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The Indian team now in Zimbabwe may probably not have any of the familiar logos on their clothing as they walk out to play their first tour match in Zimbabwe. The BCCI who awarded sponsorship rights to IMG-TWI a few days ago discovered a catch in the agreement - in that it will be effective only from July when India are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka. The BCCI president AC Muthiah had then confirmed that ITC would continue to be the sponsors on the Zimbabwe tour as per the existing agreement that runs till June. However ITC officials told the Board in no uncertain terms that their agreement is off as per government instructions banning tobacco companies sponsoring sporting events. It seems now that the BCCI by delaying the awarding of the sponsoring rights to IMG-TWI, has deprived the players of earning extra money during this Zimbabwe tour. The Indian team manager Chetan Chauhan said he wanted to make sure that no finger pointing is done at India as far as betting and match fixing are concerned. Among other things mobile phones will not be allowed inside the dressing room. He said the boys were well behaved so there was no need to enforce any curfew. This probably comes as a reaction to the Condon report that has described India to be the nerve center of betting and match fixing.
Pakistan warmed up in style to the second Test beginning on May 31 with a resounding innings and 26 run win over Leicestershire at Leicester. The hosts were bundled out in their second innings for 172, this time being foxed by the spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed who claimed 4-37 and 4-41 respectively. Scores: Leicestershire 96 & 172 v Pakistan 294. Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir and Shoaib Malik will replace Imran Farhat, Mohammad Wasim and Mushtaq Ahmed for the one-day triangular series against England and Australia that commences from June 7. Meanwhile, the legality of the bowling action of off-spinner Shoaib Malik was questioned during the recently concluded tournament in Sharjah, but apparently he can continue playing as he has not been reported to the ICC as yet.
Meanwhile, Australian pace bowler Brett Lee is to accompany the team to England ahead of schedule, in order to work on his fitness. Lee who was to play in the second half of the tour (in the Test matches), was advised to go along with the team for the first half itself (for the one-day series) as winter has set in Sydney and may hamper his pre-match preparations.
Durham's Paul Collingwood was named along with Ben Hollioake, Alistair Brown and Dominic Cork in the England team for the triangular one-day series that follows the Test series against Pakistan. Graeme Hick, Andrew Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard have all been dropped while Craig White was not selected as he is still unfit. Chairman of selectors David Graveney said the changes were inclined towards building the best combination for the 2003 World Cup.
Former England all-rounder Ian Botham lashed out at the England Cricket Board's lack of concern against the match-fixing allegations that were made against the acting England skipper Alec Stewart. Condon's report too states that Stewart will be investigated in the near future. Botham, however, felt if Stewart hasn't been cleared by the ICC's anti corruption unit, then he had no right to be playing for England, let alone being made the skipper.
Chaired by India's Sunil Gavaskar, the ICC's technical committee has approved Indian investigators (CBI) will summon and question the World Tel president Mark Mascarenhas over his alleged offenses in obtaining telecast rights for the 1998 ICC knockout tournament at Dhaka. Bangalore-born Mascarenhas, who is based in the US, has recently signed a Rs. 80-crore (approx US$ 17 million) deal with Sachin Tendulkar to manage his endorsements and commercial activities.
India will play title holders Pakistan in the second edition Asian Test championships that begin in September 2001 in Pakistan and will end in February 2002. The Pakistan Board has reportedly received a "no objection" letter from the Indian government regarding the team's visit to Pakistan for the Asian Test Championships. The schedule for the five-month tournament is given below with dates subject to change according to the commitments of the teams.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has welcomed the BCCI's clarification on their stand that they were only opposed to bilateral series and has no objection to participate in tournaments involving other teams. The heads of the Asian Cricket Council are meeting in Lahore to discuss Asian Cricket. Delegates from 11 countries, including the Test playing nations India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, also discussed the details of the second Asian Test championships and the Asia Cup that is to be hosted by Pakistan next year.
Yesterday's News
News Roll archive
Compiled by: Mohandas Menon
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Skipper Sourav Ganguly is of the opinion that a media manager for the Indian team would ease a lot of pressure off the captain. Pointing out that most of the teams had one, he said it would prevent misinterpretation and misreporting by the media. The media manager will certainly ease the pressure on the coach, manager and captain he said. Speaking in a television interview, Ganguly spoke on a wide range of topics including some of the controversies that took place during the recent Australian tour. Ganguly, who was interviewed along with his wife, said the recent misreporting of certain incidents in his personal life, made him hesitant with the media.
The Australian cricketers embarked for England to play in the tri-nation tournament, which is followed by the Ashes series. Australia has been holding the Ashes since 1989 and the recent successes of England have the Aussies a bit apprehensive. Skipper Steve Waugh in a recent statement said Australia would go into the first Test as underdogs. The teams for the Test and Natwest trophy are:
