ICC extends Bangladesh's World T20 venue deadline to Nov 30

The ICC has accepted the Bangladesh Cricket Board's request to extend the deadline for the readying of its stadiums for the 2014 World Twenty20 to November 30. The ICC Development International (IDI) board took the decision after reviewing a report on the condition of the venues, put together by the ICC venue consultant.

The main issue is with the stadiums at Sylhet and Cox's Bazar, which are still being developed. An ICC team visited the venues last week. The Sylhet stadium's pavilion, the biggest reason for all the delay, is close to completion, with the structure in place, and the press box also almost complete.

The original deadline for the completion of the stadiums was September 30. BCB president Nazmul Hasan had said in August that he had "no doubt that the construction work will end by mid-October". The tournament is scheduled to be played between March 16 and April 6 next year.

Now, sources in the BCB have said it plans to finish the work by the first week of November, and host Indian state side Maharashtra at the ground to judge its readiness. Maharashtra Cricket Association president Ajay Shirke, however, said "no such proposal is in the pipeline". But Maharashtra have a break in first-class Ranji Trophy between October 30 and November 14, and given the association's severe cash crunch due to its ongoing dispute with Indian company Sahara Pariwar over title rights of the new stadium on the outskirts of Pune, it may agree to send over a team if all expenses are borne by the hosts.

While the BCB has been given more time by the ICC to complete work on the stadiums, the schedule for the tournament will be announced in Dhaka on October 27. These decisions were taken at the ICC board meeting in London, on October 18 and 19.

The other major decision taken at the meeting was with regard to the ICC's anti-corruption code. A revised version of the code, which an ICC release termed "more robust and strengthened" will be submitted for discussion at the board's next meeting, in January 2014. The matter of Mohammad Amir's ban, which the PCB is looking to get reduced, will be discussed only after the new anti-corruption code is finalised, the ICC said.

The board also decided to maintain the current playing conditions for ODI cricket, bad light and the DRS.

An ICC chairman will be appointed and take over only after the board's annual conference in 2014, the ICC release said. The post of ICC's chairman was first adopted in 2012 and will turn the role of the ICC president into a ceremonial one while vesting executive powers in a new chairman. It is understood that the BCCI and ECB are seeking a dilution of power to be exercised by the new chairman, and prefer that his role be reduced from head of executive office in the ICC to that of a convenor.

The ICC board also approved an increase in the financial assistance provided to Afghanistan, through its Targeted Assistance Performance Programme (TAPP), to US$ 1.1m. This move was prompted by Afghanistan's qualification for the 2015 World Cup.

The 2014 Under-19 World Cup will be played in the UAE, from February 14 to March 1, the board confirmed.

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The Ishant Sharma over that changed the game

With 44 needed off 18, India seemed to have the match well within their grasp. Then James Faulkner slammed 30 off an Ishant Sharma over, and the game turned on its head. Here's a ball-by-ball account of that over:

47.1 I Sharma to Faulkner, FOUR, full and wide, Faulkner throws the bat at that and connects well, that soars over extra cover for four, the first ball is hit for a boundary and the 50 partnership comes up.

47.2 I Sharma to Faulkner, SIX, what an amazing hit that is, this was short from Ishant, sat up for Faulkner, who clobbers that to cow corner, he enjoyed that shot, it went a long way beyond the rope, 10 off the first two balls, what will Ishant serve up now? First he has to get the ball back, it went into the crowd and hasn't been returned since.

47.3 I Sharma to Faulkner, SIX, superb hit from Faulkner, that was a length ball, 'hit me' it shouted, Faulkner obliged, that is as straight as they come, over the sightscreen, and some fans in the crowd hang their heads in disappointment.

