Muralitharan fit for quarter-final

Sri Lanka received a huge boost ahead of their World Cup quarter-final match against England on Saturday when their key spinner was declared fit to play. Muralitharan bruised his knee and suffered a hamstring injury while batting during Sri Lanka's final Group A fixture against New Zealand at Mumbai six days ago.

Sri Lanka were left worrying over Muralitharan's fitness ahead of the England match, but Sri Lanka captain laid to rest all the fears when he said, "Murali is fine to play and 100 percent okay, which is great for us."

Despite his injury Muralitharan, who had to twice leave the field for treatment, took four wickets to bowl his team to victory over New Zealand. "Murali is a guy who rises to the occasion and does really well at big games. So the side feels confident about what he can produce for us in important games," said Sangakkara.

Sangakkara and his team know that to it is left to them to prolong Muralitharan's one-day career for as long as possible, and at least up to the final on April 2. Muralitharan, who is the leading wicket-taker in Tests (800 wickets) and in ODI cricket (530 wickets), has announced that he is retiring from one-day cricket at the end of the World Cup. "That's exactly the way we are going to look at it and that's exactly how we are going to try and play this game," said Sangakkara.

"I think the rest of the guys will support each other and we will do our utmost to make sure that we do everything we want to win. It's a do-or-die for all the teams playing in the quarterfinals. Our guys are really focused and very well tuned into what's happening. They'll look to do everything they can to win," he said.

	Muttiah Muralitharan trained the day before Sri Lanka's quarter-final against England and was confirmed fit to play © Getty Images Enlarge

Sangakkara said that it didn't matter to his team whom they met in the quarterfinals, but if they had to win the World Cup they must compete with the best. "Whoever you meet in this format you've got to beat to win something like the World Cup. Whether we played India, Australia or England our focus is going to be the same," said Sangakkara.

"We aren't trying to choose who we meet in the quarters and try and adjust ourselves or that kind of thing. We are just going to enjoy every single game we play and tomorrow's not going to be any different," he added.

Sangakkara defended his brittle middle order which has not been tested properly in the group stages. "I think the middle order is good. They are the best players we have in Sri Lanka and some of them are equal to the best players in the world. It's hard to judge the middle order when they get only 10-15 overs in games. In the Sri Lankan side everyone is confident and everyone trusts each other. We are not only confident only in ourselves, but we are also confident in each others' ability and it's no different when it comes to the middle order.

"Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews and Chamara Kapugedera are the best players we have to do that job. We have done it against the best opposition in the world and they will keep doing this as before."

Sangakkara said there won't be any huge changes in the team composition. "We have not 100 percent decided yet. The team has performed well so there won't be any huge changes, but only where it is necessary," he said.

Strauss confident England can adjust

For the most part of this tournament, England have not been able to play to a plan, what with injuries, upsets and an illness forcing them to look think on their feet. They have failed twice, but have succeeded just enough number of times to have earned the right of to play Sri Lanka in the final quarter-final. On the eve of that match, Andrew Strauss spoke of the importance of not going in with too many set plans and the inspiration his side can draw from having survived despite potential disasters.

"We have shown a lot of resolve," Strauss said. "We have shown that we are able to stick together in close encounters, but you never know what this game is going to throw at you, and you have to be quick enough to adapt to whatever comes your way. Now is the time to play good, smart, intelligent cricket and ask questions of the opposition."

Strauss said that the way the rest of the squad has managed without the injured players has been heartening. "We have had to deal with that right from the end of the Ashes," he said. "We have had a lot of injuries, lot of people coming and going, and I think that tests out your resolve as a group, also the core of the side to be able to welcome other people in and make them feel part of the side and just as important member as the guy that has departed.

"That's something we are good at. But no one wants injuries. Not what you are looking for, it makes life harder for you, but you have got to manage the situation as the cards unfold. So far we have managed to deal with it reasonably well, hopefully we can do that in the rest of the World Cup."

	England could be with their third opening combination of the tournament if Ian Bell partners Andrew Strauss © Getty Images Enlarge

England are waiting on Tim Bresnan's fitness, have decided on an opener but are not going to reveal him until toss, and have an important choice to make around James Anderson, who has lost form in the subcontinent. "He [Anderson] has freshened up to a certain extent," Strauss said. "He didn't play in the last game. He has had nine or 10 days away from cricket, and he certainly bowled very well to me in the nets the other day. Wasn't my best batting display of all time. He is definitely an option for this game. He has got a lot of experience, we know what a quality bowler he is, and to a certain extent it is more likely to swing here with the humidity than some of the other places in India."

Among other things, that they managed to win in the absence of their first-choice quick motivates Strauss. "We haven't always been able to rely on Plan A, so we have had to chop and change things a little bit," he said. "Ravi [Bopara] bowled quite a few overs in the last game when he hadn't really bowled much in the World Cup beforehand. James Tredwell came in. It gives me a lot of belief that you don't just have to look at the same two-three players to deliver for you."

Strauss was not a member of the side that won the ODI series 3-2 in Sri Lanka in 2007. He said that should not be a big handicap. "I have asked the guys who were involved how they went about with things," he said. "It's quite an interesting stuff they have come back with. The wickets here have been relaid since 2007, so it's hard to glean too much information about what happened there. Different lights too. I think in this circumstance you don't want to go into the game with too many predetermined plans. You have got to adapt well to whatever you encounter."

Staying true to their form in their first six games of the tournament, Strauss promised a close game. "It's been great that our games have been close, for the spectators. Hasn't been quite so great for us. We would have liked to win a lot easier than we have done.

