NRR of -0.275 followed by the Aussies (-0.558). All the three teams are level on points (four apiece) with a win and a defeat each.

At Hyderabad, Australia, after beating India via Duckworth/Lewis method in a rain-affected game, crashed to a humiliating defeat to the Kiwis, who in turn lost to the hosts resulting in a tie on points among the three teams.

From India's perspective, the tri-series, though being played on home grounds, has failed to throw up any outstanding performer with the front-runners seeking to cement their berths in the national team failing abysmally save Badrinath and Yusuf Pathan, the only batsmen with a half-century apiece and young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla who picked up three for 43 against the Kiwis.

The likes of openers Robin Uthappa and Swapnil Asnodkar (of IPL fame), middle-order batsmen Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, bowlers Irfan Pathan and Praveen Kumar, have not exactly set the turf on fire, but would be hoping to make up in the second round of the matches.

India will then clash with Australia on Wednesday and Australia will take on New Zealand on Monday.

The performances of two Aussies, fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger, both members of the senior team scheduled to tour India next month, will be keenly watched.

Also being monitored are wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi, who struck a match-winning century against the Indians at Hyderabad, fast bowler Shaun Tait, on a comeback trail, and all-rounder Cameron White, who was distinctly unlucky to miss out on the India tour next month.

The Kiwis, despite the loss to India in their second game at Hyderabad, would still be high on confidence in the wake of their huge win against Aussies who were dismissed for 106 with off-break bowler Jeetan Patel claiming four wickets.

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Tendulkar available for Australia series

Sachin Tendulkar who has pulled out of the Irani Trophy as a precaution to give his injured elbow one more week's rest, will be available for the four-match Test series against Australia starting October 9.

There has been speculation about Tendulkar's availability for the first Test against Australia in Bangalore after his withdrawal from Irani match, but secretary of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Niranjan Shah made it clear that the batting maestro will be available for the Test series.

"Sachin will not be playing in the Irani Trophy on the advice of the physiotherapist of the India team so that he could give another week's rest. But he will be available for the Australia series," Shah said.

Tendulkar injured his left elbow during the third Test in Sri Lanka and did not play in the One-day series in the island nation.

The 35-year-old also had undergone surgery for tennis elbow in 2005.

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BCCI promises more Bangla players in IPL

The BCCI has thrown its weight behind Bangladesh Cricket Board by promising to rope in more cricketers from its eastern neighbours into the lucrative Indian Premier League in its second edition in April next year.

IPL Chairman Lalit Modi said the Indian Cricket Board will help Bangladesh recover from the exodus of 13 top players to 'rebel' Indian Cricket League by also including a team from Bangladesh in the 2010 Champions Twenty20 League.

"We will definitely play an active role in helping them out. We are looking at adding a few Bangladesh players for the next IPL auction. And we are also looking at a team from Bangladesh participating in the Champions League from 2010 onwards," Modi said.

The next IPL auction is tentatively scheduled for January, about two months before the second season begins on April 10.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak is the only Bangladesh player currently in the IPL, signed up by Bangalore Royal Challengers for $50,000.

National Boards will receive a significant sum for participating in the Champions Twenty20 League, along with a separate participation fee for the domestic Twenty20 teams that are invited.

The ICC, meanwhile, said Bangladesh's Test future will be discussed during the ICC Board meeting next month by the committee formed in July on unofficial cricket.

"Any decision on this will be taken at the ICC board meeting and it will be the working party that will decide on such an issue," an ICC spokesperson said.

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Bangladesh pin hopes on IPL

With 13 of its players turning "Dhaka Warriors" for the rebel Indian Cricket League, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is now pinning hopes on the Indian Premier League and the Champions Trophy to rally its players.

The Board for Control of Cricket in India has said that it will help out Bangladesh cricket by including a team in the 2010 edition of the Champions Twenty20 League and include more Bangladeshi cricketers in the lucrative IPL, The Daily Star said on Friday.

