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Botham blames ECB czars for England cricket mess

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:41:00 -0500

Former England cricketer Ian Botham has said that in the last 24 hours, the incidents related to England cricket and its immediate future, are probably the most embarrassing that he has seen, both as a player and as a commentator on the sport.

In an article for the Sunday Mirror, Botham squarely blames the fiasco relating to the Pietersen-Moores disagreement on the "chinless wonders who rule Lord''s from behind a desk".

Accusing officials of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) of turning English cricket into "a laughing stock", Botham says: "The events of the last 24 hours have been embarrassing, woeful and shameful."

"It''s the buffoons in blazers who are now on to their third England captain in five months. Clandestine meetings of men in suits. Smoke and mirrors in a committee room while another England captain is sacrificed on the altar of cloak-and-dagger politics behind the scenes. It''s the faceless clowns who have had to sack an England coach who many people were surprised to see get the job in the first place," Botham adds.

While he feels sorry for Pietersen, Botham says his decision to quit "reflects dreadfully on the people who do the hiring and firing at Lord''s."

Pietersen he says did not leak the story about his strained working relationship with coach Peter Moores.

Botham says: "And, I know he did not actually resign until he released his statement shortly before 5.30 p.m. last night - by which time he realised there was no point in carrying on as captain.What was the point of him staying in a job if he was expected to take a bullet for something he didn''t say?

When the England and Wales Cricket Board appointed him as skipper back in August, they knew he wasn''t going to be a yes man, no man, three-bags-full man," says Botham in his article.

He laments the fact that a skipper with promise has been nipped in the bud, and adds that he too would not have been happy with the squad selected for the forthcoming Caribbean tour. (ANI)

Pietersen arrives back in the UK

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:41:00 -0500

Ex-England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen has arrived back home following a winter holiday in South Africa.

Greeted by photographers and reporters, Pietersen refused to make a comment on the current crisis in England cricket, and was escorted to a waiting car by police.

Pietersen quit as England skipper after only five months on Wednesday in the wake of his rift with coach Peter Moores - who was sacked.

Wednesday''s tumultuous events leave England in disarray ahead of the tour to the West Indies and the Ashes series against Australia this summer.

England leave for the Caribbean on January 21, and the England and Wales Cricket Board will now begin its search for a new coach.

Andrew Strauss has been named as captain for the tour of the West Indies, although it is not known whether he will also take charge of the one-day and Twenty20 teams.

The ECB have announced a news conference for 3 p.m. GMT at Lord''s, where Strauss and Hugh Morris, the ECB''s managing director, will address the media.

Pietersen, who admitted last week his relationship with Moores was strained, has stated his desire to remain involved in the England set-up.

And former skipper Michael Vaughan, whose potential return to the England team led to a clash between Pietersen and Moores, has backed Pietersen to put the controversy behind him.

"What Kevin has to do now is go to the West Indies and score a hundred in the first Test, then it will be forgotten," Vaughan .

Past skippers and players said that Pietersen got what he justily deserved after bringing his conflict with Moores into the public domain. (ANI)

Gazza’s girl gets immense public support post emotional documentary

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:41:00 -0500

Fallen football legend Paul Gascoigne a.k.a Gazza’s daughter Bianca was bombarded with supportive messages after the emotional documentary about her family and father called ‘Surviving Gazza’ was aired on television.

Bianca, who was disowned by Gazza, received many appreciative messages by fans and pals on her Facebook page.

"Hiya Bianca I just wanted to say that you and your family are amazing. Your mum is a rock and has a heart of gold... Hope everything turns out how you want it. Happy new year x," The Sun quoted one fan, Matt Slater, as stating.

Another, Jimmy Constable, added: "You and your family are so brave. Your dad is lucky to have you."

Another fan Lee Kemp added: "You deserve a medal. I find people like you amazing for what you have been through. Stay strong, it can''t be easy.

The documentary throws light on how the family dealt with Gazza’s alcoholism, the documentary also featured a tear-jerking moment when Gazza’s son Regan disowned him on the show.

Meanwhile, Bianca posted a message stating she was planning to watch Monday night''s documentary with girlfriends. (ANI)

ICC President says Oz-Proteas series illustrates Test cricket’s viability

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:40:00 -0500

ICC President David Morgan today said the thrilling Test series between Australia and South Africa once again illustrated the continued viability of the longest form of the game.

He said the 2-1 success for the Proteas showed cricket had entered an era of exciting competition at elite level.

