Indian news round-up

The former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Jagmohan Dalmiya said on Saturday that he is committed to the Asian Cricket Foundation in globalising cricket in Asia. Dalmiya is to take over the chairmanship of the ACF, which was ratified by the Asian Cricket Council on June 28 in London.

Speaking to an Indian web site in New Delhi, Dalmiya said ``I will carry on with this mission. We will make cricket popular all over Asia. We will take cricket to every nook and corner of Asia. The ACF has been created for this precise reason.'' He added ``The objective of the ACF is creation of new events, building infrastructure in non- Test-playing member countries and promotion of cricket at the grassroots level.''

On the ACC's stance regarding the allocation of funds for the sub continent, Dalmiya said ``We pressed the ICC to increase our share and finally got our way. But we will not depend on the ICC for our funds. We would raise more through our own events and initiative.''

Former Indian wicketkeeper Kiran More said in Dhaka that the national team has good potential and hoped that in the near future would be considered as a force in the cricket world.

Speaking to a Bangladesh newspaper after supervising the week long camp for wicketkeepers, More said ``It's amazing how quick everything has changed in Bangladesh.'' He added ``because of their love for the game it enabled me to make them understand whatever I tried to explain. What they need now is more exposure. I hope Bangladesh will now play more international matches after getting the Test status.''

More said ``It was a good camp and I hope they have learnt a lot. They will have to work hard now to master every action of a good wicketkeeper.''

Kent battled hard to force a draw against Somerset in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One match at Maidstone on Saturday thanks to a dogged 95 by Indian middle order batsman Rahul Dravid.

Kent, following on 214 runs behind, started the final day at 124 for no loss. They lost Robert Key (54) at the stroke of lunch at 130 after a delayed start due to rain. Then David Fulton (155) and Rahul Dravid (95) and later Alan Wells (60) put their heads down to ensure Kent secured a draw.

In the other match of the day, Lancashire completed a facile nine wicket win over Yorkshire at Old Trafford. Lancashire hit the necessary 47 runs after restricting Yorkshire to 151 in their second innings.