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ESPNcricinfo previews the fifth ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia in Colombo

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale21-Aug-2011

Match facts

August 22, Colombo
Start time 1430 (0900 GMT)Sri Lanka’s middle order has been woeful. Can they find enough runs for a consolation win?•AFP

Big Picture

It’s dead-rubber time. Australia have won the series, but Sri Lanka could still make the scoreline a more respectable 3-2 with victory in the final match in Colombo. But they need to score runs for that to happen. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan have chipped in at times during the series without ever changing a match. The middle order has been woeful, from Angelo Mathews throwing his wicket away to a serious lack of form from Chamara Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and Jeevan Mendis. The only highlight has been Upul Tharanga’s century in the third match, and surprise, surprise, Sri Lanka won that match. Can they find enough runs for a consolation win?For Australia, winning the series has been an admirable result given their recent form and the off-field drama at home with the release of the Argus report. The key has been a fine bowling performance from every member of the attack. Mitchell Johnson, Doug Bollinger, Brett Lee and Xavier Doherty have all starred at times during the series, and have given their batsmen small enough totals to chase without too much trouble. Australia would love to make it 4-1, especially with eight members of the ODI squad staying for the Tests. There’s nothing like a winning mindset.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLLW
Australia WLWWW

In the spotlight

Seekkuge Prasanna was having a rather unmemorable debut until the last few minutes of Saturday’s loss. He had made a duck and then his first five overs of legspin at international level brought him 0 for 32. Suddenly, it all changed in a triple-wicket maiden that gave the Sri Lankan fans something to cheer. He had Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey caught behind off consecutive balls, and two deliveries later bowled David Hussey. Prasanna finished with 3 for 32 and while it wasn’t enough to save the match, it showed that he is a man to watch in this Sri Lanka side.He’s been around the one-day team for three years, but Shaun Marsh could finally be on the verge of claiming a permanent place in the side. Brad Haddin’s move down the order is likely to be permanent, and Marsh’s calm 70 in the victory over the weekend was a strong indication he is the man to partner Shane Watson in the long-term. And another impressive innings on Monday wouldn’t hurt his chances of forcing his way into the Test side, either.

Team news

What to do with the middle order? That’s been a problem for Sri Lanka right through the series, with Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Silva and Jeevan Mendis all failing in every innings they’ve played. Chandimal has already been axed, but who should get the job in the final match? Perhaps his legspin will mean Mendis is brought back in. Whatever the case, Sri Lanka need more runs. Simple.Sri Lanka: (possible) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Jeevan Mendis, 7 Nuwan Kulasekara, 8 Shaminda Eranga, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Ajantha Mendis, 11 Lasith Malinga.Australia have won the series, so they have the luxury of resting or rotating as they see fit ahead of the Tests. Maybe that will mean a match off for Mitchell Johnson, or for Shane Watson, but it is a risk to mess with winning form. A more likely scenario is one of the extra bowlers being given a run – perhaps the allrounder John Hastings. David Hussey hasn’t had any impact with the bat and could easily be squeezed out.Australia: (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 Shaun Marsh, 3 Ricky Ponting, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Mitchell Johnson, 8 Brett Lee, 9 John Hastings, 10 Xavier Doherty, 11 Doug Bollinger.

Pitch and conditions

There wasn’t a lot of pace in the Colombo pitch on Saturday, and there was some spin on offer. The forecast is for a thundery shower and a top temperature of 27C.

Stats and trivia

• Lasith Malinga is the only Sri Lankan bowler to have taken more than three wickets in the series
• Sri Lanka have lost 39 wickets in the series at an average of 20.94 per wicket; Australia have lost 20 at an average of 37.20
  

  Quotes

  “We’ll try our best to make it 3-2, but I’m really disappointed.”
  “It’s been a big couple of days, I think it’s shown real character from all the guys.”

