Rain delays India-New Zealand T20 tie

Visakhapatnam: Bad weather delayed the start of the first Twenty20 international between India and New Zealand in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

The covers were still in place at the scheduled toss time of 6:30 pm (1300 GMT), with heavy rain lashing the southern coastal town since late afternoon.

The two-match series, a build-up for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this month, marks Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh's return to big-time cricket after being treated for germ-cell cancer between his lungs in March-April.

The second match is due to be played in Chennai on Tuesday.

Aussie captain Bailey bemused by Twenty20 ranking

Australia captain George Bailey was left scratching his head as to how his side was now ranked below Ireland in the Twenty20 rankings after their super over defeat in the second Twenty20 international against Pakistan on Friday.

Australia and Pakistan were locked at 151 after 40 overs before the Pakistanis took the match in a super over finish at Dubai Stadium, to clinch the three-match series 2-0. The third match will be played here on Monday.

Bailey, however, questioned the rankings system in which minnows Ireland are a place above them.

"That does not look good but I am still not sure how the rankings work," said Bailey of the Twenty20 rankings introduced last year and currently topped by South Africa.

"So Ireland goes past us when we haven't played Ireland in a T20. If Ireland is a better side than us then I guess it will show in a couple of weeks in Sri Lanka," said Bailey of the World Twenty20 championship starting on September 18.

'Pakistan responding well under pressure'

Pakistan beat Australia in Super over to take series

Australia are in Group B of the 12-team competition and open their campaign against Ireland in Colombo on September 19.

Australia have won only four of their last 13 matches but faced strong opponents in South Africa, Pakistan, England, India, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

Ireland, associate members of the International Cricket Council, have won eight of their last 11 but all of them against minor nations.
Despite the defeat and the descent in the rankings, Bailey said he took several positives from it.

"I am really pleased that we performed much closer to what I think we are capable of. The guys will take a lot of confidence out of this individually and as a team. But to be so close and to lose raises a lot of questions in the head," said Bailey.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, whose team jumped to fourth from sixth in the Twenty20 rankings, said victory will give his team more confidence.

"It's a great sign as captain. I am happy in the way players are responding to me as captain. Everyone is confident and this is a great sign for the team ahead of the World Twenty20," said Hafeez.

"As captain I feel very proud of my team and I hope from here on they will continue also in the mega event," said Hafeez of the World Twenty20 in which Pakistan are in Group D along with New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Hafeez said allrounder Shahid Afridi was doubtful for the third and final match after injuring his left hand during Pakistan's 2-1 defeat in the preceding one-day series.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal also hurt his shoulder on Friday but will be fit for Monday's final match, said Hafeez.

Pietersen left off England contract list

London: There was no place for Kevin Pietersen among the 10 England players awarded central contracts on Friday by the England and Wales Cricket Board for the 2013 season. Pietersen has been in England exile since being dropped following the second Test against his native South Africa in Leeds last month.

But the ECB did not completely close the door on Pietersen being added to the list for what will be an Ashes year, saying in a statement Friday: "In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are on-going and they remain private."

Officials, already frustrated by availability rows, were furious when it emerged Pietersen had sent "provocative" texts to South African players -- some allegedly critical of then England captain Andrew Strauss.

That meant the 32-year-old batsman missed the final Test against the Proteas at Lord's and the subsequent one-day series, which ended in a 2-2 draw with one no-result after the tourists' seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

Pietersen, who last month reversed his retirement from limited overs internationals, will also miss England's defence of their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka later this month, despite being man of the tournament when they won the 2010 edition in the Caribbean.

Strauss announced his retirement last week, although he insisted it had nothing to do with the latest row involving Pietersen, his predecessor as England skipper. Alastair Cook, already leading the one-day side, was named as the new Test captain.

He now has a role in deciding Pietersen's future, although there appears to be little time for the ECB and the player to reach agreement if, as anticipated, the squad for the tour of India starting in November is announced next week.

"Over the next couple of weeks, it's certainly an issue which we as the ECB will have to get resolved," Cook said Wednesday. "There is stuff which needs to be talked about behind closed doors. That will happen."

Pietersen has been contracted to the ECB since 2006 and is in the top bracket of the pay scale, with a deal reportedly worth £250,000 ($400,050) a year in basic salary but rising substantially with win bonuses and appearance fees.

The contract ties the player to the board and he can only play in tournaments such as the Indian Premier League with a release agreement from the ECB.

Pietersen's desire to play more often in the lucrative Twenty20 IPL has been central to his recent dispute with the ECB and, in an interview with the latest edition of the Cricketer magazine, he said of the IPL: "Every board has accepted it apart from the ECB. Some part of international cricket may have to give as the IPL is not going away.

"No one in their right mind would turn down the contracts I've been offered."

Cook, Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott and Eoin Morgan, the former Ireland international who has yet to nail down a Test place, were the four batsmen awarded central contracts Friday. Pacemen James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan were also included, as were off-spinner Graeme Swann and wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

Four other players - batsman Jonathan Bairstow, all-rounder Ravi Bopara, one-day wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter and seamer Graham Onions -- were awarded lesser, incremental contracts.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "Contracts are on-going recognition for those players who have regularly been selected for England and have performed consistently, as well as players who we feel could play an important role for England over the next 12 months."

