Is the ACU really taking a weird turn?
If one believes recent media reports, it’s unfortunate the ICC’s Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) having done a good job, is now taking a weird turn that may lead them into a jungle from which they will never find a way out. The reports allege, in an attempt to enlarge the scope of match fixing investigations, the ACU has now set themselves on the path of `suspecting’ the shots on which players get out.With so much cricket being played round the year and players getting out in different styles, such an investigation is like jumping into the sea to catch a rare fish. Since the method seems to lack the vital ingredient of proving the intention of a player except through hypothesis, the players could not possibly be charged for `throwing away the wicket leading to match fixing’.According to a press report the trio of Inzamam-ul Haq, Wasim Akram and Brian Lara are in the first list for such a special investigation. As per the news item, keeping Inzamam under suspicion for some time, the ACU has focussed on his performance against Australia in the one-day match at Cardiff on June 9, in which Inzamam was out second ball, stumped by Adam Gilchrist off Shane Warne for a duck.While sensible observers of the game termed Inzamam’s sallying down the pitch to be a reaction to the stationing of a `silly point’, the ACU is looking into whether it could have been the part of a "betting operation". While Brian Lara is under investigation by Elliott Mottley of the West Indies Cricket Board, Wasim Akram’s name appears again, despite having been already tried and punished with a fine and invaluable loss of captaincy.In its vigorous pursuit of the subject the ICC must realise that while players like Mark Waugh, Alec Stewart and Martin Crowe (for allegedly selling information) and Arjuna Ranatunga and Arvinda de Silva (for alleged match fixing) have been cleared out of the net, the efforts of the media continue to trap mostly Pakistani players time and again.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been upright and prompt in taking action against its players even on the slightest suspicion. One can only wonder if this is just reward of such honesty that Pakistan players continue to be the targets of the sordid match-fixing episode? One hopes that all player performances, like the way of getting out, are being closely monitored the world over. It’s obvious that dark clouds of suspicion cast on the players will adversely affect their performance, jeopardizing the spirit of competition that the game generates.Inspection of facilities
It has become a common practice for the visiting teams to send a representative to inspect facilities in the host country prior to launching a tour. The New Zealand team is scheduled to arrive Pakistan on September 14 for a series of 3 one-day matches followed by 3 tests. The Manager designate, Jeff Crowe, visited Pakistan recently to inspect the playing as well as the boarding and lodging facilities that exist in the country.It is not the first time that the New Zealanders are visiting Pakistan. Having played a test series here as recently as 1996-97, they would have known about the grounds, stadiums and hotels well, plus the standards of hospitality. Having organised the World Cup twice, there could not be a doubt about the playing facilities that exist in Pakistan.It is possible that an official of a touring team visiting match centres in the host country to inspect facilities may be regarded as insulting by the hosts. With frequent exchange of visits between teams, the host countries even know the food habits of their guests.The hosts always offer their best to the visitors. I remember, as ex-Secretary of the PCB, I had to direct all match centres to arrange a special bed for Joel Garner when the West Indies team was on a visit of Pakistan. Such are normal courtesies, which the host countries are pleased to provide their guests.It would be a matter of great pleasure if an official of the visiting team visits the host country in advance to discuss matters of mutual interest with the Board, but no inspection of facilities please. To eliminate the feeling of the hosts being subservient to the guests, such a practice should better be discontinued. I feel we ought to meet each other and treat each other on absolutely equal basis.

Ian Harvey blasted the fastest first-class century of the season asGloucestershire piled up 418-5 on a one-sided opening day at Bristol.The Australian all-rounder came in at number five, with the total on 290-3,and proceeded to reach three-figures in just 61 balls, with 6 sixes and 12fours.Four of the sixes were pull shots off seamer Graeme Welch, while the othertwo dispatched spinners Lian Wharton and Nathan Dumelow straight back overtheir heads.It was a devastating exhibition. Harvey took 35 deliveries to reach fiftyand had faced only 65 balls in his 68-minute innings when bowled by Welchattempting another big hit.His amazing effort eclipsed an earlier fine innings from opener DominicHewson who hit a career-best 168, batting for five minutes short of fivehours and hitting 29 boundaries in his 252-ball innings.For struggling Derbyshire the tone of another disappointing day was set whenskipper Michael Di Venuto dropped Hewson at second slip before he had scoredin only the third over of the match, sent down by Welch.Hewson, whose only previous first-class hundred had come against declarationbowling at Derby this season, played with increasing confidence and treatedspectators to some sweetly-timed shots, particularly through the off-side.He eventually fell lbw swinging across a straight ball from left-arm spinnerWharton. But that only brought in Harvey to dominate to such an extentthat Kim Barnett contributed only three to a fourth-wicket stand of 95.Barnett was bowled by Nathan Dumelow, having made 34 of the 52 runs heneeded to reach 1,000 for the season. And by the time Harvey had his stumpsscattered by Welch, aiming another big hit, Gloucestershire had passed the400-mark.

