All posts by csb10.top

The tribunal appointed to investigate allegations of match and spot-fixing in the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League will deliver its short judgment to the nine accused from February 26. The sanctions will be announced according to article six of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code.On February 27, the reasons for the sanctions will be read to the accused, and lawyers from both sides will be present on both days.The full hearing into the allegations had begun on January 19 and since then eight of the nine people charged had appeared before the three-man tribunal in Dhaka. Seven out of the nine were charged with match and spot-fixing, while two were charged for failing to report a corrupt approach.Kent allrounder Darren Stevens, who played in the BPL, had confirmed the ICC had charged him for not reporting an approach, while Mosharraf Hossain and Mahbubul Alam also admitted they were under investigation.The allegations came to light in May 2013, when BCB president Nazmul Hassan confirmed that a Bangladesh player had been questioned by the ICC. Ashraful was the first to admit of his involvement in corruption in June and that was followed by formal charges against nine individuals, including six Dhaka Gladiators’ players.

Left-arm spinner Paresh Patel struck three times in the last over of the match to give Odisha a narrow, four-run win over Jharkhand at Eden Gardens.Chasing 120, Jharkhand were within eight runs of the target when Patel struck off the second ball of the final over, dismissing Kumar Deobrat. Two balls later, he had Sarfaraz Ashraf out but Jharkhand were still within sight of the target, their hopes resting on Virat Singh, who had anchored their chase until then. Off the last ball of the match, those hopes were dashed when Virat fell for 40, with Jharkhand a mere five runs short of the target.That Jharkhand managed to get this close was due, in no small measure, to Virat and Deobrat. The side were struggling at 34 for 3 in the eighth over and had also lost a stumbling Saurabh Tiwary after a 15-ball 4. Virat and Deobrat then lifted the scoring with 78 for the fourth wicket in a little more than 11 overs and nearly dragged the side back on track until Patel’s over.Earlier, Ashraf’s maiden T20 five-for played a big role in keeping Odisha to 119 for 8. The left-arm spinner, playing his third T20 for the state, ran through the batting line-up, causing most damage in the 15th and 19th overs, where he picked up two and three wickets respectively.Wriddhiman Saha’s second successive fifty, an aggressive 37-ball 71, set up Bengal‘s 72-run win over Tripura at Jadavpur University Complex, Kolkata.Saha vindicated his side’s decision to bat first, slamming nine fours and three sixes in his innings and adding 79 with Manoj Tiwary for the second wicket to help Bengal recover from a shaky start. Although Bengal lost a few quick wickets after that, a 40-run partnership between Pankaj Shaw and Sanjib Sanyal, which came off the last two overs, helped the side reach 196 for 5.Tripura’s chances of chasing down that mammoth target had dimmed by the fourth over when Ashok Dinda and Pritam Chakraborty reduced them to 8 for 3. Kaushal Acharjee lifted their score with a 36-ball 41, even as Bengal experimented with nine bowlers, before Tripura’s innings ended at 124 for 8.

