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Barry Richards launched a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), saying they had transformed the game by their sheer money power. He reckoned that recent changes in rules were also a result of commercialisation and BCCI had to be blamed much for it.Asked if ICC should do something to sort out the problems, Richards said “no, not ICC but BCCI because I feel it is BCCI who is running the show in world cricket. It is [BCCI] from where all the money comes from. Cricket is now played for money. Only few at the top posts in ICC or BCCI have been involved with high level of cricket. Perhaps they have certain other things like power and recognition in their minds rather than cricket. They have to compromise on many issues because of several factors.”About the advent of new technology and umpires being questioned about their decisions, Richards said it was all due to commercialism. “The money and commercialism is behind all this. The erosion in the authority and respect of umpires too is because of the high stakes involved. The demands for removing particular umpires from series or tournaments are not justified. In my opinion umpires are supreme. But it is ICC who selects them.”Richards also expressed his unhappiness over selection policies in South Africa. “The young players are disheartened when they come to know that there will be other factors at the time of selection. They start thinking of quitting cricket or move elsewhere. Kevin Pietersen is the biggest example of this apart from many others.”Richards said the time was not far when bowlers would become an extinct species because of money-driven policies of the cricket administrators. “Batting and fielding is on the rise but I am worried for the bowlers. The game has become too much batsmen-oriented. The fast outfields, field restrictions and flat tracks are all in favour of batsmen. See even in India millions would like to emulate Sachin [Tendulkar] but no one would like to become like [Javagal] Srinath.”One-day cricket and flat tracks are killing the art of bowling. I wonder whether in future there will be any bowlers at all,” said Richards, who is in India as a TV commentator for the Champions Trophy. “Something must be done to help the bowling otherwise who is going to bowl at all. Most of the legendry bowlers of present times like Glenn McGrath, Shaun Pollock or Shoaib Akhtar are in their 30s.”Where is the new crop of bowlers. Likewise India too does not have bowlers like [Erapalli] Prasanna, [Bishen Singh] Bedi and Chandrasekhar. The flat tracks are killing the art of spin.”He rated Australia and Sri Lanka as the strongest contenders in the Champions Trophy and felt the absence of a good bowling attack would cost India.”Australians are far superior. Among the rest, Sri Lankans have the best chance. If Dilhara Fernando bowls well they will excel. As far as the Indians are concerned, they don’t have the kind of bowling attack which can trouble opponents. Only Harbhajan Singh is effective. I feel [Anil] Kumble should have been there in the Indian team. Irfan Pathan too is good but he is not in rhythm.”