Hafeez hails Pak team for coming out on top in 'pressure cooker' T20 tie against Oz

Dubai: Pakistan T20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez has said that all his team's players are responding well under pressure.

Australia went below Ireland to the 10th spot on the ICC Twenty20 rankings following their defeat at the hands of Pakistan in a one-over eliminator on the last ball of their second T20 tie.

After both teams were tied on 151 after 20 overs, Australia batted first and scored 11 in six balls.

Pakistan were 0-10 with one ball left. However Cummins bowled a wide, then Pakistan claimed a quick single from the next delivery to notch an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

"It's a great sign for me that everyone is responding so well, especially under pressure, and it's very pleasing for me as captain. Everyone's getting confidence and I'm very proud," Hafeez said

"I was always very confident and all the time I had belief in the boys that we would win," The Nation quoted him, as saying.

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Geroge Bailey said he was not disheartened by the series loss.

"Whenever it's so close you run things through your mind and there are a lot of what-ifs. We can take a lot of positives from the match and in terms of a spectacle it was a terrific match," he said.

BCCI rule change could brighten Jaitley’s chances says Dalmiya

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Jagmohan Dalmiya on Friday said in clear terms for the first time that Arun Jaitley’s path would be cleared to become the next BCCI president if the concerned constitution amendment is passed on September 15.

It is well known that Dalmiya and Jaitley are extremely close, and the latter played a prominent role in the CAB chief and the N Srinivasan- Shashank Manohar group patching up some time ago.

According to the present rules, the BCCI president shall be elected on the principle of zonal rotation amongst its five zones. It will be the east zone’s turn to nominate a person in 2013 — a year before the three- year term of the incumbent, Srinivasan, expires — to be chosen president- elect for one year.

According to this proposed amendment, to be taken up at a special general body meeting in Chennai, if two full member associations of the zone whose turn it is to nominate the presidential candidate approve a person from any other zone, he can become BCCI president. One of the conditions is that the candidate should have attended two AGMs, and here Jaitley qualifies easily.

A three-fourth majority of the members present and entitled to vote is required to amend rules.

“What they are going to do is to revert to the earlier system. It would be no more zonal rotation. It would make Jaitley’s chances much better,” Dalmiya told Mail Today. “The last time it [constitution] was changed was in 1986.” Interestingly, Dalmiya, 72, also said that now the president could remain in the seat for more than the current stipulation of three years. “After the amendment, the person can remain president for three or five or ten years,” he said. Asked specially if that was going to be so, he said: “Why not? It all depends what your approach is.” When pointed out that it would be the east zone’s turn to have the presidential candidate, Dalmiya said: “ East zone mein kya hai (what is there in east zone)?” BCCI’s Rule and Regulations 15 ( iii) for ‘ election of office- bearers and vice- presidents’ says that the president shall be elected on the principle of zonal rotation.

“The zonal term will be for a period of three years. The zonal rotation would be: (1) West Zone; (2) Central Zone; (3) South Zone; (4) East Zone; and (5) North Zone,” it says.

A senior BCCI official justified the need to amend the constitution. “Times have changed and things have become complex.

The government is hostile towards the BCCI regarding the IPL and other issues,” he said. “The BCCI has been put in so many legal tangles, and Jaitley is one of the best legal minds to tackle them.”

Martin Guptill has a mission

Calcutta: Martin Guptill has been one of the more consistent players for New Zealand in the Tests in recent times. In the last four Test matches, he scored 355 runs, including four half-centuries.

Now, he wants to carry the form into the two-match Twenty20 International series against India, the first of which will be played at Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Guptill says scoring runs in the series will also help in boosting his confidence ahead of the World T20, which is scheduled to be held at Sri Lanka from September 18.

“Though I have failed to score the hundreds, the fifties go in a long way to prove that I’m in good shape. I have got the starts but I have failed to convert them."

“Now, I want to translate this form in the T20 format… Scoring some runs in the series will also help in boosting my confidence ahead of the World T20. In all probability, I will be opening the batting or come at first down… If I can score some runs at a brisk pace, it will also help the team in getting off to a good start,” Guptill said.

New Zealand had last played a T20 match in July. The right-handed batsman said that the side will not have any problem in adjusting to the T20 format.

“It’s true that T20 is more about aggression. You have to go in there and hit the ball right from the outset. I think we have a really strong batting line-up that can do well on the Indian pitches… We have prepared well for the series. The boys had their own ways of preparing for the series… But they are all raring to go out there and perform to the best of their abilities,” he said.

The 25-year-old Guptill said that the India tour has been a good learning experience for them.

“We had lost the Hyderabad Test in a very bad way. We failed to adjust to the conditions. But we put up a good fight in the second Test where the conditions were to our liking…"

“Despite losing the Test series, the guys are in high spirits. The tour has been a good learning experience for us… Most of the guys didn’t know much about the Indian conditions. So, this experience will help them in the future,” Guptill concluded.