47.4 I Sharma to Faulkner, 2 runs, goes short this time, Faulkner is swinging at everything, connects well, but only a couple to deep square leg

47.5 I Sharma to Faulkner, SIX, this game has turned on its head in five deliveries, fans are stunned into silence as Faulkner reels off another six, another short ball and that is hooked behind square leg for another six

47.6 I Sharma to Faulkner, SIX MORE, what on earth? Ishant Sharma had his critics before this game, there aren't going to be many people backing him after this, short once more, another pull, right off the middle off the bat, and that sails into the crowd once more, crowd not sure whether to be gobsmacked by this hitting from Faulkner or be thrilled by this sensational turnaround, that's Faulkner's 50 as well

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Faulkner launches premeditated assault on Ishant

India's death-bowling problems are well documented, and Australia's batsmen seemed to know all about them, timing their late assault in Mohali to perfection to complete an improbable chase. James Faulkner, India's wrecker-in-chief on the night, said after the game he knew better than to go after offspinner R Ashwin, while Adam Voges, Australia's top scorer, said Faulkner had specifically looked to get after Ishant Sharma in an over that changed the game.

"I didn't feel I could get Ashwin over to the long boundary, with his carom balls. So I thought if I could just get seven or eight off him and target the other end … that was our only chance of winning, to tell you the truth," Faulkner said after his team chased down 304, needing 44 off the final three overs. Ashwin had bowled the 47th over and the pair of Voges and Faulkner took eight off it, with just one boundary. The next over, Ishant was thrown the ball and, according to Voges, Faulkner said: "This is it, I am going after this."

And go he did, slamming four sixes, a four and running a two to take 30 off Ishant and bring the equation down to a very manageable 14 off 12. Ashwin bowled the following over too, and again Faulkner and Voges sensibly knocked him around for five, before easing to victory off seamer Vinay Kumar.

While Faulkner's innings was "extraordinary", as his captain George Bailey termed it, Ishant did provide him with the opportunities to hit out. The pace bowler pitched short repeatedly, bowled length and delivered only one full ball, and even that delivery allowed Faulkner the room to have a swing.

India captain MS Dhoni, who had hit the third-highest score for a No. 6 batsman to lift his wobbling side to above 300, admitted that the bowling is a headache that is getting worse for the team.

"I think the last few overs were disappointing, it is an area of concern and it is getting worse. There was a bit of dew but not like in the last game, the individuals will have to step up, you have to back your strength," Dhoni said. "You don't need to spoonfeed bowlers at the international level."

Bailey said keeping wickets in hand was where his team scored over India. "It was a fantastic partnership to finish it off. It was extraordinary hitting from Jamie, as good as I've seen. It was great that he had Adam at the other end who held the innings together nicely.

"The thing we kept talking about was trying to have wickets in hand. That was where we felt we might have the advantage over India. We kept taking wickets through the Indian innings to put them under the pump."

India had lost their fourth wicket by 13th over, when Dhoni walked in and proceeded to construct another one of his special ODI innings. After beginning slowly and building patiently, Dhoni teed off to finish on 139 not out off 121. He had offered a chance off Shane Watson in the penultimate over of the innings, but Bailey grassed what should have been a straightforward catch in the covers. Dhoni added another 34 runs to his score. Bailey had a laugh about that drop after the game: "If I could learn to catch, we'd possibly be chasing 20 or 30 lesser off MS' role."

Faulkner was one of the bowlers taken apart by Dhoni after that life, but it was Faulkner who ensured his team could laugh about that gaffe at the end of the day.

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Dhoni goes third at No. 6, and past 5000 as captain

A farewell left too late (380)

Tendulkar's legacy has been diminished by his long twilight, and the team he served for so long with such distinction has been damaged too

India's blunt spearhead (363)

Ishant Sharma has been a disappointment in ODIs, proving ineffective with new ball and old for the majority of his six-year career

Chasing glory (130)

Virat Kohli is already third in terms of most centuries when batting second in ODIs, but his rate of scoring them is unmatched in the format's history

Bold shots, bolder ambition for Finch (63)

After an early struggle, Aaron Finch now feels at home in international company, and wants to use his strong India batting form as a springboard towards an Ashes place

'I'm honest, and I stand up for what I believe is right' (39)

BCCI president N Srinivasan, currently in the eye of more than one storm, speaks about India's South Africa tour, the board producing TV telecasts, and the health of the game in the country

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No motivation for bowlers - Bailey

George Bailey, the Australia captain, wonders what motivates bowlers on the batting-friendly pitches of India but feels that also renders a tour of the country daunting for sides like his. Australia racked up 359 in the second ODI in Jaipur, only to watch India run it down in 43.3 overs for the loss of one wicket, making it the second-highest successful chase ever.

