The Headlines (for Jun96)
28th June 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------- TOP STORIES * Aussie umpire Hair accused of `racial bias` * ICC move on suspect bowlers ----------------------------------------------------------- OTHER STORIES * Schedule
01-Jan-1970
The Headlines for Jun 96
MAY96 news items moved to ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/MAY96
28th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* Aussie umpire Hair accused of `racial bias`
* ICC move on suspect bowlers
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OTHER STORIES
* Schedule for second Singer 4-nation limited-over cricket tourney announced.
* Tunku Jaffer Cup begins
* Indians intimate end of student tour matches
* South Africa A arrive in England
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TOP STORIES
*AUSSIE UMPIRE HAIR ACCUSED OF `RACIAL BIAS`
India`s cricket chief on Thursday accused Australian umpire Darrell Hair of incompetence and ``racial bias`` and slammed his
status as an international umpire as ``a disgrace``. Hair, who
caused an uproar last year by branding Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah
Muralitharan a ``chucker``, upset India by turning down several
appeals during the first two tests against England this month.
``Quite frankly, Hair is an incompetent umpire whose continuation
on the international panel is a disgrace,`` Indian cricket board
President Inderjit Singh Bindra told the Telegraph newspaper.
``He must be taken off. Besides the incompetence bit, Hair`s umpiring against Sri Lanka and our team actually smacks of racial
bias,`` the newspaper quoted Bindra as saying. ``We are going to
pursue this with the ICC,`` Bindra said.
(Daily News: www.lanka.net)
* ICC MOVE ON SUSPECT BOWLERS
Far reaching measures to prevent bowlers with suspect actions
reaching international cricket are to be introduced next year, if
an International Cricket Council proposal is accepted next month.
An ICC advisory panel are to be formed to deal with this embarrassing topic, inflamed last winter by the Muralitharan affair in
Australia.
David Richards, the ICC chief executive, admitted: "It has got
serious ramifications, including restraint of trade." The ICC
meet at Lord`s on July 11.
Muttiah Muralitharan, the Sri Lanka off-spinner, was no-balled in
two matches by Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire, with no ICC
machinery available to placate an indignant management.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* SCHEDULE FOR SECOND SINGER 4-NATION LIMITED-OVER CRICKET TOUR-
NEY ANNOUNCED
World Cup champions Sri Lanka will play their opening match of
the second four-nation Singer World Series limited-over cricket
tournament when they meet India under lights at the R. Premadasa
Stadium on August 28. The curtain-raiser of the tournament will
also be a night game between World Cup runner-up Australia and
Zimbabwe at the same venue on August 26. The Australia-Zimbabwe
game will be preceded by a limited overs match between Sri Lanka
and a Rest of the World XI at the R. Premadasa Stadium under
lights on August 24 in memory of the late Gamini Dissanayake, a
former Minister and president of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
The four participating teams - defending champions India, host
Sri Lanka, Australia and Zimbabwe play each other once on a
league basis with the top two sides qualifying to play in the final on September 7. All matches will be of 50 overs duration with
the winners standing to collect prize money worth US$ 50,000
(Daily News: www.lanka.net)
* TUNKU JAFFER CUP BEGINS
Sri Lanka Test umpires Udaya Wickremasinghe and Ignatius Anandappa left yesterday for Singapore to officiate in the four -nation
Tunku Jaffar Cup limited overs cricket tournament. India will
also send two umpires for the four-day tournament which commences
today with the participating countries being host Singapore, Hong
Kong, Malaysia and Thailand.
(Daily News: www.lanka.net)
* INDIANS INTIMATE END OF STUDENT TOUR MATCHES
A shudder went around Fenner`s yesterday. It came not from events
on the field, where the Indian spinners were resisted with spirit
until they got into the tail, but from the rumour that touring
sides did not want to play the students anymore.
The Australians, it was said, were rejecting traditional fixtures
next summer against amateur, minor county and student opposition;
and the Indians felt likewise. But the Australian fixtures have
not yet been confirmed, so the hope is that the home authorities
will insist on continuing to give experience to the best university players, at least.
The students did well to recover their poise after a dismaying
start, poor Chinmay Gupte falling first ball of the innings to a
perfectly delivered off-stump yorker. The new man, Anurag Singh,
was quickly into the stride which has brought him runs against
the counties. On 49, a handsomely formed off-drive would have
produced his ninth four, but instead the leg-stump went down.
Narendra Hirwani, meanwhile, took six wickets.
(Electronic Telegraph:www.telegraph.co.uk)
* SOUTH AFRICA A ARRIVE IN ENGLAND
The South Africa A party arrived in England today. The party
comprised: J B Commins, G F J Liebenberg, S G Koenig, H H Gibbs,
J H Kallis, H D Ackerman, - N Pothas, - S J Palframan, L
Klusener, D N Crookes, N Boje, P R Adams, B N Schultz, R
Telemachus, G J Smith, and manager: Goolam Rajah. They will
play 9 county sides, the MCC and a TCCB XI in their final match
on the 15th July.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
27th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* Sachin to Replace Azhar?
* Manjrekar dances his way to a century
* Middlesex release injured Nash
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OTHER STORIES
* England A itinerary in Australia
* November 14th to be `David Boon Day`
* Mark Taylor resigns as New South Wales captain
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TOP STORIES
* SACHIN TO REPLACE AZHAR?
According to the Sunday Times (www.the-times.co.uk), the BCCI
will meet on September 29th to discuss the appointment of Sachin
Tendulkar to lead India on the tour of South Africa this autumn.
"The Indian captain Azharuddin wore the resigned look of a condemned man after his dismissal at Lord`s June 22," said the Sunday Times.
* MANJREKAR DANCES HIS WAY TO A CENTURY
The footwork of Sanjay Manjrekar caught the eye at Fenners yesterday. There was no hint of the Indian`s ankle injury in the
frequency and certainty with which he danced out to drive. Early
on, he swept a powerful six and before long he was making life a
misery for the off-spinners, Richard Dibden and Mark Wagh, both
being dispatched for three fours in an over. "It`s good to be
back on the field again and though the ankle is still weak, from
now on it is a mental thing," Manjrekar said. He is now expected
to replace Ajay Jadeja in next week`s third Test against England
at Trent Bridge.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* MIDDLESEX RELEASE INJURED NASH
Middlesex announced yesterday they were terminating the contract
of Dion Nash, their New Zealand seam bowler, who has been advised
to fly home to rest a chronic back injury. The loss of Nash for
the remainder of the season appears to have exploded Middlesex`s
hopes of nipping in for the Britannic Assurance Championship title. The contest between Middlesex and Warwickshire, the champions, starting at Lord`s today, should act as a barometer for
each county`s dwindling credibility. Middlesex have mustered
three wins without Nash - all at Lord`s - but his permanent absence will stretch their seam-bowling resources.
