India can't be ruled out as potential CT winners: Rameez

KARACHI
KARACHI: Lackluster India may have very little chance of qualifying to the semifinals but former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja feels the team still cannot be ruled out as a potential winner of the Champions Trophy.

"I would not rule out the Indian team at this stage even though they have now let the issue of whether they will qualify for the semi-finals out of their hand. Meaning their qualification now depends on the outcome of the Pakistan and Australia match," Rameez said on a television talk show.

The former captain, who is now a commentator, said India have the ability to come out fighting if they got into the knockout stage.

"So far they have not looked sharp or focussed at all in this tournament. I don't know the reasons but they have looked tired and jaded on the field. Then Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also not exuding the same confidence which has been his hallmark in recent times," he said.

The former opener felt that India were desperately missing the services of middle-order mainstay Yuvraj Singh.

"He has been a key player for them in One-dayers. Without taking away anything from other players the fact is Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj have been their key One-day performers. They have the ability to dictate to the bowler under pressure."

Rameez also felt that Rahul Dravid does not look the part of a One-day player.

"He is a top batsman and he got runs against Pakistan but I still feel he is lacking that ability to score runs quickly and push the rate when it matters the most. He looks a bit out of place in the Indian one-day side right now," Rameez said.

The former captain, however, said the Champions Trophy was still wide open and any team could win the event. "Which is very good for One-day cricket. This is exactly the dose it requires to survive in the long run against the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket."

Another former captain Aamer Sohail also felt that India could not be ruled out as potential winners of the trophy at this stage.

"Their biggest problem is they don't have a sharp and penetrative bowling line-up. Their bowlers have struggled and conceded too many runs. This is their weakest link and they need to work on it," he said.

Sohail, however, agreed that India could comeback strongly if they make the semi-finals.

"They have the ability to click as a team when it matters the most. So don't rule them out at this stage."

Even if Pakistan beats Australia, India has to score a big margin victory over the West Indies in their last group match to qualify for the semi finals on better net run-rate.

TOI

Vijender becomes world number one

NEW DELHI: Olympic and World Championship bronze medallist Vijender Singh has achieved yet another first for Indian boxing by becoming the

world's top-ranked pugilist in the middle weight (75kg) category.

The 23-year-old Bhiwani boxer, who won India's maiden World Championships medal in Milan earlier this month, has 200 points and is ranked higher than the reigning champion Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan.

Atoev, to whom Vijender lost in the World Championship semifinals, is third in the list with 2100 points and Olympic silver medallist Emilio Correa Bayeux (2500) of Cuba occupies the second spot in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) list updated after the Milan event.

"I am obviously elated at being ranked the highest in the world. It's a fantastic feeling and would motivate me to do better in future events," Vijender, who broke India's Olympic jinx with his bronze in the Beijing Olympics, said.

Among the other Indians, former world youth champion Thokchom Nanao Singh has slipped three places to eighth with 1400 points in the light fly weight (48kg) category.

Nanao, a silver medallist in this year's Asian Championships in China, lost in the second round of the World Championships.

Olympian Akhil Kumar, whose World Championships campaign was cut short in the first round itself due to a wrist injury, has gone down a rung to 10th in feather weight (57kg) category with 1050 points.

Fellow Olympian Jitender Kumar (54kg) also lost some ground because of his first-round exit in Milan as he dropped a place to 14th with 838 points.

Suranjoy Singh was 17th in the fly weight (51kg) category rankings.

World Championship quarterfinalist Dinesh Kumar held on to his sixth spot with 1550 points in the light weight (81kg) category.

TOI

ICL players to play for KKR in practice matches

Deep Dasgupta, Rohan Gavaskar
In a bid to earn a contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders, former Indian Cricket League players Deep Dasgupta, Rohan Gavaskar and G Vignesh will play for the IPL side in their practice matches against visiting Champions League Twenty20 teams in Gurgaon from October 1-7.

Former Bengal captain Dasgupta said he would turn out for the Kolkata IPL side in the three practice games, provided he gets the Cricket Association of Bengal permission.

"My availability for the matches will depend on CAB. I am in talks with Knight Riders and it's still in early stage. I am yet to sign a contract," Dasgupta told PTI.