Lalit Modi, who also heads both these tournaments, said: "We will definitely play an active role in helping them out. We are looking at adding a few of their (Bangladesh) players for the next IPL auction. We are also looking at a team from Bangladesh participating in the Champions League from 2010."

The next IPL auction is tentatively scheduled for January 29, about two months before the second season begins on April 10.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak is the only Bangladeshi player currently in the IPL and Bangalore Royal Challengers signed him up for $50,000.

Although national boards don't get a share of IPL's revenues, they will receive a significant sum for participating in the Champions League, along with a separate participation fee for the domestic Twenty20 teams that are invited. The Champions League is hoping to expand from eight teams this year to 12 in 2009.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that any discussion on Bangladesh's Test future will have to be within the committee it had formed in July on unofficial cricket.

"Any decision on this will be taken at the ICC board meeting and it will be the working party that will decide on such an issue," an ICC spokesperson said.

The ICC's committee is believed to have discussed the issue over the last few months although Modi, who is a member, declined to comment on the nature of those talks.

Although none of the 13 cricketers who signed up for ICL came for a meeting the BCB had convened on Thursday, BCB's tough stance against the "Dhaka Warriors" received a further boost when the ICC and the BCCI backed their move to ban the players. BCB banned the players for 10 years.

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India should not take Australia lightly

The Australians may be a lesser force after retirements by some star players but former India skipper Kapil Dev has cautioned Anil Kumble's men against taking the world champions lightly in the forthcoming four-match Test series.

"Let them land and play here. Only their former players like Adam Gilchrist have branded them as inexperienced. That may be their ploy to remain underdogs," Kapil, who is here to take part in a business meeting, said.

"The Australians are fighters and they would not concede anything easily. The series is going to be a hard fought one," said the skipper of the 1983 World Cup winning team.

The former all-rounder also said it would be unwise to write off Sourav Ganguly, who was not picked for the Irani Trophy, and felt he has the ability to stage a comeback.

"He is a determined chap. But he needs to work harder to make another comeback. He still has some time and also fair amount of cricket left in him. He w ill have to work hard for it," said Kapil.

Kapil also sympathised with players who were banned by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for joining the 'rebel' Indian Cricket League.

"Any player in the world has the right to play any where. Stopping him from that is a crime and is unjustified."

Kapil also accused the BCCI of trying to monopolise cricket and felt it was wrong to brand any one joining ICL as a rebel.

"Both IPL and ICL are good for Indian cricket. Both are giving chance to many of those who don't get much opportunities," he said.

The former skipper also ridiculed the criticism directed towards Mahendra Singh Dhoni for skipping the Test series against Sri Lanka to rest his body.

"Dhoni is a wonderful player and has given his 100 per cent whenever he has played. What is wrong if he had opted out of the Sri Lanka Test series in order to give rest to his aching body? We should respect such players and should give some liberty to them," said Kapil.

Kapil praised Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis but said the Indian bowlers should also be lauded for helping the team win the ODI series.

"Undoubtedly Mendis ran through the Indian bating in Test series but don't forget to pat the Indian bowlers who have won the one-day series for us," he added.

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Victory of cricket

Welcoming Sri Lanka Cricket's decision to allow the cricketers aligned with the 'rebel' League to play in domestic tournaments, ICL executive board member Kiran More on Friday said it was not only a memorable day for the ICL but also 'victory of cricket'.

The decision was taken by the interim committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket, led by former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

More, who is also a member of the ICL's executive board, hoped the ICC would also change its mindset towards the ICL.

"This is a good and very important decision. This is the victory of cricket as ICL are not doing anything wrong but only playing cricket," More said.

The former wicketkeeper also thinks that cricket's highest governing body also should show positive attitude towards the rebel league.

"Everybody knows there is no difference between the IPL (Indian Premier League) and ICL. The cricketers are opting for IPL or ICL rather than going for county cricket, so what is wrong in it," More asked.

"We have been appealing to the ICC's affiliation for the ICL, but we know it will take some time. We are hopeful about positive reply from the ICC," he added.