"We take a lot of confidence from the fact that we have beaten the major sides and that holds us in good stead for this game. We don't know what drama is about to unfold. The likelihood is, as we saw the India-Australia game yesterday, it's going to be a tight game, and it's going to fluctuate on a couple of key performances. We have got to make sure that we are the guys who put up those performances."

Cremer spins Rhinos into finals

Graeme Cremer derailed Mountaineers with four cheap wickets © Getty Images Enlarge

Mid West Rhinos surged into the finals of the MetBank Pro40 Championship with a thumping 116-run win over Mountaineers at Harare Sports Club. Rhinos reached 200 for 6, thanks to solid knocks from Vusi Sibanda and Malcolm Waller and a late blast from Solomon Mire, and then skittled Mountaineers for just 84, legspinner Graeme Cremer taking 4 for 13.

This was a grudge match for Rhinos, who were beaten in the final of this tournament by Mountaineers last season. As in their meeting this time last year, Mountaineers won the toss and chose to field. Shingi Masakadza nipped out two early wickets - including the big one of Brendan Taylor who, if he was attempting one of his now famous uppercuts, miscued it badly and skied a catch that was well taken by point running backwards - but Rhinos captain Sibanda and Waller prompted a recovery with a decisive 83-run stand that was the highest partnership of the day.

Neither batsman started fluently and more than once a miscued stroke just evaded the fielders, but they still scored their runs at close to five an over. When Sibanda was run out for a 65-ball 42 shortly after the hundred had been raised in the 24th over, Waller and wicketkeeper Riki Wessels managed to maintain the run-scoring momentum, but Waller's dismissal for 54 in the 30th over sparked something of a collapse.

Spinner Timycen Maruma removed Wessels and allrounder Remembrance Nyathi in the space of three deliveries to reduce Rhinos to 134 for 6, but Cremer and Mire then combined to take full advantage of the last 10 overs. Cremer's role was clearly to hand Mire as much of the strike as possible, and with good reason as Mire slammed two fours and three sixes in a rapid 45 to lift Rhinos to exactly 200.

Mountaineers' reply never got going, fast bowler Ian Nicolson and left-arm medium-pacer Justin Lewis both striking twice in their opening spells to rip through the top order. Zimbabwe Under-19 batsman Kevin Kasuza and Prosper Utseya attempted to launch a recovery, but with Cremer's introduction Rhinos took full control.

He struck with his very fast ball of the match, snaring Utseya caught-and-bowled, and completely asphyxiated the scoring rate as not a single run was scored from his first four overs. With medium-pacer Richard Muzhange providing good support with two wickets, Cremer sealed the game and Rhinos' place in the final with the wickets of Shingi Masakadza and Tinashe Panyangara from successive deliveries.

trauss was aware of Yardy's depression

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Andrew Strauss has said he knew was struggling with depression before Yardy took the decision to withdraw from the World Cup and fly home.

Yardy became the fifth member of England's original squad to head home early and his departure inevitably drew comparison to Strauss's old opening partner Marcus Trescothick, who retired from international cricket five years ago after suffering stress-related illnesses. Since then England have had structures put in place to help players but they couldn't prevent Yardy from needing to leave the tournament early.

"It's a horrible thing for him to have to go through," Strauss said. "It's something he has been managing for a while and there have been systems in place to help him manage it but over the last week or so, it's got too much for him and he has had to go home."

Geoff Boycott sparked controversy shortly after the news of Yardy's departure surfaced when he suggested the depression had come from disappointing results on the field. "He must have been reading my comments about his bowling - it must have upset him," Boycott told BBC Radio Five Live. "Obviously it was too much for him at this level. If any blame is attached it's partly to the selectors because I'm sorry, he's not good enough at this level."

Strauss waved aside Boycott's remarks and said the squad were 'disappointed' when they heard them. "I think they showed a fundamental misunderstanding of the issue. I don't think your cricketing ability or what you have achieved has anything to do with it whatsoever.

"There are significant pressures, and as you get older a lot of us have kids and what not, which makes touring harder. It's important to draw attention to the fact that it's different having a hard time being away from home and actually suffering from depression. They are two very different things."

The schedule confronting England players has been a major talking point of their erratic campaign. Following their shock defeats to Ireland and Bangladesh in the group stages many suggested the team looked fatigued. Strauss, however, emphasised throughout that tiredness could not be blamed and said Yardy's condition was separate from the general demands of touring.

"Obviously if you are in a hotel room for five or six months one end, you're going to have days when you feel down," Strauss said. "I think that's very different from suffering from depression. International cricket is challenging in terms of how you are temperamentally equipped with spending long periods away from home. That's something we all go through. Depression is something completely different."

Despite the setback Strauss was confident Yardy's departure wouldn't distract the side ahead of their knockout match against Sri Lanka. "It's not difficult to focus our minds on this game of cricket. It's a must-win game of cricket. If we lose we are on the plane home. If we win we are in the World Cup semi-final. I think as players you get quite used to switching on and off when the situation demands it."

Smith in disbelief after loss

Graeme Smith is not a small man. He towers above six foot, has shoulders broader than a lock forward, a chest that can puff out even if he is not proud and logs for legs. His personality can be even bigger: the larger than life leader of South African cricket for the last eight years, who will bat with a broken hand and will bounce back, bullish as ever, after a broken heart. Add to that the meaty guffaw and booming voice, and you have a massive character. But, on Friday night, in his last game as captain of the one-day team, he looked a small, small man indeed.

His gestures, usually open and friendly, were limp. His smile, usually broad, was absent. His frown, usually menacing, had been wiped off, and his eyes, usually alive, were empty. This was a man who was gutted. At the beginning of his post-match press conference, it was almost as though he was battling to speak. Each word was laboured, each breath was long. He had, perhaps a little too literally, been stunned.

