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The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced that it would not be entering into performance-based contracts with India’s cricketers for the time being. After a meeting with senior players in Delhi it was decided that the existing contract system would continue for another year.At the moment players receive a retainer and a flat fee per Test and ODI. The BCCI had earlier proposed a system in which players received smaller retainers but were rewarded heavily for winning matches and series. The players were not in favour of this system, and the BCCI, for the moment, has decided to stick with the old contracts system.This means that players can receive contracts in either A, B or C category. The A-category contract comes with an annual retainer of Rs 50 lakh (US$124,000), the B-category contract is worth Rs 35 lakh (US$87,000) and the C-grade works out to Rs 20 lakh (US$50,000).”Existing player contract system will continue. Four senior players met the Contract Committee today and they have agreed to continue with the prevailing system,” Niranjan Shah, the secretary of the BCCI said. The contracts committee, comprising Shah, N Srinivasan, the treasurer, Shashank Manohar, a vice-president of the board, and Inderjit Singh Bindra, the president of the Punjab Cricket Association, met Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble in Delhi.”The gradation committee will sit towards the end of this month or by October first week to finalise things,” said Shah. “It will also decide how many players will come under its purview but the players are happy with the existing system.” In the past the gradation committee has included the coach, the chairman of selectors and senior board officials. Given that India do not have one overall coach at the moment, it’s unclear who all will be on this committee.

The second edition of the Afro-Asia Cup is scheduled to be held at Chennaiin June 2007. Both men and women will contest in matches between Asia XIand Africa XI.The tournament was first held last year in South Africa. The serieswas drawn 1-1 with one game being abandoned owing to rain. The playerswill be selected after the World Cup in 2007. The panel of selectors willcomprise past cricketers from the two continents.The total prize money for the event is set to be US$100,000. The winner ineach game will receive US$25,000, the Man of the Match US$5000 and the Manof the Tournament US$10000. Participating players will be paid US$5000 foreach match.Schedule
Two 20/20 games on June 5, 2007
1st ODI – June 6
2nd ODI – June 8
3rd ODI – June 10

It cannot be denied that Sri Lanka weren’t fully tested in their recent three-match one-day series against Bangladesh. Sri Lanka outplayed the tourists, convincingly beating them in each game, prompting Tom Moody, Sri Lanka’s coach, to comment that his side couldn’t make full use of the new, experimental one-day rules. Moody was, however, delighted with the efforts of several younger players who were given the chance to shine.Speaking of the experimental one-day rules, he said: “When you are allowed to have a super sub, it allows you to have a lot more depth depending on which way you go. There are a lot of options for the captain whether it be batting or bowling,” said Moody. “We found that it wasn’t effectively used in this series because we weren’t in any sort of pressure situation where it could be tested.””We won the three matches rather [more easily] than we expected. It is very hard for those new one-day rules to be really gauged properly. We used them to our advantage through the series, but not from a point of view in a pressure match situation,” said Moody. “It was more so from the balance of the team giving players more opportunities. In a tighter match situation we will be in a better situation to judge the new rules and regulations.”It was the first time that Sri Lanka had the opportunity to use the new experimental rules. Sri Lanka won 3-0 and it was so totally one-sided that the series lacked a competitive edge.”We never wanted the series to be this easy,” said the Sri Lankan captain, Marvan Atapattu. “It came to us in an easier way than we [expected].””Bangladesh are a much improved side from the last time we met them, but we are playing well. It is another series win after all. It doesn’t mean that we have achieved all our goals. We still have areas where we can improve. We have won more series at home. It is time for us to concentrate on winning [more matches overseas] and make our mark there,” said Atapattu.Through no fault of theirs, in the past couple of years Sri Lanka has been confronted with very weak opposition. Last year, they toured Zimbabwe and thrashed an under-strength side in two Tests and three one-day internationals. Prior to Bangladesh’s arrival here, they came up against a weakened West Indies team and the result was the same.”The positive side of it is that we have managed to keep our intensive levels high to beat teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. We have done our homework well. We respect teams and we do what we can do best, without thinking too much about the opponents. It is shown by our results,” said Atapattu.”The difference between a good side and an average side in world cricket as I see it, is team work. Take Australia for that matter. Why they have been a good side is that there is somebody who will carry the burden on any given day,” he said.Moody, though, was more sympathetic towards Bangladesh and said his team had a lot of respect for them.”Sri Lanka was in a similar position quite a few years ago. There is a metre of respect there. You’ve got to understand they are an emerging side. It is not going to happen overnight,” he said. “But we’ve seen the success that Sri Lanka has had with some hard work and perseverance. From our personal point of view we know there are areas we can improve on, and we will improve. We can’t expect Bangladesh to come over here and look to beat us 3-0 in this stage of their development.”He added that when playing against weaker sides like Bangladesh, it can be difficult at times to keep his team motivated.”The ability of moving the side around, changing batting orders, resting three of the most senior players today was one way of motivating the side because you are giving opportunities to other players. Hopefully, they will grab those opportunities with both hands and create a competitive environment within the squad,” said Moody.The weakened opposition meant Sri Lanka could give opportunities to younger players, like Upul Tharanga, Dilhara Lokuhettige and Farveez Maharoof, who might otherwise have been overlooked, had the resistance been stronger.Moody said: “We are very conscious of looking to build for the future. We were lucky enough to see the success of Upul Tharanga. He had a slow start in the Indian Oil series but proved his class in this series.””Lokuhettige is another one who is a player who could play an important role in Sri Lankan cricket in the future. It is important [younger players] get exposure. A series like this has given us the opportunity to look at a few players and for them to gain confidence.”Moody said the plus points to come out of the series was the comeback of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando and the bowling of Maharoof.”Fernando’s had a bit of a tough time with injury. He’s come back well and bowled with good pace and fire. His confidence is up and that’s a good positive for Sri Lanka,” said Moody. “Maharoof bowled superbly well in the Indian Oil series and has shown here that he going to be a more valuable bowler going into the future.”Atapattu expressed confidence that Sri Lanka’s new generation of cricketers signalled Sri Lankan cricket was in good hands.

