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Rahul Dravid – legend Who Goes Unnoticed

2010-08-09T22:23:00.002+05:30

This piece is not about his runs, his centuries or his partnership – we have millions of articles dedicated on this facet. So let us move above all this! This article is about Rahul – the generous soul whose attitude makes him stand tall above others, this article is about RAHUL SHARAD DRAVID!

Rahul Dravid, the Wall of Indian Cricket team for decades is one man who hates to see a fall! Every single time, this man has risen out of ashes, just like a phoenix and went on to create histories after histories. This selfless man sees the benefit of his team before seeing his advantages. Rather, there is no such word like “personal benefit” in his own dictionary. He may not be a Tendulkar, who is applauded as GOD in the history of world cricket, but what is his fault that he was born in his era? Rahul is the only batsman who has scored more than 10,000 runs in both the formats after Sachin Tendulkar! But this is also true that there cannot be two gods at one time. So, this selfless creature has been given the status of “The Wall” and “Mr. Dependable” and has been kept behind curtains since ages!

Many emerging cricketers can only dream of what Rahul has done for the Indian cricket – fighting so many battles and bringing glory to his country! With his warrior like attitude and amazing approach to the game, he has and will become one of the greatest icons of the world cricket. But if you are one of his CRITICS, this piece of writing would hold no relevance to you and you would keep on ignoring his contributions one after another! You will find fault in his innings where he managed to score just 15 or 20 runs and would babble about his failure to score a century just like a Sachin or a Sehwag, who managed to make centuries in the same match. But what about the matches where his sweat spoke for his achievements? These critics would not utter a single word in his praise when this icon makes a double century or pour his heart out in saving a match on any given day! But these are CRITICS for you! You can’t help but to ignore them!

I know he does not have centuries like Tendulkar, killer-instinct like Ganguly, or strike rate like that of Sehwag, but one thing which makes him superior over others is his selfless, generous and unselfish approach towards his love for this game! And this facet is enough to shut the mouths of all those critics who babble about this icon. In this team, where we have all the politics running in the veins, players fighting to get slots, planning conspiracies for acquiring the position of a captain, we have one such player who thinks above all these aspects – he is Rahul Dravid!

Somewhere in all these years, Rahul never got his due as a player! But can we question about his adherence and devotion for his team. Has he ever refused to bat at any position, which was allotted to him? Has he ever denied keeping wickets at the time when he was struggling with bat? He managed to handle both the responsibilities at the same time, just because Indian team needed to accommodate the position of one extra batsman in the team!

Here is what legendary spin bowler Shane Warne wrote in his anecdote:

“The fortress could also describe Rahul. Because once, Dravid was set, you needed the bowling equivalent of a dozen cannon firing all at once to blast him down.”

But this is Rahul Dravid for you! Lack of acknowledgement never de-motivated him! He has still maintained that selfless approach towards life and his love – Cricket! No matter the selectors pick him or drop him, he will continue making contributions in the Indian cricket with his selfless, yet (intentionally) unnoticed efforts!

I am hoping his lack of runs in this current test series against Sri Lanka does not go against his favor! And I can only call it an irony that legend like Rahul Dravid would now be seen less and less in the coming years! (Good news for his CRITICS, but bad news for all we Rahul Dravid lovers out there). But “Such is Life”!

Source:http://blog.abhinav.com/

Miracle-Kettles-Photos-Amazing-Wallpapers

2009-09-11T18:42:00.004+05:30

Miracle Kettles in the Gift

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2009-09-08T13:43:00.003+05:30

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2009-09-04T10:42:00.003+05:30

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2009-09-04T10:39:00.003+05:30

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2009-09-04T10:37:00.003+05:30

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Nature By Arif Tanju.

2009-09-01T17:02:00.001+05:30

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2009-08-27T12:39:00.004+05:30

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Amazing-Wallpapers-of-Aral-Sea

2009-08-26T11:31:00.003+05:30

The Aral Sea lies in Central Asia, in former Soviet Republics of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
Due to Soviet redirection of the Sea's sources, the Aral Sea has been steadily shrinking since the 1960s.
So unfortunately there is not much left.

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Amazing-Flowers-Wallpapers-Blue-Roses

2009-08-26T11:24:00.003+05:30

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2009-08-25T17:11:00.005+05:30

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2009-08-25T17:09:00.003+05:30

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2009-08-25T16:51:00.005+05:30

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Beautiful Flowers, Amazing Wallpapers of Flowers

2009-08-24T11:33:00.003+05:30

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Eastern Make Up, Beautiful Girls, Cool Wallpapers

2009-08-22T10:10:00.003+05:30

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Cute Animal Twins, Beautiful Wallpapers, Animal Wallpapers, Birds wallpapers

2009-08-22T10:04:00.005+05:30

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Muttiah Muralitharan creates another world records

2009-08-21T16:28:00.001+05:30

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan today surpassed Australia's Shane Warne in creating a new world record by bowling the highest number of maiden overs in Test cricket.

