IPL 2011: Punjab devastate Rajasthan by 48 runs

MOHALI: On a day when Australian cricketers were in the limelight, Adam Gilchrist showed his excellence all the way to outwit his compatriot Shane Warne as Kings XI Punjab won an important match of the Indian Premier League 2011 (IPL 2011) by defeating Rajasthan Royals with a margin of 48 runs at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

Man of the Match: Shaun Marsh


Man of the Match: Shaun Marsh

A total of six Australia cricketers – Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, Ryan McLaren, and Shane Watson – were featuring in a match between two IPL teams led by former Aussie greats.

Batting first on a placid track, Kings XI Punjab amassed 195 runs for the loss of seven wickets from their 20 overs, thanks mainly to a gutsy and attractive knock by Shaun Marsh (71 from 41 – 6 fours, 3 sixes). It is important to mention here that it was IPL tournament where Shaun Marsh first came into limelight hitting a century for Punjab last season.

Shane Watson


Shane Watson. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Skipper Adam Gilchrist (28 from 16 – 4 fours, 1 six) started the action with some brutal hitting while his in-form opening partner Paul Valthaty (46 from 31 – 4 fours, 3 sixes) kept capitalizing on his good run as the opening pair scored 67 runs in just 4.2 overs, giving a perfect platform to the home side.

Dinesh Karthik (21 from 16) was the last batsmen who kept the scoring rate up but after his dismissal, batting looked impotent as the hosts could manage only 25 runs from the last five overs.

Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Rajasthan Royals’ bowling was two-coloured as a couple of bowlers performed outstandingly while the other three went for two many. Shaun Tait (4-1-22-3) and Shane Watson (4-0-24-2) cumulatively went for only 46 runs from their eight overs taking five wickets. On the other hand, SK Trivedi (4-0-59-0), Shane Warne (4-0-50-1), and the fifth bowler consisting of STR Binny (2-0-18-0), AL Menaria (1-0-7-0), and AS Raut (1-0-8-0) went as a whole for 142 runs from 12 overs.

Rajasthan never looked like chasing the huge total and their wickets continued to fall like house of cards as SA Asnodkar (9 from 9), Rahul Dravid (8 from 8), Shane Watson (24 from 16 – 4 fours), STR Binny (30 from 24 – 2 fours, 1 six), and Ross Taylor (Duck) couldn’t provide the impetus at the top.

Shane Warne

Shane Warne. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

AL Menaria (34 from 26 – 2 fours, 1 six) and AS Raut (25 from 21 – 3 fours) tried to save some pride by batting out the overes as Shane Warne remained not out at five while DH Yagnik stayed not out for 10 as Rajasthan Royals scored 147 runs for seven wickets from their quota, thus falling 48 runs short of the mammoth target.

Shaun Marsh was declared Man of the Match for his beautiful half century, who told media in the presentation ceremony, “Nice, we had a great win. All the boys played well, and good feeling at the moment. First time I have got a few off him [Warne], usually he gets me out pretty early. I do enjoy playing here, great place to play cricket. Having a lot of fun at the moment.”

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

The winning captain, Adam Gilchrist said, “Three in a row after a poor start. Been a bit of a stop-start tournament, seems like the tournament is just beginning. Fine line, but 2 for 5 is a fair distance from being 0 for 40. Paul backed himself, and Shaun was brilliant. Not too bad [personal form]. It’s all helter skelter, don’t know much about form in this form of the game.”

The losing captain Shane Warne was a little skeptical of his team’s performance with his girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley watching from the stands as he said, “Not the ideal starts. Two no-balls could have been two wickets. After that we lost our way. Adam and Paul played really. We pulled them back a bit, but we got off to an ordinary start ourselves. Trying to stay calm [when the no-balls happened], but it’s not easy. Something you can’t do in Twenty20 cricket. We got outplayed, we didn’t do a lot of basic stuff well.”

This was the third straight victory for Punjab who started the tournament with two back-to-back losses. A victory by big margin propelled the Kings XI Punjab on top of the league standing with Mumbai Indian both winning three of their matches.

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IPL 2011: Punjab devastate Rajasthan by 48 runs

MOHALI: On a day when Australian cricketers were in the limelight, Adam Gilchrist showed his excellence all the way to outwit his compatriot Shane Warne as Kings XI Punjab won an important match of the Indian Premier League 2011 (IPL 2011) by defeating Rajasthan Royals with a margin of 48 runs at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Thursday.

Man of the Match: Shaun Marsh


Man of the Match: Shaun Marsh

A total of six Australia cricketers – Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Shaun Marsh, Shaun Tait, Ryan McLaren, and Shane Watson – were featuring in a match between two IPL teams led by former Aussie greats.