He urged all those involved in the game – players, administrators, match officials and spectators – to do all they could to sustain the current buzz around the sport.

“For sustained drama, no format of any other sport can match it. It truly is a test – of skill, courage and stamina, and once again we saw all of that in abundance in Sydney, an outstanding Test match in an outstanding series. Congratulations should go to all those involved – South Africa for its first series win on Australian soil, Australia for its success in the final Test that ensured it continued to top the Reliance Mobile Test Championship table and the players and officials for helping to ensure the series was played in a great spirit," Morgan said.

“The players clearly want and enjoy Test cricket. It is the yardstick by which they measure themselves against past and current players and the records will be there in years to come. And the public in Sydney also demonstrated a significant appetite for the oldest format with more than 110,000 turning up to witness the action, even though the home side had already lost the series," he added.

“As the global governing body for the sport, the ICC’s role is to work with our members to harness and sustain that type of enthusiasm where it already exists and to develop it where it may not.

“One way of doing just that is to explore how we can make the format even more attractive and relevant and the introduction of an enhanced Test championship is one option in that regard. The ICC Board is continuing to look at potential models for such a championship and that work will continue in 2009.

“In the short term, the result of the series in Australia has set things up beautifully for the return encounter in South Africa starting in late February, with the winners topping the Reliance Mobile Test Championship table.

“And with India hard on the heels of those two sides we have entered an era of exciting competition at the elite level, something that has to be a great thing for our great sport.

“With so much high-quality action to come over the next few months, including the ICC World Twenty20 for men and women, the ICC Champions Trophy, the ICC World Cup Qualifier and the ICC Women’s World Cup as well as a host of outstanding bilateral series, cricket has a fantastic opportunity to portray itself in an outstanding light in 2009, the ICC’s centenary year.

“Cricket is in the fortunate position of having three viable forms of the game at international level and with all of those formats producing great, high-quality action all around the world our sport has a positive feel to it at the moment.

“It is up to everyone – players, match officials, administrators, commercial partners and the public – to ensure the feeling is sustained. And if it is then our strong sport really will continue to grow stronger,” added Morgan. (ANI)

Becks accused of making AC Milan into a Hollywood film set

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:40:00 -0500

England football star David Beckham has been accused of turning the Italian football club AC Milan into a Hollywood film set.

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness was quoted by The Sun as saying that Milan have become a laughing stock because of the way they have bent over backwards for the England superstar.

“My job is to run a football club and not to make sure Victoria Beckham has the best suite in the hotel. I cannot understand why Milan have accepted these demands,” Hoeness said. (ANI)

Frank Bruno slapped with six-month driving ban for over speeding

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:40:00 -0500

Boxing champ Frank Bruno has been banned from driving for six months for racing through a town at nearly twice the speed limit.

The English veteran, who had dominated 40 of his 45 contests, had been caught on camera while he stepped on the gas hitting the 53mph mark in the 30mph zone.

The 47-year-old, who has had a series of driving convictions, alleged not seeing “any signs saying 30mph” as he drove his 100,000 pound Rolls-Royce, adding that the May 2008 incident had been “an honest mistake”.

His lawyer Gary Bromelow argued that his client was unable to see the streetlights or speed signs since they were masked by a row of trees, reports the Daily Express.

The Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court further heard that a driving ban would make it impossible for the ex heavyweight champion to pay a visit to his kids, living 60 miles away, or attend any charity events.

However, chairman of the bench Martyn Griffiths told Bruno: “You are a man of sufficient means to employ a driver or take taxis.”

The celebrity was slapped with a six-month driving ban, along with a 400-pound fine.

He was also ordered to pay 455 pounds as legal costs and a 15-pound surcharge after pleading guilty at a previous hearing. (ANI)

Forgotten Phil Jaques declares he is ready to tour S.Africa

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:39:00 -0500

Forgotten Australian opener Phil Jaques has declared that he is available to return for next month''s tour of South Africa.

With Hayden showing no signs of retirement, Jaques, 29, declared his availability for the crunch tour as he tries to return from back surgery on a bulging disc.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the left-hander thinks he has the runs on the board after scoring 108 in his last Test against the West Indies in Barbados last year.

He will play club cricket next week and then return to the first-class scene when NSW play Tasmania in Newcastle on January 30.

If his back shows no signs of more problems, Jaques appears a must-have selection for South Africa after averaging 47 in his 11 Tests.

"I scored 100 in my last Test so hopefully they remember that," Jaques told The Daily Telegraph yesterday. "I think I''ve got the runs on the board.