Sri Lanka A 190 for 6 (Perera 43*) beat Kent 188 for 8 (Smith 70) by four wickets
ScorecardSri Lanka A made it seven wins out of seven with another emphatic victory, this time over Kent at Canterbury. They were made to sweat briefly, as Amjad Khan whipped out three wickets in a useful nine-over spell, but Kent’s total of 188 for 9 proved insufficient, and the Sri Lankans swept home by four wickets with more than five overs to spare.Rain reduced the match to a 43-over affair, but after winning the toss and batting, Kent made the perfect start, as Michael Carberry and Ed Smith rattled along to a 109-run opening partnership. But as soon as Carberry fell for an excellent 48, the wheels came off the innings. Alex Loudon was caught-and-bowled by Suraj Mohamed for 1, and Suraj followed up with the big wicket of Smith, for a finely-crafted 70.The innings unravelled with alarming speed after that. Only Niall O’Brien’s defiant unbeaten 27 from 25 balls prevented a complete meltdown, but Kent’s total of 188 for 8 was unlikely to be competitive.Sure enough, Sri Lanka came racing out of the blocks, with Gayan Wijekoon setting the pace and Ian Daniel chipping in with a cameo 21. Khan then caused a mid-innings stutter, but Bathiya Perera steered them to victory with an unbeaten 43.

India may have been beaten badly on their tour to New Zealand last season, but John Wright sounded a stern warning to Stephen Fleming and his team ahead of the two-Test series in India in October 2003. “We’ve got a few scores to settle with them.”The Indian team – especially their much-vaunted batsmen – had a miserable time in the seaming conditions in New Zealand, losing both Tests inside three days, and winning only two out of seven one-day internationals. However, in the spin-friendly conditions at home, New Zealand might find the Indian team an entirely different proposition. Wright, whose contract as coach was extended by a year after the Indian team’s spectacular display in the World Cup, was confident that his team would be ready to tackle New Zealand.”The boys have some time off after the World Cup and they should be hungry for runs and wickets.” Scoffing at suggestions that his loyalties might be divided, Wright said: “My job is to make sure the Indian team and its fans get good results. That’s the only way I think about it.”Since Wright took over as coach, India’s record at home is a formidable one: they have beaten Zimbabwe, Australia, England and West Indies in Tests, and haven’t lost a single series. India’s one-day performance has been even more impressive, with wins in the NatWest Trophy in England and the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka, before losing to Australia in the World Cup final.India will have an opportunity to avenge that defeat as well, when Australia join India and New Zealand for a triangular one-day tournament in November.

A fine century from Stephen Stubbings failed to prevent Gloucestershireboosting their promotion hopes with victory by an innings and 20 runs atBristol.The tall left-handed opener hit 120 off 202 balls, with 15 fours, passing1,000 runs for the season for the first time when he had made 94.But, despite Stubbings’ efforts, Derbyshire were bowled out for 278 in theirsecond innings, with Ian Harvey returning 5-89.Off-spinner Martyn Ball took 3-67 for match figures of 9-90 asGloucestershire moved into the third promotion spot in the Second Division.For all that, it was an impressive performance from 23-year-old Stubbings tofollow his first innings half-century and ensured some creditable Derbyshireresistance.He eventually fell to a good catch on the run by Tim Hancock coming in fromcover, having mistimed a drive off Ball, after batting for four and aquarter hours.Mathew Dowman contributed 35 before a belligerent Nathan Dumelow smashed 48off just 56 balls, including four pulled sixes off Harvey.The Australian eventually got his revenge as Dumelow was caught at slip byBall attempting a similar blow.That left Derbyshire 258-8 and, despite some lusty blows from Kevin Deanafter tea, they could not force Gloucestershire to bat again.In many ways it was Harvey’s match. He hit the fastest century of the seasonin Gloucestershire’s total of 508, took three catches and ended with matchfigures of 6-136.The home side took 20 points and Derbyshire four.

