All posts by csb10.top

What is it like to be in the dressing room with the cream of Indian cricket?
It’s fantastic to be here because it is a carry-over from the Challenger series. It’s great just to be a part of the dressing-room with all these guys. You pick up a lot of small things just talking cricket.But the experience can’t possibly make up for the fact you’re not in the playing XI…
Obviously it is very disappointing not to be part of the XI. But you have to shrug off your disappointment and do the job at hand. Sometimes you have to field for a few overs when someone’s injured, and you try to do that as well as you can.And you might have some good advice for your team. After all, some of the opponents in the Mumbai team are your close friends…
These guys are my close friends off the field, but none of that matters on the field. I would always go up to the captain and offer my suggestions if the opportunity came up. But then Sourav (Ganguly) has been the captain of the Indian team for so long now, what am I going to tell him?There’s been a huge furore about your selection. What do you have to say about that?
I haven’t selected myself, so what can I tell you? The selectors obviously thought I was good enough and they’ve picked me. I’ve nothing to say about the furore that’s been caused. It’s got nothing to do with me, to be honest.Has the Gavaskar surname actually been a negative thing for you? More disadvantages than advantages, perhaps?
My father worked very hard to earn the name he has got. I’ll never consider it a disadvantage or something that puts pressure on me. I’m very proud of the last name I have. I wake up every morning feeling proud of what he’s done and what he’s achieved.How often do you speak to your father about cricket?
I speak to my dad quite often. Whenever I have a problem with my game I speak to him. If I have a technical problem, or am getting out in similar fashion more often than I should, then I discuss it with him. We try to analyse what mistakes I’m making and try to sort things out.Do you sometimes think it might have been a bad idea to take to cricket?
No, it’s fantastic. I play the game because I love the game. It’s given me a great deal. I’ve made so many close friends in the game. Ajit Agarkar and Kiran Powar are practically family now. I wouldn’t have known a lot of these people if not for cricket, and that would have been a tragedy. The game’s given me a lot of happy memories and some sad ones, but the happy ones definitely outlast the unhappiness.You did get some time out in the middle today, with a lot of players needing breaks because of the heat and humidity…
I started the day on the field and ended the day on the field, but really, that’s no solace.

As Sri Lanka’s cricketers prepare for the start of their tough seriesagainst a resurgent West Indies team, an equally fierce contest is raging back home as aspiring administrators battle for control of Sri Lanka’s cricket board (BCCSL).Sri Lanka will hold its first BCCSL elections for three years on Friday, ending a 26-month spell of control by government appointed interim committees following the decision to dissolve the last elected board in March 2001.Johnston Fernando, the sports minister, announced the elections last month following widespread media criticism of the current interim administration and demands from member clubs and associations for a return to democratic rule.Thilanga Sumathipala, a leading businessman and a cricket administrator with personal ambitions of heading the International Cricket Council, is expected to compete a landslide victory in the battle for the BCCSL presidency.Sumathipala’s main contender for the coveted post is former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, now a member of parliament. Ranatunga has waged an aggressive campaign, pledging to wipe out corruption in the administration.Ranatunga’s typically outspoken approach has lead to Sumathipala threatening a USD$5 million lawsuit for defamation. Sumathipala has accused him of mud-slinging. Both claim to be ready to fight for their reputations in the courts.Although Ranatunga enjoys popular support, few member clubs andassociations, who are the ones that will vote in the open ballot, havepledged their support. Even his own club, the Sinhalese Sports Club, has decided to support Sumathipala.Sumathipala is no stranger to cricket administration, and is campaigning for his third term as BCCSL president. Both terms were cut short by the government following legal wrangles after a particularly ugly election in 1999 and for allegedly violating the Sports Law in 2001. He has also served as vice-president.Sumathipala’s National Development Plan, a cohesive and ambitious blueprint for cricket development, has ensured overwhelming support amongst the clubs, who have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of long-term thinking in the last two years.Previous elections have been marred by violence, intimidation andallegations of vote buying, prompting the government to beef up security this time around. The director general for sports, Milton Amarasinghe, is responsible for conducting the election. Amarasinghe has confirmed that 20 police officials will be on hand to ensure security.The first job of the incoming president will be to secure a suitablepermanent replacement for coach Dav Whatmore, as well as a physiotherapist and fitness trainer. Sumathipala has promised a foreign coach within 30 days but no candidates have so far come forward.The financial state of the cricket board is also a serious concern. Last week the BCCSL announced a 93 million rupee (USD$940,000) loss in 2002, due primarily to the lack of inbound tours but also because of increased player salaries.But those factors pale into insignificance following a recent Singaporetribunal decision that the BCCSL is liable to pay damages to WSG Nimbusafter the premature cancellation of a multi-million dollar television deal in 2001.Aside from the legal costs and a monetary claim already awarded, whichamounts to nearly USD$1 million, WSG could press for potentially crippling damages. The new president will have to negotiate a settlement that protects Sri Lanka’s financial future.

