KEVIN PETRSON RETURN IN NATIONAL TEAM SAID BROAD

No problems with the return of Kevin Pietersen: Broad

England pacer and T20 captain Stuart Broad has said that he has no problems with Kevin Pietersen’s return to the national team. Broad said that the return of the controversial batsman was the sole prerogative of the management and the ECB.

"The team has no issues with KP coming back whenever the management decides he is ready to. I`d have no problems playing with him," Broad told reporters.

"Once the England management has decided when he`s available to return, he`ll be welcomed back into the changing room.

"I`m sure that if he came back for India or New Zealand, or whenever it is, that things will be fine within the team," the pacer added.

The controversial batsman had been left out of the England squad after he sent derogatory text messages to members of the touring South African team during the Headingley Test. He participated in a series of private discussions with the team management including the coach Andy Flower, former captain Andrew Strauss and Test Captain Alistair Cook.

The flamboyant batsman who had missed out on a central contract in September has recently signed a four month contract with the ECB after he publicly apologized for his conduct. The middle order batsman is expected to be selected for the tour to India next month.

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Anil Kumble appointed chairman of ICC Cricket Committee.

 

 
Colombo: Former India captain Anil Kumble was today unanimously appointed chairman of ICC`s Cricket Committee by the game`s governing body, replacing West Indies great Clive Lloyd.

"In Anil Kumble, we have a new chairman who has unquestioned experience not only as a player with India but also as an administrator with Karnataka State Cricket Association as well," ICC President Alan Isaac said in a statement after the Executive Board meeting here.

Kumble, 41, took 619 wickets in 132 Test and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs wickets during his illustrious 18-year international career.

"I am sure that he (Kumble) will carry on Clive`s good work and bring, like Andrew Strauss, contemporary thinking to the committee and both understand clearly the issues facing the modern game," he added.

The recently-retired Strauss was unanimously nominated as Ian Bishop`s replacement in the committee after the West Indian, representing former players, indicated that he was not seeking an extension to his term.

"I would like to thank Clive Lloyd for his chairmanship of the ICC Cricket Committee and to his tireless contribution to the game. The ICC Board was united in their admiration for his work as chairman. We also thank Ian Bishop for his contribution during his term as well," Isaac further stated.

According to ICC sources, Kumble has been given a two-year term. The Cricket Committee meets twice a year and the second meeting of the year is likely to be held in November.

The ICC Board also agreed to extend the terms of both Mark Taylor (representing former players) and David Kendix (statisticians) for a further term.

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Virat Kohli should not be rushed into captaincy

Kohli should not be rushed into captaincy:

New Delhi: Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said in-form Virat Kohli should not be rushed into Indian captaincy but advised Mahendra Singh Dhoni to relieve himself of the burden of leading the side in at least one of the three formats.

"As far as blooding young Virat Kohli as a captain in smaller formats is concerned, I think that should just wait. The guy is in the form of his life. He has been India`s most consistent batsman over the past 18 months or so," Akram said.

"Let him enjoy his game and not put any other responsibility on him at the moment. Kohli must not be burdened with team selection issues and other important decision making matters," he added.

Coming back to Dhoni, Akram believed quitting leadership responsibility in one format would help the 31-year-old to focus and enjoy the game more.

"I am not surprised that questions are being raised about Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s leadership skills after India failed to reach the semis of the World T20 for the third time in a row.

"Perhaps, Dhoni must take some time out and assess himself as a captain. He himself is the best judge of his skills as a leader. There could be additional pressure on him as a leader in all three formats of the game.

"I think if he drops captaincy in one of the formats then he will be able to focus and enjoy his game more. I still feel he is one of the best players and finishers in limited overs cricket," Akram was quoted as saying by `espnstar.Com`.

As far as Gautam Gambhir was concerned, Akram hoped the out-of-form batsman would turn things around while leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Champions League T20.

"If you take my team, Kolkata Knight Riders, Gautam Gambhir will like to put the disappointments of the ICC World T20 behind him quickly. I hope our skipper can turn it around.

"Gambhir needs matches to get his confidence back, and my gut feeling is that the responsibility of leading the side will bring the best out of him. He will play a vital role for KKR and I back him to do well in spite of seamer-friendly conditions in South Africa."

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cricket current news

ohannesburg: Senior opener Virender Sehwag will play in Delhi Daredevils` opening Champions League Twenty20 encounter against IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Centurion on Saturday after he clearing the fitness test here today.

Sehwag, who suffered a ligament strain on his left ankle during India`s final Super Eights game against South Africa in Colombo recently.

"Virender Sehwag today appeared for a fitness test which was conducted by Kirk Russell. He cleared the test and was declared fit to play in the tournament from the start," a Delhi Daredevils official told PTI today.

