CSA announces fixtures for 2011-2012 season

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday announced a programme of international matches in all three formats of the game against Australia and Sri Lanka for the 2011-12 summer season.

Australia will play two Test matches, three ODIs and two T20 International matches in October and November while Sri Lanka will tour during the holiday season of December and January for three-Test matches and five ODIs.


The Proteas complete its summer with a tour to New Zealand.

"Any series between Australia and the Proteas is always something to be savoured," commented CSA CEO Gerald Majola, "and fans can look forward to a repeat of the excitement, quality and entertainment that we witnessed the last time the teams met in head-to-head series in the 2008-09 season.

"There were stunning bowling performances from Dale Steyn and Mitchell Johnson, JP Duminy's remarkable entry into Test match cricket and outstanding batting from the likes of Ricky Ponting and AB de Villiers.

"Australia is currently the No. 1 ranked team in the world in ODI cricket and their Test team is also highly competitive.

"Unfortunately time constraints prevent us from playing more than two Tests against Australia this time around. In this regard I would like to stress that Test cricket remains in our view the ultimate pinnacle of the game. There is room for all three formats and they complement one another in an outstanding overall package.

"The aim is to play a four-match Test series when Australia next tour in February and March of 2014. This will make up for the extra Test not being played on this year's tour.

"Sri Lanka will come to South Africa for a full tour for the first time since 2002. They reached the final of the last two ICC Cricket World Cups which speaks for itself about the quality of their side.

"Over the years they have brought a rich diversity to the game in addition to producing outstanding cricketers and we all look forward to seeing the likes of Lasith Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Ajantha Mendis in action."

S.Africa abide by order to reinstate former president

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Cricket South Africa (CSA) will abide by a high court order to reinstate former president Mtutuzeli Nyoka, the governing body said.

Nyoka was removed in February after a vote of no confidence from the board but he took CSA to court, claiming the correct procedure was not followed because he did not receive proper notification of the meeting that led to his ousting.

"The board has agreed in the interests of cricket to abide by the judgement handed down in the South Gauteng High Court on April 15," CSA said in a statement after a board meeting on Wednesday.

"Accordingly ... Nyoka has been reinstated as president and chairman of the board of directors with immediate effect. The meeting unanimously agreed to abandon any appeal process in relation to the judgement."

Nyoka had argued in an affidavit that the reason behind his ousting was his criticism of bonus payments totalling 4.7 million rand ($684,900) paid to CSA employees after South Africa hosted the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Champions Trophy in 2009.

Chief executive Gerald Majola received 1.77 million rand but was cleared of financial wrongdoing after CSA conducted an internal inquiry, with Nyoka having initially called for an external investigation.

CSA said on Wednesday there would be an external probe into the allegations of financial wrongdoing.

"There were problems and we cannot underestimate that but there are sound leadership skills in Cricket South Africa and we will be going forward for the sake of cricket," Nyoka told reporters.

Nyoka added he had patched up his differences with Majola.

"As far as my personal relationship with Gerald Majola goes, we were children together, we have had our ups and downs but we both love the game," he said.

"Tonight we shook hands as brothers and it was a handshake of deep affection," said Nyoka as the pair embraced.

Majola said: "As Dr Nyoka said, we have shaken hands and, as the president, I serve him as the CEO."

Boucher to replace injured Haddin for Kolkata

Kolkata Knight Riders named South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher as a replacement for the injured Brad Haddin in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Boucher, who represented Royal Challengers Bangalore earlier, will be available for the Knight Riders ahead of their clash against Deccan Chargers on May 3.

“We are fortunate to have someone like Mark Boucher as Brad’s replacement. He comes with a lot of experience and a terrific track record in all forms of the game,” Knight Riders CEO and MD, Venky Mysore said.

Aussie wicketkeeper Haddin’s IPL campaign was cut short after a fracture was detected in his finger. An MRI in Delhi on Thursday revealed that the injury he sustained during Australia’s series in Bangladesh had not healed.

He will return home and undergo a surgery.

“We are very disappointed that Brad (Haddin) will be leaving the squad and will not take further part in IPL IV. In a short period, Brad had made his presence felt both on and off the field,” Mysore said.

The 33—year—old Australian cricketer was unavailable for KKR’s first three outings as he was busy with national duty in Bangladesh.

After joining the side, Haddin scored 18 in his only appearance for the Knight Riders in their nine—wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Kolkata.

An injury—prone Haddin, who had missed Australia’s five—match ODI series against England last year due to an elbow injury, was roped in January’s auction for USD 325,000.

Botha willing to move down the order to accommodate Watson

Jaipur, Apr 11 (PTI) Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Johan Botha today said he is ready to move down the order in his side''s remaining IPL matches when Australian Shane Watson returns from national duty.

Watson hit a record 15 sixes in a career-best 185 not out in Australia''s nine-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dhaka today and Botha said he is ready to vacate the number three slot he occupied against Deccan Chargers for the Aussie.

"Yes I had loved to bat at number three and would like to do so but Shane is likely to join the team in a couple of days and I might be asked to play at any other number. He is the best player in world and I am ready to bat anywhere my captain Shane Warne asks me to," said Botha, the star performer in RR''s victory over Deccan Chargers with an unbeaten 67.

Rajasthan Royals take on Delhi Daredevils here tomorrow and Both refused to read much into the lacklustre batting of the Virender Sehwag-led side against Mumbai Indians in New Delhi yesterday.

"They have some very good batsmen in Virender Sehwag, David Warner and Aaron Finch who are capable of hitting 80-odd runs off 60 balls to wrest the match away from us. But we want concentrate on our strengths rather than worrying about the things which we can''t control," said Botha.

Asked about former India captain Rahul Dravid getting stuck at times when the innings need big push, "We can''t blame him for a bit slow knock in previous match. He gets stuck at times but that happens to most of the batsmen. He is a great player and his role is to provide stability to the batting order."

Speaking about New Zealand''s Jacob Oram, who had suffered a groin injury in last match, Botha said his inclusion in the playing eleven would be decided tomorrow.

"We will have a final look at him tomorrow morning. It is a long tournament and we have to plan accordingly," he said. PTI DS CM PDS

Kirsten keen to coach South African team

Johannesburg: Former Indian coach Gary Kirsten, who stepped down after guiding Team India to its second World Cup, now wants to take up the top job in South Africa even though he has not submitted a formal application before dateline.

A report in The Sunday Times said Kirsten is interested in the Proteas coaching vacancy, but he is also weighing up several other offers.

"He's expressed interest, yes," said Andrew Hudson, the national selection convener and a man who sits on the panel to select a successor to Corrie van Zyl's.

"He's certainly been in discussions with Gerald Majola (Cricket SA's CEO)," Hudson was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Zyl stepped down after the Proteas' World Cup debacle.

Kirsten is known to be keen on working with the current crop of international players, believing them to be among the most talented on the circuit, the report said. (ANI)