cricketplay

MANCHESTER: Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons warned England’s bowlers “it doesn’t swing, it doesn’t seam in Australia” ahead of their Ashes defence ‘Down Under’ later this year.

England, in overcast conditions and with the ball swinging spitefully, skittled out Bangladesh, following on, for just 123 inside 35 overs as they won the second Test by an innings and 80 runs inside three days at Old Trafford here on Sunday.

That gave England a 2-0 series win after they beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the first Test at Lord’s.

But no-one, least of all England, are kidding themselves that a series win over Bangladesh represents any kind of guide to their Ashes chances.

England may hold the Ashes after a 2-1 win at home last year but it is 23 years since they last won a Test series in Australia.

Even against Bangladesh, there were times when England struggled to take wickets with the old ball on a flat pitch when the sun was out.

Siddons, a prolific run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield but uncapped by his native Australia at Test level, said England’s attack would need to find a way of coping with local conditions.

“They are obviously good enough to win, they have just beaten Australia,” Siddons told reporters at Old Trafford.

“But I made a throwaway comment that it ‘doesn’t swing, it doesn’t seam in Australia’ and it certainly won’t swing like that.”

Steven Finn, already being touted as an Ashes prospect, marked only his second Test in England with a return of five wickets for 42 runs here on Sunday and Siddons said the lanky paceman – Finn is 6ft 8in tall – had what it took to succeed in Australia.

“Maybe the new ball will swing for four or five overs, so you need to be like Finn and put it in good areas and maybe get it up a bit fuller because short stuff isn’t going to worry Australia.

“They (England) are good enough definitely, they have the batsmen to make enough runs and a good off-spinner (Graeme Swann) for days four and five.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan wants current skipper Andrew Strauss to deploy a five-man attack in Australia, even though the side’s present preference is for six batsmen and four bowlers.

But Siddons said: “I’m not sure about the composition of their team, you have to make enough runs to give your bowlers a chance. It’s a balancing act, like in Test cricket here (in England).

“Each wicket in Australia is different; Adelaide will spin a lot more and take it earlier, Brisbane probably won’t take any (spin) at all until the last day or two.”

England now face oldest foes Australia in a five-match one-day series at home starting in Southampton on June 22, having beaten them in last month’s World Twenty20 final in Barbados.

“It will be a hard series for both teams to play,” Strauss said of England’s upcoming clash with the world champions.

“The subtext to it is both the Ashes coming up and the World Cup (in Asia next year) and these will be five important games for both sides in their preparations towards that.

“We see it as a chance to test ourselves against the top one-day side in the world and less than 12 months before the World Cup that is a good thing to do,” the opening batsman added.

England, who have a packed home season, face Pakistan in a four-Test series in July and August.

It looks as if Pakistan will be near full strength after several players, including former captain Younis Khan who was given an indefinite ban, won appeals against a variety of disciplinary punishments handed down by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“We want to play the best quality Pakistan side possible,” Strauss insisted. “It is going to be a good test for us prior to the Ashes series.”

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From termite to terminator

The return of Shoaib Malik is perhaps the greatest humiliation that can be thrown in the faces of Ijaz Butt, Wasim Bari, Intikhab Alam, Aaqib Javed, Yawar Saeed, Shahid Afridi & Co.

The man one of them called a “termite,” whom they all agreed was the “intriguer” in the team, who, according to Alam, refused to bat at no.3 in New Zealand after agreeing to do so, and who was reported to have feigned an injury to sit out the Sydney Test, has now had his ban lifted and fine reduced to one million rupees. That I think he can easily pay by selling the gold crown he got from the government minister on his marriage.

Butt taketh away and Butt giveth back. And the so-called termite has been transformed into a terminator, complete with his infamous quip “I’ll be back.”

We all started out laughing at Butt’s antics before having more serious disagreements with his decisions. Eventually we became annoyed at his constant and unrepentant U-turns and propensity for handing lucrative assignments to cronies. The time has now come to pity the man. He has moved from being an indecisive dilly dallier, to an arrogant power-wielder, and now seems more like a senile man who does not know what has become of him.

He is like a robot who gets programmed and then reprogrammed and sent out to speak nonsense. It has come to a moment where he would better off as a spokesman for the Wall Street Association of Ethical Bankers or something equally absurd.