Muralitharan, playing in his 128th Test currently underway against the New Zealand, overtook Warne's record by bowling his 1752nd maiden over at the Galle Stadium. Warne has bowled 1751 maidens in his 145-Test career.

Muralitharan set up the record when he bowled the 79th over of the first innings during the first Test for a maiden.

It was the 27th over of Murali and the batsman on the crease against whom the deliveries were bolwed was all-rounder Jacob Oram.

Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in both Tests and in ODIs. He took the wicket of Gautham Gambhir in February this year in Colombo, to surpass Wasim Akram's ODI record of 502 wickets.

The 37-year-old Muralitharan became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket when he overtook the previous record-holder Shane Warne in December 2007.

source by:cricbuzz.com

Goodwin makes landmark triple century

2009-08-21T16:26:00.001+05:30

Former Zimbabwe batsman Murray Goodwin made the sixth highest score in the history of English county cricket as his 344 not out helped Sussex reach 742-5 against Somerset on Thursday.

Goodwin's innings lasted 351 balls and included 43 fours and six sixes before Sussex declared.

The 36-year-old's mammoth score was a new individual record for Sussex and his team's total was their highest ever, beating the previous best of 705-8 declared against Surrey in 1902.

Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara holds the record for the highest score in first class cricket with an innings of 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994.

source by:cricbuzz.com

Amazing Fireworks, Cool Wallpapers, Amazing Wallpaper

2009-08-19T16:13:00.005+05:30

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Amazing Photos, Wallpapers of Flowers

2009-08-19T13:09:00.002+05:30

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Amazing WINTER Wallpaper, Really Cool Wallpapers

2009-08-19T11:02:00.004+05:30

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2009-08-18T19:21:00.004+05:30

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Coventry equals Anwar's ODI record

2009-08-18T18:53:00.003+05:30

Charles Coventry - with a highest of 74 before Sunday in One-Day Internationals - equaled Saeed Anwar's record of playing the highest individual innings in ODIs with an unbeaten 194 from 156 balls.

Had the non-striker Prosper Utseya showed some commonsense and given him the strike in the last over, Coventry would have broken the world record and could have also become the first batsman to score a double-century in ODIs.

Score Batsman Opponents Venue Date
194* CK Coventry (Zim) v Bangladesh Bulawayo 16-08-2009
194 Saeed Anwar (Pak) v India Chennai 21-05-1997
189* IVA Richards (WI) v England Old Trafford 31-05-1984
189 ST Jayasuriya (SL) v India Sharjah 29-10-2000
188* G Kirsten (SA) v U.A.E. Rawalpindi 16-02-1996
186* SR Tendulkar (Ind) v New Zealand Hyderabad (Ind) 08-11-1999
183* MS Dhoni (Ind) v Sri Lanka Jaipur 31-10-2005
183 SC Ganguly (Ind) v Sri Lanka Taunton 26-05-1999
181* ML Hayden (Aus) v New Zealand Hamilton 20-02-2007
181 IVA Richards (WI) v Sri Lanka Karachi 13-10-1987

source by:cricketnext.in.com

Sehwag shaping well for Champions Trophy: Dhoni

2009-08-13T19:08:00.003+05:30

Virender Sehwag, recuperating from a shoulder surgery, was shaping well for the Champions Trophy, according to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who said the dashing opener may however not be ready for the tri-series in Sri Lanka in early September.

"He is improving every day. He is putting in a lot of effort to get ready for the Champions Trophy," Dhoni said on Thursday.

On Sehwag's chances of playing in the tri-series in Sri Lanka starting on September 8, Dhoni hinted the batsman may have to sit out of the event.

"It's (tri-series) too soon, with just a few days to go," he said.

Sehwag had injured his shoulder during the semifinal of the second edition of the Indian Premier League in South Africa and he underwent a surgery for the the Grade II lesion at a Nottingham hospital in June.

Since then, Sehwag has been following a rehabilitation programmed, which makes him doubtful not only for the September 8-14 tri-series in Sri Lanka but also cast a cloud of doubt over his availability for the Champions Trophy in South Africa starting on September 22.

Dhoni said apart from Sehwag, there were no other injury issues and the players looked in perfect shape for a hectic schedule ahead.

"We just had a mid-term fitness test and we'll have a camp before the tri-series to get back into the groove and get ready for the long season ahead," Dhoni said.

The Indian captain was here to announce the second season of the September 9-13 Kolkata Fashion Week, of which he is the brand ambassador.

Dhoni had appeared in fashion shows along with model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone.
Asked if he would team up with the actress again at the Kolkata Fashion Week this year, Dhoni's reply had the audience in splits.

"During the period, I would not be in Kolkata. I will be playing in Sri Lanka. So I'll be walking the ramp there with the likes of Yuvraj Singh and fellow cricketers from New Zealand and Sri Lanka," he quipped.

On a serious note, Dhoni said Kolkata was close to his heart since he played a lot of cricket here early in his career.

