Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sharad Pawar
[Images] says Team India should have a new coach in a month's time.
He was addressing the media after a meeting with members of the Karnataka State Cricket Association on Friday.
He emphasised that hiring a coach is top priority for the BCCI and it has written to the cricket boards of Australia, England [Images], West Indies [Images] and New Zealand [Images] asking them to suggest names of good coaches.
Once a shortlist of candidates for the job is in place, he said, the BCCI will zero down on one and appoint him.
Talking about the jellybeans controversy, Pawar said the issue must best be forgotten. He however added that the ICC [Images] board will be meeting in Dubai on August 4 and the issue is likely to come up for discussion.
On the performances of bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin, he said the board is happy, as the duo have made a difference to the team and the players too are happy with them.
Thus, it has been decided to continue with their services for another year, he added.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Shoaib, Asif clear drug tests
Shoaib, Asif clear drug tests
Pakistan pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have returned negative results for last week's out-of-competition drugs tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), an official told Reuters on Saturday.
"We have received the results of the urine samples collected from all 26 players last week and they have all tested negative," PCB director of communications Ehsan Malik said.
"Shoaib and Asif have cleared the tests which are part of our zero tolerance policy towards drugs in sports."
The tests were conducted during a training camp in Karachi ahead of next month's Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, which is an International Cricket Council (ICC) event where players can be subjected to random dope tests.
Malik said the samples had been sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Malaysia.
Shoaib and Asif both tested positive for he banned steroid nandrolone last year when the PCB held tests before the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
They were initially banned in November but an appellate panel of the board cleared them of the charges and lifted their suspensions.
Pakistan pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have returned negative results for last week's out-of-competition drugs tests conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), an official told Reuters on Saturday.
"We have received the results of the urine samples collected from all 26 players last week and they have all tested negative," PCB director of communications Ehsan Malik said.
"Shoaib and Asif have cleared the tests which are part of our zero tolerance policy towards drugs in sports."
The tests were conducted during a training camp in Karachi ahead of next month's Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, which is an International Cricket Council (ICC) event where players can be subjected to random dope tests.
Malik said the samples had been sent to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Malaysia.
Shoaib and Asif both tested positive for he banned steroid nandrolone last year when the PCB held tests before the ICC Champions Trophy in India.
They were initially banned in November but an appellate panel of the board cleared them of the charges and lifted their suspensions.
Twenty20 World Cup schedule
Groups:
Group A: A1 South Africa, A2 West Indies [Images], Bangladesh
Group B: B1 Australia, B2 England [Images], Zimbabwe
Group C: C1 New Zealand [Images], C2 Sri Lanka [Images], Kenya
Group D: D1 Pakistan, D2 India, Scotland
Schedule:
Sep 11: South Africa v West Indies, New Wanderers, Johannesburg
Sept 12: New Zealand v Kenya, Kingsmead, Durban
Sept 12: Pakistan v Scotland, Kingsmead, Durban
Sept 12: Australia v Zimbabwe, Newlands, Cape Town
Sept 13: West Indies v Bangladesh, Wanderers
Sept 13: Zimbabwe v England, Newlands
Sept 13: India v Scotland, Kingsmead
Sept 14: Australia v England, Newlands
Sept 14: India v Pakistan, Kingsmead
Sept 14: Sri Lanka v Kenya, New Wanderers
Sept 15: South Africa v Bangladesh, Newlands
Sep 16-20: Super 8s
Sep 22: Semi-finals, Newlands and Kingsmead
Sep 24: Final, New Wanderers.
India, grouped with arch-foes Pakistan and minnows Scotland in Group D, will commence their campaign in the ICC [Images] Twenty20 World Cup at Kingsmead in Durban, on September 13.
India, who did not include their top three players -- Rahul Dravid [Images], Sachin Tendulkar [Images] and Sourav Ganguly [Images] -- in the preliminary list of 30-man probables announced on Saturday after the trio opted out of the event, will take on Pakistan in their concluding Group D tie the following day.