A former Test opening batsman will be replaced by a sometime club cricketer and corporate heavyweight when David Peever takes over from Wally Edwards as chairman of Cricket Australia – and head of the ICC’s newly formed and influential ExCo – next year.Peever, the managing director of the mining giant Rio Tinto’s Australian operations from 2009 until retiring earlier this year, was appointed deputy chairman of CA at a board meeting on Friday, and will duly replace Edwards when his term expires at the 2015 AGM in October. His elevation to a major role in global cricket is an escalation of CA’s desire to be governed by accomplished and independent directors, after a raft of structural changes in 2012.Central to the re-shaping of Australian cricket’s decision-making was the appointment of 56-year-old Peever, Jacquie Hey and Kevin Roberts as the board’s first fully independent directors in 2012. They have made their presence felt in asking hard questions of CA management at the board table since then, and Peever has now emerged to assume a role made doubly influential by the drastic changes made to the ICC earlier this year, ceding enormous power and influence to the boards of India, Australia and England.”The board this morning has appointed David Peever as our deputy chairman,” Edwards said, announcing his successor. “David will be the next chairman. I’ll remain chairman until October 2015, we make our appointment now so the deputy chairman can get involved with me initially in the international area, we have the ICC conference coming up in June in Melbourne, and that’s the first chance for David to start meeting and mingling with a lot of the international people in the world of cricket.”David joined the board in October 2012 when we did our governance changes. He was the managing director of Rio Tinto in Australia. He’s been a terrific contributor for the nearly two years he’s been on the board, he’s brought a lot of business acumen to the board, and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that and develop it further. He’s got a deep passion for cricket, and I’ll be working closely with him over the next 18 months to ensure a smooth transition.”Raised in Queensland, Peever was a modest opening batsman for the Easts cricket club, and has noted his apprehension when occasionally facing his better-known clubmates including Craig McDermott, Carl Rackemann and Geoff Dymock in the nets. However it is his business acumen that CA have sought to carry on from the governance changes driven largely by Edwards since his appointment in 2011.”As deputy chairman my priority is going to be to continue to do what we’ve done the last 18 months since I’ve been on the board, and that is to support Wally, James [Sutherland, chief executive] and his team with the board to progress in the way we have, especially on the governance front,” Peever said. “In particular our strong focus is going to be really unifying Australian cricket and continuing down that path. We do have a way to go, but Australian cricket can be in a pre-eminent position over a long period of time if we can get this unification going the way it can.”While Peever is well attuned to CA’s desire to continue its process of unification and alignment, so all the six states work more cohesively together for common goals, he has plenty of learning to do about the labyrinthine politics of the global game. He will now be travelling extensively in the company of Edwards to meet and understand cricket’s overseas custodians, from the financial powerbrokers in India and England, to the administrators of the many Associate nations.”I’d say the ICC’s in much better shape now than it was when I came into the job and it will be better in another 18 months,” Edwards said. “But it’s really getting to meet the people – there’s a lot to get to know from various positions right through to the associates, Ireland, Afghanistan and other places. It’s important to get a feel for the way it works, the way people think, and get a bit of an understanding of the ICC itself.”Peever’s other corporate roles include directorships with the Melbourne Business School and the Business Council of Australia, and membership of the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council and the Department of Defence Gender Equality Advisory Board. The last two positions will be of some significance as Peever also works on CA’s aspirations to diversify cricket’s following in Australia.

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart has refuted claims that Graeme Smith may be about to retire, following a series of tweets that gave the impression Smith would not be returning to The Oval.Smith is currently in his second year of a three year contract with Surrey but has once again not been able to complete a full season through injury. This year it was a fractured knee, diagnosed earlier in the week, which forced him to return home on Monday night.Smith’s activity on social media seemed to suggest he was packing in entirely; thanking the club and the staff and saying it had been a privilege to be a part of Surrey.But Stewart, who drove back from Surrey’s game at Chelmsford to take Smith and his family to the airport last night, confirmed that the former South Africa captain has “a lot to consider” regarding his future.Upon returning home, Smith will consult with a specialist, who is expected to recommend surgery on the knee. From there, recovery and rehab will determine whether Smith will be able to return for the back end of the 2014 season, something that Stewart, with his “very limited knowledge” on the injury sustained, feels is unlikely.”I had a good chat with him last night,” Stewart told ESPNcricinfo. “Where he is, he’s thoroughly enjoyed his time with Surrey, despite it being two very brief periods over the last two years. He’s still under contract for next year – it’s a three year deal that he has signed.”After seeing his knee specialist, he will find out exactly what the way forward is and, from there, whether he’ll be out for a matter of weeks or months. As soon as we have more information, from the damage to the knee, we’ll be in a better position to say if he is coming back or not. I would have thought it was doubtful.”

Rain ruins third day at Chelmsford

Surrey’s ambitions to press ahead at Chelmsford were ruined by the rain as just 16 overs of play were possible on the third day through a combination of early morning rain and afternoon gloom.
Play commenced at 1.30pm after an early lunch and it was not quite the droll of the second day with 57 runs scored, even if the enthusiasm out in the middle matched the dim surroundings.
There were moments of class from Steve Davies and stand-in captain Gary Wilson; the former square driving his way to a third Championship fifty of the season. Wilson, too, impressed on the front foot, the ball skidding off the damp outfield to the boundary with great ease as he found his touch to take Surrey to another batting point.
Aside from the will of supporters, Davies was the only victim of the day when indecisive footwork saw him trapped in front by a slightly quicker delivery from Monty Panesar.
Surrey have a lead of 33 runs and, at this juncture, are in control of the game in terms of whether day four is anything more than a sodden bore. In truth, Gareth Batty’s first innings eight-for aside, this match should be consigned to a scrap heap.