(Electronic Telegraph:www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* ENGLAND A ITINERARY IN AUSTRALIA
England A, who embark on a 10-match tour of Australia this autumn, begin with a four-day game against the New South Wales
second team on Oct 31. ITINERARY: Oct 31-Nov 3: v New South
Wales 2nd XI (Tamworth). Nov 6: v South Australia (Adelaide). Nov
8-11: v South Australia (Adelaide Oval). Nov 15-18: v Australian
Cricket Academy (tba). Nov 21-24: v Victoria (Melbourne). Nov 28:
v Australia Capital Territory (Canberra). Nov 30-Dec 3: v Australia Capital Territory (Canberra). Dec 5: v New South Wales
(North Sydney). Dec 7: v New South Wales (North Sydney). Dec 10-
13: v Queensland (Brisbane).
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* NOVEMBER 14TH TO BE `DAVID BOON DAY`
Tasmania have declared that November 14th will be `David Boon
Day`
* MARK TAYLOR RESIGNS AS NEW SOUTH WALES CAPTAIN
Mark Taylor has resigned as New South Wales captain as he does
not consider that he can spend sufficient time in that capacity
given his international commitments.
26th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* England: Natwest first round results
* Zimbabwe to play two Tests against Sri Lanka in Colombo
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TOP STORIES
* ENGLAND: NATWEST FIRST ROUND RESULTS
John Emburey became only the second Northamptonshire bowler to
claim a hat-trick in the 60-over competition as Cheshire suffered
a nine-wicket loss at Northampton.
The former England spinner polished off the Minor county`s innings by dismissing tail-enders Simon Renshaw, Andy Greasley and
Nigel Peel with the first three balls of the 51st over. His hattrick came 33 years after David Larter achieved the feat against
Sussex. Cheshire`s paltry 135 all out never looked likely to
stretch the home side, who gained revenge for an upset at Chester
in 1988.
Opener Vince Wells hit his second double century in six days to
lead Leicestershire to a 106-run victory over Berkshire at Grace
Road. Leicestershire`s 406 for five was their highest in the
NatWest Trophy and the second highest in the competition. Wells`
201 was the biggest individual score for the county and the
second highest in one-day cricket in England. Their opponents
made a tremendous effort to achieve the impossible. Harry Hall,
on his NatWest debut, made the first century by a Berkshire
player in the competition.
Nigel Llong made a crucial century to save Kent from embarrassment against Cambridgeshire at March. His 115 not out helped his
side recover from a torrid start - 27 for three after 12 overs -
to win by 93 runs. Mike Atherton insisted on playing against Oxfordshire instead of resting after the second Test - and was rewarded with a timely 79 in Lancashire`s 109-run win. Hampshire
beat Norfolk on the back of a record first-wicket partnership
between Jason Laney and captain John Stephenson. Their 269
eclipsed Durham`s 255.
Sussex made 323 for seven against Ireland, forced by rain to delay their innings until today.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* ZIMBABWE TO PLAY TWO TESTS AGAINST SRI LANKA IN COLOMBO
The venue for the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will be Colombo. This follows a request made by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to play all their matches in Colombo during
their tour of Sri Lanka in August/September due to security reasons. Zimbabwe are due to arrive in August to participate in the
four-nation limited-over Singer World Series before playing two
Tests with Sri Lanka.
(Daily News: www.lanka.net)
25th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* England rescue second test
* Ray Lindwall dies
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OTHER STORIES
* Dalmiya Among "Six Most Powerful People" In World Of Sport
* World Masters Cricket Cup in Bombay in November
* Joshi goes home
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TOP STORIES
* ENGLAND RESCUE SECOND TEST
The long and short of the Lord`s Test is that England were outplayed, but not in the end defeated, by an Indian team containing
six players who had never played in a Test before the season
started.
England played some poor shots in the first innings and bowled
too short but it is a virtue to play below your best in a Test
and not lose it.
Thanks mainly to a good innings on Sunday evening by Alec
Stewart, another admirally staunch one yesterday by Jack Russell
and a 139-minute effort by Ronnie Irani, the expected draw was
duly achieved, albeit at the expense of a =A314,300 fine for slow
over-rate.
Gloucestershire`s Russell was made Cornhill`s man of the match,
having batted for 9hr 27min for his 162 runs in the match. Coming
in just before lunch when England were a mere 85 runs ahead with
only four wickets left, he gave yet another performance in the
art of watching the ball and playing it late. India have retained an interest in the short series, which will end at Nottingham in the game starting on Thursday week, and reversed previous form on the tour.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* RAY LINDWALL DIES
Ray Lindwall, regarded by many as the best fast bowler Australia
has produced, died on Saturday night after a minor stroke. He was
74. He played 61 Tests between 1946 and 1959-60, taking 228 wickets (fifth on Australia`s all-time list) at an average of 23.03.
He also scored two Test centuries and he was a member of Sir
Donald Bradman`s 1948 Invincibles, who toured England without
losing a match.
(The Age. Melbourne:www.theage.com.au)
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OTHER STORIES
* DALMIYA AMONG "SIX MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE" IN WORLD OF SPORT
Jagmohan Dalmiya, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket
in India, is among the six persons identified by BBC`s research
wing as the "most powerful people" in the world of sport, reports
Press Trust of India. BBC is conducting a series of programs
featuring the top six sports administrators in the world today.
According to sources here, the other five luminaries are: International Football Federation President Joao Havelange, International Amateur Athletic Federation President Primo Nebiolo, boxing promoter Don King, top race horse owner Sheikh Mohammad Ali
Maktoum of Dubai and Mark McCormack of the International Management Group. All the six personalities will be interviewed by David Mellor, the former caninet minister and British MP.
(New India Times: www.newsindia-times.com)
* WORLD MASTERS CRICKET CUP IN BOMBAY IN NOVEMBER
The World Masters Cricket Cup would be staged for the second consecutive year at the Brabourne Stadium in Bombay from Nov. 7
with a prize money of more than $75,000 at stake for the six participating nations.
Sunil Gavaskar will be the event chairman for the 11-day
tournament.India, England and South Africa have been drawn in
group A, while defending champion West Indies, Australia and Sri
Lanka figure in group B.
(New India Times: www.newsindia-times.com)
* JOSHI GOES HOME
Injured left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi, who is currently touring
England with the Indian cricket team, is to return home, reports
PTI. "We are not looking for a replacement," said manager Sandeep
Patil. Joshi, on his maiden tour with the Indian team, suffered a
hairline fracture in the index finger of his right hand while
batting in the India`s first innings in the Edgbaston test.
(New India Times: www.newsindia-times.com)
20th June 1996
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TOP STORY
* Azharuddin readies himself for Lords
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* AZHARUDDIN READIES HIMSELF FOR LORDS
On the last tour to England, Azharuddin had plenty of batting on
which to hang his hat but no bowling with which to hang England.
This time it is the opposite. "If you don`t make enough runs in
Test cricket you cannot win the game," he says in his gentle,
apologetic way.
"We have some young boys who are over-cautious. It would be
better if they relaxed to play their own way. Apparently I am
under pressure but I do not feel it and do not want us to talk
negatively, especially at this moment. We must look forward to
our matches and stay in the right, positive frame of mind. I am
hitting the ball well enough myself, perhaps Lord`s will change
things for us and for me."