Group A: A1 South Africa, A2 West Indies [Images], Bangladesh
Group B: B1 Australia, B2 England [Images], Zimbabwe
Group C: C1 New Zealand [Images], C2 Sri Lanka [Images], Kenya
Group D: D1 Pakistan, D2 India, Scotland
Schedule:
Sep 11: South Africa v West Indies, New Wanderers, Johannesburg
Sept 12: New Zealand v Kenya, Kingsmead, Durban
Sept 12: Pakistan v Scotland, Kingsmead, Durban
Sept 12: Australia v Zimbabwe, Newlands, Cape Town
Sept 13: West Indies v Bangladesh, Wanderers
Sept 13: Zimbabwe v England, Newlands
Sept 13: India v Scotland, Kingsmead
Sept 14: Australia v England, Newlands
Sept 14: India v Pakistan, Kingsmead
Sept 14: Sri Lanka v Kenya, New Wanderers
Sept 15: South Africa v Bangladesh, Newlands
Sep 16-20: Super 8s
Sep 22: Semi-finals, Newlands and Kingsmead
Sep 24: Final, New Wanderers.
India, grouped with arch-foes Pakistan and minnows Scotland in Group D, will commence their campaign in the ICC [Images] Twenty20 World Cup at Kingsmead in Durban, on September 13.
India, who did not include their top three players -- Rahul Dravid [Images], Sachin Tendulkar [Images] and Sourav Ganguly [Images] -- in the preliminary list of 30-man probables announced on Saturday after the trio opted out of the event, will take on Pakistan in their concluding Group D tie the following day.
Sri Lanka A stretch lead to 140
Gautam Gambhir [Images] and Rahul Dravid [Images] scored half-centuries to lift India against Sri Lanka [Images] A on day two of the three-day tour match against Sri Lanka A at the Leicestershire County Club ground at Grace Road in Leicester on Saturday.
Both batsmen scored 67 each as India declared their first innings at 238 for 5 wickets, 28 runs short of Sri Lanka A's first innings total.
In reply, Michael Vandort once again scored a half-century (61 not out) as Sri Lanka A reached 112 for 1, stretching their overall lead to 140 runs.
Dilruwan Perera was unbeaten on a solid knock of 48, inclusive of 10 boundaries, as the two batsmen put on unbroken 110 runs for the second wicket.
While Dravid and Gambhir scored half-centuries, some of the other batsmen failed to utilize the opportunity to get some useful batting practice on a good batting wicket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] was dismissed for a second ball duck, while VVS Laxman played a rash shot to be dismissed for 14.
For Sri Lanka, pacer Dammika Prasad took 2 wickets but conceded 72 runs in 12 overs. Rangana Herath also toiled hard, taking 2 wickets for 62 runs in 18 overs.
First session:
resuming at 25 for 1, Indian batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Jaffer looked to get their eye with some sensible batting in the first hour.
The two batsmen made sure that they made most of the practice match by looking to spend as much time as possible on a good batting wicket. They started the day nervously as both the batsmen played and missed quite a few times, while a few leg before wicket appeals were also made in the first hour.
But once they got their eye in, they started to open out with shots on both sides of the wicket.
Gambhir and Jaffer added 85 runs for the opening wicket before the latter was dismissed, caught at mid-on, trying to loft spinner Rangana Herath.
The Mumbai opener made 48, hitting six boundaries in his 101-ball knock.
Gambhir continued scoring runs at a good rate and time and again looked to charge the spinners.
Captain Dravid got off the mark in fine style, with a cracking boundary on the off-side.
At the lunch break, Gambhir was unbeaten on 45 with six boundaries to his credit as India reached 127 for 2 in 39 overs, still trailing Sri Lanka A's first inning score by 139 runs.
The Indian batsmen would now be looking to make the most of the next two sessions with some good batting. For Dravid, it would be very vital to spend some time at the wicket and get some useful practice before the third Test at the Oval next week.
Post lunch session:
After lunch, India accelerated the scoring rate as Dravid started playing a few shots.
Gambhir reached his half-century in the third over after the break, off 108 deliveries, inclusive of six boundaries as India reached 134 for 2 in the 42nd over.
