Sri Lanka’s three-match ODI series against India scheduled for June will be finalised at the ICC board director’s meeting at Cape Town early next month where representatives of all countries including India will be present.The Sri Lankan board’s secretary K Mathivanan, who will represent Sri Lanka at the meeting, said he had got positive responses from both India and South Africa to postpone the Afro-Asia series scheduled for June to accommodate the Sri Lankan fixtures.”Everything is expected to be finalised when I meet up with the representatives of India and South Africa at the ICC meeting,” said Mathivanan. “India have a very tight schedule after the World Cup. They tour Bangladesh and then travel to Ireland for a three-match one-day international series against Australia as part of their commitment with Zee TV who are paying them handsomely to play several off-shore series,” he added.”The Afro-Asia series was sandwiched between these tours and there was no way they could have come to Sri Lanka unless it was postponed.”Sri Lanka are also scheduled to play in a triangular one-day series in Abu Dhabi towards the end of April where the participation fee for each team is expected to be in the region of US$ 500,000 to 750,000. Pakistan and South Africa are likely to be the other countries to participate.Sri Lanka have a busy schedule for the rest of the year with Bangladesh touring in June for a series of two Tests and three ODIs followed by the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September. England will then arrive for five ODIs in October and then return after Christmas for the second leg of their tour which will feature a series of three Tests. Sri Lanka will also have two legs on their tour of Australia which starts in November with two Tests. Their second leg commences in January when they go back for the one-day triangular series.
Sri Lanka wasted no time in wrapping up a comprehensive victory in Chittagong, responding to an early setback with an authoritative run chase. Michael Vandort (64 not out) and Kumar Sangakkara (46) scored the bulk of the runs and Mahela Jayawardene (26 not out), Sri Lanka’s new captain punched the winning runs through the covers off the last ball before lunch.Sri Lanka, starting the day on 25 without loss, stumbled early as Upul Tharanga, who had looked so solid the previous evening, edged into the slips. However, Bangladeshi hopes of a dramatic collapse and a historic last-gasp victory flickered briefly as Sangakkara, in prime form during recent weeks, swaggered out of the blocks and asserted complete command.Vandort, desperate to impress having just been recalled after a three-and-a-half year absence (despite scoring 140 in his last Test, albeit against a much weaker outfit than this team), started more awkwardly, looking uncomfortable against a barrage of short pitchers from the increasingly impressive Shahadat Hossain. But he battled it out, slowly growing in confidence.It soon became apparent that Sangakkara might be eyeing lunch at the team hotel and an early bus to Bogra, the venue for the second Test, as he tucked into the spinners, using his feet and crashing over the top. But within one boundary of his second fifty he poked a return catch back to Enamul Haque off his leading edge, leaving Sri Lanka 115 for 2.Jayawardene, too, shared a similar sense of urgency and was soon finding the boundary, using his feet expertly. Vandort started to find his timing and began driving powerfully through the covers. Eventually, Habibul Bashar threw in the towel and tossed the ball to his part-timers. Jayawardene and Vandort crossed the finish line in a flash.
Afterwards, Jayawardene paid tribute to what had been a spirited Bangladesh effort. Clearly, on the evidence of recent months, their minnow status is fast-becoming unfair. Dav Whatmore has, in his own words, found some “hardware” he can work with and now the “software” is being polished. The decision-making of the batsman has already vastly improved and home Test wins surely beckon.”Bangladesh pushed us hard here and forced the team to show a lot of character in order to win,” said Jayawardene afterwards. “Thilan (Samaraweera) and Farveez (Maharoof) shared an important stand in our first innings and then we bowled really well in the second innings, showing a great deal of patience.”Jayawardene also saluted Muttiah Muralitharan, who narrowly missed out on another Man-of-the -Match award – won by Mohammad Ashraful for his superb first-innings hundred – for his match haul of 9 for 141 but reached yet another landmark as he claimed his 1000th international wicket.”Murali was brilliant once again and all the guys in the team are really happy for him and proud that he has achieved such a great achievement – in fact, everyone in Sri Lanka will also be proud. Murali, throughout his career, has been a great ambassador for the game and for Sri Lanka. He is a very humble man but a fierce competitor who always plays for the team.”Both teams now will be able to rest for three days before the start of the second Test in Bogra next Tuesday.