It was during the second innings at Kent that Smith began feeling some discomfort in his knee. Surrey’s medical team did their best to manage the injury, prescribing painkillers to give Smith some comfort, but when the effects of those wore off, even walking proved a struggle.He batted superbly in the fourth innings of the following game against Gloucestershire, registering his first Championship hundred for Surrey to see them home for a first win of the season and a first victory under Smith. But even here he did not look right, at times hobbling between the wicket on the final day, even requiring medical attention in the middle when he was nearly run out by opening partner Rory Burns.Smith then played Twenty20 matches against Sussex and Somerset before scans confirmed a fracture in his knee and medical attention was required. He may now have played his last game.Without Smith, Surrey are again looking for a replacement captain. Gary Wilson has assumed the role for the current Championship match against Essex. Stewart, while impressed with Wilson’s handling of the responsibility over the last few days – he has also keeping wicket so that Steve Davies can focus on his batting – has stated that there is no certainty that Wilson will be in charge for the rest of the season.As for Smith’s replacement as overseas player, Hashim Amla has been signed until June 25, which will take him to the end of the Championship game against Leicestershire at The Oval. He will miss the upcoming four day game against Worcestershire as he returns to South Africa to attend a Cricket South Africa awards dinner and could be unveiled as the new South Africa Test captain.Stewart confirmed that Surrey will be in the market for another overseas player but conceded that the international schedule will make things tricky. Every Test nation is involved in one series or another before the end of the county season.”We’ll look at options and decide if there is one that will enhance our squad,” Steward said. “If there isn’t anyone we feel would better the squad, then we won’t sign one. All that will be looked at over the next four weeks.”It remains to be seen just how much Championship cricket Kevin Pietersen will play. He arrives at the club in the next few days from captaining the Dehli Daredevils in the IPL and will line up for Surrey in their NatWest T20 Blast fixture against Middlesex on Friday evening. Primarily on a T20 contract, he has no obligation to play four day or even 50-over cricket, but has the option to make himself available for either of those formats.Pietersen is also set to play in the Caribbean Premier League for the St Lucia Zouks, but Stewart confirmed that Pietersen’s involvement in the competition will not involve missing T20 games for Surrey.

Martin Snedden, the New Zealand Cricket director, has backed N Srinivasan’s confirmation as ICC’s first chairman after the restructuring of the organisation. He said the Indian Supreme Court’s decision not to interfere in Srinivasan’s ICC appointment had guided NZC’s decision.Srinivasan had been barred from carrying out his duties as BCCI president by the Supreme Court, which is currently investigating allegations of fixing and corruption in IPL 2013. While the court turned down Srinivasan’s appeal to be reinstated within the BCCI, it did not stop him from representing the Indian board at the ICC and he was confirmed as the world governing body’s first chairman at the annual conference in Melbourne on Thursday. Snedden said NZC had studied the situation and had even sought external advice before backing Srinivasan in the ICC.”There was a conflict of interest because the investigations related to his son-in-law [Chennai Super Kings team principal Gurunath Meiyappan concerning bets he placed on matches],” Snedden, who represents New Zealand on the ICC board, told . “Mr Srinivasan said ‘Okay, I’ll step aside’*. Three times the Supreme Court has been asked to exclude him from ICC affairs and each time they have said ‘No, it’s not our business so we won’t interfere’. That alone is a tool to guide us. No one knows what the allegations are. They’re under the Supreme Court seal and they don’t want to risk damaging innocent reputations.”It’s the highest court in India; it’s not like anyone can point the finger and say it’s a shonky investigation. Ultimately they’ll drive that to a conclusion, the findings will be made public and the ICC will have to deal with what comes out of it. At least then we’ll be dealing with something factual … That’s not fair on Mr Srinivasan and it’s not good process.”Pragmatism was also a factor in NZC’s decision to back the Big Three boards, Snedden said. He admitted that the board did not believe a coalition of smaller members could withstand pressure from the BCCI, the ECB and CA. Snedden had been supportive of the proposed revamp by the three boards in January, and had also backed the BCCI’s demand for a greater share of the revenue, explaining that the Indian market had “escalated out of proportion”.”Confronted with a situation where Australia and England had already agreed with India [to be permanent members on the five-member executive committee], you were dealing with three countries,” Snedden said. “In those circumstances we didn’t think they were bluffing, nor did we think any coalition among other members could withstand their pressure. There were all sorts of comments that it was bad for cricket and we’d stop playing the big guys but, in the four to five months since, we’re about to put the finishing touches to a future tours programme until 2023 which doesn’t disadvantage any of the smaller [Full Member] countries.”We’re also about to sell commercial rights to world events from 2015-2023 with India’s support. In terms of stability we’re miles ahead of a position where we were left guessing what stance India would take.”*