Australia will name the one-day and Twenty20 squads today and Hayden surely must exit for younger men. (ANI)

Hilditch backs Phillip Hughes as future Aussie opener

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:37:00 -0500

Australian cricket’s chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has given opener Phillip Hughes a ringing endorsement as Australia looks to replace Matthew Hayden

Hilditch''s comments are a sign the selectors are seriously considering the 20-year-old for higher honours in the not too distant future.

"As far as Phillip Hughes is concerned, he is a very fine player and showing great potential," the Courier Mail quoted Hilditch, as saying.

"Some players will unfortunately have to play three or four years of first class cricket and put up huge numbers to force their way in the side and others, if the opportunity presents itself will be considered earlier than that,” he added.

"He is quite exciting, he is a young player who obviously has an ability to score big runs in (Sheffield) Shield cricket, he is an exciting player and we are watching him carefully," he said.

Hilditch''s comments must be highly encouraging as Hughes'' youth and relative inexperience even in first class ranks have been highlighted as possible stumbling blocks in his path to a Test berth.

The 20-year-old''s ability to also play as a back-up wicketkeeper could help in squad selections for upcoming tours of South Africa and England this year.

Hughes has posted 1337 runs at 53.48 in 16 first class matches to date and just under 60 in the Sheffield Shield this summer. (ANI)

Smith tips England to win Ashes 2009

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:36:00 -0500

Proteas captain Graeme Smith has declared England favourites for this year''s Ashes series in a parting shot at Australia''s fading Test team.

Speaking after the conclusion of the third Test at the SCG, Smith predicted arch-enemy England would prove too strong for Australia when the fight for the Ashes resumes in England in July.

"I guess England," Smith said when asked who would win the Ashes.

"Playing at home probably gives them an advantage, I would think. Their conditions, England always seem to play better at home than they do away in my experiences. But obviously there is a lot of cricket to play before then," the Courier Mail quoted him, as saying.

Smith, the first captain to win a Test series on Australian soil since 1993, is hoping to inflict more pain on Australia when the return series begins in South Africa in six weeks.

"We are hoping to continue what we are doing," Smith said.

"In six weeks time it all starts again. We are one of the few teams that will have that opportunity (to beat Australia in back-to-back Test series)."

After beating Australia, India and England in away Test matches over the past 12 months, Smith said the Proteas could win against any side in the world. But he stopped short of declaring his all conquering team "the best in the world".

The opening batsmen said developing the next generation of Test players would ensure South Africa stay on top.

"The key for us is to develop the next tier of guys," Smith said.

"The 12 or 13 guys have played really well this year but if we get an injury we have to know the next guy is ready to fill in. But I think we are always going to be around. This Test side is strong, mature and relaxed." (ANI)

Ponting says Smith’s grit in SCG Test, the bravest thing he has ever seen

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:35:00 -0500

Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has said that Graeme Smith’s decision to come out to bat on the last day of the SCG Test with a broken finger, is the bravest thing he has ever seen.

Smith had to be dressed by teammates before batting in extreme pain with a broken left hand and a busted right elbow to try to salvage a draw in an amazing climax to the SCG Test.

His incredible effort was ultimately in vain but he felt the jarring pain of 17 balls in 26 minutes before being bowled by Mitchell Johnson with only 10 balls left in fading light.

South Africa''s Captain Courageous was in so much pain he was not even able to lift the trophy after play to celebrate South Africa''s historic 2-1 series win in Australia.

Ponting went to Smith on the ground and told his opposite number it was one of the bravest things he had ever seen on a sporting field.

"I said that to him after the game. That showed a lot of courage. That''s what every team looks to from their leader. To show that fighting spirit, to stand up when needed, to get out and do a job no matter how sore or tired you might be," the Courier Mail quoted Ponting, as saying.

Smith borrowed Jacques Kallis''s shirt and a hamburger-stained sweater from Paul Harris and revealed he had not taken any pain medication.

"I didn''t expect to go out. I think deep inside I didn''t really want to go out there. I had Morne (Morkel) dressing me and putting my shoes on and putting on my pads. I decided I was going to go and give it my best shot, if I got a first-baller at least I tried,” Smith said.

Spin king Shane Warne couldn''t believe his eyes when Smith turned up at the crease: "It was just unbelievable when he did that. That was just amazing courage to stand there for his team."

Smith gave Australia many nervous moments before they could savour the win just six minutes from the scheduled close of play. (ANI)