Former Hampshire wicketkeeper Adrian Aymes marked his recreational cricket comeback with a century as Hursley Park piled up 242-2 to defeat Southern Electric Premier League, Division 2 rivals United Services by 88 runs at The Quarters.Aymes, who last played regularly for Hursley in 1989 before establishing himself in the Hampshire side, hit 119 and shared a club record league opening partnership of 231 with Roman Prendergast, who made 100."It was a bit agricultural at times but, apart from ten minutes in the Rose Bowl nets last month, it was the first time I’d picked up a bat since I was on the staff last summer," Aymes said."But I enjoyed every minute of it. It was great to be back at the club where I grew up."Ironically, it almost didn’t happen at all for Aymes, who last scored a century for Hampshire in the County Championship against Nottinghamshire two summers ago."I had some brake problems with my car in the morning and had to use a mate’s wheels to get there," he explained. "Then I found I’d left my cricket bag in the boot of my car and had to rush off and collect my gear."I eventually arrived at The Quarters and just had time to gobble down some pot noodles before I went out to bat."It was all a bit embarrassing really, as I’d told everyone to be at the ground an hour before the start. Then I was the last one to pitch up !"But an Aymes century – his last Southern League hundred came against Old Tauntonians in 1989 – and a chanceless ton from Prendergast soon eased newly promoted Hursley Park into the driving seat.Their formidable 242-2 off 50 overs was always beyond United Services, who struggled to 156-8 by the close.Rob Lowe, who stood down as captain when Aymes returned to the club, ripped out the US top order, finishing with 4-26 in 12 overs."He’d sat with his pads on watching Roman and myself bat for three overs, but bowled really well."In fact, we bowled well in partnerships and created a lot of pressure on the Services’ batsmen," Aymes added.Zimbabwean Warren Gilmour (37) top scored for US before becoming one of Ross Cambray’s two victims.The match would not have been played at all but for Hursley Park’s volunteer work force who were on the ground mopping up – before they had eaten their breakfast!"The ground was saturated after three days heavy rain and two of the sitescreens were damaged in Friday’s heavy wind," revealed head Hursley groundsman Chris Westbrook."The ground team worked solidly for six hours and more to get the game on – and in the end their efforts were rewarded."The wet weather washed out scheduled matches at Easton & Martryr Worthy (v Burridge) and Lymington’s match with Purbrook.

