Dravid to be honoured with Padma Bhushan

Rahul Dravid, the former India batsman, has been listed, among 24 others, for the Padma Bhushan award, India's third highest civilian honour. Now a television analyst, commentator and columnist for ESPNcricinfo, Dravid announced his retirement from international cricket last year, having scored 13,288 runs in Tests and 10,889 runs in ODIs during a 15-year career.

He is the only cricketer in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. Indian boxer Mary Kom being the other sportsperson to be short-listed for the honour.

Dravid, who shouldered a large portion of India's batting burden during their period of strength at home and abroad in the past decade, was nominated for the Khel Ratna, India's highest honour in sports, six months ago. He won the Arjuna Award in 1998 and was given the Padma Shri in 2004.

He joins nine other cricketers, including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar Vinoo Mankad and Lala Amarnath, to have had received the Padma Bhushan. Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer to have be awarded with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour.

Read More..

Buttler admits mixed emotions after ousting friend

Jos Buttler has admitted to mixed emotions after replacing his friend and county team-mate, Craig Kieswetter, in the England one-day side in India.

Buttler was preferred to Kieswetter for the fourth match in Mohali and will retain his place for the final game of the series in Dharamsala, although he may yet lose his spot to Jonny Bairstow for the matches against New Zealand next month.

For now, though, Buttler is focusing on making the most of his opportunity with bat and gloves and knows he has to be ruthlessly professional despite the circumstances of his selection.

"My opportunity has come from the demise of a friend and that's not ideal, when your mate misses out, but it's a huge opportunity for me and one that I want to take," he said. "It is a bit tricky, because Craig and I are good friends and have been for a number of years... I don't think this will change that; this is the world of professional sport and there are only 11 spaces in the England side, that a lot of people want."

Buttler, who made his Somerset debut when Kieswetter was on England duty three years ago, has been taken a little by surprise by his elevation to the wicketkeeper's position. Having replaced the rested Jonathan Trott he envisaged competing for a batting slot but ensured he spent plenty of time working with Bruce French, the England wicketkeeping coach.

"I didn't really see wicketkeeping coming, but I've been working hard on it before Christmas," he said. "My keeping is still a work in progress, but I think that will improve as time goes on, especially with the amount of work I'm putting into it. It's something I think I'm developing and something I think can become a strength of mine.

Buttler gave a brief glimpse of his batting ability in Mohali with a nine-ball 14, which followed powerful cameo appearances in Twenty20, including two unbeaten innings against India before Christmas and a 10-ball 32 against South Africa at Edgbaston last September.

At some stage the ODI format will test his ability to construct a longer innings - something a List A average of 56.89 suggests he can do - but at the moment he is concentrating on giving some impetus to the latter stages of England's batting effort.

"The other strength of my game is trying to be destructive at the end of the innings," he said. "It's something I have done for Somerset in the last couple of years and hopefully it's something I can bring into the international game."

Read More..

Thakor ruled out of U-19 tour

Shiv Thakor, the Leicestershire allrounder, has been ruled out of the England Under-19 tour of South Africa where he was captain after sustaining a broken finger in the opening match of the trip.

He is expected to be out of action for six weeks after suffering the blow against a Western Cape Invitation XI. In the first innings of that match he made 30 then took 2 for 11 but did not bat in the second innings.

Oli Stone, the Northamptonshire player, will replace Thakor as captain for the remainder of the tour and Thomas Alsop, from Hampshire, has been named as the replacement batsman. Alsop is part of the Under-17 squad and trained with the U-19s at Loughborough before the tour.

Jamie Overton, the Somerset bowler, will be added to the squad for the one-day series next month after being released from the England Performance Squad fast bowling programme.

The two-match Test series begins on January 27 in Cape Town.

Read More..

Worcestershire profit from hotel lease

Worcestershire have announced a profit after interest of £225,000 for the year ending September 30, 2012, a figure heavily swollen by proceeds from Premier Inn for a long-term lease for a hotel development at New Road designed to secure the county's financial future.

Without the exceptional payment of £350,000, Worcestershire would have shown a pre-tax loss of £125,000 after one of the wettest summers on record. New Road is particularly susceptible because of recurring flooding of the ground from the River Severn.

