Italy 1 New Zealand 1

(Reuters) – Highlights of Sunday’s World Cup Group F match which saw Italy and New Zealand draw 1-1 at the Mbombela stadium.

Sports

7 – GOAL – ITALY 0 NEW ZEALAND 1 – New Zealand take a shock lead when a long free kick into the box reaches Shane Smeltz who pokes the ball past Federico Marchetti in the Italian goal.

14 – YELLOW CARD – New Zealand forward Rory Fallon is booked for a foul on Fabio Cannavaro.

27 – Italy midfielder Riccardo Montolivo hits a low bending, long-range drive that beats stationary goalkeeper Mark Paston but the ball hits the inside of the post and bounces away.

28 – YELLOW CARD – New Zealand defender Tommy Smith is booked for pulling Daniele De Rossi’s shirt in the area and referee Carlos Batres points to the spot.

29 – GOAL – ITALY 1 NEW ZEALAND 1 – Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta sends Paston the wrong way as he confidently puts the ball into the back of the net.

45+2 – HALFTIME – ITALY 1 NEW ZEALAND 1 – The teams go in level at the break, although world champions Italy have dominated after New Zealand’s early goal.

46 – SUBSITUTION – Double change for Italy at the start of the second half with winger Mauro Camoranesi and forward Antonio Di Natale coming on for Simone Pepe and Alberto Gilardino.

61 – SUBSITUTION – Third and final change for Italy with striker Giampaolo Pazzini coming off the bench to replace midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

63 – SUBSTITUTION – New Zealand make a change with forward Chris Wood replacing Fallon.

70 – Italy’s Montolivo hits a fierce low drive from 25 meters and Paston pulls off an excellent one-handed save.

80 – SUBSTITUTION – Midfielder Jeremy Christie is brought on by New Zealand for defender Ivan Vicelich.

83 – New Zealand’s Wood turns his man on the edge of the box and hits a low left-foot shot that goes just wide.

87 – SUBSITUTION – New Zealand captain Ryan Nelson is cautioned for time wasting.

88 – Camoranesi hits a thunderous effort from about 30 meters but Paston pushes the ball behind for a corner.

90+3 – SUBSTITUTION – New Zealand bring on midfielder Andy Barron for forward Chris Killen.

90+5 – FULLTIME – ITALY 1 NEW ZEALAND 1 – New Zealand hang on for a shock 1-1 draw against world champions Italy.

(Writing by Michael Holden)

Twenty20 international spices up Florida suburb

With the smell of Jamaican jerk chicken and Indian biryani wafting through stands, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 28 runs in the first official international between two test playing nations in the United States.

The Twenty20 match on Saturday provided an unusual sporting atmosphere for the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale, the flags and shirts in the crowd revealing supporters from Indian, Pakistani, English, South African and Caribbean backgrounds.

“It was nice to see so many Sri Lankans here, I know they have flown down from many different places in the States, unfortunately we couldn’t do them justice with our performance here,” said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.

The only element that would have jarred with supporters well used to watching cricket on television was scantily-clad cheerleaders entering the field of play, dancing at third man while the bowler was at his mark.

But there was no complaints from the fans, including a noisy contingent of Sri Lankans who had travelled down from the northern part of the United States.

“It’s fantastic to see the team playing here in the States and to see people enjoying cricket,” said Adusha Kotuwegoda from New York.

‘SUB-CONTINENT FEEL’

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori felt the event had been a success.

“Obviously with a lot of Sri Lankans here it had a kind of sub-continent feel but it was a crowd that was entertained.

“I thought the entertainment off the field was good for the game and whilst it wasn’t as high scoring as people wanted it was still a thrilling game,” he said.

A slow and low surface and large field at the only ICC certified cricket stadium in the United States meant the crowd got to see few boundaries, with just two sixes and 13 fours.

New Zealand made 120 with Ross Taylor striking 27 and skipper Daniel Vettori a crucial 21 not out at the back end of the innings.

Sri Lanka never really got going in reply with New Zealand seamer Kyle Mills removing openers Mahela Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan cheaply.

Angelo Mathews top scored for Sri Lanka with 27 as they stumbled to 92 all out with two balls remaining, Scott Styris taking three wickets 10 ten runs in three overs.

The two teams meet again on Sunday at the same venue with a bigger crowd expected for a double-header featuring a clash between the United States and Jamaica.

(Editing by Peter Rutherford; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Kiwi pacer Bond retires from all forms of cricket

Christchurch, May 14 (ANI): One of New Zealand best fast bowlers in recent times, Shane Bond, 34, announced his retirement from all cricket today after competing in the Twenty20 world championship in the Caribbean.