Duncan Fletcher, the India coach, has said that his players were “overconfident” on the tours to South Africa and New Zealand and ended up complicating their games, something he wants them to learn from and avoid in England.India lost their last two Test series overseas by a 1-0 margin. They set South Africa a target of 458 in the first Test in Johannesburg, before the hosts held on for a thrilling draw, finishing within striking distance of the target. The second Test was claimed by South Africa, who won by 10 wickets, chasing down India’s target of 58. In New Zealand, India fell 40 runs short in the first Test and were then thwarted by New Zealand, who saved the second Test after being dismissed for 192 in the first innings.”With these young boys I felt they could have been a little overconfident when they went to South Africa and New Zealand because they had done so well in India,” Fletcher told . “As the series went, it made them realise that playing away from home is very difficult. They believe that they have learnt from those tours and so there is positivity in the camp but the overconfidence has gone. But again, until you actually go out there and play a game, you will never know if you actually have learnt.”The biggest mistake the India players committed, according to Fletcher, was making their games complicated. “The batsmen, for instance, tried to bat a little too differently than they would in India,” he said. “The only actual difference was they had to get used to a bit more bounce. Because of this bounce, when it comes to the short ball, you just have to make up your mind whether you’re going to play or leave it. In India, you can play it on a consistent basis.”For the bowlers the length changes a little; you have to bowl a bit fuller when you go overseas. And it’s not an easy thing to do, especially for a young bowler. You’ve been groomed and trained your brain to bowl a certain way and even if the difference is only 6-12 inches, it’s not easy to make the change instantly and that too under pressure.”We see experienced international players’ games altering under pressure. Now here is an inexperienced side with players who are still learning their game and they will take time to get used to the varied challenges.”India are without Zaheer Khan in England and though Ishant Sharma has played 55 Tests, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron have a combined 13 Tests between them, and Ishwar Pandey and Pankaj Singh are yet to debut. Fletcher said that while his pace attack was raw, it had a lot of variety.”The bowlers are pretty inexperienced. We haven’t really got anyone to lead the group and we haven’t taken 20 wickets in a Test since quite a while now. But for once we have a good variety in our pace attack. They are still pretty inexperienced but experience can also come from learning quickly, and we hope they have done that. It will be so very crucial for them as a unit to stay disciplined and not try too much. It’s just about ensuring that we get these young men’s minds right.”The BCCI had asked former India captain Rahul Dravid to spend some time with the team ahead of the series on the team management’s request. Fletcher said Dravid’s presence would help not only the batsmen, but also the bowlers, who the coach wanted to think like batsmen do.”People would think I have called him to help the batsmen,” Fletcher said. “But actually it’s as much for the bowlers. What people don’t understand is that the bowlers think like bowlers. I want Rahul to talk to them and make them think like batsmen. That way they will know what areas a batsman likes and doesn’t like, which will help them a great deal in forming their strategies. The problem is that the Indian bowlers don’t bat or practise batting when they’re playing domestic cricket. And so, while they understand their bowling, they don’t understand batting.”Rahul can play a role right through. His approach and his character is so good. I’ve really enjoyed talking cricket with Rahul. I really rated him and wanted him back in the side for some time now. We’ve had some chats since he got here and discussed various ideas and possibilities. What I also like about him is that he can relate to the players culturally. Also, if a player gets the same message from more than one person, he is going to be more convinced about it.”Dravid was India’s most successful batsman on the previous tour of England in 2011 and since then, the team has been in transition since with several experienced players retiring or being dropped. Fletcher said his coaching methods had also changed as he had to deal with young players now.”Fortunately for me, I went through a similar phase with England where the older players were left out or retired and a whole new generation of cricketers came in. The major difference is that with the older ones you just sit back and let them come to you. No matter how good and experienced one is, bad habits sometimes creep in and you’ve got to help them get rid of those small bad habits without being too overbearing.”The younger players are a bit reluctant because they don’t understand their game fully. So, you’ve got to go to them and talk to them. However, you have to make sure you send the message very clearly because otherwise they can get confused and start making their game more difficult. You keep the communication very simple and don’t make more than one change at a time, even though some players might require more than one change – technically and mentally. The key is to change only one link of the chain at a time. If you change two, you don’t know which one will confuse the player. That’s why it takes time. Cricket is not an easy game to improve at in a short time.”