No pressure, no kidding. India`s world fell apart after the embarrassing defeat by Sri Lanka in the World Cup semi-final when
Azharuddin chose to bowl first on a pitch which would clearly
spin. Since that calamitous day in Calcutta in March, India have
barely played decently. Moreover, Azharuddin has been ridiculed
for abandoning his family for an affair with an actress and recently heard of his effigy being burnt in the Punjab because
Navjot Singh Sidhu didn`t think much of team selection, so packed
his bat and pads in his pram and got on the first plane home.
"No, no pressure. Sidhu was dropped on cricketing grounds as was
Sanjay Manjrekar but he is still here. You can`t just walk out if
you don`t agree with the team, you must fight it out. The management was shocked, we did all we could to keep him here. He said
I was against him and humiliated him - do I look like a man
who would do that sort of thing?
"Obviously people are talking behind my back about my girlfriend.
I expected it but it is not true that I am living with her in
Bombay. I am still in Hyderabad though not at home. It is magnified because I haven`t played well so my critics search for reasons. If I was making many runs I could come home at four each
morning with whomever I chose and no one would notice. It is an
old story.
"I am not worried about the captaincy. I want to do well and am
doing the job to the best of my ability. If I lose it then so be
it. Yes, I believe Sachin is ready. Yes, he and I are very good
friends and nothing has come between us."
"It is not in my nature to be ruthless. I don`t show myself to
the public, I don`t believe they have to see that much of me.
Being aggressive or being in control does not have to mean
showing emotion in your face or throwing your arms around to attract attention to yourself. I`ve been through this before and
will come through it again. Of course I`m tough. How could I
have played for so long at this level without being tough?"
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
19th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* Illingworth fined but not out
* England call for Stewart after Knight fails fitness test
* [Women`s cricket] New Zealand beat England 3-0
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OTHER STORIES
* Dickie Bird reminisces at Lords: Bird on Boycott and Shakoor
Rana
* MCC rules against bat-throwing
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TOP STORIES
* ILLINGWORTH FINED BUT NOT OUT
Ray Illingworth, the chairman of the England selectors being
fined L32,000 by the Test and County Cricket Board for the criticism of Devon Malcolm in a newspaper serialisation last month of
his book One Man Committee.
Illingworth, who came out of retirement and gave up his media
work to become chairman in 1994 for a salary of L325,000, was
also ordered to pay L3500 towards the costs of the hearing and
his own legal fees.
In addition, he was reprimanded for breaches of confidence on
selection matters.
Despite a personal written character reference on Illingworth`s
behalf by the chairman of the board, Dennis Silk, he was found
guilty at a hearing of the TCCB`s discipline committee, held at
the Inner Temple in London under the chairmanship of the Welsh QC
Gerard Elias, of prejudicing the interests of cricket on both
counts and on the Malcolm comments also of bringing the game into
disrepute.
In a statement, the TCCB said, "The committee took into account
the mitigating circumstances put before them and in particular
the exceptional service Mr Illingworth has given to the game at
county and international level. This resulted in a lower penalty
than would otherwise have been imposed."
Illingworth has 28 days to decide whether or not to appeal to the
Cricket Council. Although utterly chagrined by the decision, he
vowed to continue as chairman until September, when he will be
retiring anyway after five more Test matches and three one-day
internationals.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* ENGLAND CALL FOR STEWART AFTER KNIGHT FAILS FITNESS TEST
Alec Stewart has been brought into England`s batting line-up for
the second Cornhill Test against India starting at Lord`s tomorrow. The Surrey player was called to the ground to join Michael
Atherton`s party at training after Warwickshire`s Nick Knight
failed a fitness test on the damaged finger of his right hand.
Knight had a prolonged session in the nets and at times was in
some discomfort. Afterwards, he was clearly upset as he said:
"Its no go. But I am hoping to get fit enough to play in the
championship next week." Stewart, who opened in all five Tests in
South Africa, had been put on stand by if Knight`s hand injury -
the second he has sustained in three
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* [WOMEN`S CRICKET] NEW ZEALAND BEAT ENGLAND 3-0
Debbie Hockley followed up her 54 at Lord`s and 75 at Leicester
with her first one-day century, making 117 off 136 balls at Durham yesterday to help New Zealand to 237 for seven from 50 overs
and a 3-0 series win. Barbara Daniels hit 66 as England were all
out for 212 with three balls left.
New Zealand 237-7 (D Hockley 117, S Fruin 51); England 212 (B
Daniels 66, H Plimmer 53). New Zealand won by 25 runs.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* MCC RULES AGAINST BAT-THROWING
Any player repeating Dermot Reeve`s bat-throwing to minimise the
risk of being caught off the glove could face dismissal under two
of the more obscure laws of the game.
John Jameson, assistant secretary of the MCC, advised the Test
and County Cricket Board that the Warwickshire captain could have
been reported by the umpires for unfair play when he employed
this method 15 times against Hampshire spinner Rajesh Maru at
Edgbaston last month.
MCC suggested Reeve could have been given out on appeal for obstructing the field or for the "wilful" act of handling the ball
if it had struck the glove.
(Electronic Telegraph:www.telegraph.co.uk)
* DICKIE BIRD REMINISCES AT LORDS: BIRD ON BOYCOTT AND SHAKOOR
RANA
Bird recalled the time he once visited Boycott`s home and how he
had to get the fire brigade to help him over the fence surrounding the mansion. "And what did he give me when I got there: a
toasted sandwich".
It was all gentle leg-pulling, of course. Bird says he would always pick Boycott "to bat for my life". Then the subject got onto
Boycott`s wealth. "He will take his money to the grave: make
sure he gets it in his coffin. I hope I am still alive because I
will dig it up".
And who does Bird admire as one of the best umpires he has stood
with. Why, none other than Pakistan`s Shakoor Rana of less-thanbeloved Mike Gatting memory. "You will laugh at that," he confessed - and we did.
Bird recalled an occasion when Rana was standing with him in a
county game (at a time when overseas umpires were coming here for
experience). "He put manager in the winter] out of the attack at
Sussex for running on the wicket."
Bird`s eyes twinkled with impish merriment at the telling. But
there was a sober moment. He says that if he doesn`t stay in
touch with cricket in retirement "I won`t last 12 months".
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
18th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* No changes envisaged to Pakistani tourists: Majid
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OTHER STORIES
* Sri Lanka prepare for three tournaments
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TOP STORIES
* NO CHANGES ENVISAGED TO PAKISTANI TOURISTS: MAJID
Pakistan`s new CE Majid said no change had been envisaged in the
Pakistan team for the tour of England because in the wisdom of
both captain Wasim Akram and chief selector Dr.Zafar Altaf it is
the most balanced side. He disclosed that the Council of the PCB
is expected to meet next month after the PILCOM and ICC meetings
taking place in London in the first week of July. Majid Khan also
emphasised the need to streamlime the domestic cricket structure
and said it should be restructured in such a way that all cricketers have even chances of appearing in local tournaments. He
said presently the department players after appearing in the
Patron`s Trophy lie idle for the rest of the season.
"I am aiming to end such vagaries and devise a system to keep the
players busy for the whole season," said Majid. "We need players
who remain in match form throughout our cricket season from October to March," he said.
(Dawn www.xiber.com)
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OTHER STORIES
* SRI LANKA PREPARE FOR THREE TOURNAMENTS
World champions Sri Lanka are preparing to play in three major
one day international tournaments before the end of this year.
The first of the three will be the four-nation Singer World
Series in Sri Lanka with India, Zimbabwe and Australia in September. This will be followed by Kenya`s first ever one day
international tournament with Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa in Nairobi. The Sri Lanka team is also scheduled to play in
Sharjah in November and the details of this tournament have to
been finalised yet. It is expected to be a four-nation tournament.
(Daily News: www.lanka.net)
17th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* Indians lose heavily to Derbyshire
* Pakistan set off for England
* Wasim Akram to lead from the front
* England selectors announce unchanged team
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OTHER STORIES
* Imran Khan criticises Azhar, praises Tendulkar
* Dickie Bird`s last test
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TOP STORIES
* INDIANS LOSE HEAVILY TO DERBYSHIRE
India 1st innings -- 229 Derbyshire 1st innings - 409
2nd innings -192 (Ganguly 64) 2nd innings - 13/0
It was a crushing 10-wicket defeat for the Indian team at the
hands of Derbyshire on Saturday. The Derbyshire pace attack was
led admirably by the ambition of Devon Malcolm to make his cricketing point to Ray Illingworth. In 64 balls, Malcolm picked up
four for 28 and not one of them was pitched short. Ganguly played
the innings of his life against Derbyshire. Some of his driving
was as dramatic as it was fluid. He has clearly demonstrated
that he has picked up the guts for the job and since he has always had the talent he deserves fully the initiation of his Test
career at Lord`s on Thursday.
(The Hindu: www.indiaserver.com)
*PAKISTAN SET OFF FOR ENGLAND
The 20-member Pakistan cricket team left Lahore this morning for
England to pay its third visit to that country in nine years. The
team is led by Wasim Akram, and is set to play three Tests and an
equal number of limited overs internationals, besides nine county
matches.
The team will be engaged in two promotional matches in Holland at
Voorburg and The Hague on June 19 and 20 respectively, before arriving in London on June 22.
The selected outfit has 11 players who have toured England before
either in 1987 or 1992. Players on their first tour to England
include Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq and three
uncapped cricketers - Shahid Anwer, Shadab Kabir, and Shahid Nazir. Yawar Saeed is the Tour Manager while Nasimul Ghani is
Cricket Manager.
(Dawn: www.xiber.com)
* WASIM AKRAM TO LEAD FROM THE FRONT
Wasim Akram is determined to lead the Pakistan cricket team on
the England tour from the front. "If I have to get the best out
of my players, I have to set an example for which I am training
and working religiously," the skipper said from his Lahore
residence.
He realizes that in the last season his performance was not up to
the mark. "I have to get wickets and contribute some runs as
well. "Although it is a three-Test series, I would love to steer
Pakistan to victory single-handedly at least in one Test. And
that can be achieved if I get 10 wickets and score 100 odd runs
with the bat in a match. "There has been some concern in cricket
quarters that the captaincy is taking a toll on me. I want to
prove that wrong and the only way is to perform in the field."
Akram maintained that he has not set any specific targets except
to win the series. "To clinch the rubber is my prime objective,
the rest is secondary. I want to make it three-in-a-row for Pakistan after triumphs in 1987 and 1992."
Akram stated that his policy in the Tests will be to play with
six batsmen, four bowlers and a wicketkeeper. "In Tests, we have
to go with our full strength. However, in the one-dayers, we will
go with five specialist bowlers."
(Dawn www.xiber.com)
* ENGLAND SELECTORS ANNOUNCE UNCHANGED TEAM
The England selectors have duly named the 11 players who combined
to beat India by eight wickets at Edgbaston for the second Test
starting at Lord`s on Thursday. Peter Martin is retained in the
XII but John Crawley`s thigh injury ruled him out.
Alec Stewart, left out in Birmingham after playing a valuable
part in the one-day internationals, will be the reserve for Nick
Knight, whose cracked right little finger is expected to have
healed sufficiently for him to play. The spinner, Min Patel, is
certain to play again.
ENGLAND PARTY: M A Atherton (Lancashire, capt) Age: 28. Tests:
57; N V Knight (Warwickshire) 26, 3; N Hussain (Essex) 28, 8; G P
Thorpe (Surrey) 26, 27; G A Hick (Worcestershire) 30, 43; R C
Irani (Essex) 24, 1; R C Russell (Gloucestershire) 32, 45; C C
Lewis (Surrey) 28, 28; D G Cork (Derbyshire) 24, 11; M M Patel
(Kent) 25, 1; A D Mullally (Leicestershire) 26, 1; P J Martin
(Lancashire) 27, 6. Stand-by: A J Stewart (Surrey) 33, 53.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* IMRAN KHAN CRITICISES AZHAR, PRAISES TENDULKAR
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Imran Khan was critical of
Azharuddin`s management, praised David Lloyd, and looked to Tendulkar as the saviour of India.
Khan wrote: "There was never going to be any doubt that since the
Indian team were touring in the first half of the season, their
batting was going to struggle in England. Any team coming out of
the Indian subcontinent are handicapped either if they tour in
the first half of the season or if it is a wet summer. Conditions
in the subcontinent are such that either the pitches help
spinners or they are perfect for batting. Generally they are a
medium-pacer`s worst nightmare, as we witnessed in the World Cup
early this year."
"Although Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Sanjay
Manjrekar have experience of playing in English conditions, the
rest of the line-up were always going to be vulnerable. Unless
Tendulkar carries the team with his outstanding talent, I do not
see India putting up much of a fight."
"After losing the first Test, criticism against Azhar is mounting, not because of his factual understanding of the game, but
because of his poor man-management. The general opinion is that
he does not know how to command respect and in trying to demand
it he is happy to drop key members of his team. The exciting Vinod Kambli should have been brought on this tour, as he is a potential match winner. But the player this team are missing the
most is Manoj Prabhakar. Unless Kumble bowls better in the rest
of the series the Indian bowling looks nothing more than a good
county attack."
"It will be difficult for India to get back into the series having lost the first Test. However, if one player can make it possible it is Tendulkar. His hundred in the second innings was pure
class. His compact defence and freedom of strokes on both sides
of the wicket with a straight or a horizontal bat makes me feel
that he might break all batting records - especially as he is
even younger than Brian Lara."
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* DICKIE BIRD`S LAST TEST
There has been no better pro in his chosen field than Harold
Dennis Bird. With Frank Chester and, in a shorter career, Syd
Buller, he contests the right to be called the best umpire who
ever lifted a finger, though in this toughest of all the jobs on
the cricket field comparisons are perhaps particularly odious.
The white cap, the booming voice, the little accidents, the anxious peer beneath hunched shoulders, the nervous shooting of hands
and wrists from the sleeves of his white coat; the anxiety, but
also the fun he conveys far beyond the 22 yards he controls, over
the boundary, into the crowd, even into the television rooms of a
million homes: how we will all miss Dickie Bird when the first
Lord`s Test of 1996, his 66th as a Test umpire, has passed into
history a week today.