“I know the time is right for me to step down. I have given it everything when playing for the Black Caps. I will miss the camaraderie because it has been a privilege to play along such a great bunch of guys who are so committed to do their best for New Zealand,” the New Zealand Herald quoted Bond, as saying in a statement.

“I want to thank my wife Tracey, my family, my manager Leanne McGoldrick and all those at New Zealand Cricket, Canterbury, my club Old Boys Collegians and the Players Association”s Heath Mills for all their help and support over the years,” he added.

“Playing with pride for the Black Caps over the years has meant so much to me. I dreamed of playing for New Zealand when I was six. The reality of what has unfolded was more than I could ever hope for and I have been extremely proud to represent New Zealand,” Bond said.

I am going to miss a lot of this, but I know now is the time to bow out. I am very keen at some stage to put something back into the game in New Zealand,” he said.

In nearly nine years of international cricket, Bond played just 18 tests, 80 one-day internationals and 20 Twenty20 internationals. He took 87 test wickets at an excellent average of 22.09, and 147 ODI wickets at 20.88.

His individual highlight was his haul of six for 19 against Australia at the 2003 World Cup when he destroyed the eventual champions” powerful batting lineup.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said: “We are lucky to have had a player of his stature donning the Black Cap. For me personally, it is a big loss, I think he could still be a really good player for us for some time to come. But I know how much effort he puts in to stay on the park.”

Vettori hoped Bond would return as a coach to help out future New Zealand fast bowlers.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Justin Vaughan said: “We shall all miss Shane in the international arena. His speed and ability struck fear into batsmen from every team in world cricket. He has been a real match winner. Shane has had an inspirational presence about him and has been a great role model for younger team mates.” (ANI)

England carries perfect run into semis

England has proved there is more to its batting than Kevin Pietersen as it knocked New Zealand out of the World Twenty20 with a three-wicket win at Saint Lucia.

Eoin Morgan starred with 40 after England, chasing 150 for victory, had slumped to 4 for 66 at the Beausejour Stadium.

But, together with Luke Wright, who made 24, the former Ireland left-hander swung the game back England’s way in a stand of 52 in just more than six overs.

Morgan got out just before the finish but man-of-the-match Tim Bresnan, unbeaten on 23 after taking one wicket for 20, finished the contest with five balls to spare when he pulled Kyle Mills for four.

England, already through to the semi-finals before this final Group E match even started after defending champions Pakistan beat South Africa earlier in the day, ended the Super Eights with a perfect 3-0 record.

It will now face the runners-up in Group F in the first semi-final on Thursday.

England’s victory also meant Pakistan went through as the second qualifier out of the group for the semi-finals as it edged New Zealand on superior run-rate.

England had won its previous matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the back of Pietersen fifties.

But it had to do without its star batsman after Pietersen, who expects to be back for the semi-finals, was given temporary leave to attend the birth of his first child, a boy, in London on Monday.

England made a rousing start to its run chase with Craig Kieswetter, like Pietersen and Michael Lumb born in South Africa, launching Nathan McCullum’s off-spin for a four and a huge six in successive balls as 13 runs came off the first over.

But England then lost Kieswetter when the wicketkeeper struck Kyle Mills hard but straight to Nathan McCullum at cover-point.

Lumb on-drove the express pace of Shane Bond for a huge six and twice swept the left-arm spin of New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori for four.

Ravi Bopara, Pietersen’s stand-in, made just 9 before he was well caught in the covers by Ross Taylor off all-rounder Scott Styris.

The 2 for 60 became 3 for 60 when Lumb was plumb lbw for 32, made off 21 balls with a six and four fours, after he missed a sweep against Vettori.

England’s collapse continued to 4 for 66 when captain Paul Collingwood managed just 3 before he was deceived by a Styris slower ball and clipped straight to Brendon McCullum at midwicket.

However, Morgan struck an amazing one-handed six off Styris and Wright crashed a couple of boundaries off fast bowler Ian Butler.

Morgan’s 34-ball innings ended when he pulled Bond and Vettori took a fine diving catch but it was too little too late for New Zealand.

Earlier Ross Taylor top-scored for New Zealand with 44 and put on 62 for the fourth wicket with Styris (31) after the Black Caps slumped to 3 for 65.

Watson declares himself fit

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has trained strongly and declared himself fit for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand.

The Allan Border Medallist missed last week’s 10-wicket first Test win by Australia in Wellington because of a thigh strain.

But the opener batted without any discomfort in the nets and is confident he can also get through several spells of medium-pace bowling through the match.

“Initially it was a cork that set it off in the fourth (one-day international) game playing a pull shot, it came off the back of my hip,” Watson told reporters at Seddon Park on Friday.