A great knock by the Delhi opener, but still he is not on the verge of making it to the Indian team for the third Test with Karthik and Jaffer set to be the openers..
Gambhir, however, could not continue much longer as he was forced to retire on 67 in the 54th over. The obvious intent of the Indian team was to give the other batsmen some time at the wicket. Gambhir, after a nervy start, had played a pretty good knock, hitting seven boundaries in his 135-ball knock.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] walked in to replace Gambhir but could not last long as he bowled by Dammika Prasad off the second ball he faced for a duck as India slipped to 190 for 4.
In the next over, Dravid hit two boundaries off Herath to race to his half-century off 72 deliveries, with seven boundaries.
VVS Laxman played very conservatively during his half-century in the second Test at Trent Bridge, but here he looked a bit positive. He started off with a couple of boundaries off spinner Herath as the crowd started to marvel at his wristy flicks. But as has been the case with Laxman for the last few seasons, he got out just when looked set for a big knock.
He made 14, inclusive of three boundaries, before he lost his wicket trying to loft Herath over mid-off.
Yuvraj Singh [Images] [Images] seemed in top form right from the moment he entered the crease. He started off with a couple to quickly move to 8, after which he hoisted Herath for a huge six over long on in the 68th over.
At the tea break, India reached 238 for 5 in 68 overs. Dravid finally struck some much needed form in the tour, unbeaten on 67 from 105 deliveries, having hit six boundaries. Yuvraj was unbeaten on 15, with two boundaries and a six.
India promptly decided to declare their innings at the tea break, giving Sri Lanka a first innings lead of 28 runs. They would want to see how their bowlers perform in the second essay, while also having another look at Anil Kumble's form.
Post tea session:
Ishant Sharma got an early wicket in the second over of the innings, when he got the wicket of opener Mahela Udawatte for 0. The left-hander edged a wide delivery from Sharma and was neatly held in the second slip by VVS Laxman.
But Michael Vandort, fresh from his first innings half-century, once again led the way. Dilruwan Perera also looked in good form right from the start as he started off with a flurry of boundaries.
The duo put on 50 runs for the second wicket with Vandort batting on 25 and Perera unbeaten on 28, with both having hit a total of 11 boundaries between them.
Ranadeb Bose, who took five wickets in the first innings, once again came back strongly in his second spell. He showed much control with the older ball and both the batsmen played and missed quite a few times. The Bengal pacer was unlucky not to get a wicket as he missed the edges a few times, while they were also quite a few leg before wicket appeals.
Sri Lanka reached 100 for the loss of just one wicket in the 23rd over as both the batsmen looked quite comfortable against the spinners.
Vandort completed his second half-century of the match, off 74 deliveries including eight boundaries.
Veteran Anil Kumble bowled a spell of four overs, but once again failed to impress, giving away 15 runs. Ramesh Powar also went wicketless in his nine-over spell where he conceded 27 runs.
At close on second day, Sri Lanka reached 112 for 1 stretching their overall lead to 140 runs.
Vandort was unbeaten on 61, while Perera was not out a solid knock of 48, laced with 10 boundaries with the two batsmen putting on unbeaten 110 runs for the first wicket.
It remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka would also follow Dravid's example and make a sporting declaration on the third day to make a match out of it.
While, it can also be said that Dravid missed the chance to give himself and the team some useful batting practice when he declared the innings after 68 overs, missing out on batting for 32 more overs.
Both batsmen scored 67 each as India declared their first innings at 238 for 5 wickets, 28 runs short of Sri Lanka A's first innings total.
In reply, Michael Vandort once again scored a half-century (61 not out) as Sri Lanka A reached 112 for 1, stretching their overall lead to 140 runs.
Dilruwan Perera was unbeaten on a solid knock of 48, inclusive of 10 boundaries, as the two batsmen put on unbroken 110 runs for the second wicket.
While Dravid and Gambhir scored half-centuries, some of the other batsmen failed to utilize the opportunity to get some useful batting practice on a good batting wicket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] was dismissed for a second ball duck, while VVS Laxman played a rash shot to be dismissed for 14.
