NEWS_ROUNDUP_CRICKETER_OCT-NOV93

News Roundup - Oct-Nov '93 (Pakistani Cricketer,Nov, 1993)

Fringe Australian Test batsman Justing Langer was reported for dissent after helping Western Australia to a commanding first innings lead over New Zealand on the second day of their four-day match in Perth. The left-handed middle-order batsman stared in disbelief, refusing to leave the crease for 15 seconds, when umpire Ric Evans gave him out caught behind off Dipak Patel. A former Karachiite Saqib Awan travelled all the way from Darwin, Australia, recently to Pakistan with a rare cricketing souvenir which he wants to use to raise his friend's eyesight. He brought with him a bat which contains the signatures of nearly 100 world class cricketers belonging to Pakistan, Australia, India, England, West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Former England batsman Allan Lamb has been reappointed Northamptonshire's captain for next season. The 39-year-old right handed batsman, who led Northants to the 60-over NatWest Trophy title win in 1992, has been in charge for five seasons. Five countries Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have confirmed their participation for the Austral- Asia Cup to be played in Sharjah from April 12-22, 1994. An English cricket writer Chris Harte was granted bail in Adelaide, Australia in the lead-up to his trial on charges of falsely obtaining cricket memorabilia belonging to former Australian fast bowler Neil Hawke. Australian batsman Tom Moody is to rejoin Worcestershire from next season at New Road, replacing West Indian paceman Ken Benjamin and he is set to sign a long term contract. Veteran Zimbabwe batsman and former skipper Dave Houghton has retired from Test and first-class cricket to coach and captain Worcestershire's second team. Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) President Peter Chingoka disclosed that Houghton would take up a full-time coaching job with the English county next season. All of South Africa will welcome the Australian side when it tours there, Ali Bacher, Chief Executive of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) said at the media launch of the Australian cricket season in Sydney. Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP) Shahid Rafi has contradicted the news item appearing in a section of the press that two senior Pakistani cricket officials visited India, in connection with sorting out problems for Pakistan's participation in the six nation tourney held in India. Australian cricket is likely to see a third umpire studying video replays for the first time during the upcoming season's Test and one-day series in Australia. The announcement of the itinerary for next winter's tour of Australia spells 14 months on the treadmill of international cricket for the leading England players which will start when they set off to the Caribbean early next year. The members of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cricket team, in a magnanimous gesture, have contributed Rs 30000 to the fund set up for the benefit match of former Test cricketer Rashid Khan, who is still an active player for the national airlines on the domestic circuit. The BCCP has asked the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) to pay a total guarantee sum of Rs. 2.5 million to host a Test match and One-day International against Zimbabwe in December. Former Australian vice-captain Geoff March reminded the national selectors of his all-round talents when the Australian domestic season swung into action at WACA Ground, Perth, on October 9. Marsh scored a splendid 55 and then snared three marvellous catches at gully as Western Australia, which he leads, defeated South Australia by 21 runs in a Mercantile Mutual Cup One-day clash. Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the flamboyant Indian opener who thrilled spectators with his rapid-fire batting, has announced his retirement from cricket. Srikkanth, 33, appeared in 43 Tests and 145 One-day Internationals since making his debut against England in 1981-2. He was the captain of the Indian team during the tour of Pakistan in 1989-90. Colin Cowdrey, who stepped down as chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) on September 30, believes Test captains have to be more accountable for the actions of their players. The Indian cricket authorities have decided to penalize balltampering in domestic competitions. Umpires have been directed to change the ball for one of substantially inferior quality if they detected any attempt to lift the seam of the ball. India may play in Sharjah next year, after receiving assurances from the organizers that the tournaments will be conducted impartially. BCCI secretary Jagmohan Dalmiya stated while turning down the invitation for this year's Champions Trophy. India has not played in Sharjah since 1991. New Zealand will tour India in November-December 1995 to play in a triangular one-day tournament as a run-up to the 1996 World Cup jointly hosted by Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. The Kiwis will also undertake a full tour of India in 1996-97 and play three Tests and five One-day Internationals.