Chennai win last-ball thriller match

Lasith Malinga's five-wicket haul and Dinesh Karthik's whirlwind 74 went in vain as Chennai Super Kings eked out a narrow six-run win over Mumbai Indians in an inconsequential Group B match of the Champions League Twenty20 

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It was hard to believe that the match was so closely contested given the stark difference in the starts the two teams had to their innings: Super Kings motored to 86 for 0 in eight overs, while Mumbai had stumbled to 38 for 2 after eight.

The credit goes to Man of the match, Ben Hilfenhaus (2/14) who led the bowling attack brilliantly.

Watson backs Haddin, Starc for Tests

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Shane Watson believes Brad Haddin is "mentally and technically ready to go," should he be chosen as Australia's wicketkeeper for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Michael Clarke, Australia's captain, has insisted that no decision has been made on whether Haddin could reclaim the Test berth he vacated for personal reasons during the tour of West Indies earlier this year, and Haddin faces competition from Matthew Wade for the spot.

Haddin is captaining a Sixers side that has been dominant in the tournament, with wins over Chennai Super Kings, Yorkshire and Highveld Lions. His own contribution has been steady, with consistent runs in the middle order and seven catches behind the stumps.

                   

Kieron Pollard had some unusual headgear while batting in CL

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Supreme Court dismisses appeal, Chargers out of IPL

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The Supreme Court on Friday rejected Deccan Chargers' plea to put a stay on the Bombay High Court order which upheld the BCCI termination of the franchise from the IPL. The chief justice of India, Altamas Kabir, heard the case but refused to grant a stay to the franchise owners, who approached the apex court immediately after the Bombay High Court yesterday overruled the arbitrator's order to put a stay on the expulsion.

The development means the Chargers are now completely out of the IPL. There are only two ways the Chargers can now bounce back - if the Bombay High Court judge, who rejected the ad-interim order on Thursday, reverses his decision once he has heard in details the arguments from both sides on October 29; or the court-appointed arbitrator, CK Thakkar, finds the grounds of the termination were not correct.

Crowe blames cancer on touring ills

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KKR  out of Champions League after washout

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Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL champions, became the first side to be knocked out of the Champions League Twenty20 when their third game, against Perth Scorchers, was washed out in Durban with only 14 overs having been bowled in the first innings. Knight Riders, who had lost their first two games in the tournament, needed a win to remain in contention for a place in the knockouts.

The skies had gone overcast before the toss happened, and Gautam Gambhir, with one eye on the expected rain, chose to bowl on what his counterpart Marcus North called a "bat-first wicket". Knight Riders' bowlers stuck to their goal of restricting Perth Scorchers to a reasonable total till the rains came down.

World XI to play two Twenty20s in Pakistan

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Watson may follow Kallis path bat No. 4

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As Cricket Australia mounted a vigorous defence of Shane Watson's early departure from the Twenty20 Champions League, the national selector John Inverarity opened the possibility of the allrounder following Jacques Kallis by moving further down the order to No. 4 in future.

Sehwag fit for  Champions League

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Virender Sehwag has recovered from his ankle injury and will be fit to play in Delhi Daredevils' opening Champions League 2012 match, against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Daredevils' team mentor, TA Sekar, confirmed that Sehwag was fit, and said that he had obtained fitness clearance before flying to South Africa. A BCCI official said the board had nothing to do with the decision to play Sehwag: "The BCCI has nothing to do with it. It is a franchise tournament and it is for them to take a call."
Sehwag will not captain Delhi Daredevils at the Champions League, having asked the franchise to relieve him of the responsibility so he could concentrate on his batting.

 Michael Clarke walks back after batting in a Sydney Grade cricket match

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After Sachin Tendulkar (SRT) SRK  for trademark

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Sachin Tendulkar had applied for the same, to trademark his name SRT, earlier this year.

Shah Rukh Khan is a brand by himself. And very soon his often-used initials – SRK may become a very valuable property. Mirror found out that the actor has recently applied for a trademark on his name SRK at the Delhi office of the Trade Mark Registry.

I am mentally stronger now - Ishant Sharma

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"I think I am mentally and physically much stronger now after having gone through the worst phase of my life," Ishant said after helping North Zone to the semi-final in the Duleep Trophy against West Zone.

He said he had no regrets over missing the IPL for the sake of his fitness. He said he had worked on his outswinger. "I still continue to bowl with the same kind of intensity. Bowling a lot in the nets has helped. I have also learnt to bowl the outswinger," he said.