"It's hard to describe [how we feel] at such short notice. It's kind of disbelief; I felt that we certainly had what it took to win," Smith said. Few will disagree. South Africa were the team that was talked up as the most balanced unit in this tournament. They had a plethora of options, particularly in the bowling department. It was in that discipline that South Africa shone in the group stages, as the only team to take sixty wickets in six matches.

Their quarter-final was the first match of the tournament in which they did not bowl out the opposition. Still, they restricted New Zealand to 221 for 8, below the average first-innings score of 236 at the Shere Bangla Stadium. Smith showed creativity in the way he rotated the bowlers and used them in short spells; they displayed control and were assisted by a superb show of ground fielding. Smith said he thought they "certainly bowled well enough to win today."

	Graeme Smith said he could not fault the way his team prepared for the World Cup © Associated Press Enlarge

The problem came with the bat and, inevitably, with the mind. When Smith and Jacques Kallis were laying the platform for the chase, and then again when AB de Villiers was starting to look in good touch, the win was there for the taking. When Kallis and de Villiers were dismissed, the wobble started. Two hundred and twenty two moved further and further away, and the South African middle order slipped further and further in pursuit of it.

"The batting let us down in the middle period," Smith said. "New Zealand squeezed us, the ball got soft and we needed to show a little more composure in that period." He didn't go as far as saying it was inexperience that cost them, but a middle order consisting of JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Johan Botha and Robin Peterson is only powerful if one of them can come off in a big way. Although all capable, they are relatively untested and even though they survived the pressure against India, Ireland and Bangladesh, against a rampant New Zealand, it was too much. "We lost four or five wickets quickly and it's difficult to recover on a wicket like this."

Small as he felt, Smith would not make others feel smaller, and even though he identified the batting as the problem in this game, he was not on a witch hunt and had no more blame to dish out. He maintained that the squad he brought to the subcontinent had given their all and even though they had fallen, they would not be weighed down by South Africa's history of exiting major tournaments in the knockouts. "We've trained hard, we worked on our skills and I cannot fault the way this team has played. When we go homes there's going to be swords and daggers. We are not the only World Cup team that has not gone on to win."

Towards the end of his press conference, Smith had regained some of the confidence that has become synonymous with him over the years. He was still a long way from being a large man, but he had started to show fluency and conviction in what he was saying. He was being frank and honest and that's something South African cricket will need to be after this episode.

It's going to be a long process of rebuilding, not the personnel, but the mindset, and Smith started it before leaving his chair. "We've just got to be honest with ourselves, that we weren't good enough tonight. Simple as that."

Taylor blitz flattens shoddy Pakistan

Ross Taylor hurt Pakistan with an explosive hundred after they let him off twice © AFP Enlarge

The fans who travelled through the hills to watch the first one-day international in Pallekele witnessed a Pakistan team in shambles: they saw a glut of extras, three dropped catches, the worst possible display of end-over bowling and a batting implosion from a shell-shocked team. They also saw a struggling New Zealand side take advantage of their opponent's extraordinary failings, slowly at first, before Ross Taylor launched an assault so brutal that Pakistan were gutted and rendered defenseless by the end of the innings.

Stronger opponents would have made Pakistan regret their shoddy performance - in which Kamran Akmal played the lead and Shoaib Akhtar a supporting role - sooner in the piece, but New Zealand's batsmen did not until the end. Then, though, they did so without mercy. Martin Guptill was their solitary performer in the first half of the innings, and Taylor needed massive slices luck to get going. But in the last six overs Taylor broke free with unprecedented violence, taking 28 off a Shoaib over before plundering 30 - a new tournament record - off one from Abdul Razzaq. It began to rain sixes and fours and Pakistan's helplessness was startling as New Zealand plundered 114 off the last six overs to reach 302.

Pakistan's batsmen were still swooning from Taylor's rope-a-dope when they began their chase and the inevitable collapse came to pass. The contest had ended before the mandatory Powerplay was over and, after the innings had been reduced to 23 for 4 and 66 for 6, Abdul Razzaq merely delayed the inevitable with a half-century. The only worry for New Zealand was the fitness of their captain - Daniel Vettori hobbled painfully off the field after injuring his knee in the sixth over and did not return. Taylor, who took over the captaincy, however, had ensured that Vettori's bowling wasn't needed on the day.

New Zealand's formidable total didn't take shape until very late though. When Pakistan's spinners dismissed Guptill and James Franklin to reduce the innings from 112 for 2 to 113 for 4, New Zealand were slipping. When Scott Styris, who was dropped by Kamran Akmal, was trapped by an Umar Gul yorker in the first batting-Powerplay over they were only 175 for 5, in sight of a middling total. That changed in a blink.

In the 47th over, Shoaib bowled wide deliveries, length deliveries and full tosses that Taylor savaged through cover point and over the deep-midwicket boundary. That exhibition of how not to bowl at the death was outdone by Razzaq, whose medium-pace at poor length was meat and drink for a marauding Taylor. Fielders looked on helplessly, Shahid Afridi tore his hair out metaphorically and Taylor continued to batter a ragged Pakistan. He had added 35 in 3.5 overs with Nathan McCullum, who initiated the acceleration, and then 85 in 3.4 overs with Jacob Oram, who muscled 25 off 9 balls.

Before the massacre was The Comedy of Errors. The litany began off the first ball of the innings, when Shoaib overstepped and umpire Nigel Llong didn't spot it. Llong called Shoaib's next three foot-faults, though, and the New Zealand batsmen sent all those free-hits to the boundary. Brendon McCullum, however, missed an incutter soon after pulling the first free-hit for six and his dismissal brought in How, playing for the unwell Jesse Ryder.