"Right from my under-13, under-16 and under-19 days when I was playing for Bihar, now Jharkhand, a number of times we played at Eden Gardens.

"Apart from that, I used to play P Sen Trophy for Shyam Bazar Club and I remember a good innings against East Bengal.

I played a number of Ranji matches against Bengal at Eden," he recalled.

"When I was working with Railways in Kharagpur, I spent quite a good time here. I understand Bengali, can speak a bit. Kolkata is very close to my heart," he said.

source by:cricketnext.in.com

Siddle, Clark put Aussies on top in fourth Test

2009-08-08T13:14:00.002+05:30

Peter Siddle took his Test-best figures and Stuart Clark marked his return to international cricket with three wickets as Australia bowled out England for just 102 at Healingly here on Friday.

England, who won the toss, were routed on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test with Siddle taking five wickets for 21 runs in 9.5 overs and Clark three for 18 in 10 as Australia looked to level the five-match series at 1-1.

Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, then made 78, before falling short of his third hundred at Headingley in as many Tests, to help his side to 196 for four at stumps - a lead of 94.

Michael Clarke was 34 not out and Marcus North seven not out after Ponting and opener Shane Watson shared a second-wicket stand of 119.

Clarke was hit flush on the helmet by a Stephen Harmison bouncer on 27 and then, after several minutes of treatment, survived a huge appeal for caught behind following another short ball from the Durham quick.

Australia were on the verge of building an impregnable lead when fast bowler Stuart Broad took two wickets for four runs in six balls to have both Ponting and Michael Hussey lbw.

Australia, who had lost three wickets for 18 runs in 19 balls in total, were then 151 for four.

But that was nothing compared to England's collapse.

Clark took three wickets in quick succession as England, who won the toss, slumped to 72 for six at lunch before Siddle polished off the tail with four wickets for three runs in 14 balls.

Matt Prior (37 not out) and opener Alastair Cook (30) were the only England batsmen to make it into double figures in an innings that featuring four naught and lasted less than 34 overs.

Clark, after Australia dropped off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, made a dramatic return in what was his first Test in nine months after an elbow injury and selectorial preference had kept him out.

The 33-year-old upheld his reputation for economical accuracy by taking three wickets for five runs in 21 balls.

source by:cricketnext.in.com

Sehwag eyes Champion trophy return

2009-08-08T13:12:00.004+05:30

After being out of action for over two months following a shoulder injury that needed surgery, dashing opener Virender Sehwag is hoping to return to top-notch cricket through the ICC Champions Trophy next month.

"I am hoping to play in the ICC Champions Trophy. My rehabilitation is going well," said the Delhi marauder on the sidelines of a book release function here on Friday.

Sehwag sustained the shoulder injury during the semi-finals of the Indian Premier League in South Africa in May while captaining Delhi Daredevils against eventual winners Deccan Chargers.

He was in the Indian squad for the World T20 Cup in England but could not play any part because of the injury to his right shoulder that needed surgery.

Sehwag underwent a surgery on June 11 after a lesion was identified in the injured shoulder and he was ruled out of action from between 12 to 16 weeks. The lesion was expected to heal in six weeks.

Indian team's physio Nitin Patel was given the task of monitoring Sehwag's rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

The Champions Trophy, earlier termed the Mini World Cup, is also to be held in South Africa from September 22.

Sehwag said he will start batting practice from the first week of September and is now able to lift 10 kg with his injured shoulder. "But I can't throw or bowl yet," he said.

As a first step towards a recall into the Indian team, Sehwag, who has played in 69 Tests and 205 ODIs in which he has amassed a combined 12,000-plus runs, at a fabulous strike rate of close to 90, is to visit the NCA in Bangalore on August 15.

"I am set to go to Bangalore (NCA) on August 15 (for assessment of his progress from injury), said the ace batsman who has 26 hundreds to his credit in Tests and ODIs combined.

Significantly, the Indian selectors are to meet on August 16 to pick the Champions Trophy squad, as well as the ODI squad for the triangular series in Sri Lanka preceding it, on the next day at Chennai.

Sehwag's selection for the ICC event would depend on the report that would be sent by the Indian team physiotherapist ahead of the selection panel meeting. He has been visiting the NCA after his surgery as part of his rehab process.

If he fails to make the cut for the Champions Trophy the next target is the seven-match ODI series against World Cup champions Australia that commences on October 25.

source by:cricketnext.in.com

I want to score heavily in Test matches: Virender Sehwag

2009-08-07T17:22:00.003+05:30

India's only batsman to hit two triple centuries, opener Virender Sehwag says his penchant to hit big centuries in Tests was driven by critics doubting his caliber in the longer version of the game.

"In Test matches I'm very cautious. I want to score more runs and I want to score big runs and I want to prove everyone wrong because when I came to the Indian team everybody was saying 'He's only a one-day player, he cannot bat in Test cricket'," he said on an ICC talk show.

The Delhi-dasher is currently undergoing rehabilitation after a surgery to be fit for September's ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Often compared to Tendulkar, Sehwag said he always wanted to emulate the little master.