“Throughout the fifth one-dayer it got a bit tight and then going to training it sort of tweaked a little bit leading into the first Test.

“It has all settled down really, really well so I’m right to go full steam.”

Watson’s return means opener Phillip Hughes (20 and 86 not out) is likely to drop out of the side, after the 21-year-old was recalled a week ago when Watson withdrew because of injury.

Meanwhile New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says 19-year-old batsman Kane Williamson is unlikely to make his Test debut on Saturday, as the Kiwis prepare to gamble on a long tail against Australia’s quicks.

Jeetan Patel is set to be recalled as the team’s second spinner behind Vettori, replacing injured paceman Daryl Tuffey. Mathew Sinclair is vying for the number three batting spot in place of the out-of-form Peter Ingram.

“I think we’ll go in with Jeetan. We’ll refine the squad down to having Kane in the mix of 12 but in the end it’s looking like (we’re) going in with the five bowlers and me still batting at six,” Vettori said.

Pace bowler Tim Southee is expected to retain his spot against competition from all-rounder James Franklin.

The Kiwis lost five for nine in their first innings of the first Test.

Vettori will on Saturday become only the second New Zealand player to reach the 100-Test milestone, behind former skipper Stephen Fleming (111 matches from 1994-2008).

- AAP

Watson still an injury concern

Australian captain Ricky Ponting wants further proof of Shane Watson’s fitness before any decision on the all-rounder’s return for Saturday’s second Test against New Zealand.

Watson missed last week’s first Test in Wellington with a thigh strain and was replaced by opener Phillip Hughes who scored 20 and 86 not out.

“Watson got through training well yesterday,” Ponting said at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on Friday.

“He did a lot of batting at the start and then bowled off his long run which is really encouraging.

“I want to see how he pulls up today and see what he gets done at training today first before we make any announcement on the team.”

Ponting said pitch conditions were also important on the green-looking deck which may take spin late in the match.

The skipper also left open the possibility of promoting young leg-spinner Steve Smith for his debut.

But he added the team already had part-time slow bowlers Michael Clarke, Marcus North and Simon Katich to support frontline spinner Nathan Hauritz.

“I notice they New Zealand have got two spinners in their squad, so we’ll have a look at the wicket today,” Ponting said.

Meanwhile New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says 19-year-old batsman Kane Williamson is unlikely to make his Test debut in Hamilton on Saturday, as the Kiwis prepare to gamble on a long tail against Australia’s quicks.

Jeetan Patel is set to be recalled as the team’s second spinner behind Vettori, replacing injured paceman Daryl Tuffey while Mathew Sinclair is vying for the number three batting spot in place of the out-of-form Peter Ingram.

Vettori said Williamson is likely to be selected as 12th man.

“I’ve played here enough times to realise (the pitch) is probably going to have a bit in it early on but it’s not going to be anything too terrible,” he said.

“It’ll be a tough first session but it’ll get lower and slower as the game goes on.

“I think we’ll go in with Jeetan. We’ll refine the squad down to having Kane in the mix of 12 but in the end it’s looking like going in with the five bowlers and me still batting at six.”

Pace bowler Tim Southee is expected to retain his spot against competition from all-rounder James Franklin.

The Kiwis lost 5 for 9 in their first innings of the first Test in Wellington, eventually losing to Australia by 10 wickets.

“We’ve got to go in looking to take 20 wickets. Whilst Tim didn’t perform well in the last Test (0 for 68) we’ll back him in this one,” Vettori said.

“Hopefully he can produce a performance because we want to give him confidence.

“We think he’s a good player, he’s a young guy but he needs to step up in this Test match and prove to us that he’s good enough.”

Vettori will on Saturday become only the second New Zealand player to reach the 100-Test milestone, behind former skipper Stephen Fleming (111 matches from 1994-2008).

Ex-Australian captain Steve Waugh is the world record-holder with 168 matches.

- AAP

Kiwi teenager unlikely to make debut in Hamilton Test: Vettori

Hamilton (New Zealand), Mar. 26 (ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has said 19-year-old batsman Kane Williamson is unlikely to make his Test debut in Hamilton on Saturday.

The Kiwis are prepared to gamble on a long tail against Australia”s quicks.

Jeetan Patel may be recalled as the team”s second spinner behind Vettori, replacing injured paceman Daryl Tuffey.

Mathew Sinclair is vying for the No.3 batting spot in place of the out-of-form Peter Ingram.

“I”ve played here enough times to realise (the pitch) is probably going to have a bit in it early on but it”s not going to be anything too terrible,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Vettori, as saying on Friday.