What he has achieved, above all, is an increased respect and affection for his profession. Umpires, like wicketkeepers, are supposed to be unobtrusive. Dickie has managed to be in the centre
of the picture to everyone`s greater pleasure, yet never at the
expense of doing his job.
With a magical balance he has contrived on one hand to be a
character, a comic and an entertainer, and on the other an absolutely impartial and dedicated arbiter, as near to flawless in
his decision-making as it is possible for a human to be.
Miles ahead, indeed. All the best Test players of his era agree
that he was the best: warm-hearted, fun to play with and, 99
times out of a hundred, dead right.
(Electronic Telegraph:www.telegraph.co.uk)
14th June 1996
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TOP STORY
* Patil hits out at past players criticising Indian team
* Ted Dexter slams Illingworth book
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OTHER STORIES
* Pakistani training camp ends
* Mongia commited to opening
* John Emburey holds forth on his career
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TOP STORY
* PATIL HITS OUT AT PAST PLAYERS CRITICISING INDIAN TEAM
Indian cricket manager Sandeep Patil hit out at some of the
senior cricketers who have criticised the Indian squad`s offthe-field activities. He was peeved at articles appearing in some
newspapers, written by former cricketers, and said this was not
the time for them to have a go at the Indian team. "A lot of
rubbish is being said and written by people who have not been at
the venues", he said.
(The Hindu: www.indiaserver.com)
* TED DEXTER SLAMS ILLINGWORTH BOOK
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Ted Dexter said, "..when I read
that my pal Raymond "inherited very little from Ted Dexter", and
that be could "begin with a clean sheet and impose different
selection policies", it is time for some frank speaking of my
own. "The fact is that nothing much has changed at all. Our
plain-speaking leader has shuttled from selector to team manager
and back again without any properly defined new selection policy
whatsoever. And if there has been a new face or two in the England team, it is extraordinary how quickly they have withered on
the vine and been replaced, not by new blood but by the same old
faces as before. "The facts suggest that the current chairman of
selectors has in reality been groping along from match to match,
picking from a pool of players ill-adapted to Test cricket and
dogged by injuries galore in much the same way as I was forced to
do, and indeed Peter May before me.What Illingworth did inherit,
as I did, was a county system which was increasingly self-serving
and, as he is in the process of finding out, governed by county
club chairmen who find little time to give either physical or
moral support to whoever is in charge of the England team."
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* Pakistani trainging camp ends
National cricket camp was disbanded on Wednesday in Lahore.
Squad members will return to their cities and continue to train.
Young opener Shadab Kabir of Karachi took part in the net practice. So did Mohammad Akram of Rawalpindi. According to
Captain Wasim Akram, who supervised the training, Mohammad
Akram`s groin-trouble has improved considerably and he took
part in fielding session on Wednesday. Pace-bowler Ata-ur-Rehman
had a busy session in the gymnasium after attending the
afternoon practice. Wasim Akram said that hard training in the
hot and sultry weather of Lahore has made the boys fit. This fitness should help them in keeping them in good condition during
the long tour of England. (Dawn: www.xiber.com)
* Mongia commited to opening
Nayan Mongia is confident, chirpy. "I am going to give more than
hundred per cent" he said at Derby. If he wore a serious look at
the ground on Wednesday, it is understandable as he is being
prepared to open the innings in the Lord`s Test. It would be unfair if Mongia gets the stick in case of a failure as an opener.
If he has accepted the job, one understands he would have done it
in the interest of the team. (The Hindu: www.indiaserver.com)
*John Emburey holds forth on his career
Interviewed by Mark Nicholas, John Emburey, the verteran off
spinner gave his perspective on the events of his long career.
On Middlesex: In March 1982 Middlesex stripped him of the vicecaptaincy because of his involvement with the first rebel tour to
South Africa. "They had only appointed me four months earlier, no
one else was singled out by their club in such a way." On England: "Perhaps I`d have captained England earlier if I`d been
captain of Middlesex after `Brealers`. Gatt has done a great
job, so there is no animosity with him, but the whole issue still
rankles," he says. On Lloyd: Emburey was approached for
the the England job, but he said he thought David Lloyd was "a
perfect choice" since his sense of fun and enthusiasm would give
the England team an injection of confidence. On managing the A
team in Pakistan : "Having done it once I would do it better
if given another go. Nasser Hussain impressed me as player and
leader enormously, and although one or two let themselves down
by not working hard enough and by not always respecting the
traditions of the country they were visiting, overall the boys
played very well. I think we should take two coaches on A tours.
Perhaps one of the younger selectors such as Gooch should come,
since we are preparing these cricketers to go on and play for
England." Emburey said he will retire at the end of the season
to ensure that he can focus properly on his role as coach at
Northants. (Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
13th June 1996
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TOP STORY
*England: Benson & Hedges Semi Finals: Lancs win
off last ball, quality fielding is undoing of Warwicks
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OTHER STORIES
*India: Mushtaq Saddened By India`s Show
*India: India to play Derbyshire before Second Test
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TOP STORY
*ENGLAND: BENSON & HEDGES SEMI FINAL: LANCS WIN OFF LAST BALL,
QUALITY FIELDING IS UNDOING OF WARWICKS
Lancashire (251-9) bt Yorkshire(250-5) by 1 wkt
Northants (220-7) bt Warwicks(193) by 27 run
Lancashire won through to Lord`s off the last ball yesterday, as
though it was their destiny. They will be making their fifth Benson and Hedges Cup final appearance in seven years when they play
Northamptonshire on July 13.Warren Hegg, Lancashire`s wicketkeeper, won the Gold Award for his 81 in 62 balls.Going into the
last over yesterday afternoon, needed eight to win. Peter Martin, the last man, drove the two runs needed for victory off
Craig White`s final delivery. Northamptonshire earned their
second successive Lord`s final and their 12th one-day win out of
12 this season through thoughtful bowling and outstanding fielding. Warwickshire were 147 for four, needing only 74 more
runs from 16 overs, when Tim Walton earned the first of the two
run-outs which made him unquestionably the man of the match.
Exemplary bowling by John Emburey, Paul Taylor and David Capel
proved too much after that, even for the resources of Dermot
Reeve.
Warwickshire, in effect, ran themselves out of the match, losing
four of their last seven wickets to fielders rather than bowlers,
but that is one-day cricket: the one thing about which everyone
agrees is that it has transformed the quality of
fielding.Warwickshire must look to the second knock-out competition now if they are to win a fourth Lord`s final in four years.
As in their quarter-final against Kent, Northamptonshire had
managed to retrieve a game which had looked to be slipping from
their grasp in the field. It will encourage them still more in
the final, for all Lancashire`s heroics yesterday, that their
other 10 limited-overs wins have come batting second. They know
they can do it either way.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
*INDIA: MUSHTAQ SADDENED BY INDIA`S SHOW
After the Edgbaston defeat, Mushtaq Mohammed, the former Pakistan
captain, said, "I am surprised at the way some of your [India`s]
batsmen got out. I am sure they would not repeat this performance
at Lord`s" He was reportedly unimpressed with Darrell Hair`s umpiring.
