Indian news round-up

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has directed the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to prepare a flat pitch for the forthcoming first Test against Australia which is to be played at the Wankhede stadium from February 27 to March 3.

Quoting an MCA official, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Thursday that the decision to prepare a batsman friendly wicket was taken last week by the two member pitches committee comprising G Kasturirangan and Deeraj Parsana in consultation with the chairman of selectors Chandu Borde and Indian coach John Wright.

The official said that though the Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly had asked for turning tracks, the board is bent upon preparing flat pitches for all the three Test matches with a view to counter the visitors' supremacy in both the pace and spin departments. PTI added that the BCCI has decided not to involve Ganguly while selecting the pitch and only Wright and Borde will decide on the issue and convey the same to the curators.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has ruled out the chances of a charity match against India in an effort to raise funds for the earthquake victims of Gujarat. However the ACB has said that it would find a suitable alternative to assist the affected.

ACB public relations manager Brendan McClements told reporters in Sydney that the ACB and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are exploring various avenues on how the Aussies, who reach India on February 14, can help the victims.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier received a proposal for organising an additional one-dayer, the proceeds of which would have been donated for relief fund. There was widespread media speculation that Steve Waugh, long-time supporter of an Indian orphanage, would not be averse to a noble cause.

Indian Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Uma Bharti said on Thursday that she has forwarded the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) request to revive sporting ties with Pakistan to the External Affairs Ministry.

Speaking to reporters in Madurai, Bharti said that her ministry had no role to play in the matter now as it had become a 'bilateral issue'. She also added that she had consultations with Law Ministry officials on Wednesday to discuss the action to be taken against cricketers found guilty by CBI and BCCI's internal inquiry in the match-fixing scandal.

Bharti said "We are working on the action to be taken against those found guilty of match-fixing, including withdrawal of awards."