Batting first on a placid track, Kings XI Punjab amassed 195 runs for the loss of seven wickets from their 20 overs, thanks mainly to a gutsy and attractive knock by Shaun Marsh (71 from 41 – 6 fours, 3 sixes). It is important to mention here that it was IPL tournament where Shaun Marsh first came into limelight hitting a century for Punjab last season.

Shane Watson


Shane Watson. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Skipper Adam Gilchrist (28 from 16 – 4 fours, 1 six) started the action with some brutal hitting while his in-form opening partner Paul Valthaty (46 from 31 – 4 fours, 3 sixes) kept capitalizing on his good run as the opening pair scored 67 runs in just 4.2 overs, giving a perfect platform to the home side.

Dinesh Karthik (21 from 16) was the last batsmen who kept the scoring rate up but after his dismissal, batting looked impotent as the hosts could manage only 25 runs from the last five overs.

Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

Rajasthan Royals’ bowling was two-coloured as a couple of bowlers performed outstandingly while the other three went for two many. Shaun Tait (4-1-22-3) and Shane Watson (4-0-24-2) cumulatively went for only 46 runs from their eight overs taking five wickets. On the other hand, SK Trivedi (4-0-59-0), Shane Warne (4-0-50-1), and the fifth bowler consisting of STR Binny (2-0-18-0), AL Menaria (1-0-7-0), and AS Raut (1-0-8-0) went as a whole for 142 runs from 12 overs.

Rajasthan never looked like chasing the huge total and their wickets continued to fall like house of cards as SA Asnodkar (9 from 9), Rahul Dravid (8 from 8), Shane Watson (24 from 16 – 4 fours), STR Binny (30 from 24 – 2 fours, 1 six), and Ross Taylor (Duck) couldn’t provide the impetus at the top.

Shane Warne

Shane Warne. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

AL Menaria (34 from 26 – 2 fours, 1 six) and AS Raut (25 from 21 – 3 fours) tried to save some pride by batting out the overes as Shane Warne remained not out at five while DH Yagnik stayed not out for 10 as Rajasthan Royals scored 147 runs for seven wickets from their quota, thus falling 48 runs short of the mammoth target.

Shaun Marsh was declared Man of the Match for his beautiful half century, who told media in the presentation ceremony, “Nice, we had a great win. All the boys played well, and good feeling at the moment. First time I have got a few off him [Warne], usually he gets me out pretty early. I do enjoy playing here, great place to play cricket. Having a lot of fun at the moment.”

Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley. Courtesy: AP PHOTO

The winning captain, Adam Gilchrist said, “Three in a row after a poor start. Been a bit of a stop-start tournament, seems like the tournament is just beginning. Fine line, but 2 for 5 is a fair distance from being 0 for 40. Paul backed himself, and Shaun was brilliant. Not too bad [personal form]. It’s all helter skelter, don’t know much about form in this form of the game.”

The losing captain Shane Warne was a little skeptical of his team’s performance with his girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley watching from the stands as he said, “Not the ideal starts. Two no-balls could have been two wickets. After that we lost our way. Adam and Paul played really. We pulled them back a bit, but we got off to an ordinary start ourselves. Trying to stay calm [when the no-balls happened], but it’s not easy. Something you can’t do in Twenty20 cricket. We got outplayed, we didn’t do a lot of basic stuff well.”

This was the third straight victory for Punjab who started the tournament with two back-to-back losses. A victory by big margin propelled the Kings XI Punjab on top of the league standing with Mumbai Indian both winning three of their matches.

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Mahela Jayawardene and Sri Lanka selectors resign

 

Jayawardene quit as Sri Lanka captain in March 2009 Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and the country's four selectors have resigned following the World Cup final defeat by India.
They follow Kumar Sangakkara, who quit as one-day and Twenty20 captain on Tuesday, but remains as Test captain.
Ex-captain Jayawardene said the time was right to "move on".
The selectors, headed by former national skipper Aravinda de Silva, handed their resignations to Sri Lanka's sports minister on Wednesday.
The quartet's term was due to end at the end of the month but De Silva, alongside Ranjith Fernando, Amal Silva and Azwer Ali chose to leave early in the wake of the six-wicket defeat by India in Mumbai on Saturday.