West Indian fast bowler Marlon Black lost his place in international cricket as well as income of $A100,000 following an attack on him early this year, a court in Melbourne was told today.Three men – Brian Siali, 24, of the Melbourne suburb of Burwood; Gideon Tuinauvai, 21, also of Burwood, and Sione Puamau, 21, of Ringwood – have pleaded guilty to intentionally causing serious injury in the assault that took place on 11 February outside Colonial Stadium.The Victorian County Court heard that Black was punched and kicked repeatedly to the head and body by the three men and struck with a garden stake before being left unconscious.Crown prosecutor Jack Vandersteen stated that Black took four months to recover from the beating.Mr Vandersteen added that his client had been forced out of the West Indian team’s home series against South Africa (which began in March) as a result and that he had suffered severe financial and emotional loss.Black, 26, has played in a total of four Tests and four One-Day Internationals for West Indies, and has also been a member of Trinidad & Tobago representative sides since 1993-94. He appeared in each of the first three matches on West Indies’ five-Test tour of Australia last summer, claiming 4/83 in Brisbane on his international debut.The pre-sentencing hearing is continuing.

Auckland scored a convincing 10-wicket win over the New Zealand Academy side in their game at Lincoln Green today.The Academy efforts to build on the fine start provided by Jamie How last night were undone by Auckland left-arm spin bowler Mark Haslam who picked up the wickets of Jonathan McNamee and Brendon McCullum in successive overs, McCullum being bowled around his legs attempting a sweep shot.The Academy was in line for an innings defeat at 129 for five wickets.But two Aucklanders looking to make an impression against their home town club-mates, Nick Horsley and Reece Young set about the recovery with a good mixture of defence and aggression as Auckland captain Brooke Walker found when bowling his first over of the day and being hit for four boundaries by Young.Horsley was out just before lunch for 67 to end a 102-run partnership in 99 minutes.Young was out soon afterwards, leg before wicket, a decision which involved a consultation between the two umpires at square leg.Andre Adams claimed the wicket to go alongside that of Horsley he had picked up earlier.Then Nathan McCullum was the third of three wickets to fall in 12 balls with only five runs being added. At lunch the score was 236/8 and the end was nigh.An Adams yorker bowled Warren McSkimming while Taraia Robin soon departed lbw to Haslam, leaving the total at 258 – a lead of 23.Haslam (4-60) and Adams (4-45) shared the spoils and batsmen Tim McIntosh and Matt Horne scored the winning runs for the 10-wicket margin.The teams play a one-day game tomorrow with Daniel Vettori making an appearance at the bowling crease for the Academy as a trial for his return to Australia.

The decision not to immediately name a replacement for theinjured Wavell Hinds in the West Indies’ touring team to SriLanka is a calculated gamble.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has said the selectorswould only determine whether Hinds goes or not afterreceiving a medical report following surgery on his brokennose, to be performed tomorrow.The damage was caused when the left-hander topedged a ballfrom former Test fast bowler and current selector, JoelGarner, into his face during the annual Melbourne ClubFestival match in Kingston last Sunday. Dr Askhai Mansingh,the specialist in charge of the openers, has reported Hindswill be able to travel to Colombo to join the team onMonday.It means he would not arrive until next Wednesday,eliminating him from the first tour match, over three daysagainst Sri Lanka A in Colombo that starts on Saturday. Hewould then have only one day in Sri Lanka to prepare for thesecond match, also against the A team over three days in thesouthern town of Matara. After that, the three Tests followback-to-back.Since there is no way of precisely knowing what the effectsof the injury are until Hinds gets into the middle again, itreduces the middle-order options for the Test team.Roland Holder was in a similar situation on the 1994 tour ofIndia. He sliced his mouth badly shaving a few days beforedeparture but was carried all the same. He could not playuntil a month into the tour, limiting him to one first-classmatch and virtually putting him out of contention for thethree Tests.It is understandable that the selectors should keep faithwith Hinds, who was drafted into the original squad of 16for Brian Lara but eventually came in after ShivnarineChanderpaul was eliminated with back pain. He is a talentedplayer with 18 Tests but has had lean times after anencouraging start to his career.Chairman Mike Findlay said yesterday replacements for thetour had been chosen but he declined to name them. He wouldhave done well to identify credible middle-order battingalternatives.The only ones left behind with Test experience are, in orderof seniority, Sherwin Campbell, Stuart Williams, JuniorMurray, Floyd Reifer, Dave Joseph, Lincoln Roberts andRicardo Powell.Two stronger candidates would be the unrelated Hinds, Ryan,the 20-year-old left-handed Barbados all-rounder, and TravisDowlin, the 24-year-old right-handed Guyanese.In spite of his age, Hinds has been long since groomed forupward movement through West Indies Under-15, Under-19 and Ateams. He is one of the future and, on the evidence of therecent Red Stripe Bowl, should at least come into thereckoning later in the tour for the triangular One-Dayseries also involving Zimbabwe.Over the past two seasons, in which he has averaged over 40an innings, Dowlin has looked a competent, well-organisedbatsman with an excellent temperament.The cupboard is not entirely bare but its contents aredemonstrably scant at the moment.

