Cricket - Int News
Sri Lankan selectors await invitation to select squads for New Zealand tour
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) national selectors are awaiting an invitation to select red and white ball teams for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand where two Test matches and three ODIs and three T-20I are to be played.
"We have not yet sent them the invitation to meet and select the team", one of the sources confirmed.
"Hopefully, the squad will be selected after the completion of the 2nd unofficial 4-day Test against the visiting England Lions", the source added.
"We are awaiting the sports ministry's advice on the selection committee. If no change in the committee is notified the same selectors will be sent the invitation by the SLC to pick the players. Even if the selectors are changed at a later date, they (new selectors) will have the liberty to make the changes", the source also clarified.
The SLC has, however, applied for the visas of the players who are cetaintities, it is learnt.
Romesh Kaluwitharana will be the selector on tour. "Hemantha Wickramratne toured with the Asia Cup team in the UAE and India. Will have decided to send Kalu", the source added.
All three selectors will watch the respective matches in Galle (2nd unofficial Test, Hambantota and Colombo (National Super League).
The players are scheduled to have training from February 17 and as first reported, it will be held at Radella Cricket Ground.
Spot-fixing in Nepal cricket: Two players arrested
Bipin Dani
Nepal's two international cricketers have been arrested for spot-fixing in the recently concluded Nepal T20 League played in the county. It is reliably learnt.
According to highly placed sources in Nepal, several other foreign and local players and support staff are being investigated for their role in the alleged spot-fixing in the matches.
The two, who have been arrested for the investigations are (1) Mohammad Aadil Alam and (2) Mahaboob Alam.
Mohammad Aadil, who is also known as Aadil Ansari is a young current player. The 19-year-old Aadil is a right-arm medium pacer and a lower order batter having played six ODIs and eight T-20Is. In the recently concluded Nepal T-20 League, he was playing for Janakpur Royals.
The other player Mahaboob Alam is a former cricketer who was the star player of the World Cricket League Division 5 tournament that took place in Jersey in May 2008. He became famous by taking all ten wickets in the match against Mozambique. The 41-year-old all-rounder Mahaboob Alam. In the recent Nepal League, he played Provincial matches for Nepal.
The names of about six other people (players and support staff), who are being ICC Anti-Corruption radar are not revealed yet.
Sri Lankan team advised to be trained at Radella Cricket Ground
Bipin Dani
Sri Lankan cricket team is advised to be trained at the Radella Cricket Ground ahead of their tour of New Zealand. The suggestion has come from Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
It is a cricket ground in Sri Lanka situated in Radella, which is a village close to Nuwara Eliya.
"We are planning to use this ground after many years and I am happy to recommend this to the SLC", de Silva, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Wednesday.
"It is important to use this ground as the conditions there are similar to what it would be in New Zealand. This cricket ground is considered unique in the sense it is situated at the altitude of 1,200 m (4,000 ft). Very few cricket grounds are situated 1,200m above Mean Sea Level (MSL). It can easily be compared with any of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world".
Regarding fitness of the players, Prof. Arjuna was confident of sending Dushmantha Chameera to New Zealand. The 31-year-right arm fast bowler had suffered a grade two tear in the calf of his left foot in October. Dushmantha Chameera is the spearhead of our bowling. We have him back in the attack soon".
"Kusal Perera is also on a recovery path. It is up to the selectors. We will be sending the full-strength team".
Sri Lanka is scheduled to play two Tests, 3 ODIs' and 3 T-20I in New Zealand in March, April.
"Dasun Shanaka seems to play best in India in the World Cup", de Silva concluded.
Parents taught me to be honest, says Nepalese cricketer Aasif Sheikh
Aasif Sheikh becomes the first player from Nepal to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
Bipin Dani
Nepal wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh becomes the first player from Nepal to win the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.
On Thursday, the 22-year-old wicketkeeper (and batter) was named the recipient of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2022 for his decision not to run out Andy McBrine after the Irish star tripped while attempting a run in February last year.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, he said, "I feel lucky that I got this opportunity to represent my country across the world by showing that gesture on the field shown in the video. Also, I got to know that I became the first Nepali player to receive this ICC award which is really special for me".