How's problem was he couldn't get the ball off the square. Pakistan gave the new ball to a spinner for the first time in 13 years and Abdur Rehman's left-arm darts were hard to score off. Shoaib, at the other end, was in a generous mood, throwing a ball he fielded on his follow through wide of Kamran Akmal to concede four overthrows. That Pakistan allowed 45 during the mandatory Powerplay was largely due to Shoaib's largesse. It was also due to Guptill's ability to focus despite the drama around him. He dragged New Zealand forward with no help from his partner.

How's misery mercifully ended in the 13th over, when Gul's incutter struck him so plumb that the ball would have hit the middle of middle stump. He'd made 4 off 29 balls.

In walked Taylor, on his 27th birthday, and he received two enormous gifts. Before he had scored, Taylor edged the second ball of Shoaib's second spell. Akmal moved to towards his right, then stopped and looked expectantly at first slip, where Younis Khan was in shock as the ball sped between them to the boundary. Two balls later Taylor edged again, this time the simplest of chances straight to Akmal, and survived. In between those deliveries, Taylor had slashed to the point boundary.

Taylor, whose early struggle was substantial by normal standards but incomparable to How's, slowly grew in confidence. Then Pakistan went to pieces and, though he shoudn't have been, Taylor was there to hurt them. He finished unbeaten on 131 off 124 balls.

The day's ironic moment came when Kamran Akmal edged to slip and watched Taylor, whom he had dropped twice in single digits, take a low catch without even the faintest fumble.

Siddons disappointed, but upbeat after defeat

	Things fell into place well for Pakistan, barring Younis Khan's poor form © Associated Press Enlarge
Related Links Bulletin : Shehzad, Misbah star in Pakistan win Players/Officials: Shakib Al Hasan | Jamie Siddons | Waqar Younis Matches: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Series/Tournaments: ICC Cricket World Cup Teams: Bangladesh | Pakistan

In their first warm-up before the home World Cup, Bangladesh showed a mix of nerves, rust and over-excitement to lose to Pakistan by 89 runs. Four simple catches went down, two big batting guns didn't quite deliver, and the batsmen looking in good touch played reckless shots to get out. Coach Jamie Siddons, always a forthright talker, didn't look to hide what went wrong, but said he wasn't too concerned with what happened in the warm-up game. The team was ready for February 19, he said, when the whole world will be watching them.

"The other catches were quite disappointing," Siddons said. "[But] I am glad it was a practice game that we dropped catches in, and not on the 19th. Our batting was a little bit rusty. Probably been three months since we have played against good-quality bowling. We weren't quite up to it. Especially in the middle overs, we couldn't quite get off strike. Hopefully we have got the bad one out of our way. The boys are still upbeat, I am still upbeat. I am not too worried about this match."

Big chases against good sides have always been a problem with Bangladesh, and that is what Siddons focused on. Once they lose Tamim Iqbal early, which they did in this game, there is almost always a feeling of inevitability when Bangladesh are chasing scores in excess of 250 against good sides. That, Siddons says, has to change.

"I think chasing 285 is a big target, but it is achievable," Siddons said. "I don't think we were sensible enough. The captain led from the front, and played a silly shot [a pull straight to long leg], and it went through the whole team. With five and six required an over, they got under pressure a little bit. We have talked a little bit about it already, we are going to talk more about it before the India game. Against good teams, we are going to have to chase 280 a lot. The chase is gettable, and I think we will do a lot better the next time."

There were positive signs too. Shafiul Islam, before going off with a foot injury, started well, bowling five overs for 19 runs. The pitch assisted the spinners, and Shakib Al Hasan was quick to utilise it both as a bowler and as a captain. "Shafiul was the pick of the bowlers," Siddons said. "He bowled beautifully. Swung the ball a lot, bowled fantastic lines, had the openers in trouble, got a wicket. Shakib has got his rhythm back, and confidence back, which he hadn't had for two series. And the pitch spun, which is a positive for us for the tournament. Imrul Kayes [39] was a positive. Raqibul Hasan [30] positive towards the end."

It was a better warm-up experience for Pakistan, with their in-form batsmen, Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq, struck centuries to take their side to a big total. The concerns, if you were to look hard, were that Younis Khan was yet to get into his groove, and Shoaib Akhtar didn't bowl at all.

"Often only one or two players score big in one big innings, that's what Misbah and Shehzad did," Waqar Younis, Pakistan's coach, said. "Younis Khan missed out, we would love to have him get some runs going into the World Cup. I am not too worried about it, but if he gets runs in the next game, things will start rolling for us."

Shoaib could be a bigger concern, in whose absence Abdul Razzaq opened the bowling. "Shoaib is not in touch at the moment," Waqar said. "If he gets it right in the next game, he is obviously the No. 1 choice. At the moment, we have a slight problem with the new ball, but there is still some time to go.

"We played Shoaib in New Zealand. He improved in patches. It is important he gets into full throttle before we get him into the side. We are trying to work with him. Aaqib Javed and myself, we are working with him, trying to get his rhythm right before the tournament starts."

Waqar was pleased with Shehzad, who survived a good opening spell, and then accelerated to get a century. "Pretty impressed," he said. "He has been playing really well, from the back end of the New Zealand tour. He scored a hundred in his last game as well. He is in superb touch. For a youngster to come in to such a big scene and playing such a good knock with such responsibility, it is amazing to see that. Hopefully he is going to carry on delivering."