Middle-order batsman Michael Vandort has been left out of Sri Lanka’s 14-man squad for the third and final Test against West Indies as Sri Lankan selectors back Russel Arnold to return to form.Vandort made his Test debut at the expense of Russel Arnold in the Asian Test championship match against Bangladesh at the SSC grounds in September scoring 36 and, was a member of the 15-man squad for the on-going Test series against West Indies at Galle and Kandy.As is normally the practice when the team is playing in Colombo, the squad is pruned down to 14 and Vandort, who made 93 for CCC in last week’s Premier Trophy match against Sebastianites, finds himself the unlucky one to be left out.Barring injuries, Sri Lanka are likely to go into the final Test with the same eleven that won the second Test at Kandy by 131 runs to give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.This means that Arnold will retain his place as a number five batsman despite the paucity of his runs at this level, which has seen his Test average dip from a promising 40 to 27.37 in the last 20 Tests he’s played.The left-hander has been able to go past 50 only three times in his last 33 Test innings, which doesn’t reflect the talent he possesses. Arnold himself must be worried about his own contribution with the bat to the team. His failures have not been largely significant because the other batsmen have been in the runs and given Sri Lanka match-winning totals.Apart from his batting capabilities, Arnold is also an outstanding close-infielder who has contributed much to the success of off-spinner MuttiahMuralitharan, latching on to the bat-pad catches.The selectors left out Arnold for the Asian Test championship match against Bangladesh, but brought him back for the West Indies series where he has scored only 38 runs in three innings.Despite the dearth of runs at Test level, we understand the selectors willpersevere with him for the three-Tests against Zimbabwe as well, which shouldput Arnold’s mind at ease and make him more relaxed to go out to the middleand score a century, which is long overdue.Sri Lanka squad of 14 for SSC Test:Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, MahelaJayawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillakaratne, Tilan Samaraweera, ChamindaVaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Niroshan Bandaratillake, Nuwan Zoysa, CharithaBuddhika Fernando, Upul Chandana, Suresh Perera.