The good news Aasif Sheikh heard from social media.
"I just heard about the news yesterday through social media. I was surprised and happy to hear that at the same time my parents felt so proud of me hearing the news about this. As they have always taught me to be humble, honest and be a good human being, they are happy to see that I am walking on their path".
It is not known whether the player would receive an award in any physical form.
"I have no idea whether I am getting any trophy or not but the award, which ICC have given me will always be special for me. I have always believed that cricket should always be played under the spirit of the game and by showing that gesture I believe the cricket will get more pure and will be played with more honesty", he signed off.
Dhamika Prasad among three shortlisted for Nepal head coach post
Bipin Dani
Former Sri Lankan fast bowler Dhamika Prasad is now one among the three cricketers shortlisted for the head coach of the Nepal cricket team, it is reliably learnt.
According to the highly placed sources in CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal), the 40-year-old former fast bowler, who has played 50 international matches (Tests: 25, ODIs: 24 and T-20i:1) had applied for the head coach post and was recently interviewed on line.
Incidentally, Dhammika Prasad was an assistant and fast bowling consultant for Nepal for the series against Oman, Scotland, USA, and Canada. The retired Sri Lanka player has good coaching experience and his resume was attractive and presentation to the interviewers was also impressive, it is understood.
The other four shortlisted and interviewed candidates are: Monty Desai (India), Glenn Pocknail (New Zeakand), Russell Domingo (South Africa), and Dav Whatmore (Australia).
Most popular among these five is the well-experienced Dav Whatmore.
However, Whatmore is contracted with the Vadodara Cricket Association in India and his contract runs until March 2023 and had to withdraw from Nepal coaching as he is unable to join Nepal team soon after India's Manoj Prabhakar’s contract ended prematurely.
Domingo recently resigned from Bangladesh coaching and as per the latest information received, Domingo too has revoked his application. "I need some break now", he says to this Reporter.
Monty Desai's term with the West Indies team as batting coach ended.
Pocknall is a renowned coach in New Zealand. He is instrumental in shaping Davon Conway.
Sri Lankan players Jeffrey Vandersay and Ashen Bandara on crutches
BIPIN DANI
The defeated Sri Lankan team returned on Monday. The two injured players-Jeffrey Vandersay and Ashen Bandara-are on crutches.
"They are better but their injuries will be reassessed after two days", one of the sources revealed.
Both, had a collision on the field during the third ODI against India in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
The incident took place in the 43rd over when former India captain Kohli pulled Chamika Karunaratne in front of square leg. Vandersay sprinted to his left from deep-backward square leg, and Bandara to his right from deep midwicket. Both fielders put in the slides but ended up colliding with each other.
Bandara, who is known for his fielding tried to stop the ball from reaching the boundary but as soon as he attempted to get up, he went down again, clutching his left knee. Vandersay too was lying on the ground. The Sri Lanka physio ran out to have a look at the two players; the Indian medical staff and the two concerned umpires also gathered near the boundary line.
Play was halted for a while, and eventually both players were stretchered off the field. Later, they were taken to the hospital for scans.
Bandara and Vandersay are believed to have ACL Strain in their knees. Vandersay's injury is also believed to be muscle tear. Both are likely to be out of the game for a few weeks.
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 2 wickets to win the series 2-1
Sports Bulletin Report
KARACHI: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 2 wickets in the 3rd One Day International match to claim the series 2-1 here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Friday night. Visitors chased their target on the first ball of the penultimate over of the contest, as Glenn Phillips was the hero of the day by scoring an unbeaten 63 in 42 balls innings including four fours and four sixes.