World Cup could be a three-way race - Duncan Fletcher

Adaptability to subcontentintal wickets is the key, says Duncan Fletcher

Next month's World Cup could end up being a three-way race between the top teams in Test cricket, Duncan Fletcher, the former England coach and currently South Africa's batting consultant, has said. "You've got three sides on a par: India South Africa and England, all with different strengths and weaknesses," Fletcher said in Johannesburg on Friday.

Fletcher claimed South Africa, who have never won a World Cup, are going to be a "huge threat" in the subcontinent. "I believe South Africa match everyone as far as one-day cricket is concerned." He indicated that their stiffest challenge will come from India, who will be under "enormous pressure" because they are playing at home and England, given their recent form. "England has a good athletic side in the one-day game. The big difference, and you can see it, is the confidence having gone out to beat Australia."

While Fletcher singled out those three teams as the top dogs, he also felt this World Cup will be one of the most hotly contested in years, because of the more level-playing field. "It's an open World Cup for a change. There are no firm favourites. You can't rule out Sri Lanka. Australia, although they have taken a huge dip, I don't know where they are at the moment and Pakistan, you can't write them off on those wickets."

The conditions in the subcontinent are expected to be a major factor in the tournament and Fletcher had two significant pieces of advice for all the teams. "Spinners are going to be crucial," he said, "Secondly, you need fit cricketers, because it's going to be hot there and the players have to adapt to those kinds of wickets and get their techniques right and how to play on those wickets."

Both those warnings will need to be taken seriously by South Africa, who traditionally only use one spinner and came under fire for several senior players suffering from cramp in the 2007 tournament in the Caribbean. That senior-player contingent which consisted of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp, now only two survivors and the dynamics of the South African team have changed since then, so fitness should not be an issue, whereas the role of the spinner might be.

Johan Botha shoulders most of the slow-bowling responsibility, with JP Duminy's role increasing. The South African selectors have included Pakistan-born legspinner Imran Tahir in the squad for the current series ODI against India, but he did not play in the first match in Durban and looks unlikely to make an appearance in the second in Johannesburg. The pitches in South Africa favour their four-seamer, one spinner, attack and without testing Tahir here, it's difficult to see how he will fit into the World Cup plans.

For Fletcher, the big question that hung over South Africa was how their bowlers will adjust to pitches that are significantly different to the quick, bouncy strips they are playing the current series on and are used to. He didn't think South Africa were easily fooled into believing they will be gifted surfaces like the one they had in Durban on Wednesday, where they bowled India out for 154, but he was concerned about the short time-frame they will have to acclimatise to vastly different conditions. "When they go to India those wickets may be a bit slower and a bit flatter, but they just have to get used to it. They have to adapt a bit quicker," he said.

South Africa played ODI cricket in India last year as well as a series in similar conditions in the UAE against Pakistan. Fletcher said the planning has been in place for a while for this World Cup, but the execution will still be important. "They've [youngsters] been across to Sri Lanka on a couple of A tours so they planned well in that situation. But there's still a huge jump up from that level to international level."

Fletcher believed South Africa had the ability to learn quickly and with the number of young players in the set up, and the guidance they will be provided with, they will have the right mindset to challenge for the title. "With fresh young minds coming through and wanting ideas you just have to make sure you go through their game mentally rather than technically. The key to it is to make them believe that ability they have is good enough and it has got them to this level. That's why they have been picked."

Fletcher will travel with the South African team for the remainder of the ODI series against India and through the warm-up stages of the World Cup. He has also not ruled out coaching them on a full-time basis in future. With Corrie van Zyl stepping down after the World Cup, there is every possibility of Fletcher stepping in. "I'm not going to say I like a job, I'm not going to say I don't like a job at the moment. I've been very fortunate with the work I'm doing with South Africa."

Cricket South Africa extended the deadline for applications for the head coach to February 18, so Fletcher still has some time to consider if he will throw his name into the hat.

Ian Billcliff omitted from Canada's probables

Batsman Ian Billcliff is the only notable omission from Canada's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2011 World Cup. Ashish Bagai has been named captain and the squad also includes veteran allrounder John Davison who has been actively involved with Cricket Australia as a spin bowling coach.

Chris James, the chairman of selectors, said it was a tough decision to omit Billcliff, who has played 19 ODIs for Canada averaging just under 28, including three games during the 2007 World Cup in West Indies. "It was an especially difficult decision for us when it came down to Billy (Billcliff). Internationally, he has been one of our top-rated performers. Unfortunately we were unable to line up our schedules with the preparation tours and we had to leave him out."

Canada have just completed a short tour of India where they played against several sides. They next head to the West Indies for the Caribbean T20 in January where they will also play a few 50-over matches against Antigua and Somerset.

"We are confident that we have found the right mix of youth and experience to represent Canada at the World Cup and build a solid foundation for the future of Canadian cricket," James said.

The final 15-man World Cup line-up will be named after their participation in the Caribbean T20 tournament.

