Indian Government's rejoinder to the BCCI
The Indian Government today reacted strongly to the decision made by the BCCI yesterday of threatening to pull out, of all the major international cricket tournaments, including the World Cups. In a hurriedly summoned press conference, sports minister Ms Uma Bharati told the BCCI in no uncertain terms, not to dictate its policies based on national interest and accused the BCCI of taking unilateral decisions. The minister hit back at the Board saying that the question of not playing Pakistan was based on India's self respect and self esteem and if the Board did not want India to participate in major international tournaments it would be the Board's "headache". The minister stressed yet again that the government was only against playing bilateral series against Pakistan. She however added that other team games will get the government approval, and India would also be inviting Pakistan for the forthcoming Afro-Asian Games to be held in New Delhi in the first week of November this year.
South Africa in West Indies
South African opening batsman Boeta Dippenaar will replace Mark Boucher as wicket-keeper for the first of the seven one-day internationals against the West Indies, which begins this Saturday at Kingston. Mark Boucher's poor form with the bat and behind the stumps has prompted this change. Roger Telemachus, Jonty Rhodes and new-comer Justin Ontong are the others who have been included in the one-day side.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In their first warm-up match for the one-day series, South Africa made short work of Jamaica by winning by six wickets as they chased Jamaica's modest 185. Earlier South African all-rounder and pace bowler Lance Klusener took 5-23 in ten overs.
Bangladesh in Zimbabwe
Bangladesh are likely to made some major changes to their side that plays the second Test against Zimbabwe at Harare today. Coach Trevor Chappell said the innings defeat in the first Test has prompted these changes. Wicket-keeper Khaled Mashud who suffered an ankle injury will be replaced by Mehrab Hossain. The two teams will be selected from the following:
Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (capt), Andy Flower (wk), Gavin Rennie, Guy Whittall, Stuart Carlisle, Alistair Campbell, Grant Flower, Dion Ebrahim, Andy Blignaut, Ray Price, Mluleki Nkala, Brighton Watambwa.
Bangladesh: Naimur Rahman (capt), Mehrab Hossain (wk),Javed Omar, Mohammed Ashraful, Habibul Bashar, Aminul Islam, Akram Khan, Al-Shariar, Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Hoque, Hasibul Hussain, Manjural Islam, Mohammed Sharif, Mushfiqur Rahman.
English county news
Yorkshire began their season well by dismissing Kent for 142 at Canterbury. Former England pace bowler Chris Silverwood claimed 5-45 and was mainly responsible for the Kent collapse.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Northamptonshire's pace bowler Darren Cousins, who made an impression on the England skipper Nasser Hussain, when he was bowled by a delivery that he chose to shoulder arms to, claimed 3-35 against Essex.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Overnight rain prevented play between Glamorgan and Somerset at Cardiff. Rain also played havoc with the Lancashire-Surrey encounter at Old Trafford. Lancashire who are at the top of the points table were denied a chance to put pressure on the defending champions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
No play was possible on the first day of Worcestershire's match against Sussex because of heavy rain at New Road.
Miscellaneous
The Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) have requested the state government to appoint an enquiry commission to probe the alleged sale of fake tickets for the India-Australia ODI match played at Goa on April 6. The SAG have also asked the government to send a show-cause notice to the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) asking them as to why no action should be taken against the cricket association for mismanagement of the match.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Pakistani court on Wednesday postponed a hearing into match-fixing allegations by former national cricket coach Javed Miandad against the Pakistani cricket team, since the Lahore High Court judge Malik Mohammad Qayyum was on sick leave. Miandad was summoned by the court to clarify match-fixing allegations he levelled against the Pakistan team this month after he was dumped as coach on his return from the New Zealand tour.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The BCCI's inquiry commissioner K Madhavan is likely to question some of the current Indian players before finishing his inquiry into the match-fixing and submitting his final report to the BCCI. In this connection Madhavan has already met Kapil Dev and Ajit Wadekar.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, banned for five years by the BCCI, may act in a Hindi film, opposite Urmila Matondkar and Sunil Shetty. The untitled film is about friendship and the cricketer will play a role of a happy and energetic person.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Former skipper Moin Khan, who was dropped for the Pakistan tour of England next month has ruled out retirement from the game saying he still has a few years left in him. Reacting to the selectors' decision to drop him, Moin said that he would not be quitting the game. Meanwhile the chairman of the selectors Wasim Bari, also a former Pakistan keeper said Moin's omission was because of his inconsistent performances, especially during the recent tour of New Zealand.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
There is also a speculation in the Pakistan media that Moin Khan was dropped from the list of probables at the instance of the new captain, Waqar Younis, who also has been insisting for the omission of the veteran paceman and former captain Wasim Akram from the side to tour England early next month.
Yesterday's News
News Roll archive
Compiled by: Mohandas Menon