Rest of India amassed 663 in the first innings after which they reduced Rajasthan to 53 for 3 by stumps in Jaipur

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRahul Sharma scored 52 off 38 balls•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

After ensuring they could not lose the Irani Cup outright to Rajasthan on the first day, Rest of India took a giant stride towards winning it outright on the second, continuing their commanding batting performance and making inroads with the new ball. Rest of India amassed 663 in the first innings after which they reduced Rajasthan to 53 for 3 by stumps in Jaipur.The platform for Rest of India’s mammoth first-innings score had been laid on the first day, when Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane scored centuries to lead their side to 400 for 3. Rahane continued Deepak Chahar’s torment this morning, cutting his first ball to the point boundary. Three balls later Rahane dismissed another short delivery to the cover boundary. Chahar had been expensive and wicketless on the first day. He suffered a similar fate today, and ended with 0 for 168 in 35 overs.Aniket Choudhary, on the other hand, gave Rajasthan a positive start, dismissing Parthiv Patel caught behind with the second new ball in the day’s third over. Patel was gone for 55, his overnight score. There was no respite for Rajasthan, though, as a succession of batsmen – specialist and tailender – came in and contributed usefully to Rest of India’s cause.Rahane, on 152, was the next to fall, driving Sumit Mathur in the air to cover, leaving Rest of India on 489 for 5. Mandeep Singh then contributed 60 off 80 balls, fast bowlers Vinay Kumar and Varun Aaron made 40s, and legspinner Rahul Sharma blitzed 52 off 38 balls. Sharma’s innings contained five sixes and served to pound an already weary Rajasthan team. Rest of India’s innings ended on 663 just before the tea break, giving Rajasthan a session to bat after spending five in the field.Rajasthan’s start was in stark contrast to Rest of India’s. While Dhawan and Mukund had raced yesterday morning, Aakash Chopra and Vineet Saxena were slow and cautious. They had scored only 7 off 6.5 overs when Saxena hit the first boundary. A couple of overs later, Saxena was gone, edging one that seamed away from Umesh Yadav to the wicketkeeper. Rajasthan were 25 for 1. Yadav found another edge, from the experienced Hrishikesh Kanitkar, to reduce Rajasthan to 44 for 2.Chopra had battled patiently for his 20, hitting only three boundaries in 70 balls, but his vigil ended in the last over of the day. Pragyan Ojha had come on to bowl his left-arm spin and Chopra used his feet, mis-cueing the loft towards long-on where Yadav held the catch. The wicket capped a near-perfect day for Rest of India, and left Rajasthan needing a monumental effort to avoid the follow-on.

A court heard on Friday during the alleged spot-fixing trial defendant Mohammed Asif insist that he was not protecting his former captain Salman Butt

Richard Sydenham at Southwark Crown Court14-Oct-2011A court heard on Friday during the alleged spot-fixing trial defendant Mohammed Asif insist that he was not protecting his former captain Salman Butt and denied that Butt had ever put pressure on him to bowl no-balls or to cheat in any other way.On the eighth day of the trial at Southwark Crown Court, the jury heard a transcript of an initial police interview with Asif in September last year, shortly after the publication of an undercover investigation into alleged corruption by the Pakistan cricketers and Majeed, released in the .The transcript was read out in role play format between policeman at the time Detective Constable John Massey and Sarah Whitehouse for the prosecution. Asif, though, was not present at the time as he arrived two hours late.When the court heard how Asif was questioned on whether he was protecting Butt, he replied: “No…I’m going to protect myself. How can I protect Salman Butt. Even in the game and in my life I am going to protect myself.”When police probed further and asked Asif if he was being put under any pressure by Butt not to tell the truth, Asif was again firm in his response: “No pressure, how can he put pressure on me? How can he pressurise me? Nobody can pressurise me as I have played in the (Pakistan) team for a long time.”The police interview also heard, which had been revealed earlier in the trial, how there was no marked money found in Asif’s room, but there was in the hotel rooms of Butt and Mohammad Amir at the time of police searches.Asif also revealed that his initial agent was Mazhar’s older brother Azhar but he switched to Mazhar “seven or eight months ago”, yet added that despite conversations of potential income, he had never received any money from either of the Majeed’s.Butt and Asif are facing charges of conspiracy to cheat, and conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments, following the Lord’s Test in August last year when they allegedly conspired with agent Mazhar Majeed, teenage fast bowler Amir and other people unknown to bowl pre-determined no-balls. Butt and Asif deny the charges.The case continues.