Bermuda travelled to Africa for the Intercontinental Cup finals in a confident and optimistic mood, but they will return home deflated after a semi-final defeat by Ireland and losses to Namibia in two highly unsatisfactory one-dayers.The form book suggested that Kenya would be too strong for Bermuda, themselves something of a surprise package in the finals, and so it proved, although Bermuda’s batting came through with flying colours. The problem was the bowling, although on shirt-front pitches bowling Kenya out twice was never going to be easy, and a skewed points system meant Bermuda were up against it from the moment they lost the toss.After going out of the competition, Bermuda played two one-dayers against Namibia, but there was a climate of hostility throughout, and this spilled over in the second game when Gus Logie, the coach, withdrew his side from the field in protest at three successive bouncers aimed at tailender Kevin Hurdle by Kola Burger.The sides clashed during the ICC Trophy in Ireland in July, and the anger was quick to resurface. Both coaches took swipes at the other. Logie accused the Namibians of dangerous play and said that they were sore over failing to qualify for the World Cup, while Andy Waller, his opposite number, said Bermuda were cry babies who did not deserve to their own spot at the event.The first game on Thursday had already been tarnished after accusations by the Bermuda players that they had been racially abused by the Namibians, and the umpires were forced to step in. It was much the same on Saturday.But the scene grew almost farcical when Burger peppered the No. 10 Hurdle with bouncers, even though Bermuda were staring at inevitable defeat. The first was called a wide by Roger Dill, Bermuda’s umpire, and the second as a no-ball. Dill then warned Burger for intimidatory bowling. When Burger quite deliberately sent down another short-pitched ball, Logie had had enough and called the batsmen off. As they milled around, a number of players could clearly be seen arguing and one unnamed Namibian player had to be restrained by his team-mates. The post-match press conference was lively.”We are in the World Cup, they are not and that is their problem,” said Logie, who was obviously livid. “If they have a point to prove and think they can prove it by bowling like that against our No. 11 batsman then I am not just going to stand by and watch. I did call them off and I did it for their own safety. This is a practice match and I am not going to put my players at risk.”Waller was equally blunt. “It is just not acceptable for this type of match and I’m not happy about it. You’d expect a bit more from a team who are meant to be preparing for a World Cup. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years in cricket.”And then, warming to his task, he slammed the Bermuda side and warned them that they better be ready for more of the same. “I can’t see why they are getting upset at that sort of bowling … this is a guy bowling at 130 kmh, and teams in the World Cup are going to be going a lot faster than that. If they can’t handle this, they are really going to struggle. There was some talk about sledging and some complaints from some of their guys but, again, they have to be able to handle that. It’s a part of cricket and it is something they are going to have to deal with if they are going to play in international matches.”By this time, Waller was in overdrive, and he had a swipe at Bermuda’s fitness.”I just don’t think these guys look like they are prepared to compete at this level. You only have to look at these guys to see they are not yet ready to cope with the demands of this level of cricket … they have a lot more work to do on the fitness front.”The Bermuda Cricket Board backed Logie’s decision and added that there would be a full investigation. The Namibian Cricket Board declined to comment until it had all the facts in front of it.

Injury-hit and inexperienced, the USA may not be thanking the International Cricket Council for the charming experience they have had at the Champions Trophy. New Zealand may have flattened them, but at least that occasion bore some passing resemblance to a cricket match.This, on the other hand, was something else entirely. Australia, ruthless as ever, stuck USA in on a damp pitch under cloudy skies with a stiff Southampton breeze blowing across the Rose Bowl. Rohan Alexander and Mark Johnson walked out to ironic cheers from a crowd of a couple of hundred. Then and there, they had no chance whatsoever.But there was one team at the ground that could have given the Aussies a decent run for their money. All you needed to do is nip up to the commentary box, and you could have put together a team on which you could wager the odd pound. An early bird into the commentary boxes was Nasser Hussain, and he’d get onto the list just for the manner in which he got up Australian noses for his entire career. Once Nasser had picked up his coffee and settled in to work, the others began to trickle in.Ian Chappell arrived soon after, and you can pencil him in to your teamsheet. For orthodoxy and some limpet-like batting in tough conditions, there was Sanjay Manjrekar. India had a second representative in Arun Lal, and his opening partner would have to be the irrepressible Michael Slater.For sheer elegance and batting excellence Greg Chappell joins his brother in the team. The media squad on the day was Australia-heavy, but then again who better to dish it out to the Aussies than a few of their own. Dean Jones, that old master of the shorter game, shoehorns into a packed top order. Sri Lanka’s Ranjit Fernando, safe yet unspectacular, has to keep wicket.The problem for this broadcasters’ XI is the bowling department. Whispering Death himself, Michael Holding, leads it magnificently, but there isn’t any back-up. This would force the team to dip into the press box and persuade Angus Fraser to start that seemingly endless uphill trudge one more time. While we’re sneaking bowlers into the side we’ll have to drag in Ravi Shastri for his left-arm spin, though he had just left the Rose Bowl to do another game elsewhere.Ian Chappell wins the captaincy, ahead of his brother, mostly on his ability to spin a yarn and slug a beer or five. And that is just what Richard Staple and his team needed soon after they were blown to smithereens by Australia. Brett Lee gave them a vigorous shake at the top of the innings and Michael Kasprowicz, whose international career was as good as over not a year ago, tucked in. Kasprowicz bagged 4 for 14 – including a scything period in the middle overs when he snagged four wickets in just 15 balls – and sent America crashing to 65 all out, a total that was padded generously by 14 extras. Steve Massiah made 23, including a pull and a pleasing on-drive, but none of his colleagues reached double figures.The Australian batting, aka Murder Part 2, was a joyous romp, and the game was done and dusted before it was time for lunch. Australia knocked off the runs in under eight overs, for the loss of one wicket. As one fan put it: “Twenty20 matches last longer than this.” And they’re easier on the eye, for no cricket fan likes to see a group of players outclassed in such embarrassing fashion.Broadcasters’ XI
1 Michael Slater, 2 Arun Lal, 3 Greg Chappell, 4 Ian Chappell (capt), 5 Dean Jones, 6 Sanjay Manjrekar, 7 Nasser Hussain, 8 Ravi Shastri, 9 Ranjit Fernando (wk), 10 Michael Holding, 11 Angus Fraser.