Glamorgan have been given a two-point deduction and ordered to forfeit their Royal London One-Day Cup match against Hampshire following an ECB disciplinary panel hearing at Lord’s.Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris has termed the abandonment “embarrassing” and promised a full enquiry, painfully aware that they had already inherited a two-point deduction at the start of the season for preparing a poor pitch in 2014.”Our internal investigation is ongoing and we are committed to taking whatever action is necessary to ensure that we produce the best possible pitches for the rest of this season and beyond,” said Morris.”We will provide a further update when we are in a position to draw firm conclusions.”The deduction undermines Glamorgan’s chances of reaching the last eight, but Hampshire will be delighted that they have been awarded the points from the match.Furthermore, they have also been given a further suspended two-point deduction for all competitions in 2016 which will be applied if they transgress again, along with any further punishment that might be deemed applicable.The hearing was convened following the umpires’ decision to abandon the match in Cardiff on August 2 due to an unfit pitch early in the second innings after two Hampshire batsmen were struck by balls that misbehaved.Glamorgan were also fined £9,000 of which £5,000 will be suspended until the end of the 2016 season. The remainder will be given to Hampshire to compensate the small number of supporters who made the trip to Cardiff.The panel, which was chaired by Chris Tickle, considered reports from the umpires, ECB liaison officers and pitch consultants and both counties.The ECB statement concluded: “In reaching their decision the panel noted that the club is undertaking immediate investigative and remedial work on their square at considerable expense.”

If there’s a sense of brotherhood in the BBL final, then the equivalent fixture in the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League has a similar familial feel. It will take place at the MCG, but this is the Sydney derby. The players know each other well and many have enjoyed success together with NSW Breakers and the Southern Stars.This competition may have heralded a new dawn in Australian women’s cricket, but New South Wales’ status as the game’s powerhouse – despite South Australia winning the Women’s National Cricket League to break a ten-year NSW women’s streak – has merely been reaffirmed.Cricket Australia thought long and hard about whether to play the WBBL with six teams or eight. They opted for eight in order to replicate the BBL’s brands, which had the strung-on bonus that it created space for teenagers to play alongside seasoned internationals. While the Melbourne teams have struggled for depth – both Stars and Renegades failed to make it to the semi-finals – the Sydney teams have shone.”The fact that there are two Sydney teams in the final shows the depth in New South Wales,” said Thunder captain Alex Blackwell. “It was very disappointing for the Breakers to not get our eleventh consecutive victory [in the WNCL] but ten is pretty good; when you lose one you realise how tough it is to win one, and we won ten in a row. We’ll share it around but we’ve taken both spots in this game and whatever the result it’s good for New South Wales, but the Thunder are desperate to win this one.”Blackwell admitted that, having qualified for the final first by beating Perth Scorchers in Adelaide, the Thunder hoped to meet their crosstown rivals, who beat Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG on Friday. “I was hoping we would meet the Sixers,” she said. “It makes it a best of three contest. We took first honours in the opening round, them they beat us by about 20 runs at the SCG. Two quality matches and I know tomorrow is going to be no different. We have a lot of friendships between the teams but for the 40 overs it’s going to be a real contest out there.”While the Thunder have been consistent throughout the competition, Sixers have veered wildly. Since losing their first six games, they have won nine in a row to make the final, with strong batting from captain Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Ashleigh Gardner and Sara McGlashan, and outstanding seam bowling from Marizanne Kapp and Sarah Aley, while Lisa Sthalekar, who came out of retirement for the competition, has 13 wickets, including three in the semi-final victory.”After having lost six on the trot, it’s been really nice to have such a big turnaround and win nine in a row, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Perry. “Now we’ve got really tough competition in the Thunder and it’s nice to be playing our Sydney counterparts.”Asked what had caused the turnaround, Perry said: “We’ve been trying to put our finger on that, and I don’t think anything too dramatic changed. We got on a losing streak which was a bit of a bummer and something we wanted to rectify pretty quickly, but just winning that first game in Sydney against the Scorchers was the catalyst for a lot of things. We had a couple of weeks off over Christmas and New Year when we worked pretty hard at training. It just worked for us. The four games on the trot in Melbourne just after New Year, we managed to win them and momentum is a big thing and has helped us.”The final brings the curtain down on a highly successful tournament, and will be the latest game to be broadcast on Channel Ten, which is enough proof of how well the competition has been received. Now for a cracking finale.

