Blame me if there are empty seats, says Alonso

Barcelona, May 10: Renault's double world champion Fernando Alonso blamed his lack of recent success as much as the credit crunch for empty seats at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday.

Organisers expect around 100,000 spectators at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday, a far cry from the record 140,700 that turned out on race day in 2007 when Alonso arrived as Formula One champion for the second successive year.

Last year's Sunday attendance was 132,600.

However Spain is suffering in the economic crisis and ticket sales have slowed although 71,600 turned out for Saturday's qualifying to see Alonso qualify eighth with the lightest car on the grid.

"I think the crisis will have an effect probably," said Alonso, who won twice last year but has scored just five points in four races this season, when asked about the gaps in what would previously have been a sea of fans.

"It's not good that I say this, but I think it's also because we are not winning.”

"I'm sure if Renault was winning races or winning the podium, the grandstand is full. Because people know what is the situation at the moment, they are not really that interested any more," added the Spaniard, who won in Barcelona in 2006.

"In this championship there are no battles between Ferrari and McLaren, there are no battles between Hamilton, Raikkonen, Alonso. So it's a little bit difficult to explain for the people how Formula One is now."

New rules have turned the sport upside down this season with McLaren, Ferrari, BMW-Sauber and Renault all struggling to score points while newcomers Brawn GP are battling previously unheralded Red Bull and Toyota at the front.

McLaren's world champion Lewis Hamilton has scored just nine points in four races while Ferrari's Felipe Massa, last year's overall runner up, has none. His team mate Kimi Raikkonen, the 2007 champion, has three.

Brawn's Jenson Button, a tail-ender with Honda last year, has won three races.

Yuvi all praise for Jayawardene for win

Kimberley, May 09: Kings XI Punjab skipper Yuvraj Singh heaped praise on Sri Lankan Mahela Jayawardene whose quickfire innings of 28-ball 43 under pressure ensured their side`s three-wicket victory over Deccan Chargers here on Saturday.

Chasing 169, Kings XI were in trouble at 86 for four at the strategy break after Yuvraj himself and Kumar Sangakkara were out in the space of two balls and one run but Jayawardene took the side to the threshold of victory with a blistering innings before the lower order finished off the match.

"After I was out in the 10th over I told the batsmen to stitch a partnership. Mahela and Irfan (Pathan) did that and the lower order had a few hits at the boundary," he said.

"Mahela played an outstanding innings and he has been consistent all along and doing well for us under pressure," Yuvraj said after the match.

The return of Australian pacer Brett Lee has added the sting to the Kings XI Punjab attack and Yuvraj understandably was happy with that.

"It a good thing (Lee`s return). We are getting better (in bowling), getting better at the death overs. If bowling at the death is sorted out, batting can take control of the match later," said Yuvraj.

Man-of-the-match Jayawardene said he had wanted to stay till the end but could not though the lower order did well to finish off the match.

"I had to be there till the end after Yuvraj and Sangakkara were out but I could not. Fortunately, the lower order were able to finish off the match," he said.

"Run chase is all about planning. After the 10th over I and Irfan spoke to each other to score at six to seven an over for another five overs. We were always ahead of that target but unfortunately I could not last till the end," said the former Sri Lanka captain.

Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist said despite the loss, his side was still in the hunt for a semifinal spot as the tournament was still wide open.

"It was an exciting game of cricket though we lost. It (tournament) is still wide open. Everybody is in the mix and every team is in the tournament," he said.

Asked about the wicket, he said, "It was a funny wicket. I won`t say that the ball came to the bat. But, as Mahela (Jayawardene) showed batsmen can clear the ropes.

Bangladesh offer amnesty to ICL players

Dhaka, May 09: Bangladesh offered an amnesty on Saturday to their Indian Cricket League (ICL) players asking them to end their contracts with the Twenty20 competition by June 15 if they wanted a ban from domestic and international cricket lifted.

"The players have to terminate their contracts by June 15 to apply for the withdrawal of their ban," Bangladesh Cricket Board media officer Jalal Yunus said.

However, Yunus said the players would not be considered for the national team before December 31 even if they severed all links. Bangladesh banned 14 cricketers for 10 years last October for joining the ICL.

Dhoni is an impressive leader: Flintoff

Manchester, May 09: Star England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has joined the growing list of Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s admirers, saying the wicketkeeper batsman is a very impressive leader both on and off the field.

Flintoff played under Dhoni for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League before a knee injury forced him out of action.

But the Englishman, the costliest player on the Twenty20 event`s roster along with team-mate Kevin Pietersen, said he was mighty impressed with what he saw of Dhoni`s captaincy during his short stint with Chennai.

"Dhoni is very impressive both on and off the field. He is a very cool-headed guy," Flintoff said.

The talismanic all-rounder said injury might have cut short his IPL sojourn this time around but he was looking forward to be back next year.

"It is great to play in the presence of great players like (Australian) Matthew Hayden. I am looking forward to coming back next year," he said.

Earlier, Hayden had also praised Dhoni`s captaincy.

"MS is a fantastic captain and player. MS gets some great power from unorthodox shots. He is a danger in this form, danger in any format really. When he is going he just strikes the ball as hard as anyone on the planet. And these small boundaries ... he is just unstoppable," Hayden had said.

