Indian news round-up

Little Master Sachin Tendulkar will be part of the Mumbai team which is to play four one-day games and a three day game against the Kenyan Cricket Association (KCA) from September 14 to 25. This was announced by Mumbai Cricket Association's joint secretary, Ratnakar Shetty.

Shetty said in Mumbai that "Sachin is keen to go now that the Sahara Cup in Toronto is off as this would give him the necessary match practice for the new season and especially for the October 3-15 ICC Knock-out Cup tournament in Nairobi." This will be Tendulkar's first game since his last appearance in the Asia Cup in Dhaka in June.

Talking about the Kenyan tour, Shetty said "The tour to Kenya is on a reciprocal basis. We played host to their national team in April when they were here. The Kenyan Cricket Association will now bear the expenses of hosting our team when we reach Nairobi." The schedule for the four one-day matches are September 16, 17, 23 and 24 and the three-day game will be played from Sep 19 to 21.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi on Tuesday that the agency is finalising a preliminary report on the match-fixing scandal and will submit it within 15 days. Talking to UNI, sources close to the CBI said "The process of finalisation of the report has started and it would take about 15 days before it is submitted to the government." A team headed by joint director RN Sawani is preparing the report.

Last week Union Sports Minister SS Dhindsa announced in the Rajya Sabha that the CBI will submit its preliminary findings in September. The summarised report is expected to cover the findings of the premier agency on the betting and match-fixing scandal between May 2 to August 31.

Sourav Ganguly is upset and termed the allegations in the British media that he was unfocussed in his county stint with Lancashire as baseless. Talking to PTI, Ganguly said "''Yes, I am not getting runs, but that does not mean I am not trying. These allegations are baseless" and added "I am really surprised and upset (over the allegations in the British media). Please ask our coach Bobby Simpson, my team-mates or any club authority."

Coming to the aid of the "Prince of Calcutta" Lancashire coach Bob Simpson said ''Sourav is starting well, but getting out either through a rash stroke or losing concentration. He is still one of the top batsmen in the world." He added "This (his half-century not being appreciated by other Lancashire mates) is not true. I was there in the dressing room and I can tell you nothing has happened like it has been described. This is the creation of the media. The county clubs do have a lot of expectations from foreign cricketers. Maybe, this is the reason." On a final note, Simpson said "It can happen to any cricketer. He should concentrate only on his batting. That would be a fitting reply (to his critics)."

The three Indian cricketers Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid had a mixed day on Tuesday. Dravid failed with his bat for Kent scoring just 20 of 85 balls with three fours against an Hampshire attack which had Alan Mullally and Australian Shane Warne. Kent at the end of the day one were 268 for nine.

Meanwhile, an unbeaten 8th wicket partnership of 65 between Kumble (25, 64 balls and four 4s) and former England all rounder Philip DeFreitas 90 (144 balls, 11 fours and 1 six) helped Leicestershire to end the first day at 362 for seven. Indian captain Ganguly went wicketless in his nine overs that he bowled conceding 45 runs.

Amol Rane, Kiran Powar, Manoj Joglekar and Maroof Khan of Mumbai Victory Cricket Club now in Los Angeles have been doing well says website Chalo Mumbai. Playing for Hollywood Cricket Club, Amol Rane and Kiran Powar have done reasonably well with the former scoring 3 half centuries and helping the local side to victory in three matches.

Manoj Joglegar on the other hand representing Colts CC has helped his side to win all their four games played so far contributing 3 fifties. Maroof Khan representing United CC has given an all round performance scoring more than 160 runs and has picked 10 wickets in the three matches played so far.