"I wanted to become a Tendulkar, but that's not possible because he is a God of cricket. When I was watching him on television, I tried to copy every single shot."

Sehwag was sent home from England during the ICC World Twenty20 because of a shoulder injury sustained during the second edition of the Indian Premier League.

source by: cricketnext.in.com

Yuvraj defends stand against WADA

2009-08-06T18:53:00.003+05:30

Hitting back at sportspersons criticising cricketers for not signing an anti-doping clause, Indian batsman Yuvraj Singh today said playing to a cramped calendar makes it necessary for cricketers to guard their privacy in a brief off-season.

Several Olympians, including Beijing gold medal-winning shooter Abhinav Bindra have ridiculed the cricketers' privacy and security apprehensions with regards to the 'Whereabouts Clause' of the WADA anti-doping code which requires athletes to furnish their location three months in advance for out of competition tests.

Yuvraj said while the athletes from other sports were entitled to their opinions, the cricketers' concerns were not without basis either.

"I feel we are travelling more. We are playing a lot of time in a year and we should be given more space with due respect to other sports," Yuvraj told a news channel.

"After nine months of playing, we come home for just 10 days. We don't want somebody to intrude our privacy for dope tests during that small period. We have put out our points in front of the BCCI and they will speak to the ICC," he added.

The feisty left-hander said athletes from other sports don't have to travel abroad as much as the cricketers have to.

"Their sports and our sport is different. We play more and we get very little time with our families. They have their opinions but we have our concerns and we have conveyed them," he said.

Source by: Cricketnext.in.com

Ashes defeat will see Australia drop to No. 4

2009-08-06T18:52:00.002+05:30

Australia must win against England at both Headingley and the Oval to retain their No. 1 Test ranking, as an Ashes series defeat would precipitate a stunning fall from grace which would relegate Ricky Ponting's side to fourth place on the ICC Test ladder behind South Africa, Sri Lanka and India.

A drawn series will place them second after Graeme Smith's men. Either rain or England could seal Australia's demise in the coming weeks.

The tourists require victory at both Headingley and the Oval to retain their No. 1 Test ranking, but a bleak weather forecast for Yorkshire could greatly reduce their chances of forcing a result in the fourth Test.

Australia have won just five of their past 14 Tests, three of which were against the South Africans, and their inability to register a victory in the first three Tests of the Ashes series has drawn Smith's side to within two points of the top ranking.
Mickey Arthur, who so very nearly engineered Australia's overthrow earlier this year, was adamant his side was worthy of recognition as the world's premier Test side, even if rain proves the deciding factor.

"I have been following the rankings a little bit, and I don't think we would be out of place at all (with the No. 1 ranking) if that was to happen," the Dawn quoted Arthur as saying.

"We have played some very solid cricket over the past 18 months. We defeated England, Australia and Pakistan away, and we are certainly proud of that. But whatever happens, I think what is clear is that there is very little now between us, Australia, India and even England. That's healthy for the game."

Arthur has been under whelmed by Australia's performances over the course of the Ashes, having previously predicted them to comfortably account for England.

Like Andrew Strauss, Arthur feels the Australians have lost their aura, but warned England against underestimating them in the final two Tests of the Ashes series.

Tendulkar rates Chennai Test ton as his best

2009-08-06T18:50:00.001+05:30

The century hit by master blaster Sachin Tendulkar against England just after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks gave him more satisfaction in comparison to his other tons in all varieties of the game, as it brought back smiles on the faces of terror hit Indians.

Tendulkar was a 14-year-old schoolboy, when Dilip Vengsarkar, then the Indian captain, judged him ready to play first-class cricket and he went on to hit 208 centuries in all forms of the game.

"I think the one against England in Chennai last year," he says, without hesitation when asked about his most important innings played so far for India.

"After what happened in Mumbai (the terrorist attacks), the mood of the entire nation was low. Something was needed to put smiles on people’s faces.

"I am by no means suggesting that the people who lost near and dear ones could forget their terrible loss, but if we as a team were able to make them smile for just a couple of seconds, that was an achievement," The Independent quoted Tendulkar, as saying.

"And thanks to the England cricket team who came back very graciously and played against us. You know, cricket in India brings the entire nation together, from the poorest child to a billionaire. We are in a position to make everyone happy, which is very special for me and the whole cricketing fraternity," he said.

He pointed other innings which he considered important were played during his school days.

"I would say that there were a couple in my schooldays that changed my life. In the semi-final of an Under-17s tournament I scored 326 not out, which is when everyone in Mumbai took notice of me. I then scored 346 not out in the final, with Dilip Vengsarkar and Sunil Gavaskar watching."

"I was only 14 at the time, but Vengsarkar wanted me to join the Mumbai first-class team, which contained nine Test players. He had to be sure I was ready. So he invited me to play in the India nets.

"The Indian team had a camp in Mumbai, and he made Kapil Dev and all these guys bowl at me in the nets. After that session he gave a green signal to the selectors," he said in the interview.