"The wickets we have played on have been very good batting wickets. It was very tough for the bowlers. It's hard to know what motivates bowlers on these wickets," Bailey said ahead of the third ODI in Mohali. "I would like to see a little bit more help for the bowlers if they bend their backs, and a little bit for the spinners.

"But that's how it is around the world, different conditions. That's how it is everywhere. But that's the beauty of the game around the world. That's what makes touring India such a challenge. That's what makes touring Australia such a challenge for India. Playing at Bellerive Oval compared to the WACA is so different. It would be boring if every wicket was the same. It would be boring if every wicket was flat. It would be boring if every wicket helped pacers or spinners."

Bailey felt the Mohali pitch would not be as flat as the Jaipur one, and said Australia would not mind using the short ball again if the conditions helped them. "It's a matter of summing up the conditions. If the wicket here has some pace and bounce and the boundaries being slightly longer around the squares, it could be something we will explore. But all players are good if they know what to expect, so it's a matter of not getting too predictable."

Bailey backed his bowlers, saying one bad game did not warrant changes, but admitted Australia were considering bringing in Nathan Coulter-Nile. "Yeah, we'll think about Nathan. A little bit of extra pace, a little bit of shape with the new ball… outstanding fielder, good striker of the ball near the end. So he is in the all-rounder category… I think all three guys we have on stand-by should be ready. The beauty of those guys is how ready they are to play whatever their roles might be."

The introduction of a new ball at each end in ODIs has largely taken away reverse swing as a weapon for bowlers towards the end of an innings. Bailey, however, said he liked the ruling, saying it had made things harder for batsmen at the start. "I enjoy it actually. When it first came out, I thought scores would go through the roof. What we have seen is that bowlers have adapted pretty well. England's a good example of how we had to work pretty hard to get through the first 10-15 overs without losing too many wickets. Then if you can reach the back-end, the ball tends to be a bit harder for the batsmen to cash in."

Australia have been getting through the new balls without damage so far on the tour, with Aaron Finch and Phillip Hughes putting on strong opening partnerships in both ODIs. Bailey said that had allowed the middle order to take on the India spinners with more confidence, but denied Australia had a plan to particularly attack the lead spinner R Ashwin, who's gone for 105 in 18 overs. "I don't think we targeted him specifically.

"The guys, especially the right-handers, were comfortable facing him. It wasn't a strategy to go after him. There wasn't much turn on the wicket. But it wasn't like targeting one specific bowler. The key for us really is that we have had good opening partnerships that have given us a good platform. Not losing early wickets has helped the middle order so we have been able to play with a little bit of freedom."

Which is why Bailey also ruled out a return for Watson to the top of the order, saying his presence at No. 3 was important to tackle the spinners. "At the moment it's working very well for us and I don't think there's any need to change it. His versatility there in terms of how well he plays spin… we saw that the other day when he walked in and faced the spinners, he put them on the back foot. It's really important for us if he can bat at No. 3 and get into the middle order a bit."

The disciplinary issues that had plagued Watson and Australia's Test tour of India earlier this year were done and buried, Bailey insisted. "I think he is [over it]. It's a long way in the past. It's been so many months now and he has been at home. It really is a long time back. I have been very impressed by his energy in training."

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Mommsen ruled out of qualifiers

Preston Mommsen has been ruled out of Scotland's World T20 qualifying campaign in a blow to their chances of winning a place in Bangladesh in March.

Mommsen, Scotland vice-captain, has a pelvis injury and won't be able to join his squad for the qualifiers in the UAE that get underway on November 15. He would have been keen to improve his record in T20 internationals, having made only 118 runs in nine matches to date.

His place will be taken by 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Wallace, who appeared in Scotland's previous World T20 qualifying campaign in 2012.

"It's a disappointment to lose a player of Preston's calibre," Scotland coach Pete Steindl said. "Not only has he been a consistent performer for Scotland in recent times, but he has also been one of our leaders.

"However we are looking forward to having Craig as part of the squad. He has worked hard over the last 12 months and has improved as a batter. He is a good fit to replace Preston."

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Kumble regime not to contest KSCA elections

Anil Kumble, the former India captain and current president of the Karnataka State Cricket Associaton (KSCA) has announced that his administration, which includes former India team-mate Javagal Srinath, will not contest the upcoming KSCA elections. Kumble and Srinath, the association's secretary, came to power in November 2010, when they beat Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, the former maharaja of Mysore.

During Kumble's tenure, the KSCA was the only major state association in the country run by former cricketers. The other players on the committee include former India seamers Roger Binny and Venkatesh Prasad, who hold the posts of vice-president. Kumble said that the expectations on former cricketers taking to administration is always greater than administrators from non-cricketing backgrounds.

At a press conference held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, in the presence of Srinath and Rahul Dravid, a KSCA committee member, Kumble said one of the biggest achievements of his team had been to spread the game and quality facilities to cities and towns outside Bangalore. He added that they hoped their programmes would serve as a template for future administration.

A book citing proof of the work done by his administration was also distributed. His team's reason for not contesting the forthcoming elections was to ensure that a state association must be "constantly evolving" to "accommodate fresh ideas, dependable processes and systems."

Kumble and Srinath stated that the expansion of the game to cities and towns outside Bangalore was also a major achievement. In the last three years, Mysore, Hubli and Shimoga have hosted Ranji Trophy and India-A matches. The three venues hosted matches between India A and West Indies A over the last month and, according to Kumble, grounds in Belgaum and Raichur would soon be ready to host Ranji matches in the upcoming season.

Kumble said that hosting matches featuring the West Indies A squad was "just the beginning" and had been done by giving "support and leadership" to zonal level convenors from the Bangalore headquarters. The expansion of the game across the state, he added, was an ongoing process he hoped the next administration would take forward.

Srinath stressed that the expansion of the game at the "grassroots" had been part of the KSCA's main objective to "give a youngster in a small town facilities on par with that of Bangalore", something which could only be done by maintaining "consistency" in the quality of nets, pitches and outfields across the state. Srinath added that the BCCI's decision to hand over the entire West Indies A series to Karnataka was recognition of the progress made in the state.

"The norm is to organise games across the country but the BCCI acknowledged that we have good facilities here," Srinath said. "That's a testament to our work and it gives us immense satisfaction. When you see the likes of Sehwag and Zaheer playing in Hubli, that is what you want. That should inspire at least 20-25 youngsters to take up the game. That can only come if you take the game to the districts."

He also stated that the KSCA had made itself financially independent for the next 10 years: "We have enough resources for the next ten years. If the BCCI stops paying us from tomorrow, we have enough funds through our fixed deposits and the interest accrued from that."

Srinath highlighted areas where former cricketers could make a difference. "Have we done justice to the kids who are the real stakeholders of this game? Have we provided them with the facilities and opportunities? Coming from a cricketing background, we knew exactly where that had to be stemmed," he said.

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No time for BCCI responsibility - Pawar

Minutes after his return to cricket administration as the elected president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Sharad Pawar said he couldn't spare any time for the BCCI.

"I don't have time to go to the BCCI as I don't have time for any responsibility. I might go for meetings but I don't have time to take up any responsibility," Pawar, the former MCA, BCCI and ICC president, said after ending his two-year hiatus from cricket administration.

Pawar, who is also the union agriculture minister, will be busy with the forthcoming federal elections, expected to be held in mid-2014. However, his presence at the BCCI working committee meetings may spark the formation of a pressure group against BCCI president, N Srinivasan.

