The Buzz
Zimbabwe cricket reaches out to township kids
The sight of stands full of school children during both domestic and international cricket matches is not new to Zimbabwe, but their presence could be even more notable as children from Highfields, Chitungwiza and Mabvuku townships will not only be
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
The sight of stands full of school children during both domestic and international cricket matches is not new to Zimbabwe, but their presence could be even more notable as children from Highfields, Chitungwiza and Mabvuku townships will not only be allowed free entrance to all games during the Stanbic Bank Twenty20 tournament, but will also be provided with transport to get there.
“Some of these children are our most loyal fans and really look up to the Masakadza’s, Taibu’s and Coventry’s of this world,” said Zimbabwe Cricket spokesperson Shingai Rhuhwaya. “It would mean a lot to them to get the chance to see their heroes play alongside Brian Lara or Lance Klusener.
“We appreciate the difficulty that some children may face in getting to and from the venue to watch a game of cricket which is why we have availed our bus and hired others to ferry them to and from Harare Sports Club.”
Full postGanguly makes another debut
If you saw Sourav Ganguly walking out onto the pitch of the Salt Lake Stadium, you would be forgiven for thinking he had turned up at the wrong ground in Kolkata
Dustin Silgardo
25-Feb-2013
If you saw Sourav Ganguly walking out onto the pitch of the Salt Lake Stadium, you would be forgiven for thinking he had turned up at the wrong ground in Kolkata. But the former Indian cricket team captain did in fact play his first professional football match on Friday for Mohammedan Sporting Club against East Bengal in the Mohammedan Sporting Platinum Jubilee Cup. According to the Telegraph, he proved that he was no novice in the sport and created several chances for his strike partner. The crowd was expectedly overjoyed when Ganguly nearly scored with a side volley from just outside the penalty area. Ganguly lasted 60 minutes before being substituted in his side’s 0-1 loss, proving he’s got the fitness levels to play the sport. Now what if Mohammedan has a game that clashes with one of Kolkata Knight Rider’s? Ganguly might want to consider the fact that he has never received so much praise for not scoring.
Full postShane McWarne?
Shane Warne has received many accolades during his cricket career, both during his playing days as well as post retirement – whether for his cricket punditry or his poker skills
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Shane Warne has received many accolades during his cricket career, both during his playing days as well as post retirement – whether for his cricket punditry or his poker skills. But here’s a new ‘meaty’ one. According to a report in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, fast-food chain McDonald’s is set to release a burger in Warne's name – called the ‘Legend’ burger. This top-secret meal is set to be launched in the upcoming weeks ahead of the Ashes. And what will you get when you bite into the ‘Legend’? A bit of bun, some regular cheese and lettuce, along with your choice of chicken (crisp or seasoned), all mashed together in a saucy combination. There’ll probably be baked beans on the side. Howzat?
Full postWarne's wisdom helps out Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods has found an unlikely ally in his bid to win back his fans – and his form – in the wake of the sex scandals that wrecked his clean-cut image during a miserable year that culminated last week with the loss of his status as the world’s No
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
Tiger Woods has found an unlikely ally in his bid to win back his fans – and his form – in the wake of the sex scandals that wrecked his clean-cut image during a miserable year that culminated last week with the loss of his status as the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer.
At an official dinner on the eve of the Australian Masters in Melbourne, Woods was partnered at a question-and-answer session by none other than Shane Warne, another great sportsman whose after-hours behaviour has been the subject of some pretty lurid tabloid headlines.
While the reception for Woods was at first awkward, Warne’s presence soon helped to ease the atmosphere. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the evening’s compere, Mark Nicholas, welcomed the pair with the loaded words, “promising relationship!” to which Warne responded with a dead-pan: “'I reckon we've got a little bit in common ... I love golf.''
Woods couldn’t help but laugh at that, a reaction that was more spontaneous than any of the unconvincing attempts at contrition he has turned to in previous public appearances, and set the tone for one of his more comfortable grillings of the recent past. It just goes to show, even the greats need an experienced hand to guide them through the tough times.
Full postWomen's cricket a hit in China
It appears that China could really be a huge new market for cricket, as Asian Games organisers announced on Wednesday that all tickets for the women’s matches, which begin on Saturday, sold out within days of going on sale
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
It appears that China could really be a huge new market for cricket, as Asian Games organisers announced on Wednesday that all tickets for the women’s matches, which begin on Saturday, sold out within days of going on sale. "There's not a single ticket available for sale for the women's cricket," Husain Al Musallam, director general and technical director of the Olympic Council of Asia, told a press conference. "We hope to spread cricket all over Asia." Cricket is being included for the first time at the Games, which are being hosted by China, with organisers building a 12,000-seater cricket-specific stadium at the Guangdong University of Technology to host that portion of the tournament.
Full postSome good news at last for Pakistan
The probity of the recent one-day series between South Africa and Pakistan may have been called into question in the wake of Zulqarnain Haider’s flight to England, but at least the ICC has some good news to report from the series that took place just
Andrew Miller
25-Feb-2013
The probity of the recent one-day series between South Africa and Pakistan may have been called into question in the wake of Zulqarnain Haider’s flight to England, but at least the ICC has some good news to report from the series that took place just down the road from the governing body’s headquarters in Dubai. Mohammad Yousuf has been cleared of any wrongdoing after wearing a borrowed shirt for the series decider.
