ICC approves legal betting in India

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat advocates making gambling legal in India, saying regulating betting on cricket matches would make the fight against corruption much easier. "That's been our view, if the industry was regulated you could actually work with them, monito
r them better and everything would be legal so there is reason to go underground," he said in an interview with CNN World Sport.

"So our view is if it was to be regulated it would make the fight against corruption much easier for us." Asked if ICC was in any dialogue with the Indian government over that, Lorgat said, "Early days but we have started to consider how best to engage on that issue." "Integrity is central to the game and the ICC has got a very clear objective of exercising zero tolerance as far as that is concerned, so any form of corruption that would affect the sport is treated with the utmost severity," he said.

Asked if there would be any further rule changes, he said an independent external review was on to determine what could be done to improve the operations or the fight against corruption. "One of the suggestions being mooted, is the concept of a mystery shopper," Lorgat said. "Meaning that we may well have people posing as a bookmaker, and approaching players to see if they report back to the anti-corruption security unit, which is an obligation they have got."

Lorgat said initially the players' response was not very supportive because they felt it was some sort of entrapment. "But it's early days it was just a thought we had, let's see what the recommendations are and if we think it's a worthwhile idea we will engage with the players and the association to see if it's implementable. "I think those are things we need to support," Lorgat said voicing confidence that "the majority of players are honest and play the game in the right spirit and they would have no reservations in supporting such a move".

BCCI arranges cricket-training camp in Shillong

After a thrilling win by the Indian cricket team in the 2011 ICC World Cup, the game of cricket is rapidly gaining popularity in the northeast. A nine-day long under 19 training camp was organized recently in Shillong under the aegis of Shillong Cricket Association and the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI). Youngsters are dreaming of making it as big like master blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Indian cricket skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"The northeast boys are very strong. You never know that there might be a fast bowler hidden somewhere here. All we need to do is to tap this young talent and give them correct guidance to make them into better players," said Bhaskar Pillai, Coach, National Batting Academy, Mumbai. Both bowling and batting coaches, who came in from different parts of the country during the camp, assessed the participants on various parameters and guided them how to hone their skills. The young cricketers grabbed every piece of valuable available from the experts. Players requested for more such camps so that they can learn more.

"I am fond of cricket and want to play for India in the future. I want to represent the northeast so that it can come at par with other states in cricket also," said Akhilesh Saini, a participant from Arunachal Pradesh. "We feel good here and we are getting to learn a lot from here. We are learning from the coaches and will try to maintain what I have learnt from them. And in future I want to play big for my country," added Shahadat Khulakpam, a participant from Manipur. (ANI)
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Yuvraj presented Audi Q5 for World Cup show

The spate of gifts for the victorious Indian World Cup cricket team continues. As promised, German car major Audi on Thursday presented a brand new Audi Q5 to Yuvraj Singh for his performance in the recently concluded mega event. Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri and Audi India chief Micheal Perschke presented the keys to the car, considered among the sportiest and most elegant SUV in its class. "I would like to congratulate Yuvraj on being declared the Man of the Tournament at the World Cup 2011. His performance on the cricket field has made us all proud," said Perschke.

Perschke said that it was cricket which first brought Audi to India as an Audi 100 was gifted to Shastri for his winning performance at the World Cricket Championship in Australia in 1985, where he was declared the Champion of Champions. On his part, Yuvraj said he was happy to be presented with the swanky car. "It is after 28 years India brings the World Cup home. It is an honour to be chosen and felicitated by Audi as they continue their tradition," Singh. Audi, with its four rings on the grille, has had a deep-rooted relationship with cricket over the years.

The memory of the 1985 Indian team's victory lap in the Audi 100 continues to live on in the minds of Indian cricket fans even today. "My association with the iconic brand Audi began 26 years ago, when I brought home the country's first ever Audi. I am happy to see Audi India take this tradition forward and continue to recognise the achievement of champions in the cricketing field," said Shastri. He added that Yuvraj, with his versatility, consistency, talent and thirst for excellence, has set new benchmarks in the cricketing world.

Sri Lankan team appears in Mumbai for World Cup final

Ringed by commandos and crack units of the Mumbai police, the Sri Lankan team arrived on Wednesday for the April 2 cricket World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium.

Looking all keyed up for the mega battle, the Kumar Sangakkara-led team trooped into the Taj hotel in the afternoon and immediately thereafter turned to the television to watch the semifinal between India and Pakistan in Mohali.

The winner of the Mohali match will play the Sri Lankan for the title. The islanders got past New Zealand by five wickets in the first semifinal in Colombo on Tuesday.

A large posse of policemen were deployed on both sides of the route from the airport to the team hotel to ensure fool-proof security for the Sri Lankan players and officials, said a Mumbai Cricket Association official.

Cricket world cup craze strikes LU

In the wake of the semi-final match of the Cricket World Cup involving neighbours and arch rivals India and Pakistan match on Wednesday, March 30, the Lucknow University has decided to advance its Executive Council meeting to 11.30 a.m, which was earlier scheduled at 4 p.m. As per the university officials, the best time to organise the meeting is between two examination shifts so that no one misses on the match.