I think it's time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team

Former Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene

"While, like everyone else associated with Sri Lanka Cricket we are also enormously disappointed at our not being able to annex the coveted World Cup, which was lost to India in a highly competitive final, we are very happy that we have been able to meet most of our objectives in a short space of time," the selectors wrote in an open letter to sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
"In view of the fact that some major cricketing decisions have to be taken for the future of Sri Lanka cricket due to important assignments in the coming months, we would like to offer to step down immediately from the jobs of national selectors."
Former captain Jayawardene stepped down as skipper in March 2009 following Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan, which was abandoned when the tourists' team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore on 3 March.
The 33-year-old became only the sixth player in World Cup history to score a hundred in the final, but was the first player to hit three figures and finish on the losing side.
"I think it's time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team," said elegant right-handed batsman Jayawardene, who has scored 9,527 runs in 116 Tests and 9,423 in 341 one-day internationals in an illustrious career.
Sangakkara said his decision to resign as captain was made prior to the start of the World Cup to make way for a younger leader.
However, the left-hander will remain as interim Test captain for their tour of England, which begins in May and lasts until July.
All-rounders Angelo Mathews and Tillakaratne Dilshan are among the leading contenders to replace Sangakkara.

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Mahela Jayawardene and Sri Lanka selectors resign

 

Jayawardene quit as Sri Lanka captain in March 2009 Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene and the country's four selectors have resigned following the World Cup final defeat by India.
They follow Kumar Sangakkara, who quit as one-day and Twenty20 captain on Tuesday, but remains as Test captain.
Ex-captain Jayawardene said the time was right to "move on".
The selectors, headed by former national skipper Aravinda de Silva, handed their resignations to Sri Lanka's sports minister on Wednesday.
The quartet's term was due to end at the end of the month but De Silva, alongside Ranjith Fernando, Amal Silva and Azwer Ali chose to leave early in the wake of the six-wicket defeat by India in Mumbai on Saturday.

I think it's time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team

Former Sri Lanka vice-captain Mahela Jayawardene

"While, like everyone else associated with Sri Lanka Cricket we are also enormously disappointed at our not being able to annex the coveted World Cup, which was lost to India in a highly competitive final, we are very happy that we have been able to meet most of our objectives in a short space of time," the selectors wrote in an open letter to sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
"In view of the fact that some major cricketing decisions have to be taken for the future of Sri Lanka cricket due to important assignments in the coming months, we would like to offer to step down immediately from the jobs of national selectors."
Former captain Jayawardene stepped down as skipper in March 2009 following Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan, which was abandoned when the tourists' team bus was attacked by gunmen in Lahore on 3 March.
The 33-year-old became only the sixth player in World Cup history to score a hundred in the final, but was the first player to hit three figures and finish on the losing side.
"I think it's time to move on, give the reins to someone younger in the team," said elegant right-handed batsman Jayawardene, who has scored 9,527 runs in 116 Tests and 9,423 in 341 one-day internationals in an illustrious career.
Sangakkara said his decision to resign as captain was made prior to the start of the World Cup to make way for a younger leader.
However, the left-hander will remain as interim Test captain for their tour of England, which begins in May and lasts until July.
All-rounders Angelo Mathews and Tillakaratne Dilshan are among the leading contenders to replace Sangakkara.

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Michael Vaughan criticises ICC for Ireland snub

Michael Vaughan says the International Cricket Council's move to exclude Ireland from the 2015 World Cup is a "poor decision".

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticised the International Cricket Council's decision to exclude Ireland from the 2015 World Cup.

The ICC ruled on Monday that only the 10 full-member countries would compete in the 2015 competition.
"It's wrong. Ireland are the 10th best one-day team in the world as we speak," Vaughan told BBC Breakfast.
"It's a huge blow for Ireland because of all the work they have put in. The ICC have again made a poor decision."
Vaughan added that two qualifying spots should have been made available for the 10-team 2015 competition which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.

Continue reading the main story

I'm pretty sure Ireland would have won that (pre-qualifying) tournament because they are the best associate team

Michael Vaughan Former England captain

"You look at the progression Ireland have made over the years. They did well in 2007 (at the World Cup) and did well again at this year's World Cup where they beat England.
"I would have liked to have seen a pre-tournament qualifier with the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe thrown in as well with Ireland, Canada, Kenya and all the other associates teams and the best two going on to the World Cup.
"I'm pretty sure Ireland would have won that tournament because they are the best associate team and they showed that at the World Cup."
The ICC's decision has enraged Irish cricket with national team coach Phil Simmons describing his team's exclusion from the 2015 World Cup as "despicable".
In its latest response to the ICC's decision, Cricket Ireland said that the decision showed an organisation "unfit for purpose or governance".
"Ireland are currently in discussions with their fellow associates and affiliates about the avenues of action left open to them following the shameful ruling by ICC."

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Michael Vaughan criticises ICC for Ireland snub

Michael Vaughan says the International Cricket Council's move to exclude Ireland from the 2015 World Cup is a "poor decision".

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticised the International Cricket Council's decision to exclude Ireland from the 2015 World Cup.

