Indian news round-up

The former financial advisor of Prasar Bharti Arun Agarwal on Friday questioned the logic behind the formation of the Asian Cricket Fund. Agarwal also questioned the reasoning behind the allegations of the Asian countries not getting their equitable share of funds from the ICC for which they contribute substantially.

Speaking at a press conference in Bangalore, Agarwal said that there was no justification behind the formation of the ACF as India was the largest contributor to the game financially compared with the other members of the council, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Agarwal said that in the total contribution of 15 million dollars of the ACC to the ICC from the 1998 ICC knockout tournament, 80 percent of the money was paid by India. While India paid 8.5 million, Pakistan and Bangladesh paid only 300,000, he said.

Agarwal added that it was not surprising that the ICC chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, who is to head the ACF, had found ready support from other Asian nations as they stood to benefit the most from the ACF.

Union Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on Friday praised the efforts taken by former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi to promote the game at the grassroots level even as the match fixing allegations are tarnishing its image.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the cricket camp organised jointly by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Bishan Singh Bedi Cricket Trust at the Jawharalal nehru Stadium in New Delhi, Dhindsa said that SAI should invite outstanding former sports persons to join hands with it to organise similar camps more often and in other disciplines as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Bedi said that the three-month long camp was attended by trainees from various parts of the country. He added that at least eight to ten boys from the summer camp should go far as they were outstanding young cricketers. He also requested for the recognition and reward of the enormous work put in by the coaches.

A 14-member Assam Cricketers Club is scheduled to play a series of matches against various clubs in Wiltshire and Somerset counties till July 30. Invited by the Marlborough Cricket Club the team is to leave for England on July 6 from Calcutta. Former Assam Ranji captain Subhrajit Saikia will lead the team.

The team: Subhrajit Saikia (capt), RB Indrajit, Gulrej Ali, Mukut Kalita, Sauvik Das, Debashis Chaudhury (WK), Sameeruddin Ahmed, Vishal Jain, Jivonjit Rajkhowa, Rupam Aich, Laxman Sikdar, Sanjoy Kakoty, Biswajit Gogoi and Chandan Das.

Kent, battling to avoid an innings defeat were indebted to a century opening stand by Robert Key and David Fulton and ended at 124 for no loss at close of play after being made to follow on against Somerset in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Maidstone on Friday.

Resuming the day at 128 for one, Kent lost opener Key (51), Alan Wells and then Rahul Dravid (88) in succession. Though Mathew Fleming (40) and Min Patel (30) put up a brave fight, Kent were soon all out for 261. Kent then started their second innings 214 runs behind and the openers, putting up a better performance this time around, saw Kent through to the close of play.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire slumped to 130 for seven after conceding a firstinnings lead of 105 to Lancashire at Old Trafford on Friday. Spinners Gary Keedy (4 for 39) and Gary Yates (2 for 31) did the damage for Lancashire. Earlier Lancashire were all out for 269 thanks to Indian captain Sourav Ganguly (44) and wicketkeeper Warren Hegg (58).