The Buzz
Punjab que sera, sera
A proposed stadium in Bhatinda, one of the oldest cities in Punjab, has apparently hit a roadblock
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
A proposed stadium in Bhatinda, one of the oldest cities in Punjab, has apparently hit a roadblock. Work on what is supposed to be a top-notch cricket venue was supposed to begin on December 8 of last year, the same day as the Punjab chief minister's birthday, but nothing has happened in the last 12 months. According to Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) administrator Kamal Kishore Yadav, the 25-acre project cost was estimated between Rs 80-100 crore and was backed by the likes of Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president IS Bindra. But apart from barbed wire to cordon off the land, not a brick has been laid.
The project has reportedly been tossed back and forth between the PCA, BDA and Punjab Sports Department, reports the Indian Express, and is now with the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) for execution.
“We have almost finalised the terms and conditions and the bidding process would be started soon,” said PIDB managing director Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, who could not give any time frame.
Bhatinda may be proud host to Asia's biggest railway junction, but as for a cricket stadium ... well, let's just say that one's just not been able to get off the tracks.
Full postAn over-priced affair?
Its really up to you as to how you view next year's Ashes, but Sussex are clearly keeping an eye on profits.
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
Its really up to you as to how you view next year's Ashes, but Sussex are clearly keeping an eye on profits.
Next June, from June 24-27, the Australians play their first warm-up of the tour against Sussex at Hove, and the local administrators have confirmed that tickets will cost £35 a day. Want to watch all four days? Be ready to fork out £140, with a serious chance that rain will scupper at least a bit of the cricket. A bit steep, you might say, given the current economic situation.
Now compare that to a season's standard membership worth £159, which allows a spectator to watch every game at Hove except Twenty20. Sussex have upped the asking price, so now lets hope, unlike a few times in the past, that they field a strong side to make it worth the dough.
The Ashes start July 8 in Cardiff and conclude August 24 at The Oval.
Full postFun with Warney and Gilly
Having shouted themselves hoarse for catches and stumpings many, many times during their Test careers, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist will now go on air
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
Having shouted themselves hoarse for catches and stumpings many, many times during their Test careers, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist will now go on air. The two Australian legends will join Nine's team over the coming weeks on short-term deals. However, unlike when they played together, Warne and Gilchrist won't share air space together. Rather unfortunate, for that should have made for interesting insights - the two bring the experience of 735 international games - and witty banter.
Warne will commentate the Sydney and Melbourne Tests, as well as the Twenty20 internationals, while Gilchrist will call a Twenty20 match and seven one-dayers.
Relieved of his duties as Pakistan's coach, Geoff Lawson will also slip back behind the mic for ABC when the Sydney Test starts.
Full postTips from Tendulkar
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
It’s not a bad strategy to practise in the nets alongside Sachin Tendulkar. Mumbai women’s side did just that as the batsman geared up for the upcoming England Tests, and got some welcome advice from Tendulkar after he was done with his session.
"He talked to our batters as well as bowlers. He told them about how to become mentally strong, on the importance of pacing their innings and how to avoid getting bogged down in case the rival captain adopts a 7-2 field. It was very useful," Anjali Pednekar, the coach, told PTI. "He also told them to see the success men's team and how well they have done and aspire to emulate them.”
Full postTelevised selection meetings?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s criticism of leaks from selection meetings included a suggestion that if what went on inside closed doors had to come out then the whole meeting might as well be televised
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s criticism of leaks from selection meetings included a suggestion that if what went on inside closed doors had to come out then the whole meeting might as well be televised. Dhoni may have been only half-serious but the idea found favour with Kishan Rungta, a former national selector. In fact Rungta made a similar suggestion way back in 1997 - he had told the Kolkata-based Telegraph that the selection meetings could be telecast live just as the proceedings in Parliament.
Reacting to Dhoni’s statement, Rungta said his point made 11 years ago still held true. “Why should the deliberations be such a secret?” Rungta said. “Bringing about transparency via a live telecast would, in my opinion, be healthy for Indian cricket. It’s important for players to know what the selectors and the two co-opted members [captain, coach] of the committee think about them. Indeed, it’s important for players to know where they stand. I’m glad that Dhoni thinks on similar lines.”
Rungta said his suggestion, conveyed verbally to then BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, was rejected as being too controversial. “I’d be happy if the present dispensation takes steps in that direction.”
Full postBalls of fury
Division One Premier League teams in Sri Lanka are at odds with their country's governing body over the supply of cricket balls
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
Division One Premier League teams in Sri Lanka are at odds with their country's governing body over the supply of cricket balls. Members of certain clubs have, according to the Sunday Times, complained that Pakistan-made Grays balls have been provided this year instead of the usual Kookaburra make. The Grays ball apparently has a slightly protruded seam, which gives new-ball bowlers an undue advantage of producing generous swing.