The wicketkeeper-batsman said he was looking forward to playing under Ganguly, who is likely to return as KKR captain.

"It will be a good exposure in Knight Riders and I am looking forward to play under 'Dada' (Ganguly) once again. I hope to contribute for the team," Dasgupta said.

KKR, which is expected to announce its coach's name soon after John Buchanan's ouster, will play Sussex, New South Wales and Orange Free States in the practice matches.

Apart from the trio, who are among the ICL players to return to the official fold after BCCI's amnesty offer, it is learnt that the Kolkata franchise is in talks with Bengal pacer Eklakh Ahmed.

Former India captain Ganguly had earlier said the ICL players were on the team's radar.

KKR has already signed up Tamil Nadu pacer Vignesh, who represented Chennai Superstars in the ICL.

© PTI

Younus ready to bear pain to play India

Pakistan skipper Younus Khan
Pakistan skipper Younus Khan is prepared to play with a fractured finger and acute pain in order to inflict a rare defeat on India in an ICC event here tomorrow.

Younus has a fracture in his right little finger which would take at least a month to heal but the right-handed batsman said he doesn't want to let go the opportunity of taking on arch-rivals India.

"May be if it was another game, I would have sat on the bench. But you don't get to play India everyday. Who knows the next time you play against India would be two years from now," said a remarkably composed Younus.

Younus last played against India in July 2008 during the Asia Cup where he had smashed an unbeaten 123 at National Stadium, Karachi and he is looking for an encore tomorrow.

"Sure there are chances that I would feel the pain while batting or if a ball comes my way in the field.

"It is also easy for me to run away from the encounter, after all I have a genuine injury. But I look at the bigger picture. If I score big tomorrow, hit a hundred and am a man of match, then people would remember that knock forever. Much like they do when they talk of Sachin (Tendulkar) at Centurion in 2003 World Cup at this venue," he said.

Younus injured his finger during a warm-up game before the start of the Champions Trophy and missed his team's opener against West Indies on Wednesday.

Asked if Pakistan suffered from a fear psychosis against Tendulkar, whose name was repeatedly cropping up in the press conference, Younus said, "More than us, Sachin would be under enormous pressure since now so much rests on him to deliver the goods."

"He is no ghost or super-natural entity. He is a great player and I feel happy when I play against him. There is so much to learn when you watch him or (Brian) Lara bat.

"I watched his innings against Sri Lanka in the finals recently and it was a great knock. You watch that and learn a lot.

"In that respect, we would also miss Yuvraj and Sehwag's presence. They have been great performers for their nation and you want to play against them," he said.

However, Younus said Yuvraj's absence won't bring any good luck for Pakistan.

"It's not good luck for us. It may be bad luck for India.

"What matters is your performance on the day. May be an Umar Akmal can win a game while somebody like Tendulkar fails."

Younus also lavished praise on his Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"When I first saw him in 2006 he looked a man with tremendous energy and not quite in control of his reactions. But now he has improved a great deal and looks a gentleman. His conduct and captaincy is both good. His performance is also improving every day," he said.

Pakistan is blessed with the arrival of two young players in Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal, one a fast bowler and the other a promising young bat. Akmal drew a great deal of praise from his skipper.

"The thing is these youngsters know no pressure. When you are young you don't have any pressure. I didn't have any myself at the start. But now I know I have just 4-5 years left and I want to make them count.

"Akmal is very mature for his age. Against West Indies initially, he made only 2-3 runs from his first 15 deliveries. He then changed gears and won us the match.

"The good things he quickly adapts to any given situation and conditions."

Pakistan skipper wasn't quite sure if he would bat first on winning the toss in Centurion on Sunday.

"When I saw the wicket today, it was very soft. You don't play first on such wickets. But then there is more than a day left and who knows a bit of sunshine would firm up the wicket," said Younus, mentioning that it's the same track on which Sri Lanka took on hosts South Africa in the trophy opener on Tuesday.

© PTI

England elect to field against Sri Lanka

England captain Andrew Strauss
England captain Andrew Strauss elected to field after winning the toss against Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy here on Friday.

Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 55 runs in their opening match of the four-team group, while England are playing their first game. New Zealand are the other side in the group.