Fixed term contract Attractive package inc. car(31 December 2005)

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket from playground to Test arena.As County Development Officer you will support the Hertfordshire Cricket Board in the achievement of its development plan, particularly where it relates to the promotion and development of cricket in schools and clubs for both children and young adults.For this role you must have experience of cricket development at grass roots level and have a sound knowledge, appreciation and understanding of cricket. A self-starter with energy and enthusiasm, you will need to have proven administration skills and be an excellent communicator. A valid, current driving licence is essential.For an information pack and application form please contact Natasha Mason, E-mail: [email protected] or telephone 020 74321 171. (All applicants must fill in an application form)Closing date for completed applications is Wednesday 3 September. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 10 September at ECB Offices, Lord’s Cricket Ground.

KARACHI, Sept 30: `Joyride’ fast bowler Mohammad Akram faces a threeyear suspension after he deserted the Pakistan team for the Asian TestChampionship match against Bangladesh played at Multan last month.According to sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cricketoperations, the suspension was recommended by a four-memberdisciplinary committee which met Thursday. The committee is headed byKhalid Hassan with Sirajul Islam Bukhari, Maazullah Khan and AbdurRaqeeb as other members.Ironically, Akram’s case was referred to the disciplinary committee bythe PCB officials despite the fact that Pakistan team manager YawarSaeed had claimed that the paceman had left for England after securingpermission from the chairman of the board.Akram, who has played nine Tests in six years, was named in a 16-mansquad for the Multan match. But the Allied Bank bowler proceeded toEngland just two days before the team was to assemble at the venue.The director of the PCB, Brig Munawar Rana, as always refused toconfirm or deny the report. “I can’t confirm the story,” he toldreporters.Interestingly, Akram’s case was forwarded to the disciplinarycommittee though Shoaib Akhtar had been let off the hook despitecommitting the same offence in England in June.Shoaib had preferred England Club Lashings over Pakistan team whichhad led to a strong reaction from Yawar Saeed who was also the manageron the tour to England.Akram, who has yet to return to appear in the Patron’s Trophy for hisparent organization, is said to have joined British MetropolitanPolice. However, Allied Bank officials refused to confirm the report.

Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, praised the way Ben Stokes has reacted to the furore surrounding his obstructing the field dismissal at Lord’s on Saturday. While Stokes was clearly shocked by the decision, he did not attempt to linger at the crease once the decision was made and, when he spoke on Sunday night for the first time about it, was quick to say it was time to move on.Stokes’ emotions have previously got the better of him after a dismissal, most famously when he punched a locker in Barbados and broke his hand after falling for a duck in a T20 amid a low run of scores last year, after which he had anger management classes with England’s sports psychologist, Mark Bawden. There were signs of his more mature outlook earlier this year when he managed to smile his way through being saluted off the field by Marlon Samuels in Grenada.Speaking before the Ashes, Stokes admitted that there was a chance an incident could occur again although more likely when he was bowling – “I’m not sure cool and calculated is the right way to describe my batting, but my emotions certainly do come out when I’m bowling” – and in the recent Ashes he had been “filthy” after being run out while jumping to avoid a throw in the Lord’s Test.”I thought Stokesy handled it very well,” Bayliss said. “In the changing room after the game he was very philosophical about it – ‘that’s the game, I’ve got to get on with it.’ From what I have heard of Stokesy before, it could have been worse, but he is certainly making strides. He is growing up, not just as a cricketer but as a person.”Bayliss suggested that someone of Stokes’ match-winning capabilities was likely to find themselves in difficult situations.”With guys like that, there is special attention from the opposition to try to get those emotions out of them – and certainly that is something he is beginning to learn. I said to him as we were leaving, ‘Well done, I thought you handled that very well.'”Steven Smith, the Australia captain, has been criticised from various current and former players – including Brendon McCullum in his column, who said Smith’s decision not to withdraw the appeal showed “immaturity” – and while Bayliss did not mind seeing the opposition captain under pressure he expected Smith, who he coached at New South Wales, to be unfazed.”Whether it was the right decision or not to call him back or keep the appeal, he’s a big boy. He’ll be able to handle that. My advice to him would be to go with your gut instinct. Not everyone’s going to like what you do 100%, no matter what decision you make. You’re always going to have enemies and friends.”