The master blaster said that in his first domestic season he scored the highest number of runs for the team.

"There are three trophies in India, and in all three I scored a century on my debut, so my performances were very good, but also the timing was perfect," he said.

Source by: Cricketnext.in.com

Sachin Tendulkar eyes 15000 Test runs, World Cup

2009-08-06T18:43:00.003+05:30

It's been nearly four months since Sachin Tendulkar has taken the field. But his ambitions have not diminished.

In an interview with Wisden Tendulkar has said that he has set his sight on amassing 15,000 runs in Test cricket.

Tendulkar has also spoken about his dream of India winning the 2011 World Cup. India is one of the host nations from the sub-continent.

In the interview Tendulkar also talks about John Buchanan's comments on some Indian players in his new book including himself.

"It is only his opinion; John Buchanan doesn't have to be right all the time. If I couldn't handle short deliveries, then I wouldn't still be scoring runs," he said.

"Maybe he needs to change his opinion. There must be something very wrong with all the bowlers around the world that they have allowed me to score so many runs."
And he has again put to rest any questions on retiring from the game.

"I am not pleased yet with what I have done," he said. "Sunil Gavaskar has told me that I have to get to 15,000 runs. He said he would be angry with me and would come and catch me if I didn't. I admire him so much and to score that many would be a terrific achievement, but that is not the only aim."

Tendulkar also spoke about how he has been consistently playing with pain.
"I always play in pain, all the time. I played with a broken finger for the last three months, but you know when pain is manageable or not, and most of the time I can do it," he said.

"I can still do what I did when I was 25 but the body is changing, so your thought process has to change too. I have had to change how I think, which is about taking less risk," he added.

Don Bradman had said Tendulkar reminded him of himself and the Indian batsman was the only modern player in Bradman''s all-time XI.

Does Tendulkar think the same way about anyone? "I would say Virender Sehwag comes closest to my style."

Tendulkar said he was not thinking about retirement yet but he would know when to quit cricket.

"I will know when it is the right time, I won't have to be dragged away. I am the person who will make the decision and I will know whether I still belong."

He admitted life after cricket wouldn't be easy. "It's a scary thought. It has been there for my whole adult life, it will be difficult, I have been around for a long time, I can imagine when I finish I will long to face just 10 more balls but you have to move."

Source by: Cricketnext.in.com

Ponting becomes Australia's leading Test scorer

2009-07-31T18:13:00.001+05:30

Ricky Ponting became Australia's highest test run-scorer on the second day of the third Ashes test against England on Friday.

Ponting passed Allan Border's mark of 11,174 runs when he reached 25 but he added only 13 more runs before edging a catch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior off England seamer Graham Onions.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland led the congratulations for his captain.

"I have heard Ricky talk about being inspired to win the right to wear the baggy green when, as a kid, his uncle, Tasmanian fast bowler Greg Campbell, was chosen to tour England in 1989," Sutherland said in a statement.

"He is now on his fourth tour to England and while I know personal records are not an interest for him, I also know cricket fans everywhere will celebrate this milestone as a worthy achievement by this extraordinary cricketer."
Former captain Border also praised Ponting.

"Clearly, I am a great admirer, having been involved in Ricky's selection in many great Australian sides, and having enjoyed watching him closely on more occasions than I can remember as a cricket media commentator as well," Border said.

"It is not just the number of runs he has made, it is how he has made them as a dominant force, leading from the front and scoring at a rate previous champions would have regarded as unthinkable."

Ponting moved up to third on the all-time list with 11,188 runs, behind Indian Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 12,773, and West Indian Brian Lara, on 11,953.

Warne, McGrath, Hayden to play in All Star T20 game

2009-07-29T18:31:00.002+05:30

Legends Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Matthew Hayden will return to the field to launch the 2009-10 season in an All Star Twenty20 match at the Gabba in Brisbane, Cricket Australia and the Australia Cricketers' Association announced on Wednesday.

The trio will line-up against a full-strength Australian XI on November 22 before the hosts take on the West Indies and Pakistan at home.

The CA released its ticketing schedule for the 2009-10 international season on Tuesday and the All Star match boasts family friendly ticket prices starting at $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

"I can't wait to be playing back on Australian soil with Pigeon and Haydos and the rest of the crew," Warne said.

"As the All Stars captain I'm really looking forward to working with Australia's new and upcoming players. It will be a great experience to take on the Aussie team and should be a very fun and exciting match for all," he said.

For McGrath, the chance to play with some of the most exciting players in Australia and raise awareness for charity at the same time was too good a chance to pass up.
"The All Star match is a great start to the summer and I'm really looking forward to getting back out on Aussie soil. The match is going to support the Cricket Cares initiative so I encourage all cricket fans to get on board and come along to the match, or watch it on TV," McGrath said.

The All Star Twenty20 match will support Cricket Cares partners The Shane Warne Foundation, McGrath Foundation and Movember Foundation.

