Ponting and Johnson see off New Zealand

June 2, 2009

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Australia 151 for 3 (Ponting 56, Clarke 49*) beat New Zealand 147 (Styris 42, Johnson 4-20) by seven wickets
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary

	Ricky Ponting swings over midwicket during his fifty© Getty Images

Australia executed a perfectly-paced chase to brush aside New Zealand by seven wickets in their warm-up match at The Oval. Ponting led the way with a brisk half-century and received support from his deputy Michael Clarke who remained unbeaten to ensure victory was secured in the final over.

There was good news on the bowling front too with Mitchell Johnson taking 4 for 20 while Brett Lee bowled with hostility and took 1 for 9 off 3.5 overs. Their new-ball partnership left New Zealand's top-order in shreds at 21 for 5 and it needed a feisty recovery from Scott Styris and Peter McGlashan, who was playing Australia for the first time, to set a respectable target.

Australia made a near-perfect start, with Lee and Johnson snaring the New Zealand openers in consecutive overs. There were an astonishing number of dot balls as both bowlers passed the bat with regularity. The New Zealand batsmen's efforts to break free failed - Martin Guptill holed out after striking one boundary, as did Ross Taylor after hitting three fours in a row. Jacob Oram's dismissal - run out without facing a ball - hurt New Zealand further but they recovered to 147 thanks to the depth of their batting line-up.

Australia also bat deep - Lee is slotted at No. 10 - but their lower order wasn't tested on the day. They too suffered a minor hiccup at the start, losing both Shane Watson and David Warner within the space of five balls to James Franklin, but Ponting and Clarke prevented any further damage. They planned the chase masterfully, picking up singles and twos with regularity, chipping away at the asking-rate and then reducing it dramatically with the odd boundary.

Tim Nielsen, the Australia coach, was pleased with his team's effort and said that they were improving with every game.

"Brett and Mitchell almost put the game to sleep in the first six overs. Then we chased the score down sensibly," he said. "It is nice to turn the competitive juices on in a game situation.

"You can never replicate that in training no matter how hard you do it, so to play against another country gets the adrenaline going and some good stuff happened because of the competitive environment."

He reserved special praise for Johnson, whose four economical wickets cut through New Zealand. "He is just starting to get some condition about him," Nielsen said. "He has just come off a month in Perth, where he has been doing some work in the gym. He was beaming last night because of the fact he thought his rhythm was there and the ball was coming out fast without him trying hard.

"That's always a good indication. It is always about three or four runs in that he bowls at his best and he is only two runs in at the moment."

Sri Lanka women upbeat despite concerns

June 3, 2009

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	Sri Lanka women have plenty of concerns going into the World Twenty20 © TigerCricket.com

Sri Lanka women enter the ICC Women's World Twenty20 as underdogs, and have more concerns than they did when they participated in the Women's World Cup in Australia, where they failed to get past the first stage. They take on Pakistan women in their first game in Taunton on June 12 - a contest that can be termed a grudge battle.

Sri Lanka's 57-run defeat to Pakistan in the World Cup in Canberra cost them a place in the Super Six. For a large part, Sri Lanka had only themselves to blame for that stunning loss because they allowed Pakistan off the hook with some indisciplined bowling, conceding 18 wides. They faltered in their batting too, with three batsmen succumbing to run-outs.

"Despite our disappointing performances in the Women's World Cup, the morale of the girls is very high. They are very keen to make amends when they meet Pakistan again in the Twenty20 version. You need to depend on luck also to win this type of game," coach Chitral Mendis said during the team's final practice session at the NCC grounds.

The team leaves for London Thursday to take part in the ICC Women's World Twenty20 at Taunton from June 11-21 where they are grouped with the same teams as in the World Cup in Australia- Pakistan, England and India.

"I am sure these girls will put up a better performance than they did in the World Cup. Our bowling and fielding is brilliant, it is the batting which is a concern," Mendis said.

	Shashikala Siriwardene was the captain of the Sri Lanka women's team for the World Cup earlier in the year, but was subsequently dropped for disciplinary reasons© Getty Images

Sri Lanka will be greatly handicapped in this department with the absence of three of their experienced players - former captain Sashikala Siriwardene, opening batsman Dedunu Silva and all-rounder Suwini de Alwis who have been left out on disciplinary grounds. These players topped Sri Lanka's batting averages in the recently concluded World Cup.

"We will definitely miss them, they have been our top performers in the past three series including the World Cup. Without their experience our batting is bound to struggle but we will have to play with what we have. Others will have to take on the responsibility to put the runs on the board. I am banking a lot on opening bat Chamari Polgampola who is also the captain, vice captain Eshani Kaushalya and newcomer Chamari Atapattu. I am sure they will make up for the loss," he said.

The three new replacements are Atapattu who was a member of the Asia Cup squad but didn't get an opportunity to play, Chamika Bandara who played one match against West Indies and Sandamali Dolawatte, a former captain. The squad has trained hard for the past one month, trying to iron out the faults that have cost them matches they ought to have won.

Mendis said one of the main reasons for so many run outs in the World Cup (ten run-outs in four matches) was due to lack of practice facilities on centre wickets and erratic calling.

"There is no communication between them when running between the wickets," he said. Lack of experience is one reason because they have played very few international games. They try to take a run off every ball which you can't do against good sides. We have rectified this shortcoming to a great degree."

Mendis pointed out Sri Lanka's disadvantage relative to countries like England and India, as the two have far more exposure to domestic cricket at the professional level. Particularly in England, where players tend to take up the sport at the age of 13.

"So they are far ahead of us," Mendis said. "Our girls start their careers from club level at the age of about 19-20 years which is a distinct disadvantage. Even our club standard is very low compared to other countries. We need to organise more tournaments for our girls to raise their standard. We must start playing at least softball cricket at school level."

Goodwin quits ICL to commit to Sussex

June 3, 2009

Former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin has cut ties with the ICL in order to commit himself solely for county duty with Sussex. Goodwin, who has plied his trade across the world, with his most success coming at Sussex, felt it was time to commit to official cricket.

"It's been a busy year with the benefit year [2009, with Sussex] going on, but a very enjoyable one," said Goodwin. "It's the right move to resign my ICL contract and I want to give Sussex every opportunity of progressing as far as we can in cricket."

Goodwin played eight matches for the Ahmedabad Rockets in the last season of the unofficial ICL. He top-scored with 270 runs at 45.00 with four half-centuries.

Counties with ICL-contracted players have been banned from playing in the Champions League should they qualify by winning their national competition. If Sussex qualify for the lucrative Twenty20 tournament, set to start in October, Goowin will not be allowed to participate. He will be eligible to play in the competition in 2010.

Goodwin played 19 Tests between 1998 and 2000 and was one of the first in the country to turn his back on international cricket.

India sound ominous warning

June 3, 2009

	Rohit Sharma goes for a hook © Associated Press

The world champions of the Twenty20 format made an emphatic statement against their fellow finalists from 2007, brushing aside Pakistan by nine wickets at The Oval. In an ominous sign for the competition, India were not at their strongest - Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan are still carrying shoulder injuries - yet still produced an imperious performance before a raucous south London crowd.

Rohit Sharma slotted so seamlessly into the opener's role that India might be tempted to continue with him at the top even when Sehwag returns to the side. Rohit had success opening against New Zealand as well, smacking 36 off 20 balls, and on Wednseday he managed one better, staying the distance with a match-winning 53-ball 80.

Rohit has taken to the role of opener with relish, however the captain, MS Dhoni, remained non-committal as to whether he would be retained at the top of the order when Sehwag makes his return.

"Frankly speaking I don't know [whether Sehwag will bat in the middle]," Dhoni said. "I think it's always better to have a problem of plenty than having nobody to fill in the space. It's good to have Rohit Sharma in form. As of now I don't know what will happen when it comes to the batting order."

Rohit was a key member in Deccan Chargers' triumphant IPL campaign, and was one of that tournament's most consistent performers. But unlike in England, where he is being relied upon to lead the Indian innings, Rohit earned the reputation as one of the IPL's better finishers, coming in at No. 5 for Deccan to accelerate scoring rates and polish off a run-chases. His versatility was on show on Wednesday, displaying both poise and power as he pierced gaps in the infield while seldom risking the airborne route.

"We discussed it with him [Rohit] during the practice sessions and he was quite keen," Dhoni said of the decision to elevate Rohit in the batting order. "When you ask a guy, you always watch for his response, how quick it is and whether he has thought twice about it or not. Rohit was very keen on opening and with Viru [Sehwag] injured, he was the best option available. Rohit always has time, even when he plays quickest bowlers he has got the time and talent. Gary also played a part in the decision."

Rohit's innings, and Gambhir's supporting half-century, denied the match of an exciting finish that would have done justice to the feverish atmosphere at The Oval. The ICC wanted everyone to 'Catch the Spirit' and it was impossible not to. Celebrations were adrenalin-filled and every ball - be it dot, six or out - was cheered by an emotionally-charged full house, evenly divided in support between the teams. This was more than a warm-up game.

The players felt the same way, with India shelving all thoughts of experimentation. Dhoni said the bowlers had attempted a back-of-a-length approach in the previous game but merely tried to stick to basics today. "We were not experimenting," Dhoni said. "An India-Pakistan game, even though it's a warm-up, is a tough game to play. We were looking to do the basics, bowl yorkers."

One bowler who wasn't looking to bowl yorkers was Ishant Sharma, and he turned the game India's way. Pakistan had raced to 45 after four overs when Ishant came on and completed a rare double-wicket maiden, which included a run-out, to wrestle back the momentum. Ishant bowled the fifth, 14th and 17th overs and finished with 3 for 11. Dhoni said that he was looking to use Ishant during the middle overs, when he could bowl to his strengths.

"It's about how you want to use him. More often than not he has been used with the new ball while the field restrictions are on and later on in the slog," Dhoni said. "I feel it's important to use him in the middle overs when batsmen are not really looking to go after the bowlers, so he doesn't have to bowl those yorkers. He can then bowl to his strengths; he's the kind of bowler who likes to hit the deck hard."

Twenty20 victory margins are rarely more emphatic than nine wickets and 18 balls to spare and Dhoni said that it would be "tough to replicate the performance". Perhaps it was fitting, though, for he felt that today's crowd at The Oval would also be the best the tournament gets.

Wright justifies himself but questions remain

June 3, 2009

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	'The guys back me, and want me to express myself and believe in myself, and that's what I tried to do'© Getty Images
Related Links Player/Officials: Ravi Bopara | Denesh Ramdin | Luke Wright Matches: England v West Indies at Lord's Series/Tournaments: ICC World Twenty20 Teams: England | West Indies

Compared with their soporific efforts against Scotland on Tuesday, this was an England invigorated under the floodlights at Lord's. In the field they were sharp, none more so than the galloping Ryan Sidebottom, who claimed a brilliant running catch at third man to remove Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 0, while the batting of Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara made a teasing target of 145 look puny.

By the time the Lord's lights had kicked in, England were kicking on, with Wright at last justifying the faith invested in his power-hitting, and Bopara showing once again what a little chutzpah can do at the top of an innings. And yet, just how ready can England really feel for their World Twenty20 campaign, after a puzzling piece of scheduling that landed them their 17th encounter with West Indies in the space of four months?

Familiarity breeds contempt, as they say, which perhaps explains the refusal of Chris Gayle to waste his time getting involved in this latest encounter. With 88 from 56 balls in his last outing against Ireland, Gayle clearly felt his bat had talked sufficiently to compensate for the looseness of his tongue in the build-up to the Test series.

West Indies' stand-in captain, Denesh Ramdin confirmed that Gayle had not intended to play any part with the bat despite being named in the 13-man squad for this unofficial contest. "He's resting today," said Ramdin. "It was a bit of fun leading the team, with the ball going to all parts of the ground, but hopefully we can get it right with him coming back for the first game. We are a team that can show up on its day, so hopefully we can get it right.

"We're still enjoying playing England," added Ramdin. "We thought 145 was a competitive total, but the openers came out and went hard at us, and they got the stand that they wanted. The run-rate was really high, and we tried to pull it back but they continued to go hard because they didn't lose any wickets in the first six [overs]."

They ought to have lost a wicket to the first ball after the Powerplays, however, when Bopara spanked Dwayne Bravo to Sulieman Benn at short midwicket. The chance, like so many in the past few months, went begging, and England powered onwards with Bopara, once again, to the fore.

"Ravi's great to bat with," said Wright. "He's really come of age of late, the way he's playing. He's taken his form from the Test matches to the one-dayers and now to the Twenty20s. He really takes the pressure off when he plays the way he does."

At first that was just as well for Wright, seeing as he took nine deliveries to get off the mark, three of which - from Fidel Edwards - whistled past his flailing bat without any contact being made. "I found it quite hard to start with, I wasn't seeing it so well, but it was my choice to try and be positive," said Wright. "I think you've sometimes got to pick your bowlers a bit, and target your overs. Fidel was bowling really well, and before Ravi got out we spoke about him being the dangerman. We wanted to see him off and put pressure on the other bowlers, and luckily that came off."

Three spanking sixes from consecutive Kieron Pollard deliveries kicked Wright into top gear, and gave an animated 9000-strong crowd something to cheer about. It was also a timely justification of his selection alongside Bopara, which - assuming there are no surprises for the tournament opener against Netherlands on Friday - will amount to England's 12th opening combination in 16 Twenty20 internationals.

"The guys back me, and want me to express myself and believe in myself, and that's what I tried to do," said Wright. "I went away on the Lions tour to New Zealand and got a few hundreds, and I've always done well in Twenty20s domestically. I've worked hard and it's got me back into the squad straight away, which I'm delighted with. I've now got to try and get consistent and push on from this."

England themselves have got some consistency now - six consecutive victories across three forms of the game, friendly or otherwise, since the start of the international summer. A seventh surely awaits on Friday, regardless of the potency of Dirk Nannes and Ryan ten Doeschate. But after that, are they really prepared to take sides with greater know-how and that extra notch of incentive that proper competitive cricket brings?

In sitting out this fixture, Gayle ensured that West Indies have not shown their true colours to England since they departed the Caribbean in April. As an incentivised Scotland suggested at Trent Bridge, it could be a shock to the system when they eventually take the field with a team with a will to win.

More than just a warm-up

	Just a friendly? There was a thrilling atmosphere at The Oval as India's clash against Pakistan proved to more than just a warm-up © Getty Images
Related Links Matches: India v Pakistan at The Oval Series/Tournaments: ICC World Twenty20 Teams: India | Pakistan

Charity matches are normally about being nice, but if that theory was ever to be tested, it was when India clashed with Pakistan on Wednesday.

History and emotions run deep in contests between the two nations; sentiments that intensified further after India's last-over victory over Pakistan in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 two years ago. Indeed, the tournament director, Steve Elworthy, placed the "warm-up" match into perspective when he told Cricinfo prior to play: "This is the biggest game in the tournament." There is nothing quaint about matches between the Asian neighbours.

Pakistan coach Inthikab Alam suggested as much during the week when, with an inscrutable smile, he responded to a question about whether both teams would treat the contest more seriously than a centre-wicket practice. "Even if it is a practice game both sides will take it seriously," he said, "That has always been the case." Nothing betrayed that sentiment on Wednesday.

With tensions between India and Pakistan still inflamed in the wake of the 26/11 terrorist strikes in Mumbai last year, it seems unlikely the two teams will meet in the near future outside of ICC events. Given the prevailing political climate, this warm-up game was immensely significant.

The crowds came in big numbers, the players displayed their usual aggro, the Oval swayed back and forth as the Indian and Pakistan fans drummed up support for their respective teams. The most important element in any Indo-Pak tussle is the crowd: take them out and the oval becomes an arid zone. And when the fans started to pour into the Kennington complex four hours before the schedule start, another intense affair seemed assured. Not even the unseasonably cold weather could deter them.

MS Dhoni and co. had been asked throughout IPL2 - relocated to South Africa at the eleventh hour - if they had been missing the throbbing crowds which filled stadia across India during the first edition of the tournament. The answer, emphatically, was yes. But for three hours on Wednesday, Kennington's oval resembled Kolkata's gardens, and the match was played with all the passion and fervour of a true local contest. A homecoming of sorts.

Anticipating the enormity of the event, tournament organisers left little to chance. "The people in charge of security had already briefed us that they had beefed up the security ahead of such a big game," Elworthy said. Still, with relations between the cricketing nations deteriorating of late, emotions were always likely to fray, and scuffles and evictions were witnessed in at least three sections of the ground. These, however, did not spoil the over all atmosphere, which some supporters described as being "like a jalsa" (festive).

From the moment Praveen Kumar unleashed his first delivery of the match, The Oval reverberated with the chants of "Indiaaaaa, Indiaaaa". And when the athletic and proactive Suresh Raina ran out the dangerous Kamran Akmal, the decibel levels increased ten-fold, particularly after Raina's extravagant celebration, in which he galloped towards the dugout as if he had won an Olympic medal.

Critics have suggested India and Pakistan matches are scheduled too frequently, and thus have become devalued in the public eye. Not on the evidence of Wednesday. "It always has such an intensity," Dhoni said of his side's rivalry with Pakistan. "This was expected, a big crowd. This will be the best crowd you will get a tournament. We played New Zealand in front of hardly any crowds. It helps us to give your best."

Amidst the party-like atmosphere - the air was full of bubbling excitement - the fans did not neglect to show their appreciation for good cricket: the Indians fans acknowledged the brilliant efforts of Ahmed Shehzad who ran backwards to hold on to a brilliant catch and cut short Rohit Sharma's stunning innings on 80.

"Shrunk format has expanded cricket's boundaries," read a placard, held by an Indian fan in the Jack Hobbs stand. On the evidence of Wednesday, it also crossed borders.

Hope for ICL players

Guwahati, June 3: With the BCCI granting general amnesty to players who have applied to return to its fold from the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL), the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has prepared the pitch to receive back its five players. But “certain hurdles await for the players ” before they make it to the state team trials. Reacting to the BCCI amnesty, ACA secretary Bikash Baruah, when contacted on his way to Calcutta to select the East Zone under-19 team, said it was a noble gesture by the board and “we will definitely accept the players”. But, at the same time, unlike players from other states, some of our players have offended the ACA and the rules of the association will apply as in the case of any other player. The five players from the state had convened a press conference after joining the ICL in 2007 and a couple of them levelled some baseless allegations against the ACA, which offended the governing body. “The governing body had then placed the matter with the disciplinary committee for necessary action. However, the disciplinary proceedings had to be shelved as they were no more our registered players. Since they are coming back now, the disciplinary committee will decide on their fate and place its recommendation before the next governing body meeting for consideration,” Baruah said, adding that the date for the meeting was yet to be fixed. Sources in the ACA, however, said most of the members have suggested that the apex body show leniency towards the players in view of betterment of cricket in the state. The five players are former Ranji skipper Syed Zakaria Zuffri, Abu Naschim Ahmed, Parvez Aziz, Sujoy Tarafdar and Pritam Das. “After all, they are our own boys who had gone astray and realised it before it was too late. We should forgive them like any parent does an errant child,” observed a key member of the ACA. All the five were part of the state Ranji team in 2006-07, which the ACA rates to be the best ever team the state had ever produced in its 60 years of cricket history. That year, Assam missed an elite group berth by a whisker, going down to Orissa at Barabati following alleged pitch doctoring. On the other hand, senior Ranji player Arlen Konwar has claimed that he was cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) of doubtful bowling action detected in video analysis. He also stated that his teammates, Swarupam Purkayastha and Vikram Chetri, were also cleared. Baruah, however, said he was not in a state to comment on it “because, we are yet to receive any official communication from the NCA”. Baruah and junior national selector Rajesh Borah left for Calcutta today to name the zonal under-19 squad in which some key Assam players are almost certain to be included.

Sir Richard Hadlee inducted into ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

Hadlee: “I have a lot of respect for this award as I understand what the players in this particular group had to go through to be able to become champion players” 

ICC President David Morgan: “Today is a proud day for New Zealand and Nottingham and it is an honour for me to induct Sir Richard into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame”

High-quality audio available for free download and use at the ICC’s website http://icc-cricket.yahoo.com/audio/audio.html 

Legendary all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee was formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the lunch interval of the third and final Test between New Zealand and India at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Friday. 

The 57-year-old from Christchurch, who was appointed as a Member of British Empire (MBE) in 1981 and knighted in 1990, received his commemorative cap from ICC President David Morgan as ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat looked on. 

After the ceremony Hadlee said: “Obviously, I am delighted. I have been fortunate enough during my life in cricket to be acknowledged in so many different ways and they are all very special in their own rights. 

“But when you are one of the 55 in the history of the game that goes back to the 1800s through to the 20th century and when you look at some of the players who have also been inducted, to be part of that particular elite group is something very special indeed. So I am very grateful to be recognised in that way. 

“This honour is right up there with the others. So many fantastic players have been recognised, some that I have played against, others that I watched and read about as a youngster, and many others in the early 1900s that were legendary in their own right and fantastic role models. 

“I have a lot of respect for this award as I understand what all the players in this particular group had to go through to be able to become champion players. 

“It would have been nice if my father (Walter Hadlee) was around. He would have been as proud as me to get this recognition. He had advised that I always play hard and play competitively to win. But he wanted the values of fair play and sportsmanship to be upheld always.” 

ICC President David Morgan said: “Sir Richard is without question one of world cricket’s greatest all-rounders with 431 Test wickets and 3,124 runs. These numbers tell a story. 

“Sir Richard was the first bowler to take 400 Test wickets and I had the additional pleasure of seeing him perform in partnership with Clive Rice at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge. 

“Today is a proud day for New Zealand and Nottingham and it is an honour for me to induct Sir Richard into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.” 

Hadlee, one of five sons of former New Zealand captain Walter, is the only New Zealander in the initial intake of 55 players in the Hall of Fame*, a joint venture between the ICC and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA). 

Hadlee is regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the new ball. He was one of the four greatest all-rounders during the 1980s along with Imran Khan of Pakistan, England’s Sir Ian Botham and Kapil Dev of India. 

Hadlee played 86 Tests from 1973 to 1990 in which he took 431 wickets (at the time a world record), including the wicket of Devon Malcolm off his last ball in Test cricket, and also scored 3,124 runs. In 115 ODIs, he claimed 158 wickets and contributed 1,751 runs. 

Hadlee’s first destructive bowling performance came in his ninth Test, three years after his debut, when he took 11-58 against India at Christchurch and bowled New Zealand to an innings and 33 runs victory. 

However, his effort of 10-100 in his 18th Test, including 6-26 in the second innings, is one of his most memorable performances, earning New Zealand its first-ever victory against England by 72 runs in Wellington. That 1977-78 series ended in a one-all draw after England won the second Test in Christchurch by 174 runs. 

Seven years after making his debut and in his 27th Test, Hadlee took 5-34 and 6-68, and also scored 51 in the first innings as New Zealand held its nerve to beat a star-studded West Indies by one-wicket in the first Test in Dunedin. His victims in the Test included Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd and Lawrence Rowe (twice), Michael Holding, Alvin Kallicharran, Deryck Murray, Derick Parry and Joel Garner. 

In the second Test of that series in Christchurch, he recorded the first of his two centuries, scoring 103 off 92 balls as the match ended in a draw. In the drawn third and last Test, he took 5-137 as New Zealand won its first-ever series against the West Indies. 

In one of the most memorable performances in the Trans-Tasman rivalry, in 1985-86, Hadlee took 15-123, including a career-best 9-52, in the Brisbane Test which New Zealand won by an innings and 41 runs. 

Hadlee played first-class cricket for Canterbury, Nottinghamshire and Tasmania, capturing 1,490 wickets in 342 matches at an average of 18.11, including five wickets in an innings 102 times and 10 wickets in a match 18 times. He also scored 12,052 runs at an average of 31.71, including 14 centuries and 59 half-centuries. 

Hadlee was declared New Zealand’s Sportsman of the Year in 1980 and 1986, and New Zealand’s Sportsperson for the last 25 Years in 1987 (shared with runner John Walker) before being adjudged New Zealand’s Sportsperson of the Decade in 1987. He was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1982. 

Other ICC Cricket Hall of Famers to have received their caps so far in 2009 are ex-Australia wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, 11 former West Indies players or their family members or representatives – batting greats Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards, champion all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, the three Ws Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Frank Worrell, opener Gordon Greenidge, fast bowlers Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts, and star off-spinner Lance Gibbs – also ex-South Africa batsmen Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock – and former Pakistan stalwarts Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan. 

Further cap presentations will be made during the course of the year and a limited number of inductees, in addition to the 55 already chosen, will be named during 2009. 

The Catch the Spirit week in Wellington is part of a range of activities across New Zealand to celebrate the spirit of cricket and 100 years of the ICC. 

Catch the Spirit week also celebrates the role of cricket in promoting health and social concerns around the world. The ICC guests will join with New Zealand Cricket at a special function with NZC’s charity of choice, St John, in Wellington today. 

Other centenary activities in Wellington include a celebration of women’s cricket, with representative female cricketers of all ages taking part in mini games on the Basin Reserve during the lunch interval on day two of the Test (Saturday 4 April). 

The ICC’s Catch the Spirit flag will also be present at the Wellington Test match as it continues its trip around the world. 

The flag, which has already been to Australia, Bangladesh, Antigua and Barbuda, South Africa and Pakistan is one of the symbols of the centenary and throughout 2009 the ICC will be asking people to sign it as it makes its way throughout the cricket world. 

At the end of the 12-month period it will be a reflection of the year in world cricket. 

The signing process began in Sydney where Australia and South Africa locked horns in the New Year Test match as former players Tony Greig (England), Richie Benaud, Mark Taylor, Ian Chappell, Stephen Waugh, Bill Lawry, Ian Healy and Shane Warne (all Australia) as well as current women’s players Lisa Sthalekar (Australia), Isa Guha and Holly Colvin (England) and several other cricketing figures all supplied their autographs. 

*ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – initial inductees (55): 

Sydney Barnes, Bishan Bedi, Alec Bedser, Richie Benaud, Allan Border, Ian Botham, Geoffrey Boycott, Donald Bradman, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Denis Compton, Colin Cowdrey, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Lance Gibbs, Graham Gooch, David Gower, WG Grace, Tom Graveney, Gordon Greenidge, Richard Hadlee, Walter Hammond, Neil Harvey, George Headley, Jack Hobbs, Michael Holding, Leonard Hutton, Rohan Kanhai, Imran Khan, Alan Knott, Jim Laker, Harold Larwood, Dennis Lillee, Ray Lindwall, Clive Lloyd, Hanif Mohammad, Rodney Marsh, Malcolm Marshall, Peter May, Javed Miandad, Keith Miller, Bill O’Reilly, Graeme Pollock, Wilfred Rhodes, Barry Richards, Vivian Richards, Andy Roberts, Garfield Sobers, Brian Statham, Fred Trueman, Derek Underwood, Clyde Walcott, Everton Weekes, Frank Woolley, Frank Worrell. 

About the ICC centenary year 

ICC President David Morgan and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat officially launched the ICC centenary year in Sydney, Australia on 2 January by announcing the formation of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, in association with FICA. 

The ICC’s centenary year of 2009 will be a global celebration with events taking place around the world to reflect all that is great about the game. 

On the field these events include the ICC Women’s World Cup (won by England), the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the ICC World Twenty20 event for men and women and the ICC Champions Trophy. 

And off the field there will be the opening of the ICC Global Cricket Academy and the inauguration of the ICC’s new headquarters, both of which are in Dubai, and an ICC cricket history conference at St Antony’s College, Oxford in the United Kingdom in July. 

The ICC will also be celebrating the contribution of volunteers across the world through the award of 1,000 centenary medals and will announce new developments to its social responsibility partnership on HIV/AIDS. 

During the course of 2009, each of the ICC’s 104 Members will be hosting activities inspired by the special spirit of cricket as part of the global Catch the Spirit centenary celebration. 

To promote this theme and the launch of the ICC’s centenary year website, www.catchthespirit.com, stars of the international game have named their “Catch the Spirit” moments which best encapsulate the spirit of cricket. 

Among those stars that can be seen on the website, Yuvraj Singh of India speaks of his experiences in Pakistan – India matches and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis reflects on his side’s famous chase of 438 to beat Australia in an ODI in Johannesburg.

Young Afghanistan proves the future is bright

As Hong Kong wins Asia qualifier, Afghan under-19s show senior success was no fluke

After the heroics of the senior team in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League (WCL) and ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, the Afghanistan under-19s has just shown that the future of the sport in that country is in good hands by getting to the final of the ACC U19 Elite Cup 2009 in Kuwait.

Although Shir Shairzai and his team yesterday suffered defeat at the final hurdle to a strong Hong Kong side, there were enough positives to indicate that the performances of the senior team were not freak occurrences and we should expect similar success in the future.

“It was a good tournament and very impressive to see such young talent on display from all 10 teams taking part,” said ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat, who attended the final few days of the event.

“We have all been impressed by the Afghanistan team, which progressed from Division 5 of the WCL to coming fifth at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in less than a year. It is particularly heartening to see the next generation of Afghan cricketers performing so well. By beating defending champion Nepal in the semi-final, I think the players have really come of age and we can expect big things from them in the future,” he said.

Mr Lorgat said he was impressed with the tournament, which is the Asia regional qualifying event for the 10-team ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier that takes place later this year. Both the winner Hong Kong and Afghanistan progress to that event.

In the final, before an enthusiastic crowd of around 3,000 people, Afghanistan batted first and made a competitive 215-9 off 50 overs with Asgher Hotak (70) and Murad Ali (68) doing most of the damage. In reply, a fine 94 from man of the match James Atkinson ensured Hong Kong claimed the title with three overs and eight wickets to spare.

“There was a great atmosphere for the final with so many Afghans in the crowd to support their team. Events like this don’t happen without considerable planning and hard work from so many volunteers. It shows to me the marvelous spirit of cricket when people give up their free time and devote it to the game in this way.

“I would like to congratulate Hong Kong on this victory and I wish them and Afghanistan the best of luck in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier later this year. If the under-19s from Afghanistan show the same willingness to learn as their senior counterparts, they will be a very useful side by then,” said Mr Lorgat.

Although it did not win one of the four places at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, by coming fifth in the qualifier, Afghanistan’s senior team gained One-Day International status for the next four years and also booked a place in the ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2009 and the first-class, four-day ICC Intercontinental Cup 2009-10.

That success also brings with it the opportunity to access considerable ICC funding which – in line with the ICC’s new funding policy for all Associate and Affiliate Members – will likely be targeted in areas such as improving the administrative, playing and capital infrastructure of the game so that cricket can build on this success and continue to grow and flourish in Afghanistan.

The event in Kuwait was part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, giving Associate and Affiliate teams from Asia the chance to “Catch the Spirit” just as it is being done in each of the ICC’s 104 Members around the globe. The Catch the Spirit flag has been flying across the region to promote the ICC’s centenary, the great spirit of cricket and the wide appeal and diversity of the game.

Meanwhile, other hopeful under-19 teams are all vying for places in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Qualifier with regional events taking place across five continents. The Africa qualifier is currently underway in Zambia while the European, Americas and East Asia-Pacific (EAP) events will take place shortly.

The EAP version is scheduled for Papua New Guinea from 30 May to 8 June, the Americas tournament will run from 12 to 18 July in Toronto while the European event will take place in Jersey from 14 to 20 July.

The global qualifier will take place later this year at a venue yet to be determined. The top five teams from that will join the 10 Full Members plus host Kenya in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup 2010.

Bedser and Kanhai become the latest legends to enter cricket's hall of fame

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Bedser describes it as a “great honour” while Kanhai says it is “the icing on the cake” of his career

Two of the greats of the game, Rohan Kanhai and Alec Bedser, were formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the tea interval on day two of the first Test between England and the West Indies at Lord’s, London on Thursday.

The Hall of Fame, run in association with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), recognises some of the truly great players from cricket’s long and illustrious history.

Kanhai’s 17-year Test career for the West Indies spanned from 1957 to 1974 and in that time he scored 6,227 runs in 79 matches at an average of 47.53. He scored 28 fifties and 15 centuries, including a magnificent 256 against India at Calcutta in 1958.

The Guyanan, who was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1964, also had a highly successful county career in England for Warwickshire, where he scored 1,000 runs or more in a season no fewer than 10 times, including 1,894 runs at an average of 57.39 in 1970.

Today, Kanhai returns to Lord’s, a venue that has been a happy hunting ground for him. In 1975 he played a pivotal role in ensuring the West Indies won the very first Cricket World Cup when it beat Australia at the Lord’s final by 17 runs. On that day, Kanhai hit 55 out of a crucial 149-run partnership with Clive Lloyd after the West Indies had stumbled to 50-3.

At 90 years of age, Bedser is the oldest surviving member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame having played his first first-class match in 1939. He is a true Surrey and England legend having played for his beloved county right up to 1960 after some 485 matches.

His tally of 51 Test matches for England would surely have been more but for the outbreak of World War II but once peace was restored in 1945, Bedser made up for lost time and quickly became a pillar of England’s bowling attack.

Bedser made his Test debut at Lord’s in 1946 and immediately made a big impression taking 11-145 in the match against India, the first of five times he would take 10 wickets or more in a Test.

In all, he took 236 Test wickets at an average of 24.89 with his right-arm medium-fast bowling. Developing a classical and economical action off a relatively short run, Bedser’s accuracy and nagging length was too good for many of the best batsmen who were unable to keep out his in-swingers and leg-cutters.

After retirement, Bedser went on to become a distinguished and respected administrator for both Surrey and England. In 1996 he was knighted for his services to cricket.

Kanhai and Bedser were presented with their ICC Hall of Fame caps by ICC President David Morgan in the presence of the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke, West Indies Cricket Board chairman Dr Julian Hunte and the secretary and chief executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club, Keith Bradshaw.

A delighted Bedser said: “It is a great honour to be included in such a presentation from the ICC, particularly as it’s a worldwide accolade. It is also very pleasing to be, alongside Rohan, one of the first 55 cricketers inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Kanhai added: “I am honoured to be part of the Cricket Hall of Fame and especially so in this centenary year of the ICC.

“To be honoured at Lord’s, of all places, and at the same time as Sir Alec, one of the legends of the game, makes this a very special occasion for me. 

“Throughout my cricket career, I played against some great teams and great players and have some treasured memories. Being a part of this elite group is very rewarding and the icing on the cake.”

ICC President David Morgan said: “In a team full of wonderful players, Kanhai was right up there with the best of the great West Indies cricketers. He was a genuine stylist and he thrilled crowds all over the world, not least here in England, both when he toured with the West Indies and when he played for Warwickshire.

“My abiding memory of Rohan is his partnership with Clive during that 1975 World Cup final, which sent West Indians into ecstasy, whether they were here supporting their team at Lord’s or tuning in from back home in the Caribbean.

“Sir Alec is one of England’s greatest cricketers of any era. Apart from his 238 wickets in just 51 matches he also took 100 wickets in a season 11 times, which is an amazing achievement and a mark of how prolific he was.

“Regardless of his exploits on the field, I believe he could well have qualified for a major award on the basis of his post-playing career alone. He served as a selector for England for a record 23 years and for more than a decade of that he was chairman.

“I valued his friendship and counsel enormously during my time as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board and now as president of the ICC. It is wonderfully encouraging to hear a man of his experience and knowledge speak so positively about the modern game.

“I want to congratulate Sir Alec and Rohan for this great achievement and thank them for all the pleasure they have given generations of cricket fans down through the years,” said Mr Morgan.

Other ICC Cricket Hall of Famers to have received their caps so far in 2009 are legendary New Zealand all-rounder Richard Hadlee ex-Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh, 11 former West Indies players or their family members or representatives – batting greats Clive Lloyd and Vivian Richards, champion all-rounder Garfield Sobers, the three Ws Everton Weekes, Clyde Walcott and Frank Worrell, opener Gordon Greenidge, fast bowlers Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts, and star off-spinner Lance Gibbs – also ex-South Africa batsmen Barry Richards and Graeme Pollock – and former Pakistan stalwarts Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad and Imran Khan.

Further cap presentations will be made during the course of the year and a limited number of inductees, in addition to the 55 already chosen, will be named during 2009.

ICC designates India v Pakistan warm-up game as 'Catch the Spirit' match

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Proceeds to go to education fund to support families of the victims of Lahore terror attack and Peace and Sport community projects across the Asian subcontinent

Cricket stakeholders will be encouraged to support the cause

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that the ICC World Twenty20 2009 warm-up encounter between India and Pakistan at The Oval on 3 June had been designated as a ‘Catch the Spirit’ match.

Funds raised through a variety of means during the game will go to support the families of the victims of the attack on the Sri Lanka team and match officials in Lahore in March, as well as Peace and Sport* projects across the Asian subcontinent.

Commenting on the initiative, ICC President David Morgan said: “The decision to designate the India – Pakistan encounter as a ‘Catch the Spirit’ match follows a recommendation by the ICC Board at its most recent meeting, in Dubai in April.

“The Board wanted to do something to assist the families of the victims of the terror attacks on the Sri Lanka team and match officials in March, and using this high-profile match with a sell-out crowd as a vehicle to do that makes excellent sense.

“‘Catch the Spirit’ is one of the themes of the ICC’s ongoing centenary year of 2009 and it highlights the respect with which the game is played around the world.

“We are extremely grateful to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the hosts, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Surrey County Cricket Club, for allowing the match to take place under this banner.

“And we are also grateful to ESPN STAR Sports, the ICC’s global broadcast partner, which is covering the match, for providing an excellent vehicle for the fund-raising efforts.

“We hope this match, watched by millions both at the ground and around the world will portray cricket in a positive light, make a positive contribution to the lives of those affected by those terrible events in March and contribute to assisting community-based projects across the Asian subcontinent that promote peace through cricket.”

Fund-raising methods on the day will include requests for contributions from spectators inside the ground, donations from appeals via broadcast and internet coverage of the match and contributions from cricket stakeholders and other parties.

Details of how people can contribute will be announced in due course.

The match is scheduled to start at 1730 British Summer Time (GMT + one hour).

Commenting on the initiative, BCCI President and ICC director Shashank Manohar said: “Cricket has a special power to bring people together. It is in keeping with the spirit of cricket that the BCCI will be supporting this cause.”

PCB Chairman and ICC director Ijaz Butt said: “The attack in Lahore was a terrible shock and we have immense sympathy for all those who were affected by the incident.

“The PCB provided support to the families of the victims immediately after the attack and it is encouraging to see the rest of the cricket world coming together in this way.”

Giles Clarke, Chairman of the ECB and an ICC director, said: “The ECB is delighted to be hosting the ‘Catch the Spirit’ match at The Oval. It is an excellent example of our great sport showing a great spirit, pulling together in a thoroughly worthy cause, and if cricket can be a vehicle for good then that has to be the right thing to do.

“I hope spectators at the ground and those following the game all around the world get behind this initiative and make it the success it deserves to be.”

Joël Bouzou, the President and founder of Peace and Sport, said: “Peace and Sport fully supports the ICC’s initiative.

“Cricket has a natural disposition to serve peace as it’s a very popular sport with great capacity to unite people: plus it has huge educational benefit.

“Peace and Sport is delighted to be able to act as the operational relay for funds generated by the ICC in order to create sustainable projects for peace through sport in this region which has greatly suffered.

“This partnership is totally in keeping with our organisation’s initiative, which has the objective of uniting decision-makers from sport and politics so that they pool their resources and expertise within structured projects.”

In celebration of the spirit and diversity of cricket, ‘Catch the Spirit’ activities are being hosted across the world in 2009, the ICC’s centenary year, bringing together cricketers across continents, countries and communities.

The India – Pakistan match is one of 12 warm-up matches that are taking place on 1, 2 and 3 June at Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge ahead of the men’s tournament, which starts on 5 June at Lord’s when the host England takes on the Netherlands.

ESPN STAR Sports will be covering live 10 of those warm-up matches as well as all 27 matches in the men’s tournament and the two semi-finals and final in the women’s tournament, which take place ahead of the men’s matches on the same day and at the same venues.

Matches in the group stage of the women’s tournament will take place at Taunton between 11 and 16 June.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the ICC World Twenty20 2009. Further details can be found at: 

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 involves 12 of the top men’s teams and the top eight women’s line-ups playing at four venues in the pinnacle of international cricketing action.

The defending men’s champion is India, which beat Pakistan in the final of the inaugural event, in South Africa in 2007. This is the first staging of the women’s tournament.