Bangladesh A took a slender first-innings lead after bowling West Indies A out for 129 on a rain-shortened day in St Lucia

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2011
ScorecardPlayed was delayed until 2:30 p.m. in St Lucia and only 34.3 overs were possible on the second day, but that was enough time for Bangladesh A to bowl West Indies A out for 129, giving them a lead of 26, which their openers then extended to 66 by the close of play.The No. 9, Sunil Narine provided the main resistance, adding 38 with opener Rajindra Chandrika, who was only able to add 10 to his overnight score of 30 before falling lbw to Robiul Islam. Narine then added another 31 with Shannon Gabriel (14) for the tenth wicket to at least ensure West Indies A reached triple figures after the hosts had slumped to 60 for 7 on the first day. Narine was left stranded on 40 when Sohail Gazi bowled Nelon Pascal first ball to wrap up the innings.The Bangladesh A openers began steadily, in stark contrast to the procession of wickets on day one. They successfully negotiated 15 overs without losing a wicket. Jahurul Islam, on 24, and Nasiruddin Faruque, on 14, will look to extend Bangladesh A’s advantage on the third day.

A round-up of the fourth day’s play from the Ranji Trophy Plate semi-finals

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Dec-2011On a closely-fought and tense final day in Nagpur, Hyderabad qualified for the knockouts based on a better run-rate against hosts Vidarbha. Hyderabad began the day in a good position, at 216 for 3, but both teams would have entertained hopes of going through. The determination of Hyderabad’s batsmen won out in the end, and they batted out the day. Though they didn’t gain a first-innings lead, they also didn’t get bowled out and their score of 486 for 8 in 166 overs came at a rate of 2.92 an over, marginally more than Vidarbha’s 2.77 for their 531 in 191.1 overs.The stars for Hyderabad on the final day came from their middle and lower order. Arjun Yadav, unbeaten on 91 overnight, progressed to make 128 and his partner Bavanaka Sandeep finished with 78. The pair fell within 47 runs of each other, and at 297 for 5, Vidarbha had the upper hand and were in with a chance of bowling out Hyderabad. But the batsmen fought on.Syed Qadri contributed 99 and was run out, agonisingly, short of a century. In the company of wicketkeeper Ibrahim Khaleel, he added 130 for the sixth wicket and played a critical role in steering Hyderabad towards safety. The pair went about their work slowly, however, and things got difficult for Hyderabad when they lost Qadri, Khaleel and Mohammed Khader in quick succession. 427 for 5 became 449 for 8, and with more than five overs still left in the day, Vidarbha had regained control. But, on a day of twists and turns, Hyderabad prevailed. Batting at No.8, Pagadala Naidu made a quickfire, unbeaten 29, off 28 balls, and added an unbeaten 37 off 32 balls with No.10 Lalith Mohan, who made 17 in 19. The duo took Hyderabad to the close, at a rate superior to that of their opponents, and in to the knockouts.Maharashtra booked their place in the Ranji Trophy quarter-finals, qualifying to the knockout phase based on a first-innings lead against Himachal Pradesh in Pune. Having bowled out HP for 236 on the third day and stretched the lead to 215, Maharashtra went about continuing their dominance in the contest and batted out the final day.HP’s only hope would have been to trigger a dramatic collapse that would give them an outside chance of a win, but that didn’t happen. The opening combination of Harshad Khadiwale and Chirag Khurana led the way for Maharashtra, adding 166. Khadiwale’s had a quiet season thus far and his first century this Ranji Trophy should give him plenty of confidence heading into the knockouts. The only consolation for HP on the final day was a four-wicket haul for offspinner Gurvinder Singh. Maharashtra finished with 288 for 5 and sealed their place in the top eight.