“It”ll be a tough first session but it”ll get lower and slower as the game goes on. I think we”ll go in with Jeetan. We”ll refine the squad down to having Kane in the mix of 12, but in the end it”s looking like going in with the five bowlers and me still batting at six,” Vettori added.

Pace bowler Tim Southee is expected to retain his spot against competition from all-rounder James Franklin.

The Kiwis lost 5-9 in their first innings of the first Test in Wellington, eventually losing to Australia by 10 wickets.

Vettori will on Saturday become only the second New Zealand player to reach the 100-Test milestone, behind former skipper Stephen Fleming (111 matches from 1994-2008). (ANI)

Wellington weather frustrates Aussies

Poor weather may save New Zealand from defeat in the first Test against Australia after bad light stopped play on day four at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Little cricket was possible in the final session of the day with the players forced from the field and the Black Caps will resume their second innings on Tuesday on 6 for 369.

They lead Australia by 67 runs with four wickets in hand.

Brendon McCullum will recommence on 94 and Daryl Tuffey 23 when play gets underway at the earlier starting time of 10:30am (local time) on day five.

Australia had begun the day confident of wrapping up a victory inside four days, however both the weather and stubborn resistance from the Black Caps served to frustrate the tourists.

The Black Caps had resumed on 5 for 187, needing 115 runs to make Australia bat again, and after a delayed start because of rain and wind they did not lose a wicket during the morning session to reach lunch on 5 for 266.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and McCullum scored at a steady run rate to add 79 runs to their overnight total with the former reaching his 22nd half-century during the session.

The partnership, which pushed the Black Caps past Australia’s first innings total of 5 for 459 (declared), was brought to an end after lunch when Nathan Hauritz bowled Vettori for 77.

Vettori and McCullum put on a vital 126 runs for the sixth wicket.

McCullum survived an umpire referral during the middle session when on 52, having padded a ball from the bowling of Hauritz.

Umpire Asad Rauf had initially turned down the appeal and his decision was backed up by third umpire Aleem Dar after the recording equipment at the scoreboard end had been affected by extreme winds.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting argued with Rauf and his colleague Ian Gould for some time but his efforts were to no avail.

Nevertheless, McCullum continued to make progress and alongside Tuffey he helped guide the Black Caps through to tea at 6 for 363.

Only six runs were managed in the only two overs permitted during the final session, meaning McCullum and Tuffey had added 60 to the Black Caps’ salvage effort.

It has been admirable performance from the Black Caps so far in their second innings, considering they were dismissed for a disappointing 157 in their first knock on day three.

Aside from McCullum and Vettori, opener Tim McIntosh had been a valuable contributor with 83, although the display from the remainder of the home side’s top order left much to be desired.

Tigers, Roosters off to flyers

It took just one round for Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters fans to begin dreaming of their sides making the NRL finals.

And it has taken only two rounds for the clubs to find themselves in a bona fide Sunday afternoon blockbuster at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Roosters’ 36-10 upset of South Sydney and the Tigers’ amazing comeback to beat Manly 26-22 were two of the gobsmacking results of the season’s opening weekend.

On Sunday the two first-up winners are likely to run onto the ground they share in front of a bumper crowd boosted by Lote Tuqiri’s impressive return on Monday night.

“I don’t know about an all-time high but, from my point of view while I’ve been around, I reckon the footy that was played last week and the general feeling in footy at the moment is big,” Roosters coach Brian Smith said.

The key combinations of the Tigers’ Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah, and the Roosters’ Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney are likely to be as thrilling as they are crucial to their side’s chances.

A support cast of Robert Lui and Tim Moltzen for the Tigers, and veteran Braith Anasta for the Roosters should ensure skill will be a major factor in the result.

Carney is wary of Marshall’s more direct play in attack this year after the New Zealand captain’s superb ball-playing display against the Sea Eagles.

“I watched a bit of stuff on him, he looks like he’s getting back to his best,” Carney said.

“When he’s running across the field and he’s got a lot of space he’s very dangerous.

“I noticed he’s taking the line on a lot more and he’s a lot more dangerous when he does that – he and Farah and Moltzen’s combination looked really good, so we’re going to have to tighten up that middle.”

Carney, who played a blinder against the Rabbitohs, is under no illusion his move to full-back will be tested under instructions from wily Tigers coach Tim Sheens.

“I’ll be ready for all the trick kicks and bombs and the players coming through,” Carney said.

“There’s going to be a lot of pressure but I’ve just got to concentrate on my game and hopefully I just do my job.

“The Tigers are a team that you have to be on (against), when they shift they shift, they’re deep and they’re coming (at you).”

Tuqiri’s second match back after seven years in rugby union has taken on drawcard proportions after his first-touch try against the Sea Eagles and his late charge down the left wing, which helped rescue the match for the Tigers.