New Zealand’s world champion women cricketers fly out of Christchurch tomorrow morning after a week’s build-up at the High Performance Centre to top off a programme designed to compensate for the loss of their tour to India.The cancellation of the tour, due to security reasons, was a body blow for the CLEAR White Ferns who need to start working towards rebuilding their side.But the hastily-arranged three-game tour to Queensland is some compensation.The game has been viewed by the side’s administration as a six-game tour, three games having been played at Lincoln University this week as part of the tour and also an assessment of some of the younger promising players in the country.Team coach Mike Shrimpton said that before the cancellation of the Indian tour the players had built up well through the winter with fitness training, regular visits to Lincoln and, latterly, matches and were in a very buoyant frame of mind.”The cancellation was a huge mental letdown and I suspected it would be hard for them to get up again,” Shrimpton said, “but we’ve had a good week out at Lincoln in very good conditions and we are looking forward to it now.”A lot of runs were scored and the players looked in good shape and form.”The exercise was also beneficial from a selectorial point of view as some of the younger players were looked at in conditions tougher than what they had been in before.Shrimpton said he had a lot of time around the country during the winter and saw many of the younger players in action.”They are young in experience but rich in talent,” he said. And some of those players would benefit from the A team tour to Australia in February.Some were capable of forcing their way into consideration for New Zealand’s tour to Europe in the winter when they will take part in a tri-series with England and India.”Initially the players were a little rusty and there were a few cobwebs but we got some game plans set and our routines re-set.”It will be very competitive in Australia, our players have not had a lot of cricket and they lack playing time,” he said pondering the bad weather to have plagued New Zealand so far this summer.All players would play at least four of the six games in the programme in New Zealand and Australia.CLEAR White Ferns captain Emily Drumm said the week had been good and a full on experience.”I am quite excited by what has been done. It has been a really good opportunity to enjoy a bat on quality wickets. They are very good wickets at Lincoln and it is easy to score runs quickly and it was enjoyable to have a long innings,” she said.The tour and the preparations for the new players to learn what it was to be part of the White Ferns and it was also a chance for the older players to get out of New Zealand, and the cycle of playing among themselves for some fresh competition.The tour games are: all against Queensland on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Western Australia’s Ryan Campbell is the surprise choice as wicketkeeper in the 12-man squad selected to represent Australia ‘A’ in matches against New Zealand and South Africa next week.Campbell has played only three ING Cup matches for his state this season, and scored a total of 135 runs from his ten appearances last summer. But, on the back of a thrilling innings of 77 against Victoria last week, the 29-year-old vaulted past New South Wales gloveman Brad Haddin and Queensland’s Wade Seccombe to win a berth.”I gave myself no chance (of selection), really,” said Campbell this afternoon.”I’ve worked really hard just to get back playing for WA and doing whatever I need to do for our team. I haven’t really thought about personal honours at all this season.”It’s very surprising but, in the same breath, it’s very pleasing.”Campbell, a clean-hitting batsman and athletic gloveman, also played with Australia ‘A’ in the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons. But he was used primarily as an opening batsman in those games.”I’ve been playing a different role this year; people normally think of me as an opening batsman who likes to tee off.”But my role’s changed: I’m batting in the middle order in both forms of cricket and I’ve changed my game a bit to try and settle our order down. I’m therefore giving myself more of a chance to be consistent – that’s something that I’m really working hard at doing.”Haddin, meanwhile, was one of only a handful of players from his state to miss out on selection in Australian teams today. Five Blues were included in Australia’s VB Series squad, and another five of the 12 positions in the Australia ‘A’ squad – seen as the country’s second-tier group of one-day cricketers – also went to players from New South Wales.Pending the outcome of a fitness test, captain Darren Lehmann will have fellow South Australian Jason Gillespie at his disposal as the speedster returns from a shoulder injury. But the remainder of the positions in the side’s attack will be filled exclusively by New South Welshmen. Left armer Nathan Bracken and tall right armer Stuart Clark are the other pacemen chosen; all-rounder Shane Lee will contribute medium pace; and Stuart MacGill and Mark Higgs are the slow bowling options.In a team that contains few genuine all-rounders, as many as five specialist batsmen have also been selected. South Australia’s Greg Blewett and Queensland’s Jimmy Maher are likely to fill opening batting roles, while Western Australians Simon Katich and Mike Hussey will join Lehmann in the other key positions.Along with Haddin and Seccombe, Queensland’s Martin Love, Victoria’s Brad Hodge and Tasmania’s Damien Wright – each of whom has starred at domestic one-day level over recent seasons – appear particularly unlucky to have missed selection.Australia ‘A’ meets New Zealand at the ‘Gabba on 8 January before flying to Adelaide to battle with South Africa two days later. Both are day-night games and precede the three-cornered VB Series of one-day international matches between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.The full squad is: Darren Lehmann (c), Simon Katich (v/c), Greg Blewett, Nathan Bracken, Ryan Campbell, Stuart Clark, Jason Gillespie, Mark Higgs, Michael Hussey, Shane Lee, Stuart MacGill, Jimmy Maher.

A Gagan Khoda hundred saw Rajasthan end the opening day of their fiveday Ranji Trophy KnockOut against Bengal at a respectable 242 forfive.Playing at the KL Saini Ground, Jaipur, Rajasthan decided to bat aftercaptain PK Krishnakumar won the toss. Khoda and the other opener,Vineet Saxena, had only put on 33 before Saxena was out lbw. The nexttwo batsmen also departed early before Khoda found an able ally in hiscaptain. The two put on a patient 143 runs for the fourth wicketbefore Krishnakumar was dismissed for a well-made 64 off 166 balls.Khoda went on to raise his hundred in the company of Kuldeep Singh. Hewas looking good for many more when he run-out for 114 off 261 balls.The Rajasthan opener’s hundred meant the home team had put themselvesin line for a respectable total against the Rohan Gavaskar-ledvisiting team.For Bengal, new-ball bowler Laxmi Rattan Shukla claimed two wickets.Kuldeep Singh, batting on 23, and wicket-keeper Rohit Jhalani, yet toopen his account, were set to resume battle for Rajasthan on Thursday.

Nepal secured its semi-final berth for the ICC Under-19 Plate Championship by beating Scotland by 48 runs in Auckland today.Nepal had the benefit of a 102-run opening partnership between Kanishka Chaugai (43) and Yashwant Subedi (45) and built on that with Bardan Chalise adding 30, Sakthi Gauchan 31 and Binod Das 27 not out to see the side to 205/5 off their 50 overs.Stewart Leggat took two for 28 with his off spinners and Moneeb Iqbal two for 33.Scotland got off to a poor start and while Brendan McKerchar scored 42, Steven Gilmour 29 and Iqbal 28 but the side could only total 157, as Gauchan finished with three for 32.Nepal will now play Bangladesh in the Plate semi-final at Lincoln No 3 on Wednesday.