Mohsin Khan, the acting Pakistan coach, has come out in defence of captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s tactics that have been perceived as defensive by some, saying that his safety-first approach is due to the fear of failure

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Dec-2011Mohsin Khan, the acting Pakistan coach, has come out in defence of captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s tactics that have been perceived as defensive by some, saying that his safety-first approach is due to the fear of failure. Misbah, 37, was handed the reins after the spot-fixing controversy, and while his methods did not always make for attractive cricket, they shephered Pakistan through one of their most successful years across formats.”I think you have to understand that at his age he still worries about the fact that if he fails in one or two matches the critics will be after him and he could be dropped,” Mohsin said in an exclusive interview with television channel . “That is why he at times tends to play it safe. But he has gained in confidence as a captain, and I have been trying to tell him to not think about these things and just focus on doing what he is doing best at the moment: leading the team by example.”Misbah’s stint as captain began with a tough Test assignment late last year against South Africa in the UAE. Few gave the depleted Pakistan side – sans Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif – a chance, but they held South Africa to a creditable 0-0 draw. Misbah then oversaw a 1-0 Test series win in New Zealand, and played an integral part in the ODI series triumph on the same tour, under Shahid Afridi’s captaincy.Pakistan exceeded expectations to reach the World Cup semi-finals, and continued with their winning ways in the West Indies, though Shahid Afridi had a fall-out with the team management. Pakistan won the one-day leg and came back to square the Tests 1-1. After that tour, Misbah was handed the reins of the limited-overs side as well, and led Pakistan to victories in all formats against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.The winning run in Tests was set up by the solid, if unexciting, methods of Taufeeq Umar, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali and Misbah himself, with Mohammad Hafeez the only free-flowing scorer in the top order.Mohsin was full of praise for Misbah’s leadership methods. “I think Misbah is an intelligent player and composed captain, and he communicates well with the players. He has also quickly picked up the confidence to push for victories, plus he is batting extremely well. I tell him to just go out and get runs and don’t waste any innings. He has served Pakistan cricket very well.”Mohsin also explained that his role as coach was to focus on the mental aspect of the game and ensure he got the maximum out of the side, rather than spoon-feed his players on the skills front. “I think I have got along well with the players in the team. People need to understand that nowadays the job of a coach is to mentally make his players stronger, and just guide them and discuss strategies with them. A coach is a planner. I don’t think you can teach anything more in batting terms to Misbah or Younis at this stage.”I have told the players that being professionals we are also supposed to deliver; no compromises on that. My mantra is to give your 100% on the field; win or lose, that is part of the sport. Millions of people pray for our success and we shouldn’t let them feel we let them down or didn’t try hard enough.”

Steve Harmison has become the latest England cricketer to face up to the possibility that he was afflicted by clinical depression during his international career