West Indies were crowned the new World Twenty20champions  

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DY Patil Stadium to host its first Ranji match

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Zaka Ashraf aims to take Pakistan to No. 1

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Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, has hinted at an overhaul in 2013 as part of an attempt to make Pakistan the best team across all formats of the game.

He also pledged a reform of the PCB administration, saying the problem with Pakistan cricket was not in the system or in its constitution but in the people who are in charge. He said he would work to ensure the PCB would fall in line with the ICC's decision that all member boards should have free elections and be free from political intervention.

'I don't think I have plenty of cricket left in me'

Sachin Tendulkar has said that he will reassess his cricketing future in November, when he plays the home Tests against England. Tendulkar, who has previously been non-committal on questions about his retirement, also said any decision about ending a 23-year career will depend on both his form and his motivation levels.

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"I need not take a call right now. When I play in November, I will re-assess things," Tendulkar was quoted as saying in Times of India.

Captain inspires Sri Lanka to second WT20 final

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Sri Lanka's captain Mahela Jayawardene goes into Sunday's World Twenty20 final confident of winning the title.  On a crumbling, turning, brute of a pitch by Twenty20 standards, Mahela Jayawardene responded with a T20-size classic.

Pietersen signs contract with England Cricket Board

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One-run win not enough to qualify semi-final

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South Africa have had a few of their parties cruelly crashed by teams world over, but today they spoiled India's when it was only a small gathering. Having been knocked out of the World Twenty20 because Pakistan beat Australia, South Africa won the toss India wanted to win most, kept India down to 152, and passed 121, ensuring India would be eliminated from the tournament on net run rate.

Yuvraj's place in XI was not in doubt - Dhoni

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Before India's big win over Pakistan at the ICC World Twenty20 on Sunday, some former Indian players questioned Yuvraj Singh's fitness and suggested he should be dropped for India's must-win Super Eight tie against the archrivals But Dhoni says he never doubted Yuvraj's place in the XI.

 India vs Australia

India's spin department is healthy: Anil Kumble

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Former Indian captain Anil Kumble reckons that India's spin repertory was full of "quality bowlers" and rated comeback man Harbhajan Singh as one of the "best spinners in the country".

India climb to 3rd spot in ICC T20 Championship table Google Image  Huge win over England in the group stages of the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, India jumped four places to claim the third position in the ICC T20 Championship table. The crushing defeat meant England slipped a position to second spot with 124 ratings points.South Africa head into the Super Eight stage as the number-one ranked team. Suresh Raina is the lone Indian to feature in the top 10 list for the T20I Player Rankings for batsmen.

ONE LEGEND MEET ANOTHER LEGEND

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Brian Lara visits Sachin Tendulkar`s residence. Both of them are good friend off the field.

Rest of India win Irani Cup

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Rest of India notched up a comprehensive victory over Ranji Trophy champion Rajasthan on the fourth day of the Irani Cup match.

ROI wrapped Rajasthan's second innings for 275 in 90.2 overs. They have won with a day to spare. At tea, ROI had moved closer to an innings victory as Rajasthan were 227/8 in 76 overs.

Former India captain and president of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) Anil Kumble handed over the trophy to ROI captain Cheteshwar Pujara. 

Sri Lanka knock by South Africa in 7-over match

  South Africa rode on De Villiers' 13-ball 30 to post 78 for four after the match was reduced to a seven-over-a-side affair. In reply, the Sri Lankans were restricted to 46 for five as the Protea bowlers took centrestage at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. 

Heavy rain delayed the start by two and a half hours as a sell-out 35,000 crowd waited anxiously for action and although they got it late the fireworks in a shorter game gave them some consolation.

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 Besides de Villiers, Hashim Amla (16), Faf du Plessis (13) and JP Duminy (12) chipped in with important runs to lay the foundation for a comfortable win, after being put in to bat. In what was the first international T20 match between the two sides, the hosts always had a tough task at hands after the Proteas set a stiff target. 

Sri Lanka will be in group one of Super Eights while South Africa will be in group two, regarded as the group of death with India, Australia and Pakistan likely to be the other teams.    The loss meant Sri Lanka will enter the Super Eight stage as the second best team from the group. 

Rain wash match for west indies

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The Aussies were battered by a strong Windies batting line-up on Saturday night at the Premadasa, but a quickfire start to their innings, coupled with some generous help from the rain Gods, ensured that they won a game which promised much, but was marred by the weather. 

    In the first big-ticket match of the WorldT20 at this venue, the Windies chose to bat first, and propped up by half-centuries from Chris Gayle, who was perhaps responsible for a surprisingly large turnout here, and Marlon Samuels, and several useful cameos, reached 191 for eight. Sadly, it didn’t prove enough. The Kangaroos scraped through by 17 runs, as per the D/L method. When the rain came, the Aussies were 100 for one in 9.1 overs, when they needed to score 83 by that stage. 