Canada squad: Ashish Bagai (capt), Waleed Ahmad, Manny Aulakh, Akshay Bagai, Harvir Baidwan, Trevin Bastiampillai, Umar Bhatti, Grant Broadhurst, Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan, John Davison, Parth Desai, Jeremy Gordon, Tyson Gordon, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Amabhir Hansra, Sandeep Jyoti, Nitish Kumar, Usman Limbada, Henry Osinde, Hiral Patel, Cecil Pervez, Balaji Rao, Manrick Singh, Junaid Siddiqui, Zeeshan Siddiqui, Zubin Surkari, Hamza Tariq, Karl Whatham, Zameer Zaheer

Suspended trio can be part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad if found innocent says ICC

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Suspended trio can be part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad if found innocent says ICC
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has elucidated that the suspended trio of Pakistan could make next month’s World Cup squad if given a clean-chit by its independent tribunal in Doha, Qatar.
All the three suspended players of Pakistan - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - are in Doha these days to appear in a six-day long, make or break hearing in connection with spot-fixing allegations set against them by a British tabloid named News of the World.
An International Cricket Council official confirmed the start of hearing at the Qatar Financial Centre. "It has just started. All three players are here," said the official.
The three-member tribunal - headed by Michael Beloff, the head of the ICC’s Code of Conduct Commission – will hear the case from 6 to 11 January before delivering its final verdict over player’s future in the game. The other two members of the tribunal are South African Justice Albie Sachs and Kenyan Sharad Rao.
The hearing opened in Doha on Thursday, 6 January 2011 and with the start of the final hearing of the case, ICC made it clear that the three, if declared innocent by the Beloff-led tribunal, will be part of the Pakistan World Cup squad. It must be kept in mind that Pakistan has already announced its 30-member preliminary World Cup squad and all the three players were not considered for selection given the provisional suspensions imposed by the ICC on them.
The trio was suspended by the International Cricket Council under Article 2 of its Anti Corruption Code of Conduct after the British tabloid carried out a sting operation which revealed that the three players had taken money from an illegal bookmaker Mazhar Majeed to deliver some deliberate no balls in the last Test against England in Lord’s last year.
The news would be quite encouraging for the Pakistan side which is desperately missing the services of its double ‘As’ – Amir and Asif. The new-ball pair of ‘As’ was on its peak during this summer in England where the duo continued to demolish opposition batting line-up. The inclusion of both or either of Amir or Asif will undoubtedly lift the morale of the side struggling for victories since their suspension in September last year.
The make or break hearing is scheduled to run till the 11^th of January 2011, although an early decision is also expected. The three if proven guilty can face heavy penalties, lengthy bans or both.

Imran Tahir makes SA's one-day squad

Imran Tahir, the Pakistan-born legspinner who was recently granted South African citizenship, is one of two debutants named in South Africa's 14-man squad to play India in their five-match ODI series.

Titans allrounder Faf du Plessis is the other new cap, while Jacques Kallis was not considered because of an injury sustained to his rib during the current Test series and Mark Boucher remains out of South Africa's limited-overs plans.

South Africa have picked five spinners in their squad in preparation for the World Cup in the subcontinent which starts in February.

Tahir and du Plessis join Johan Botha, JP Duminy and Robin Petersen to form an arsenal of slower bowling.

"Faf du Plessis has grabbed his opportunity this season as Colin Ingram did the previous season," said convener of selectors Andrew Hudson.

"Both he and Tahir had outstanding campaigns in the MTN40 and we are looking forward to see how they take their game up to the next level." Tahir's name has been linked with national selection since January last year when he was picked in South Africa's Test squad to face England in the fourth Test.

However, he was found to be ineligible to play for South Africa because he did not have the required residency permit, despite being married to a South African.

Cricket South Africa intervened to speed up the process but Tahir only qualified to play for the national team almost a year later, on New Year's Day 2011.

A wrist spinner is perhaps the one missing element in South Africa's bowling attack and Tahir was widely touted as the man to fill the role.

He has taken 15 wickets at an average of 17.00 in nine matches in the MTN40 competition this season and in his 96 List A appearances has 140 scalps at an average of 22.74.

He has also had successful stints at Hampshire and Warwickshire in English domestic limited-overs cricket.

He is not part of South African's 30-man provisional World Cup squad but his selection for the India series is an indication that may change.

Du Plessis, who is part of the provisional World Cup squad, earns his maiden call-up after a sensational MTN40 campaign in which he scored 567 runs, including three centuries, and boasted an average of 81.

He is also a handy leg-break bowler and athletic fielder.

The five match series is South Africa's last outing before the Word Cup.

The first match will be played in Durban on Wednesday.

South Africa ODI squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Petersen, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Countdown Begins To Cricket World Cup

Countdown Begins To Cricket World Cup
	CaribWorldNews, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Jan. 7, 2011: You may not see it or feel it yet, but the countdown is definitely on to the 2011 Cricket World Cup. As of today, January 7, there are 42 days left before the global competition gets underway at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, India. On February 19th at 8:30 AM GMT, India will take on Bangladesh in the first match of the Cup while on February 20th, New Zealand will face Kenya in Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The West Indies cricket squad will play their first match against South Africa on Feb. 24th at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi. Fourteen teams will take part in the tournament with games set to be broadcast to a global audience in over 180 territories. Australia is the tourney`s defending champions. Nine editions of the tournament have taken place to date, with the event being won by Australia on four occasions (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007), West Indies twice (1975, 1979), and India (1983), Pakistan (1992) and Sri Lanka (1996) on one occasion each.

Australia’s Cricket World Cup bid

Enlarge this picture

Clayton Hinds, who writes as a volunteer 'Well-Being Australia' Sports Writer for Christian Today Australia.

Australia heads into the final day’s play of the 2010/11 Ashes series needing a miracle to win to the test and draw the series with England.

Even before the series is over, cricketing attention has shifted to the One Day International (ODI) series with England and whether Australia will be able to win its fourth ODI World Cup on the trot.

It’s vital for Australia’s World Cup bid that they are able compete against the fourth ranked England in the series starting on 16 January. Failure in this series will almost definitely result in a poor world cup performance.

Australia and England will go head to head in a seven match series that will conclude on 6 February – just a few weeks prior to the 2011 World Cup.

The World Cup kicks off in India in just 43 days with Australia facing up to Zimbabwe on 21 February.