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2012Steve Harmison has become the latest England cricketer to face up to the possibility that he was afflicted by clinical depression during his international career.In the BBC documentary , Harmison admitted a doctor raised the possibility that the bouts of homesickness and anxiety attacks that characterised his career might be extreme enough to be classified as severe depression.Harmison’s problems were most severe during England’s 2004-5 tour of South Africa when, by his own estimation “I realised that I had a problem and was going to have to sort it out.”His admission follows Marcus Trescothick’s enforced early retirement from international cricket because of mental health issues and Michael Yardy’s premature departure from the 2011 World Cup after a lengthy fight with depression.Andrew Flintoff also speculated depression might have been behind his prolonged drinking bouts as captain of a whitewashed England side during the 2006/7 tour of Australia.Harmison took only nine wickets at an average of 72 runs during the South Africa tour before recovering the following summer to play a central role alongside Flintoff in England’s Ashes success.”I was the No. 1 bowler in the world at the time and maybe there was a perception that everybody was looking at me thinking we’ve got to bowl South Africa out,” said Harmison. “You have got to take five wickets each time, you have got to do this, you have got to do that, you have got to carry the attack, and here I was struggling inside.”It never really transformed into something on the field. That was my get-out really – walking over that white line.”Harmison’s problems began even before the Test series began, frustrating his coach at the time, Duncan Fletcher, whose relationship with Harmison and Flintoff deteriorated as the years progressed.”We went into Jo’burg and it was the first time really where I went into a trip where I was having one of these dog days, or episodes, as the doctor said to me afterwards. That was the first time I had gone onto a trip feeling like that.”I had a bad first week. I couldn’t train. I was struggling to breathe, I was hyperventilating and that’s when it dawned on me that I had a problem and I was going to have to sort it out.”I was panicky, the anxiety was hitting me and I had a lump in my throat, I was having bad heads, I was shaking, I didn’t want to let go off the ball. There was one night when I went back into my room and looked into the mirror and thought ‘what’s the problem?’ That is when it really dawned on me, ‘You have a problem, you’re not weak, you are going to have to sort it out.”That was when depression was first mentioned. I still can’t get to the answer of what made me feel that way.”Flintoff told that his lowest moment came in Australia when he broke down and cried in front of his father on Chrisitmas Eve in Melbourne and pronounced himself a failure. England, although aware of his problems, chose not to replace him as captain with Andrew Strauss for the one-day series because Fletcher feared, quite wrongly, a backlash from the media.”I was at an all-time low personally and professionally even though I was captain of England,” Flintoff said. “But I didn’t want to get out of bed and I didn’t want to face people.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Adelaide

The Preview by Siddarth Ravindran13-Feb-2012

Match facts

Lasith Malinga was expensive in Sri Lanka’s previous match against India•AFP

February 14, Adelaide
Start time 1350 (0320 GMT)

Big Picture

Nearly two months after landing in Australia, India finally enter a match as the more confident team. The monstrous last-over six from MS Dhoni which helped secure victory on Sunday made it two wins in two for India, and leaves Sri Lanka desperate for a win to stay in touch with the other two sides.Dhoni’s finishing skills and Gautam Gambhir’s return to form may have grabbed most of the attention after the win over Australia, but India will be happier that two of their usual weaknesses were overcome. Firstly, the fielding was sharp; Virender Sehwag’s diving catch to dismiss David Hussey snapped Australia’s momentum. Also, the fast bowlers combined to put in a solid death-bowling performance, giving away only 57 runs in the final 10 overs to limit Australia to 269, when 300 seemed possible at one stage.For Sri Lanka, the experienced batting has failed to click so far. The biggest worry for them is the form of their new captain, Mahela Jaywardene, who has not made a half-century in 11 international innings. The traditionally batting-friendly Adelaide surface should help Sri Lanka make more runs, but if they lose they are likely to be left needing to win four of their last five league matches to reach the final.

Form guide

India WWLWW (Most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLWWL

In the spotlight

Umesh Yadav got his first chance in the tri-series on Sunday, and made a big impact. He took two important wickets, kept the runs down, consistently bowled in the late 140kph range and hit a top speed of 151.3kph, prompting Gautam Gabmhir to call Yadav ‘the find of the tour’. The rotation policy at the top of the order has gathered loads of headlines but Umesh’s performance, and Vinay Kumar’s strong show, leaves the management pondering about the fast-bowling combination.For years, Dinesh Chandimal was touted as one of the most promising youngsters in Sri Lankan cricket. When he got his chance as a 20-year-old in 2010, he announced himself with a century against India. A year later there was a famous century in Lord’s, but his scores proved infuriatingly inconsistent. It wasn’t till the recent series against South Africa that he made it to 20 in consecutive innings, but he has now hit a more fruitful spell, and is becoming an important part of the Sri Lankan middle-order.