The ICC ruled on Monday that only the 10 full-member countries would compete in the 2015 competition.
"It's wrong. Ireland are the 10th best one-day team in the world as we speak," Vaughan told BBC Breakfast.
"It's a huge blow for Ireland because of all the work they have put in. The ICC have again made a poor decision."
Vaughan added that two qualifying spots should have been made available for the 10-team 2015 competition which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.

Continue reading the main story

I'm pretty sure Ireland would have won that (pre-qualifying) tournament because they are the best associate team

Michael Vaughan Former England captain

"You look at the progression Ireland have made over the years. They did well in 2007 (at the World Cup) and did well again at this year's World Cup where they beat England.
"I would have liked to have seen a pre-tournament qualifier with the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe thrown in as well with Ireland, Canada, Kenya and all the other associates teams and the best two going on to the World Cup.
"I'm pretty sure Ireland would have won that tournament because they are the best associate team and they showed that at the World Cup."
The ICC's decision has enraged Irish cricket with national team coach Phil Simmons describing his team's exclusion from the 2015 World Cup as "despicable".
In its latest response to the ICC's decision, Cricket Ireland said that the decision showed an organisation "unfit for purpose or governance".
"Ireland are currently in discussions with their fellow associates and affiliates about the avenues of action left open to them following the shameful ruling by ICC."

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Country cricket season ridiculous - Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison has criticised the organisation of the county cricket season saying it contains too many matches and starts too early.

The Durham and England fast bowler told BBC Look North: "We play far too much cricket - as simple as that.
"That's how you're going to get people injured, That's how you're not going to get the quality of cricket."
Durham begin their campaign at Hampshire on Friday, 8 April and finish against Worcestershire on 15 September.
Harmison added that Durham in particular suffer from the way the county season is structured.
"We've got 41 playing days in the first 60 and that's without travelling," he said. "We're not an hour-and-a-half away from everywhere. We've got an eight or nine-hour trip tonight to go to Hampshire."
But he added that the Durham team will not let this affect them: "The start of the season has been a little bit of a rush but everyone's just looking forward to playing some competitive cricket."
Harmison added that it is not just county cricket that suffers from the cricket calendar.
He had harsh words for the England and Wales Cricket Board, blaming it for England's disappointing World Cup with defeats by lower-ranked opponents Ireland and Bangladesh.
"The same people who are running the game are sending top international players away from home for five months," he said.
Looking ahead to the new county cricket season, Harmison believes that Durham's preparation in Dubai, with warm-up matches against Sussex and the Emirates Twenty20 competition, could help them to the title.
"We haven't gone to Dubai to finish fourth or fifth," he said.
"We've got a squad good enough to win, barring injuries we should be up there."

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Country cricket season ridiculous - Steve Harmison

Steve Harmison has criticised the organisation of the county cricket season saying it contains too many matches and starts too early.

The Durham and England fast bowler told BBC Look North: "We play far too much cricket - as simple as that.
"That's how you're going to get people injured, That's how you're not going to get the quality of cricket."
Durham begin their campaign at Hampshire on Friday, 8 April and finish against Worcestershire on 15 September.
Harmison added that Durham in particular suffer from the way the county season is structured.
"We've got 41 playing days in the first 60 and that's without travelling," he said. "We're not an hour-and-a-half away from everywhere. We've got an eight or nine-hour trip tonight to go to Hampshire."
But he added that the Durham team will not let this affect them: "The start of the season has been a little bit of a rush but everyone's just looking forward to playing some competitive cricket."
Harmison added that it is not just county cricket that suffers from the cricket calendar.
He had harsh words for the England and Wales Cricket Board, blaming it for England's disappointing World Cup with defeats by lower-ranked opponents Ireland and Bangladesh.
"The same people who are running the game are sending top international players away from home for five months," he said.
Looking ahead to the new county cricket season, Harmison believes that Durham's preparation in Dubai, with warm-up matches against Sussex and the Emirates Twenty20 competition, could help them to the title.
"We haven't gone to Dubai to finish fourth or fifth," he said.
"We've got a squad good enough to win, barring injuries we should be up there."

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Sussex coach Mark Robinson targets successive titles

Robinson took charge of first-team affairs at Sussex in 2005 Sussex CCC coach Mark Robinson is targeting successive titles following their return to Division One of the County Championship. Sussex were promoted as champions of Division Two last year. He told BBC Sussex: "We want to win it. Everything is to play for. We've won it three times since 2003 and we'd like to do it again. "We've worked hard and any team can get momentum, get belief and confidence. It can take you a long way." However, Sussex will begin their four-day campaign away to Lancashire on Friday without three key players, all of whom are England internationals. All-rounder Luke Wright is out for at least three weeks after an injection for a knee injury, wicketkeeper Matt Prior is carrying a shoulder injury, while captain Mike Yardy is still recovering from a stress-related illness. "To lose your captain and your leading all-rounder is a bit of a blow," Robinson said. "It's giving me headaches that you've got big players' spots to fill. But it gives me excitement that you've got younger members to come in and stake a claim." Robinson added that there is no timescale for when Yardy will return to first-team duties. "Mike has had five months away from home and is spending time with his family," the 44-year-old continued. "He came in on Tuesday and had a hit, but he'll take it day by day. If you rush these things it will only come back to bite you."