After his success in this year's IPL, Hayden is looking forward to stepping foot once again on his beloved Gabba.

"I have really enjoyed my Twenty20 post retirement, and this is a great way to play a game I love in my home town. This match is the perfect way to launch the summer and a great way for me to support the ACA," he said.

Flintoff sleeping with an ice machine to stay fit for the Ashes

2009-07-29T16:46:00.003+05:30

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been sleeping with an ice machine in an attempt to stay fit and help his side win back the Ashes.

According to former fast bowler and now Telegraph cricket correspondent Derek Pringle, Flintoff is seen as an inspirational figure in the England camp, and every effort is being made to keep him fit and running in spite of his pain.

"I have this machine that I put on the knee every night. It gets in the way a little bit. It wraps around my knee and compresses it, half-an-hour on, half-an-hour off, throughout the night," Flintoff said Tuesday. It is not the first time England have used a machine to try to put one over the Australians. In 2005, their use of the Merlin bowling machine was cited as a major factor in combating Shane Warne, though with the wrist-spinner taking 40 wickets in the series its success was relative.

In England's practice on Tuesday, Flintoff undertook a 10-minute trundle at a stump followed by a short net in which he sent down 11 balls.

According to Pringle, reading Flintoff's body language is never easy.

"He looked pensive, especially when sitting down to put his pads on (which he did twice) then, later, while lacing up his bowling boots. Earlier, he spent 10 minutes chatting with Steve Bull, the team psychologist, though this might have been about the weather rather than his personal expectations for this match," says Pringle in his report.

Flintoff is not the only one with fitness.

cloud hanging over him after Ian Bell twisted his right ankle playing football on Monday.

Kevin Pietersen's absence will add more pressure on Flintoff: Ponting

2009-07-29T16:40:00.002+05:30

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels England's star batsman Kevin Pietersen's absence will add more pressure on the Lord's Test hero Andrew Flintoff.

Ponting believes his team had Pietersen's measure during the first two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series but wonders how England will cope without their batting star now he has been ruled out of the series following Achilles tendon surgery.

'If you look at the way we've bowled to him and the way he's played, he's been one of the England batsmen we've been able to put the most pressure on,' Ponting was quoted as saying in Daily Telegraph. 'Ben Hilfenhaus, in particular, has bowled beautifully to him.'

'But he is a massive loss. He's such an X-factor in their side, the way he can score quickly and the ability he has to put the bowlers on the backfoot by putting extra pressure on them.

'I think Pietersen does leave a pretty big hole in their batting. For us, it will be a real positive. It probably puts a bit more pressure back on Flintoff to perform. He has to stand up big time now,' he said.

Ponting also wonders how the inconsistent Ian Bell will feel trying to fill Pietersen's enormous shoes.

'Now England have a much more sound, technically correct, but scratchy player like Bell, if we happen to get him in at the right time he's a pretty nervous sort of bloke as well,' Ponting said.

Symonds contract withdrawn by Cricket Australia Board

2009-06-12T18:03:00.004+05:30

Andrew Symonds` international career appears to be over after Cricket Australia withdrew its offer of a national contract.

The all-rounder has been replaced by South Australian bowler Shaun Tait on the 25-man CA player list for the 2009-10 seasons.

"Cricket Australia has advised Andrew Symonds that his contract offer for the next contract year (starting July 1) has been withdrawn," CA chief operations manager Michael Brown said.

"Selectors have convened and have added (fast bowler) Shaun Tait to the contract list for the coming year."

Brown said Symonds would still be clear to play in Australia and he hoped the big-hitting all-rounder would continue to play for his state Queensland in the domestic competition.

Symonds was sent home before the start of the ICC World Twenty20 for an alcohol-related offence and, according to CA chief executive James Sutherland, it was the 'final straw' after a long and chequered track record off the field.

The first time Symonds was in trouble was four years ago, when he was excluded from the Australian team for a one-day international against Bangladesh in Cardiff after arriving for the match drunk. Australia went on to suffer a shock defeat in the match.

He was then embroiled in the ugly racism row that marred India-Australia relations in the controversy ridden tour in 2008, but he bounced back to make a regular place for himself in both Test matches and ODIs. However, he was back to his wayward behavior when just over nine months ago when he was sent home from Darwin for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting.

After missing the October tour of India, Symonds was recalled for the Test series against New Zealand but again found himself in hot water following a radio interview in which he alleged that Brendon McCullum was "a piece of sh*t", and an altercation with a fan at a Brisbane.

Symonds then missed the latter stages of the Australian summer with a knee injury that required surgery, with Cricket Australia disciplining him for his remarks on McCullum.

Ruled ineligible for selection following that incident in a radio interview, Symonds was not part of the tour to South Africa in February and March but was reinstated in April and offered a new CA contract.

Even as recently as the IPL finals, Symonds had displayed his boorish side, constantly sledging the teenaged Bangalore batsman Manish Pandey.