IPL great for young Indian players: Kirsten

Cape Town, May 09: India coach Gary Kirsten believes rubbing shoulders with some of the world`s best cricketers in the Indian Premier League has been of immense help to young Indian players.

"The IPL provides a great opportunity for young Indian cricketers to show what they are capable of in a high-profile environment," Kirsten said.

"They also get to mix with, and learn from, successful international cricketers. This can only be of benefit to Indian cricket. Performances during the IPL can definitely be a stepping stone to achieving higher honours. Yusuf Pathan was one example of that last year," said the former South African player.

According to Kirsten, the IPL has shown that the best team on paper need not be successful on the pitch.

"There will always be new ideas and new thinking in every IPL. What is of interest to me are those teams that are able to win consistently and why they are able to do it. It isn`t always the best team on paper," the 41-year-old said.

Kirsten had a sympathetic view of John Buchanan`s multiple-captaincy theory but said as far as the Indian team is concerned, Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains the skipper.

"In the dynamic world we live in, innovative thinking is important to try and stay ahead and push the boundaries of performance. I think it is important to balance out what is already working and what can improve performance," Kirsten said about Buchanan`s plan for his Kolkata Knight Riders team.

"MS Dhoni has proved a highly effective and capable leader for India and I`m sure that will not change for some time to come," he said.

Chennai Super Kings Vs Deccan Chargers: Images

Chennai Super Kings beat Deccan Chargers by 78 runs in Buffalo Park in East London

IPL points table

Team	Played	Won	Loss	N/R	Point	R/R
Super Kings	10	6	3	1	13	1.22
Delhi Daredevils	8	6	2	0	12	0.21
Rajasthan Royals	10	5	4	1	11	-0.11
Deccan Chargers	9	5	4	0	10	0.13
Kings XI Punjab	10	5	5	0	10	-0.45
Royal Challengers	9	4	5	0	8	-0.40
Mumbai Indians	9	3	5	1	7	0.39
Knight Riders	9	1	7	1	3	-1.10

Delhi overwhelming favourites against battered Kolkata

Match date: 10th May 2009

Venue: Wanderers, Johannesburg
Start time: 14:45 GMT

Ground reality and pitch

Also known as the'Bullring', Wanderers is home to to the Highveld Lions. Wanderers goes down is history as hosting one of greatest ODI matches when South Africa chased down a colossal target of 434 runs set by Australia. Known as a typical South African pitch, Wanderers posts a hard wicket providing assistance to the seamers. The bounce is also favoured by the batsmen because the ball comes on to the bat quicker, enabling better strokes.

Temperatures: Min - 65F Max - 47F | Humidity: 63% | Conditions: Partly Cloudy

In Image: Knight Riders' Brendon McCullum reacts as he fields against Delhi Daredevils.

Images: AFP (Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited)

Bangladesh offers amnesty to 'rebel' cricketers

Bangladesh has offered amnesty to 14 cricketers who played in the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), asking them to scrap contracts by June 15 to have their bans withdrawn, an official said Saturday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP that the cricketers who joined the Twenty20 cricket meet have to sever their links and then apply for readmission into domestic and national cricket.

"We have taken a very soft approach. They have to scrap their deals with the ICC (International Cricket Council)-disapproved ICL by June 15 and then apply to us. We'll then allow them to play domestic matches," he said.

"If they prove their worth in the domestic leagues, we will consider them for the national cricket team from January 1 next year. We have reopened the door and now it's their choice whether they want to play for Bangladesh again."

The 14 players including former Bangladesh captain Habibur Bashar were given a 10-year ban last September for joining the unauthorised ICL, bankrolled by India's top media group Zee Telefilms.

All 14 featured in the ICL's Dhaka Warriors team in the last season. The team includes 11 current or former internationals.

Media reports said the players had signed up for 200,000 dollars each for a three-year period but the ICL declined to reveal the financial details.

Several players have in recent weeks told local media that they would like to play for the national team again and sought blanket amnesty from the cricket board.

Bashar said the amnesty offer opened a window for the rebel players.

"It's a positive move. We can now see some lights at the end of the tunnel. We have some time to think," he told AFP.

The umpire referral system will be up for review in the ICC Cricket Committee's annual meeting at...

The umpire referral system will be up for review in the ICC Cricket Committee's annual meeting at Lord's on Monday and Tuesday which among others, will also discuss the feasibility of day/night Test cricket and ways to improve over-rates.

The meeting, to be chaired for the first time by ex-West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, who replaced former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar, will also consider whether there should be a maximum weight of bats at international level and the effect of double-sided bats and switch-hits on the game.

According to an ICC statement, the members will also brainstorm ideas to ensure one-dayers remains relevant and popular in a cricketing landscape that now features three formats of the game.

The Committee meeting will be attended by ICC General Manager (Cricket) David Richardson, former Australia captain Mark Taylor and former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, ICC Elite Panel Umpire Simon Taufel, chief ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle, Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur and FICA CEO Tim May.

Recommendations of the Committee will be sent for approval to the Chief Executives Committee and the ICC Board which will meet at Lord's during ICC's annual conference from June 22 to 26.