“This time the Premier League Tournament is going to be used as the yardstick to pick the final lineup for the Provincial Tournament which is going to be branded as our main tournament," said an irate member of one club. "However, when bowlers with less skills have taken a lot of wickets not owing to their own skills, but the bad quality of the ball, there may be lopsided selections. That might be a very dangerous situation.”
Another player raised the issue of injury, citing the number of injuries when fielders stop the ball or go for catches. For their part, the SLC said they had not received any complaints and that the Grays ball had been provided to the national team, without any disapproval. Sidath Wettimuny, now an administrator, said that if Pakistan use the Grays ball for Tests then the SLC could do the same in club cricket.
Full postAssam Cricket Association hopes for insurance cover
The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) is hoping to get insurance cover for the losses incurred after the sixth one-day international between India and England was cancelled following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) is hoping to get insurance cover for the losses incurred after the sixth one-day international between India and England was cancelled following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
“We’re very disappointed. So much preparation has gone into hosting this match. Now, if we don’t get the insurance cover, we’ll have to suffer a huge loss,” Bikash Barua, the ACA secretary, told the Indian Express. “It takes about Rs 80 to 90 lakh to organise an ODI in the city and ACA treasurer Ghanashyam Barua is not certain whether the expense will be covered by the insurance company.
“We’ve insured this match for Rs 80 lakh. In case of abandonment, without a ball being bowled, we’re supposed to get this amount from them. But I’m not sure whether we can claim the insurance amount. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll have to request the BCCI to compensate us.”
The spectators who had purchased tickets for the match will be given a refund by the association.
Full postKabir Ali escaped Taj terror strikes
Kabir Ali, the England fast bowler, was lucky to escape the terrorist strikes in Mumbai on Wednesday night after he chose to skip dinner at the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the venues attacked, to for a movie.
Nishi Narayanan
25-Feb-2013
Kabir Ali, the England fast bowler, was lucky to escape the terrorist strikes in Mumbai on Wednesday night after he chose to skip dinner at the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the venues attacked, to for a movie.
“We were having coffee there [Taj Mahal hotel] in the afternoon and were due back for dinner later,” Kabir told the Times. “I should have been there by 9 o'clock, about half an hour before the shooting started. I don't really know why I changed my mind. For some reason, something told me not to go and I went to the cinema instead. I should have been at the hotel.
“I started watching the film, but it soon became obvious something was wrong. It was a really good Bollywood film but people kept leaving. Then I received a text message telling me what was happening and I joined those trying to get out.
“There was panic outside. At first I thought there were fireworks going off in the next street, but then it hit home. There were sirens and bangs and people running. It was chaos. I just want to get home now. I do feel shaken, but my thoughts are with all the people who were just going about their lives normally who haven't been as lucky as me.”
Full postGanguly prepares for commentary stint
During a press conference after his final Test in Nagpur, Sourav Ganguly had said that he was not yet ready for commentary because it meant “traveling all the time”
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
During a press conference after his final Test in Nagpur, Sourav Ganguly had said that he was not yet ready for commentary because it meant “traveling all the time”. However, he will be part of the ESPN-Star Sports commentary team for the Champions League which begins on December 3. His first match behind the microphone will be between the Rajasthan Royals and the Dolphins in Bangalore.
“It’s just going to be a start,” Ganguly told the Telegraph, a Kolkata based daily. “Right now, however, I don’t intend doing commentary full-time.”
Ganguly retired from international cricket after the Test series against Australia which India won 2-0.
Full postYellow-black, yellow-black, yellow-black ...
The bees have license to travel, it seems
Jamie Alter
25-Feb-2013
The bees have license to travel, it seems. Last month, a swarm of pesky bees swooped into the Feroz Shah Kotla and forced Indian and Australian players, as well as the two umpires, to hit the deck and lie flat until the horde passed over. Now it has been reported that organisers of the India-England ODI in Cuttack are worried that bees may be a nuisance to spectators at the Barabati Stadium.
The reason for concern is that honeycombs have been a part of the gallery structures for over a decade. Last January, during an Orissa versus Assam Ranji Trophy match, players and umpires had to dive for cover when a swarm of bees invaded. Bee collectors were duly called in to help out. However, it is understood that the honeybees have multiplied on the outer roof of galley No. 5 and a giant honeycomb has been formed.
“We are taking steps on priority basis to get rid of the honeycomb to prevent possible bee invasion during the match," said OCA secretary Asirbad Behera.
Google tells you that a large enough swarm of bees could theoretically generate as much lift as a jet liner. Here's hoping they don't train their attention to the good folks in gallery No. 5, or that a Virender Sehwag six doesn't disturb that beast of a honeycomb. No funny 'bees'ness, this.
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