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Sussex coach Mark Robinson targets successive titles

Robinson took charge of first-team affairs at Sussex in 2005 Sussex CCC coach Mark Robinson is targeting successive titles following their return to Division One of the County Championship. Sussex were promoted as champions of Division Two last year. He told BBC Sussex: "We want to win it. Everything is to play for. We've won it three times since 2003 and we'd like to do it again. "We've worked hard and any team can get momentum, get belief and confidence. It can take you a long way." However, Sussex will begin their four-day campaign away to Lancashire on Friday without three key players, all of whom are England internationals. All-rounder Luke Wright is out for at least three weeks after an injection for a knee injury, wicketkeeper Matt Prior is carrying a shoulder injury, while captain Mike Yardy is still recovering from a stress-related illness. "To lose your captain and your leading all-rounder is a bit of a blow," Robinson said. "It's giving me headaches that you've got big players' spots to fill. But it gives me excitement that you've got younger members to come in and stake a claim." Robinson added that there is no timescale for when Yardy will return to first-team duties. "Mike has had five months away from home and is spending time with his family," the 44-year-old continued. "He came in on Tuesday and had a hit, but he'll take it day by day. If you rush these things it will only come back to bite you."

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World Cup final had highest rating: TAM

NEW DELHI: The final match of the cricket world cup between India and Sri Lanka was watched by almost two out of every three cable & satellite viewers in the country, making it one of the most-watched television events in India ever. According to television viewership rating agency TAM , the final match garnered the highest rating in the entire tournament, beating even the viewership of the semi-final match between India and Pakistan .

The final match of the world cup telecast on Star Sports, Star Cricket, and Doordarshan garnered television rating point (TRP) of 23.2, against 21, for the semi-final match. Peak rating of the finals was also a tad higher at 35.9, compared with 34.4, for the India-Pakistan clash. The final match was watched by 135 million viewers across the country in cable & satellite, terrestrial and DTH homes.

Media planners say Indian team's performance ensured the TRP for the final match crossed viewership recorded by general entertainment channels or any other television event in the recent past. "It was one of the most watched television events in the country," said Hiren Pandit managing partner-South Asia of Group M (ESP).

They say the last time an event got viewership of such nature was when the first season of game show Kaun Banega Crorepati debuted on Indian television ten years ago, with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan as the host.

Overall the viewership rating for the world cup was 3.83 compared with average of just 2.02 for the previous edition of the tournament four years ago in which India was knocked out in the early stages. But the last year's edition of the domestic T20 club cricket tournament IPL had notched an average rating of 4.5 for the entire tournament, higher than the just concluded world cup. However, the average television ratings of all the matches featuring Indian team were much higher at 12.08 compared to IPL3.

The cricket world cup 2011 was most watched in the state of Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

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World Cup final had highest rating: TAM

NEW DELHI: The final match of the cricket world cup between India and Sri Lanka was watched by almost two out of every three cable & satellite viewers in the country, making it one of the most-watched television events in India ever. According to television viewership rating agency TAM , the final match garnered the highest rating in the entire tournament, beating even the viewership of the semi-final match between India and Pakistan .

The final match of the world cup telecast on Star Sports, Star Cricket, and Doordarshan garnered television rating point (TRP) of 23.2, against 21, for the semi-final match. Peak rating of the finals was also a tad higher at 35.9, compared with 34.4, for the India-Pakistan clash. The final match was watched by 135 million viewers across the country in cable & satellite, terrestrial and DTH homes.

Media planners say Indian team's performance ensured the TRP for the final match crossed viewership recorded by general entertainment channels or any other television event in the recent past. "It was one of the most watched television events in the country," said Hiren Pandit managing partner-South Asia of Group M (ESP).

They say the last time an event got viewership of such nature was when the first season of game show Kaun Banega Crorepati debuted on Indian television ten years ago, with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan as the host.

Overall the viewership rating for the world cup was 3.83 compared with average of just 2.02 for the previous edition of the tournament four years ago in which India was knocked out in the early stages. But the last year's edition of the domestic T20 club cricket tournament IPL had notched an average rating of 4.5 for the entire tournament, higher than the just concluded world cup. However, the average television ratings of all the matches featuring Indian team were much higher at 12.08 compared to IPL3.