West Indies` total is the joint third highest score in a losing cause in the ICC World Twenty20. West Indies` 205 for six against South Africa at Johannesburg on September 11, 2007 is the lowest score.

 Australia aim to beat strong Caribbean

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Australia and West Indies entered this tournament with vastly different expectations placed upon them. Although the Australians were quietly confident, plenty of people saw their form, ranking and not-so-settled side as an indication they would struggle. West Indies came in as one of the tournament favourites, the first time in a long while that they have been considered such a strong chance.

 Australia have already overcome Ireland and should West Indies do so as well, both these sides will progress to the next stage. But West Indies don't want to be placing themselves under any unnecessary pressure when they take on Ireland so victory in this, their first match, is important. Not that Australia will be a pushover - the teams drew 1-1 when they met for two T20s in the Caribbean earlier this year.

For Australia, the opening victory against Ireland has provided a handy bit of breathing space and they know that victory against West Indies will put them through to the Super Eights. There have been minor health worries for the veteran spinner Brad Hogg and the fast bowler Mitchell Starc over the past couple of days, but both are still in contention to take their places against West Indies.

 

The Mendises Hero in Sri Lanka win

Sri Lanka 182 for 4 (Sangakkara 44, Mendis 43*) beat Zimbabwe 100 (Masakadza 20, Ajantha 6-8, Jeevan 3-24) by 82 runs

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Ajantha Mendis marked his return to Sri Lanka's national side by achieving the best figures in T20 internationals. He puzzled and prised out the Zimbabwe batsmen to contribute to a comprehensive victory in the tournament opener.

After Sri Lanka posted an imposing total, Ajantha tore through Zimbabwe. He took three wickets in his first spell to kill off any thoughts of a chase and returned to take three more to end Zimbabwe's limp challenge. Mendis served up deliveries that held their line, those that turned in, the carrom ball and the googly from the back of the hand, leaving Zimbabwe with a sour taste in their mouths and befuddlement in their minds.

Another Mendis, Jeevan, too was major weapon in the home side's armoury. He starred in a 94-run fourth-wicket stand with Kumar Sangakkara and took three wickets. Together, the two Mendises dominated an overawed and outplayed Zimbabwe.

Lara, Enid Bakewell Introduce in Hall of Fame

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The West Indies contingent turned out in force to see Brian Lara inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, but it was England's Enid Bakewell, the women's inductee, who stole the show in Colombo, with charming anecdotes from her career and a dedication to the sport that still endures 33 years after retirement. Lara became the17th West Indies player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Bakewell is the third women's inductee, after team-mate and captain Rachel Heyhoe-Flint and Australian Belinda Clark.

Bakewell was an allrounder from 1968 to 1982, who in twelve Tests scored 1078 runs at 59.88 and took 50 wickets at 16.62. She is one of only five cricketers, male or female, to have hit a century and taken ten wickets in the same Test - a feat she achieved in her final match, against West Indies at Edgbaston. Now, at 71, she still turns out for the Redoubtables club side in Surrey, for whom she opens the bowling, but only because she helps keep the run rate down, she said.

Her glittering statistics have earned her a place among the greats of the women's game, but it was not the personal achievements that she remembered most fondly. "I wasn't interested in my own success," she said. "As long as we got a win and we were part of a very good team, that was the most important thing." The names sometimes eluded her, but her team-mates contributions to her own success were retold with vivid enthusiasm. "I couldn't have done it without our brilliant wicketkeeper," she said of Shirley Hodges, who made 13 stumpings and took three catches off Bakewell's left-arm spin. "A girl from Yorkshire, who opened the bowling, took three splendid catches to give me a hat trick in Australia," Bakewell said of Julia Greenwood.

Sangakkara wins three ICC awards

 Sangakkara's has won three awards, including the prestigious Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year at the annual ICC awards ceremony in Colombo. Sangakkara also won the People's Choice prize, an honour he had received last year as well.

For Cricketer and Test Cricketer of the Year, Sangakkara was chosen ahead of South Africa's Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander, and Australia captain Michael Clarke

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Besides Sangakkara's three prizes, Sri Lanka won one more: umpire Kumar Dharmasena took the Umpire of the Year award. That ended a three-year winning run for Aleem Dar and left Pakistan, already unhappy at offspinner Saeed Ajmal's exclusion from two top award shortlists, without a prize on the day.