For Sri Lanka, pacer Dammika Prasad took 2 wickets but conceded 72 runs in 12 overs. Rangana Herath also toiled hard, taking 2 wickets for 62 runs in 18 overs.
First session:
resuming at 25 for 1, Indian batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Jaffer looked to get their eye with some sensible batting in the first hour.
The two batsmen made sure that they made most of the practice match by looking to spend as much time as possible on a good batting wicket. They started the day nervously as both the batsmen played and missed quite a few times, while a few leg before wicket appeals were also made in the first hour.
But once they got their eye in, they started to open out with shots on both sides of the wicket.
Gambhir and Jaffer added 85 runs for the opening wicket before the latter was dismissed, caught at mid-on, trying to loft spinner Rangana Herath.
The Mumbai opener made 48, hitting six boundaries in his 101-ball knock.
Gambhir continued scoring runs at a good rate and time and again looked to charge the spinners.
Captain Dravid got off the mark in fine style, with a cracking boundary on the off-side.
At the lunch break, Gambhir was unbeaten on 45 with six boundaries to his credit as India reached 127 for 2 in 39 overs, still trailing Sri Lanka A's first inning score by 139 runs.
The Indian batsmen would now be looking to make the most of the next two sessions with some good batting. For Dravid, it would be very vital to spend some time at the wicket and get some useful practice before the third Test at the Oval next week.
Post lunch session:
After lunch, India accelerated the scoring rate as Dravid started playing a few shots.
Gambhir reached his half-century in the third over after the break, off 108 deliveries, inclusive of six boundaries as India reached 134 for 2 in the 42nd over.
A great knock by the Delhi opener, but still he is not on the verge of making it to the Indian team for the third Test with Karthik and Jaffer set to be the openers..
Gambhir, however, could not continue much longer as he was forced to retire on 67 in the 54th over. The obvious intent of the Indian team was to give the other batsmen some time at the wicket. Gambhir, after a nervy start, had played a pretty good knock, hitting seven boundaries in his 135-ball knock.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] walked in to replace Gambhir but could not last long as he bowled by Dammika Prasad off the second ball he faced for a duck as India slipped to 190 for 4.
In the next over, Dravid hit two boundaries off Herath to race to his half-century off 72 deliveries, with seven boundaries.
VVS Laxman played very conservatively during his half-century in the second Test at Trent Bridge, but here he looked a bit positive. He started off with a couple of boundaries off spinner Herath as the crowd started to marvel at his wristy flicks. But as has been the case with Laxman for the last few seasons, he got out just when looked set for a big knock.
He made 14, inclusive of three boundaries, before he lost his wicket trying to loft Herath over mid-off.
Yuvraj Singh [Images] [Images] seemed in top form right from the moment he entered the crease. He started off with a couple to quickly move to 8, after which he hoisted Herath for a huge six over long on in the 68th over.
At the tea break, India reached 238 for 5 in 68 overs. Dravid finally struck some much needed form in the tour, unbeaten on 67 from 105 deliveries, having hit six boundaries. Yuvraj was unbeaten on 15, with two boundaries and a six.
India promptly decided to declare their innings at the tea break, giving Sri Lanka a first innings lead of 28 runs. They would want to see how their bowlers perform in the second essay, while also having another look at Anil Kumble's form.
Post tea session:
Ishant Sharma got an early wicket in the second over of the innings, when he got the wicket of opener Mahela Udawatte for 0. The left-hander edged a wide delivery from Sharma and was neatly held in the second slip by VVS Laxman.
But Michael Vandort, fresh from his first innings half-century, once again led the way. Dilruwan Perera also looked in good form right from the start as he started off with a flurry of boundaries.
The duo put on 50 runs for the second wicket with Vandort batting on 25 and Perera unbeaten on 28, with both having hit a total of 11 boundaries between them.
Ranadeb Bose, who took five wickets in the first innings, once again came back strongly in his second spell. He showed much control with the older ball and both the batsmen played and missed quite a few times. The Bengal pacer was unlucky not to get a wicket as he missed the edges a few times, while they were also quite a few leg before wicket appeals.