The top two sides advance to the semi-finals.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Thilina Kandamby

England: Andrew Strauss (capt), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Billy Bowden (NZL)

TV umpire: Tony Hill (NZL)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

© AFP

Weary Federer withdraws from Japan, Shanghai events

LONDON: World number one Roger Federer has withdrawn from next month's Japan Open and Shanghai Masters in order to get some rest, the Swiss

confirmed on Friday.

"I am disappointed that I have to withdraw from Tokyo and Shanghai as they are two of my favourite cities in the world and the fans have been great to me over the years," Federer said.

"After consultation with my team and doctors, I decided to take the difficult decision to withdraw from both tournaments so that I can give my body a chance to rest, rehabilitate and fully recover from a physically challenging year."

Federer reclaimed his world number one spot from Rafael Nadal this year, winning the French Open for the first time and Wimbledon, but failed to win a sixth consecutive US Open title when he lost to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the final at Flushing Meadows earlier this month.

Nadal is also struggling ahead of the Asian stop on the ATP Tour, pulling out of next week's Thailand Open with an abdominal injury. Both Federer and Nadal have already qualified for the end-of-season Masters Cup in London.

TOI

England face Mendis riddle in opening match

OHANNESBURG: Andrew Strauss's England face a stiff spin test when they take on a confident Sri Lanka in their opening match of the Champions

Trophy on Friday.

Sri Lanka have two excellent spinners in Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, capable of making life difficult for batsmen with their subtle variations.

Unorthodox spinner Mendis played a key role in his team's stunning 55-run victory over South Africa in a rain-hit match at Centurion on Tuesday, grabbing three wickets for 30 runs.

"We have not played Mendis and some of their seam bowlers before," said Strauss, whose team were beaten 6-1 in a recent home One-day series against defending champions Australia.

"Everyone will have his own game-plan against him (Mendis). You can look at a lot of footage of him, but it is only in the middle that you can be really sure of how he bowls and what his variations are.

"It requires us to think pretty quick on our feet. There are some fundamentals you have to keep in mind against someone like him, but it is a new challenge."

Off-spinner Muralitharan, the world's leading wicket-taker in both Tests and One-dayers, and paceman Lasith Malinga, with his slinging action, are the other bowlers who could keep pressure on England.

"They ask different questions of you. It's only by facing them you can be sure of your game-plan. We have played against Murali and Malinga, but Mendis is new.

"The way he (Mendis) bowls makes life difficult for batsmen, but to an extent the pace he bowls at provides opportunities for batsmen as well once you get used to his variations.

"Sri Lanka are a good side with a lot of confidence. It will be quite exciting to play against them."

Strauss conceded that England's One-day form had been a cause of concern for many years.

"The One-dayers have been an ongoing concern for a number of years. The players are really excited about moving forward as a group. It will take a bit of time to happen," said Strauss.

"In the meantime, I maintain we are capable of beating anyone but we haven't had the consistency over the years. A change in environment can make a big difference. We have to start looking forward.

"There is something quite exciting about world events. It's quite exciting to know if you play well in three games you're in the semi-final."

England are without match-winners Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who are recovering from injuries.

"Freddie and KP are two of our best One-day cricketers. But Freddie has been out quite a lot recently and we are used to that and we've got to move on," said Strauss.

"It's also a chance for other guys to step up and make a name for themselves."

South Africa and New Zealand are the other teams in Group B, with the top two sides advancing to the semi-finals.

Squads:

England: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright.

Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedara, Angelo Mathews, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lasith Malinga, Thilina Kandamby.

Umpires: Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden
Match Name: ICC Champions Trophy
Teams: England vs Sri Lanka
Venue: New Wanderers, Johannesburg
Time: 1800 IST
Channel: Star Cricket

South Africa back in Champions Trophy contention

Scorecard

CENTURION: South Africa bounced back into contention for 2009 ICC Champions Trophy glory with a five-wicket triumph over New Zealand at SuperSport Park on Thursday.

Upset by Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ODI tournament two days ago, the Proteas had to win and did so with relative ease before a large, holiday crowd.

New Zealand were all out for 214 in 47.5 overs and South Africa cruised to 217/5 in 41.1 overs and another win Sunday over England would virtually assure the hosts of a place in the knockout phase.