Sri Lanka A’s batsman capitalised on a fine batting pitch and clear skies toleave themselves in commanding position at the end of the first day of thesecond unofficial Test against Kenya at Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara onThursday.Sri Lanka A, who had one the first game in convincing fashion after adramatic Kenyan collapse on the final day, eased their way to 298 for fivethanks to half centuries from Upeka Fernando, Tillakaratne Dilshan andChamara Silva.In Colombo, all of Sri Lanka’s top five scored fifties but none went ontothree figures. In Matara both Fernando and Silva missed out on centuries.Dilshan, a candidate for Sri Lanka’s tour of England and scorer of 82 in thefirst Test, still has a chance to compete his hundred on the second morningwhen he restarts on 78 not out.But Dilshan’s innings – a typically stylish and accomplished effort – wasovershadowed by that of Fernando in the morning. Called into the side at thelast moment after the withdrawal of Avishka Gunawardene with the flu, hegrabbed his chance, racing to 86 from 97 balls.Whilst his opening partner, Ian Daniel, was stuck in first gear, batting 102minutes for his 14 runs before being caught behind, Fernando blazed away,hitting 14 crisp boundaries over a speedy outfield.He looked set to complete his ton shortly after the luncheon interval beforea mix-up left him short of his crease after Michael Vandort refused his callfor a run.Vandort was the next to depart, caught at slip as he tried to drive anoff-break from Steve Tikolo, and Kenya would have felt themselves to havebeen in a relatively comfortable position with the score being 133 forthree.But Silva and Dilshan quickly tipped the initiative back towards the homeside. The pair, who ran between the wickets brilliantly, added a further 117runs before Silva clipped Collins Obuya to mid-wicket.Obuya, a tall flat leg-spinner, was the best of the eight bowlers used,picking up two wickets in his 30 overs.Kenya were then delighted to pick up one further wicket before the close aswicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene top edged a pull to be caught in thedeep.Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had made two changes, including Fernando andan extra spin bowler: Rangana Herath. Kenya, meanwhile, included seamer P.J.Ongondo.

TOP Basingstoke-based bowler Shaun Udal is celebrating after winning The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year award for 2002.On Friday night, the Hampshire cricketer followed in the footsteps of Caroline Jackson and Basingstoke Bison duo Wayne Crawford and Stephen Foster when he was presented with the top honour.Udal received the glass trophy at the Apollo Hotel, which again hosted The Gazette Sports Awards. The 33-year-old spin bowler scooped the honour after topping our readers’ poll.The Gazette Sports Personality of the Year award was one of eight top honours presented at the event, which has become a successful annual fixture of the Basingstoke sporting calendar.Popular Udal – who has featured in 10 one-day internationals for England – had a great season in 2002 for the county side. It saw him retain the Hampshire players’ player award.Speaking about Friday night’s triumph, Udal said: “It was a great surprise to me. “Winning awards is always nice, but this is a very prestigious one. It means a lot to me as it is voted for by the readers of The Gazette.”Mark Jones, editor of Gazette Newspapers, paid tribute to the efforts of Basingstoke and Deane Local Sports Council members, who are the driving force behind the organisation of the event, and also thanked the many sponsors whose support is crucial to the success of the annual awards.He said: “The Gazette is delighted to be the main sponsor of these prestigious sports awards. Sporting excellence is one of the many elements which make Basingstoke a great town and great borough and The Gazette Sports Awards recognise the outstanding contribution made by many people in the field of local sport.”The audience were treated to a splendid three-course meal by the Apollo Hotel as part of its major and important role as the host of the prestigious awards.The main guest of the evening was Manchester Commonwealth Games diving gold medallist Pete Waterfield.He told the audience of top sportsmen and sportswomen to follow their dreams, as he had done, and showed people his gold medal to illustrate what heights can be reached.