The umpires' decision review was trialled in four Test series over the past nine months -- Sri Lanka vs India (August 2008), New Zealand vs West Indies (December 2008), West Indies vs England (February/March 2009) and South Africa vs Australia (February/March 2009). The Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to proceed with further use of the system, and if so, how and when that should take place, considering its undue negative influence on the pace of the game, effect on the players and on the authority of on-field umpires, practicality of the appeal by the players.

It will also mull on whether limits on the weight and depths of bats should be introduced specifically for international cricket. It will also consider any issues raised by the introduction of the double-sided bat and the switch-hit.

In the light of Twenty20 cricket's impact in the game, the committee will discuss whether there is a need to recommend any revisions to the One-Day International format.

The reason for review of ODI format is the desire to ensure that it continues to retain its relevance and popularity in a cricketing landscape in which there are now three versions of the game - Tests, ODIs and T20Is - at international level, the ICC statement said.

Punjab win a cliff-hanger

Mahela Jayawardene's innings ensured that his captain Yuvraj Singh had another victory.

Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds both made succesful returns to the tournament, but only one of them was destined to end up on the winning side today. And with a performance that put Punjab right back in the reckoning for a semi-final berth, the triumphant returning Australian for the day was Brett Lee.

Yuvraj Singh won the toss and chose to bowl, perhaps influenced by the fact that his side had chased so spiritedly against Chennai, and that their bowling was stronger this time around. Although they lost Gilchrist in the 5th over, Hyderabad got off to a decent start, reaching 50 in 5.5 overs. However the advent of spin in the sixth over, slowed things down and Hyderabad lost two more wickets. The match was keenly balanced at the strategy break with Hyderabad at 72 for 3. Punjab wrested the advantage in the next few overs, picking up another wicket and stemming the flow or runs, and at the end of the 15th over Hyderabad were 100 for 4, looking at possibly 150 if they had some good overs, but more likely 140 considering the way they had scored till then. However, nobody had reckoned with Andrew Symonds, who simply exploded to snatch visions of a low total away from Punjab. Symonds who was on 17 off 17 balls then, ended up at 60 not out from 36 balls, and took Hyderabad to a more than satisfactory 168 for 5 at the end of their 20 overs. Giving him good support was Venugopal Rao who scored a valuable 32 off 25 balls, and was involved in 95 run partnership with Symonds that came off just 9.2 overs. Lee had returned figures of 4-024-1, and had been by far the most dangerous and penetrative bowler for Punjab.

Punjab got off to a frenetic start to their innings, with Sunny Sohal throwing his bat around, but the advent of Rohit Sharma and his golden arm slowed things down for them. Punjab were 40 for 0 after 4 overs, when Sharma came on and got both openeres - Sohal and Katich - in his first over. That put the brakes on Punjab's free scoring. Yuvraj and Sangakkara strung together a partnership. In the process they gave Symonds a taste of his own medicine, smashing him for 20 runs off his first over. The partnership was broken by young Shoaib Ahmed in the 10th over when Sangakkara was bowled trying to be too clever, ending up playing the ball so finely that it clipped his stumps. Disaster struck for Punjab when 2 balls later Yuvraj skied a shot and the ball settled nicely in Gilchrist's safe gloves, and Punjab headed into the break at 86 for 4.

Pragyan Ojha who had recovered from the injury that kept him out of the previous game, was back this time and he bowled a controlled 4 over spell in which he gave just 24 runs, but Punjab took runs off the other bowlers to remain in the hunt. Mahela Jayawardene played a gem of an innings 43 from 28 balls, to take Punjab to the doorstep of victory, but pulled his hamstring going for a tight second run and got run out. With Brett Lee and Piyush Chawla at the crease, Punjab needed 19 off the final 2 overs, when Brett Lee changed the equation with a fiercely struck six flat over the head of long-off. With 8 needed off the final over, RP Singh mis-directed a bouncer off the first ball, that Chawla helped to the fine-leg boundary and Punjab breathed a sigh of relief, eventually winning by 3 wickets in 19.5 overs.

Turning Point of the Match: The six that Brett Lee hit off the fourth ball of the 18th over. That changed the equation for Punjab from 16 off 9 balls to 10 off 8, and swung an oscillating match decisively Punjab's way.

Man of the Match: Mahela Jayawardene for his super-cool innings under pressure. With him being the last recognized specialist batsman left, he guided the chase in a calmly professional manner and would have probably been there at the end if it hadn't been for the pulled hamstring.

Soundbytes:

"We've got Wilkin Mota in for....[long pause]...Karan Goel!" - In tune with Karan Goel's largely forgettable performances so far (bar one match), his captain Yuvraj forgot his name at the toss.

"We just had to keep our cool and Brett batted really well at the end to take us to victory" - Mahela Jayawardene is as understated and elegant in his speech as he is in his batting.

Hayden terms Sreesanth an overrated bowler

Centurion, May 08: Australia’s burly batsman, Matthew Hayden, who devastated the Kings XI Punjab bowling attack on Thursday to lead his side to a well deserved victory has lashed out at S Sreesanth calling him an overrated bowler.

The former Aussie opener smashed Sreesanth all over the ground taking 32 runs in 19 deliveries off Sreesanth before getting out to him just short of the three figure mark.