The cricket world cup 2011 was most watched in the state of Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

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Super Kings will miss Muralitharan: Dhoni

CHENNAI: MS Dhoni is shuttling between different worlds. From the emotions of Indian cricket to the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League, the skipper has to hold fort in everything he does.

Incidentally, he is one captain who has won it all - World Cup, T20 World Cup, IPL, Champions League. When somebody asked him what else has he in store, Dhoni smiled: "I don't mind all those once again."

But the realist in Dhoni knows that it's easier said than done. Chennai Super Kings may have won the IPL last year, but this time around, the pressure will be high to repeat the performance. CSK have held on to their key players, but there's one Muttiah Muralitharan who was snapped up by Kochi Tuskers.

Dhoni made no bones about the fact that Murali will be missed in the CSK ranks. "We are bound to miss him...He had great influence in the dressing-room and had a big role in our success over the last three years," Dhoni said.

But then, that's how the auctions work and the skipper said that they have learnt to live with it. "A couple of key players like L. Balaji have also left...We'll miss them for sure. However, some good players have come in as well."

The skipper is banking on the batting-order which has a potent look about it. "With Raina, Badri, myself, Mike Hussey and Vijay, the top-half looks quite settled. Players like Fauf du Plessis have also joined. We have a pretty decent side and we should be in a position to do well."

Given the hectic international schedule and the dodgy back that MSD has, does he think that it's better for him not to keep in the IPL?

"It's tricky situation. When Parthiv (Patel) was in the team, I sometimes did that...But now I have to take the call whether I can play the extra 'keeper (Wriddhiman Saha). Though there's not much scope for rest in professional cricket, I would look to take a bit, if and when it's possible."

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Super Kings will miss Muralitharan: Dhoni

CHENNAI: MS Dhoni is shuttling between different worlds. From the emotions of Indian cricket to the glitz and glamour of the Indian Premier League, the skipper has to hold fort in everything he does.

Incidentally, he is one captain who has won it all - World Cup, T20 World Cup, IPL, Champions League. When somebody asked him what else has he in store, Dhoni smiled: "I don't mind all those once again."

But the realist in Dhoni knows that it's easier said than done. Chennai Super Kings may have won the IPL last year, but this time around, the pressure will be high to repeat the performance. CSK have held on to their key players, but there's one Muttiah Muralitharan who was snapped up by Kochi Tuskers.

Dhoni made no bones about the fact that Murali will be missed in the CSK ranks. "We are bound to miss him...He had great influence in the dressing-room and had a big role in our success over the last three years," Dhoni said.

But then, that's how the auctions work and the skipper said that they have learnt to live with it. "A couple of key players like L. Balaji have also left...We'll miss them for sure. However, some good players have come in as well."

The skipper is banking on the batting-order which has a potent look about it. "With Raina, Badri, myself, Mike Hussey and Vijay, the top-half looks quite settled. Players like Fauf du Plessis have also joined. We have a pretty decent side and we should be in a position to do well."

Given the hectic international schedule and the dodgy back that MSD has, does he think that it's better for him not to keep in the IPL?

"It's tricky situation. When Parthiv (Patel) was in the team, I sometimes did that...But now I have to take the call whether I can play the extra 'keeper (Wriddhiman Saha). Though there's not much scope for rest in professional cricket, I would look to take a bit, if and when it's possible."

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Cricket World Cup: Pakistan PM accepts cricket invite

India defeated Australia to make their way into the

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted an invitation from his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, to attend the Cricket World Cup semi-final between the countries on Wednesday.

The match, in the northern Indian city of Mohali, has created huge interest on both sides of the border.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been badly strained since the Mumbai attacks of 2008.
Then, more than 170 people were killed by Pakistan-based militants.
The nuclear-armed rivals have met a number of times over the past year and Pakistan's foreign minister is scheduled to visit India by July to discuss the resumption of peace talks.
Heavy security is already in place for the match but this was stepped up after police said on Thursday they had arrested a man they believed was planning an attack during the World Cup.
Across India and Pakistan there is a scramble for tickets for next week's match, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says.
India has issued 5,000 visas to Pakistanis with confirmed tickets and the government is under pressure to ease restrictions and allow more people in from across the border.

Pakistan trounced the West Indies to reach the semi-final

Before the Mumbai attacks, the two sides held formal peace talks known as a "composite dialogue" for several years but made little headway, apart from a number of confidence-building measures.
The main disputes between the two sides centre on counter-terrorism and the Himalayan territory of Kashmir - which both countries claim. There are also a number of economic issues and smaller territorial disagreements which divide the sides.
Talks ended in acrimony last July with the two sides in a public spat over Kashmir.