Zimbabwe Cricket has doubled the number players on central contracts following the financial boost resulting from the World Cup, while the board is set to receive another windfall for participation at this month’s inaugural ICC World Twenty20. ZC had 10 players on central contracts for the year ending on August 31, 2007.The issuing of contracts to the players has, however, not been painless and one senior player, Elton Chigumbura, who had been placed in the B category, angrily demanded a better deal on August 30, the day he was offered the contract document.Chigumbura, Zimbabwe’s best allrounder at the moment, has been promised a review of the terms of his contract amid fear that disgruntlement among the players could trigger yet another rebellion in the wake of recent disputes over pay.The central contracts, which determine the players’ salaries and perks, are split into four categories, with the top grade – which was only offered national team captain Prosper Utseya – being A+. The second highest, which has three players is Grade A, while Grade B has eight players, with six players in Grade C.Below is the full list of the contracted players and their classes.A+: Prosper UtseyaA: Tatenda Taibu, Gary Brent, Vusimuzi Sibanda.B: Edward Rainsford, Hamilton Masakadza, Terrence Duffin, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Sean Williams, Tawanda Mupariwa, Elton Chigumbura, Christopher Mpofu.C: Brendan Taylor, Chamu Chibhabha, Keith Dabengwa, Tino Mawoyo, Graeme Cremer, Timycen Maruma.

By the time you read this, more turbulence might have engulfed thePakistan team and their crucial opening game of the Champions Trophy,against Sri Lanka at Jaipur, may end up as a mere footnote. Such is theircombustibility levels that it seems to be only a matter of time beforeanother fire ignites around Pakistan cricket. What’s unique about theteam, though, is that happenings off the field seem to rarely worry themand they invariably discover additional mental steel when expected tocrack.Interestingly Pakistan were bystanders in the last major instance when aplayer was withdrawn from a tournament for testing positive for bannedsubstances. News of Shane Warne’s diuretic travails broke just a few hoursbefore Australia’s World Cup opener against Pakistan at Johannesburg and, with a couple of players ruled out with injury, not many gavethem a chance. Few hours into the game and a whirlwind hundred from AndrewSymonds had set the tone for one of the most emphatic World Cup triumphsever.Pakistan will need to find similar inspiration. As things stand at themoment, they have 12 players to choose from for tomorrow’s game, if youdiscount Waqar Younis, the bowling coach, and Rameez Raja, the formeropening batsman who’s here as a commentator. They’re already without theirfirst-choice captain – who’s also been their most influential player inrecent times; two of their premier fast bowlers, who in all probabilitymight have shared the new ball, would have might have already reached homebefore the toss; and the concern over the openers continues. Up againstthem will be an upbeat Sri Lankan side that’s been steamrolling opponentsover the last few months, including rolling West Indies over for 80 threedays’ back.Mahela Jaywardene, though expressing disappointment at the turn of events,was taking nothing lightly. “At times when teams have such problems theycome hard at you, and we have played Pakistan quite a few times to realisethat and we are taking the game as important for us as it was yesterday,”he said on the even of the game. “I don’t know the whole extent of theevents, but it’s disappointing. We haven’t played against Shoaib for quitesome time because he was injured. We wanted to take that challenge and seehow we can come about it. So from a cricketing point of view, it’s bitdisappointing.”Sri Lanka start off red-hot favourites. The pitch – the same one whereDwayne Bravo and Corey Collymore nipped and tucked – will be to theirbowlers’ liking. If they end up bowling second, with the pitch tending toget slow and low, their spinners will be more than a handful. They’vereeled off three emphatic wins and the manner in which they mauled WestIndies wouldn’t be lost on Pakistan, who’re bound to be rusty without muchcricket.”You can see it as a disadvantage and also as an advantage,” said BobWoolmer, the Pakistan coach, when asked about lack of match practice.”We’ll be fresh and ready to go. Sri Lanka will be traveling, playing ondifferent surfaces and need to get used to this. You can see it as a glasshalf full or half empty. I’ll like to see it as a glass half full.”Considering the events of the last 24 hours, one can probably also see itas a glass ready to shatter. Towards the end of the press conference,Younis couldn’t but smile when a reporter mistakenly addressed him asYousuf. It was no doubt funny but in its own way it encapsulated theuncertainty that surrounds Pakistan. When unsure about the next step,might as well laugh.Teams (likely)Pakistan 1 Imran Farhat, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Shoaib Malik, 4Mohammad Yousuf, 5 Younis Khan (capt), 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Abdul Razzaq, 8Kamran Akmal (wk), 9 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, 10 Rao Iftikhar Anjum, 11 UmarGulSri Lanka 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 MahelaJayawardene (capt), 4 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 5 Marvan Atapattu, 6Tillakaratne Dilshan, 7 Farveez Maharoof, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 MuttiahMuralitharan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Dilhara Fernando.