Sri Lanka reached 100 for the loss of just one wicket in the 23rd over as both the batsmen looked quite comfortable against the spinners.
Vandort completed his second half-century of the match, off 74 deliveries including eight boundaries.
Veteran Anil Kumble bowled a spell of four overs, but once again failed to impress, giving away 15 runs. Ramesh Powar also went wicketless in his nine-over spell where he conceded 27 runs.
At close on second day, Sri Lanka reached 112 for 1 stretching their overall lead to 140 runs.
Vandort was unbeaten on 61, while Perera was not out a solid knock of 48, laced with 10 boundaries with the two batsmen putting on unbeaten 110 runs for the first wicket.
It remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka would also follow Dravid's example and make a sporting declaration on the third day to make a match out of it.
While, it can also be said that Dravid missed the chance to give himself and the team some useful batting practice when he declared the innings after 68 overs, missing out on batting for 32 more overs.
Sachin on the Test win, jelly beans and Team India
Sachin on the Test win, jelly beans and Team India
Images Scorecard
Sachin Tendulkar [Images] on Tuesday said India's victory in the second Test against England [Images] at Trent Bridge was a complete team effort.
"This victory is quite special and it is an occasion to celebrate for the team. It has been a combined effort by the entire team; some have contributed more, some have contributed on a lesser scale, but everyone has contributed in one department or the other. So I will call it a good team effort and we all are happy," a delighted Tendulkar said after the match.
It was an extraordinary comeback by Team India after being on the verge of defeat in the first Test at Lord's, which they escaped because of rain.
Who threw the jellybeans at Zaheer?
In the space of a week, the team dished out a spirited display to catch the hosts off-guard and clinch the second Test in convincing fashion.
"We were extremely confident after that lucky breakthrough [the draw at Lord's] because God was with us. After that we knew if we bat well, we will end up doing well in this match. I thought our batting really delivered... there were many good partnerships. Nobody scored a hundred, but there were partnerships all along, which helped us to get to a strong position. After that the bowlers took over," Tendulkar said.
The master batsman played a key role, top-scoring with 91 in India's first innings during which he also scaled the magical 11,000-run mark in Test cricket.
"I am very happy on getting 11,000 runs, but a bit disappointed that I got out on 91. But these things happen in life and it does not mean that I should sit and cry the whole day. I prefer to leave these things behind me and look forward and try to play a major role in the next match too.
"Whatever happened here [getting out on 91] is a personal thing, so I would not bother about it," he affed.
The 34-year-old emphasised that the team is now focused on the third and final Test, which begins on August 9, at the Oval, as it looks to win its first ever Test series in England since 1986.
"Our focus is on the next match. Whatever has happened is in the past now. We will like to confidence from this victory into the next match, but, obviously, we will not be overconfident," he said.
The maestro also came down hard on reports of division in the team and urged people not to spread rumours and create any unnecessary controversy.
Recently, a news channel had reported that all is not well between Tendulkar, captain Rahul Dravid [Images] and Sourav Ganguly [Images], after the trio's exclusion from the Twenty20 World Cup.
"There has always been unity in the team. I don't think there were ever any divisions in the team; it is the opinion of some people and I want to clear these opinions. I just want to say that there is always unity in the team and please do not start any sort of controversies. The atmosphere in the dressing room is always good as you can see now.
"Whether the team wins or not, we always stay united, because when we lose it is not that a particular individual has lost; it is the team has lost; and when we win, it is the team that wins. So everybody gets happy and everybody gets sad. There is unity in the team and nobody should question it," he said.
Thanking team manager Chandu Borde [Images], Tendulkar said the veteran's experience proved very useful in England.
"Chandu Borde is a very experienced player. He has played a lot of cricket and also seen a lot of cricket. His experience is always useful to us. He is a very positive person and a nice human being. We all respect him a lot and he is a terrific person to be part of the team.
"My first manager, when I started in 1989, was Chandu Borde, and today also when I see him with the team, I feel happy. I only want to say that his support and good wishes have helped me a lot."