Piyush Chawla’s nine-for gave Gujarat a bonus-point win as they beat Jammu and Kashmir by an innings and 64 runs in Surat. Sixteen wickets fell on the day where the hosts bundled J&K out for 130 in their second innings, with contributions from Hardik Patel (5-49) and Chawla (4-38), after getting bowled out for 455 earlier in the day.In the morning, Manprit Juneja converted his overnight score of 66 to bring up his seventh first-class century. He led the charge with his 150-run fifth-wicket stand with Chirag Gandhi (86) and lifted Gujarat to a 400-plus score post lunch.In reply to Gujarat’s first-innings lead of 194 runs, J&K had a shaky start as they lost their openers Ahmed Bandy (5) and Shubham Khajuria (17) within the first eight overs. With minimal resistance from the lower middle-order trio of captain Parvez Rasool (24), Bandeep Singh (24) and Ram Dayal (29), J&K failed to recover as Harshal and Chawla ran through the line-up to bundle them out in 34.4 overs. The win was Gujarat’s second in a row.Jalaj Saxena’s all-round show gave Kerala a 309-run lead over Rajasthan in Thiruvananthapuram. His eight-for trounced the visitors as they were bowled out for 243 in their first innings, and later in the day, brought up his 12th first-class century, along with an unbeaten third-wicket partnership with Sanju Samson (72*). Saxena became only the third man in Ranji history to take eight wickets in an innings and score a ton in the same match.Kerala lost Vishnu Vinod (8) and Rohan Prem (24) early in their second innings, but the century-stand between Saxena and Samson took them from 58 for 2 to 217 at stumps.Haryana face the prospect of an innings defeat against Jharkhand in Ranchi, after they finished the day trailing by 76 with only six wickets in hand. Jharkhand had declared on 425 for 9 earlier in the day after Ishank Jaggi’s 135 and a lower-order charge from Shahbaz Nadeem (70).In their second innings, Haryana suffered a top-order collapse as they lost their first three batsmen within nine overs, with Nadeem picking the wickets of Shubham Rohilla (0) and Chaitanya Bishnoi (11). Rajat Paliwal (44*) and Rahul Dagar (64) led the middle-order resistance as they took Haryana from 31 for 3 to 141 for 4. Dagar gave away his wicket shortly before stumps.

Day 1
ScorecardA counter-attacking 144 by Virat Kohli helped India Under-19 recover to post 301 on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka Under-19 at the Colts Cricket Club in Colombo. India were struggling at one stage at 74 for 5 before the Delhi duo of Kohli and Pradeep Sangwan (57) pushed the side to a respectable total.The top order made starts but failed to convert them as the Sri Lankans made early inroads. A double strike by Navin Kavikara saw the visitors lose half their side for 74, before Shreevats Goswami and Kohli started the recovery with a stand of 62. Sangwan joined Kohli with the score on 167 and the pair added a further 111 to wrest the initiative. Sangwan scored four boundaries in his half century while Kohli’s knock was studded with 21 boundaries, including a six. He kept the tempo up, despite the fall of wickets, facing 185 balls in his knock. The Sri Lankans stumbled in their reply, losing their openers to left-arm spinner KP Appanna with five runs on the board at stumps.