Summarizes Scorecard (ODI-III):
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first
Pakistan (Batting) 280 for 9 in 50 overs)
Fakhar Zaman 101 runs (122 balls, 4x10, 6x1), Mohammad Rizwan 77 runs (74 balls, 4x6, 6x0), Agha Salaman 45 runs (43 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Haris Sohain 22 runs (25 balls, 4x1, 6x0)
New Zealand Bowling:
Tim Southee (3 for 56), Lockie Furguson (2 for 63), Mitchell Bracewell (1 for 44), Ish Sodhi (1 for 50)
New Zealand (Batting) target 281 in 50 overs
Glenn Phillips 63 runs not out (42 balls, 4x4, 6x4), Kane Williamson 53 runs (68 balls, 4x2, 6x0), Devon Conway 52 runs (65 balls, 4x5, 6x1), Daryl Mitchell 31 runs (36 balls, 4x1, 6x1)
Pakistan Bowling
Mohammad Wasim (2 for 35), Agha Salaman (2 for 42), Mohammad Nawaz (1 for 53), Usama Mir (1 for 61)
Player of the match: Glenn Phillips 63 runs not out (42 balls, 4x4, 6x4)
Nepali cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane granted bail
BIPIN DANI
Nepal's 22-year-old bowler who has been charged for raping a minor girl has been given a bail, it is confirmed.
Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Kathmandu, the president (Chatur Bahadur Chand) and the secretary (Prashant Malla) of the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN), revealed, "Sandeep has been granted a bail in this case by High Court Patan in Kathmandu for a surety of Nepali rupees 20 lacs".
"The bail is a partial relief but has been a great relief to him and his family. Sandeep was frustrated in the jail and everyone was awaiting this relief".
Sandeep Lamichhane had been taken into custody on October 6 last year 2022 by police in Kathmandu in response to the arrest warrant that had been issued in his name over an alleged case of coercion / rape.
This reporter can confirm the girl, whose name is Barsha Dangal and her claim of being a minor is challenged.
Sandeep has been suspended by the CAN and it will not be until he is proven innocent.
In another development in Australia, the Sri Lankan cricketer, Danushka Gunathilaka, who is also charged for the same offence and was bailed earlier is not yet freed. His case on Thursday was adjourned to February 23.
Kumar Sangakkara rings 2-minute bell at the Eden Gardens
BIPIN DANI
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who rang the 2-minute bell at the Eden Gardens on Thursday may be one of the very few cricketers who has had this honour at Lord's in London also.
"We approached Sanga to ring our bell on Thursday and he readily accepted our proposal", Snehasish Ganguly, the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and venue for the 2nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka, said.
Sanga has been one of the TV commentators in this bialateral series.
"The two-minute bell is rung before the start of a day's play during all international matches, be it Test, ODI orT-20I. We want to follow the legacy of Lord's".
Sanga rang the bell at Lord's on the first day of the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka in 2016. The tradition of ringing the bell at Lord's begain in 2007. Incidentally, Sanga also became the first non-Asian president of the MCC.
"We have installed this bell 5-6 years ago when my brother Sourav was the president of the association and this practice will continue".
"Generally, we invite international cricketers for this. India’s first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was the first bell ringer at Eden Gardens when this Lord's-type bell was installed at the iconic ground and the match was played against visiting New Zealand team", he added.
It is learnt that at Lord's, the bell is rung at 5-minute before the match.
Would Rohit have shown sportsmanship, if India were losing?
BIPIN DANI
On last Tuesday, Team India captain Rohit Sharma did exactly opposite to what Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv did in 2010 to ensure that opener Virender Sehwag misses out his hundred. He bowled a last ball no ball, thus Sehwag remained Not Out on 99, though India could win the match.
Lanka spinner Dasun Shanaka could get a hundred, thanks to Rohit Sharma, who withdrew the run out appeal when pacer Shami had run Shanaka (he was on 98 then) out at the non-striker's end for backing up too far.
India was already in a winning position then. Whether Sharma could have shown the same gesture otherwise?
"Yes, Rohit could have shown the same gesture irrespective of the match. Rohit is a good sportsman and he has shown this spirit (withdrawing appeal) in the IPL also", his coach, Dinesh Lad says.
Rohit's gesture has well been appreciated by former Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya and Angelo Mathews.
"To put an end to this problem, I think umpires can take a call by warning the batsman not to leave the crease earlier. If he repeats it, caught red handed or by the third umpire then he should be declared out after a couple of warnings", says India's former chief selector MSK Prasad.
"This will put an end to the embarrassment causing out of this kind of dismissal, especially to the bowler who is always at receiving end though he is right as per laws of the game". "It should be like out when a batsman is sent home for running on the pitch despite warnings".
"The situation was well managed by Rohit Sharma", opines Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda.
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