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Cricket World Cup: Pakistan PM accepts cricket invite

India defeated Australia to make their way into the

Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted an invitation from his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, to attend the Cricket World Cup semi-final between the countries on Wednesday.

The match, in the northern Indian city of Mohali, has created huge interest on both sides of the border.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been badly strained since the Mumbai attacks of 2008.
Then, more than 170 people were killed by Pakistan-based militants.
The nuclear-armed rivals have met a number of times over the past year and Pakistan's foreign minister is scheduled to visit India by July to discuss the resumption of peace talks.
Heavy security is already in place for the match but this was stepped up after police said on Thursday they had arrested a man they believed was planning an attack during the World Cup.
Across India and Pakistan there is a scramble for tickets for next week's match, the BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says.
India has issued 5,000 visas to Pakistanis with confirmed tickets and the government is under pressure to ease restrictions and allow more people in from across the border.

Pakistan trounced the West Indies to reach the semi-final

Before the Mumbai attacks, the two sides held formal peace talks known as a "composite dialogue" for several years but made little headway, apart from a number of confidence-building measures.
The main disputes between the two sides centre on counter-terrorism and the Himalayan territory of Kashmir - which both countries claim. There are also a number of economic issues and smaller territorial disagreements which divide the sides.
Talks ended in acrimony last July with the two sides in a public spat over Kashmir.

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Sehwag and David Hussey in, Australia bat

On a dry pitch, Ricky Ponting chose to bat in the quarter-final against India in Motera. India received a huge boost ahead of the game with Virender Sehwag ruled fit after missing the game against West Indies with an inflamed knee.

India dropped Yusuf Pathan and retained Suresh Raina. Australia brought in David Hussey, the middle-order batsman who bowls off breaks, for Steven Smith. There was some pre-game talk about playing John Hastings but Australia chose to retain the services of offspinner Jason Krejza.

Ponting said 250 has been a reasonable score on this pitch in the past but said he would wait and watch how the pitch played initially before deciding on the right target.

Dhoni, playing his 100th game as captain, said the team was mentally ready for this knockout game.

India: 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Suresh Raina, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 R Ashwin, 11 Munaf Patel.

Australia: 1 Brad Haddin (wk), 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Cameron White, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 David Hussey, 8 Jason Krejza, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 Shaun Tait.

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Sehwag and David Hussey in, Australia bat

On a dry pitch, Ricky Ponting chose to bat in the quarter-final against India in Motera. India received a huge boost ahead of the game with Virender Sehwag ruled fit after missing the game against West Indies with an inflamed knee.

India dropped Yusuf Pathan and retained Suresh Raina. Australia brought in David Hussey, the middle-order batsman who bowls off breaks, for Steven Smith. There was some pre-game talk about playing John Hastings but Australia chose to retain the services of offspinner Jason Krejza.

Ponting said 250 has been a reasonable score on this pitch in the past but said he would wait and watch how the pitch played initially before deciding on the right target.

Dhoni, playing his 100th game as captain, said the team was mentally ready for this knockout game.

India: 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Gautam Gambhir, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Yuvraj Singh, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Suresh Raina, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 R Ashwin, 11 Munaf Patel.

Australia: 1 Brad Haddin (wk), 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Cameron White, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 David Hussey, 8 Jason Krejza, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Mitchell Johnson, 11 Shaun Tait.

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Zimbabwe set for busy home season

Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja have both been included in a strong provisional Australia A squad to tour Zimbabwe this year © Getty Images

Zimbabwe Cricket have confirmed that Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand will be touring the country in the course of a busy schedule in 2011 that includes both one-day internationals and Test matches, as well as a triangular series including South Africa and an Australian A side.

"The Zimbabwe Cricket team is scheduled to have a busy schedule in 2011-2012 season commencing in August," ZC managing director Ozias Bvute told News Day in Zimbabwe. "Tours have been confirmed with Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand and a triangular series against South Africa and Australian 'A' sides."

Bvute admitted frustration at Zimbabwe's performance at the World Cup, where the team thrashed Canada and Kenya but struggled to be competitive against the top sides. He suggested that more matches against strong teams was the key to Zimbabwe's development.

"There is a lot of disappointment after our inability to progress to the quarter-finals at the World Cup, however, given the schedule of matches lined up over the next four years we feel this should adequately prepare our team for the next World Cup."

Zimbabwe's home season begins with Bangladesh's visit between July 1 and July 22. The two teams have been regular opponents in recent years, having played 18 ODIs against each other since January 2009, with Bangladesh winning 13 of those games. Zimbabwe will play a one-off Test match and four ODIs against them before Australia A arrive for a one-day tri-series also involving Zimbabwe and South Africa, and two four-day matches against the host. Match details are yet to be confirmed at this stage, but the tour will run from late June to late July.