‘Second-biggest day’ for Yuvraj

Calcutta: Visakhapatnam projects itself as the ‘City of Destiny’ and it’s rather appropriate that Yuvraj Singh’s India comeback is set to be there.

Indeed, it’s a day closer to his big-stage return and the ‘warrior’ is more than just “excited.”

“Saturday, I guess, will be the second-biggest day of my career, after April 2, 2011, when we won the World Cup,” Yuvraj told The Telegraph from Vizag.

After being off top-bracket cricket for 10 months, Yuvraj is in the squad for the two T20 Internationals against New Zealand and the World T20.

Speaking on Thursday evening, Yuvraj added: “I’m excited and, as I said in Mumbai, I’m counting the hours.”

Yuvraj confirmed that his mother Shabnam and “around 10-12 close friends” are going to be present in Vizag, which hosts the first T20.

“Mom and the others should reach on the day of the match... It will be nice to have them at the ground,” Yuvraj stated.

Yuvraj’s battle against cancer, meanwhile, isn’t only being chronicled in the form of a book, but is also going to be shown on the small screen by way of a documentary — Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai.

“There will be three episodes, each an hour-long... The footage was shot when I was undergoing chemotherapy in the US and later... I’m letting it out in the hope that some cancer victim(s) may get inspired,” Yuvraj pointed out.

The documentary is going to be telecast on Colors on Sundays. The first episode will be aired in November.

YouWeCan, set up by the Yuvraj Singh Foundation, has taken the initiative for Zindagi Abhi Baaki Hai.

The documentary is expected to serve a dual purpose — (a) to boost the cancer patients’ morale, telling them that the battle can be won and (b) to spread awareness.

Bankers lead Deccan Charge

New Delhi: The suspense is over: the Deccan Chargers IPL franchise, which dramatically turned around its fortunes and won the title in 2009, is finally up for sale.

On Thursday, the beleaguered Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited (DCHL), the owners of the franchise, came out with an advertisement in leading newspapers calling prospective buyers to bid under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

A final decision on the long drawn issue will be taken on September 15 in Chennai, where as many as four meetings – of IPL governing council, special BCCI general body, working committee, and marketing committee — will be held to tackle all possible situations that might arise following the opening of the bids.

Just in case there are no buyers, the BCCI would then consider other options to manage and run the franchise for the 2013 IPL, which will be played from April 3 to May 26.

It’s reported that a lenders’ consortium, led by ICICI Bank, Yes Bank and Axis Bank, has petitioned the BCCI that it should be allowed to run the franchise for at least one year, working on the principle of right to first refusal vested with the consortium since DCHL owes a reported Rs 3,270 crore from many lenders.

“We are inviting individual bidders. And if there are no bidders, we will then explore the possibility of giving Deccan Chargers’ reign to a consortium of banks that have shown interest in running the franchise. This process is Corporate Debt Restructuring mechanism,” a top BCCI official told Mail Today.

Speculation, meanwhile, is rife that Videocon and Adani Group are currently the most interested parties in bidding for the franchise. Both these giants had earlier also shown interest in buying an IPL franchise.

Jaypee Cement, who were the main sponsor of Deccan Chargers in IPL- I, were also said to be in the reckoning.

And because of that relationship, between the DCHL, the owner of the franchise, made a fervent plea Jaypee to buy the franchise. “But Jaypee has declined the offer,” sources close to the two parties said.

The tender notice says the winning bid will acquire the franchise on an “as is where is” basis and operate the team in the IPL and, if it qualifies, it will also compete in Champions League T20 from 2013.

The bid document is available at the BCCI headquarters, housed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, from Friday on a payment of Rs 5 lakh through either demand draft or pay order in favour of DCHL. This amount is non-refundable and non-adjustable.

Parties, only those who fulfil the eligibility criteria in the Invitation To Tender (ITT), can seek clarifications from BCCI officials till 5 pm on Monday. The purchase consideration will be paid into a bank account as decided by the lending banks, with 5 per cent payable directly to BCCI. Bids can be submitted till 12 noon on Thursday at Greenways Hall, ITC Hotel Park Sheraton and Towers, Chennai, the home city of BCCI president N Srinivasan.

The bids will be opened and the winner will be announced the same day.

“If there are no buyers by September 14, the IPL governing council at its September 15 meeting will terminate DCHL’s franchise and will begin the process to look for a new franchise,” the source said.

“That’s why the sequence of four meetings is likely to be: IPL GC, marketing committee (which, if the situation demands, would start the new tendering process) and working committee, which will approve all the decisions.”

BCCI is taking care of Deccan players’ interest. “If the Deccan franchise is terminated, the BCCI will pay its players from the franchises’ common pool of approximately Rs 38 crore,” said the source.

Bhajji set to begin "new chapter"

VISAKHAPATNAM: Harbhajan Singh has said that his comeback in the T20 series against New Zealand will be the beginning of a "new chapter" in his career, following an extended international downtime of over a year.