Various faculty members are also of the view that the second shift examination scheduled on Wednesday should be postponed. "If the EC meeting can be advanced for the match, students should also get the benefit. For the same, the examination in the second shift should be postponed." However, controller of examination, Prof Yashvir Tyagi said, "There is no possibility to postpone the examination as of now. And no such requests will be entertained."

Setting Deadline for Ponting

Under-fire Australia captain Ricky Ponting was given just three days to decide his future on Monday as selectors said the next one-day squad would be announced on Wednesday. Ponting, who let slip Australia's 12-year grasp on the World Cup last week - just three months after their heavy Ashes defeat - has already hinted that he may step down. Cricket Australia said a squad for next month's three-match one-day tour of Bangladesh was expected to be announced on Wednesday, effectively setting a deadline for the veteran skipper. Ponting, 36, returned home on Sunday following Australia's quarterfinal exit from the World Cup at the hands of India, saying he was considering his position this week.

"I'll have the opportunity over the next couple of days to reflect on where things are headed for me and certainly what direction I feel things are heading for the betterment of Australian cricket," the Test and one-day captain told reporters. "I have to really decide what I think is right for me and the team going forward." Australia play three one-day matches against Bangladesh on April 9, 11 and 13, with Ponting previously stating that he wanted to lead the team on the tour. But Ponting has since suggested he could quit as captain, saying he was prepared to play on under the likely leadership of his deputy Michael Clarke and bat anywhere in the order. "I see myself as a leader around the group, simple as that, whether I'm captain or not I still think I've got a lot to offer as far as leadership qualities go," he said.

Though heartened by support of teammates and senior officials, Ponting said he was "absolutely" prepared to drop down the order and step down as captain "if that's what they (CA) and I believe is the best way forward". Ponting, who has been under attack since the 3-1 Ashes series defeat to England, scored a fighting 104 but it was not enough to prevent India from knocking the champions out in last Thursday's quarterfinal in Ahmedabad. He has now presided over the end of Australia's 12-year run as World Cup champions after his third Ashes series defeat as captain to England.

Ponting, who has been captain for nine years, had a difficult World Cup, taking a reprimand from the International Cricket Council after smashing a dressing-room TV in a fit of fury after being run out against Zimbabwe. He was also criticised for angrily throwing the ball to the ground after colliding with teammate Steven Smith during their victory against Canada, and for failing to walk in the group match defeat by Pakistan.

South Africa disturbed at Cricket World Cup

In 1992 when I was at Edgbaston, England, covering the Cricket World Cup, I thought I witnessed the biggest letdown of all time when South Africa was ousted in the semifinals by eventual champion Australia. Boy was I wrong. Yesterday’s South African loss to New Zealand tops it. On that previous occasion South Africa required nine off the last over. Lance Klusener hit two fours off Damien Fleming from the first two balls. One run off four balls would be no problem, right? A mix-up between Klusener and Allan Donald saw Donald stranded giving the Aussies an unlikely victory.

Apparently it was at this match when the legendary “C” word first came into being. And, in a strange twist of irony, Donald is now bowling coach of New Zealand. South Africa’s star-studded World Cup squad arrived on the Indian sub-continent last month, determined to once and for all bury the “choke” label that has haunted it since that day. And this edition of the team had good reason to be upset when the word was uttered as news conferences. After all, South Africa is one of the top three teams in the world and was strong in every facet of the game. But some reporters realized how easy it would be to ruffle the South Africans. Ace all-rounder Jacques Kallis fired back at one: “They should go and look up the meaning of chokers in the dictionary first.”

Had they, those same reporters probably would have noticed a group picture of the Proteas illustrating the word. And, there will be no respite for the Proteas when they board that flight back to Johannesburg as that dreaded word will be ringing in their ears again. Upsets add spice to any tournament but what took place inside the bowels of the Shere Bangla Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday will be talked about for years. South Africa was the second favourite to land the trophy it has never won, while few gave the Black Caps, who have never reached the final, a chance of advancing to the semis. New Zealand’s next opponent will be the winner of Saturday’s semi between England and Sri Lanka. Pakistan takes on India in the other.

South Africa’s skipper Graeme Smith did a creditable job in the field with his bowling changes to restrict New Zealand to 221 for eight. New Zealand started off badly, losing its first two wickets for 16 before Jesse Ryder (83) and Ross Taylor (43) came to the rescue with a stand of 124. Kane Williamson’s late fling for 38 helped New Zealand surpass 200. Facing such a small total, South Africa motored easily to 108 for three when the wheels came off following Kallis’ dismissal for 47. Nerves set in as it lost its next three wickets for 20 runs before being bundled out for 172. The 6-foot-6, man-of-the-match, Jacob Oram, captured four for 39 and Nathan McCallum three for 24 as they demolished the Proteas to maintain a proud record of six out of 10 appearances in the semis.

“There are no words to describe how I feel,’’ said a devastated Smith. “Just have to take it on the chin. Very disappointing evening. I thought we bowled pretty well. Credit to Jesse Ryder.” He had no answer as to why South Africa keeps failing to perform at the World Cup. “Your guess is as good as mine, it’s been happening since 1992. We have got some big positives out of the World Cup. We weren’t good enough tonight, but we have to take it forward and not get bogged down. We are disappointed with tonight, and nothing I say is going to change that for fans back home.’’