More, however, declined to comment on whether the decision could give a jolt to the BCCI and said, "Its good news for us as well as the cricketers. The cricketers would get some alternatives, which, in turn will surely encourage the players."

He had also some words of praise for the Sri Lanka Cricket chief Ranatunga, who moved the resolution to lift the ban on players like Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold and Upul Chandana.

"He has played cricket for a long time and he understands well the condition of the cricketers," More said.

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Tendulkar dismisses retirement talks

Champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar on Thursday appeared to dismiss any chance of an early retirement from international cricket.

When a scribe asked him about his retirement plans at a press conference here, Tendulkar shot back "I think you got to be in some other press conference."

Tendulkar failed to make much of an impression with the bat in the recent Test series against Sri Lanka which also saw the other top batsmen like Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman faring miserably.

Ganguly was subsequently dropped from the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy tie against Delhi, leaving a big question mark on his international career.

Plagued by injuries in recent times, Tendulkar skipped the One-day series against Sri Lanka due to a left elbow injury but has now recovered fully to be eligible for selection for the upcoming Test series against Australia beginning from October 9.

Tendulkar, who is within sniffing distance of overtaking West Indian great Brian Lara as Test cricket's highest run getter, pointed out that India have been the only team in the world to have run world champions Australia close of late in the latter's backyard.

"We have gone to Australia and beaten them. We have been able to surprise the Australian team and that's what the Australian public likes: competition and high standards of play. They love to see challenges and competitiveness", he added.

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Irfan Pathan was never an express bowler

Often ridiculed for his pace, or rather lack of it, Irfan Pathan says he is really baffled by the entire fuss for the simple reason that he has never been an express bowler in the first place.

At some stage, Irfan was virtually being ridiculed for his dipping pace and diminishing swing but the left-arm seamer believes he never was a tearaway bowler and hence all the talk about losing pace is grossly unfair.

"A lot of people talk about my swing and pace and I want to tell them that I was never a quick bowler. One must understand that even a spinner bowls slow. It's the variation which helps bowlers take wickets. I have always been a bowler who bowls at around 130-135 km/hr," Irfan told www.cricketnirvana.com .

For those who believe he is losing his swing as well, the Baroda seamer said, "I bowl first change these days and the world's greatest would agree that white ball stops swinging after the first 10-12 overs."

Mature enough to realise that he cannot avoid the constant scrutiny, Irfan said he would love his game to silence the critics.

"I believe as long as you play cricket you will be criticised. The critics will only stop when the cricketer finishes his career. One can only perform well and make them eat their words," he said.

Defending himself against constant criticism, Irfan pointed out to his kitty and said few players have achieved so much in so little time.

"At the end of the day, here is a guy called Irfan Pathan who has taken nearly 250 international wickets at the age of 23. Once I finish my career I won't be answerable," Pathan retorted.

"Initially some said that I will go on to take 300 wickets but after few failures they said I will never make it to the big league. Slowly, I am reaching 150 wickets in ODIs and I have already 100 Test scalps in my kitty. I have scored over 1000 runs in both forms of the game. I have achieved pretty much," said Irfan.

Irfan has also struggled with his all-rounder status, something he insisted he was always reluctant about.

"I think more than 1000 times (I have been asked about my all-rounder status). But it has to show in my performance.

"I will say that I am Irfan Pathan the all-rounder. I am the best. Kapil Dev, the great all-rounder became Kapil the all-rounder when he finished his career. Obviously he was a wonderful cricketer and a wonderful batsman but then people have to talk about a player when he finishes his career," he said.

"I haven't said that I am an all-rounder. I have batted at No. 3 position quite a few times and have been successful but I have never claimed to be an all-rounder. To be a really good all-rounder it will require time," Irfan added.

Dwelling on his game, Irfan said playing against Australia and Pakistan always brought out the best in him.

"I think Australia and Pakistan are the two teams which take the best out of me. I think if one is competing against them, one has to be positive. One has to be away from the fear of failure. I try to be extra positive whenever I play against them," he said.

