Matches (7)
IPL (2)
Women's Tri-Series (SL) (1)
BAN-A vs NZ-A (1)
Women's One-Day Cup (3)
Shots of the Week, September 25 to October 1, 2006

The Ovalgate climax and the road to the Orient

Not quite the Oscar red carpet but Andrew Flintoff had plenty of autograph hunters as he arrived for the Professional Cricketers Association’s awards dinner at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Not quite the Oscar red carpet but Andrew Flintoff had plenty of autograph hunters as he arrived for the Professional Cricketers Association’s awards dinner at the Royal Albert Hall in London•Getty Images
All rise. Ranjan Madugalle, the chief adjudicator in Inzamam-ul-Haq's ICC hearing, arrives to hear testimonies regarding the alleged ball-tampering incident during the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval. The reason that the hearing took place so late was because Madugalle, deemed the most competent official to handle the issue, was unavailable on earlier dates because of personal matters.
All rise. Ranjan Madugalle, the chief adjudicator in Inzamam-ul-Haq's ICC hearing, arrives to hear testimonies regarding the alleged ball-tampering incident during the fourth Test between England and Pakistan at The Oval. The reason that the hearing took place so late was because Madugalle, deemed the most competent official to handle the issue, was unavailable on earlier dates because of personal matters. •AFP
"This game is about more than winning and losing," said Inzaman, "it's about respect.” And that’s what prompted him to take the extreme measure of refusing to come out after tea at The Oval. “If someone says to me you are a cheat and Pakistan is doing wrong things, my first priority is to my country." Inzamam’s decision left him in the firing line. Here, he and Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan board, exchange notes during the hearing.
"This game is about more than winning and losing," said Inzaman, "it's about respect.” And that’s what prompted him to take the extreme measure of refusing to come out after tea at The Oval. “If someone says to me you are a cheat and Pakistan is doing wrong things, my first priority is to my country." Inzamam’s decision left him in the firing line. Here, he and Shaharyar Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan board, exchange notes during the hearing.•AFP
Madugalle delivers his verdict. “Mr ul-Haq is not guilty of the charge of ball-tampering. Mr ul-Haq is guilty of the charge that contrary to paragraph C2 of the Code of Conduct, he engaged in conduct unbecoming to his status which could bring him or the game into disrepute in that he failed to bring his team back onto the field of play on two occasions as a deliberate protest against the Umpires. The appropriate penalty is a ban of 4 One Day International Matches."
Madugalle delivers his verdict. “Mr ul-Haq is not guilty of the charge of ball-tampering. Mr ul-Haq is guilty of the charge that contrary to paragraph C2 of the Code of Conduct, he engaged in conduct unbecoming to his status which could bring him or the game into disrepute in that he failed to bring his team back onto the field of play on two occasions as a deliberate protest against the Umpires. The appropriate penalty is a ban of 4 One Day International Matches."•AFP
No whites but it’ll do. The Chinese wicketkeeper sports black pants during their match against the MCC who of course are prim and proper as ever. The Chinese character in the background means “fight”.
No whites but it’ll do. The Chinese wicketkeeper sports black pants during their match against the MCC who of course are prim and proper as ever. The Chinese character in the background means “fight”.•Getty Images
The artist in Flintoff paints a pretty picture. Actually, he’s just signing a canvas by artist Sacha Jafri before the awards dinner.
The artist in Flintoff paints a pretty picture. Actually, he’s just signing a canvas by artist Sacha Jafri before the awards dinner.•Getty Images
Darrell Hair, the umpire who started it all, leafs through a file during the hearing. Hair asked for the ball to be changed at The Oval and awarded England five penalty runs, an action that prompted Pakistan to not take the field after tea.
Darrell Hair, the umpire who started it all, leafs through a file during the hearing. Hair asked for the ball to be changed at The Oval and awarded England five penalty runs, an action that prompted Pakistan to not take the field after tea.•Getty Images
Bob Woolmer listens intently to television analyst Simon Hughes who was called to examine the ball whose condition umpires Hair and Doctrove thought had been interfered with. Hughes testified that the ball’s condition was consistent with normal wear and tear and believed that Hair had been “guessing” as to the condition of the ball.
Bob Woolmer listens intently to television analyst Simon Hughes who was called to examine the ball whose condition umpires Hair and Doctrove thought had been interfered with. Hughes testified that the ball’s condition was consistent with normal wear and tear and believed that Hair had been “guessing” as to the condition of the ball.•AFP
Cricket in Yokohama? While the off-field drama held our attention in England, cricket travelled to the Orient this week. Mike Gatting, no stranger to controversy involving Pakistan during his relatively slimmer playing days, participated in a charity match in Yokohama organised by Tyler Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Kapil Dev, Clive Rice, Ray Bright, Dion Nash and Devon Malcolm also featured in the event.
Cricket in Yokohama? While the off-field drama held our attention in England, cricket travelled to the Orient this week. Mike Gatting, no stranger to controversy involving Pakistan during his relatively slimmer playing days, participated in a charity match in Yokohama organised by Tyler Foundation for Childhood Cancer. Kapil Dev, Clive Rice, Ray Bright, Dion Nash and Devon Malcolm also featured in the event.•Getty Images
Hearing Bundle A & B. The files that contain the charges leveled against Inzamam. Incidentally the ball-tampering charge was the less serious of Inzamam’s alleged offences. He was also booked with bringing the game into disrepute for protesting against the umpires' decision by refusing to take the field.
Hearing Bundle A & B. The files that contain the charges leveled against Inzamam. Incidentally the ball-tampering charge was the less serious of Inzamam’s alleged offences. He was also booked with bringing the game into disrepute for protesting against the umpires' decision by refusing to take the field.•Getty Images
As events unfolded in London, Inzamam was hailed by fans in Pakistan who felt that he had upheld Pakistan’s honour throughout the incident. Even as they vociferously backed their captain, they held back no punches where Hair was concerned.
As events unfolded in London, Inzamam was hailed by fans in Pakistan who felt that he had upheld Pakistan’s honour throughout the incident. Even as they vociferously backed their captain, they held back no punches where Hair was concerned.•AFP
The MCC made their first tour to China this week and played United Beijing XI at Jiaotong University. Chinese cricketer Chi Han practises his batting before taking on the most famous club in the world.
The MCC made their first tour to China this week and played United Beijing XI at Jiaotong University. Chinese cricketer Chi Han practises his batting before taking on the most famous club in the world.•Getty Images