ScorecardBen Duckett made his maiden Championship century•PA Photos

Ben Duckett’s maiden first-class century turned the match at Taunton and gave Northamptonshire a rare victory opportunity going into the final day.When the 19-year-old wicketkeeper walked to the crease, the division’s bottom side were 194 for 6 and still 120 behind on first innings. By the time they declared on 448 for 9, it was with a lead of 134 and the England Under-19 player unbeaten on 144.Duckett, whose previous best first-class score was 56, reached his hundred with a six over midwicket off Alfonso Thomas and went on to clear the ropes twice more as well as hitting 14 fours in his 210-ball innings.Solid support from James Middlebrook, who made 61, helped build a healthy advantage against a Somerset team who looked as though the end of the season could not come quickly enough. By the close, the hosts had reached 38 without loss in their second innings from nine overs.The third day began with Northants on 135 for 4. They progressed to 173 before Adam Rossington was caught behind for 27, driving at Thomas. Rob Keogh pulled a six off Lewis Gregory on his way to 34 before edging Thomas to second slip where Marcus Trescothick took a comfortable catch.Somerset looked to be on top at lunch, which was taken with Northants 214 for 6 and still trailing by 100. But the afternoon session saw Duckett and Middlebrook complete a century stand in 31.5 overs.Duckett was first to 50 off 93 balls, with five fours, while Middlebrook reached the same landmark off 104 deliveries, with seven boundaries and brought the 300 up with a pulled four off Craig Overton. The partnership was worth 117 when Middlebrook misjudged a back-foot shot off Peter Trego and was caught at cover by Gregory.David Willey was bowled for 8 having a swing at left-arm spinner Jack Leach and tea was reached with Northants 344 for 8 and Duckett on 73.Andrew Hall proved a reliable partner and contributed 31 to a ninth-wicket stand of 57 before falling lbw on the front foot to Thomas, whose four wickets took him past 50 in first-class cricket this season.If Somerset thought their troubles were over at 384 for 9, Duckett had other ideas. After reaching his ton in spectacular style, the diminutive youngster went on the attack, dominating an unbroken last-wicket stand of 64 with Azharullah, who made only 5.Twice Duckett blasted Johann Myburgh for sixes as Somerset’s fielding fell apart. He was dropped on 117 and 134, the latter error by Thomas off a skyer to mid-on being greeted by hoots of derision from home supporters. Duckett rode his luck, also surviving a number of lbw appeals and playing and missing every now and then, to the frustration of the Somerset attack, but he left the field to a deserved ovation after an innings he will long remember.The declaration on Northants’ highest score of the season left Somerset with a tricky period to negotiate but Trescothick and Myburgh looked in little trouble.A delighted Duckett said: “I’m very happy. I didn’t get runs in the last game but have been working hard on my technique. I had a bit of luck today and tried to cash in on it at the end of my innings. I’ve come in at a similar stage in a few games this year and got starts without managing a big score. I was in the fifties for a while today because I was concentrating hard on going on.”I hope it proves a breakthrough innings for me. I’ve made hundreds before but not on the big stage. Now I know how to build an innings, fingers crossed I can take this form forward with me. Some balls kept low and others popped a bit. There was also swing so if we can have a good first session tomorrow we should be able to put Somerset under pressure.”Somerset’s Trego added: “We had some incredibly bad luck. It was the sort of day that happens once every couple of years because our bowlers went so close to wickets on so many occasions.”The pitch is tired and slow. Northants will have to bowl well to win the game, but we know they have some quality performers. Some of the intensity went out of our play as they built a lead that meant we couldn’t win the game.”