Sri LankaUpul Tharanga c Nafees b Rasel 19 (25 for 1) Kumar Sangakkara c & b Haque 46 (115 for 2)
Jack Russell, the former England wicketkeeper who retired last year, has been asked to help Geraint Jones improve behind the stumps.The request came from England’s management team of Michael Vaughan and coach Duncan Fletcher, according to the Sunday Express. Russell told them: “Duncan and captain Michael Vaughan have asked me to build a good relationship with Geraint and give him whatever specialist help he needs.”Russell, who’s now 41, is generally acknowledged as the finest English wicketkeeper of recent years. He played 54 Tests, even though he often missed out to the superior batting of Alec Stewart, but still made 165 dismissals, and scored 1897 Test runs of his own, with two centuries.Jones, who was controversially preferred to Chris Read for the final Test in West Indies last year, and has held his place ever since, fumbled a number of catches and takes during the South African series. But, according to Russell, “He has got the ability to play 100 Tests for England – he has the right attitude and, as long as he keeps doing the business, there is no reason why he can’t go down as one of the best.”
The much-anticipated tour by the Indian team to Pakistan in February 2004 is in danger of being called off, after the Indian players raised concerns about security. According to a report in Mid Day, the team’s concerns will be faxed later today to Jagmohan Dalmiya, president of the Indian cricket board.The decision was apparently prompted by the recent assassination attempts made on Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s president. On December 14, a bomb exploded under a bridge Musharraf’s convoy had passed minutes before, and on December 25, two suicide car bombers rammed into his convoy, killing 14 people.According to the report, the players had discussed the matter for two days before coming to a unanimous conclusion on the first morning of the Boxing Day Test. The move came after Musharraf’s decision to shift residence for security reasons. The team felt that if the president was insecure about his safety, the cricketers could also be high-profile targets.The decision is likely to put the cricket board on the spot, as it had pressurised the Indian government for a resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan.This was to be India’s first full tour of Pakistan since 1989-90, a series in which Sachin Tendulkar and Waqar Younis made their debuts.Pakistan has faced a series of cancelled tours, due to violence and a threat to life. The New Zealand team pulled out of a tour mid-way in 2002, after a car bomb exploded outside their hotel.
After the debacle in the first Test in Dhaka, not much was expected of the young and inexperienced Bangladesh team that squared up to the West Indies in the second Test at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong. And true to form, they crumbled yet again against a West Indies bowling attack that comprises four speedsters, making just 194 in their first innings. When bad light brought an early end to play, the West Indies were 38-1 in reply.Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mashud won the toss and decided to bat on a track with a lot of grass in it. The opening pair of Hannan Sarkar and Al Sahariar negotiated a wayward opening spell from Pedro Collins and Vasbert Drakes to take the score to 43. But then, in the space of 15 balls and five runs, Bangladesh lost three quick wickets.Drakes, who had struggled to find the right rhythm in his first spell, finished it by drawing first blood, trapping Sahariar (25) in front of the wicket. Daren Powell, who replaced Collins, then claimed the wickets of Sarkar (15) and Habibul Bashar (3).Sanwar Hossain and Mohammad Ashraful too were shaky to start with, beaten numerous times outside the off stump. But then, with the West Indies pace attack growing complacent, both the batsmen grew in confidence as Bangladesh went in for lunch at 88/3.The post-lunch session was to bring no better tidings for the home side as the West Indies claimed four more wickets. After Hossain (36) and Ashraful (28) added 64 for the fourth wicket and took their team to 112-4, Collins and Jermaine Lawson struck, claiming two wickets each and reducing the hosts to 144-7 by the end of the session.Soon after tea, Bangladesh lost Tapash Baisya (5) hit-wicket off the bowling of Powell. Skipper Khaled Mashud (32) stood up for a while and along with Manjural Islam (21) put together 36 useful runs for the ninth wicket. Sarwan caught Mashud in the covers off Drakes, and Islam was bowled by Collins as the Bangladesh innings came to an end in the 64th over of the day. Collins and Powell picked up three wickets each, Drakes and Lawson shared the remaining four wickets between them.The West Indies innings didn’t get off to a good start; they lost the wicket of Wavell Hinds (14) caught behind off the bowling of Tapash Baisya, trying to sway away from a short-pitched delivery and getting some glove on the ball.Manjural Islam bowled a very good first spell (8-5-12-0), often beating the outside edge. Sarwan immediately got off his mark with a boundary to fine leg, but with the light fading, Chris Gayle (10*) and Sarwan (14*) ensured that West Indies did not have any further hiccups before close of play. Once again, they are dictating terms to the home side.