Overlooked for Ashes selection last month, Symonds was nonetheless included in the ICC World Twenty20 squad but his latest infraction now looks to have brought an end to a controversial international career.

Shaun Tait now has the opportunity to cement himself in the Australian team after being left off the original CA contract offer list.

The paceman injured his hamstring earlier this year but was working to get fit in time to play for the Rajasthan Royals in this year's IPL.

However, CA forbade him from traveling to South Africa for the tournament before he was then left out of the squad for the ICC World Twenty20 and denied a contract offer.

"When you think you are ready to go and play and obviously Cricket Australia had it in their mind, they thought they had it in their mind, they wanted me for future tournaments that was fair enough," Tait said last month.

"But to not let you go, not pick you in a squad and then not give you a contract is a little bit of a kick in the teeth.

"That's the other disappointing thing. I could've gone over and trained with them (Rajasthan) and been around the lads, mingled with 'Warnie' (Shane Warne), he's a great mentor, that would've been good."

But Tait is now back in favor with CA and national selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch expects big things from the quick.

"Shaun at his best is an important part of our one-day international and Twenty20 make-up and I'm sure he will now seize the opportunity presented to him with this offer of a further Australian contract."

Sehwag ruled Out from T20, Karthik is replacement

2009-06-09T18:53:00.002+05:30

Vice captain Virender Sehwag has been ruled out of the ICC World T20 and will return to India for a shoulder injury immediately.
He will be replaced by Dinesh Karthik who had a very good season in the IPL for the Delhi Daredevils.
Sehwag had been on the sidelines ever since the team arrived in England and missed both of India's first two warm-up matches as well as the first game against bangaldesh.
In his absence Rohit Sharma has been opening the innings and has enjoyed a fair bit of success. Sehwag did bat in the nets on Tuesday but ended the session abruptly after feeling uncomfortable.
The decision to send Karthik will come in handy as he can bat both as an opener as well as in the middle order.
Karthik will also be the reserve wicket-keeper. There isn't one available at the moment and there are reports that MS Dhoni's back is giving him trouble and a second keeper would come in handy.

Teammates optimistic of Symonds' return

2009-06-05T18:26:00.003+05:30

His ouster from the Twenty20 World Cup squad notwithstanding, Andrew Symonds continues to enjoy the backing of his teammates, who are convinced that the temperamental all-rounder would return to the Australian squad again.
Speedster Brett Lee described Symonds as "world's greatest guy" and was optimistic of his return to the national team.
"To lose a player of his caliber leaves a big hole in the team but hopefully he will be back shortly," said Lee.
"I'm disappointed he's flying home. As his teammates we will be trying our hardest to make sure he gets back in the Australian cricket team at some stage," he was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
"What's happened with Andrew is a very personal blow to him but as mates we'll be sticking by him and making sure we give him our best advice and the help he needs," the 32-year-old pacer added.
Lee conceded Symonds would be missed in the Twenty20 World Cup but he urged teammates to lift themselves and focus on the job ahead.
"We have to move on. As his teammates we are disappointed that Andrew is going home but we will try to find a way to fill that gap.
"He's a world-class player and to leave a gap like that is not great for the Australian team but we always find a way to fill a void," he said. Fellow pacer Nathan Bracken said he too was sorry to see Symonds leave in such a fashion.
"He's a tremendous talent, he fits in and gets on well with the boys and to say it is the end of his career is a big call," said Bracken.
"He's got the talent and the ability at this level, we all enjoy him being around and enjoy watching him play cricket so hopefully he'll be back shortly.
"When you play professional sport you have very little margin for error and for him it's been tough - to be sent home from a tour is hard so every guy in a way will feel sorry for him," said the left-arm pacer.
An equally sad Mike Hussey said other players need to put behind the episode and concentrate on the job at hand.
"We've got to concentrate on our preparations and make sure we are 100 per cent ready for the West Indies on Saturday. We can't afford to let it affect our preparations," he said.
"I feel bad for the guy, I really hope he can get any issues sorted out and I hope he can still play cricket for Australia because he's shown over a long period of time how good a player he is," he said.

Symonds let Australia down: Ponting

2009-06-05T18:21:00.005+05:30

Australia captain Ricky Ponting says all-rounder Andrew Symonds let himself and the team down with his latest off-field troubles.
Symonds was sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup on Thursday for what Cricket Australia described as an alcohol-related breach of team rules and other violations.
Ponting declined to give specifics of Symonds' behavior, but said the player broke a "number of his own commitments" in the past 24-48 hours and the decision to kick him off the squad was taken "in the bigger picture" of Australian cricket.
"He let himself down, he let his team-mates down and let Cricket Australia down," Ponting said at a news conference at The Oval.
Ponting said Australia are looking for a replacement for Symonds ahead of the team's opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday against West Indies.
"We're all disappointed with what happened over the last 24 hours," he said. "Losing one of the best Twenty20 players in the world is obviously not ideal."
But Ponting said the team would cope without him.
"Hopefully we don't miss a beat from here," he said. "It would be like wishing in a couple of weeks' time that we had McGrath, Hayden and Warne around. That's not going to happen."
A decision on Symonds' future is up to the Cricket Australia board.