Despite facing probity questions following the IPL corruption scandal, which saw his son-in-law, Gurunath Meiyappan, being arrested and chargesheeted, Srinivasan was elected unopposed in September.

In other results, three of the four Ranji Trophy cricketers who contested for 11 managing committee posts were also elected. While Lalchand Rajput, Abey Kuruvilla and Sanjay Patil got the nod of the 329 voters, Atul Ranade couldn't make the cut. The inclusion of former cricketers in the MCA comes a day after Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath announced they were not going to take part in the upcoming KSCA elections.

BCCI vice-president Ravi Savant, who was the interim president for the last 14 months following the death of former president Vilasrao Deshmukh, was elected as vice-president along with Vijay Patil. Nitin Dalal and PV Shetty retained their positions as joint secretaries. Vinod Deshpande, who was interim vice-president, replaced Mayank Khandawala as the treasurer.

Meanwhile, Pawar quashed the four-member inquiry panel that had been formed to investigate 405 unsold tickets for the World Cup final played at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011.

Following corruption allegations, the MCA had set up a panel whose report was leaked in the media before it was submitted to the MCA office-bearers in the build-up to the election. As a result, members at the AGM, that was followed by a vote, vociferously opposed the manner in which the inquiry was conducted and and the criticised the information leak. Pawar then proposed that the inquiry panel's report be rejected and the panel be disbanded.

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Disappointed Smith promises to bounce back

Graeme Smith has not worn the look he had on today for 22 months and 15 Tests - the span between losing the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and their last defeat, to Sri Lanka in December 2011.

In its time away, the expression has grown considerably more tortured. His usual blue eyes become a shade at least five times darker, his mouth remains pursed, as though it is frowning the way a brow does and his jaw, appears more square than ever, jutting out aggressively, ready to protect and defend.

South Africa have not lost an away Test since Kolkata 2010, and the statistics from 2006 onward show them to be the best travelling team - with a win-loss ratio of 2.14. One defeat cannot erase that, but it has put a stain on otherwise clean sheet and that reality stings.

"It should hurt," Smith said. "But this team has too much ability to make this a habit. This is sport, you do lose and it's natural. We're extremely disappointed. We haven't been in this position too often. And with the standards that we set ourselves, we should have the ability to bounce back."

Smith is already thinking about the next match, perhaps because he wants to forget the out-of-sorts way South Africa performed in this one. After choosing to bat, they were bowled out for less than 250 and their bowlers could not adjust their lengths in time to suit the pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, often bowling shorter than required.

South Africa lost their last six wickets for 50 in the first innings but they've been known to respond tenaciously even after lapses with the bat. This time, a refusal to bowl a fuller length meant "we didn't start as well with the new ball," as Smith admitted. With Pakistan registering their first century stand in more than 18 months, South Africa were out of the game before they could bat a second time.

"From a skill perspective Pakistan were better than us over a period of time and we have to be honest about that," Smith said. "The first innings was where we were put under pressure. Irfan bowled really well upfront but we fought hard to get into a good position and then we collapsed. If we'd pushed on to over 300, 350, we could have given ourselves a chance."

South Africa's second essay didn't turn too many heads either. But having been bowled out for 232 - which meant Pakistan needed only 40 runs to win - the way their bowlers approached defending a small target was encouraging for Smith.

Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander found a fuller length straight away and took three wickets in Pakistan's first four overs. "It was bittersweet because it made us think if we have 150 or 200 runs, we could have had a chance. But we were better with the new ball. That's a big step in the right direction."

That South Africa took almost four days to adjust could be seen as an indication they were underprepared for the conditions. They have not played Test cricket since February and their only opportunity to acclimatise was a lone warm-up game. Some of their players like Smith and Jacques Kallis were recovering from injury or enjoying time off to leave them individually short of match practice as well.

Smith would not concede on that front, insisting the team had done enough. "We maximised the preparation time we had," he said. "It's always very difficult to replicate Tests but we worked extremely hard in training.