Central Districts’ women overcame the trauma of losing New Plymouth teenager Toni Street, who returned home on Monday after hearing news of her brother’s death in a farm accident, with a “fantastic effort” in their State League match with Canterbury at the Village Green today.”Yesterday was a very, very difficult day for the girls,” CD coach Paul Unwin said.”It was gut-wrenching for them and for a lot of them they had no idea of how to deal with that situation.”Central lost a dramatic game on Monday after Nicole Thessman (64 not out) could only take a single to third man off the final ball to fall one run short of Canterbury’s total of 191.”To have any chance of making the final we had to win today,” the former CD spinner Unwin said.His team stopped Canterbury women’s run of nail-biting wins at a blustery Village Green today, avenging Monday’s brave defeat with an 18-run win in Christchurch in the final match of the first round.”We had a little bit more desire and a little bit more understanding,” Unwin told CricInfo.Having been put in, Central’s Cindy Forsyth (26) and former White Fern Kate Pulford (24) helped the visitors to 65/2 at 20 overs, but Haidee Tiffen had Pulford stumped by Emily Travers then ran out Aimee Mason one run later to leave the visitors struggling at the halfway point.However, CD captain Megan Graham (31) and international Erin McDonald (30) added 54 for the sixth wicket to record the two highest innings and the only 50 partnership of the match to give Central a defendable total.Canterbury openers Paula Flannery and Nicola Payne again went early. On a pitch full of small cracks where the ball was keeping low a Melissa Murray slow-medium scuttler bowled Delwyn Brownlee and soon afterwards caused Tiffen to give a diving caught and bowled chance to leave Canterbury at 78/5. In between Murray had removed Fiona Fraser, stumped from an off-side wide.Promising Beth McNeill was run out after a mini-recovery and although the tail gave Canterbury hope, the home side never really had a chance after the loss of four wickets for 32 in mid-innings.When Canterbury’s last pair, Rebecca Steele and Hannah Rae got within 20 runs of Central’s score another tense finish looked possible.Yesterday, CD’s Thessman needed three to win off the last ball, but attempted only a single and Canterbury scraped home by a run, 191 to 190/7. On Sunday Canterbury’s 121 was just too much for Wellington, who failed in the 49th over, three runs short.Central, who, like Canterbury, had their first game washed out, “fielded on both days better then the Cantabs,” Unwin said, and this made a key difference today.Canterbury coach Vicki Burtt said, “the middle order coming in so early created a bit of pressure. We just need to get the top order firing really.”Canterbury head north at the weekend to play champions Auckland, then on to Hamilton to play Northern Districts.Central have a week’s break before facing the same teams at Masterton.

Only 42.1 overs were possible at WestpacTrust Park in Hamilton on day one of the State Championship match between Northern Districts and Wellington today.Bad light delayed the start by 35 minutes and persistent light rain ended play at 2.45pm with ND on 103/3.Michael Parlane was the star of the shortened day with a 67 not out that combined punchy attacking shots with resolute defence.Wellington skipper Matthew Bell won the toss and had no hesitation in putting ND in. Muggy overhead conditions appeared to be ideal for swing bowling while an emerald green pitch promised easy pickings for the seamers.Not for the first time, the Hamilton surface was less bowler-friendly than it appeared.There was movement, but it was not extravagant and had to be earned by putting the ball in exactly the right place. It was not a pitch on which a bowler could simply let the ball go and wait for things to happen.Even so, batting was tricky in the initial overs. Andrew Penn moved the ball both ways off the pitch, while James Franklin was able to swing it into the right-handers. With the batsmen focusing on survival, Bell was able to go fully on the attack, with six close catchers in place for part of the first session.James Marshall (three) was first out, edging a Penn delivery that pitched on off stump and left him. David Sales took the catch at ankle height at second slip.Penn was prepared to bowl a full length to Parlane, knowing that the batsman’s attacking instincts would not allow him to resist the temptation.But it was Parlane who won the first round of the contest with three boundaries in the 11th over, all from drives through the off side. As a result, Penn began to stray towards the leg side, making runs easier to collect.For Parlane this was a happy return to the State Championship side, having been omitted from the first four rounds after failing to meet fitness targets. As ever, he went after the loose ball whenever possible, hitting most of his 10 fours through the off side.He was supported in a second wicket partnership of 66 by Matthew Hart, who scored 19 from 86 deliveries before falling lbw to Franklin, pushing across a ball swinging away from him. Apart from a slash outside the off stump that brought him his only four, edged over third slip, Hart concentrated on resolute defence. He displayed a well-judged awareness of the location of his off stump and ensured that wickets did not tumble when batting was at its most difficult.The third wicket to fall was that of Scott Styris (nine), who casually flicked a catch to Richard Jones at square leg off the bowling of fellow international discard Franklin.Franklin should have had Hamish Marshall later in the same over. Grant Donaldson got both hands to the ball as he fell to his right at third slip, but could not hold on. Finishing the day with two for 26 from 14 overs, Franklin was the best of the Wellington bowlers. Swinging the ball into the right-handers and away from the left he caused all the batsmen problems.With the pitch not delivering what it promised in terms of help for the bowlers the Wellington attack was somewhat one-paced. It lacks part-time bowlers who can add a bit of surprise and variety.Off spinner Jeetan Patel has not been called upon so far.ND have built a solid platform on which to build a big score tomorrow, if the indifferent weather conditions allow.

Alton march on at the top of Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3, beating newly promoted Southsea by a thumping 143-run margin.Michael Heffernan (86) and Ben Jansen (53) led the way to a seventh successive win as Alton posted 239-7 before bowling Southsea out for 96 – John Halfacre (5-36) and Jerry Pang-Kessler (4-20) doing the damage.Ventnor won by four wickets at Bashley, while Trojans maintained their challenge with Mario Mohammed – 54 and 3-47 – prominent in the 42-run victory at Flamingo.New Milton made it five wins in a row with a 28-run victory at Hook & Newnham Basics, but Winchester KS lost ground after losing by 30 runs to Rowledge.Imrie Chakrabarti hit 52 and took 5-49 in Hambledon’s 25 run win at Leckford.

It appeared that England had got off to an incredible start to their innings when Nick Knight and Marcus Trescothick put on 71 for the first wicket in ten overs. It seemed that England’s total of 218 for 7 in 39 overs after a mid-innings collapse was a competitive target on a pitch lacking pace and bounce. In fact, almost any total they might have posted would have been in range of India led by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. They served up as destructive a batting display as could be imagined to win by eight wickets with very nearly ten overs to spare.There are not many batsmen who stand comparison with Tendulkar but, in this form, Sehwag did. The physical similarities between the two have often been noted before. Now they were matching one another shot for shot with, if anything, Sehwag the dominant partner.The England bowlers and fielders were rendered impotent as the first fifty arrived after only 33 balls had been bowled. The second fifty came from 34 balls and the match, as a contest, was as good as over.There are any number of similar statistics that illustrate how quickly Sehwag and Tendulkar took their side to such a thorough victory, but figures can never be adequate to convey the splendour of the strokeplay that tore the attack apart. It was quite simply a stunning display that was magnificent to behold – unless you happened to be out there as an English fielder.Those same boys in blue would have been very happy with their own start to a day that begun late because of a wet outfield. The match was reduced to 39 overs a side and Nasser Hussain took first use of a wicket on which chasing might prove to be difficult.It might have been if the target was in the region of 270 as looked possible early on. Knight in particular took the opportunity to put his lack of runs behind him and go for it from the outset. He was especially savage on Ajit Agarkar who retired from the attack with figures of 3-0-27-0.Harbhajan Singh was brought into the attack to bowl the eighth over and was swept for a boundary second ball and reverse-swept by Knight for another next ball to bring up the fifty, before four leg byes had the effect of increasing rather than slowing the scoring rate.Javagal Srinath was the epitome of calmness at one end while the storm blew at the other, and he should have had Trescothick caught by diving wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra when he had only two. Trescothick did get out in the 11th over when he hoisted Anil Kumble to deep mid-wicket off a somewhat ungainly slog having reached 18 off 21 balls.Knight continued in company with Andrew Flintoff who had been promoted in the order. Flintoff did hit an impressive straight six off Kumble to bring up the hundred in the 15th over and had 18 from 19 balls in total when the combination of the superstition-laden 111 and a drinks interval proved too much. He was caught at deep extra cover straight after the break.Knight had brought up his fifty from 57 balls with his seventh four, and a massive total appeared likely when England had reached 144 for 2 in the 24th over. The addition of 22 runs in the space of five and a half overs for the loss of 4 wickets reduced that forecast from massive to merely challenging.The reverse-sweep that had served Knight so well let him down when he had 74. Hussain drove a return catch to Harbhajan Singh, Michael Vaughan swung unworthily across the line and Paul Collingwood played on.Graham Thorpe played sensibly if unspectacularly on his return to the international fold, Ben Hollioake kept his Surrey colleague company until chipping to mid-on, and there