ICC Cricket

Not only the two remaining Test playing asian countries (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka), but cricket boards of England and New Zealand are also favouring Majid Khan, it was also learnt.

Even Cricket Australia (CA) is also likely to have agreed to this arrangement. “Is Majid Khan not a good choice ? We supported him last time also…”, the source close to the very influential governing board member said over telephone from Australia.When the views were sought from the other board members, this is what Mr. Peter Young, the General Manager (Public Affairs) had to say, “Cricket Australia’s CEO advises that Cricket Australia believes the ICC Cricket Committee chairman role is a particularly important position within world cricket and is pleased to note there are a number of eminently qualified people in a number of different nations who we hope might be available and willing to consider making themselves available for consideration for this role.

New Zealand s all-rounder Jacob Oram said that his teams upcoming tour of Pakistan was looming as a massive issue as the players weigh up whether to go or stay.

He said the issue was raised at a recent team meeting, where the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) told the players that they would be given an opportunity to miss the tour without any impact on their contractual status, or implications for future selection.

It raises the prospect of a young, inexperienced side touring, if the senior players follow through with their concerns, reported the Dawn.While Oram was tight-lipped about news report that some senior players were uncomfortable with the tour, which precedes the ICC Champions Trophy there, he said that he would be able to take a decision after discussing it with his wife and family.

Its a massive issue for players and everyone concerned. Its still a while away, nothing in my heads been made up either way. Ill really have to sit down with my wife and family and make decisions. At this stage I havent really given it a lot of thought so Ive got no definitive answer, he said.

Vice-captain Brendon McCullum said it was too early to comment.

Pending an independent security report, the NZC agreed in principle to playing one-dayers in Multan (Aug 24) and Faisalabad (Aug 27 and 30) before the Champions Trophy.

These ODIs will be de Silva’s first appearance since returning to the Elite Panel in April. The other on-field umpires will be local appointments, according to a ICC statement

ODi tri-series: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand)

June 8 - Bangladesh v Pakistan, Mirpur - Asoka de Silva (Sri Lanka) and Enamul Hoque Moni (local appointment)

June 10 - India v Pakistan, Mirpur - Asoka de Silva and Enamul Hoque Moni

June 12 - Bangladesh v India, Mirpur - Asoka de Silva and Nadir Shah (local appointment)

June 14 - Final, Mirpur –Asoka de Silva and Nadir Shah

Squads from England, Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and New Zealand will descend on Taunton.After warm-up games at Taunton Vale and King’s College, the tournament will swing into action at the revamped 7,000-capacity County Ground.

County chief executive Richard Gould said: “We’re proud to be hosting this global competition.”We want to liase with schools and get children along to drive participation on the back of it.”We know we have a hotbed of cricket, but we want to make sure there are a lot more girls playing cricket afterwards.”

The semi-finals of the women’s and men’s events will be at Trent Bridge and the Oval, with the finals at Lord’s.Colin Gibson, England and Wales Cricket Board head of corporate communications, said media coverage would promote Taunton and the South-West globally.

He added: “It’s a great chance to show exactly what’s happening here.”A global event is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we want to ensure it isn’t missed.”We want people to go away knowing Taunton was part of it.”Tournament director Steve Elworthy said: “All the meetings, housing teams and security mean it’s a massive task.”

Days after Modi, the IPL Chairman and Commissioner, said that from 2011 onwards, he would like to see the IPL twice a year — one starting in May and the other in September — Pawar categorically dismissed such a possibility.

“We have just got one window from the ICC per year. The calendar is ready for next seven years, so there is no scope,” Pawar said to a television channel

Earlier, in a television interview, Modi had spelled out his future plans for the Twenty20 extravaganza and said, “I think the IPL, we will like to keep it as two seasons. A single season for the first three years, we would like to move it to two seasons and we have another season in September.”

Incidentally, star batsman and Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag too is against having two IPLs a year, for, he thinks, it may lead to premature retirements among top players.

“I think having it twice a year might trigger premature retirements,” Sehwag recently said.

The Delhi opener too pointed out to the international calendar and said it would be difficult to squeeze in two IPL seasons in the schedule.

“I think before they think about introducing a second IPL in the same year, they would have to see the schedule. The fact remains that people at large crave more for international cricket than IPL — be it India vs Pakistan or England vs Australia”, he said.

Though the experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul has remained at No. 7 in the batting rankings, he has closed the gap on Aussie batsman Matthew Hayden, following his 18th Test century against Australia in the first Digicel Test at Sabina Park last weekend.

The left-hander, who scored 118 in the Windies’ 95-run loss, has also increased his lead on the No. 8 ranked batsman, Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene.If Chanderpaul sustains his current form in the second Test, he could surpass Hayden who is still doubtful for that encounter starting tomorrow here in Antigua.

Pacer Fidel Edwards, who enjoyed a fine Test taking eight wickets, has moved into the top 30 of the bowlers rankings, jumping six places to No. 30.

Medium pacer Dwayne Bravo has not moved from 33rd spot, but has narrowed the gap on his close rivals, following his five-wicket match haul. He is now only one point behind Sri Lanka’s Dilhara Fernando at No. 32 and New Zealand’s Jacob Oram, at No. 31.

Bravo has also broken into the top five of the Test all-rounders rankings, replacing Oram.The biggest mover in the rankings was Australian Andrew Symonds whose two half-centuries against the Windies saw him move eight places up the batting rankings to No. 12.Team-mate Mike Hussey continues to lead the batting tables with his captain Ricky Ponting in tow.