The Buzz
From fours to fore! IPL about to infiltrate golf
Indian golf takes inspiration from the Indian Premier League, with a franchise-based tournament
Alex Winter
25-Feb-2013
One would have thought golf is rich enough and packed full of prestigious events already. And of such a serene nature that only by reverting to the format commonly found on British seaside resorts could the sport have any chance of being open to artificial razzmatazz. But Shiv Kapur, an Indian golfer whose first love is cricket, is having a go and thus, the Golf Premier League (GPL) is scheduled for February 8-10 at Aamby Valley in Pune.
The prize fund is a paltry US$400,000 - a figure you can sweep up on your own for finishing third at any of the four majors - but Kapur is confident in three year's time GPL can attract the sponsorship to get a name like Tiger Woods involved.
Eight city-based franchises are being sold - one of them, the Colombo Sixers, to Mahela Jayawardene - with four players on each team: two Indians, one European and one from a different part of Asia. Darren Clarke, Angel Cabrera, Michael Campbell and Rich Beem, major champions all, will feature in the three-day tournament, encompassing two rounds of strokeplay followed by a final round of better-ball. All of them day-night with a 30-second shot-clock on each stroke.
But a sport won't have felt the breath of IPL on its neck unless major radicalisation takes place. So for the first time since the 18th century, golf will be played over a different number of holes than 18 with only 14 being used to create a three-hour window that will be popular for television.
Full postPakistan's camel-winning performance
Of all the rewards players earn for their on-field achievements, cars, bikes and gadgets have all been quite popular, especially in the sub-continent. But few can match the novelty of a camel
Devashish Fuloria
25-Feb-2013
Of all the rewards players earn for their on-field achievements, cars, bikes and gadgets have all been quite popular, especially in the sub-continent. But a politician in Pakistan has announced an ingenious reward that may not help the players to zoom on tarmac, but would surely help them traverse deserts.
Haji Ali Madad Jattak, the provincial minister of food in Balochistan province, has announced - not a fuel guzzling 4x4, but - a camel for each player as a special gift following Pakistan's ODI series win in India. Camels are considered noble in the western province of Pakistan and they could be worth as much as Rs. 4 lakh (upto $4100 approx) each.
Now, who doesn't want to see cricketers going for a celebratory lap on four wheels legs?
Full postFlintoff retirement beckons (or a fight with Ryder)
No, this is not a headline dug out from the archives but the latest reality for Andrew Flintoff's career
Alex Winter
25-Feb-2013
No, this is not a headline dug out from the archives but the latest reality for Andrew Flintoff's career. It was Flintoff's knees that couldn't hold out long enough for a cricket life beyond the age of 32 but now his shoulder could cause his bowing out of the ring after just one fight.
Flintoff made a successful boxing debut, defeating American Richard Dawson by a single point, but has had to undergo an operation to repair a torn shoulder ligament, which could mean the end of his fighting life, despite many offers of future bouts, including with estranged New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder.
"It would have to fit into a window that didn't have cricket on because he couldn't do both, particularly if he was playing for the Black Caps, but we haven't made that decision yet," Ryder's manager, Aaron Klee told The New Zealand Herald.
With injury ruling out many other activities Flintoff could be tempted back to cricket - potentially as the freelance Twenty20 batsman he initially had in mind after giving up international cricket after the 2009 Ashes.
Full postHit roof, get six
A high-flying shot from Aaron Finch that hit the roof of the Docklands Stadium effected a change in rules in the Big Bash League
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Aaron Finch, the Melbourne Renegades captain, launched Hobart Hurricanes fast bowler Doug Bollinger high into the sky for what seemed like a certain six at the Docklands Stadium. Until the main supporting beam for the venue, which has a retractable roof, came in the way of the ball. The umpires called dead ball, and the Big Bash League has amended the playing conditions for the rest of the season since.
Should the ball hit the roof of the Docklands Stadium when it is open, the batsman will be credited with a six, but if the ball hits a part of the retractable section when the roof is closed, it will be a dead ball. Any balls that hit other areas of the roof or structure will be given six.
"No-one wants to see an incredible piece of skill, such as [Aaron] Finch's shot on Wednesday night, go unrewarded," the BBL's Anthony Everard told Sportal. "The umpires made the correct decision but this change is in the best interests of the game and the fans.
"We're looking forward to seeing if Finch, Marlon Samuels, Chris Lynn or any of the other Renegades or Heat players can launch the ball into the stadium roof structure tomorrow night."
Full postDid Crowe really do an Ashes?
Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has reportedly burnt his New Zealand blazer in protest against Ross Taylor's demotion as captain
Cricinfo
25-Feb-2013
Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, has reportedly burnt his New Zealand blazer in protest against Ross Taylor's demotion as captain. The New Zealand Herald reported that golfer Ryan Fox re-tweeted a message from Crowe's @MartinCrowe299 account: "Burnt NZ cricket blazer Dec 7, 2012. RIP." Crowe's account, according to the newspaper, has since been deleted, together with the tweet, and so is Fox's re-tweet.
When the Herald tried to get in touch with Crowe, he texted: "With respect ... no comment now or ever." Crowe, in a column for ESPNcricinfo, voiced support for Taylor during the latest captaincy crisis, writing : "Over the last week NZC destroyed the soul of Ross Taylor, easily our best player. They have apparently apologised for the way his sacking from the captaincy was handled. Nevertheless they have amputated his spirit and there is no prosthetic for that.