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No election, only selection on cards

As the BCCI AGM slated for September 27 in Mumbai draws closer, hectic parleys and lobbying for various positions in the world's richest cricket body are hotting up. It is, however, unlikely that any of the office-bearers' posts will be contested for. There will be no election - only selection - at the BCCI's annual 'family gathering'.

As outgoing president Sharad Pawar passes on the baton to Shashank Manohar, expect no turbulence, for it no longer pays to be a rebel in the BCCI. Jagmohan Dalmiya may be back in the CAB but most of his allies have either switched over to the greener side of the pasture or have been so marginalized in their respective associations that they are in no position to offer any worthwhile resistance to the ruling group, which enjoys a brute majority in the 30-member house.

Four years ago Dalmiya enjoyed the unflinching support from the Kerala, Andhra, Karnataka, Himachal, Orissa, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura, Gujarat and the Haryana state associations. With questions being raised over PILCOM accounts, his support base has dwindled to four (including the CAB and the National Cricket Club).

It's therefore as clear as daylight that barring Tripura's Arindam Ganguly as vice-president, East Zone will go unrepresented in the new Team BCCI.

Don't rule out court cases, though, for BCCI AGMs are somehow incomplete without legal wrangles. However, such ploys have limited utility and could be minor deterrents to what promises to be a smooth transition.

The challenge before president-elect Manohar is to strike the right balance in his team of officials who will preside over Indian cricket for the next three years. The straight-talking lawyer from Nagpur, who is vastly experienced in BCCI politics, will have Tamil Nadu's heavyweight N Srinivasan as his secretary. The treasurer's post should be a shoo-in for outgoing joint-secretary Mohinder Pandove.

Manohar is spoilt for choices for the joint-secretary's post. MP Cricket Association secretary and Central Zone selector Sanjay Jagdale is one of the three names doing the rounds. Jagdale has completed his term on the selection panel, but he has competition from Goa's Chetan Desai, while Himachal's Anurag Thakur is a dark horse.

The biggest challenge before Manohar would be to accommodate outgoing secretary Niranjan Shah in his cabinet. Given Shah's seniority and stature in the BCCI, it will have to be something significant. The ruling group is playing its cards very close to the chest as they don't want any embarrassment on the floor of the house. They plan to hold a brainstorming session in the evening on September 25.

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India-Oz first Test to be played on green top

The first Test between India and Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is to be played on an upgraded fast and bouncy pitch.

Fox Sports quoted Narayan Raju, the pitch curator, as saying that the series-opener will provide plenty of encouragement for the fast bowlers.

The pitch will not be the dustbowl some players had feared, Raju said. India's obvious strength through the four-Test campaign will be veteran spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who share more than 900 Test wickets and will be match-winning threats on dry, dusty decks.

Australia will rely on uncapped duo Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza in the spin department, but their role may not need to be significant in Bangalore.

We will provide a sporting track with good pace and carry. There will be something for everyone, the spinners included, Raju said.

Raju said the Bangalore pitch was being scarified for fresh clay and fertiliser to be laid.

The pitch is more or less taken care of and it will have an even covering of grass in the next few days or so.

Australia will leave for India on Sunday, and they will spend time in Jaipurand Hyderabad before arriving in Bangalore.

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Badri leads from front, India A spank NZ by 5 wickets

The top order wobbled again but skipper S Badrinath led with example and hit a sedate unbeaten 69 to fashion India A's comprehensive five-wicket win against their New Zealand counterparts in the Tri-Series cricket tournament on Wednesday.

After Badrinath inserted the visitors, Piyush Chawla (3-43) and Praveen Kumar (2-17) shared five wickets between them to shoot out the visitors for 167 in 44.5 overs with Neil Broom (52), Peter Fulton (40) and Grant Eilliot (35) making useful contribution with the bat.

Chasing a meagre target, the Indians could not settle into any rhythm as the top order continued its slipshod show before Badrinath and in-form Yusuf Pathan (34 not out) put their foot down and stitched together an unbeaten 43-run stand to see the hosts through with 15.2 overs to spare.

