The historical Gopalan Trophy which was played between India and Sri
Lanka is all set to be revived next month. The Tamil Nadu team would
tour Colombo from September 21 to October 2 and would be play three 3
one day matches and one four day game against Sri Lanka.
The competition will be on a reciprocal basis and the team from Sri
Lanka would be represented by a Districts XI or a Sri Lankan Board XI.
The Lankan Board has assured that the team will consist of atleast
five to six Test cricketers. The Gopalan Trophy was last played in
1982 in Colombo before Sri Lanka attained Test status.
Three member Australian Cricket Board team visits Kochi
The three-member Australian Cricket Board (ACB) team comprising of
team manager Steve Bernard, former Test off-spinner Tim May of the
Australian players association and Richard Watson are in India to
inspect the scheduled venues for the forthcoming Australian tour of
India.
The three member team reached Kochi and along with a handful of local
officials and inspected the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Tim May seemed
pleased with the amenities at the ground. However with regard to the
lodging that is to be provided he said that in case of a one-day game
it would be okay. But when the players are to stay for three days
their fitness regimen will include exercises in the pool.
Australia are slated to reach India on February 14 and open their
campaign with a three day game against India A at Baroda. Australia
are scheduled to play three Tests and five one dayers.
Kumble's spell fails to lift Leicestershire
Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble with figures of 3 for 42 failed to help
Leicestershire as their batting collapsed to give Gloucestershire a
well deserved victory in the National League Division One one day
match at Bristol on Monday.
Opting to bat, Gloucestershire lost opener Kim Barnett (5) to James
Ormond. But a 83 run second wicket stand between Hancock Ian Harvey
put them back on track before Kumble broke the partnership. Kumble
picked up the wickets of both Hancock and Harvey. Then Kumble returned
to dismiss Windows to cut short a threatening fifth wicket stand
between Windows and Alleyne. Gloucestershire ended their innings at
269 for 9 in 45 overs.
But Leicestershire during their run chase fell short of their
opponents total by 47 runs and were allout for 222. Only three of
their batsman managed to reach double figures. Leicestershire were
indebted to B Smith (77) and Darren Maddy (86) who were involved in a
138 run fourth wicket stand.
Former Indian seamer Balwinder Singh Sandhu has been appointed by the
Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) as the coach of its Ranji Trophy
team. Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar in his featured column
for a web site revealed the news and said that the MCA's move was a
smart one and sees it as a loss to Mumbai.
Manjrekar added that in view of such a move by Maharashtra one can be
assured of better performance this season from the state team in the
national competition. Sandhu had also served the Mumbai Cricket
Association as the coach before he was sacked from the job after two
years of service.