The 'Black Caps', who may have erred in excluding Jeetan Patel for a match on a spin-friendly pitch, face Sri Lanka and England at the Wanderers stadium and a couple of victories would bring them back into the frame.

AB de Villiers was a fitting match winner, sealing success with a four having top scored for the Proteas with an unbeaten 70 in 76 balls, including nine boundaries.

"This was a big day for us and we stood up to deliver a much improved performance. Our bowlers set the tone in the first 15 overs with good intensity and they hit the right areas hard," said South Africa skipper Graeme Smith.

"It was a clinical job well started and well finished and the result will improve our run rate. Now we are going to prepare well for our match against England."

Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori said: "Our batsmen got bogged down as we sought a competitive score of about 250 runs. Ross (Taylor) and Grant (Elliott) handled the spinners well but the partnership did not last long enough."

Once again Smith won the toss and once again he opted to field on a dry, slow, uneven early season track that gave the spinners assistance in warm, partly cloudy conditions.

Vettori stressed the need to build partnerships, but his plea fell largely on deaf ears with the 71-run stand between Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott a notable exception.

The stubborn 95-ball stand ended when South Africa-born Elliott chose the wrong line and his middle stump was pushed back by a deceptive delivery from spinner Roelof van der Merwe.

Taylor was the top Kiwi scorer with 72 off 106 balls before missing a low full toss and being trapped leg before by revitalised Wayne Parnell, who was voted man of the match.

Opener Brendon McCullum was the only other New Zealand batsman to make an impact, scoring 44 before trying a sweep off Johan Botha and getting a top edge to JP Duminy at short fine leg.

Parnell, rebounding from a nightmare outing against Sri Lanka, finished with five wickets, impressive Van der Merwe and speedster Dale Steyn claimed two apiece and Botha one.

Set a 4.30-runs-an-over target, Smith managed just seven before departing because he played a Daryl Tuffey too early and Vettori took a simple catch at mid-on.

Jacques Kallis was next to go, adding 52 runs for the second wicket with Hisham Amla before an attempted drive off Shane Bond was snapped up by wicketkeeper McCullum.

Although ahead on run rate, South Africa were also struggling to build big partnerships and much-improved Amla returned to the pavilion having made 38 after being trapped leg before by Vettori.

Duminy did not last long, scoring just 11 off 13 balls before becoming the victim of a spectacular McCullum catch after trying a cut that took a bottom edge.

TOI

Ramesh Kumar creates history, bags bronze in World Wrestling

World Wrestling Championship in Herning,

NEW DELHI: India's Ramesh Kumar created history by winning the bronze medal in the freestyle 74kg category at the World Wrestling Championship in Herning, Denmark.

The Uttar Pradesh wrestler did what Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar failed to achieve, clinching India's first medal in the prestigious event after a gap of 32 years.

Kumar defeated Alexandr Burca of Moldova on technical points after the repechage round ended with both the wrestlers tied at the score of 7-7.

Kumar, however, started the bout on a disappointing note, trailing 0-3 after the first period.

He then came back strongly in the second session to score two points and then finished off the final period picking up five points as against his opponent's four to finally come out victorious on technical points.

Kumar had earlier defeated Dustin Schlatter of the US 3-2 in the opening round. His next casualty was Great Britain's Michael Grundy, whom he beat 4-2 and then prevailed over Kiril Terziev of Bulgaria 7-4 in the quarterfinal.

Kumar, however, lost out on the gold medal opportunity, going down 0-5 to Chamsulvara Chamsulvarayev of Azerbaijan in the last-four stage to set up a repechage encounter against Burca.

The gold in this category was won by Denis Tsargush of Russia.

Earlier, Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar failed to replicate boxer Vijender Singh's feat and lost out on a medal opportunity in the elite event after losing the bronze medal play-off match in the 66kg freestyle category on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in the female style, India's Nirmala Devi lost in the opening round of the 48kg category to Great Britain's Yana Stadnik, while Babita Kumari bowed out in the quarterfinal against Natalia Budu of Moldova in 51kg division.

Soruce:TOI

KKR Coach picked, to be announced soon

Indian Premier League

Indian Premier League side Kolkata Knight Riders has picked its coach and his identity would be revealed soon by the team management, senior batsman Sourav Ganguly said today.