Badrinath's 88-ball unbeaten knock included seven hits to the fence apart from two sixes.

Yusuf played a violent 20-ball knock of unbeaten 34 with two boundaries and three sixes in it.

The Kiwis ran into trouble early in their innings, losing three wickets for eight runs inside seven overs.

Fulton and Broom then arrested the slide with defiant knocks to avert any immediate setback. Though they managed to stave off the Indian attack for a while, putting together 89 runs in the process, the run rate remained modest and from 97 for three, they suddenly slumped to 110 for six.

Elliot and Nathan McCullum (29) tried their best but Chawla and Praveen mopped the tail to skittle them out inside 45 overs.

India A didn't have a flying start either and the hosts were 60 for four inside 13 overs with Swaðnil Asnodkar (0), Suresh Raina (4), Robin Uthappa (24) and Rohit Sharma (11) back in the hutch.

Dinesh Karthik (22) was content rotating the strike but like Uthappa, he too could not convert the start and perished in the 30th over.

Badrinath too looked little shaky in the start -- especially after Mark Gillespie once hit him in the helmet - before he shrugged off the cageyness and played out some scintillating shots.

Yusuf Pathan on the other hand was his explosive self and his characteristic big hits helped the hosts wrap up the match with more than 15 overs to spare.

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BCCI snubs Kapil Dev

BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah speaking exclusively to Times Now news channel rubbished rebel league chairman Kapil Dev's claim that the board has divided Indian cricket.

Kapil had accused BCCI of not making payments to ICL players. BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said that Kapil Dev can say whatever he wants we are not concerned with it.

Earlier on Tuesday, former India captain lashed out at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for victimising its players and not paying their dues.

"Stopping their money is not right. I leave it to the discretion of the board. They should have been big hearted. The cricketers deserve their dues," Kapil said.

Kapil indirectly charged BCCI vice-president and Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi for having a vindictive attitude towards ICL players.

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Ponting says tour of India not confirmed

A day after the cricket board here gave the all-clear for the India tour, Australia skipper Ricky Ponting today said nothing is set in stone and the decision could change depending on the security situations.

"Anything could happen tomorrow, things change very quickly in the world right at the moment," Ponting said in Canberra.

"Cricket Australia will continue to be in touch and the government will continue to be in touch and Cricket Australia will keep us players and the players association in the loop on a daily, if not hourly basis," he added.

CA had declared yesterday that the tour would go ahead as scheduled despite Saturday's serial blasts in New Delhi.

Ponting said no player has so far expressed any apprehension about touring India but the final call on the matter will come down to what the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's assessment of the situation.

"As a group we haven't been together. I'm not sure if Cricket Australia have fielded any calls from individual players or families but that wouldn't be unusual if that was the case," he said.

Meanwhile, CA General manager Michael Brown rubbished Pakistan Cricket Board's allegations that Australia's decision to tour India after cancelling a tour to Pakistan following similar blasts smacked of double standards.

"The only reason we can't play and participate is for security reasons and we'll keep monitoring those as time goes by," Brown said.

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Filing of BCCI nominations on September 26

The filing of nominations for the annual Cricket Board elections is to take place a day before its Annual General Meeting which is scheduled later this month in Mumbai.

"The filing of nominations for the posts of five vice presidents, the secretary, joint secretary and treasurer will be held between 1030 hrs and 1600 hrs on September 26 and by 1900 hours on the same day, after any withdrawals, the final list of candidates will be known," BCCI sources on Wednesday.

Shashank Manohar of Vidarbha Cricket Association has already been elected as the next BCCI president to succeed Sharad Pawar who is to step down at the AGM which is scheduled on September 27 and 28.

A day ahead of the filing of nominations, all the 30 affiliated units of the BCCI would have to provide the name of the person to represent them at the AGM.

To be eligible to contest for the vice-president's post the candidate must be proposed by his own parent unit and seconded by another unit from the same zone.

All those contesting the elections must have attended two AGMs or should have been a present or past office-bearer of the BCCI.