"And yet NZC goes unaccountable. They continue to strip the worth from players and, therefore, as an organisation, they have definitely become worthless."
If at all his tweet was genuine, the literally fiery protest was just an affirmation of his disgust at the current state of New Zealand cricket. Pity there isn't a screen-grab to show for the drama. Perhaps, it was Crowe doing an Ashes with his blazer, not a pair of bails.
Full postBradman on film, in Canada
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has released previously unseen footage of "The Don" playing on a privately organised tour of Canada in 1932
Alan Gardner
25-Feb-2013
Every so often we get a glimpse of how Don Bradman batted and now the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has released previously unseen footage of "The Don" playing on a privately organised tour of Canada in 1932.
The film, which you can watch a segment of courtesy of the Daily Telegraph, shows Bradman in action against an All-Toronto side. During the match in question, he made 52 (after Toronto had been dismissed for 80) but a title card informs the viewer that he went on to break the Canadian record by scoring 260 against Western Ontario. The footage is thought to be the only in existence showing Bradman in action outside Australia or the United Kingdom, the two countries where he made all of his 52 Test appearances.
The Toronto leg was part of the 51-match "Goodwill Tour" of north America, which also served in part as the recently married Bradman's honeymoon. However, while Bradman would lead his "Invicibles" around England 16 years later, on this trip the Australians were beaten - Vancouver the team to blemish their record.
Full postNtini, the sevens rugby manager
Former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini could soon be wearing several hats
Firdose Moonda
25-Feb-2013
Former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini could soon be wearing several hats. ESPNcricinfo reported that he was in line to become a national cricket selector, but Ntini has already been named manager of a sevens rugby side. South Africa's best-supported football club, Kaizer Chiefs, has decided to branch out and will field a sevens team at a glamorous tournament in George, in the Western Cape, next week.
The competition, called 7sPL, is modelled on the IPL with the winners pocketing R1 million (US$117,647). It will feature the country's provincial sevens sides as well as privately-owned teams, such as the Chiefs outfit. Their players include former Springbok wings Breyton Paulse and Jongi Nokwe and Ntini's schoolfriend Gcobani Bobo, who is a midfielder.
"We all know Chiefs as a famous soccer team, but when I heard about them wanting to diversify and become involved in another great South African sporting code, I became excited about the possibilities it can bring," Ntini said. The two-day tournament is Ntini's first venture into administration and the funds could be used to get his dream of an academy in the Mdantsane township off the ground.
Full postSurrey find their X-Factor
Known for their swagger, Surrey have only added to their reputation as the most glamorous of counties by signing Dermot O'Leary, the radio host and television presenter.
Alex Winter
25-Feb-2013
Known for their swagger, Surrey have only added to their reputation as the most glamorous of counties by signing Dermot O'Leary, the radio host and television presenter.
It is well documented that Surrey are in the market for a fourth-choice wicketkeeper but 5'8" O'Leary, whose previous major appearance at The Oval was a chat on Test Match Special, won't be donning the gloves but heading up a new media group to improve the county's work in the local community and their charity operations. O'Leary will also use his television glitz to raise the club's profile within London's media outlets.
"I am really excited to be getting involved at this fantastic club and hope we can really make a difference over the next few years," O'Leary said. "I am a huge sports fan and see The Oval as one of the leading venues in London and beyond. Although it regularly delivers world-class matches on an international stage, I am excited by its further potential and look forward to playing a part in its future development."
Surrey are yet to deny that a leg of the X-Factor Live! tour will be staged in Kennington and that Stacey Solomon - former X-Factor finalist, winner of the 10th series of I'm a Celebrity and (probable) Essex fan - is to be employed as a guest tour guide.
Full postCruising into The Oval
The Oval has greeted many famous faces over the year, both on the field and in the stands watching the action, but last week there was one of the more unexpected sights to appear at SE11
Andrew McGlashan
25-Feb-2013
The Oval has greeted many famous faces over the year, both on the field and in the stands watching the action, but last week there was one of the more unexpected sights to appear at SE11.
On a wintery November morning, Tom Cruise landed on the outfield in a helicopter to shoot scenes from his latest film All You Need is Kill.
Along with film crew and extras he milled around the outfield, rugged up against the cold, often with a coffee cup in hand. However, there was no sign of an impromptu game of cricket to keep warm.
Full postA home away from home
The first match of the English domestic season will continue to take place over 4,000 miles away from Britain after the MCC confirmed the champion county fixture will again take place in Abu Dhabi.
Alex Winter
25-Feb-2013
The first match of the English domestic season will continue to take place over 4,000 miles away from Britain after the MCC confirmed the champion county fixture will again take place in Abu Dhabi.
As part of the ongoing experimentation into day-night first-class cricket, the MCC will play Warwickshire under lights with a pink ball at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium from March 24-27. It will be the fourth consecutive overseas opening to the English season.
“After the ICC's recent endorsement of day-night Test cricket, I hope it will be the last such game before we see two countries playing a Test in the format - if it hasn't happened before March,” MCC head of cricket John Stephenson said.
The main obstacle to day-night first-class cricket is the colour of ball. Kookaburra’s pink variety will again be used in March but it received a lukewarm response after a trial match between Kent and Glamorgan at the end of the 2011 season.
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