Smith is not sure whether he will be even better for the hit-out on Monday night.

“That’s hard to say,” he said.

“Some guys do and some guys, it takes a lot out of them and it takes them a couple of weeks to get going again.”

Meanwhile, Roosters prop Jason Ryles, named on the bench this week, is likely to start the match.

- AAP

Clarke “copping it from crowd” is part of the game: Kiwi group

Wellington, Mar 16(ANI): New Zealand cricket supporters group, the Beige Brigade, has said that Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke will be “copping it” from the crowd during the first Test between Australia and New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington.

It will be Clarke’s first on-field appearance since splitting with fiancee Lara Bingle.

“For anyone to suggest a story that has been all over the newspapers, on every TV station, every radio report and all over the internet sites is going to be ignored when the Test starts- they don”t have a prayer,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Paul Ford, Beige Brigade founder, as saying.

“What was Mike Hussey thinking when he said it was out of bounds? It”s something that every New Zealander and every Australian has been talking about at the pub, and at work. Put it this way. If Dan Vettori (New Zealand captain) was going through some trouble and he was going out to play at the WACA or the MCG, he”d be hearing about it, too.”

“Copping it from the crowd is part and parcel of it. Don”t our players get a hard time in Australia? Of course they do,” he added.

Ford further said that the controversy of the high-profile relationship has given a lot of New Zealanders a reason to attend the game.

“He seems like a pretty easy guy for us to dislike – a latte-drinking, Aston Martin-loving type of guy. But he”s a fantastic player and probably a tough little bugger. I think he”s been pretty dignified how he”s handled everything and I doubt any banners or comments at the ground will put him off his game,” Foed said.

“Great players like him usually don”t react, but we”ll be trying to put him off,” he added. (ANI)

Aussies spread the workload

Australia’s bowlers patiently dismantled a New Zealand innings laden with silly shot selection to set up an easy run chase in the fifth and final one-day international in Wellington on Saturday.

A pitch invasion by a lone spectator in the 35th over generated more crowd noise than most of the Black Caps’ batsmen did as the home side posted a meagre 9 for 241.

Every Australian who delivered a ball took a wicket, with Mitchell Johnson turning in the best figures of 2 for 42, but their efforts were rather inefficient as they conceded an appalling 29 extras (19 wides, three leg byes, seven no balls).

Scott Styris’ innings was one of few highlights for the embattled Kiwis, who have lost three straight after winning the first match of the five-game series.

The Brisbane-born right-hander hit two fours and a six on his way to 55 from 66 deliveries, but a needlessly wild shot was his undoing.

Styris played mostly sure, steady strokeplay but he played too aggressively on a seaming James Hopes delivery and chopped it onto his stumps.

The Black Caps relied otherwise on cameos from Ross Taylor (30), Gareth Hopkins (26) and Daniel Vettori (28), who also fell victim to questionable shot selection.

Vettori looked just as comfortable at the crease Styris, with whom he piled on 68 for the fifth wicket, but the New Zealand captain took a big step to the leg side against Doug Bollinger.

Bollinger’s line and length were dead on target and the ball sent Vettori’s bails flying.

Nathan McCullum and Daryl Tuffey (36) put together a flashy 28 from 36 balls but Johnson came between them to dismiss McCullum for 17 caught-and-bowled.

Shane Bond was the last man standing on 6 not out.

Taking advantage

Despite having already clinched the series the tourists did not cut New Zealand any slack, and Ricky Ponting’s decision to bowl first paid almost immediate dividends despite a couple of expensive overs to start with.

A flurry of bonus runs in the first three overs got New Zealand off to a healthy start but less than half of them had come off the bat.

Bollinger (1 for 37) gifted the Kiwis eight sundries in his first over and Clint McKay surrendered five runs off a no-ball before the next delivery, a free hit, was sent for a towering six by Guptill.

McKay (2 for 57) kept his head down though and struck on the first ball of his next over, forcing Brendon McCullum into a hurried shot that he chipped to Ponting at mid-off.

Guptill did not see out the over, heading back to the pavilion when hesitation between he and Taylor allowed Hopes (1 for 28) to catch the opener short of his ground with a pinpoint throw to the striker’s end.

Shanan Stewart, an accomplished player in the domestic first class and one-day arenas, made just 6 from seven balls in his second one-day international for New Zealand.

He poked tentatively at Johnson and got a slight edge through to Brad Haddin behind the stumps.

Taylor and Styris joined in the middle to stop the rot and their 67-ball dig looked like it was going to dig New Zealand out of the hole.