Graeme Swann hit back at criticism from Graham Gooch over his decision to retire mid-way through England’s ill-fated Ashes tour last winter, saying his only regret was going on the tour in the first place.Swann defended his call to retire ahead of the fourth Test with England already 3-0 down and the Ashes lost. He claimed his elbow injury had become so severe he could not bowl and his continued selection was actually harmful to England. He took just seven wickets at 80.00 in the first three Tests of the series.Graeme Swann retired from all cricket three Tests into the five-match Ashes series last winter•Getty Images

But Gooch, England’s former batting coach, told the that Swann’s decision was “criminal” and made England “a laughing stock”. “I cannot understand why he couldn’t stick it out until the end of the trip,” Gooch said. “It left a bad taste.”Swann stands by his decision: “I don’t think it is right and proper to carry on in a sport when you are a hindrance to the team,” Swann said, speaking as a ambassador. “Some people think differently; some people think you should carry on regardless, but I don’t and I never will.”Swann had surgery for the second time on his right elbow in March 2013 – eight months before the Ashes tour – but recovered to take 26 wickets, the highest tally of either side, in the home Ashes series that preceded the tour that England lost 5-0, after which Gooch was sacked as England’s batting coach.”Gooch is very old-school,” Swann said. “We haven’t sat down and talked about it to get my perspective. Then he would see the reasons why I did it. I just couldn’t turn the cricket ball, which, as a spin bowler, means you are useless to your team. It wasn’t a form thing, it was succumbing to the inevitable.”In retrospect, I shouldn’t have gone on the tour at all. I wish I had read the signs more rather than just thinking James Anderson will get 30 wickets, I will only have to hold one end up, I will be fine and we will win the Ashes. That is my only regret.”Swann, who took 255 Test wickets for England, also said the storm over Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography will quickly pass. Swann is named in the book as one of the “bullies” who divided England’s dressing room – allegations Swann strongly rebukes.”Someone is trying to sell a book at the moment, in two weeks’ time no one will give a monkey’s,” Swann said. “You can’t talk for other people but I think Pietersen has not done himself any favours in the long run. But Kev’s always been different. Certain things that people have been led to believe didn’t happen. The very fact is that people have been interviewed and no one is supporting these claims.”There might have been a cleaner way of doing things and there would certainly have been a lot less blood-letting.”