Pakistan then visit for another Test match, three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches from July 26 to August 19. New Zealand, who sent an A side to Zimbabwe for an unofficial Test series against Zimbabwe A last year, have not yet finalised dates for their tour.

Understandably, the squads for visiting international sides are yet to be named, but Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel has announced a provisional 24-man squad which will be trimmed in May.

"We have given the provisional squad advanced notice for this tour to allow them sufficient time to prepare for the series pending selection in the final squad," said National Talent Manager Greg Chappell. "The Australia A program in recent years has played a big role in readying athletes for the rigors of international cricket, with players such as Tim Paine, Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and Mitchell Starc all coming into the Australian set-up at varying times over the last couple of years and having an impact.

"This group is a cross section of the best young players in the country. Some of them have already had a taste of international cricket and show signs of being among those that will be the backbone of our teams in the future, while the others have shown enough in domestic cricket to suggest that they are the type of cricketer that we will need to be able to challenge India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka for supremacy in the next few years.

"With the new World Test Championship and the new ODI ranking periods beginning straight after the ICC Cricket World Cup and with tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa later this year and New Zealand and India touring Australia next summer, it will be a great opportunity for these young players to show their skills and put their name forward to be part of this challenging period for Australian cricket," added Chappell.

The last time an Australian representative team visited Zimbabwe was in 2008, when a Centre of Excellence Scholarship team toured Africa.

Provisional Australia A squad: George Bailey, Michael Beer, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Peter George, Jon Holland, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nicolas Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

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Zimbabwe set for busy home season

Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja have both been included in a strong provisional Australia A squad to tour Zimbabwe this year © Getty Images

Zimbabwe Cricket have confirmed that Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand will be touring the country in the course of a busy schedule in 2011 that includes both one-day internationals and Test matches, as well as a triangular series including South Africa and an Australian A side.

"The Zimbabwe Cricket team is scheduled to have a busy schedule in 2011-2012 season commencing in August," ZC managing director Ozias Bvute told News Day in Zimbabwe. "Tours have been confirmed with Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand and a triangular series against South Africa and Australian 'A' sides."

Bvute admitted frustration at Zimbabwe's performance at the World Cup, where the team thrashed Canada and Kenya but struggled to be competitive against the top sides. He suggested that more matches against strong teams was the key to Zimbabwe's development.

"There is a lot of disappointment after our inability to progress to the quarter-finals at the World Cup, however, given the schedule of matches lined up over the next four years we feel this should adequately prepare our team for the next World Cup."

Zimbabwe's home season begins with Bangladesh's visit between July 1 and July 22. The two teams have been regular opponents in recent years, having played 18 ODIs against each other since January 2009, with Bangladesh winning 13 of those games. Zimbabwe will play a one-off Test match and four ODIs against them before Australia A arrive for a one-day tri-series also involving Zimbabwe and South Africa, and two four-day matches against the host. Match details are yet to be confirmed at this stage, but the tour will run from late June to late July.

Pakistan then visit for another Test match, three ODIs and two Twenty20 matches from July 26 to August 19. New Zealand, who sent an A side to Zimbabwe for an unofficial Test series against Zimbabwe A last year, have not yet finalised dates for their tour.

Understandably, the squads for visiting international sides are yet to be named, but Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel has announced a provisional 24-man squad which will be trimmed in May.

"We have given the provisional squad advanced notice for this tour to allow them sufficient time to prepare for the series pending selection in the final squad," said National Talent Manager Greg Chappell. "The Australia A program in recent years has played a big role in readying athletes for the rigors of international cricket, with players such as Tim Paine, Callum Ferguson, Cameron White and Mitchell Starc all coming into the Australian set-up at varying times over the last couple of years and having an impact.

"This group is a cross section of the best young players in the country. Some of them have already had a taste of international cricket and show signs of being among those that will be the backbone of our teams in the future, while the others have shown enough in domestic cricket to suggest that they are the type of cricketer that we will need to be able to challenge India, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka for supremacy in the next few years.

"With the new World Test Championship and the new ODI ranking periods beginning straight after the ICC Cricket World Cup and with tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa later this year and New Zealand and India touring Australia next summer, it will be a great opportunity for these young players to show their skills and put their name forward to be part of this challenging period for Australian cricket," added Chappell.

The last time an Australian representative team visited Zimbabwe was in 2008, when a Centre of Excellence Scholarship team toured Africa.

Provisional Australia A squad: George Bailey, Michael Beer, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Peter George, Jon Holland, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Nicolas Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Stephen O'Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

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