Teleconferences of task team and ICC Board called to discuss ICC Champions Trophy

Dubai, 20 August 2008

A meeting took place on Wednesday at the ICC’s offices in Dubai to discuss the ICC Champions Trophy, due to be held next month in Pakistan.

The meeting, scheduled in the wake of task team representatives visiting Pakistan last week, was attended by ICC President David Morgan, Vice President Sharad Pawar and Haroon Lorgat, the Chief Executive.

The meeting discussed feedback from task team briefings with stakeholders from England, Australia and New Zealand.

As a result of that feedback, Wednesday’s meeting agreed that, subject to confirmation from the relevant participants, teleconferences would be called of the task team and the ICC Board.

It is anticipated the task team hook-up will take place on Friday 22 August and the ICC Board hook-up will be held on Sunday 24 August. Timings are to be confirmed.

Prior to those hook-ups, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat will meet with Cricket South Africa officials to brief them on the safety and security measures in place for the tournament.

Wednesday’s meeting involving Messrs Morgan, Pawar and Lorgat was also attended by Shafqat Nahgmi, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s Chief Operating Officer.

The task team, constituted by an ICC Board hook-up of 24 July, has two functions:

To ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations of the ICC’s independent security advisors; and

Liaise with various stakeholders, including embassies within Pakistan and other Governments, on an ongoing basis to ensure effective communication and the management of any concerns that may exist.

The task team includes not only Messrs Morgan, Pawar and Lorgat but also representatives of the ICC’s official broadcast partner ESPN STAR Sports and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA).

ICC MEDIA RELEASE

Munaf Patel fined for breach of ICC Code of Conduct

Dubai, 20 August 2008

India fast bowler Munaf Patel has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee for a breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during his country’s ODI against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday.

Munaf was found guilty of a Level 2 offence by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees at a hearing following the conclusion of the match won by India by three wickets.

Munaf was found to have breached clause 2.8 of the Code which refers to “using language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.”

The incident related to remarks made by the player to umpire Gamini Silva after the official turned down an lbw appeal.

During the course of the hearing Munaf pleaded not guilty to the charge but did admit to speaking aggressively to the umpire.

Commenting on the decision, Mr Broad said: “I accept that in international cricket there is a lot of passion but that does not excuse players talking back to umpires in an aggressive manner, as happened in this case.

“That is unacceptable and I hope this decision and the fine imposed demonstrates that fact.”

The charge was laid by the four umpires on duty, Gamini Silva and Billy Doctrove, third official Tyron Wijewardena and fourth umpire RD Kottahachchi. The hearing was attended by Silva, Doctrove and Wijewardena, the player, India team manager Sanjay Desai and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The punishment for a Level 2 offence can range from a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee up to a full match fee and/or a ban of one Test or two ODIs.

A player found guilty of a Level 2, 3 or 4 offence has a right of appeal. Such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC’s legal counsel within 24 hours of the player receiving the sanction. Any player who lodges an appeal is free to play pending that hearing.

ICC MEDIA RELEASE

Zimbabwe Cricket confirms non-participation in ICC WT20 2009

Dubai, 20 August 2008

Zimbabwe Cricket today confirmed its decision not to participate in the ICC World Twenty20 2009.

The decision, taken as a one-off, was reached during a meeting between ZC officials and ICC President David Morgan, Vice President Sharad Pawar and Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat in Dubai on Wednesday.

ZC officials had previously indicated the country’s willingness to step back from the ICC WT20 2009 during the ICC’s annual conference week in Dubai in June/July, pending agreement by its Board.

ZC arrived at the decision after recognizing the UK Government would be unlikely to issue visas for the team for the ICC WT20 2009, given it had already cancelled the bilateral series between England and Zimbabwe set to take place earlier in the year.

The decision was made with a view to the following:

A recognition of the logistical challenges of putting on an event of the size of the ICC WT20;
the need to create certainty around the event; and
the need to offer Scotland, the side set to step up in Zimbabwe’s place, adequate preparation time ahead of the tournament.

ICC President David Morgan said: “We are grateful to Zimbabwe Cricket for confirming the decision taken by its officials during annual conference week.

“This allows the ICC the opportunity to plan with certainty the ICC World Twenty20 2009, as well as giving Scotland, the side set to step up in Zimbabwe’s place, plenty of preparation time ahead of the tournament.”

The ZC delegation that met with ICC officials in Dubai on Wednesday was made up of ZC Chairman Peter Chingoka, Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ZC’s vice chairman, and the chairman of the legal and constitutional committee Wilson Manase.

ICC MEDIA RELEASE

Indian batsmen to battle it out at the center

Javagal Srinath

The first ODI defeat in SL should be seen more in the positive light than anything else. This young Indian brigade is operating in a learning mode. It's important that the team's management, mainly the seniors, explain the nuances of international cricket to the new comers. In any youngster's early part of his international cricket, the messages coming from the lost games go a long way in making his career. Winning does bring confidence and conviction but losing could be confusing. In defeats, it's easy to allow bad habits to creep into one's practices. The senior's reactions, behavior and their approach towards the juniors are sacred. The immediate reaction of the Captain in the aftermath of the defeat has a huge bearing in shaping rookies career. I am sure even an experienced campaigner has his own cup of woes when things are not going well. But the kind of body language and understanding that a senior demonstrates in the post lost-match scenario, will have high influence on the rookies. All youngsters are naturally observant; they emulate and sync the mannerism of their idols. As a matter of fact, youngster's growth is a true reflection of the senior in the side.

Dhoni and Gary should articulate the defeats and wins in the right context. At times learning's are more when losing to a good side. The Indian think thank including the selectors have done a good job in blooding few youngsters straight away. The only worrying part would be the result which should not given too much weight age at this point in time.

Looking into the upbeat Srilankan camp, Ajantha Mendis is turning out to a star on every outing. Not many bowlers have shown such consistency in both forms of the game. Mendis is a rare phenomenon. Mendis is neither a leg spinner nor an off spinner but he is both. A true champion bowler from the word goes. Thanks to the Srilankan cricket systems which did not meddle with his action to comply with the copy book coaching manuals. The way he troubled the best four Indian batsmen during the Test series, has certainly lent weight and depth to this new style of bowling. Critics would want to see more of Mendis on all kind of wickets to endorse the new art of bowling. But the coaches' worldwide watching Mendis fingers roll, are under pressure to learn and impart this new skill.

With Virat and Rohit coming into the playing 11, pressure would be on Dhoni and Yuvraj.It would be imperative that these two seniors to steer the innings till the end. Mendis variations with accuracy have made him deadly. But what is even more deadlier is the other bowlers building up pressure constantly at the Indian batsmen.

Dambulla wicket has always encouraged both fast bowlers as well as the spinners. So the onus is on the Indian batsmen to battle it out at the center.

HAWKEYE COMMUNICATIONS

Sports News

August 19, 2008

Football :

Ageya Cholo Sangha edged over Nobodoy Sangha by 2-1 goals in the domestic First Division League Football tournament here today. At the Dasharata Dev Stadium, Badharghat, Nobodoy lead 1-0 before lemon break. Sohel Bhuya scored in last minute of first half. Then Nigerian striker James leveled the score 1-1 in 49th minutes and Sourav Ghuha netted the decider in 56th minutes of the match. Sujit Shukla Das of Nobodoy and Sukanta Debnath of Ageya Cholo shown red card by referee. After this victory Ageya Cholo now top of the point table with six points from two matches, while Nobodoy bagged three from same number of matches.