"I won't say this is a second debut but yes, it's going to be a new day and a new chapter for me," he said.

The 32-year-old last played international cricket in August, 2011, before being sidelined by injury and R. Ashwin’s rising star.

"It's not that I was dropped for the first time last year. But it has been for the longest period of time. It makes you feel as if you are doing it for the first time," he said.

Despite an experience of 98 Tests and 229 ODIs, the off-spinner said a return to India colors always involved the constant challenge of passing critical assessment.

"It's always tough when you are out. Making a comeback is tougher than earning your maiden International call. It involves a lot of things. When you're out, you get injured and then again out. It's always been challenging."

Harbhajan has been playing for English county Essex, where he picked up 11 wickets in two matches, before single-handedly (5/37, 22) blasting his team to a win over Netherlands in a Pro-40 game.

"I was ready to work hard and take challenge. You get your family and friends support, but at the end of the day you're all alone fighting it out there in the middle. With
Almighty's help, I'm here again and now I'm looking forward towards doing well," he said.

Harbhajan said he was always eager to perform well for the country without resting on the past laurels, and that it was his willpower ad desire to play for the country that had brought him into contention again.

"You cannot live in the past glory. For anyone, it does not depend what you've done in the past but what you do in the present and future. In my case, I had the willpower and the desire to wear the India jersey again-- it's the biggest thing for me. It makes me proud."

It will be a double comeback against New Zealand as cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh also returns to the international fold.

"We all are proud of Yuvraj,” Bhajji said, “He has always been a true fighter. There was fear and doubt about the life-threatening disease. But he never had any doubt and was always positive."

"The sufferer only feels the real pain. The days' must be quite long for him when he was taking chemotherapy... Glad that he has come out strong. Obviously, it will inspire all the cancer patients. Hats off to him for the way he fought it with mother by his side. He is a role model," he added.

Harbhajan was part of the 2007 World T20 winning side. He called the experience a life-changing one. “It was a tournament that changed Indian cricket. We were never the favourites. Nobody actually felt that we could win it. Everybody wrote us off saying we're a young side. Moreover, the format was new to us. Despite all odds, we did it.”

“Now with IPL, the guys are really doing well in this format. It's always an honour to represent the country in World Cup. We all are looking forward to it. Hope to enjoy the moment playing in the World Cup and come out with flying colours,” he added.

On his rivalry with Ashwin, Harbhajan said, “He has done very well for India. It's great to see Indian bowlers doing well. I've always stated that healthy competition is always good. I'm looking forward towards forging a potent partnership with him.”

Bailey hopeful of winning T20 WC despite Australia's record loss to Pak

Melbourne: Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey has said his team can still win the World Cup in Sri Lanka despite their record loss to Pakistan in the opening Twenty20 clash.

Australia crashed to their second-lowest total of 89 en route to a seven-wicket thrashing at the hands of Pakistan in the opening match of their series last night.

Australia's lowest Twenty20 total of 79 came against England at Southampton in 2005.

Pakistan made short work of their target in Dubai, scoring 3-90 from 14.5 overs led by Kamran Akmal's unbeaten 31. Shoaib Malik was nine not out.

"I'm very disappointed and there's plenty to go away and work on. You don't ever want to be setting those sorts of records," Bailey said.

"But in terms of the group we've got together and what we're capable of, it certainly hasn't altered my thoughts that we can still be a very good team. I still think we can win it. Definitely. Absolutely," he added.

"I certainly don't think we'd win if we played like we did today," the AAP quoted Bailey, as saying.

The Australian skipper said he couldn't pinpoint one reason for the team's batting collapse.

"It's just one of those things. It's hopefully just a bad performance and one that you won't see again. Even if we gained a tiny bit of momentum, we gave it back by losing a wicket," he said.

The three-game series continues in Dubai on Friday night.

Proteas showed great character by beating England: De Villiers

Nottingham: Proteas captain AB de Villiers has said his team showed great character in beating England by seven wickets in their fifth and final one-day international at Trent Bridge, to tie the series 2-2.

South Africa recovered from 14-3 to coast home on 186-3 with 15.3 overs remaining, after bowling out England for 182.

Hashim Amla hit an unbeaten 97, while Proteas captain AB de Villiers scored 75 not out. James Anderson had England's best bowling figures with 2-41.

"We've been a little bit inconsistent to my liking. (But) there are a lot of positives, especially today, the way the boys came back with a lot of character. Under pressure, we showed a lot of guts there and that's the thing I would like to hang on going forward," De Villiers said.

Earlier, South Africa's Robin Peterson claimed 3-37 as the hosts were all out with 4.4 overs to spare, Sport24 reports.

Captain Alastair Cook made 51, but Chris Woakes and Craig Kieswetter were the next highest scorers, with 33 not out and 33 respectively.

England won the toss and chose to bat.

Despite their loss, England remains at the top of the ODI world rankings.