Team news

India, in keeping with their much-debated rotation policy, should rest Virender Sehwag and bring back Sachin Tendulkar. Yadav was impressive so he should play. India will have to decide whether to keep Praveen Kumar out or to give Zaheer Khan a rest.India (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Rohit Sharma, 5 Suresh Raina, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Vinay Kumar, 10 Zaheer Khan/Praveen Kumar, 11 Umesh YadavThe lower-middle order has long been a problem for Sri Lanka . They will now have to decide whether to bring in Thisara Perera or give Lahiru Thirimanne another game. The bowling attack isn’t likely to have too many changes, as Sri Lanka aren’t likely to go in with two specialist spinners against India.Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Upul Tharanga, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Chanaka Welegedara/Dhammika Prasad

Pitch and conditions

Adelaide is usually a terrific track for batting, and it is expected to be the same on Tuesday. The forecast is for a mostly sunny day with a maximum temperature of 35 degrees.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka and India have played each other 130 times so far with 115 of the games being played in Asia. India hold a 60-46 record in matches in the subcontinent and a 9-4 record in ODIs outside the subcontinent. India beat Sri Lanka in three of the four matches played in the tri-series in Australia in 2008.
• India definitely hold the edge when it comes to the record of the two teams in Adelaide. While India have won seven and lost five at the venue, Sri Lanka’s record is a poor 3-12, the worst among all teams except Zimbabwe.

When asked why Virender Sewhag, who has been rested for India’s Asia Cup campaign, was not withdrawn from the ongoing CB Series, Kris Srikkanth responded with two words: “shut up”

Nagraj Gollapudi29-Feb-2012When asked why Virender Sewhag, who has officially been rested for India’s Asia Cup campaign, was not withdrawn from the ongoing CB Series, the BCCI selection committee chairman Kris Srikkanth responded with two words: “shut up”. It was a rare moment of brevity and candour during Srikkanth’s impromptu press conference, which descended into chaos and farce as he offered an unprovoked and lengthy defence of the Indian team’s recent performances.Kris Srikkanth speaks to reporters after the selection meeting in Mumbai•Fotocorp

Indian selection meetings are rarely followed by press conferences, so the media was caught by surprise when Srikkanth emerged to a scrum of reporters wielding cameras and microphones at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. By then the Asia Cup squad had been announced and the question on everyone’s mind was why Sehwag was missing from it.Srikkanth began by reading out the names in the squad, adding that Sehwag and Zaheer Khan were ruled out of the tournament because they had been declared unfit. “That is the team we’ve selected”, he said. “We are confident. Ok, we’ve done well.” He then spoke about Tuesday’s match, when India beat Sri Lanka in Hobart thanks to Virat Kohli’s century.”Yesterday’s match was an extraordinary game. Hats off to Virat Kohli, the way he played. Hats off to the entire Indian team for the way they approached the game because everybody knew it was a do-or-die game,” Srikkanth said. “When you have to chase 320 runs on any kind of wicket, at the rate of eight an over in 40 overs, and getting it at the end of the day in 37 overs, was something amazing. That goes to show the spirit of Indian cricket.”Next, a minor reality check. “Yes, you all might feel there have been ups and downs but this is a typical World Cup-winning team. It showed what winning a World Cup is because of fighting instincts.”Before this revelation: “Yes, we did badly in the Test series. It was totally unfortunate. No excuses, we got beaten thoroughly. But in the one-day matches, if you look at the overall analysis, I think we have done pretty well. It is just that one game was a tie (against Sri Lanka), because of an umpiring error. I think if the one ball extra had been bowled, probably we would have won the game and probably qualified for the final straightway.”In that match, Lasith Malinga bowled a five-ball over that cost nine runs – the second-best of the Indian innings. Dhoni, however, did not hold that umpiring error responsible for the tie.The questions about Sehwag, however, did not go away. Sehwag, Srikkanth repeated, was injured. “It is an honest truth. I am not trying to give any reasons. There is a medical report from the physiotherapist, which came to the board, and it says both Sehwag and Zaheer Khan needed proper rest because of their injury problems. So they have been rested only on injury grounds and nothing else. It is an absolute promise.”There was no point, Srikkanth said, in any further speculation. “Anybody can speculate [on] anything. You have been seeing them playing games. Nobody has pulled out. From time to time the physiotherapist takes fitness tests and we have gone by those reports and the recommendations given to the board. And we go by the board’s directive about who should be rested, if anybody has injury problems. Those things are in black and white paper. Those things need not be shown to you, they are all internal matters.”Then, to reiterate the point, he said: “I can assure you that nobody has been dropped.”The questions continued and Srikkanth, a bit ruffled by now, said he could not answer the same question “in different forms”. When a television reporter, standing to Srikkanth’s immediate left, asked why Sehwag was not called back to India if there were doubts about his fitness, Srikkanth retorted, “Boss, you just shut up now. You don’t talk like that now. We are talking about fitness. I know what you are implying. If you throw various googlies at me I will get angry, too. I know what to say. We are talking simple and straight, keep it that way. [In Hindi] If you try and finger me, do you expect me to stay quiet?”Recovering his poise and his typical ebullience, Srikkanth wrapped up the briefing by saying he was confident India would finish on a positive note. “Sometimes you get going, sometimes you don’t get going. Overall things have been quite okay and I don’t think we should really worry about it. You have to accept the fact the last three years was a golden period for Indian cricket: India became No.1 in Test cricket, almost became No.1 in the ODI cricket, won the World Cup after 28 years. Then, of course, we went to England and got battered a bit because of injury problems. In Australia, honestly speaking, I expected to win the Test series. Probably the batting did not click properly at all. But anyway, at least in the ODIs we are fighting, and I hope we enter the final and win the final by God’s grace.”Edited by Jayaditya Gupta