* (full article at New India Times: www.newsindia-times.com)
*INDIA: INDIA TO PLAY DERBYSHIRE BEFORE SECOND TEST
India will open a three-day game against Derbyshire in Derby on
Thursday before moving on to the second Test against England at
Lord`s in a week`s time India will try out a couple of freshers
in the three-day game before naming the final X1 for the second
Test which will start at Lord`s next Thursday (20).
(Daily News:www.lanka.net)
12th June 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------
TOP STORIES
* Illingworth decision day announced
* England-New Zealand tour itinerary announced
* Zimbabwe interested in touring Sri Lanka
* Sangeeta Bijlani on "Unofficial Tour" Of England
-----------------------------------------------------------
OTHER STORIES
* England: Positive thinking is new hallmark of county cricket
scene
* England: Knight awaits fitness test; Cousins, Speight injured;
Ilott ruled fit
* India: Everytime I Talk To Sunil Sir, I Score Runs: Sachin
* India: Rain Prevents Indians From Having Practice
* Sri Lanka:`KT` and `BC` to stand in England
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TOP STORIES
* ILLINGWORTH DECISION DAY ANNOUNCED
RAY Illingworth will face a Test and County Cricket Board disciplinary hearing next Tuesday at Lord`s, 48 hours before the
second England-India Test. Two complaints have been lodged
against the chairman of selectors arising from the publication of
his book One-Man Committee. One alleges Illingworth breached
board regulations covering public statements, the other concerns
the timing of serialisation of articles from the book. Illingworth, who will be represented by Ian Botham`s solicitor, Alan
Herd, is expected to dispute the allegations and it is possible
the second complaint may be shelved. (Electronic Telegraph:
www.telegraph.co.uk)
*ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND TOUR ITINERARY ANNOUNCED
England will play three Test matches and five one-day internationals on their winter tour of New Zealand. The schedule opens
on Jan 10 next year with a one-day warm-up match and England then
play two four-day games before the first Test in Auckland on Jan
24. A four-day match against New Zealand A is followed by the
remaining Tests in Wellington and Christchurch at the start of
February, before the limited-overs series runs through to a conclusion on March 4. ITINERARY.- Jan 10: v NZ Academy XI (Pukekura
Park, New Plymouth, one-day). 13-16: v NZC Selection XI (Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, 4 days). 18-21: v Northern
Districts (TrustBank Park, Hamilton, 4 days). 24-28: First Test
(Eden Park, Auckland). Jan 30-Feb 2: v New Zealand A (Victoria
Park, Wanganui, 4 days) Feb 6-10: Second Test (Basin Reserve,
Wellington). 14-18: Third Test (Lancaster Park, Christchurch).
20: First one-day int`nal (Lancaster Park, Christchurch,
day/night). 23: Second one-day int`nal, (Eden Park, Auckland,
reserve day Feb 24). 26: Third one-day int`nal (McLean Park, Napier, day/night). March 1: Fourth one-day int`nal (Eden Park,
Auckland, reserve day March 2). 4: Fifth one-day int`nal (Basin
Reserve, Wellington).
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* ZIMBABWE INTERESTED IN TOURING SRI LANKA
Zimbabwe have shown a keen interest to Sri Lanka`s invitation for
a Test tour here and Sri Lanka`s first ever home series against
the minnows of Test cricket will all probably take place in September/ October. The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka
presently, going through an unproductive period of Test cricket
for its players. Informed sources said that Zimbabwe is likely
to give a favourable reply. They are presently exploring the possibility of touring Sri Lanka for a Test series after Australia
turned down an offer to play two here before the four-nation
Singer World Series one-day tournament.
(Daily News:www.lanka.net)
* SANGEETA BIJLANI ON "UNOFFICIAL TOUR" OF ENGLAND
Noted actress and Mohammad Azharuddin`s girlfriend, Sangeeta
Bijlani, appears to have been elevated to the status of "unofficial mascot" of the Indian cricket team in England. The only
woman seen accompanying the touring cricketers on their disastrous Texaco one-day series, she has been hotly pursued by fans
and journalists alike as she sneaks in and out of stadium dressing rooms for secret meetings with the Indian captain. When asked
whether she was sticking with team throughout the tour, she replied, "I don`t know" and would not answer further questions,
begging fans to leave her alone. While players have refused to
speak out so far, it appears that manager Sandeep Patil`s strict
disciplinary regime is not being applied across the board and
that the first murmuring of discount in the ranks against the Indian captain and his high flying companion has begun.
(full article at New India Times: www.newsindua-times.com)
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OTHER STORIES
* ENGLAND: POSITIVE THINKING IS NEW HALLMARK OF COUNTY CRICKET
SCENE
In the Luddite world of county cricket it is heartening to report
an upgrade. An influx of distinguished overseas players is radically transforming the outlook without, in most cases, blocking
the path of home-bred talent on the field. Dean Jones, Malcolm Marshall, Desmond Haynes and Dave Gilbert, among others,
have breathed enthusiasm and optimism into the hearts of their
adopted teams, and first-class cricket seems like fun again,
rather than some interminable pursuit that pays the bills.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* ENGLAND: KNIGHT AWAITS FITNESS TEST; COUSINS, SPEIGHT INJURED;
ILOTT RULED FIT
Nick Knight, England`s opening batsman who suffered a second
finger fracture in a fortnight during the Edgbaston Test, is
still hoping he may be fit for the second India game. Knight was
at Northampton yesterday with his Warwickshire colleagues for the
Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final. He said that he hoped to have a
try-out in the nets at Lord`s next week if the selectors
decided to keep him in the party. Sussex`s Martin Speight has
been ruled out for the next 10 days after suffering a back injury
while batting during the Sunday League victory over Durham.
Speight, 28, missed the whole of last season after contracting a
virus during a pre-season tour. Essex seamer Mark Ilott is expected to be fit to face Northamptonshire at Chelmsford tomorrow
after initial fears that he had broken a bone in his hand. The
former England left-armer was forced to retire after being struck
by a delivery from Lancashire`s Glen Chapple. One player out for
the remainder of the season is fast bowler Darren Cousins, who
yesterday underwent an operation for a stress fracture in his
back.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
*INDIA: EVERYTIME I TALK TO SUNIL SIR, I SCORE RUNS: SACHIN
What would Indian cricket be without Sachin Tendulkar? Even in
school cricket no team depends on one man as this Indian team,
which would be lost in the world of cricket but for this genius
from Bombay. Cricket writers the world over face the danger of
running out of adjectives to describe Tendulkar`s batting. His
destructive potential was witnessed the other day on an uneven
pitch when he smashed a century which took the sheen off the English victory at Edgbaston. They are still talking of Tendulkar`s
brilliance and not so much about the victory. Before the innings
began he had a little chat with a person and no one knew when
they chatted and what Tendulkar learnt. And then again after
smashing the ball over the sightscreen, Tendulkar, having scored
his ninth test century, first waved out to a certain man, and
then to his team mates. Who was this mystery person? Now that
certain man was not some common person sitting in the stands, and
the man in the middle had long acknowledged his greatness. "Sunil
sir," said Tendulkar later. Even Gavaskar is embarrassed by this
reverence of the young "little master" calling the old "little
master" "Sunil sir" even now. Not many knew that Sachin was acknowledging Sunil Gavaskar`s help in preparing the genius for the
battle after India`s dismal batting in the first innings.
