Sri Lanka ready to host Champions Trophy

With the International Cricket Council finding it tough to convince apprehensive cricketers on touring Pakistan for next month's Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka on Friday said it is ready to hold the tournament even at a short notice.

"We are ready to hold the Champions Trophy as we are the alternate venue for the tournament," Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Duleep Mendis said.
Sri Lanka Cricket officials feel that all the grounds are in good condition as the Indian cricket tour is currently taking place.

source: www.rediff.com

Ishant rested for Sri Lanka ODIs

Ishant Sharma has been rested for the five one-dayers against Sri Lanka to keep him fresh and fit for the Champions Trophy and the tests against Australia in October. Munaf Patel has been named as his replacement but will be replaced by Ishant Sharma for the Champions Trophy.Mahendra Singh Dhoni will return to the squad but Parthiv Patel has been included the 16-man contingent. Parthiv Patel, however will be left out of the 15-man Champions Trophy squad.Yusuf Pathan along with Robin Uthappa have been overlooked as Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh make their way into the squad.Sreesanth is still nursing his injury and was not considerd while U-19 captain Virat Kohli was the surprise inclusion.

India team for Sri Lanka ODIs: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Yuvraj Singh (VC), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Parthiv Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh and Munaf Patel.

Champions Trophy squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Yuvraj Singh (VC), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli, Pragyan Ojha, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh

Australian players urged to pullout of Champions Trophy

Australia's cricketers should pull out of September's Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite a decision to go ahead with the tournament, the players' association said Friday. The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) said the security risks of travelling to troubled Pakistan were too great, and it would advise its cricketers against playing in the biennial event. The International Cricket Council decided Thursday to keep the Champions Trophy in Pakistan but said it will appoint a commission to ensure security. The ICC's executive board held a teleconference to discuss the possibility of moving the premier tournament because of security fears raised by Australia, England and New Zealand. But the ACA said despite the ICC's measures, it will maintain its recommendation to Australia's cricketers not to play in Pakistan. "The ACA continues to have serious concerns with our players touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and we are disappointed with the ICC's decision," ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said in a statement. "We are seeking clarity on the purpose and role of the proposed task force, so we are unable to comment on it at this stage. "Based on the independent information and advice received, we maintain that the risks are simply too great for the ACA to recommend that our players tour Pakistan at this time. "We would expect Cricket Australia to adopt the same position," he said. The year's biggest one-day tournament, featuring the top eight one-day nations, is due to be held in Pakistan from September 11 to 28, with Australia as the defending champions. ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat sought to allay fears players might pull out of the event, saying the council would do all in its power to ensure their safety. But Marsh said the ICC's decision was not a good outcome for cricket. "If it (the tournament) continues in Pakistan at this volatile time, unfortunately many of the world's best players won't participate, which is not a good outcome for cricket," he said. Cricket Australia, which makes the final decision on whether to take part in the tournament, was expected to make a statement later Friday. Australia postponed a full tour of Pakistan in March-April this year due to the security situation. However, they agreed to reschedule the tour in two visits -- one-dayers in 2009 and Tests in 2010. Pakistan is fighting Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants in its northwestern tribal regions bordering Afghanistan and has suffered a string of deadly suicide bomb attacks in the last year which have killed more than 1,000 people.

source: http://www.cricbuzz.com/component/latest_cricket_news/Story/5061/-australian-players-urged-to-pullout/

Champions Trophy: ICC backs Pakistan

June 19, 2008 , The International Cricket Council's acting chief executive, Dave Richardson, on Wednesday confirmed that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy. However Richardson added that the ICC will closely monitor security conditions in Pakistan ahead of the eight-team tournament in September.
Media reports in Australia said that the country's leading cricketers are contemplating a boycott of the tournament in wake of the security situation in Pakistan. Australia had postponed their planned tour of Pakistan in March because of fears over the safety of their players after a spate of suicide bombings.
Richardson added that if the majority of the executive board members wanted the Champions Trophy to go ahead in Pakistan then any country backing out for any reason would have to face the consequences and penalties.

source: www.rediff.com