"This is an amazing honour and I've seen the people who have won it before me and the nominees too, to be named alongside them is wonderful," Sangakkara said after receiving the Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for Cricketer of the Year from ICC president Alan Isaac. "I admire them greatly and even more so when I looked up at their records on the screen this evening. It's great to be amongst them. Now to receive this honour this evening, is simply fantastic."

Kohli ODI Cricketer of the Year

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Virat Kohli, the India batsman, has been named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the ICC awards function in Colombo. He was picked ahead of MS Dhoni, Lasith Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara.

During the period under consideration, Kohli played 31 ODIs and scored 1733 runs at an average of 66.65, including eight hundreds and six half-centuries. His highest score was 183, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

"I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it's worked for me on the field," Kohli said. "This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It's been an all-round effort and I'm very happy to have won this award.

"It's always nice to be recognised by the ICC, it's a great feeling, and it's the first time I've won one of these awards."

Players choose IPL teams in Champions League

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Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (capt), R Ashwin, S Badrinath, Doug Bollinger, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Ravindra Jadeja, Albie Morkel, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha, S Anirudha, M Vijay, V Yo Mahesh.

Delhi Daredevils: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Virender Sehwag, Varun Aaron, Ajit Agarkar, Unmukt Chand, Morne Morkel, Pawan Negi, Naman Ojha, Irfan Pathan, Kevin Pietersen, Andre Russell, Venugopal Rao, Ross Taylor, David Warner, Umesh Yadav.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Gautam Gambhir (capt), Iqbal Abdullah, Shakib Al Hasan, L Balaji, Rajat Bhatia, Manvinder Bisla, Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee, Brendon McCullum, Sunil Narine, Yusuf Pathan, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Shami Ahmed, Ryan ten Doeschate, Manoj Tiwary.

Mumbai Indians: Harbhajan Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Mitchell Johnson, Dinesh Karthik, Dhawal Kulkarni, Richard Levi, Lasith Malinga, Pragyan Ojha, Munaf Patel, Thisara Perera, Kieron Pollard, Ambati Rayudu, Rohit Sharma, Dwayne Smith, Suryakumar Yadav.

All nine players who were nominated for two teams in next month's Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa have opted to represent their respective IPL teams over their domestic sides.

Deccan Chargers  turn down  sole bid for franchise

The auction for the IPL Deccan Chargers franchise on Thursday has ended in an anti-climax with the team's owners rejecting the sole bid they received. This leaves the franchise's future up in the air, with the BCCI 's working committee meeting on Saturday likely to take a decision on its next course of action.

The solitary bid reportedly came from PVP Ventures, a company that finances film projects in India. No details were made public but reports said the offer was for Rs 900 crore ($164 million). Only three bidders had evinced interest to buy the Chargers: besides PVP Ventures, RPG Group and Jaypee Group also bought the bid document. However on the day of the auction only PVP turned up.

If the board does scrap Chargers' contract then it will encash the bank guarantee of the franchise to settle the dues of the players. Most players and coaching staff are reportedly yet to receive 85% of their contracted amount.

A positive outcome today could have changed that but it is understood that while DCHL were happy to go with the offer, the company's lending banks, rejected it. "The lenders [banks] and the owner [DCHL] could not come to an agreement over the mode of payment proposed by the bidder," the official said.

The official said the banks were not happy with PVP's plan to divide the bid amount in two parts over the next ten years. "They said they would pay Rs 450 crores ($82 million) in the next five years, at the rate of 90 crore per annum, and the rest in 2022," the official said. The banks' reluctance, the official said, could stem from the fact that they stood to receive the sale proceeds - which, in this case, would be staggered.

Sri Lanka, West Indies Discard Tests from tour

SLC chief executive Ajit Jayasekara denied the motive for foregoing the Tests was to avoid a clash with the IPL, but failed to provide an alternate reason. He said the WICB had put forward the idea, and the SLC had agreed to the change in schedule after holding discussions. Jayasekara said scheduling an ODI series instead of following the FTP would end up being "more lucrative for the board".

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The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have scrapped two Tests from Sri Lanka's tour of the West Indies next May and instead plan to play an ODI tri-series involving India. The decision also means that players from both teams will remain available during the IPL, which runs from April 3 to May 26 next year. The teams were scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs and two Twenty20s as per the Future Tours Programme. It is unclear if the Twenty20s will remain part of the tour.



WICB corporate communications manager Imran Khan said that all three boards had agreed in principle to the tri-series. Dates and details would be finalised following final sanction from the BCCI. Incidentally, national boards receive 10% of each player's salary from the IPL.