Tipped to return as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL III, Ganguly said, "The coach has been decided. But I cannot announce it. The team management (owners Shah Rukh Khan and Jay Mehta) will do it shortly."

The ace cricketer, who had a morning practice session in the indoor facility of Eden Gardens, said the Knight Riders will play three practice matches with the visiting Champions League Twenty20 teams in the first week of October.

It is learnt that the announcement will be done before the practice matches.

The Kolakta Knight Riders screened a mix of foreign and India coaches in a series of interviews held at Shah Rukh's residence last month.

The foreigners included Pakistani great Wasim Akram, former India coach John Wright, former England allrounder Dermot Reeve, former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus, former England coach Duncan Fletcher and former Australian batsman Michael Bevan.

The Indians list had former India and Kenya national coach Sandeep Patil, Mumbai Ranji coach Praveen Amre and former Tamil Nadu coach WV Raman among others.

The Kolkata IPL side is also expected to reinstate Ganguly in the capatain's seat, that was taken up by New Zealander Brendon McCullum last season.

The Kiwi wicketkeeper batsman will not be available for most of the IPL III (March 12-April 25) as he will be busy playing for the national side against Australia in the home series scheduled in March.

The high-profile side sacked Australia's World Cup winning coach John Buchanan after they finished sixth in the inaugural IPL and slipped to last place last season.

Buchanan's tenure was marred by controversy after the former Australian coach unveiled his multi-captaincy theory that generated a lot of debate worldwide and then replaced Ganguly, the local star, as captain.

When contacted, Knight Riders CEO Joy Bhattacharya also said the announcement would be made shortly.

"It will be communicated shortly -- ahead of the three practice matches," Bhattacharya said refusing to elaborate further.


© PTI

BCCI-IMG dispute solved

BCCI

The BCCI has resolved the vexing IMG issue and will announce a fresh contract for the sports management firm that will pay them between Rs.25 crore - Rs.27 crore per year, according to a report in Cricinfo.

The Indian board had recently terminated the contract with IMG for the Indian Premier League, citing payments that were not commensurate with services rendered. When this prompted seven of the eight franchisees to shoot off letters to the BCCI and when ex-BCCI chief Sharad Pawar also expressed his concern, the current president Shashank Manohar was appointed to resolve the dispute.

The issue seems to have been resolved amicably, with the new deal being that IMG would be paid a fixed amount, as opposed to a percentage of the IPL earnings. The earlier deal meant that the Board had to fork out Rs.33 crore for IPL-2, which didn't sit well with some Board members.

"There is no issue anymore, tomorrow it will be announced," a top-ranking BCCI official was quoted as saying by the website yesterday.

Another key issue that is likely to be looked at is the reimbursement to the eight franchisees for losses incurred due to the shifting of the IPL to South Africa.

"We have already been told that it would only happen post Champions League but I'm sure if they would discuss the IPL accounts, the compensation to the franchisees would also be discusssed," a top official at one of the franchises was quoted as saying.

The other controversy brewing in the background is the situation in the Rajasthan Cricket Association, where two factions - one led by Sanjay Dixit and the other backed by Lalit Modi - are locked in a bitter struggle. Both factions are expected to send their representatives to the AGM, though which one would be or should be allowed is anybody's guess.


© Cricbuzz

Bracken ruled out of Champions Trophy

Australia's

Australia's preparations for the defence of the Champions Trophy received a major setback as fast bowler Nathan Bracken was ruled out of the tournament with a chronic knee injury.

According to reports in Australian papers, The decision to send Bracken home was made overnight in South Africa. The decision wasn't made because of any specific problem, but because of the long-term nature of the injury which had aggravated.

The seriousness of the injury is not yet known but it is also likely to place him in doubt for next month's Champions League Twenty20 tournament, in which he was due to represent his home state of New South Wales.

Bracken's loss is a serious blow for Australia, since he is currently their highest ranked ODI bowler. He has been an outstanding limited-overs bowler with his nagging accuracy, changes of pace and ability to move the ball.

Cricket Australia has not yet confirmed the decision, or who will replace Bracken in the 15-man squad.