TV cameras showed Sreesanth lashing out at Hayden as the latter headed towards the dugout. The batsman later hit back at Sreesanth in the post match press conference saying that he becomes an easy target for the opposition as he loses his cool in pressure match situations.

"I think he is an overrated bowler and so I think he was a great target for us to go at. He always loses his cool under pressure and I think tonight was a good example of that," Hayden told reporters during the post match press conference.

India will be tough to beat in T20 WC: Misbah

Karachi, May 08: Pakistan`s vice-captain Misbah-ul Haq says defending champions India would be a tough team to beat in the upcoming Twenty20 World Championships in England.

"I think many of their players have gained a lot by playing in the Indian Premier League. It has given them the confidence to play T20 cricket the way it should be played -- with a positive frame of mind, sensibly and without any fear of getting out," Misbah told reporters.

The middle-order batsman, who was standing-in for captain Younis Khan in yesterday`s one-off T20 match in which Pakistan outclassed Australia in Dubai last night, also expressed confidence about his team, which lost to India in the final in 2007, doing well in the second edition.

"I have always said we are good at this form of the game because our players have played lot of domestic T20 cricket and every player knows what his role is supposed to be in this format of cricket," he said.

Misbah said the Pakistani players had done well in the inaugural T20 World Cup because of their experience.

"Although we have played little T20 international cricket but we have lot of experience at the domestic level."

Pakistani players will take part in their national T20 championship in Lahore before going to the World Cup in England.

Younis was nowhere to be seen at the ground and was said to be down with fever while other Pakistani players were also in high spirits after their commanding win over Australia.

Allrounder Shahid Afridi, who won the man of the match award for his bowling, chirped "definitely" when asked by former Australian batsman Dean Jones if he thought Pakistan could win the World Cup this time.

Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who scored a century in the last one-dayer against Australia in Abu Dhabi and another unbeaten 50 in the T20 game, said he was happy with his form and wanted to continue with it in the World Cup.

Akmal also made it clear he had no issues with whatever number he was asked to bat at.

"I don`t mind if they send me to open the innings at number three or any other position. I just want to do well and I enjoy batting," he added.

IPL is not a global competition: Fleming

Kimberley, May 09: Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has rejected John Buchanan`s suggestion of increasing the number of overseas players in the playing eleven, saying the Indian Premier League is not a global competition and is meant to promote Indian players.

Never short of ideas, Kolkata Knight Riders coach Buchanan recently floated the idea of increasing the number of foreign players in a team, but IPL Chairman and Commissioner Lalit Modi turned down the request saying there would be no change in the format.

“I think it`s absolutely okay. I am very strong on that. The more you increase the role of the overseas players, the more you diminish the role of Indians. I don`t think that`s quite right,” Fleming was quoted as saying.

“If you are going to make it a global competition and called it the World Premier League, then you can use as many international players as you can. But it`s the Indian Premier League and it`s all about Indian players, performing well and winning games, accompanied by overseas players rather than the other way around,” he added.

The Super Kings have benefitted from their young Indian players who have done well with likes of Shadab Jakati and Sudeep Tyagi rising to the occasion brilliantly.

Impressed with the development, Fleming said he wants more from his Indian players.

“I`d hate to see a team made up of pre-dominantly of international players and you fit the Indian players then just to make up the numbers if that makes sense. I think you are going to have your strong Indian players developed and then you can accompany that with your overseas players,” the former Kiwi skipper said.

Instead Fleming suggested the IPL management to cut down the number of overseas players from 10 to six in each team.

“There`s a strategy involved. You don`t have to have 10 overseas players. The argument is that there are six overseas players waiting on the sidelines. Well it`s up to you to manage that. And just as you have to manage your Indian players.”

“So there is good strategy involved rather than just buying the best players and making up the team. The strategy of putting the team together is a very important part of this tournament,” he said.

Afridi confident of Pakistan's good show at T20 WC

Karachi, May 09: Pakistan may be short of match practice ahead of the Twenty20 World Championship but all-rounder Shahid Afridi says his side would still be quite a handful for the opposition teams at the mega-event in England next month.

“We will be a different and more confident team in the World Cup. It was a good victory for us in the T20 match against Australia and it has put us in the right mood for the tournament,” Afridi told reporters after his return here from the UAE following the ODI series loss to Australia.

“We are looking forward to doing well in the World Cup and avenging our defeat in the final last time,” he added

“It is disappointing the way we lost the one-day series to Australia from winning positions. But it was a good tough series for us and we are mentally prepared for the Twenty20 World Cup.”

Afridi was one of the few success stories in the series against Australia, impressive with both bat and ball in the low scoring matches.

“I thought the batting was disappointing as it didn`t lend enough support to the bowlers who did a very good job in the series,” he said.

Afridi said in the three matches Pakistan lost, it was in a position to win but buckled under pressure.

“All the players were very ashamed and embarrassed after the way we lost the third match after being in a strong position,” he recalled.

Pakistan, chasing 199 for victory collapsed, after being 95 for no loss at one stage.

“I thought after the match that considering the position we were in, even the Karachi or Sialkot teams should have won that game and closed the series,” he said.