The next president of the BCCI, after Manohar completes his term in 2011, would be from south zone as per the board's rotation policy and he will be appointed as the president-elect in 2010, the sources added.

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Mumbai too don't want foreign hand

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has no plans as yet to rope in a foreign player for the Ranji trophy campaign.

MCA joint secretary Hemant Waingankar said: "We have not discussed this aspect as yet. The chairman of the selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar hasn't spoken of a need to rope in a foreign player."

Waingankar said taking a foreigner would deprive a deserving local player of his rightful spot in the team. Vengsarkar himself said:"We don't require foreign players. We have a system in place to unearth talent. There are about 100 tournaments, talent scouts, age group events and a state-of-the-art academy under Chandrakant Pandit. I am confident this system will produce the needed talent," added Vengsarkar.

Only two foreign players have played for Mumbai. In the 60s, it was Charlie Stayers when West Indians fast bowlers were spread over the top zonal teams so that our batsmen got accustomed to playing pace. In the 70s, quickie Saeed Ahmed Hattea came to Bombay and played a few games. He all but made it to the Indian team for West Indies in 1971.

The flip side of this aspect of foreign players is the money angle. One BCCI official wishing to remain anonymous said:"The BCCI gives out grants to associations for the development of the game. Instead of using this money for putting infrastructure and a system in place, they spend money on pinching players from other teams to build their Ranji sides. That's not the purpose of the fund-disbursement."

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IPL cap may be raised

The cap of $5 million on buying of players by each of the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise teams might see an upward revision in the near future, IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi said on Tuesday.

The IPL Governing Council will hold a three-day meeting in Goa from October 16-18 at which the cap on the players will come up for review, he told reporters.

He said on January 29, 2009 has been tentatively fixed as the date for the next auction of the players.

Modi also said the IPL has already kept open a month-long period as the players' transfer window from one franchise to another.

"The players' transfer window will be between December 15 (2008) and January 15 (2009)," he said.

The IPL Commissioner also announced that the champions of the first edition of the multi-million dollar T20 league, Rajasthan Royals, have the right to decide on the venue for the summit clash of the 2009 edition.

Likewise the runners-up of the 2008 IPL, Chennai Super Kings, can decide about the venues of the two semi finals, he said, while giving details about revenue sharing from these matches.

Owners of the Mumbai franchise (Mumbai Indians) had the right to organise the semi finals and the final of the inaugural edition held between April 18 and June 1 this year and chose Mumbai as the venue for all three ties.

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ICL gives ultimatum to ICC

International Cricket Council (ICC) has been treating the Indian Cricket League (ICL) application for recognition in a tardy manner, a top official of the 'unofficial' league said on Tuesday.

Himanshu Mody, business head of Zee Group which is promoting ICL, said there has been back and forth communication between ICL and ICC in the matter but the world governing body has been dithering to address the matter.

"We had first applied for recognition in April. But till now nothing concrete has come out. I feel the ICC is trying to delay the matter, they had last sent a letter asking why did we start the league and like that.

"They are acting in a tardy manner. We had recently sent a reply and if we don't hear anything in 14 days we will pursue the matter again," Mody said here while launching second season of ICL.

Asked about the reports of senior Pakistan batsman Mohd. Yousuf rejoining the 'unofficial' league by seeking an out of court settlement with the ICL in a court case, he refused any comment, simply saying that the matter was subjudice.

"I can't comment on the reports as the matter is in the court. Today there was a hearing in Bombay High Court but it has been adjourned as his (Yousuf's) lawyer could not attend the hearing. The next hearing will be on Septemebr 30," he said.

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India need Ganguly's experience against Australia

India need the experience of Sourav Ganguly for the series against Australia, former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath said on Monday.

Amarnath was also confident the left hander would make a comeback.

"Sourav has made a comeback earlier. He will have no problem in making a comeback again," Amarnath told reporters here when asked about the former Indian skipper being dropped from the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy.

"Sourav is not yet out of the scene. The team for the series against Australia has not yet been announced. He should be in the squad," Amarnath maintained.