Kane Williamson will return to Gloucestershire for the first half of the 2012 season, the club have also signed Paul Muchall

Alex Winter03-Apr-2012Kane Williamson, the New Zealand batsman, will return to Gloucestershire for the first half of the season. Williamson will arrive in Bristol for Gloucestershire’s first home County Championship match on April 26 against Glamorgan.Williamson played in New Zealand’s Test series defeat to South Africa in March, scoring a century to save the third Test in Wellington, and will take an enforced break before returning to Nevil Road.”He proved a very good fit in our dressing room last season,” Gloucestershire director of cricket, John Bracewell, said. “Since then he has developed in all three formats of the game for New Zealand and that reflects great credit on him, as well as showing the benefit of his time with us.”Williamson, 21, scored 831 first-class runs at 36.13 for Gloucestershire last season before returning to New Zealand and making his highest first-class score of 284 not out for Northern Districts against Wellington. He was a regular in the New Zealand side in their tours to Zimbabwe and Australia and the home series against Zimbabwe and South Africa.Gloucestershire also hope to gain the services of another New Zealand cricketer in a unique deal with New Zealand Cricket. Once Williamson departs for his country’s tour of the West Indies in July another centrally-contracted player, not involved in the West Indies tour, will be sent to Gloucestershire.A spokesman for New Zealand Cricket said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Gloucestershire to develop our next generation of international cricketers. This partnership provides New Zealanders with the opportunity to play in and experience the pressures of a world class competition on a day to day basis.”Gloucestershire also signed allrounder Paul Muchall from Durham. Muchall was on trial in Bristol during the club’s pre-season matches and, having impressed, has signed a two-year contract.Muchall, the 25-year-old brother of Durham’s Gordon Muchall, spent time both at MCC Young Cricketers and in Durham’s 2nd XI with Will Gidman, who signed for Gloucestershire for the 2011 season.”John Bracewell was very specific in what he wanted from me and obviously I have impressed in the right ways,” Muchall said. “I like to hit the pitch hard and nip the ball around off the seam, with the occasional bouncer here and there when needed. I would hope to bat around six, seven or eight in the order, but it looks a strong batting line-up and I’ll happily slot in where required.”