IPL 4 : “I think the ICC will look seriously for an IPL window’’ says Sangakkara

Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara made a strong push for an International Cricket Council (ICC) initiative to create an IPL window that will satisfy all sections of the cricketing fraternity.

“I think the ICC will look seriously for an IPL window. It’s an important tournament and it has become part of the cricketing calendar. It can hold its own with any other tournament. I think an IPL window would be good. Once the window is created, it won’t put players into a position where they have to choose between the IPL team for which they have signed and also demonstrate commitment for their country.

“Cricketers take a huge amount of pride in playing for their country and that’s going to be their main aim. At the same time, if they don’t have to do that choosing of sides, I think it will make it easier for everyone (players, Boards) not to rub anyone on the wrong side at times. Hence, an IPL window would be good,’’ he said at the DC Team room, Hotel Trident here on Sunday.

The Chargers, who beat Mumbai Indians on Saturday, are out of the play offs phase of the IPL-IV. Sangakkara will play his last match against Pune Warriors at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Monday before flying to England. He spoke about Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra and the IPL factor around selection of national teams.

Excerpts:

Ishant Sharma: He’s been really outstanding for us. When he came in (for the Chargers), he was a bit rusty. Now we can all see what a quality bowler he is, when he starts running in and delivers the ball. He’s top quality. Presently, he’s probably the best fast bowler in India along with Zak (Zaheer Khan). Ishant has proved himself by performing consistently in this IPL. He bowls well when he has the confidence and is keen to show intent. He attacks right from the start. We give him the confidence by telling him that here’s the new ball, go and hit the deck and do what you like to do. When he has the confidence, he’s been able to raise his game up. Yesterday, it was a case of defending a low total (against Mumbai Indians) and he really wanted to show his intent in the first six overs.

Amit Mishra: This is the first time I have really seen Amit up close. He’s got all the tricks for a leg spinner, but what’s important for a leggie is that he must have a huge heart and Amit has that. He’s also a man of strong character. That came through yesterday when he was batting against MI. He’s a guy who will grab every opportunity that’s given to him.

Others like Shikhar Dhawan and Bharat Chipli: Shikhar is a top class batsman. He’s technically correct and has shaped well in this format. He doesn’t really slog. He’s been extremely impressive. Bharat will keep improving and he will be a very important player next season. Anand Rajan played his first game yesterday. He held his nerves in a really tight situation. Credit to him, after being hit for a six first ball and sending down two wides, he managed to get Kieron (Pollard).

IPL can be enjoyable and frustrating: The key is not to get frustrated. The moment you start getting emotional, that’s when the game starts to slip away. This season has been a steep learning curve for us. We put ourselves in very strong positions to win games, but through a few mistakes in the field, we lost far too many games. The positive is that we have been in good position and beaten sides, but that also hurts because having beaten MI we know how good we are.

IPL as a factor for national selection: If the selection is being done for Twenty20, then the IPL performances can be considered. But the IPL format is not that much when it comes to selection for one-day or Test cricket. When you see guys like Ishant and Amit perform consistently well, as bowlers in this format of the game, it means they have a lot to offer. These two guys have played for India. They (the selectors) were probably waiting to see how these two step up in the IPL.

Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL): We are launching the first tournament in July. I hope that it goes off really well and becomes a very successful tournament. It’s important that our cricketers become that bit more professional in the way they play. The benefits have to go the grass roots level of Sri Lankan cricket. There are cricketers who have been playing day in and day out for their clubs and provinces without many rewards. They don’t get opportunities to get into the national side or play something like the IPL. The SLPL should benefit these players a lot, not the Sri Lankan internationals. Of course, the internationals who play have to benefit as well, but more importantly the club and provincial players have to be rewarded for their commitment and passion to Sri Lankan cricket.

England tour, not as a captain: It’s going to be a great fun for me to go to England, I would be far more relaxed. I love playing Test cricket. Hopefully, I can make an impact on the tour and keep doing what I can do and that’s scoring runs.

Brian Aldridge steps down as an ICC Regional Referee

New Zealander who stood in 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup final retires after four years on panel

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the retirement of Brian Aldridge as an ICC Regional Referee for the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) region and also as an Umpire Coordinator for the region.

Having been an international umpire from 1986 to 1995, standing in 26 Test matches and 45 ODIs ? including the 1992 ICC Cricket World Cup 1992, Mr Aldridge joined the Regional Referee panel in 2007. 