To form a winning combination, a team needed a good blend of senior and junior players, he said.

Asked whether the latest setback could be demotivating for Ganguly, he said

"Sourav has seen many ups and downs in his life. He is a determined and a very focused man. He has just had one bad series. He'll be able to handle the situation."

Talking about India's prospects in the coming series, Amarnath said he was hopeful that the batsmen who did not do well against Sri Lanka would perform at home.

To buttress his remarks, Amarnath pointed out Australia did not have the spin strength which Sri Lanka had.

"Indian batsmen got out to good spin bowling in Sri Lanka. Australia do not have the same spin artillery that Sri Lanka have," said Amarnath, who landed on Monday to take charge as Bengal team's consultant for the coming series.

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Pakistan's T20 finalists to play in Champions League

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday said winners of next month's National Twenty20 championship will participate in the Champions League to be held in December this year.

Making it clear that the champions of the last domestic Twenty20 championship would not represent Pakistan in the 6 million dollars Champions League, PCB Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said this year's Twenty20 was very significant given the lack of international cricket opportunities for Pakistani players.

"There is added incentive for the winners this year as they will represent Pakistan in the prestigious Champions League," he said.

In the Champions League, victorious Twenty20 teams from Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and England will compete with the Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Kings who played the final of the Indian Premier League.

The National Twenty20 championship will be the first major cricket event in Pakistan after the Asia Cup held in June and July.

Naghmi also made it clear that only players who represent their regional teams in the national championship would be considered for selection for the Twenty20 four-nation international event being held in Toronto from October 10.

He announced that a total of 13 regional teams would compete in the championship after being divided into four groups.

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Ganguly to figure in Club tournament

Failing to make the cut in the Irani Trophy squad, former skipper Sourav Ganguly is missing no chance to strike eluding form and will be seen in action in the 15th All-India JP Atray tournament, to be played in Chandigarh and Mohali from September 17.

The Kolkatan southpaw will represent LIC Cricket Club in the league-cum-knock out tournament which may also feature cricketers like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh.

Practising at Eden Gardens, Ganguly said, "What's the point of sitting. It will give a nice match practice."

Along with Ganguly, Bengal pace bowler Ranadeb Bose will also take part in the meet.

The duo are expected to leave for Chandigarh on Tuesday, subject to Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) nod.

Ganguly will play three matches on consecutive days from Friday before returning on Monday.

Left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Mohammed Kaif, Wasim Jaffar, Gautam Gambhir and Munaf Patel are also expected to figure in their respective squads.

The participating teams are Punjab Cricket Club, BPCL, Mumbai, St Bank of Hyderabad, HPCA Academy, ONGC Delhi, Assam CA, St Bank of Mysore-Bangalore, Indian Oil Corp-Mumbai, MRF-Chennai, Moody ICL, MPCA XI, CM XI-Haryana, LIC Cricket Club, PCA Colts, RCA XI and India Cements Ltd-Chennai.

The matches will be played at PCA Cricket Stadium at Mohali, Sector-16 Stadium in Chandigarh, DAV School (Chandigarh) and St John's School Cricket Stadium at Barwala.

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Sehwag was just another player

Pakistan pacer Imran Ali, whose brilliant six-wicket haul included Delhi captain Virender Sehwag's scalp, said he never felt in awe of the swashbuckling batsman.

The hat-trick hero had sent Sehwag packing without letting him open his account in the season-opening four-day Mohammad Nissar Trophy cricket match at the Froze Shah Kotla ground on Monday.

"I was confused when I first came to bowl but then I thought he was just a normal player," he said after the match.

India for the first time, admitted that he was well supported by fellow paceman Asad Ali.

"Together we won the domestic championships for our team in Pakistan. It is not possible (to perform well) if you don't have a good partner," he said.

This is Imran's second consecutive hat-trick after he picked one in a list-A match in Pakistan's domestic championship.

Asked if the Pakistan batsmen had squandered the advantage as they were 143 for 6 at stumps, Imran said, "It was nothing like that, it was just part of the game."