"There wasn't a lot of time either. Maybe we could have played two two-day games but you also need preparation time to get to the ground you are going to be playing at and that sort of thing. The strength of this team has been the ability to maximise preparation time. This time, we've been outplayed and you have to look at that."

In an effort to polish their skills, South Africa will hold an optional training session tomorrow, before travelling to Dubai on Saturday and will be back at work on Sunday.

"We have to make sure we are not too emotional and that we have clever plans. We need to have good cricket discussions in terms of planning, tactics and skills," Smith said. "The motivation is there. We are really motivated to win the next Test match. That's got to be our ultimate goal. We have to focus on making sure our plans are better. We are one down and haven't played to our potential. I have no doubt we have a team that can come back and square the series."

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Misbah proud of UAE record

The most important thing about thriving in the desert is the ability to adapt to its harshness. Plants store water, animals spend most of the day preserving energy in the shade and the Pakistan cricket team take wickets on tracks where most attacks toil without reward.

Misbah-ul-Haq credited his attack with dealing a decisive blow to South Africa and paving the way to allow Pakistan to break the visitors 15-match unbeaten streak. "The way our bowlers bowled in the first innings on a flat track, they gave us a good sniff by getting South Africa out for under 250," he said. Mohammad Irfan extracted bounce, Junaid Khan found movement and Saeed Ajmal and Zulfiqur Babar troubled South Africa with turn to ensure Pakistan only needed four bowlers to take 20 wickets.

In comparison, South Africa used seven bowlers and needed 45 and a half more overs to bowl Pakistan out in their first innings. On a surface that offered little assistance to either seam or spin, Pakistan relied on guile to do the job. Misbah said that is something learned through experience and time. "With Pakistan, it's a mental game. We always do well here so we have the confidence and the belief that we can do well."

Pakistan have not lost a Test since making the UAE their adopted home in 2010 and have bowled their opposition out in 15 of 18 innings they've taken to the field in. Their spinners are particularly threatening as England, and now South Africa have discovered. Misbah believes defeating another No.1 team in the world would give the team even more confidence.

"Conditions played an important role," he said. "When you are playing at a venue where you've performed well as a team, its a big plus. You really feel comfortable going in search of a win. I always believed this team has the quality to produce this type of cricket. If we can beat the No.1 side in the world, we can do it against any side in the world."

Pakistan's bowling performance was backed up by batsmen who showed more character than they have in the past, particularly the top two. Misbah ensured they shared the credit for the victory. "That really gave us an advantage. The way they started and the way they were attacking, that made a difference," he said. "By scoring at almost four runs an over they gave us that momentum to press on."

Misbah also thought Khurram Manzoor and Shan Masood did the important job of softening up the South African bowlers and making them question their own plans "When you score only 249 on a flat track. different things go through your mind and bowlers try different things. They want to take quick wickets and go for runs."

He did not have much to say about his own hundred, the fourth of his career, and the first in over two years. When nudged, Misbah admitted it was an innings he will cherish. "It is the most precious thing for a batsman to achieve. Such a satisfaction you cant have doing anything [else]. I really enjoyed that. And we won the game so that makes it something special to remember."

If being home has a feeling, that is what Misbah, more than anyone else would have experienced. The supporters cheered his every move and there were plenty of them in the ground. Given that it was played over the Eid holiday, crowds were larger than predicted with thousands in on every day. Despite the heat, humidity and distance of the ground from the city centre, they filled the grandstand and the grass embankments, brought their drums and their flags and cheered on their team.

"That was wonderful, especially to see that after such a long time," Misbah said. "Usually, you only have this support in one-dayers so it was nice to have it in a Test. I can tell you, it really helped the team. It kept the players motivated. I hope people come to the next game as well."

Misbah has promised the Dubai-based fans they will not be in for a draw because Pakistan are not simply. going to try and preserve their lead. "We have just given clear instructions to the groundsman that we want results. We want to exploit our home advantage," Misbah said. "We are not going to think negative because whenever there are negative thoughts in your mind, you don't get results. Whether we win or lose, we want results."

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