In a season where Worcestershire were relegated from Division One of the championship, income fell by 12 per cent to £2.62m.

Worcestershire's annual report states: "At the club's 2011 AGM it was noted that we had done a great deal to reduce risk, but clearly have not yet done enough to offset the extreme adverse weather in 2012. Met Office figures showed 2012 to be the second wettest summer since records began and resulted in the loss of over 15 days home and away cricket, making 2012 a real challenge.

"However, we now have our Premier Inn hotel and new club facilities under construction, which is anticipated to attract 35,000-40,000 hotel visitors a year. Combined with our own new conferencing, bars and executive facilities will allow the Club to extend existing revenue streams as well as develop new areas. This will create a truly 365-day-a-year business. With a long-term, viable and sustainable future ultimately allowing further investment both on and off the pitch."

Phase 2 of Worcestershire's ground improvements is now underway on the Severn side of the ground, which should see a 120-room hotel completed by November 2013. The report admitted: "While it is expected there will be some disruption during the 2013 season, we feel it is a small price to pay for the future benefits the facilities will bring."

Read More..

Pune Warriors sign Ishwar Pandey

Ishwar Pandey, the Madhya Pradesh bowler who is the leading wicket-taker in this season's Ranji Trophy, has been signed by Pune Warriors ahead of IPL 2013. It is his maiden IPL contract.

"I am happy that my consistent performance has been rewarded. My focus will be to do well for Pune Warriors and cement my place in the playing XI," Pandey said. "For an upcoming cricketer like me, IPL is the kind of exposure that will help me understand the rigours of top-flight cricket."

Pandey, 23, took 48 wickets at an average of 21 in eight matches this season but Madhya Pradesh did not make it past the league stage. He was also picked in the India A team against England and took 1 for 29 in the List A game.

Pandey said he was looking forward to working with former South African fast bowler Allan Donald, who is part of the Pune coaching team. "When you get a chance to interact with someone of Donald's stature, you can't ask for more," he said. "It's an opportunity that every fast bowler looks forward to and I am no exception. Hopefully, once he watches me bowl at the nets, he would tell me the areas where I would need to work upon."

Read More..

PCB brings in international officials for PSL

The PCB has confirmed the inclusion of former ICC match referee Mike Procter and former elite panel umpires Russell Tiffin and Rudi Koertzen for the upcoming Pakistan Super League, a Twenty20 tournament starting on March 25.

"Apart from Aleem Dar and Asad Rauf [who are from Pakistan], three other esteemed international match officials have confirmed their participation," the PCB said in a statement. "In addition, preparation is proceeding apace in all other aspects and the team is well on track with its plans for broadcasters and sponsorship."

Although the PCB hasn't named the foreign players to take part in the event, the addition of the three match officials is a notable scoop, after FICA's advice to players not to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns.

Procter, who stood down as an ICC match referee in 2008 to become Cricket South Africa's convener of selectors, last visited Pakistan in June that year to officiate the Asia Cup matches.

"I am delighted to announce that I have agreed to be one of the Match Referees in the upcoming Pakistan Super League," Procter was quoted as saying by PCB. "I was approached by the PSL management team and after due consideration, I am looking forward to being a part of this exciting event in Pakistan.

"It is unfortunate that Pakistan and its fans do not currently enjoy their beloved international cricket stars at home and this cannot remain so. I am willing to get involved, and to help change perceptions about cricket being played in Pakistan."

Tiffin, a Zimbabwean umpire, was part of ICC's elite panel of umpires from 1995, and his last assignment in the country was to officiate Bangladesh's tour of Pakistan in 2003. "I have been to Pakistan before on cricketing assignments and I am keen to take part in the PSL," Tiffin said. "With the talent we know that exists in Pakistan, I am sure this competition will be quite a spectacle and I cannot wait to be a part of it.

"I know about the challenges that Pakistan cricket faces and I know from my own experiences at home how perceptions can cloud the realities. I am confident that the PCB can deliver a safe and secure event."

Tiffin last officiated an international match in 2009, and since then has been engaged with ICC tournaments featuring associate teams.