Every time he comes forward to speak, you tell yourself, “He’s not going to do it… He’s not going to say it….” Then he does and you ask yourself why you had doubted your instinct. His last stupidity was to reveal that there was political pressure on him to lift the ban, but that he would not succumb to it. Two days later the Arbitrator, or whatever he claims he is, informed the media that the PCB had given a “good behaviour” report on the termite/terminator (which one depends on whether you love or hate Malik).

As a result, Malik is now a free man. Remember how the media was termed as crazy when they encroached on the privacy of Malik when he was to be married to Sania Mirza, to the extent that one TV channel even showed the bed on which they were to sleep in a Lahore hotel? The real question now is, what has the PCB been watching given that the ghar daamaad has been living in Hyderabad Deccan since his rukhsati. Who gave the affidavit declaring that Malik has been on good behaviour? Sania? The peace-making Islamic leadership of that city? Or could it be that it was our gatecrasher aunt who put her weight on Butt’s shoulders to bend him into freeing her ambassador of family planning: “Get him to out of harm’s way, Butt ji.”

So who’s likely to be the scapegoat for Butt this time? Most likely Wasim Bari, who did the job for his boss – but then the videos weren’t supposed to be public. So much for the foresight of the legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi, who should have advised the PCB that if they record it and allow for appeals then these will have to be submitted. Or that the Senate and NA sports committees could ask for it, which is the end of the Official Secrets Act.

Now Bari must be shown to be wrong when as chairman he okayed the bans when there was no proof. Or permitted Alam’s infamous summing up of the situation – “It seemed our players are mentally retarded” – to come into print in the official report. But it is unfair to Bari who may have risen to higher places even though his management calibre is well known.

This is probably the day for which Bari was made COO for. He is neither a friend nor a relative. Knowing that any delay might lead to some MNA or Senator being taken seriously, Butt announced the entire team management for coming tours before the team itself. Included are Yawar Saeed who has been revealed as the instigator of player’s disenchantment with each other through the leaked videos of the inquiry committee meetings (but has close relations with Butt sahib) and Aaqib Javed, who all but used the F word – fixer – about Kamran Akmal’s missed run-out at Sydney.

Perhaps Kamran Akmal will make peace after threatening to take Aaqib to court to get his fine reduced or removed. “Listen, we both need the money. Let’s just get this tour over with. This nation with no bread, clothes, shelter, will just curse us and then, the next day, be too busy looking for electricity, water, justice, law and order, hope, etc. to think about our actions.”

Afridi is fully aware of the disciplinary impotence and has taken upon himself to issue warnings to players about maintaining a code of conduct. No words there from Yawar Saeed or others among the top management to Afridi to stop stepping into the manager’s boots. Even when he announces that he wants four new faces and Younis Khan as his deputy. No words from the selectors and the chairman about the fact that Afridi is violating the code of conduct by making these statements, which are not the domain of the captain. Maybe that’s why Afridi felt emboldened to lambast former manager Alam for being a demoralising force. No punishment for breaking the code of conduct for commenting critically on a board official and issuing public statements after a tour. With apologies to Simon and Garfunkel, we should we be singing, “Where have you gone, Mr. Bari & Co.?”

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test cricketer Zaheer Abbas said on Saturday the Pakistan Cricket Board was encouraging player-power by lifting the ban on players.

He feared the players would not fear any ban in future if the board continued its present attitude.

“Taking a U-turn in only a few months, as in case of lifting the ban on players, reveals that the board banned players without assessing the situation properly,” Zaheer said.

The PCB appeal judge Irfan Qadir had last week removed a one-year ban on Shoaib Malik and also waived off Rs3 million fine on Shahid Afridi. He also reduced the fine of Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal. Finally, the judge on Saturday lifted an indefinite ban on Younis Khan.

Zaheer added that lifting the ban would prompt and encourage player-power and bring the board on its knees and the board would never be able to take action against the players even for some major offences.

“The board has shown its weakness to the players and they would never bother to follow the code of conduct,” Zaheer explained.

He added the board had always remained under pressure and failed to discipline the players.