Indian batsman Virat Kohli also praised Imran for his outstanding performance.

"Imran was really very good today. He was getting right movements by hitting in the right areas and maintaining the right length. He maintained that throughout," he said.

Asked about his batting position, he said, "I was ready to bat at any position as the team management wanted.

"I opened in Sri Lanka so I did not think it would be any problem for me," he said.

Kohli also said that Indians did not take the Pakistanis lighhtly.

"They are the champions back home so there was no question of taking them lightly," he said.

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India ready to make space for Champions Trophy

Pakistan's chances of hosting the Champions Trophy next year improved on Sunday after the Indian cricket board said it was willing to adjust its calendar for the sake of the crisis-hit tournament.

The Indian board, which had objected to the event being held in October 2009 as it clashed with its ODI series with Australia, said it was open to "minor adjustments" if other boards involved were flexible as well.

"There is no question that all the boards would like the Champions Trophy to happen," board secretary Niranjan Shah said.

"We are willing to look at an adjustment by a few days if everyone else involved is equally flexible," he was quoted as saying.

The Indian board will also have to change the dates of the Champions Twenty20 League, a multi-million dollar inter-club competition slated to be held from September 25-October 11 next year.

The International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat is expected to visit member boards in a bid to get to them to shift their bilateral events to accommodate the Champions Trophy.

"It's a tough task for Lorgat, but he has emerged as someone who has the ability to build a consensus," ICC sources were quoted as saying by the website.

"He has two to three options to work on and if the boards relent on the dates, as some of them promised in Dubai last week, the dates of the tournament will be finalised next month."

The Champions Trophy, the second biggest tournament after the World Cup, was due cancelled due to security concerns in Pakistan.

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Delhi take on SNGPL in Mohammad Nissar Trophy

The shadow of terror keeps chasing Pakistan's cricketers, even on the domestic front. Deprived of international cricket due to the reluctance of international outfits to tour the country, the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) team now finds itself taking on Delhi in the Mohammad Nissar Trophy at the Ferozeshah Kotla from Monday in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's unnerving serial blasts.

The security situation is still tense, but the police is breathing easy since domestic events are low on the public radar. Pakistan's players, however, seem resigned to the fact that the game must go on in these uncertain times.

Misbah-ul Haq, one of only three internationals in the SNGPL squad led by Mohammad Hafeez, said as much on Sunday: "We are used to it. If everyone refuses to play there will be no cricket. The game suffers. The charm goes. Hamara farz hai ki khelte rahe. The Champions Trophy was the last hope but now our national team is short of practice."

For security agencies and DDCA officials, the four-day affair between India and Pakistan's first-class champions is a precursor to the India-Australia Test scheduled from October 29, in which arrangements need to be foolproof. "We have asked for extra security for tomorrow and even for the Australia game, but the festival season might make deployment of additional forces difficult during October-Novmber," said a DDCA official. ACP Ishwar Singh said, "We are alert and ready, but I don't think we need too many extra policemen for a domestic game."

The tournament itself is in its third edition and first-time Quaid-e-Azam winners SNGPL will have their task cut out trying to wrest the Trophy back from India's Ranji champions. They have a squad thin on experience, but as Hafeez said, "We don't have stars but it's a talented young squad. Delhi are very strong and we will know where we stand."

Apart from Kolkata Knight Riders' Hafeez and Misbah, the squad has left-arm pacer Samiullah Khan, the side's highest wicket-taker, and pacers Imran Ali and Asad Ali. Then there are wicketkeeeper Kamran Akmal's younger brothers, Adnan and Umar, with the latter notching up 855 runs from nine games last season. Umar, along with Adil Raza, was part of the U-19 World Cup squad.

Delhi, though, boast as many as seven players with international experience and are expected to follow UP and Mumbai in making small work of their opponents. "Sehwag is expected to return from his ankle injury, Ishant Sharma is fit, and Nehra's comeback is very good news for us. Aakash Chopra is in good form. It's a nice way to get into the groove before the Irani Trophy game against Rest of India (starting Sept 24)," said Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya.

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