The batting maestro also made light of the jelly beans incident, involving Zaheer Khan [Images], stating that India had no problems with it since it fired up the left-arm pacer.
"Zaheer did not tell me anything about the jelly beans. But he has given a few interviews and the colours seem a bit different in each of them. I think these things happens and they tend to inspire players. If it inspires a player then why not? He has bowled well throughout the match and not just a spell or two. It is terrific and inspiring.
"Everyone has their own opinion on sledging -- some prefer to play hard, some play it normally. But good humour sometimes is very necessary in matches. If bowlers say something in good humour it should be taken in the right spirit as long as we don't cross the limit," he added.
Images Scorecard
Sachin Tendulkar [Images] on Tuesday said India's victory in the second Test against England [Images] at Trent Bridge was a complete team effort.
"This victory is quite special and it is an occasion to celebrate for the team. It has been a combined effort by the entire team; some have contributed more, some have contributed on a lesser scale, but everyone has contributed in one department or the other. So I will call it a good team effort and we all are happy," a delighted Tendulkar said after the match.
It was an extraordinary comeback by Team India after being on the verge of defeat in the first Test at Lord's, which they escaped because of rain.
Who threw the jellybeans at Zaheer?
In the space of a week, the team dished out a spirited display to catch the hosts off-guard and clinch the second Test in convincing fashion.
"We were extremely confident after that lucky breakthrough [the draw at Lord's] because God was with us. After that we knew if we bat well, we will end up doing well in this match. I thought our batting really delivered... there were many good partnerships. Nobody scored a hundred, but there were partnerships all along, which helped us to get to a strong position. After that the bowlers took over," Tendulkar said.
The master batsman played a key role, top-scoring with 91 in India's first innings during which he also scaled the magical 11,000-run mark in Test cricket.
"I am very happy on getting 11,000 runs, but a bit disappointed that I got out on 91. But these things happen in life and it does not mean that I should sit and cry the whole day. I prefer to leave these things behind me and look forward and try to play a major role in the next match too.
"Whatever happened here [getting out on 91] is a personal thing, so I would not bother about it," he affed.
The 34-year-old emphasised that the team is now focused on the third and final Test, which begins on August 9, at the Oval, as it looks to win its first ever Test series in England since 1986.
"Our focus is on the next match. Whatever has happened is in the past now. We will like to confidence from this victory into the next match, but, obviously, we will not be overconfident," he said.
The maestro also came down hard on reports of division in the team and urged people not to spread rumours and create any unnecessary controversy.
Recently, a news channel had reported that all is not well between Tendulkar, captain Rahul Dravid [Images] and Sourav Ganguly [Images], after the trio's exclusion from the Twenty20 World Cup.
"There has always been unity in the team. I don't think there were ever any divisions in the team; it is the opinion of some people and I want to clear these opinions. I just want to say that there is always unity in the team and please do not start any sort of controversies. The atmosphere in the dressing room is always good as you can see now.
"Whether the team wins or not, we always stay united, because when we lose it is not that a particular individual has lost; it is the team has lost; and when we win, it is the team that wins. So everybody gets happy and everybody gets sad. There is unity in the team and nobody should question it," he said.
Thanking team manager Chandu Borde [Images], Tendulkar said the veteran's experience proved very useful in England.
"Chandu Borde is a very experienced player. He has played a lot of cricket and also seen a lot of cricket. His experience is always useful to us. He is a very positive person and a nice human being. We all respect him a lot and he is a terrific person to be part of the team.
"My first manager, when I started in 1989, was Chandu Borde, and today also when I see him with the team, I feel happy. I only want to say that his support and good wishes have helped me a lot."
The batting maestro also made light of the jelly beans incident, involving Zaheer Khan [Images], stating that India had no problems with it since it fired up the left-arm pacer.
"Zaheer did not tell me anything about the jelly beans. But he has given a few interviews and the colours seem a bit different in each of them. I think these things happens and they tend to inspire players. If it inspires a player then why not? He has bowled well throughout the match and not just a spell or two. It is terrific and inspiring.