Gavaskar is too humble to take any credit. "Sachin hardly
needs to be told anything really," the veteran said. But what
has Sachin to say? "It is a remarkable coincidence that everytime I talk to Sunil sir, I score runs," Sachin Tendulkar told
The Hindu.
(the hindu:www.indiaserver.com)
*INDIA: RAIN PREVENTS INDIANS FROM HAVING PRACTICE
The Indian team was back at the Edgbaston this morning after the
miserable performance in the first test which ended a day before
schedule. The idea was to give the players a hard grind at the
"nets" but the weather played spoilsport. After spending an hour
at the stadium in a futile wait for the rain to subside, the team
returned to the hotel. The health bulletin reads an encouraging
Sanjay Manjrekar on the way to speedy recovery, Narendra Hirwani
in good shape and Sunil Joshi will hang around for another week,
have one more X-ray taken on his fractured left index finger before a final decision is taken. The team leaves for Derbyshire
on Tuesday for the four-day match starting on Thursday.
(the hindu:www.indiaserver.com)
*Sri Lanka:`KT` and `BC` to stand in England
Sri Lanka`s two leading international cricket umpires K.T.
Francis and B.C. Cooray will be officiating in the Test matches
during the current English season. Francis has been assigned by
the International Cricket Council (ICC) to stand as an independent umpire in the third and final Test between England and India
at Trent Bridge, Nottingham from July 4-9. Cooray will officiate in the third and final Test between England and Pakistan at
the Oval from August 22-26.
(Daily News:www.lanka.net)
11th June 1996
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TOP STORIES
* Pakistan tour manager confident about England tour
* South African player awards made public
* B&H Semi Finals - England. Sellout crowds expected
-----------------------------------------------------------
OTHER STORIES
* ENGLAND:Umpire suffers fractured skull
* SRI LANKA: Cricket Board to improve the standard of cricket
* SRI LANKA: Tennekoon, Warnapura to get beneficiaries
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TOP STORIES
* PAKISTAN TOUR MANAGER CONFIDENT ABOUT ENGLAND TOUR
LAHORE, June 10: Tour Manager of the 17-member England-bound Pakistan cricket team, Yawar Saeed, said on Monday that he was totally satisfied with the response of the players after his first
meeting with them. They were conscious of their responsibilities
as ambassadors of Pakistan, on-and-off the field and looked confident to fight as a single unit to beat England on its soil in
the ensuing Tests and one-day international series, Saeed said.
The boys belonging to Lahore may continue their training here
till the departure of the team. The 17 cricketers will reassemble at a five-star hotel in Lahore on the evening of June 16
and fly to Amsterdam through a PIA flight on June 17 at 5-00 am
to play two goodwill matches against Holland at The Hague. The
team official said that Pakistan cricket team will leave for
Birmingham from The Hague on June 21. That implies that no change
is expected in the England-bound Pakistan team.
Yawar Saeed said no member of the team had any `worrying` injury.
The groin-trouble of Mohammad Akram was not serious. In order
to give rest to Ejaz Ahmad, he was asked not to bat in netpractice on Monday. He had been hit by a ball on his left knee
on Sunday. Although he was limping a bit, yet he would be all
right within a couple of days. Team physiotherapist, Dr Dan
Kiesel, said that he had fully examined Ejaz Ahmad and the injury
was a minor one.
While replying to another question, the Tour Manager said that he
had asked all the players not to issue any statement to mediamen
during the tour and concentrate whole-heartedly on the game. "The
task to deal with the gentlemen of the Press and those from electronic media should be left to me. I will face all of them," said
Yawar Saeed with a smile. Replying to a question about the purpose behind the meeting with the team, Yawar Saeed said that he
wanted to have inter-action with the boys. He found them unwavering in their commitment and that was the heartening feature. It
augured well for the forthcoming tour. He emphasised if the
players maintained the missionary zeal, they expressed during his
`frank and friendly` talk with them, Pakistan team could defeat
England in the Tests as well as one-day internationals.
(Dawn: www.xiber.com)
* SOUTH AFRICA: PLAYER AWARDS MADE PUBLIC
14 contracted cricketers fall into three categories. op
players(or category A) stand to earn anything up to R600 000 a
season, if they go through the season virtually undefeated. There
are nine A category players: Hansie Cronje, Craig Matthews, Dave
Richardson, Jonty Rhodes, Fanie de Villiers, Allan Donald, Brian
McMillan, Daryll Cullinan and Gary Kirsten. Match fees have been
upped to R9 750 a Test and R3 200 for a one-day international
from last season`s R3 750 and R2 000 respectively. Andrew Hudson
and Shaun Pollock will be a notch behind the A players and earning them a monthly salary of R11 550 as opposed to the R12 000
the top nine will get by way of a pay-cheque. Paul Adams and
Jacques Kallis and the spin of veteran Pat Symcox, who make up
category C, have been adjudged to be worth a monthly payment of
R10 000.
(Mail and Guardian:www.mg.co.za)
*B&H SEMI FINALS - ENGLAND
David Byas, cricket`s best-known farmer-captain, leads Yorkshire
into their Benson and Hedges Cup semi-final against Lancashire,
the holders, at Old Trafford today as favourites in many people`s
book. This feeling grew stronger yesterday when it became apparent that John Crawley, Lancashire`s England batsman, could
withdraw with a hamstring injury, while Martyn Moxon could probably return from injury to strengthen Yorkshire`s batting. The
match will attract the biggest crowd for a Lancashire match in
Manchester for 20 years, with only a few hundred tickets left unsold yesterday.
At Northampton, one of the smallest capacity grounds on the circuit, a teeming crowd is guaranteed for the visit of Warwickshire
for the other semi-final.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph .co.uk)
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OTHER STORIES
* ENGLAND: UMPIRE SUFFERS FRACTURED SKULL
A female umpire was released from hospital yesterday after sustaining a fractured skull and damaged ear in a Bain Hogg Trophy
match between Gloucestershire and Somerset. Judith West was
standing at the bowler`s end when she was hit by a drive during
the Somerset innings. She was taken to hospital after the incident at the County Ground, Bristol. Philip August, the chief
executive of Gloucestershire, said: "Judith is back home. She
is better, though still groggy." He added: "She is a very good
umpire and I can`t see her retiring because of this." The match
continued after the incident with Gloucestershire winning by
60 runs in a game that produced 594 runs. In one-day secondteam matches, the umpires are appointed by the home team.
(Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph .co.uk)
* SRI LANKA: CRICKET BOARD TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF CRICKET
Sri Lanka Cricket Board plans to improve the standard of
country`s premier cricket tournament, the Sara Trophy division I
championship. It is recommended that number of participating
teams in the division 1 segment `A` to be reduced to 12 by the
year 2000.
* SRI LANKA: TENNEKOON, WARNAPURA TO GET BENEFICIARIES
The Cricketers` Benefit Fund Series (CBFS) in UAE has confirmed
two former Sri Lanka captains Anura Tennekoon and Bandula Warnapura as beneficiaries of the Sharjah Cup tournament to be held
in Sharjah in November this year. Anura Tennekoon who led
Sri Lanka in the first two World Cup tournaments in England in
1975 and 1979 is one of them. The other is Sri Lanka`s first Test
captain Bandula Warnapura. Each of the beneficiaries will
receive US$ 17,500. Former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis and
former Sri Lanka cricketer Abu Fuard are the previous beneficiaries of the CBFS from Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka team will
participate in the Sharjah Cup tournament.
(Daily News - www.lanka.net)
10th June 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------
TOP STORIES
* England beat India by 8 wickets at Edgbaston
* Majid Khan calls for full-time coach for Pakistan
* Downsized Windies squad for Australia
-----------------------------------------------------------
OTHER STORIES
*New Zealand: Women`s Cricket: Hockley to break new record
*Pakistan: Sohail joins training camp
*Sri Lanka: Rs.35,000 salary for Cricket Board CE
*Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka pick U15 world cup training squad
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
TOP STORIES
* ENGLAND BEAT INDIA BY 8 WICKETS AT EGBASTON.
England defeated India within 65 minutes of the 4th day`s play at
Edgbaston. There was plenty to console the Indians in defeat,
not least a great poor-wicket innings of 122 by Sachin Tendulkar
on Saturday, but there was as large a gap between the sides in
English conditions here as there had been when India won all
three Tests at home three years ago. England, left with a minimum
of 21 overs on Saturday, needed only 48 more yesterday. Knight,
had been given out lbw the previous evening and Atherton should
have been, to a shooter from Venkatesh Prasad, but Hussain, the
man of the match, looked at ease until he hooked in the air to
long leg. For Atherton, there were no more serious alarms as he
completed only his third not out in 106 Test innings and his
eighth victory in 30 Tests as England captain. Azharuddin must
be starting to despair of winning an overseas Test - India have
won only once in 29 Tests away from home now - and whether or not
his battered team can pick themselves up at Lord`s, it becomes
daily more certain that he will hand over to Tendulkar at the end
of the tour. (Electronic Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
* MAJID KHAN CALLS FOR FULL-TIME COACH FOR PAKISTAN
The Chief Executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Majid
Khan, on Saturday felt that the national team needed a full-time
and highly qualified coach. Majid, talking about the introduction
of a qualified coach, said the search will start for a suitable
man to take over the reins of national team after the conclusion
of the tour of England, Canada and Kenya. The statement was
a clear indication that the present team management was on an
ad hoc basis and will make way for permanent officials after
the team returns sometime in September. "We cannot introduce a
coach for the England tour because the man has already been
selected. But we really need a technical man. There`s no doubt
about it," Majid remarked. The former Pakistan captain was,
however, not sure if the man will be picked from the available
wizards in Pakistan or will be hired from outside Pakistan.
"These things have to be discussed and if he thought a foreign
coach was needed, we will proceed with it. The main objective
is to polish the skills of the players and we will take all
possible measures to do that." Majid confirmed that Australian Ian Chappell has backed out from his previous contract
but has offered his services if a deal was struck in future.
Commenting on next month`s International Cricket Council (ICC)
meeting, Majid said out of three PCB proposals the supreme body
has already accepted the suggestion of rotation of ICC Chairman.
"I know nothing about the proposal of World Cup of Tests as
well as the two third country umpires in a Test. "The papers are
here and I have to look what is on the agenda. If the two
proposals are on the agenda, then I will study them because we
have to follow the line of the meeting and the policy of the
cricket board." (Dawn: www.xiber.com)
* DOWNSIZED WINDIES SQUAD FOR AUSTRALIA
THE selectors asked for 17 but the West Indies Cricket Board of
Control (WICBC) has decided to keep the size of the team to tour
Australia next season at 16 players. Speaking on CBC Radio`s
weekly "Best And Mason" programme on Tuesday night, president
Peter Short said chairman of selectors David Holford sought to
boost the squad mainly because the first two and the last of the
five Tests were scheduled between the World Series One-Day Internationals for which specialist players would be required. Short
estimated an additional player for the tour that runs from November 2 to February 6 would cost the WICBC US$50 000. The West
Indies have never sent more than 16 on previous tours of Australia although they carried 17 on their last two tours of England in 1991 and 1995 at the selectors` behest. (The Nation Online: Barbados: www.sunbeach.net)
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OTHER STORIES
* NEW ZEALAND: WOMEN`S CRICKET: HOCKLEY TO BREAK NEW RECORD.
When England play New Zealand in the first one-day international
at Lord`s on Thursday, Debbie Hockley, the tourists` prolific
opener, will take the field as the most-capped player and highest
run-scorer in the women`s game. The 33-year-old physiotherapist first made her mark when, aged 16, on her debut against
Aus- tralia, she became the youngest player to represent any
country at Test level. The first New Zealander to pass 1,000
Test runs, she has also made over 2,000 in one-day matches for
a total of 3,178, just 15 more than her great friend and
adversary, England`s Jan Brittin. (Electronic
Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk)
*PAKISTAN: SOHAIL JOINS TRAINING CAMP
LAHORE, June 8: Test opener Aamir Sohail reported for training at
the Qadhafi Stadium on Saturday after a visible improvement in
his sinus trouble. This raised the attendance at the camp to the
full complement of 17. Captain Wasim Akram told this correspondent at the conclusion of the net-practice that all the boys were
fit and working really hard. Talking about his sinus trouble,
Aamir Sohail said that he had been hit by a delivery from the
paceman Waqar Younis over his upper lip during a training session
in Australia. (Dawn: www.xiber.com)
*SRILANKA: RS.35,000 SALARY FOR CRICKET BOARD CE.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board`s first ever executive secretary
Dammika Ranatunga will receive a minimum salary of Rs. 35,000 per
month and a vehicle worth nearly Rs. 1.5 million in addition to
other incentives. This was approved at the Cricket Board`s Ex-Co
meeting held at its headquarters. Ranatunga, a former Sri Lanka
Test cricketer and elder brother of Sri Lanka captain Arjuna
Ranatunga, assumed duties at his new post from the beginning of
the month. (Daily News - www.lanka.net)
*SRI LANKA: SRI LANKA PICK U15 WORLD CUP TRAINING SQUAD.
Sri Lanka is making its preparations for the Under-15 Mini World
Cup cricket tournament to be held in England next month. Already 30 players have been picked by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and they will undergo special training. The
Under-15 Mini World Cup will be worked off in London from the
third week in July. The final 14-member Sri lanka team is
expected to be named by early July. All Test playing countries
will field teams for the Mini World Cup cricket tournament.
(Daily News - www.lanka.net)