But Taylor’s momentum was cut short when he pulled a short Watson (1 for 31) delivery high into the air on the leg side where Bollinger was able to run around and take a crucial catch.

Vettori included in New Zealand selection panel

Colombo (Sri Lanka), Aug 24(ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has been included in the cricket selection panel, which has underwent few alterations in the past week.

From the previous panel, convener Glenn Turner is the only person to remain, while, Dion Nash has stepped down citing business and family commitments and John Wright has stepped aside to concentrate on the development area.

Vettori has been included in the selection panel along with Mark Greatbatch, who was previously a selection adviser and coach Andy Moles.

“We’ve thought through them all and we’ve made it very clear to Dan if he is sidelined with a long- term injury, he would no longer be on the selection panel. Taking on the role of captain has increased his performance on the field, so, I don’t think added responsibility is something we need to worry about,” stuff.co.nz quoted Justin Vaughan, New Zealand Cricket chief executive, as saying.

Vaughan further said that the decision was influenced by the norm of senior captains around the world having a major say in selection.

“If you look at the likes of Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith, they have a lot of say even if they are not part of the formal decision,” Vaughan said.

He also said that Vettori’s relationship with other players is extremely strong and having him as a selector would not make any difference.

“We felt there was no point beating around the bush. We wanted Dan to have a say in the selection of his team,” Vaughan said.

Meanwhile, the old panel did name a 15-member one-day squad for the Champions Trophy in South Africa, starting from September 22.

The players are Daniel Vettori (captain), Shane Bond, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor and Daryl Tuffey. (ANI)

ICC failed to deal with Muralitharan’s chucking: Richardson

Christchurch, Aug 24 (ANI): Former New Zealand opener Mark Richardson has accused the Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan of breaching the 15 degree flexion rule.

Richardson said Muralitharan often bends his arm beyond the 15-degree norm even though he felt it was not the spinner but the indifferent International Cricket Council (ICC), which was at fault.

“There is no easy way to put this, no soft way to broach it, so here goes – Muttiah Muralitharan is throwing the ball,” Richardson wrote in Herald on Sunday.

“I know he’s been tested, re-tested, tested again and cleared. And I know, with the special makeup of his limbs to the naked eye, his action looks worse than it is. But, for goodness sake, half of cricket is now not watched with the naked eye, thanks to the invention of super-slow-motion cameras, hot-spots, snicko and hawk-eyes.

“Many of the slow-motion replays I’ve seen of Murali have only strengthened my conviction he is exceeding the 15 degrees bending and straightening allowance. Is it not meant to be the other way round? Isn’t the hi-tech equipment meant to alleviate my fears?” he asked.

Unlike former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe, who often flays Muralitharan, Richardson didn’t blame the offie, but opined ICC had failed to deal with the issue.

“I don’t blame Murali for this situation. Murali can only do what he does – and what he does he does as a champion, and unlike the other great spinner of my time, Murali does it with good grace and gentlemanly conduct,” Richardson said.

“The problem lies with the inappropriate way in which the ICC has decided to police throwing. A player is suspected of throwing and then, for want of a better term, tested in a laboratory. We’ve all seen the pictures of Murali lit up with bulbs. To his credit he volunteered for this. Apparently he proved he wasn’t a chucker.
“But did he really? What he proved is that he can bowl within limitation, not that in the heat of battle he actually does,” The Dawn quoted him, as saying.

He said that the way the ICC has gone about dealing with this situation, too many bowlers now appear to have suspect actions and can operate for too long before there is any reaction. (ANI)

More than virus, Dilshan’s batting contributed to Kiwi defeat: Vettori

Galle (Sri Lanka), Aug 23(ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has said that more than the energy-sapping virus that stuck his team during the first Test match at the Galle International Stadium, it was Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan’s explosive batting which contributed to New Zealand’s 202-run loss.

Dilshan scored 92 runs in Sri Lanka’s first innings and scored quickfire 123 runs in the second to take Sri Lanka to an imposing target of 413.

“When you look at how well Dilshan played and how poorly we bowled to him, it was probably the defining moment of the game,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Vettori, as saying.

“There were a couple of opportunities there to put pressure on them, but everything we did, he took it away from us. He played exceptionally well, he played very aggressive innings, and when you’ve got a player like that, it makes it very tough to captain,” he added.

Vettori said that he wanted to take the game to the wire, however, failed to do so, as multiple players being ill in the team meant that they were bowled out for a meager 210 runs.

“I really hoped we’d take it down to the wire. I hoped that we could bat for long periods of time, but in some ways a few illnesses counted against us and the application wasn’t quite there,” Vettori said.

He further said that one of the most disappointing things in the Test was to lose as many wickets to the seamers as they did.