The other umpire Koertzen stood in 209 ODIs, a record, and in 108 Tests before retiring in 2010. On accepting the offer, he said: "We all know that Pakistan is going through a trying phase and we in the cricket family need to do what we can to help. It remains a very vibrant cricketing nation that always impresses us with its resilience. I have never had any problem umpiring in Pakistan, and I am actually looking forward to go over and catch up with old friends."

Read More..

Kirsten unsure on de Villiers' future

South Africa coach Gary Kirsten says he is undecided on whether AB de Villiers will return as wicketkeeper in one-day cricket.

De Villiers hinted that he is overburdened with captaincy and keeping wicket but Kirsten said that no final decision has been taken on who will take the gloves in one-day cricket moving forward.

"In terms of our situation with AB, it's more exploratory," Kirsten said in a wide-ranging press conference. "We are going through a phase of exploring and understanding his keeping. We haven't closed the door on whether he will become our one-day keeper."

De Villiers has been South Africa's wicketkeeper in all forms since Mark Boucher was forced to retire from an eye injury sustained in a tour match in England last summer. But Quinton de Kock, at just 20 years old, was brought in to keep wicket for the current series against New Zealand.

"The decision not to keep in this one-day series was a very specific decision which wasn't his own," Kirsten explained. "He is not making his own decisions. There is a process we go through in the team. Individuals don't just stand up and make their own calls. We felt that it might be a good idea for this series specifically that AB had an opportunity to focus on his captaincy. He is a young captain and there is a lot to do on the field."

De Villiers' opportunity to captain without the responsibility of keeping was cut short by his suspension for a drastically slow over rate in the first ODI in Paarl meaning he was banned from the final two matches of the series. Kirsten expressed his disappointment that such a calamitous mistake has cost de Villiers the chance to try out a new role ahead of the Champions Trophy in June.

"I had a concern right from the outset when I spoke to the selectors that doing the job of batting at No. 4, captaining and keeping was going to be really tough on him. He was happy to do it. He is always happy to do it. I just felt I would like to see him focus on his captaincy so it is really unfortunate what has unfolded where he is missing two games and is not able to gain more experience in his captaincy."

De Villiers will return to the South African side for the start of the Pakistan series on February 1. Kirsten was unsure whether de Villiers would come straight back as wicketkeeper.

"We are thinking where we want to go long-term," Kirsten said. "If you look at the Test team: it's foolproof in many ways although we have brought in a lot of new players. I don't want to make rushed decisions.

"The one nice thing about AB not keeping is that it has given us the opportunity to explore another young talent in Quinton de Kock. He has done a good job behind the stumps and has shown real potential with the bat. There's been a lot of talk about him and it's nice that he has been given an opportunity at a higher level."

Read More..

Finch replaces Hussey in ODI squad

David Hussey's future as an international player appears bleak after he was dropped from Australia's squad for the first two ODIs against West Indies, following on from his being left out of the T20 squad to play Sri Lanka. Hussey, 35, has been replaced by his younger Victorian team-mate Aaron Finch, 26, for the matches at the WACA on February 1 and 3 in a move the national selector John Inverarity said was made with an "eye on the future".

The rest of Australia's 13-man squad retained their places after the series-levelling victory against Sri Lanka in Hobart, a match in which Hussey was Australia's second top scorer with 34. Over the five-match series, Hussey was third on the Australian run tally with 128 at an average of 32, and his quick unbeaten 60 in the opening match at the MCG was an important factor in Australia's win.

But the selectors wanted more from Australia's specialist batsmen over the course of the series and were keen to give Finch another chance. Finch played the first two games against Sri Lanka and made 16 and 4, but has been in outstanding domestic limited-overs form this summer and is expected to partner David Warner at the top of the order.

"The national selection panel was delighted with the ODI team's impressive win against Sri Lanka in Hobart on Wednesday, in particular with Phillip Hughes' well-crafted innings and the bowling of Xavier Doherty and Moises Henriques," Inverarity said. "There were concerns, however, with the team's batting performances during the series when the conditions were conducive to swing bowling, conditions that were beautifully exploited by Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga.