“Moreover, it sends a negative message to the world that the PCB has no administration and consistency. The board has made itself a laughing-stock by first penalising players and then by waiving off their penalties,” he said.—PPI

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LONDON: Australia great Adam Gilchrist will captain Middlesex in their next six matches after Shaun Udal announced his resignation as skipper of the Lord's-based county with immediate effect on Friday.

Gilchrist, captain until batsman Neil Dexter takes permanent charge, is now set to lead Middlesex in their upcoming five domestic Twenty20 matches, starting with Friday's game against Kent at Canterbury.

And the wicketkeeper/batsman -- elevated to the captaincy a day after being dismissed for nought -- will also lead Middlesex in their 50-over tour match against Australia at Lord's on June 19.

Commenting on Gilchrist's appointment, Middlesex's director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said in a statement on Friday: “It would be foolish for Middlesex not to make use of one of the most experienced and respected cricketers the game has produced whilst he is at the club.

“He captained the Deccan Chargers to success in the 2009 Indian Premier League and led Australia in all forms of the game with distinction on numerous occasions. In his short time in England he has already had an influential role in the T20 cricket we are playing.” Former Middlesex and England pace bowler Fraser added: “Everything about Adam is world class and since his arrival he has had an extremely positive effect on the dressing room.

“Our players love having him around and playing in the same side as Adam shows our young cricketers what is required to be a great player.

“Adam's presence gives Neil a wonderful opportunity to watch and learn from one of the finest and most respected players to play the game.”

The 38-year-old Gilchrist was out for nought against Somerset in Thursday's six-wicket Twenty20 loss at Lord's, having managed just two in his first game for Middlesex.

Former England off-spinner Udal joined Middlesex from Hampshire, where the 41-year-old has spent the bulk of his career, in 2008 and was handed the captaincy in September that year.

But Fraser said the county's “indifferent” cricket -- they are second from bottom in the second division of the two-tier first-class County Championship -- had worn down Udal, who remains available as a player, and had adversely affected his bowling too.

“Shaun cares passionately about how Middlesex CCC performs and has worked extremely hard to turn the team in to a winning outfit but the indifferent cricket we continue to play has worn him down,” Fraser said.

“It has affected his bowling too. Shaun is an intelligent and articulate man and he feels the team needs a change in leadership.

Udal added: “Captaining Middlesex has been a huge honour for me. There can be few better feelings than leading a team out at Lord's.

“Letting go of something like that is extremely difficult but Angus Fraser and I have agreed that this is the best way forward for the club.”

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KARACHI: Pakistan's cricket squad left for Sri Lanka Saturday to compete in the Asia Cup, optimistic that the event will not be upstaged by the football World Cup now under way in South Africa.

“Football is huge, but I hope after the 90 minutes of excitement (of a World Cup game) fans will give cricket its due attention and follow the Asia Cup,” Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi told AFP before his team left for Colombo.

The tenth Asia Cup will be played from June 15-24 in Dambulla, in central Sri Lanka, about 150 kilometres northeast of Colombo, coinciding with the month-long football tournament that opened in South Africa Friday.

Besides Pakistan, the Asia Cup will also include India, Bangladesh and hosts and defending champions Sri Lanka.

Afridi said that his team will follow the football World Cup while in Sri Lanka, but mostly on rest days.

“Like millions of Asians I also follow football and my favorite team is Brazil, so like my teammates I will follow World Cup matches as and when we have time, but the focus remains the Asia Cup,” said Afridi.

The 13-man team first flew to Dubai from where they will reach Colombo later Saturday. Fast bowler Mohammad Asif will fly via Doha, Qatar because of a ban on visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a drug offence.

Asif was deported from the UAE in June 2008 after a 19-day detention for possession of a banned drug while returning home from league cricket in India.

Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will travel to Colombo from England, where he is playing county cricket.

Afridi said he hoped his team will be in form after a turbulent three months for Pakistan cricket which saw senior players banned and fined for disciplinary violations and poor performance.

“What happened in the past is behind us,” said Afridi, who was made captain for all three forms of the game last month. “We have a blend of seniors and juniors who all know their duty well.”In March the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned and fined seven players, including Afridi, following their December-January tour of Australia.

They lost all three Tests, five one-day internationals and the only Twenty20 match of the tour, which was also marred by discipline violations.

However, the board later lifted the bans on former captain Younus Khan and Shoaib Malik and reduced the fines on appeals. Afridi's three-million-rupee (35,000-US-dollar) fine for ball-tampering was revoked.

Another former captain, Mohammad Yousuf, did not appeal and instead retired in protest. All-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's appeal against a one-year ban and fine is pending.

Malik was recalled for the Asia Cup squad, while Younus is favourite to return for the tour of England which follows the Asia Cup.

Afridi said both the Asia Cup and England tour would be important for the revival of the Pakistani team.

“It is a good chance for the players to turn the fortunes of the team, so this is very important phase for our cricket,” said Afridi.

Express paceman Shoaib Akhtar is also back in the team after being sidelined since May last year because of a knee injury.— AFP

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Skipper Shahid Afridi has asked the Pakistan selectors to use the approaching Asia Cup to give exposure to younger players of international cricket.

“I think the time is right to start grooming and giving exposure to some of our young lot because we also have to keep the 2011 World Cup in mind.” Cricket365 quoted Afridi as saying.

“We should have three to four new players along with the seniors so that we can strike the right balance in the one-day side,” he said.

Pakistan’s selectors opted to take an experienced squad to the recently concluded World Twenty20 in the Caribbean, but Afridi says he, along with Coach Waqar Younis, wants to take a different route this time.

“The selectors had picked that squad but as a matter of policy the coach and I want to give exposure to the young players so that they can provide stable support and back up the seniors in future,” he said.

Several players have been included in Pakistan’s prolonged 35-man squad for this month’s Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

The squad will be reduced to 15 players this week before they head to Karachi for a training camp. – APP

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KARACHI: Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed believes the return of former captains Younis Khan and Shoaib Malik in the squad for Asia Cup and England tour will not affect the dressing-room environment.

Both the former captains Younis and Malik faced disciplinary action from the PCB with the former still waiting to get his indefinite ban overturned.

Malik had his one-year ban lifted last week and was already selected in the 35-man preliminary squad for the two tours starting June 15 with the Asia Cup. The manager played down suggestions that presence of former skippers would fuel controversies among the players.

“I don’t foresee any issues due to presence of Younis and Malik in the upcoming tours and I am confident the assignments would be free of controversies,” said the manager.

Yawar, also a former first class cricketer said all the players showed great discipline during the Caribbean tour including captain Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal who also faced PCB action after the troublesome tour of Australia.

“There were no scandals during the World Twenty20 despite presence of the punished trio and I am confident inclusion of Younis and Shoaib will also not disturb environment in the dressing room,” he said.

The manager felt that decision to include banned players in the squad was taken in the best interest of team, saying Pakistan will need seasoned players in the assignments especially on tour of England.

However, the 75-year old said he would keep a vigilant eye on the players during the tours and would not tolerate any discipline breach.

“Rule and regulations are equal for all the players and I would not let any player break them and deal strictly with any discipline-related offence,” he said.—PPI

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Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has come out in support of Shahid Afridi, saying the allrounder should be given a long run as captain to avoid the destabilising effect of frequent changes at the top.

"Since I retired in 1992, Australia has had only three captains while Pakistan has had more than two dozen and that is why there is a big difference between Pakistan and Australia," Imran told AFP.

According to Imran, Afridi was the logical choice to lead Pakistan as he is already the Twenty20 captain. "Who else if not Afridi?" Imran said. "I think if they had made anyone else captain, problems would surely have persisted, so I think Afridi was the best choice available."

Imran said Afridi has to be given time if he is to develop into a good leader. "Afridi has been leading the team well in the Twenty20 format. A good captain should be brave, can handle pressure and should have the respect of the team, so let us give Afridi some time to settle and then judge him.

"You can never predict about him as a Test player and a captain until you give him a chance. If he was not playing Tests and now he intends to play, then maybe with responsibility he performs better."

Pakistan's current captaincy crisis was precipitated by Younis Khan's resignation and the sacking of Mohammad Yousuf. The PCB then appointed Afridi to lead the team during the World Twenty20 and earlier this week made him captain for the Asia Cup next month and the subsequent tour to England.

Khan also said he is in favour of having having one captain for all formats of the game. "Cricket is the only sport where you need able leadership and if a captain is successful in one format he could be successful in all three."

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