© Cricbuzz

Yuvraj Singh out of Champions Trophy

OHANNESBURG: Injury-hit India's Champions Trophy campaign was on Wednesday dealt a massive blowas middle-order mainstay Yuvraj Singh was ruled

out of
the eight-nation event due to a fractured right-hand finger.

he stylish left-hander, who picked up the injury during a training session, has been advised rest for six weeks and will return home.

Delhi middle order batsman Virat Kohli has been named as Yuvraj's replacement.

"Yuvraj Singh has fractured a finger in his right hand and has been ruled out for six weeks. The selectors have chosen Virat Kohli as replacement for Yuvraj Singh," BCCI said in a statement.

"He will fly out as soon as formalities are completed," it added.

India will open their campaign against arch rivals Pakistan on September 26.

Yuvraj was enthusiastically taking part in the fielding session at the University Ground here. But in the process, he ended up hurting his right finger so badly that he couldn't participate in the batting and bowling sessions which were conducted later in the day.

The left-hander was attended to by physio Nitin Patel before he proceeded for a medical examination which revealed that he had fractured his finger.

India are already an injury-hit side going into the tournament, missing the services of star opener Virender Sehwag, who is nursing a shoulder problem.

Sehwag's fellow opener Gautam Gambhir was also nursing a groin strain ahead of the tournament. Gambhir did not play in the team's only practice match against New Zealand.

Pacer Zaheer Khan is also missing from action due to an injury.

TOI

Pakistan beat West Indies by five wickets

Johannesburg,
Johannesburg, Sep 24 (PTI) Pakistan defeated West Indies by five wickets in the opening Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy here today.

Chasing a paltry 134 for victory, Pakistan romped home in 30.3 overs with five wickets in hand.

Brief Scores: West Indies 133 all out in 34.3 overs (Ni Miller 51, D Sammy 25; Aamer 3/24, Gul 3/28).

Pakistan 134 for five wickets in 30.3 overs (U Akmal 41, S Malik 23, M Yousuf 23; G Tonge 4/25).

Bangladesh appoint new cricket chief

DHAKA (Reuters)

DHAKA (Reuters) - A.H.M. Mostafa Kamal has been appointed president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), replacing Sina Ibn Jamali, a board statement said on Wednesday.

Kamal is a member of parliament and a senior figure in the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who won election in December 2008.

Jamali was appointed by an army-backed interim government in August 2007.

Bangladesh's government is largely mandated to appoint the BCB president though the other 24 directors are elected by board members.


© Reuters

West Indies elect to bat against Pakistan

West Indies

West Indies captain Floyd Reifer elected to bat after winning the toss against Pakistan in a Champions Trophy match here on Wednesday.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi led Pakistan in the absence of Younus Khan, who was ruled out of the match due to a finger injury.

West Indies: Floyd Reifer (capt), Darren Sammy, David Bernard, Tino Best, Travis Dowlin, Andre Fletcher, Nikita Miller, Dale Richards, Devon Smith, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naved-ul Hasan, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamir, Saeed Ajmal.

Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS) and Daryl Harper (AUS)

TV umpire: Simon Taufel (AUS)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

© AFPWire

India back at Number 1

rankings for One Day International

The keen tussle at the top of the rankings for One Day International continued with India regaining the No.1 spot after South Africa were beaten by Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy opener on Tuesday.

After the loss in Centurion, South Africa slumped to third position with 123 points while Australia moved up one place to second spot with 125 points. India have 126 points.

India earlier this month had reached the top spot but for barely 24 hours.

With just few points separating the top three teams, more changes are expected as the Champions Trophy progresses.


© Cricbuzz

England backs Test World Championship

The England and Wales Cricket Board has today been in touch with ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat to seek immediate clarification of his comments on the ECB's stance regarding an ICC World Test Championship.

In an interview to the Guardian Lorgat was quoted as saying that, "I would like to create some additional context for Test cricket and there's no doubt a Test championship would be of great benefit. I would like to convince people that the way to ensure Test cricket survives is through a championship model. Those recent series between South Africa and Australia had greater context because they were tussling over the No1 slot.

"And let's say you and your mate are South African and Australian - and India are about to play Sri Lanka. If the result impacts on your team's championship standing you are bound to be more interested. The only two countries who do not see the argument are India and England - but debate is growing all the time. The MCC seem to have come out in favour but when I met the ECB recently it was the wrong time to tackle them in detail. They were too high on the Ashes."