Despite a dismal start, tumbling to 2 for 39, Pakistan ended the day with a fabulous score of 370 for 8. It was great to finally see a magical transformation of Pakistan’s batting, facing up to the England speedsters with courage while destroying their ‘danger men’ image built at Lord’s.A masterly partnership of 141 runs between Inzamam (114) and Younis Khan (65) laid the real foundation for Pakistan’s big innings. Inzamam gave a superb display of batsmanship, punishing every bowler coming in front of him. Today Incidentally England’s fielding was not as impressive as at Lords.Then followed another excellent partnership of 53 between Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood. Rashid, however, continues to hold the fort with absolute command and Pakistan is quite likely to cross 400 runs if he stays at the wicket till end of the innings. His partner, Saqlain Mushtaq has the tenacity to give the support for a long stand. All day Pakistan’s electrifying scoring rate was a spectacular feature as loose balls were punished for 51 fours and 2 sixes.Earlier Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat on a rainy morning. Waqar thought the pitch to be good for batting against some commentary box comments that conditions were ideal for bowling.It was an inauspicious start though, with Pakistan paying the price for promoting Abdur Razzaq to the opener’s slot, an experiment not suited to the occasion. Razzaq was dropped in the slips on the first ball he faced and in the next over was bowled by Andy Caddick.Faisal Iqbal, another youngster on trial, offered an easy catch and departed after scoring 16 runs bringing Pakistan down to a petty 39 for 2. The two best batsmen in the side Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq, got together to pull the side out of crisis. Hitting sparkling shots all round the wicket, they hoisted 50 of the innings in 13 overs.Toying with a shoulder high delivery by Caddick outside off, in the last over before lunch, Saeed was the next victim. After scoring a valuable 29 Saeed asked for his exit on a ball that could have been ‘well left’ showing that Caddick has that ability to extract extra bounce and Pakistan was 86 for 3.Yousuf Youhana also ranked among the top Pakistan batsmen was out in similar fashion, repeating his Lord’s performance of dangling his bat and offering a catch behind the stumps. It seemed the batsmen had not learnt the Lord’s lesson. By earning 3 out of the 4 scalps Caddick was now in full cry and playing havoc with the ball. Pakistan’s 100 came in 23 overs but only after losing 4 wickets.Inzamam completed his breezy but beautiful 50 in 69 balls with 9 exciting shots to the boundary. He was also the one to hoist the 50 and 100 of the Pakistan innings with sizzling shots to the square-leg boundary. Earlier in his innings he completed his 5000 runs in test cricket.Having stemmed the rot, the pair of Inzamam and Younis Khan raised Pakistan’s score to 200 in 48 overs with Younis completing his 50 in 89 balls. Something new for England bowlers was the punishment they received in the form of fours and sixes.Playing aggressive cricket, Inzamam completed his glorious century (his 14th in tests) in 135 balls with the help of 16 fours and a six, but a little later, lost his partner Younis Khan trapped lbw by Hoggard after a fine innings of 65. At 233 for 5 Pakistan had maintained a remarkable run rate of over 4 per over and the partnership had yielded 141 precious runs.Hoggard struck again when he claimed the prized wicket of Inzamam after he had played a flawless innings of 114, laying a solid foundation for Pakistan, now at 255 for 6.Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood batted valiantly raising the total to 308 with a useful partnership of 53 when Azhar Mahmood became Hoggard’s 3rd victim after scoring 37.Rashid Latif and Wasim Akram produced another valuable partnership of 49 when Wasim left after scoring 16. Pakistan was 357 for 8 with Rashid Latif in full command after having completed his half-century.Play ended after a full quota of 90 overs with Pakistan at 370 for 8 with Rashid Latif holding the crease with a confident 64. Andy Caddick and Mathew Hoggard were England’s star bowlers sharing 3 wickets each. All credit too for England’s pacers who had toiled all day on a reasonably batting friendly pitch, as it turned out to be. Their perseverance and effort right to the last ball was a remarkable feature of the day.
Ange Postecoglou has been handed a major boost at Celtic ahead of the Old Firm derby next weekend…
What’s the talk?
According to the Daily Record, the Hoops look set to receive a big lift ahead of their clash with their rivals next weekend.
The report claims that Alfredo Morelos has returned to Rangers with a thigh injury after failing to pass a fitness test to play in any of Colombia’s matches.
Buzzing
This update will leave Ange feeling buzzing as the Gers being without Morelos would be a massive boost to his side’s chances of winning the match.
The Bhoys are top of the Premiership table heading into the game at Ibrox and it is poised to be a season-defining clash for both teams. A win for Postecoglou’s men will see them go six points clear and in with a fantastic chance to win the title, whereas three points for the hosts will see them draw level with Celtic and tee up a tense end to the campaign.
This is why this match is a huge moment in the season and Rangers being without one of their best players will weaken their chances of winning. Morelos’ thigh injury has cut his international duty short because he was not fit enough to play against Venezuela on Wednesday, suggesting that he is unlikely to be ready – or at least 100% fit – for the game on Sunday.
In the Premiership this season, the striker has racked up a sublime 11 goals and seven assists in 25 starts. He has been phenomenal – averaging a SofaScore rating of 7.32 – and that is why him being out of contention would strengthen Celtic’s chances as they would not need to deal with his huge attacking threat at the top end of the pitch.