Afridi said the players at times played reckless shots under pressure but have learnt their lessons from the series.

He also denied rumors about groupings and splits in the team.

“We were like a team in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and I think at a time when Pakistan cricket is going through a crisis because of the international teams not coming to Pakistan the media should support us and encourage the team before the World Cup,” he said.

Lord's Test: Eng beat West Indies by 10 wickets

London, May 08: England completed a 10-wicket victory over West Indies on Friday within three days after the visitors had finally displayed some fighting spirit with the bat.

Brendan Nash (81) and Denesh Ramdin (61) shared the first century partnership of the match to ensure England would bat again after West Indies had been asked to follow on Thursday.

The match looked destined to end even earlier after England captured three wickets in 12 deliveries shortly before lunch. Nash and Ramdin had other ideas, adding 143 for the sixth wicket before England wrapped up the innings.

It was the first time for four years that England have won the first Test of a series.

West Indies must now win the second Test starting at Chester-le-Street next Thursday to retain the Wisden Trophy they regained from England in the Caribbean this year.

They were the third choice team to visit England at the start of a packed summer which includes the Twenty20 World Cup and the Ashes series against Australia.

The British government refused to issue visas for a Zimbabwe team and their initial replacements Sri Lanka had too many players committed to the Indian Premier League to be able to field a competitive side.

Nehra sizzles with ball as Delhi humble Mumbai

East London, May 08: A B de Villiers continued his great IPL form as his unbeaten half-century helped Delhi Daredevils clinch a thumping victory against Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets.

De Villiers (50*) took only 37 balls to reach his fifty with the help of 6 fours and one 6.

Chasing a moderate 117, opener Gautam Gambhir and David Warner gave Delhi Daredevils a solid start. Both the batsmen were combining caution with aggression as the required rate was not very high.

But despite having a good start Delhi lost both the openers in quick succession. Part-time offie J P Duminy first had David Warne stumped by wicket-keeper Pinal Shah. Warner scored 21. Immediately after Warner, stand-in skipper Gambhir (19) also departed giving Harbhajan Singh his only wicket of the match.

But A B de Villiers and Tilakratne Dilshan carried the momentum for the Delhi team taking them close to victory with a 61-run partnership. When everything was set for a victory with Delhi reaching 107/2, Dilshan (17) nicked one off Lasith Malinga and caught well by the wicket-keeper leaving de Villiers and Karthik (5*) complete the formalities of winning the match for Delhi.

Chasing a moderate 117, opener Gautam Gambhir and David Warner gave Delhi Daredevils a solid start. Both the batsmen were combining caution with aggression as the required rate was not very high.

But Despite having a good start Delhi lost both the openers in quick succession. Part-time offie J P Duminy first had David Warne stumped by wicket-keeper Pinal Shah. Warner scored 21. Immediately after Warner, stand-in skipper Gambhir (19) also departed giving Harbhajan Singh his first wicket of the match.

But A B de Villiers and Tilakratne Dilshan carried the momentum for the Delhi team taking them close to victory with a 61-run partnership. When everything was set for a victory with Delhi reaching 107/2, Dilshan (17) nicked one off Lasith Malinga and caught well by the wicket-keeper.

Earlier, the left-arm pace duo of Dirk Nannes and Ashish Nehra did the trick again for Delhi Daredevils as they picked up two wickets each to restrict Mumbai Indians to a paltry 116, the lowest total posted by the Mumbai team, in allotted 20 overs.

Rajat Bhatia also came good with the ball in the middle overs, claiming 3 wickets for 15 runs in his 4 overs. The Delhi Daredevils also fielded well as they effected three run-outs.

Electing to bat first, Mumbai Indians’ gamble to tinker with their opening pair seemed to have come a cropper as both Luke Ronchi and JP Duminy fell for duck in the first over itself.

Ronchi fell to a needless run-out in just the second ball without opening his account. A brilliant pick-up and throw from David Warner accounted for him while Dirk Nannes induced an edge from Duminy to wicket keeper Dinesh Karthik to send him packing.

Sachin Tendulkar, who was trying to salvage the Mumbai pride, ran himself out for 15. Stumper Dinesh Karthik produced a stunning throw from behind to find Sachin short of crease. After 6 overs, Mumbai were struggling at 30 for 3.

A senseless shot by Pinal Shah saw Mumbai lost another wicket as they were reeling at 33 for 4 in 8th over. When the situation demanded Pinal’s coolness, he suddenly lost it and he was holed out at mid-wicket while trying to play a lofted shot off Rajat Bhatia.

Despite losing four wickets in heap, Mumbai Indians were slowly rebuilding their innings, courtesy Dwayne Bravo (35) and Abhishek Nayar (18). But just when everything was looking well for Mumbai, both the batsmen got out trying to speed up the run-rate.

Like the last two matches Virender Sehwag did not take to the field due to an injury and in his place Gautam Gambhir was leading Delhi Daredevils. For Mumbai Indians, Zaheer sat out again due to a naggin injury.

Mumbai Indians left out Sanath Jayasuriya and brought in Luke Ronchi in his place.

Teams

Delhi Daredevils (Playing XI): Gautam Gambhir(c), David Warner, AB de Villiers, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Karthik(w), Mithun Manhas, Rajat Bhatia, Amit Mishra, Pradeep Sangwan, Ashish Nehra, Dirk Nannes

Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Sachin Tendulkar(c), Luke Ronchi, Pinal Shah(w), Jean-Paul Duminy, Dwayne Bravo, Abhishek Nayar, Saurabh Tiwary, Harbhajan Singh, Rohan Raje, Lasith Malinga, Dhawal Kulkarni

Kuznetsova dumps Azarenka on road to Rome finals

Rome, May 08: Svetlana Kuznetsova stormed into Rome finals on Saturday after beating teenager Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-4.

It is the second consecutive final for the eighth-ranked Russian, who won the Porsche GP in Stuttgart, Germany, last week.

Kuznetsova broke Azarenka three times to capture the first set in 41 minutes.

In the second, the sixth-seeded Azarenka pushed ahead with a break but appeared to lose her concentration as she disputed a call by the umpire in the third game. She lost the next five games and surrendered on the fourth match point.

Kuznetsova will face either top-ranked Dinara Safina or Venus Williams.

Kuznetsova beat Safina in straight sets in Stuttgart, for her first title in almost two years.

Raj Royals’ Amit Singh reported for suspect action

Zeecric Bureau

Durban, May 08: Rajasthan Royals faced a crisis of sorts on Friday after their bowler Amit Singh was reported for suspect action by the umpires. Amit, who helped his side beat Bangalore by a convincing seven wickets, joined his team-mate Kamran Khan in the suspect bowling action list after on-field umpires Daryl Harper and K Hariharan reported him.

Amit`s case has been referred by the IPL to the Rajasthan Royals team management and the IPL Technical Committee for further scrutiny under Law 24.3 of the Laws of Cricket.

"After the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore at SuperSport Park, TV footage was obtained and examined by all the three umpires, including TV umpire Tyron Wijewardene. They decided further action was necessary under Law 24.3 of the Laws of Cricket," the IPL said in a statement.

"The matter has been referred by the IPL to the Rajasthan Royals team management and the IPL Technical Committee," the statement added.

The 27-year-old little known medium pacer, who plays for Gujarat in Ranji Trophy, however, can continue playing until he is proven guilty of an illegal action.

Amit, who has taken seven wickets from two IPL matches, was adjudged Man of the Match for his sterling display on Thursday as Rajasthan beat Royal Challengers by seven wickets. Amit`s Rajasthan team-mate and left-arm pacer Kamran has been ordered two weeks rehabilitation by the IPL Technical Committee after being reported for suspect bowling action in their match against Chennai Super Kings here on April 30.

Beer trouble for Shane Warne; will IPL bear?

Zeecric Bureau

Centurion, May 08: Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne’s antic of having a sip of beer during the IPL match has created lot of controversies in the cricketing circle.

Though consumption of alcohol by a player while a game is on may not come under anti-doping rules governed by WADA and practised by the International Cricket Council but for most, the act has hurt the spirit of the gentleman’s game.

Shane Warne, who was involved in lot of controversies during his playing days, went against the `spirit` of the game when he decided to take a quick sip from a glass of beer offered by a fan when his team, Rajasthan Royals. Warne was walking out to field after the first strategy break in the game against the Royal Challengers on Thursday.

Though the incident was shown on TV, the IPL governing body seemed to have decided not to take up the matter further as there was no official statement in this regard.

Warne has been having a great run in IPL as his team is winning most of the matches. A few sips of beer simply added needless debate for his team which has recently been dogged by the issue of suspect bowling actions.

Pakistan team bitterly divided, claims report

Karachi, May 08: The Pakistan cricket team after losing the one-day series to Australia has been hit by the reports of disunity in the side.

According to a newspaper, a national Urdu daily, the Pakistan team is bitterly divided into two camps of captain Younis Khan and vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq.

The newspaper claimed on Friday that there is little unity in the Pakistan team ahead of next month`s World Twenty20 Championships in England and the players are more focussed on looking after their own interest.

Pakistan lost the one-day series to a below-strength Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but went on to win the only Twenty20 game of the series in Dubai by seven wickets on Thursday night.

The ODI series defeat was unexpected as Pakistan were the favourites because of home-like conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Also the fact that Australia were without several key players, including regular captain Ricky Ponting, worked in the favour of Pakistanis.

The report quoted sources close to some of the Pakistan players that the team management headed by coach Intikhab Alam has utterly failed to bring the players together.

According to the report, the divide among the players was quite visible in the UAE where the two groups allegedly stayed aloof from each other. The report said while Younis has the support of pacers Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul, all-rounder Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam and a few younger players, Misbah`s lobby includes former captain Shoaib Malik, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, opener Salman Butt and pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

The report also took a swipe at Intikhab, a former Pakistan captain who replaced Geoff Lawson as the team`s coach last October, saying that he is more interested in pleasing the Pakistan Cricket Board`s top brass than sorting out the problems within his team.

It said that Intikhab was seen making arrangements for complimentary tickets for PCB`s top officials, their families and guest just ahead of Pakistan`s Twenty20 clash against Australia.

Sachin getting better with age: Steve Waugh

Kolkata, May 08: Instead of waning with age, Sachin Tendulkar is getting better with every passing day, former Australia captain Steve Waugh said.

"He is improving day by day and in his prime form," Waugh said and added in a lighter vein "Looking at the way (Sachin) Tendulkar is playing, it seems he can play till 50 years."

The Australian great had earlier compared Tendulkar with Sir Don Bradman.

Asked whether he is interested in coaching, the 43-year-old said, "Not thinking about coaching now... Maybe in future, I will think about coaching."

Talking to reporters at a cricket clinic at Beleghata in north Kolkata, he praised India`s South African coach Gary Kirsten`s way of work while describing the jobs of a captain and a coach.

"The captain is always the boss on the field, as he has to be on the spot. The coach on the other hand plays a supporter`s role quietly. Look at Kirsten. He goes on about his job very quietly which is exactly the coach`s role."

Waugh termed Indians as favourites to defend the title in the second edition of the ICC World Twenty20 due in England in June.

"Indians have a very good side.... The youngsters are really impressing and the IPL has done good for them.

"But Australians also have a strong chance for the title," he said.

Edwards celebrates the spirit of women's game across Europe

The ICC Women’s World Cup-winning captain, Charlotte Edwards, and member of the ICC Cricket Committee Clare Connor have welcomed the growth of the women’s game across Europe ahead of the Europa Cup, which will celebrate 100 years of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Europa Cup has been organised by the Deutscher Cricket Bund (DCB) to celebrate the ICC’s centenary with under-17 girls teams from Austria (Austria CC Wien), Czech Republic (Prague), France (Dijon), Germany (Bristol Phoenix CC, Munich Youth Cricket, Oldenburg CC, Passau, Schwerin CC, Tegernsee CC), Hungary (Comenius CC, Székesfehérvár) and Slovakia (Bratislava) all competing in Munich this weekend.

The tournament is one of the ICC’s Catch the Spirit celebrations aimed at promoting the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game. Each of the ICC’s 104 Members is holding an event which captures the collective commitment and values which are central to the sport and the spotlight now falls on Germany to showcase the spirit of the game across the world.

The Catch the Spirit flag, the symbol of the ICC’s centenary year, will also be present at the tournament, collecting signatures from the icons of the game.

ICC Women’s World Cup-winning captain Charlotte Edwards said: “I’m so pleased to see girls capturing the spirit of cricket across Europe. The game is really developing globally and I hope that seeing women’s cricket on the world stage at the forthcoming ICC World Twenty20 will encourage more girls to take up the sport. Cricket has so much to offer girls of all ages and I’m delighted to act as a role model encouraging more youngsters to take part in this fantastic sport.”

Newly appointed member of the ICC Cricket Committee Clare Connor added: “The Associate and Affiliate Members of the ICC have a big role to play. I’m delighted that this tournament will host female cricketers from a range of countries and showcase the spirit of the game right across Europe.

“There are so many opportunities for girls and women to get involved in the sport. Women’s cricket is played in more than 78 of our Members. Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland will all be playing in the LV Women’s County Championship in England this year. This summer will also see the ICC European women’s under-17 tournament in the Netherlands (27-30 July 2009) and the ICC European senior women’s tournament in Dublin (3-6 August 2009). I’m sure these opportunities will continue to grow in the years to come.”

President of the DCB Dr Brian Fell said: “I’m really pleased that DCB is playing its part in the ICC’s centenary year and celebrating the spirit of cricket. It’s fabulous that we have so many girls team from across Europe coming to Munich. I’m grateful to Charlotte Edwards and Clare Connor for their support for the tournament. With the continued investment by the ICC and role models such as Charlotte, I’m sure we will continue to inspire youngsters to take up the sport.”

Richard Holdsworth, ICC Europe Regional Development Manager, said: “The staging of this tournament shows the significant appeal of the sport in Europe. The ICC has recently begun investing US$300 million into the development of the game around the world, so I’ve no doubt cricket will thrive across Europe in the years to come.”

The Catch the Spirit celebrations will continue across ICC’s Europe region during the summer. The events due to take place shortly include the inaugural under-13 national training camp in Finland from 10-14 July, the Limerick World Cup in Ireland from 12-24 July and the Maccabiah Games in Israel from 12-24 July.

Afghan U-19s show success was no fluke

Kuwait, May 07: After the heroics of the senior team in the ICC World Cricket League (WCL) and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the Afghanistan under-19s has just shown that the future of the sport in that country is in good hands by getting to the final of the ACC U19 Elite Cup 2009 in Kuwait.

Although Shir Shairzai and his team yesterday suffered defeat at the final hurdle to a strong Hong Kong side, there were enough positives to indicate that the performances of the senior team were not freak occurrences and we should expect similar success in the future.

“It was a good tournament and very impressive to see such young talent on display from all 10 teams taking part,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who attended the final few days of the event.

“We have all been impressed by the Afghanistan team, which progressed from Division 5 of the WCL to coming fifth at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in less than a year. It is particularly heartening to see the next generation of Afghan cricketers performing so well. By beating defending champion Nepal in the semi-final, I think the players have really come of age and we can expect big things from them in the future,” he said.

Mr Lorgat said he was impressed with the tournament, which is the Asia regional qualifying event for the 10-team ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier that takes place later this year. Both the winner Hong Kong and Afghanistan progress to that event.