Aamer rues that ‘one mistake’

Karachi: Pakistan’s banned pacer Mohammed Aamer is hoping to be allowed back in international cricket in 2015, when he will complete a minimum five-year ban for his role in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal that shook the game.

The 20-year-old, appearing in his first television interview on Wednesday, insisted he has learnt from his mistakes.

“No one can understand the hurt I go through when I watch the Pakistan team playing anywhere. I want to be with them. But there is nothing I can do now except to keep my chin up and hope for the best. It is a huge punishment to realise that I had the world at my feet and I messed up my life because of one mistake,” the left-arm pacer said.

“I don’t know what is going to happen but I am targeting a return in 2015. I have nets in my home and I go to the gym. I am keeping myself motivated. I know I can achieve anything with hard work,” he added.

The youngster also asserted that before the spot-fixing scandal, he had never been involved in any kind of corruption.

“Even in 2010 what happened was that I was forced into a trap to avoid an unpleasant situation. Some people see it as greed, may be it was that. But apart from that incident, I played honestly,” he said.

Aamer, however, declined to blame his former captain Salman Butt, who also served a jail sentence for his involvement in the scandal, or anyone else for his predicament.

“It was my mistake… I regret it and I have apologised to my people. But now I want to move on and start a new life,” he said.

“I don’t want to indulge in any blame game or mud-slinging because already the image of Pakistan cricket has been damaged a lot because of this controversy. I think it is time we move on. No one can change anything and I can’t change what I and my family has gone through,” Aamer added.

Aamer is presently serving a five-year ICC ban for his role in the scandal that broke out on Pakistan’s tour to England.

Aamer and teammates, Butt and Mohammed Asif were all banned by the ICC anti-corruption tribunal in early 2011 and in November the same year, they were given different jail sentences by a crown court for cheating and corruption under British laws.

Their bans became applicable from September 2010 when they were first suspended after the fourth Test at Lord’s between Pakistan and England in which Aamer and Asif bowled deliberate no-balls.

Aamer said he wants to make amends for letting his people down.

“I want to do a lot for Pakistan whenever I come back. I know I can give a lot of joy and pride to my countrymen if I get a chance again,” he said.

“Frankly speaking I don’t want to see any other player go through what I have gone through. I died when the police handcuffed me. I have conveyed to the PCB and ICC I am available to them in any manner they want to use me to send out a message to others that corruption does pay,” he added.

The youngster, who completed 50 Test wickets in 14 Tests, said he was happy the ICC was using his videos to educate players in the cricket world and especially in the youth World Cup.

Aamer also denied allegations that he accumulated wealth and purchased property of millions due to his corrupt practices when he was playing. “Whatever is reported in the media is not true. When we won the T20 World Cup in 2009 I earned around Rs 13 million with which I purchased a home and car. I earned in millions from other endorsements and logo sponsorship deals."

“Today cricket pays a lot and players don’t need to fall into any trap.”

He also made it clear that he was not paying anything to his legal team. “They are assisting me and fighting my case on legal aid under British laws. And when I requested for legal aid I had to submit all my bank statements, tax returns and details of assets to seek legal aid so I have nothing to hide from anyone.”

Aamer also admitted that education was necessary for sportspersons. “Today I regret I couldn’t continue my higher education but once I get this ban out of the way I will try to complete my college education, age is on my side.”

Innovations at India A camp for NZ tour

Bangalore: Members of the India A team are practising with plastic balls, which swing more than the leather ones, and are undergoing match simulation at ‘open nets’ here to prepare for the conditions that they are expected to encounter in New Zealand.

India A team coach Lalchand Rajput is making them do these and other exercises during the ongoing 10- day camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here.

“Since the ball swings a lot in New Zealand, we are practising with plastic balls, which really swing appreciably. We will also have match simulation at ‘open nets’,” Rajput, a former Test opener, told MAIL TODAY . “There are various things we can do in a 10-day camp, and prepare them in such a way that they are really raring to go when they reach New Zealand,” said the coach, who was also in-charge of the India A team that toured the West Indies recently.

He said a few friendly matches will also be organised at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the NCA is located.

While the weather conditions in New Zealand can’t be replicated here, 50-year-old Rajput is ensuring that players prepare mentally to tackle whatever they encounter during the 19-day tour.

“I’ve been to New Zealand with an under- 19 team, so I’m aware of the conditions there. That’s a challenge for these youngsters — to prepare themselves mentally for what they’re going to encounter there,” he said.

“That’s why we’re having a 10-day camp, so that we could take them as close to those conditions as possible.” Rajput said that during match simulation different challenges will be thrown at members of the Abhinav Mukund-led team, which also comprises the likes of Unmukt Chand, Ashok Menaria, Rahul Sharma and Jaydev Unadkat.

“We can do match simulation at the ground, like ‘open nets’. Then, we give them certain targets and the number of overs in which they’ve to achieve it. This way batsmen and bowlers have a challenge."

“Whenever I’m in- charge, I do that, whichever country we tour,” he said. “And it’s good for players as well, and they’re responding very well. It’s good that we’ve enough days to prepare.”

India A will play three ODIs and then two unofficial four-day ‘Test’ matches against New Zealand A, beginning on September 18. All the matches will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln.

Since the NCA is located within the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rajput took the players inside the stadium to watch part of the fourth day’s play in the second India-New Zealand Test match on Monday.

“It would’ve given them additional motivation, and they’d have told themselves: ‘yes, one I day I have to be here’. You always prepare for what you require,” he pointed out.

Rajput said that no member of the Indian team could be approached to give a motivational talk.

“Since we are here, we will look into that aspect and see if a player can come and talk to them,” he said.

Stalwarts like Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, who also happen to be the president and the secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, have their offices just a few metres away from the NCA and can be invited for such a talk. Rahul Dravid and Venkatesh Prasad are also part of the KSCA. There will be no boot camp for the India A team, like the one organised for the Unmukt-captained under-19 side that went on to win the World Cup in Australia recently.

“That happens for big tournaments. But that’s the reason why we are having a 10-day camp, so that we get to know each other and have a good bonding,” reasoned Rajput.

“Definitely, we’ve to perform well and win the series. But, above all, the main aim of a coach is to take players to the next level, and the level for them is the Indian team.”

Just can’t wait to get on to the field, says Yuvraj

Mumbai: Yuvraj Singh, who is likely to stage a comeback to international cricket on Saturday in Visakhapatnam after recovering from a rare germ cell cancer, said that he was counting the hours daily on his impending return.

“It is going to be a huge moment in my life. I can’t wait for 8th (September) to come in. Everyday I put up status message, counting the number of days left…"

“So two-three days, some hours to go... I just can’t wait to get on to the field. I can’t wait for the excitement, to get on the field and bat,” he said at a promotional here on Wednesday.

Within months of his recovery from his illness, Yuvraj was included in the Indian team for the World Twenty20 Championship in Sri Lanka as well as the two T20s against New Zealand.

“It is this environment that I am used to... That is something that I have been doing since the age of 15... since I was a kid. So when that was taken away from me I was shocked. It is like when a child gets his first Christmas gift and is waiting to open it… eager to know what is in store...it is like that,” the Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, said.

However, Yuvraj was non-committal on how well he would perform in his comeback match.

“I don’t know how I will play. I don’t know if I would be making one run or 20 runs, take a catch or take a wicket. Whenever I climbed four steps, I used to get breathless. When I was like this, I felt it was not going to be possible. It was tough. But I worked very hard. I practised hard at the National Cricket Academy."

“For me, it is an achievement that I am back on the field. I don’t know how I am going to play on 8th. All I know is that to get on the field is a huge achievement for me. I feel very proud of myself. I am thankful to my family, friends and people of India for showering so much love on me. With all these emotions I will take the field,” he added.

The left-hander underwent treatment in the United States in January this year, involving three sessions of chemotherapy, and returned to India in April, after successfully battling cancer.

When Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer, cricket was the only motivating factor for him.

“The aim was to save my life. Cricket is my life. When I was battling cancer, I thought if I came out of this, I would definitely play for India. And that kept motivating me... I used to watch matches where India were playing. I also used to get frustrated,” he said.

“But one day, Anil Kumble came and said I must stop watching all these things and improve my health, try and get better. People’s influence was important to me,” he added.

Yuvraj’s return and fighting spirit has drawn allround praise, including his former captain Sourav Ganguly.

“He will play a couple of matches against New Zealand and we should be able to know about his fitness then. Personally, I will not say that I am not worried about his health. But, it's a great thing that he has recovered so well from cancer.”

Tendulkar not finished yet, feels Manjrekar

Sachin Tendulkar’s vulnerability against full-length deliveries in the New Zealand series may have raised a few eyebrows, but Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Test batsman and Tendulkar’s teammate, feels the days of batting maestro at the highest level are not yet over.

“To me, the way Tendulkar got out in his three innings against New Zealand does not suggest by any stretch of the imagination that he is finished as an international batsman,” he said.

“I will stand by what I’ve said all along about Tendulkar — that his run-making at the international level will stop only when he stops playing. Until then, he may not dominate as he used to but he will still be a good enough batsman to get runs at the highest level, and to add value to the Indian team, especially in Test cricket,” he told cricinfo.

Tendulkar, 39, was clean bowled three times out of three in the just-concluded two Test-series between India and New Zealand, triggering a spate of negative comments. Even Manjrekar and Sunil Gavaskar, who were doing television commentary when Tendulkar was bowled in the first innings of the second Test, questioned his lack of foot movement.

Now, Manjrekar says Tendulkar still adds value to the batting line-up and must be part of the team in the four-Test series against England at home.

Also a Mumbaikar like Tendukar, Manjrekar argued that the maestro was not the first one to have struggled with full-length deliveries.

“I have seen with great players as they age that it’s the full delivery that seems to bother them more than short ones. Short balls land on the pitch well before full- length ones do, so their mystery is revealed to the batsman earlier,” he pointed out.

“Watching a ball from the point of release to almost right under your eyes is not easy to do. Great batsmen do it as a matter of habit, but with age they have to remind themselves to keep doing it right through their innings.”

Manjrekar felt that Tendulkar was aware of the difficulties an ageing batsman has to face and he will soon find an answer to it.

Ganguly keen to become India's coach

Retired former skipper Sourav Ganguly has expressed his desire to coach the senior National Cricket Team. Dada, as he is popularly and fondly known as, is currently involved in broadcasting as a television commentator but is willing to take the leap onto the field as and when his services are desired by the BCCI.

"Obviously, I have interest in coaching but only time will tell what can happen in future. If the BCCI feels that I can be a good coach, I will be ready. I feel I can create a difference in terms of the ability, form and development of the players. That will be the way for me to repay the game," Ganguly told news channel Aaj Tak.

Ganguly has been known to favour foreign coaches but he now believes it is the right time for an Indian to take over-- someone who knows the inner setup. "Different captains and different coaches brought in the culture within the team where the players believed they could do well abroad.

But Indian cricket is well aware of the modern techniques now. Don't forget we won the World T20 in 2007 and the CB Series in 2008 under Lalchand Rajput," Ganguly said.

Ganguly is often credited for nurturing and building a young set of talented players and bringing the best out of them, especially overseas.

Incumbent coach Duncan Fletcher has taken a lot of flak after India's pathetic showing in England and Australia where they were whitewashed in the Test series. Ganguly could be the answer if and when the BCCI decide a change is required in the position.

Cook says Pietersen row must be 'resolved'

England captain Alastair Cook has said the international future of Kevin Pietersen needs to be "resolved" in the next few weeks.

Pietersen has been in England exile since being dropped following the second Test against his native South Africa in Leeds last month.

Officials, already frustrated by rows over his desire to play less one-day cricket, were furious when it was revealed he'd sent "provocative" texts to South African players -- some allegedly critical of then captain Andrew Strauss.

That meant the 32-year-old missed the final Test against the Proteas at Lord's and the subsequent one-day series, which ended in a 2-2 draw with one no-result after the tourists' seven-wicket win at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

Pietersen will also miss England's defence of their World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka later this month, despite being man of the tournament when they won the 2010 edition in the Caribbean.

Strauss announced his retirement last week, although he insisted his decision to quit wasn't prompted by the latest row involving Pietersen, his predecessor as England skipper.

Cook, already leading the one-day side, was named as the new Test captain.

He now has a role in deciding Pietersen's immediate international future ahead of the tour of India, starting in November.

"I haven't really been thinking about it too much, with the one-day series on," Cook said of the Pietersen stand-off.

"Over the next couple of weeks, it's certainly an issue which we as the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) will have to get resolved.

"It is a situation which does need to get resolved. There is stuff which needs to be talked about behind closed doors. That will happen."

England, after Cook won the toss, were bowled out for just 182 on Wednesday as South Africa recovered from two straight losses at The Oval and Lord's.

The Proteas' top order stumbled for the third match in a row when they slumped to 14 for three.

But an unbroken stand of 172 between man-of-the-series Hashim Amla (97 not out) and Proteas captain AB de Villiers (75 not out) saw South Africa home with more than 15 overs to spare.

One consolation for England was that, despite this defeat, they remained top of the 50-over world rankings having won 12 of their last 14 completed matches.

Amla, who made a brilliant 150 in South Africa's 80-run win in the second ODI in Southampton, was named man-of the-match and series.
That followed on from his corresponding award in the Proteas' 2-0 Test series win over England where he scored a South Africa record 311 not out at The Oval.

Amla's combined tally for both series was a colossal 817 runs at 116.71 and there could be more to come in the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series starting on Saturday.

"He's in some serious form," Cook said of Amla. "It was 14 for three; we knew we were one wicket away from causing a few nerves in the camp.
"But with those two (Amla and de Villiers) in, they showed what a good batting wicket it was -- and they gave us no chances."
Meanwhile Amla was left to reflect on his latest impressive display.

"I'm just enjoying it, and I think today's innings was probably one of the most enjoyable -- because we were in a spot of bother," he said.
"I played at Nottinghamshire for a season, so it's almost like a home ground to me."

Pakistan may boycott ICC awards ceremony

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is under pressure to boycott the annual ICC awards ceremony after the game's apex governing body refused to include Saeed Ajmal in the final list of nominations for any category.

"Ajmal deserved to be shortlisted for either the Test cricketer of the year or ODI player of the year award. The way the ICC has ignored him is unjust and the PCB must convey its reservations by boycotting the awards ceremony in Sri Lanka," Pakistan's former captain, Rashid Latif told PTI. "How can they ignore Ajmal when he has performed brilliantly and led Pakistan to a shock 3-0 clean sweep over the world's top Test side England this year," Latif asked.

Other former players also expressed their discontent with the decision of the ICC.

"This ICC process to shortlist players is clearly flawed because cricket is all about performance, not personal likes and dislikes. Better if the PCB boycotts the awards function," former Test player and ex-coach of the national team, Mohsin Khan said.

"It will at least send out a strong message to the ICC. South Africa also did it in 2009 when their deserving players were ignored for the awards," Mohsin, who is also a former chief selector, said.

The annual ICC awards ceremony will be held in Sri-Lanka on September 15, just prior to the start of the World T20 in the emerald Island.

The omission has already led to the PCB writing letters to the ICC, expressing its dissent with the decision, and pointed out that Ajmal was the top wicket-taker in Tests in the qualifying period for the awards, taking 72 wickets in 12 games and was also placed second in the ODI top bowlers list. Former Test batsman, Basit Ali also criticised the ICC for ignoring Ajmal insisting that the PCB must not accept the decision tamely.

Misbah in no mood to step down

Under fire Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq has no intention of retiring from ODIs or step down from the post despite his side's loss in the ODI series against Australia in the UAE.

"No doubt we struggled to dominate in batting and didn't take command on the field but we tried to select the best playing eleven for all the matches," Misbah told reporters after returning home from Dubai.

"I enjoy the honor of leading Pakistan in ODIs and Tests and take pride in my own personal performances. It is disappointing we lost to Australia but we need to move on and learn from our mistakes. Definitely, we need improvements in different areas as we repeating same mistakes," he said.

Soon after Pakistan lost the final match and the series, several former players and critics have called for Misbah to retire from one-day international cricket.

The 38-year old suffered his second successive one-day series loss as captain since the Asia Cup.

Former chief selector and the coach of the national team until March this year, Mohsin Khan said that the captain and coach had made several mistakes in the series.

"Honestly speaking this was a weak Australian side and conditions didn't favour them at all. We had a great chance to win a one-day series against them after 10 years and we squandered it due to poor tactics and a defensive approach," Mohsin, a former Test player, said.

Aamir Sohail was also unimpressed by Misbah's captaincy. "He should learn how to use his fast bowlers better like Australia did. He didn't utilise Junaid Khan when the spinners were struggling with the wet ball in the final match."

Former captain, Wasim Akram has also criticised Misbah's captaincy and batting and blamed him for the defeat.

Pakistan's former Test pacer, Sarfaraz Nawaz said he was surprised at the way Misbah led the side. "I don't know why he was under so much pressure. He led the side defensively and even his batting was not inspiring. We should have won this series."

South Africa beat England to draw ODI series

Nottingham: Hashim Amla piled on the runs once again as he led South Africa to a series-levelling seven-wicket win in the fifth and final one-day international against England at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.

South Africa, chasing a seemingly modest 183 for victory, collapsed to 14 for three inside five overs under the floodlights in this day/night fixture. But opener Amla responded with a superb 97 not out and, together with Proteas captain AB de Villiers (75 not out) he shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 172.

Victory, with more than 15 overs to spare, saw South Africa share the series at 2-2.

Amla, who made a brilliant 150 in South Africa's 80-run win in the second ODI in Southampton, was named man of the series for a tally of 335 runs in four innings at an average of more than 111.

That followed on from his corresponding award in the Proteas' 2-0 Test series win over England where he scored a South Africa record 311 not out at The Oval. Amla's combined tally for both series was a colossal 817 runs at 116.71.

One consolation for England was that, despite this defeat, they remained top of the 50-over world rankings having won 12 of their last 14 completed matches.

Amla could only watch as the Proteas slumped at the start of their reply. Left-hander Graeme Smith fell when he edged Jade Dernbach and James Tredwell held on at the second attempt.

International novices Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar then both nicked excellent James Anderson deliveries to wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter. But de Villiers then pulled two successive short balls from South Africa-born seamer Dernbach for four.

Amla eased paceman Chris Woakes, in for Steven Finn who had a back problem, off the backfoot for a typically stylish four through the covers. And when Woakes carelessly dropped short, de Villiers pulled him for four.

Amla then went advanced to drive left-arm spinner Samit Patel through the covers for four. He completed a 63 ball-fifty, with de Villiers taking just 54 balls to get to the landmark. Amla drove off-spinner Tredwell over extra-cover for six and ended the match with a wristily flicked boundary off Dernbach. In all he faced 107 balls with a six and nine fours.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Robin Peterson took three for 37 after enterprisingly being given the new ball by de Villiers as England, without injured top-order mainstay Jonathan Trott and the still exiled Kevin Pietersen, were bowled out for just 182.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn, a more familiar new-ball operator, took two for 24. Only England captain Alastair Cook (51), Kieswetter (33) and Woakes, with a career-best 33 not out, got past 30.

Peterson had in-form opener Ian Bell lbw for 10 before removing tailenders Tredwell and Anderson with successive deliveries. Ravi Bopara, promoted up the order in Trott's absence despite a run of low scores, and Eoin Morgan both exited for ducks.

England's low total was built upon a third-wicket partnership of 55 between Cook and Jonathan Bairstow. Cook completed a 69-ball fifty with six fours. But the left-handed opener fell meekly when he chipped a return catch to spinner du Plessis.