Postecoglou will, therefore, be relieved by this news as Morelos – at best for Rangers – is coming into the game carrying a big knock or he will be out completely. Celtic may not have to play against the attacker at the peak of his powers and the statistics suggest that it will be a significant boost.
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The Colombian centre-forward was absent from the Gers squad when the two teams last met in the Premiership back in January and the Australian head coach enjoyed a fine night at Parkhead on that occasion. His side won 3-0 as they swept their rivals aside with ease, with Kemar Roofe starting in place of Morelos and being unable to cause any issues to Cameron Carter-Vickers or Carl Starfelt.
AND in other news, Celtic handed huge summer boost on “outstanding” £42k-p/w dynamo, Ange will be buzzing…
The criticism of Australia’s conduct at the SCG has spread to other sports with three members of the country’s Hall of Fame calling for the team’s “moral compass to be returned”. John Bertrand, a sailor who won the America’s Cup in 1983, is the chairman of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and he wants a meeting with Cricket Australia to let it know its sides should be showing more respect to opponents.Australia’s behaviour during the match in Sydney has been under severe scrutiny. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey have defended the team actions during the victory, but there have been a host of complaints in the fallout from a game that included issues over race, sportsmanship, umpiring, catching and walking.”We have a lot of clout in the sporting community and we will be saying to Cricket Australia that people need to step back and reassess what is happening here with a cool head,” Bertrand said in the Herald Sun. “The pressure to win out on the field has become too hot, and that pressure is all about winning at all costs.”That is not what sport is about … The fallout that we are seeing at the moment is not acceptable. It’s clearly damaging international relations and clearly a lot of people are upset.”Bertrand has joined the respected athletes Herb Elliott and Robert de Castella in believing the players are too arrogant. “Sport is only sport,” he said, “it’s not war.”Hussey said the players had “never stepped outside the rules or the laws of the game”. “We have a great pride in playing for the baggy green cap and for playing for each other,” he said in the Australian. “We know how hard it is to get an opportunity to play for Australia and we want to play as hard as we possibly can.”Neil Harvey, an Invincible from 1948, disagreed with Hussey and said Ponting “needs to look at himself”. “Certainly the captain needs to be stronger and keep his guys in line,” Harvey said. Harvey was also concerned by Australia’s failure to shake Anil Kumble’s hand at the end of the Test. “I don’t think they are very sporting.”
Tony Howard, the West Indies manager, has spoken boldly of his side’s chances in the World Cup ahead of their warm-up match against Kenya on Monday.”We have some quite detailed plans for the tournament and we plan to come hard,” he said. “We will think hard and play hard. We are in it to win it. We want it all. We want to win in front our home supporters. We are prepared to beat the best no matter what. We have no real doubts about our ability at this stage.”Few can forget Kenya’s remarkable win in the 1996 World Cup when they skittled the West Indies for just 93, recording their first one-day win. A decade on, Roger Harper – who made 17 batting at No.7 in that humbling match – is Kenya’s coach and remains cautiously optimistic over their chances.”Kenya is supposed to be the top associate country as far as cricket is concerned,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean anything unless you show it on the field and we have demonstrated this. I think winning the World Cricket League (WCL) meant a lot to this team, for Kenya as a whole, and we hope to do the same in the World Cup.”Kenya, buoyant after their impressive win in Nairobi three weeks ago, are also very familiar with Caribbean conditions. Three years ago, they were the invited overseas team for the West Indies domestic first-class championship, though they failed to win any of their seven matches.
In compliance with the Supreme Court orders the Indian board has appointed a 3-man panel to select the Himachal Pradesh Ranji team for the one-day matches starting from February 10Gurusharan Singh, the former Test player from Delhi, has been named the Chairman of the panel while Bhupinder Singh (Snr) from Punjab, and Sarkar Talwar, a first-class cricketer of long standing from Haryana, have been included as the other members in the panel. The two-day trial for the selection of the team would start on February 4 at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.Two rival factions of Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association – one headed by Anurag Thakur and the other by Rajinder Zar – are fighting it out in the courts for the control of the Association. A Bench comprising YK Sabharwal, the Chief Justice, CK Thakker and RV Raveendran had on January 30 directed the Indian board to appoint a three-member panel to select the Himachal Pradesh team for the remaining domestic matches this season. The court had also stipulated that the Indian board “shall not included anyone from Himachal Pradesh” in the panel. As an interim measure, the Indian board would provide finance for the Himachal Pradesh team and the apex cricket body would be compensated for the same by the Association, which proved its credentials in the court of law, the court had said.