In the final, before an enthusiastic crowd of around 3,000 people, Afghanistan batted first and made a competitive 215-9 off 50 overs with Asgher Hotak (70) and Murad Ali (68) doing most of the damage. In reply, a fine 94 from man of the match James Atkinson ensured Hong Kong claimed the title with three overs and eight wickets to spare.

“There was a great atmosphere for the final with so many Afghans in the crowd to support their team. Events like this don’t happen without considerable planning and hard work from so many volunteers. It shows to me the marvelous spirit of cricket when people give up their free time and devote it to the game in this way.

“I would like to congratulate Hong Kong on this victory and I wish them and Afghanistan the best of luck in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier later this year. If the under-19s from Afghanistan show the same willingness to learn as their senior counterparts, they will be a very useful side by then,” said Mr Lorgat.

Although it did not win one of the four places at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, by coming fifth in the qualifier, Afghanistan’s senior team gained One-Day International status for the next four years and also booked a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2009 and the first-class, four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10.

That success also brings with it the opportunity to access considerable ICC funding which – in line with the ICC’s new funding policy for all Associate and Affiliate Members – will likely be targeted in areas such as improving the administrative, playing and capital infrastructure of the game so that cricket can build on this success and continue to grow and flourish in Afghanistan.

The event in Kuwait was part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, giving Associate and Affiliate teams from Asia the chance to “Catch the Spirit” just as it is being done in each of the ICC’s 104 Members around the globe. The Catch the Spirit flag has been flying across the region to promote the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game.

Meanwhile, other hopeful under-19 teams are all vying for places in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier with regional events taking place across five continents. The Africa qualifier is currently underway in Zambia while the European, Americas and East Asia-Pacific (EAP) events will take place shortly.

The EAP version is scheduled for Papua New Guinea from 30 May to 8 June, the Americas tournament will run from 12 to 18 July in Toronto while the European event will take place in Jersey from 14 to 20 July.

The global qualifier will take place later this year at a venue yet to be determined. The top five teams from that will join the 10 Full Members plus host Kenya in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2010.

England will gain ranking with a 2-0 win over WI

London, May 07: England’s big summer of cricket got underway at Lord’s with the first of two Tests against the West Indies. Currently placed sixth on the ICC Test Championship table, Andrew Strauss’s team will immediately move up one spot if it wins both matches.

Victories at Lord’s and again at Durham would earn England three ratings points giving it a total of 101, a single point ahead of Pakistan. A 1-0 series win would leave it on 100 ratings point but behind Younus Khan’s team by a fraction.

However, a 2-0 win for the West Indies would leave just one ratings point separating the two with England dropping three points to 95 and the men from the Caribbean gaining five points to 94.

This short Test series is the first action in a busy few months for England. Following three ODIs against the same opposition, it will host the eagerly awaited ICC World Twenty20 in June followed by the five-Test Ashes and seven ODI series against Australia before the team heads to South Africa in September for the ICC Champions Trophy.

There will be a number of players keen to use these two Tests to kick-start their summer and gain a bit of momentum and on paper the sides look pretty evenly matched. The West Indies has three players in the top 25 – including number-one batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul – compared to England’s four, while both squads boast two bowlers in the top 25.

England captain Strauss is currently in 15th position in the ICC Player Rankings for Test batsmen but such is the tightly packed nature of the ladder at present, he could conceivably break into the top 10 with strong performances at Lord’s and Chester-le-Street.

England’s highest-ranked batsman is Kevin Pietersen in sixth position but the 28-year-old will feel that he belongs even nearer to the top and, after a break of nearly two months from Test cricket, he will be anxious to hit the ground running and post some big scores.

Naturally, the highest-ranked batsman from either side is Chanderpaul who is still placed in first position. The 34-year-old has been a rock in the West Indies’ line-up in recent seasons and much of his team’s fortunes could again depend on his form with Ramnaresh Sarwan his only team-mate in the top 20.

Captain Chris Gayle is just outside that in 21st position so a return to the top 20 is well within in grasp, just as it is for England duo Paul Collingwood (22nd position) and Alastair Cook (joint-23rd place).

Meanwhile, Jerome Taylor of the West Indies, in seventh position, is the only player named in either squad currently enjoying a place in the top 10 of the ICC Player Rankings for Test bowlers.

England’s injured pair of Ryan Sidebottom in 10th position and Andrew Flintoff in joint-15th place will play no part in the match at Lord’s so there could be opportunities for James Anderson (joint-15th place), Monty Panesar (20th), Graeme Swann (31st) and Stuart Broad (46th) to make their mark on the latest rankings, not to mention potential debutant Graham Onions of Durham.

For the West Indies, Fidel Edwards (in 22nd position), Chris Gayle (40th), Sulieman Benn (49th) and Darren Sammy (59th) can all make an impression as everyone still chases Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka who is the number one-ranked bowler in the world.

With Flintoff out of action, Gayle is the only man from either team in the top five of the ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders and a good performance in the two Tests will most likely lift the big Jamaican above Flintoff into fourth position. South Africa’s Jacques Kallis still rules the roost in that category.