Despite Australia’s less than memorable Ashes series, the team has an impeccable ODI record (despite the series loss to Sri Lanka in November) and will be drawing on a group of fresh ODI players not shaken by the heavy losses to England in the Ashes.

Australia has won the last three ODI World Cups, although all three were played on wickets suited to Australia’s pace attack. The 2011 World Cup will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - countries famous in cricketing circles for their flat turning pitches.

This could make life difficult for the Australian selectors who tested three new spinners over the proven Nathan Hauritz in the Ashes. None of whom demonstrated the form needed to win a world cup.

Fourteen countries will challenge for the World Cup with the teams to be split into two groups.

Australia’s group consists of New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada and Kenya with the top four going through to the second round.

Group B consists of Bangladesh, England, India, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland and the Netherlands.

100,000 World Cup tickets have gone on sale starting at 20cUSD. Tickets can be purchased through the International Cricketing Council.

Australia’s Cricket World Cup bid

Enlarge this picture

Clayton Hinds, who writes as a volunteer 'Well-Being Australia' Sports Writer for Christian Today Australia.

Australia heads into the final day’s play of the 2010/11 Ashes series needing a miracle to win to the test and draw the series with England.

Even before the series is over, cricketing attention has shifted to the One Day International (ODI) series with England and whether Australia will be able to win its fourth ODI World Cup on the trot.

It’s vital for Australia’s World Cup bid that they are able compete against the fourth ranked England in the series starting on 16 January. Failure in this series will almost definitely result in a poor world cup performance.

Australia and England will go head to head in a seven match series that will conclude on 6 February – just a few weeks prior to the 2011 World Cup.

The World Cup kicks off in India in just 43 days with Australia facing up to Zimbabwe on 21 February.

Despite Australia’s less than memorable Ashes series, the team has an impeccable ODI record (despite the series loss to Sri Lanka in November) and will be drawing on a group of fresh ODI players not shaken by the heavy losses to England in the Ashes.

Australia has won the last three ODI World Cups, although all three were played on wickets suited to Australia’s pace attack. The 2011 World Cup will be played in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - countries famous in cricketing circles for their flat turning pitches.

This could make life difficult for the Australian selectors who tested three new spinners over the proven Nathan Hauritz in the Ashes. None of whom demonstrated the form needed to win a world cup.

Fourteen countries will challenge for the World Cup with the teams to be split into two groups.

Australia’s group consists of New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada and Kenya with the top four going through to the second round.

Group B consists of Bangladesh, England, India, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland and the Netherlands.

100,000 World Cup tickets have gone on sale starting at 20cUSD. Tickets can be purchased through the International Cricketing Council.

23-member Tiger squad announced

Star Online Report

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Friday announced a 23-member preliminary squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The selected cricketers have been asked to report to National Team Head Coach, Jamie Siddons, on Sunday, at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Mirpur at 11:00am for the WC preparation camp.

PRELIMINARY SQUAD

Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Mohammad Ashraful, Imrul Kayes, Zunaed Siddique, Roqibul Hassan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Nazmul Hossain, Naeem Islam, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Abdur Razzak, Md Sohrawardi, Shahriar Nafees, Jahurul Islam, Syed Rasel, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam, Dollar Mahmud, Shabbir Rahman and Alok Kopali.

Malik wasn't given reason for World Cup exclusion

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder, has said he was not given any reason for his omission from Pakistan's 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup.

Malik, a former Pakistan captain, had been under the scanner of the PCB's integrity committee along with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and legspinner Danish Kaneria.

None of the three players has played for Pakistan since their controversial tour of England in July.

Pakistan had delayed the announcement of their 30-man squad till January 5 to give the three players a chance to provide evidence to clear them for selection, but only Kamran was included in the list for the tournament that starts on February 19.

"It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission," Malik said.

"Cricket teaches you discipline, so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back.

It's a great honour to play in the World Cup but I will not allow my confidence level to dip and will continue to perform at the domestic level." He has scored 725 runs at an average of 120.83 in Division One of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's premier first-class competition, this season.

Kamran, meanwhile, expressed his delight at his inclusion among the probables.

"I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they have included me in the preliminary squad." Kamran told AFP.

Kamran, Malik and Kaneria had been asked to appear before the integrity committee and provide details of their bank accounts, assets and property holdings from the last three years, to clear their names from possible involvement in spot-fixing.

The PCB did not make it clear which of the players had been cleared.

"There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise of players by the integrity committee of the PCB," Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan said.

"The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the World Cup." Kamran had received an ACSU notice earlier in the year regarding events during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean but has since asked for and received a written clearance from the ICC.

He had also been named by alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed on Pakistan channel Geo as among seven players obeying his orders during matches.

He has scored 767 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Division One this season, including a career-best 268.

The trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who faced an ICC tribunal in Doha on Thursday over spot-fixing allegations, were not in the 30 World Cup probables.

Kamran said Pakistan could win the tournament despite their absence.

"We have to play with the available players and I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup," he said.

After an eventful 2010, we hope 2011

After an eventful 2010, we hope is marked with more moments of wish fulfillment. So here's what's hot on our list

The 'S' Factor
, the first player to amass 50 tons in Test Cricket should be able to make more magic in 2011, set new records and help to bring home the World Cup.
Mera No.1: Twenty year old shuttler Saina Nehwal has ventured where no Indian has. She's the current World No.4 with five titles to her credit. "Saina's got grit and determination and we hope she becomes the No. 1 this year," says director Mani Shankar.

Get us the
Cricket fans ahoy! This year brings an event that has been awaited for four years— the World Cup. What's more, the event is being hosted by top three South Asian Test cricket playing countries: India, and . In India the matches will be played in Kolkata, ,Ahmedabad, and . With lots of home crowd support , Team India has an edge and should get us the coveted cup.