"Everyone has their own opinion on sledging -- some prefer to play hard, some play it normally. But good humour sometimes is very necessary in matches. If bowlers say something in good humour it should be taken in the right spirit as long as we don't cross the limit," he added.
Sreesanth must be banned for beamer: Atherton
Sreesanth must be banned for beamer: Atherton
Cricinfo staff
August 5, 2007
Michael Atherton feels Sreesanth should have been banned for a Test for the beamer he bowled at Kevin Pietersen at Trent Bridge © Getty ImagesMichael Atherton, the former England captain, has called for Sreesanth to be banned from The Oval Test for bowling a beamer at Kevin Pietersen in the second Test at Trent Bridge.
In his column for the Sunday Telegraph, Atherton wrote that a bowler must always be punished severely for bowling a beamer: "If bowled deliberately there cannot be a more cowardly action on a cricket field; if bowled accidentally it is still potentially lethal. Either way it should incur an immediate one-match ban."
Analysing the incident in the second Test, Atherton suggested that there were reasons to believe the beamer might not have been an accident. "The ball wasn't new and the lacquer had worn off, making it less likely to slip out of his hand; it wasn't wet; he had directional problems but hardly of the 'yips' variety.
"We do know that, since the ball landed at the wicketkeeper's feet, he missed his length by a good 30 yards, an extraordinary failing for an international bowler. If it did slip, it slipped with remarkable accuracy, honing in on Pietersen's skull. Shortly afterwards he overstepped the front mark by two feet to bowl a rapid bouncer at Collingwood. Sreesanth was hardly in control of his emotions during that particular spell."
Though Sreesanth immediately apologised after bowling the delivery, Atherton wrote that it hardly took away from the offence. "The royal wave was all that was needed for him to be portrayed as an innocent in the matter and to be forgiven.
"An apology doesn't necessarily mean it is sincere. With match referees on the prowl, any bowler with an ounce of survival instinct is bound to apologise, deliberately bowled or not. And the batsman/batting side has no option but to accept it, for if it is not accepted then the moral high ground shifts in favour of the bowler, whose integrity is suddenly in question."
Atherton also hit out at the ICC for its "misguided sense of priorities". Sreesanth was fined 50% of his match fee for a shoulder nudge at Michael Vaughan, but Atherton felt the beamer was a far more serious offence. "By fining Sreesanth 50% of his match fee for a shoulder nudge that could have inflicted no physical damage and ignoring the beamer which could have maimed a less alert batsman, the International Cricket Council once again showed a liking for the irrelevancies over the issues that matter."
With Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, taking no action, Atherton felt the onus was now on Rahul Dravid to ensure that he doesn't play at The Oval.
"Since the match referee remained silent on the issue, it is Dravid who should take the appropriate disciplinary action ahead of The Oval Test match. Even if he doesn't want to take disciplinary action, he should ask himself: does he really want a bowler who so obviously cannot control his emotions to play in such a crunch encounter?"
Cricinfo staff
August 5, 2007
Michael Atherton feels Sreesanth should have been banned for a Test for the beamer he bowled at Kevin Pietersen at Trent Bridge © Getty ImagesMichael Atherton, the former England captain, has called for Sreesanth to be banned from The Oval Test for bowling a beamer at Kevin Pietersen in the second Test at Trent Bridge.
In his column for the Sunday Telegraph, Atherton wrote that a bowler must always be punished severely for bowling a beamer: "If bowled deliberately there cannot be a more cowardly action on a cricket field; if bowled accidentally it is still potentially lethal. Either way it should incur an immediate one-match ban."
Analysing the incident in the second Test, Atherton suggested that there were reasons to believe the beamer might not have been an accident. "The ball wasn't new and the lacquer had worn off, making it less likely to slip out of his hand; it wasn't wet; he had directional problems but hardly of the 'yips' variety.
"We do know that, since the ball landed at the wicketkeeper's feet, he missed his length by a good 30 yards, an extraordinary failing for an international bowler. If it did slip, it slipped with remarkable accuracy, honing in on Pietersen's skull. Shortly afterwards he overstepped the front mark by two feet to bowl a rapid bouncer at Collingwood. Sreesanth was hardly in control of his emotions during that particular spell."