Christchurch-born Mr Aldridge also worked as New Zealand Cricket's Umpire Manager from 1996 to 2009 while in 2000 he became involved with the ICC EAP umpire development programme within the region and was also used as a referee for tournaments within the region from 2004 onwards.

Mr Aldridge will remain on the committee that selects the ICC Associate and Affiliate Umpires which sits on an annual basis.

Upon announcing his decision to step down from his role, Mr Aldridge said: "I have always held a great passion for cricket development beyond the traditional cricket playing countries.

"It has been my privilege to be involved in this development work as ICC Regional Referee and as an Umpire Coordinator with the ICC East Asia-Pacific region.

"During this time I have seen first-hand the game of cricket in the EAP region go through a remarkable growth and it has been very exciting to look back on how the game has improved in the way it has been managed, played and umpired.?

"I have had a very long and enjoyable relationship with the game of cricket, and will leave with many fond memories and fantastic friendships. With the recent earthquake in Christchurch it is now time that I focus my energy on being with family and helping the local community in the recovery process," said Mr Aldridge.

ICC Umpires and Referees' manager Vince van der Bijl paid tribute to Mr Aldridge: "Brian has been a tremendous servant to the game as a former umpire, administrator and more recently with his work in cricket development.

"Brian's work has helped laid the foundations for umpiring to be able to flourish within the East Asia-Pacific region. We are very grateful for his contribution and he receives our support and well wishes for his work to aid the recovery process in his hometown of Christchurch."

Finally, ICC EAP regional development manager Andrew Faichney added his thanks to Mr Aldridge for all his hard work and efforts in the region.

"Brian has had a huge impact on the EAP region over the last 10 years and our umpire community, and the region as a whole, would not be where it is today without Brian's involvement. The administrators, players, officials and umpires are all indebted to Brian's service and friendship," said Faichney.

ICC needs to find new ways to curb match-fixing: Imran

Pakistan’s former cricket captain Imran Khan believes the ICC will have to adopt new ways to curb the menace of match—fixing as it is very difficult to detect and prove.

Imran’s comments came few days after former Sri Lankan captain Hashan Tillakaratne claimed that match—fixing had been prevalent in Sri Lankan cricket since 1992.

Pakistan’s former captain Rashid Latif, who blew the whistle on corruption in cricket in 1994, has also backed Tillakaratne’s claims.

Imran said he had no idea whether fixing took place in cricket, and it was always going to be difficult to detect such instances.

“I have no clue whether it happens or not,” Imran told reporters at the Moin Khan Academy.

“If it happens it’s very hard to notice. People can only point it out but it’s very difficult to prove. Special measures are required to deal with the menace.

“The ICC should find new ways to control it. There should be a sort of check,” he added.

Imran said the Pakistan Cricket Board should have taken action the first time fixing allegations surfaced in Pakistan cricket.

Latif said he was sure Tillakaratne had evidence to back his claims.

“I have no doubt he has evidence, but it all depends on how things go. If he strikes a deal with the Sri Lankan authorities, then the matter will be brushed under the carpet as in other instances in the past,” Latif told PTI.

ICC refuses to act on PCB complaint against Sutherland

The ICC has refused to act on a PCB complaint against Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland for stating that Pakistan was not doing enough to curb corruption in cricket, saying that it was matter between the two boards.

Last week, a PCB official said it was still waiting for a reply from the ICC on the letter it had sent to them asking them to inquire into the statement made by Sutherland recently.

But sources said the ICC had, on April 27, sent a letter to PCB Chairman, Ijaz Butt informing him the ICC could not interfere in the matter.

“The ICC, in its reply, has said that this is a matter between the Pakistan and Australian cricket boards,” a source said.

“It has advised the PCB to take up their grievances directly with Cricket Australia,” he added.

Sutherland, in a recent interview to the ‘Age’, said that he didn’t believe that the PCB had done enough to implement the recommendations of the Justice Malik Qayyum report into match-fixing that was given in 2000.

Sutherland said if the PCB had done enough, the spot-fixing scandal involving Salman Butt, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Aamir could have been avoided.

The source said the ICC had told the PCB it could not become a party in this case as it was an issue that needed to be dealt with by the two boards.

The source said the PCB was now likely to take up the matter directly from cricket Australia and ask for a response from them.