Read more:

Can Pakistan team afford a change in leadership?

Can Pakistan team afford a change in leadership?

Friday, January 07, 2011

By Khalid Hussain
KARACHI: At a time when all other title contenders are giving final shape to their preparations for World Cup 2011, Pakistan cricket is teeming with conspiracy theories.

It took weeks for the country’s cricket chiefs to underline their 30-man preliminary squad for the quadrennial spectacle which begins on February 19 and now speculations are rife that they are mulling over the option of bringing in a new man to lead their World Cup campaign.

Shahid Afridi, the seasoned all-rounder who has served as Pakistan’s captain in limited-overs matches in recent times, is supposed to be at the helm of his team’s World Cup campaign but the possibility of a last-minute surprise cannot be ruled out.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has nobody else but itself to blame for this uncertainty.

When the Board announced Pakistan’s World Cup probables earlier this week it decided against naming the captain, prompting conspiracy theorists to claim that a change is in the offing.

Afridi’s supporters believe that a particular lobby based in Lahore is already pushing for his sacking as captain and wants him to be replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s Test captain.

Some former Pakistan Test cricketers believe Afridi’s personal performance is below-par and have also questioned his leadership skills.

All of this is happening at a time when World Cup 2011 is just about six weeks away and Pakistan are already dogged by a series of problems including a spot-fixing scandal involving some of the country’s leading cricketers.

Afridi, 30, however is not concerned. The flamboyant allrounder said that he is keeping his eyes on the ball and wants to give his best in the World Cup as his team’s senior players and captain, if the PCB decides to retain him for the all-important assignment.

“It’s my greatest desire to play a major role in our World Cup campaign,” he told ‘The News’ on Thursday. “As a senior player it’s my responsibility to lead from the front. As captain, if I’m leading Pakistan, it will be my duty to get the best out of my players,” he stressed.

Afridi wants to improve his personal performance.

“To get the best out of your teammates, you have to give your best first,” he said.

Afridi may not have ended 2010 with great stats, but he still finished the year as Pakistan’s highest run-getter in One-day Internationals as well as their joint highest wicket-taker with paceman Shoaib Akhtar. He scored 601 runs at 33.38 and picked up 19 wickets from 18 ODI appearances in 2010.

But his critics believe Afridi has been unable to impress much in recent times both as a senior player and team captain.

There are indications that even some senior PCB officials are double-minded over Afridi’s role.

Initially when Afridi was installed as Pakistan’s captain he was given the luxury to almost handpick his team. But in recent times, he has lost much of his say.

Earlier this week, national selectors almost snubbed Afridi by overlooking Fawad Alam while deciding Pakistan’s preliminary World Cup squad.

Afridi rates Fawad as a very useful ODI player and wanted him in Pakistan’s World Cup squad. But under pressure from various quarters, national selectors ignored the youngster in spite of the fact that his ODI performance has not been that bad. In 2010, Fawad scored 393 runs from 13 ODI Games at 35.7, which makes him one of his country’s top performers during what was quite a disappointing year for Pakistan.

The fact that Fawad is counted among Pakistan’s best fielders is another reason why Afridi believed that he should have been in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

MUMBAI: With sportswear segment

MUMBAI: With sportswear segment witnessing an upward swing in the country, the flagship hypermarket retail chain of Future Group , Big Bazaar, is expecting a 10 per cent growth in sales from its fashion wear during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, a top company official said.

Big Bazaar has bagged the licence from ICC to be the authorised retailer of special merchandise for the World Cup 2011.

"We are delighted to be the authorised retailer for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 merchandise. Through our vast merchandise offerings in apparel, home and personal care, we attempt to cement a strong relationship with our customers by enabling them to express their appreciation and cheer for cricket by sporting the fan look," Big Bazaar's Joint CEO, Sanjeev Agarwal, told PTI here.

The specially designed cricket merchandise for men, ladies and kids have been priced in a range of Rs 199 to Rs 449. The range includes sports tees, active dry tees, track pants, shorts, sweatshirt, caps, head bands amongst others.

Besides, there is a graphic range of products built around cricket-inspired messages Agarwal said, adding that the third range is the soft toy called Stumpy, the official mascot of the ICC CWC 2011With sportswear segment witnessing an upward swing in the country, the flagship hypermarket retail chain of Future Group , Big Bazaar, is expecting a 10 per cent growth in sales from its fashion wear during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, a top company official said.

Big Bazaar has bagged the licence from ICC to be the authorised retailer of special merchandise for the World Cup 2011.

"We are delighted to be the authorised retailer for ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 merchandise. Through our vast merchandise offerings in apparel, home and personal care, we attempt to cement a strong relationship with our customers by enabling them to express their appreciation and cheer for cricket by sporting the fan look," Big Bazaar's Joint CEO, Sanjeev Agarwal, told PTI here.

The specially designed cricket merchandise for men, ladies and kids have been priced in a range of Rs 199 to Rs 449. The range includes sports tees, active dry tees, track pants, shorts, sweatshirt, caps, head bands amongst others.

Besides, there is a graphic range of products built around cricket-inspired messages Agarwal said, adding that the third range is the soft toy called Stumpy, the official mascot of the ICC CWC 2011

Sri Lanka name 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup squad

Kumar Sangakkara will lead Sri Lanka in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. © AFP.

January 07, 2011 (Island Cricket): Sri Lankan selectors have named their final 15-man squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas and Suraj Randiv are the notable absentees.

Captain of Sri Lanka's 2007 World Cup side, Mahela Jayawardena, has been named as the vice-captain.

The squad is as follows:

Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath.