The deal to sign over live cricket coverage to BSkyB might be done and dusted, but to the increasing frustration of the ECB, the debate just won’t go away.After a couple of swipes from Channel 4 executives, now it is Lord MacLaurin, the former chairman of the ECB, who has stoked the controversy by telling the Daily Telegraph that the negotiations should be reopened.It was in 1998 as chairman that MacLaurin made a deal with the government which resulted in home Test cricket being removed from the list of sports which had to be available on free-to-air channels. MacLaurin says that agreement was reached on the understanding that major series – of which the Ashes tops the list – would remain on free-to-air terrestrial channels.”Those negotiations went on for a very, very long time,” MacLaurin told the Telegraph. “Chris [Smith, the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport] came to the Lord’s Test in 1998 against South Africa and he said, ‘OK, provided you keep the majority of Test matches on free-to-air television I will allow you to move from the A to B list’. He was very concerned about the Test matches.”Smith told parliament that he expected the freedom resulting from his decision to be used sensibly. “If these expectations are not fulfilled,” he added, “then I may of course need to review the listed criteria again.”MacLaurin said that his understanding was that BSkyB would have the right to take minor series, ODIs and all domestic cricket. “I feel quite strongly about this,” he explained. “I think the new deal is wrong for cricket. There are millions of people who share my view.”He went on to say that he believed the government should intervene, and added that David Morgan, his successor at the ECB, was aware of the detail of the agreement he made with Smith.Morgan has a different recollection, and insisted that the terms of the deal were not as limited as MacLaurin maintained. “This deal is very good for cricket. The next best deal would have been a disaster. It would have been £24 million a year less and it would have meant massive cuts.”The chances of the government getting involved are non existent and the deal will stand. MacLaurin’s comments, however, will cause more anxiety inside the ECB as it continues to attract considerable flack for its decision.
Tillakaratne Dilshan’s patient 66 helped the Sri Lankans overhaul a modest fourth-innings target of 187 and record a confidence-boosting win in their tour game against the Northern Territory Chief Minister’s XI at Darwin. Russel Arnold, with 34, and Thilan Samaraweera, with 32, also contributed to the chase.Dilshan came in at the fall of Mahela Jayawardene’s wicket, at 59 for 2, and things got a bit wobbly when Thilan Samaraweera was run out after colliding with Dilshan halfway down the pitch (80 for 3). But Dilshan and Russel Arnold ensured against any collapse as Arnold’s quick scoring, including six boundaries, was an ideal foil for Dilshan’s solidity, and the 79 that they added set up the win.For the Northern Territory, Ian Redpath, the medium pacer, was the most successful bowler, and finished with 2 for 22. Glenn McGrath, who recently recovered from an injury, was extremely satisfied with his performance (1 for 25 off 14 overs) and claimed that he was “ready to go” for the Test series.With the first Test beginning in Darwin on July 1, the Sri Lankans will take many positives out of this game. Kumar Sangakkara’s double-hundred was a perfect start for his tour and Lasith Malinga, the medium pacer, and Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, had impressive outings with the ball.
Feiko Kloppenburg became the 6th player to score a century and take 4 wickets in the same Limited Overs International when he scored 121 and took 4-42 for Netherlands against Namibia in Bloemfontein.Century and 4 wickets in an innings in a Limited Overs International
Name For Against Venue Season Runs BowlingIVA Richards West Indies New Zealand Dunedin 1986/87 119 5-41NJ Astle New Zealand Pakistan Mohali 1996/97 117 4-43SR Tendulkar India Australia Dhaka 1998/99 141 4-38SC Ganguly India Sri Lanka Nagpur 1998/99 130* 4-21ST Jayasuriya Sri Lanka Australia Sydney 2002/03 122 4-39JF Kloppenburg Netherlands Namibia Bloemfontein 2002/03 121 4-42
Viv Richards is the only player to score a century and take 5 wickets in an innings in the same match.
Sir Paul, what took you so long?Today’s news that Indian bookmaker Mukesh Gupta has been asked to front up by July 1, and give evidence to back up his earlier claims of having paid players from around the world for information, is welcome.Apparently, the head of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Sir Paul Condon, has already met twice with Gupta and discussed his claims.He is now asking Gupta to front by July 1 and provide formal evidence and be available to present that both inside and outside India.Now we are getting to the nub of the matter.But, in a society where people accused are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, the time between Gupta’s unsubstantiated claims to the Indian police and this demand has been too long.The implications have been serious for players named: Martin Crowe, Brian Lara, Alec Stewart, Mark Waugh and Dean Jones, to name a few.The players named have been tarnished, possibly forever, by the suspicion that now hangs over them and so many of the games that have produced results regarded as being even a little out of the ordinary.A cynical view would be that the just-completed meeting of the ICC demanded that Condon play the Gupta card once and for all and rid the game of the stench emanating from what has become a gangrenous limb.If the ICC didn’t make the demand, it certainly should have.From the time Gupta’s remarks were made, there should have been a much more rapid response to his claims.The wheels of justice may grind slowly, but there has been no excuse for the amount of time taken here.It may be that Gupta fronts and provides evidence that backs each and every one of his claims. So be it.At least the facts will be clear and action towards much more complicated legal hearings can begin.But the way things have gone so far, the only thing lacking in the proceedings has been an available Australian marsupial to preside over a court that forever bears its name.If Gupta doesn’t front, then some serious questions will have to be asked of the terms of reference of the entire process by which this investigation has been done. And that Gupta’s claims were allowed to be given such weight.No evidence was provided in the Indian Police report to substantiate his claims regarding the players named.It is interesting that Condon has been reported as saying that while he is concerned that some problems are still occurring in games there will be no names of players announced who are suspected of being implicated.That has been consistent with the view of this columnist since the former Pakistan coach Javed Miandad made utterances about the New Zealand tour earlier this year. Utterances which have since been claimed to have been the subject of mis-reporting.Accusers should provide evidence to match their claims or run the risk of being suspended themselves for bringing the game into disrepute.”There will be no naming and shaming. No one can play fast and loose with the laws of defamation,” Condon said in The Times today.Where does that leave the players who have already been named?What protection have they been given from the laws of defamation?And if Gupta doesn’t produce the goods on July 1, where does that leave all the investigations being carried out by most of the national associations of the players named by Gupta?What of the cost of those investigations, presumably being borne by those countries who would probably be far happier spending the money involved in coaching, marketing or development?The blood-letting to cricket has been too expensive so far, both in monetary terms and in image.July 1 now has to be a significant date in the history of the whole sad saga.If Gupta says ‘yes’ then the cricket world will wait with bated breath to hear the evidence to back the claims he has made against players.If Gupta doesn’t then the egg on the faces of some recipients at the prosecution level of this exercise is going to make omelette making, at a personal level, easy for a considerable period of time.
Crystal Palace are tracking FC Koln defender Timo Hubers ahead of a possible summer move, according to The Daily Mail.
The Lowdown: Hubers profiled
Hubers stands at 6 foot 2 and made the move to FC Koln last summer on a free transfer from Hannover 96. The 25-year-old has established himself as a regular in recent months, starting 12 of the last 13 Bundesliga games.
He currently holds a career-high £2.7m Transfermarkt valuation and will be entering the final 12 months of his contract in the summer, with Palace possibly looking at a summer swoop.
The Latest: Palace interest in Hubers
The Daily Mail shared a story on Monday afternoon, name-checking Palace, Leeds, Fulham, Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham with an interest in Hubers.
A £6m fee was mentioned in the report, with a host of Premier League clubs tracking the player.
The Verdict: Possible Guehi replacement?
Palace could well be short of centre-back options ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. Patrick Vieira currently has five at his disposal, although both James Tomkins and Jaroslaw Jach are out of contract at the end of June.
Reports have also recently revealed that Chelsea could re-sign Marc Guehi after a hidden clause emerged in the move which brought the 21-year-old to Selhurst Park over the summer.
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Hopefully Guehi will still be a Palace player in Vieira’s second season, but amid that worrying revelation about his transfer status, it seems as if Hubers could be a name to look out for over the coming months.
In other news: ‘Will get worse…’ – Matt Woosnam fumes as ‘appalling’ Crystal Palace news is now confirmed
ScorecardFile photo – CM Gautam’s fighting fifty was not enough as Karnataka’s 34-match unbeaten streak came to an end•PTI
Pacer Nikit Dhumal picked up five wickets in the second innings, to add to three in the first, to halt Karnataka’s 37-match unbeaten streak in first-class cricket and knock them out of the Ranji Trophy. Anupam Sanklecha, who took four wickets, including the last two, ably complemented Dhumal, as Karnataka were dismissed for 239, chasing 293 in Pune.Robin Uthappa began positively on the last day, hitting his 46th first-class fifty. However, he could not convert it into a big score and was pinned lbw by Sanklecha. The majority of the middle order fumbled, leaving much to do for CM Gautam and the lower order. He rallied with Vinay Kumar and S Aravind but eventually ran out of partners. Gautam remained unbeaten on 65 off 104 balls, including seven fours, as Karnataka came up short by 53 runs. Mahasrashtra, who were already out of contention for the quarter-finals, finished the season with a consolation win. ScorecardAfter having struck 110 with the bat, Ravi Jangid bowled Vidarbha to the knockouts with career-best figures of 7-59, which took his wickets tally in the match to 11. Jangid had toiled away for 41 overs and was assisted by spinner Akshay Wakhare who bowled 31.1 overs for two wickets. Yuzvendra Chahal, coming in at No.10 delayed the final rites with 0 off 77 balls.Haryana, though, had begun well before falling away. Having been asked to follow on, Haryana had a solid platform thanks to Nitin Saini (42) and Mohit Hooda (38). Rohit Sharma scored his maiden first-class century even as he lacked substantial support from the middle and lower order. He was the ninth batsman, dismissed by Jangid, for 107 off 241 balls, as Haryana were bowled out for 232, nine less than their first-innings effort. ScorecardAssam just about held on for a draw against Bengal in Guwahati, a result which ensured that both teams booked their berth for the Ranji knockouts. Assam, following on, needed at least 301 to make Bengal bat again, but as was the case in their first innings, the majority of their top and middle order failed to make good on their starts. Pallavkumar Das top-scored with 55, but offspinner Aamir Gani’s five-wicket haul meant Assam lost wickets at regular intervals. Luckily for the hosts, though, a wet outfield before the start, and bad light towards the end of the day meant only 48 overs of play were possible, with Assam hanging on at 143 for 8.
Amid all the rain, gloom, wickets and runs that we’ve witnessed at Lord’s over the last four days, there’s been a cracking Test match unfolding out in the middle. The pitch has supported the batsmen and bowlers in equal measure, the moisture in the air has added spice to the contest, rookie bowlers have shone and one of the world’s most exciting batsmen has reeled off what could turn into a matchwinning hundred.At a quarter past noon today, when Ian Bell played on trying to pull, the game hung on a thread. England were 132 for 5, with an effective lead of 229; India’s first-change bowler, RP Singh, was impressing with every over; more than six sessions remained and the match was thrown wide open. Even the sun didn’t want to miss out on the action. We know what happened after that and can predict what might happen tomorrow but, irrespective of the result, one mustn’t forget the rivetting fare that’s been dished out.India arrived at Lord’s with an egg-shaped line-up, and will possibly leave with one resembling an hourglass. They were apprehensive about the openers and uncertain if they possessed the bowling ammunition to take 20 wickets but their biggest worry after this game will be in connection with the middle order, dysfunctional and in need of resuscitation. They could yet leave unscathed, considering how fickle the weather has been of late, but at some point the bowlers need to start raising the volume in the dressing-room. During the early stages of the World Cup, in 2003, Javagal Srinath spoke on behalf of India’s bowlers and made it clear to the batsmen that they needed to pull up their socks. They did. There was a time when former coach John Wright used to pit the batsmen against the bowlers in volleyball tussles and later realised that India did really well during that period. They restarted the practice.
Here England were dismissed for under 300 in both innings, a situation the batsmen would gladly have bargained for before the game began. Two inexperienced bowlers, Sreesanth and RP Singh, have turned up for their first Test in this country and done what was expected of them; in fact one has raised his game for the occasion. RP Singh, 21, has been part of just four Tests before this, despite a Man-of-the-Match debut performance on a concrete Faisalabad pitch last year. Just like in that game, he surprised batsmen with bounce, swing and pace, the type you wouldn’t expect from a man of his build. He has the knack of picking up wickets with innocuous-looking deliveries, as Bell realised, but he can surprise you occasionally, as Paul Collingwood had found out earlier.There was a lesson in his batting as well. Sent in as a nightwatchman in the first innings he stayed out there for a minute under an hour and ended up as the fourth highest scorer in a line-up filled with stars. He’s stuck to the basics, not been overawed by the occasion and, unlike the rest of the team so far, registered his name on the honours board in the Lord’s dressing-room.It’s a feat that Sachin Tendulkar may never manage after choosing not to use his bat to a Monty Panesar arm-ball but it’s something Dinesh Karthik is in a position to achieve, especially after the composure he displayed this evening. On the first morning, he might have been tempted to dig a hole in the point region and bury himself in it all day – after dropping what one newspaper termed the “easiest catch in history” – but there was a discernible assuredness in his game today. To gauge Karthik’s form it’s best to observe his cover-driving: crisp and all along the ground. The lack of swing this evening helped and he could afford to go after the full ones, lacing them through the off side. Edges and airy flashes are part and parcel of a Karthik innings but his urgency between the wickets and confidence to back himself took him through to stumps.The weather might come to India’s rescue, maybe even one of their batsmen might, but another engrossing day’s cricket will be a fitting way to end this Test. India will hope the tickets are sold out; if the sun gets in it may be curtains.
Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff both made unexpected appearances during a testimonial match for Liam Botham at The Rose Bowl. While neither man actually played, both took turns to umpire.Botham senior, who retired in 1993, vowed at the time never to take part in another game. “If I can’t reappear on a cricket field on behalf of my own flesh and blood, when could I ever make a comeback?” he grinned after a ten-over stint dressed in a fetching pink shirt. “But I won’t be doing that again in a hurry. Umpiring is far too much like hard work for grandfathers like me.”Liam Botham played briefly for Hampshire before turning his back on cricket and becoming a successful professional rugby player. But his career was cut short by a serious neck injury.Flintoff had committed to play, but his ankle injury prevented him from doing anything more strenuous than umpiring. He made his mark immediately, calling Andy Caddick for a no-ball.
The Hampshire Legends XI successfully chased a total of 205 set by Liam Botham’s Legends, with Heath Streak hitting a six to win the match in the final over.
Rahul Dravid is enjoying the new season in his new role as captain. Even though India lost the opening game of the tri-series yesterday narrowly to Sri Lanka, Dravid has not been losing sleep.Against Sri Lanka he showed a fluent touch in his 54 even if it was in a losing cause. On Sunday evening he continued in the same vein to finish unbeaten on match-winning 52 that gained him the Man-of-the-Match honours. “Yes, I am enjoying the role and the feeling of comfort comes from the fact that the each one of us is playing his role well.”The tight line and length and the economic spells of his bowlers has not been lost on Dravid. He was happy that the bowlers have come out well at the beginning of the new season. “The fast bowlers have really done well here and struck to the correct line and length.”Both he and the Indian coach Greg Chappell had talked about how they were using this series as a stepping stone to bigger things in the future. And identifying and grooming young talent was high on the priority list. “This tournament gave us the opportunity to test the youngsters. And, so far, I have been impressed. Suresh Raina did well today as did Venu [Venugopal Rao] yesterday.” The Indian captain feels flexibility is the another key factor when it comes to the team selection. “We would like to give more responsibilities to the youngsters by giving them chances frequently. But that may not be possible always.”Even if India have changed its opening combination in the first two matches – in the first game Virender Sehwag opened with Mahendra Singh Dhoni and today it was Mohammad Kaif who raised his hand to open with Sehwag – and with Sourav Ganguly joining the squad on Monday, Dravid feels he is spoilt for choice. “Sourav has seen a lot of success at that position and everyone knows his record, so that is a very big option for us.” He was also unperturbed with Anil Kumble not having played a game as yet. “Harbhajan has been doing well and though it was very difficult to bench someone like Anil, I am sure he is top bowler and would understand.”His West Indian counterpart Shivnarine Chanderpaul thought that it could have been a different game had the fielding been more circumspect. “If we had held our catches it could’ve been a different game.”
West Indies scraped their way to an unconvincing one-wicket win in the opening one-dayer against Bangladesh in St Vincent. After Bangladesh laboured their way to 144 for 8 from 50 overs, thanks mainly to a reviving ninth-wicket stand of 62 between Khaled Mashud and Mohammad Rafique, West Indies made a meal of knocking off the runs, and only just made it.Play was delayed for 15 minutes after some overnight rain, but once the captains tossed, Ramnaresh Sarwan had no hesitation in putting Bangladesh in, and that paved the way for Tino Best to make a spectacular start to his one-day international career. Best took consecutive wickets with the third and fourth balls of the match, but missed out on the hat-trick.The two men to go were Shahriar Hossain, caught by Chris Gayle at first slip, and Habibul Bashar, the captain, who played a horrible swipe across the line to be trapped lbw. Manjural Islam Rana was lbw to Fidel Edwards in the following over, and Bangladesh had staggered to 5 for 3.Rajin Saleh and Mohammad Ashraful then made a recovery of sorts, putting on 40 before Ashraful nicked Edwards to Ridley Jacobs for 17 (43 for 4), then Saleh was caught behind off Ian Bradshaw for 20 (51 for 5). Alok Kapali stuck around for a while until he was caught by Best off Bradshaw (52 for 6), and that temporarily let the floodgates open again.Best returned to bowl, and bounced out Mushfiqur Rahman, who fended a lifter to Sylvester Joseph in the slips (79 for 7). Khaled Mahmud was then beaten by pace, chopping Best onto his stumps for a duck. At that stage, Bangladesh were in all sorts of bother at 82 for 8, but Mashud and Rafique rescued them with a steady partnership to give Bangladesh some respectability, and in the end, what turned out to be almost a winning total.
West Indian hopes that Gayle might produce one of his whirlwind innings to wrap up the game quickly were dashed when he was caught behind off Tapash Baisya for a duck (7 for 1). Joseph, in at No. 3, didn’t last long either, as he was also caught by Mashud, off the bowling of Mahmud, for 7 (46 for 2). Shivnarine Chanderpaul couldn’t impose any authority on the bowling, and after a struggle he was trapped in front by Manjural Islam Rana for 15 (81 for 3).Ricardo Powell was the only top-order batsman to master the bowling, scoring 52 from 64 balls, with six fours. But just as he was looking to accelerate, he was bowled by the impressive Mahmud (83 for 4). Sarwan played positively and eased West Indian nerves with two fours and a six, but Bangladesh refused to lie down, and Sarwan was caught by Rahman off Saleh for 22 (119 for 5).The wickets kept on coming. Dwayne Smith was stumped off Manjural for 2, Ridley Jacobs was run out (again by Manjural), then Dwayne Bravo was also caught short of his crease, all in the space of three overs. West Indies had lurched to 126 for 8, and that simple stroll to victory was threatening to go way off course.West Indies still required 19 for victory, with only two wickets left – and Best was then lbw to Manjural, playing across a straight one. Bangladesh sensed a famous victory, but Bradshaw and Edwards kept their cool. Bradshaw eased the tension with a six over midwicket off Saleh, and he and Edwards scrambled West Indies home with one wicket and 20 balls to spare.