was every reason to believe that it had become difficult, in the conditions, to find the boundary with the old, soft ball when the pace was taken off the bowling. It was a good theory.Trescothick had been forced to take up the gloves when regular ‘keeper James Foster reported in sick and he very nearly claimed a notable scalp off the first ball of the innings. Darren Gough strayed down the leg side, Tendulkar went to flick it away, Trescothick tumbled to glove the ball but the umpire signalled a wide.Trescothick did put down a big deflection by Sehwag when standing up to Hollioake, but otherwise he had a reasonably comfortable passage. To be honest, not much got past the bat.The fielding was found wanting and the bowling ineffective as the Indian openers, drove, flicked, nudged, bludgeoned and forced the ball to all quarters. Try to cut off the singles and they went over the top. Put men back and they expertly found the gaps. Take pace off the ball and they waited for it.Sehwag’s innings came to an end when he eventually miss-hit Collingwood to mid-on, but not before he had reached 82 from 62 balls with 14 fours. He deserved a century. Sourav Ganguly, who had retired in the middle of an excellent bowling spell holding his left thigh, came in at three to make some clubbing blows before being deceived by a slower ball from Gough.By then it was 179 for 2 in the 25th over. There was time for Dinesh Mongia to fire off some elegant strokes – one off the back foot through the covers was as good as any on the day – before Tendulkar decided the time had come. He casually lifted Jeremy Snape straight for six and the entertainment was over – regrettably or mercifully depending from which camp it was being viewed. There had been so much crammed into 68.4 overs of non-stop action.

Zimbabwe’s tour of the United Arab Emirates for the Sharjah Champions Trophy triangular one-day series looks set to proceed as scheduled next week. Thenational selectors named a 14-member squad for the tournament, which also involves Pakistan and Sri Lanka and starts on October 26th.Former Australia coach Geoff Marsh will be in charge of the team after taking over from fellow-countryman Carl Rackemann, who returned home soon after theone-day series against England.Opening batsman Alistair Campbell and former vice-captain Guy Whittall are both dropped, together with spinner Dirk Viljoen, because of poor form.Convenor of selectors Ali Shah said yesterday that the two regular players Campbell and Whittall had been playing badly of late.”The two players were dropped due to lack of form. We felt that they needed to regain their form,” said Shah, adding that Campbell’s dropping had nothing to dowith his racial remarks to the British media in Bulawayo last week.”We did not drop him because of that incident. The ZCU board is going to deal with it as Campbell has already been summoned to appear before a disciplinarycommittee.”Campbell, 29, who made his one-day international debut against West Indies in February 1992, has played in 172 matches. Only Andy Flower has played more, with180. Campbell has scored 4794 runs in 168 innings at an average of 31.12. He has scored seven centuries, the most by a Zimbabwean in one-day cricket ahead of Grant Flower (5) and Andy Flower (3).Despite his good overall record, Campbell scored a mere 69 runs in five innings against England at an average of 13.80. He was also the stand-in captain in the last two one-day matches in Bulawayo in the absence of the injured Heath Streak.Whittall has the fourth highest number of one-day appearances for Zimbabwe with 139 matches. Brian Murphy has replaced him as vice-captain. Murphy is returning to the squad after a lengthy lay-off due to injury. Also joining the team is Harare Sports Club all rounder Trevor Gripper.The new selection panel started its work soon after the series against England at the weekend. The selectors are looking at building a strong side for the 2003 World Cup with an emphasis on youth.Seamers Andy Blignaut, Brian Strang and Brighton Watambwa were not considered because of injuries, while Churchill schoolboys Hamilton Masakadza and TatendaTaibu were left out as they are preparing for final Advanced Level examinations.Youngsters Douglas Hondo, Guy Croxford and Stuart Matsikenyire were not considered because they are preparing to leave for Australia to play gradecricket.