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said today: "England has consistently stated it supports a play-off for a Test Championship.

"Indeed Haroon Lorgat's own staff have approached ECB in the past month to stage the final in England which was warmly received and supported by ECB.

"The original proposal from the ICC for a two-year cycle with two years of an uncertain fixture programme in regard to the Test Championship would have been detrimental to Test cricket and ECB's prime consideration is to ensure that Test cricket is at the pinnacle of the world game.

"We are pleased that David Richardson has a full understanding of the benefits of the Test Championship play-off system and that this is being actively pursued.

"The ECB has been reassured by correspondence from the ICC chief executive in which he tells us that he is unhappy at the slant put on his comments.

"He also confirmed that he had been at pains to communicate to journalists why there were justifiable concerns about the original proposal for a Test Championship which had been found to be unworkable and therefore this is the reason the play-off concept proposed by the ECB is now being pursued by the ICC."

© ECB

Opening changed my life: Dilshan

Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored a brisk 106 against South Africa, said opening the innings for his team has proved to be a big turning point in his career.

"I am in good form for last six month or one years and I want to deliver in this tournament also," Dilshan said.

"I have changed my batting order. I think this is the turning point for me. I open the innings which gives me opportunity to play my stoke and take my chances during the powerplays so that is the turning point I feel," he added.

Dilshan was dropped from the ODI side in September last year after his average slipped to 25.87 in 21 matches. When he returned early this year, he was promoted to open in ODIs and he produced sparkling form in all forms of the game.

Dilshan got the Player-of-the-Series award after amassing 317 runs at an average of 52.83 in the Twenty20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara has asked his team to capitalise on the victory and get better as the tournament progresses.

"This game is gone. Whatever have happened its gone. So we have to go back to square one, back to the drawing book and see how we can improve and get better as the tournament goes on. We have got a good start but if we don't capitalise on it, this match will be worthless," Sangakkara said.

Sri Lanka registered a 55-run victory over South Africa via the Duckworth Lewis method in the rain-interrupted first one-day international of the Champions Trophy here last night.

Ajantha Mendis claimed three crucial wickets to help his team and Sangakkara said the right-arm spinner was one of the few bowlers which batsmen can never get enough of.

"One good thing about Ajantha is that even if you see him on and off in a couple of games but still it is a big challenge playing him," Sangakkara said.

The Lankan skipper believes his side has match-winners in Ajantha, Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga, whom he considers not a mystery but a little unorthodox.

"Especially with him (Ajantha) and with Murali and Lasith in our side, there are a lot of unorthodox, mystery not as much, but unorthodox match-winners. So we have our bowling attack in place as long as we can back that up with good fielding and minimise extras," he said.

Sangakkara said it was a big challenge to build up a defendable score against the South Africans.

"It was going to be a challenge trying to build a defendable total. History says that batting first or second does not make much of a difference here, so it was a case of doing our basics right and getting the partnership going.

South African skipper Graeme Smith said they didn't get their basics right and failed to implement their game-plan but hoped to come back strongly against New Zealand on Thursday.

"We can't make a excuse. We didn't get our basics right tonight," Smith said.

"We got to improve very quickly and we have one day in between before we meet New Zealand on Thursday and we have some planning to do for that game and hopefully we will get the performance which we know we are capable of," he added.

© PTI

ODI cricket's survival at stake as CT gets underway

Ashish Shukla

Johannesburg, Sep 22 (PTI) The next couple of weeks could well be the beginning of end of one-day cricket if India are knocked out early in the Champions Trophy, an event that has been called irrelevant by many current and former cricketers.

If Champions Trophy isn't going to be in its final edition, a few things would certainly be of help.

For one, India winning the trophy and finishing on top of one-day cricket rankings would be a boost even if it means the barren run of South Africa without an ICC trophy is stretched to another year.

Too much rides on India's good show for advertisers and television companies to stay interested and it isn't funny.

If India were to depart early, it would hurt Champions Trophy, and one-day cricket, very badly. As it is, there are no takers for this format of the game now. The advertisers haven't shown up.