According to an ICC press release, Yousuf was found not guilty of a violation of “clause 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players, as read with Section C6 of the Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations which deal with appropriate and professional standards of appearance on the field on play.” His alleged crime? Writing his name on the back of the shirt with a marker pen.
In a glorious triumph for common sense, Yousuf – who had pleaded not guilty to the offence – was exonerated by the match referee, Andy Pycroft, on the not-unreasonable grounds that he had only just arrived in the country for next week’s Test series and therefore hadn’t been scheduled to play in the one-dayers.
“In making my decision, I took into account that Yousuf was required by the management representing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to wear the offending shirt as he had arrived in Dubai for the Test series and not for the ODIs,” said Pycroft. “As such, he didn’t bring with him any coloured clothing. The matter should now be referred by the ICC to the PCB pursuant to the relevant section of the Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations.”
Full postSteyn, Morkel to dive with sharks
One man has the reputation of being a crocodile hunter , while the other wants to model his batting on Matthew Hayden, who knows a thing or two about water sport
Nitin Sundar
25-Feb-2013
One man has the reputation of being a crocodile hunter, while the other wants to model his batting on Matthew Hayden, who knows a thing or two about water sport. Fitting then, that Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been chosen to mark the 100-day countdown to the World Cup, which begins on February 19, with a shark dive at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo on Tuesday. The pair will take the World Cup trophy to the bottom of the 11-metre deep aquarium and will be watched by ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat and members of the South Africa and Pakistan teams.
With the capacity to hold 10 million litres of water, the complex has more than 33,000 aquatic animals, and for a short while on Tuesday, it will also feature two South African fast bowlers and a glittering trophy.
Full postAstle's driving on a different track
Not content with holding the record for the fastest Test double-century, Nathan Astle is satisfying his need for speed in the world of sprint car racing
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Not content with holding the record for the fastest Test double-century, Nathan Astle is satisfying his need for speed in the world of sprint car racing. Astle, who retired four years ago, makes his debut at the Ruapuna Speedway near Christchurch on November 20 - just five months after getting into the sport. His bond with the race track goes back some time - he would accompany his father to Ruapuna - but the racing took a back seat as his cricket took off. Freed from such obligations now, he's acting out his dream - and an expensive one at that, with Astle investing NZ$13,000 (US$10,000). His kids are happy, his coach is bullish on his prospects, and, though his mum is a bit worried, the son seems to be in his element. "When you're out there you forget what's around you and you kind of feel how fast you do go. You don't have time to think. You are down the straight and you're into the corner and same again. It's just having your wits around you." Deja vu, then, for the man who scored a century against Brett Lee in Perth.
Full postMedal from first ever Test to go on auction
As England and Australia prepare to wage war with the Ashes just three weeks away, a gold medal presented during the first ever official Test match , between James Lillywhite’s England and a combined Australia XI in Melbourne 133 years ago, will
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
As England and Australia prepare to wage war with the Ashes just three weeks away, a gold medal presented during the first ever official Test match, between James Lillywhite’s England and a combined Australia XI in Melbourne 133 years ago, will come up at auction in London next week. The medal, engraved with crossed cricket bats, stumps and a ball, was presented to one of the England players, Harry Charlwood, by George Browne, the architect of the first grandstand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It is expected to fetch up to £20,000 at Graham Budd Auctions at Sotheby’s Bond Street sale room.
Budd explained that the medal was the only one known to remain from Browne’s commemoration, but it was presumed he presented a medal to each of the England team. “Perhaps he gave similar medals to the home team too, as a suitable souvenir of his achievements in developing a ground more than worthy of hosting Test match cricket” said Budd. “Browne is known to have socialised heavily with the England cricketers during the tour. Browne’s MCG grandstand cost ₤4,500 but did not last long as it was destroyed by fire in 1884.’’
Full postWhat would you pay for Tendulkar's bat?
Would you pay Rs 42 lakhs (approximately $94,786) for a cricket bat
Akhila Ranganna
25-Feb-2013
Would you pay Rs 42 lakhs (approximately $94,786) for a cricket bat? Well, that’s what the bat Sachin Tendulkar used to score 163 against New Zealand in an ODI in Christchurch in 2009 fetched at an auction in Mumbai, the proceeds of which went to the NGO ‘The Foundation’. Tendulkar’s bat, along with other personal items donated by 25 sportspersons from India and abroad, went under the hammer at a sports auction for an NGO called ‘The Foundation’. Rahul Dravid’s bat, with which he scored a century in each innings against Pakistan in the Kolkata Test in 2005 fetched Rs 20 lakh (approximately $45,136). Sunil Gavaskar’s bat, which was signed by all the 1983 World-Cup winners, went for Rs 17.5 lakh (approximately $39,494). The jersey that Anil Kumble wore when he equalled Jim Laker's record of taking all ten wickets in an innings, against Pakistan in Delhi in 1999, and the Test cap that he wore between 2004 and 2006 went for Rs 11.5 lakhs (approximately $25,953).
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