Indian news round-up

Former Pakistan skipper and fast bowler Wasim Akram on Monday made a passionate plea to the Indian fans to urge the Indian Government to agree to resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan and to keep sports away from politics.

Speaking to Agence France Presse (AFP) in Karachi, Akram said "I call on Indian fans to urge their Government to change its anti-cricket stance and revive Pakistan-India cricket, just for the love of the game." Akram added "I know the fans love Pakistan-India ties and get engrossed in them but they are starved due to politics which should not be mingled in the game."

Akram said "Even if today you hold a poll, 70 per cent of Indians will give thumbs up for Pakistan-India matches. They want this but are being deprived." Akram, who led Pakistan on their last tour to India, said "How can I forget the Chennai crowd that gave Pakistan a standing ovation when we won a Test there in 1999."

Remember that fateful day in September 1986, when the Australian middle order mainstay Dean Jones was hospitalised for dehydration after a marathon double century in the Tied Test at Madras? This time around, the Australians do not want a repeat. And as a precautionary measure, they have come up with ice vests for the players.

Agence France Presse (AFP) reported on Monday that the vest, designed to beat the heat, has frozen liquids in strips of tubing that would cover the torso. The vest has been designed to match those worn by Australian Rules footballers during pre-season tournaments when weather conditions can be dangerously hot.

Speaking about the vest, Steve Waugh said "We'll take them over there (to India) and see if they work." Waugh added "We've got two lead-up matches and if they make the guys cool down and they feel better about themselves we'll probably use them." The Australian strike bowler Glenn McGrath viewed "India has a humid sort of heat, and the vests will really help if you can wear them for an over or two to cool down."

Indian ace legspinner Anil Kumble on Tuesday advocated the introduction of a contract system for the Indian cricketers so that they do not miss out on the match fees when they are sidelined due to injury.

Speaking to Star News soon after his return from South Africa after the successful operation on his injured shoulder, Kumble said "When you are playing for your country for a long time and you get injured, it becomes a bit difficult during those six months when you have to miss out on match fees."

Kumble also said "Here, in India, they don't have a contract system, but they are looking into it now. I only hope that it (contract system) is implemented sooner rather than later."

The West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya has apologised to the family members of Pankaj Roy for failing to give him a proper farewell. It should be added here that the day Roy passed away at his Uttar Kolkata residence, there was no representation on behalf of the state government.

Bhattacharya visited the Roy family on Monday evening. He profusely apologised to the three sons, namely Pradeep, Pronob and Prabhat for the failure of the state government. He told them, "I was a fan of your father. I used to come to watch him practice on the ground in front of your house. Later on we became great friends. I am really very sorry at not being able to give him the honour that he deserved on his last journey."

Later, talking to reporters, Bhattacharya said, "I came to know about the news through newspapers on Monday morning. At that time, I was on a train enroute to Kolkata. I have already ordered a high level enquiry to find out where we goofed up. I cannot rectify what has happened. However, I am the first to admit that we have committed a grave error and I, on behalf of the government apologise for it."