Sehwag today also played a warm-up game against Sydney Sixers.

However the practice match didn`t go along expected lines for the out-of-form opener as he was yorked for nought by pacer Josh Hazlewood as Daredevils managed only 107 against the Big Bash champions.

Daredevils captain Mahela Jayawardene and star opener David Warner however didn`t play the game. While Warner was rested, Jayawardene had an appointment with the dentist and was unavilable for the match.

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currentupdates of cricket

Colombo: An inspired West Indies tonight clinched the ICC World Twenty20 crown with a comfortable 36-run victory over Sri Lanka, riding on Marlon Samuels` brilliant counter-attacking knock to win a major global title after over three decades.

Batting first in front a 35,000 partisan crowd, Samuels held his nerve as he smashed a heroic 78 off 56 balls to steer West Indies to 137 for six and then the Caribbeans shot out out the hosts for 101 in 18.4 overs.

It is the West Indies` first world title after a gap of 33 years having won the ODI World Cup back in 1979. They did triumph in the Champions Trophy in 2004, but that is not considered a World Cup.

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updates of srilanka v/s westindies

olombo: Sri Lanka would look to rein in a marauding Chris Gayle, whose performance may be a determining factor when the dominating hosts clash with an upbeat West Indies in the final of the World Twenty20 here on Sunday.

Sri Lanka are aiming to win their second world title after a gap of 16 years as their first and only World trophy came in 1996 while the Caribbean side are playing a World event final after nearly 30 years, having last played against India at the Lord`s in 1983.

Sri Lanka should be favourites not only because of home conditions but also due to the variety of players from Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara to Thisara Perera who can change their game according to the needs.

The West Indies on the other hand have some very competent T20 players in Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard but all of them love to rally around Gayle who is the pivotal force in this Caribbean set-up.


Darren Sammy and his bunch of brave-hearts know that Gayle`s performance will be key in the outcome of the match.

The situation was summed up aptly by Australia captain George Bailey after suffering a crushing 74-run defeat against the Caribbean side on Friday.

"If Sri Lanka can get Gayle out under 20 runs, they are the favourites to win the title but if they can`t then West Indies are too strong," Bailey opined when he was asked about the favourite team to win the Cup.

For the West Indies, a lot of things will be at stake in the match. It`s not that there will be a sea change in the declining cricket culture in the Caribbean islands but a victory on global stage might provide encouragement for the youth, who are more obsessed with basketball and dream of making the cut in the NBA league.

The win also help Sammy get some breathing space after constant speculation for the past year about whether he is good enough to lead the West Indies.

A gentleman to the core, Sammy has handled all kinds of uncomfortable questions with aplomb but a victory tomorrow might help him capture the imagination of the cricket loving public in the Caribbean.

Gayle, who smashed his way to a 41-ball-75 against Australia, knows too well that T20 is a game where luck plays a factor.

When Gayle was questioned whether he would be able to attack the bowling of Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath like he launched into Xavier Doherty, he replied, "He (Herath) has bowled really well but the performance depends on that particular day."

For Jayawardene and Sangakkara, it will be the fourth final after 2007 World Cup, 2009 World T20 and 2011 World Cup and the two seniors are desperate to lift the trophy before their home crowd.

Jayawardene over the past few years have shown that T20 can be played successfully without playing any unorthodox shots. Sangakkara has also been in good form and on his day he can take on any bowling attack in the world.

If the duo clicks against West Indies, half of Sri Lankan`s worries will be taken care of. One of the major cause of concern for them is the form of their swashbuckling opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

A lot will also depend on how Mahela uses his two all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perrera. Although Jayawardene prefers pint-sized Jeevan Mendis for his ability to manoeuvre the ball, the big-hitters like Mathews and Perrera can turn the match on its head.

"People wish about playing one World Cup final and I am fortunate of being part of all four of them. This one is at Premadasa Sadium and it will be a special occasion," Jayawardene said.

The bowling attack is a problem for the West Indies.

While leg-spinner Samuel Badree did his cause no harm by picking up both Shane Watson and David Warner in the semi-finals, there is no guarantee that Sammy will persist with leggie knowing full well that how good Lankans are against spin bowling.

In that case, Fidel Edwards who bowls at a brisk pace will come in as Badree`s replacement. Marlon Samuels, bowling his fastish off-breaks and skiddy Ravi Rampaul can be devastating on their day.

Jayawardene is likely to go with the same team as he wouldn`t like to expose his talented boy wonder Akhila Dhananjaya in front of a marauding Gayle as it can dent the young boy`s confidence.

Teams (From):

West Indies: Darren Sammy (C), Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (C), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Akila Dananjaya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Dilshan Munaweera, Thisara Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimann.

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