"Aaron Finch has been included in the squad at the expense of David Hussey. A top four of Warner, Finch, Hughes and Clarke his good balance and the team looks forward to getting better starts than has been the case recently. David Hussey has been dropped from the squad as the NSP keeps a constant eye on the future."

There was also no home-ground farewell for Michael Hussey, who will not officially be retired from international cricket until the end of the limited-overs summer. Nor did the selectors decide to rush James Pattinson back after his recovery from a rib injury, although Inverarity said he was likely to travel to Perth to train with the squad, while Shane Watson was not considered as he gradually makes his return from injury.

"James Pattinson came under consideration for this squad but, at the time of the selection meeting, he had not bowled a ball in interstate or international cricket since 24 November," Inverarity said. "It is anticipated that James will go to Perth to practice with the Squad.

"Shane Watson has been making pleasing progress in recent weeks. He is planning on playing for his Sydney club tomorrow and will be available for selection for New South Wales' Ryobi Cup fixture against Western Australia on 30 January."

Clarke is expected to be fit for the Perth matches after his late withdrawal from the Hobart game due to an ankle injury. "Michael Clarke is making steady progress with the ankle he injured on 22 January and we are confident that Michael will recover in time to be fit for the first of the ODI fixtures against the West Indies on 1 February," Inverarity said.

Squad David Warner, Aaron Finch, Phillip Hughes, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Matthew Wade (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Cutting, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.

Read More..

PCB announces auction slabs for PSL

The PCB has set base prices for five categories of players up for sale at the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction scheduled for the last week of February. Players in the diamond category will have a starting price of $100,000, platinum $70,000, gold $50,000, silver $25,000 and the emerging category will be between $5000 and $10,000.

The Pakistan board is yet to reveal the pool of players available to the five franchises but is looking to finalise the names by February. The PCB didn't reveal the base prices for the five regional franchises either; the bidding process for the franchises will also start next month. The managing director of the PSL, Salman Sarwar Butt, and advisor Haroon Lorgat, also said the board was contemplating having a tax-free league.

The plan is for the tournament to be played over 15 days, a total of 23 matches for the first three years. The five teams will play each other twice in a league format with the top four qualifying for the semi-finals. Each of the five teams would be allowed to sign a maximum of six overseas players and would include 10 local cricketers plus two emerging players. The base prices for the players will be regulated by the PCB and franchises have to adhere to it.

"One of the most positive reasons they [franchises] are coming is to build the sport in Pakistan," Butt said. "They are more interested in putting the best team together rather than what is the price. Our direction is very clear, we are looking at Pakistan to hold this tournament and for now that is very clear. Every player in the respective category will be entered in the auction at base price and the franchise can buy the player at more than or equal to the base price."

The PCB has already invited bids for the broadcasting rights and advertised tenders for commercial partners and sponsors for the PSL. "We have got overwhelming response in terms of interest in buying a franchise," Butt said. "We are now working and talking to various parties and briefing them on franchise concept and the auction will be held next month."

Read More..

Wardlaw called up by Scotland

Ian Wardlaw, the Yorkshire seamer, has been invited to train with Scotland and could be earn an immediate call-up for the World Cricket League fixtures against Afghanistan in March.

Wardlaw, 27, has only played 19 matches for Yorkshire after making his debut in July 2011. He admitted it was a shock to asked to train with Scotland in Edinburgh over the next two weekends. He qualifies through his Scottish father and has a path to a career in international cricket.

"I can impress enough to force my way into the squad," Wardlaw said. "Afghanistan are going good. No team will take them lightly and they have real quality with their bowlers who can bowl at pace and they have some good batters that are very strong in one-day cricket"

Scotland and Afghanistan continue their World Cup qualifying campaign with four World Cricket League Championship matches in Sharjah at the start of March before an Intercontinental Cup fixture in Abu Dhabi.

"There will be a lot of pressure on the matches," Wardlaw said. "Only the top two from the group get automatic qualification to the World Cup. Even though Scotland are currently in second spot, we cannot afford to slip up and Afghanistan could be one of those teams that could embarrass you if you're not prepared and focused."

If Wardlaw impresses he could find himself lining up against Pakistan and Australia over the summer, along with Neil Carter, who ended his Warwickshire career at the end of last season but declared his intention to play for Scotland.

Read More..