“Obviously Murali’s a difficult customer to come up against but the way Thushara bowled was probably where we let ourselves down,” Vettori said. (ANI)

Gul slams Western teams for crying foul on Asian’s “God gifted” reverse swing skills

Peshawar, June 24 (ANI): Pakistan speedster Umar Gul has said that reverse swing is an ‘art’ and critised the foreign teams, who had leveled ball tampering charges on their Asian counterparts.

Gul said western teams lacked skill and ability to reverse swing the cricket ball, and that is why they always accused Asian fast bowlers of foulplay.

“Whenever an Asian bowler performs and uses the reverse swing the western cricketing countries raise the issue of ball tampering against them,” said Gul.

He termed the allegations made by New Zealand captain, Daniel Vettori, as ‘baseless’, and said that he had developed the ‘art’ of reverse swing through immense practice.

“I think the art of reverse swing is also God gifted which can be improved through practice. I watched Wasim Akram and Waqar’s bowling videos and developed this art through repeated practice,” The News quoted Gul, as saying.

Gul, who is the leading wicket taker in the Twenty20 format of the game, said he did not expect the rousing welcome that the team received after they came back home with the ICC World Twenty20 Championship trophy.

Commenting on the upcoming Sri Lanka tour, where Pakistan has to play a three match Test series and a five match one-day international series, Gul said players would need time to switch to the five-day mode of the game, but expressed hope that Pakistan would carry on their form in the series.

“Though Test cricket is totally a different ball game and the team will take some time to adjust itself with Sri Lankan conditions but we will try to adjust with the conditions very soon and will hopefully perform well,” he said. (ANI)

‘We have set the benchmark’, says Dhoni

Wellington, Apr. 7 (ANI): Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today praised his squad for gelling together to effect a series triumph in New Zealand after 41 years, and added that it had set a benchmark for future Indian teams to achieve.

“It’s a fantastic atmosphere [in the dressing room], can’t get better. We have set the benchmark. Next time when we come to New Zealand, people expect you to win. You have achieved something that’s big, but the tough part is to maintain it, to sustain it. It never gets easy for a cricketer,” said Dhoni.

“If you have not achieved something, there’s pressure on you to achieve it. Once you have achieved it, there is pressure to sustain it. Nothing comes easy, it will be tougher for the guys who come on the next tour,” he added.

Though disappointed at not winning the third and final test here because of inclement weather, Dhoni said: ” You can’t really bank on the weather. What we were expecting was a minimum of 110 overs. But we didn’t even get that much. What we wanted to do in the second innings was to attack, attack and attack so that even if one ball goes in the air, you want a fielder to catch it. That’s only possible when you have the extra 70-80 runs. You don’t want to change your plan.”

Dhoni said the most satisfying bit of the whole tour was that it was a team effort, with almost everybody contributing at some point or time or other.

“Contributions came when they were needed,” he said.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori agreed with Dhoni’s assessment of it being team effort-related win.

“India obviously outplayed us in all departments, apart from our first couple of morning sessions where we had them at 200 for 6. From then on in, it’s been India’s game,” Vettori said.

Vettori also praised fast bowler Chris Martin for a successful comeback from injury at the age of 34, adding that for his unrelenting spirit, he deserved at least 200 Test wickets before walking into the sunset.

“There is a number of things we have to improve. We have to improve our consistency as a side. We do things well for a period of time, but the longevity of what we do is the thing that is causing me the most stress. You see it all the time that we can be a good team, but we are not delivering it often enough,” Vettori said.

Vettori said: “We like to see some improvement, obviously getting off the foot of the table. If we can get to fourth or fifth in the next 24 months, that will be very pleasing.” (ANI)

New Zealand slow India’s scoring rate after two quick wickets

India made a breezy start to the third and final test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Friday, before they lost two quick wickets to reach 101 for two at lunch on the first day.

Virender Sehwag (48) and Gautam Gambhir (23) were the batsmen dismissed after they had raced to 65 for none within the first hour. Rahul Dravid (nine) and Sachin Tendulkar (16) were not out at the break.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an Iain O’Brien delivery through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum with the score on 73.

The right hander was particularly brutal on swing bowler Tim Southee, scoring 27 of his runs off the 20-year-old, who conceded 40 runs from his first six-over spell.

Gambhir fell with the score on 75 when he was trapped in front by a James Franklin delivery that swung back.

Sehwag and Gambhir’s onslaught meant New Zealand did not bowl a maiden until the 18th over of the innings.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had won the toss and elected to field, bringing in Southee for offspinner Jeetan Patel while Daniel Flynn also returned after recovering from a hand injury sustained in the first test.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned from a back injury for India, who lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

The second match in Napier ended in a draw.