The turmoil in Rajasthan cricket has resulted in fast bowler Rituraj Singh moving to Jharkhand. Rituraj had no hesitation in spelling out his reasons behind changing states, saying he felt the Rajasthan team is far from being stable or in the right mindset to tackle the 2014-15 season.”The team hadn’t been in a great shape. Even though it was confirmed that Rajasthan will feature in the domestic season, I was getting a feeling that the team was far from stable. And when a team is in such a mindset, the players may suffer, so I thought it was best to see if I could get an opportunity anywhere else,” Rituraj told ESPNcricinfo, adding, “And I am glad that Jharkhand happened – I was born in Jharkhand, formerly Bihar.”As a result, while Rajasthan XI will open their one-day campaign in Nagpur on Friday, Rituraj will be training with his new team-mates in Kolkata ahead of Jharkhand’s one-day opener on Sunday.Rajasthan XI was put together courtesy a court ruling, after the BCCI had suspended the Rajasthan Cricket Association and subsequently left Rajasthan out of its domestic programme for 2014-15. The BCCI had suspended the RCA in May for electing Lalit Modi, an expelled administrator, as its president. The sequence of events resulted in much angst among the players, and eventually the filing of a writ petition. The Rajasthan High Court then passed an interim order appointing selection committees to pick teams to represent the state in various BCCI domestic tournaments, but not under the RCA banner.Against this background, Rituraj, who has emerged one of the most promising young pace bowlers in domestic cricket over the last three years, made his move. He is not built like a fast bowler but he has displayed on numerous occasions an uncanny ability to generate pace and bounce. The highlights of his career so far were his memorable spells in the Ranji semi-final and final of in his debut season: his match figures of 12 for 80 helped Rajasthan scrape past Haryana and make it to the final, and then in the final against Tamil Nadu Rituraj emerged as Rajasthan’s highest wicket-taker to help them register their second successive Ranji title in 2011-12.RCA’s issues with the BCCI aside, Rituraj had also had personal issues with Rajasthan’s selectors previously. Reportedly, as a result of that, even after representing India A in New Zealand in 2012-13, he was selected for only four of Rajasthan’s eight league games.Rituraj didn’t want to elaborate on the treatment meted out to him by the selectors, but confirmed that it was a factor in his decision to turn professional. “I have had some issues with the association, so I thought it would be in my interest if I look for a team where I can focus solely on cricket,” he said.The pitches in Jaipur, be it the Sawai Mansingh Stadium or the KL Saini Stadium, are conducive for fast bowlers. The conditions in Jharkhand, though, both in Ranchi and Jamshedpur, are considered to be a nightmare for the bowlers. But Rituraj isn’t bothered.”When you want to excel at the highest level, you have got to pick wickets in all conditions,” he said. “And I am confident that I have it in me to come good irrespective of the conditions. I hope I can deliver for Jharkhand.”Jharkhand have had a topsy-turvy ride in the Ranji Trophy over the last few seasons. After finishing second in the Group C in 2012-13, Jharkhand were promoted to the top tier last season but were relegated to the lowest rung again after finishing at the bottom of Group A. However, the team is considered to be a better limited-overs unit, and Rituraj feels the fact that the one-day tournament will be played before the Ranji Trophy will help the team. “Let’s hope we can do well and carry that confidence into the Ranji Trophy. I hope I can contribute handsomely and justify the faith Jharkhand cricket fraternity has shown in me.”

Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s suspended offspinner, will undergo unofficial testing on his remodelled bowling action at Loughborough University on Monday. Based on results from his unofficial testing, the PCB intends to apply to the ICC for an official reassessment ahead of the 2015 World Cup.Over the last one month Ajmal has been working on his action at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, under the supervision of former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Ajmal is reckoned to have significantly reduced the flex in his elbow, though any change is yet to be measured since he has been working without the aid of a biomechanics lab at the NCA.Working under Saqlain Mushtaq, Saeed Ajmal is reckoned to have significantly reduced the flex in his elbow•AFP

Ajmal will depart for England on November 8, and will undergo testing by Dr. Mark King, a member of the ICC Panel of Human Movement Specialists, on November 10 at Loughborough, the ICC’s latest accredited unit for testing illegal bowling actions.”I have made some changes to my action and I am comfortable with the new action,” Ajmal said at the NCA on Thursday. “I am also confident whenever I am back I will be as effective as before. I have already undergone some informal tests under the supervision of our experts so I am going to England confident of clearing the tests.”Ajmal, who turned 37 last month, was suspended from bowling in international cricket by the ICC in September. He was reported after the first Test of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in Galle this August. Subsequent testing of his action at an ICC-accredited facility in Brisbane found his average elbow extension to be more than twice the permissible limit.In Ajmal’s absence Pakistan brought in left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and legspinner Yasir Shah, who took 14 and 12 wickets respectively during Pakistan’s 2-0 Test series win over Australia in the UAE. Australia though remained unbeaten in the limited-overs leg of the tour.”There was never a sense of competition with them and I am happy for the newcomers for their performances recently,” Ajmal said. “I never felt any insecurity with the presence of any spinner in the Pakistan domestic circuit as everyone who does the hand work reaps the fruit.”I was probably the first one who during my playing days pointed out many potential spinners like Adnan Rasool. So there was never any competition. The important thing is victory of Pakistan and whoever plays it’s the performance that matters. Sadly I wasn’t part of Pakistan team that beat Australia and I do miss playing for Pakistan but it’s all about destiny.”Saqlain, whose one-month contract ended on October 24, sees a realistic chance of Ajmal clearing the test. But in case Ajmal fails next week’s unofficial test in Loughborough, PCB intend to re-hire Saqlain to assist Ajmal in England with the help of biomechanics facilities.