Though Sreesanth immediately apologised after bowling the delivery, Atherton wrote that it hardly took away from the offence. "The royal wave was all that was needed for him to be portrayed as an innocent in the matter and to be forgiven.
"An apology doesn't necessarily mean it is sincere. With match referees on the prowl, any bowler with an ounce of survival instinct is bound to apologise, deliberately bowled or not. And the batsman/batting side has no option but to accept it, for if it is not accepted then the moral high ground shifts in favour of the bowler, whose integrity is suddenly in question."
Atherton also hit out at the ICC for its "misguided sense of priorities". Sreesanth was fined 50% of his match fee for a shoulder nudge at Michael Vaughan, but Atherton felt the beamer was a far more serious offence. "By fining Sreesanth 50% of his match fee for a shoulder nudge that could have inflicted no physical damage and ignoring the beamer which could have maimed a less alert batsman, the International Cricket Council once again showed a liking for the irrelevancies over the issues that matter."
With Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, taking no action, Atherton felt the onus was now on Rahul Dravid to ensure that he doesn't play at The Oval.
"Since the match referee remained silent on the issue, it is Dravid who should take the appropriate disciplinary action ahead of The Oval Test match. Even if he doesn't want to take disciplinary action, he should ask himself: does he really want a bowler who so obviously cannot control his emotions to play in such a crunch encounter?"
England retain same 12 for Oval Test
England retain same 12 for Oval Test
Cricinfo staff
August 5, 2007
England's selectors have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the third Test against India at The Oval on Thursday. Stuart Broad, who was left out of the starting line-up at both Lord's and Trent Bridge, is again included in the squad.
There had been some newspaper speculation that the Essex allrounder, Ravi Bopara, might be added to the 12, but England have kept faith with the side that lost a fractious second Test last week, after narrowly failing to force victory on the final morning at Lord's.
"While India fully deserved their victory at Trent Bridge, there were many positive aspects to our performance," said England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney. "We were particularly pleased with the way our inexperienced bowling attack performed and they will be hoping to build on that in the final Test."
England's senior bowlers - Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison and Matthew Hoggard - are on the comeback trail after their various injuries, with Flintoff featuring during Lancashire's defeat in the Twenty20 semi-final on Saturday, but the selectors chose not to consider them.
"Flintoff, Harmison and Hoggard are all making good progress in their recovery from injury,"said Graveney, "but the selectors felt it was too soon to consider them for Test cricket and we have retained the same twelve players who were on duty at Trent Bridge.
"We have been one-nil down before in Test series and come back to draw or win a series and I am sure that the players will be conscious of that and very keen to maintain our impressive record at home in Test cricket."
England squad Michael Vaughan, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett
Cricinfo staff
August 5, 2007
England's selectors have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the third Test against India at The Oval on Thursday. Stuart Broad, who was left out of the starting line-up at both Lord's and Trent Bridge, is again included in the squad.
There had been some newspaper speculation that the Essex allrounder, Ravi Bopara, might be added to the 12, but England have kept faith with the side that lost a fractious second Test last week, after narrowly failing to force victory on the final morning at Lord's.
"While India fully deserved their victory at Trent Bridge, there were many positive aspects to our performance," said England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney. "We were particularly pleased with the way our inexperienced bowling attack performed and they will be hoping to build on that in the final Test."
England's senior bowlers - Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison and Matthew Hoggard - are on the comeback trail after their various injuries, with Flintoff featuring during Lancashire's defeat in the Twenty20 semi-final on Saturday, but the selectors chose not to consider them.
"Flintoff, Harmison and Hoggard are all making good progress in their recovery from injury,"said Graveney, "but the selectors felt it was too soon to consider them for Test cricket and we have retained the same twelve players who were on duty at Trent Bridge.
"We have been one-nil down before in Test series and come back to draw or win a series and I am sure that the players will be conscious of that and very keen to maintain our impressive record at home in Test cricket."
England squad Michael Vaughan, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior, Monty Panesar, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Chris Tremlett
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