New Zealand slow India’s scoring rate after two quick wickets

India made a breezy start to the third and final test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Friday, before they lost two quick wickets to reach 101 for two at lunch on the first day.

Virender Sehwag (48) and Gautam Gambhir (23) were the batsmen dismissed after they had raced to 65 for none within the first hour. Rahul Dravid (nine) and Sachin Tendulkar (16) were not out at the break.

Sehwag had stroked seven boundaries and a six before he nicked an Iain O’Brien delivery through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum with the score on 73.

The right hander was particularly brutal on swing bowler Tim Southee, scoring 27 of his runs off the 20-year-old, who conceded 40 runs from his first six-over spell.

Gambhir fell with the score on 75 when he was trapped in front by a James Franklin delivery that swung back.

Sehwag and Gambhir’s onslaught meant New Zealand did not bowl a maiden until the 18th over of the innings.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had won the toss and elected to field, bringing in Southee for offspinner Jeetan Patel while Daniel Flynn also returned after recovering from a hand injury sustained in the first test.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni returned from a back injury for India, who lead the series 1-0 after winning the first test in Hamilton by 10 wickets.

The second match in Napier ended in a draw.

“Brown and dry” Basin pitch leaves Vettori pulling out his hair

Wellington, Apr 2 (ANI): New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori is disappointed with the pitch for the third Test against India, as he was hoping for a more greener wicket.

Vettori was hoping for a pitch that offered his fast bowlers genuine assistance, as the home side seeks to draw the series, but the colour of the wicket was not to his liking when the covers were removed today.

“I haven’t seen a Basin wicket as brown as this and as dry as this ever before. I’ve never seen a Basin pitch like this in my life. I can’t get a read on it,” the NZPA quoted Vettori, as saying.

He admitted that he had briefed groundsman Brett Sipthorpe on what he would prefer. “We get asked about what we want from a wicket but it is still the groundsman’s prerogative to produce the wicket that he wants to,” Vettori said.

Vettori sought advice from fellow spinner Jeetan Patel, a local who took a five-wicket bag for Wellington on an adjacent pitch during the State Championship match against Otago on March 20.

“Jeetan said it had a bit of bounce in it and didn’t too do much and was a pretty good batting wicket as the game went on,” Vettori said.

“You normally expect the Basin to have something in it, really settle down and later there’s a bit of inconsistent bounce,” he added.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was pleasantly surprised when making his pitch assessment.

“Of course I am a bit surprised. I was expecting a green track, quite similar to the one I could have got a glimpse of (in 2002).” (ANI)

Sehwag rockets into top 10 as Tendulkar returns to top 20

London, Mar. 16 (ANI): India master blaster Virender Sehwag has reached on the sixth position of the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Player Rankings, while champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar has reached on the thirteenth position.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has retained his first position, but Kulasekara has replaces Vettori on top of bowling listing.

Yuvraj has risen to career-best third position in all-rounders’ table

India master blaster Virender Sehwag and champion batsman Sachin Tendulkar are the biggest movers after splendid performances in the recent series against New Zealand.

Sehwag, who scored 299 runs against the Black Caps, has jumped nine places to sixth position. It is the first time in nearly six years that the New Delhi-born batsman has occupied a place in the top 10.

During this period Sehwag, whose series aggregate included a whirlwind 125 not out from just 74 balls in the fourth ODI at Hamilton, dropped as low as 30th place, a mark he stood at in June 2008.

Tendulkar has also made a movement in the right direction as his series scores of 20, 61 and 163 not out have helped him vault eight places to 13th spot. Tendulkar held the top spot in the listing as recently as March 2008.

However, Yuvraj Singh and Gautam Gambhir have both headed in the wrong direction in the rankings, dropping one and four places respectively. Singh now sits in fourth place while Gambhir shares 16th spot with South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has fallen off top spot and now sits in fifth place. For the first time in his career Sri Lanka, fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara has surged to the top of bowlers’ rankings.

Australia fast bowler Nathan Bracken is in second place while Kyle Mills of New Zealand is third.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship, India has gained two ratings points for its 3-1 series win. It has lifted it to 122 rating points and puts it just two ratings points behind second-placed Australia and three behind leader South Africa.

In contrast, New Zealand has conceded two ratings points for the series loss and is now only one rating point ahead of Pakistan, which goes head-to-head with Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi next month.

Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship (as of 16 March)

Rank Team Rating

1South Africa 125

2Australia 124

3India 122

4New Zealand 112

5Pakistan 111

6England 108

7Sri Lanka 105
8 West Indies 91

9Bangladesh 46

10Zimbabwe 23

11Ireland 19

12Kenya 0 (ANI)