Bangladesh eye another upset over India

2009-06-04T18:00:00.002+05:30

Bangladesh are not overawed by holders India and captain Mohammed Ashraful said they would aim to repeat their 2007 ODI World Cup win when they take on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side in their Group A opener of the ICC World Twenty20 on Saturday.
Bangladesh stunned India in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean to plot an early exit of their neighbors from the quadrennial extravaganza and Ashraful said a repeat on Saturday could give them a Super Eights berth in the Twenty20 World Cup.
"Our first goal is the Super Eights but if we have a good start against India, it will give us the confidence of going far in the tournament," Ashraful said.
Bangladesh, who are clubbed with India and Ireland with the top two teams from each group progressing to the Super Eight stage, had also beaten the West Indies in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007.
Ashraful was not unduly perturbed by the two defeats in as many days in the warm-up matches, first a 38-run loss to formidable Australia on Monday and then a six-wicket defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
"This is a format in which any side can beat the other. It's not a lottery but everything depends on how a team plays on that particular day," Ashraful said.

Ganguly begins TV stint with T20 World Cup

2009-06-04T17:56:00.002+05:30

India's most successful captain Sourav Ganguly is set to herald the start of a new innings behind the microphone post-retirement after he was signed by ESPN STAR Sports as an expert analyst for the ICC World Twenty20, commencing in England on Saturday.
Ganguly will be part of an ESPN STAR Sports commentary panel including the likes of Ian Chappell, Ian Bishop, Wasim Akram, Sanjay Manjrekar, Harsha Bhogle and Nasser Hussain.
Ganguly, who will start his stint with the channel from the semi-final stage, said he was excited about his new role, which also comprises interacting with his former teammates.
"I look forward to interviewing my erstwhile teammates. I am very excited about my new role as the ICC World Twenty20 is the biggest event for an analyst like me and I look forward to the semi-finals and the final where I will be commencing my stint with ESS," he said.
R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. Said Ganguly's uncanny ability to read match situations made him fit for the job.
"Sourav is recognized by the cricket fraternity globally as one of the shrewdest captains in the history of the game combined with his extraordinary leadership skills his uncanny ability to read match situations gave the national team a defining edge during his tenure.
"His analysis and his understanding of the modern day game will now lend a new dimension to the overall experience in the commentary box," he added.
STAR Cricket, the 24 hours cricket channel from the ESPN STAR Sports stable, will telecast live all the 27 matches of the tournament.

T20 is about smart thinking, fitness: Sachin

2009-05-22T18:06:00.002+05:30

India's cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar says ageing players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have showed Twenty20 cricket is all about "fitness and smart thinking", breaking the myth that the format is only meant for the youngsters.

"I don't think Twenty20 cricket is a young man's game. Talent and smart thinking is the criteria for Twenty20 cricket. Fitness is equally important. Look at Sanath (Jayasuriya), he is nearly 40, or Matthew Hayden. They are striking the ball as well as they have ever been," Tendulkar said.

Retired internationals like Hayden, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble have outshone the younger lot in the second edition.

Tendulkar, who opted out of Twenty20 internationals, has himself played some scintillating innings.

One such breathtaking knock came alongside Jayasuriya against Kolkata Knight Riders where the two bludgeoned the bowling attack.

The duo, however, could not produce such form with consistency and Tendulkar is quick to admit that batting was the weakness of Mumbai Indians.

"Overall we have played reasonably good cricket. It just that our batting faltered at crucial stages."

"We started well defeating Chennai with an all-round performance, then we had a week off. It was almost a forced break as our match with Rajasthan Royals was washed off."

"We could not add those 12-13 runs more to our scores and gave away one or two extra runs. Our bowling was very much on the track, it just that we could not finish the matches."

Tendulkar said he tried out several combinations to spruce up the batting.

"You cannot be predictable in this form of cricket. We were finding it difficult to finish matches and so we kept changing the combination and hoped for a good result. Sometimes it worked for us like when Dwayne Bravo was promoted to open against Kings XI Punjab and he was terrific."

"In the match against Rajasthan Royals, we needed six runs in nine balls with four wickets in hand and we lost. There is not much explanation you can give about such defeats."

The loss against Rajasthan proved costly. Mumbai Indians were out of the semifinal reckoning after another defeat against Super Kings.

The Mumbaikar also said that loss of key players like Zaheer Khan affected their performance.

"Zaheer's loss was a big blow. After our first six games we lost three players --Zaheer, Shikhar Dhawan and Saurabh Tiwary -- to injuries and it affected the balance of the team. It was tough for us at that stage."

"The owners of the team have stood behind us and backed us. Mrs. Ambani has been with the team and she has been a support to us."

Warne willing to take India job

2009-05-21T17:37:00.003+05:30

Legendary Australian spinner and captain of the Rajasthan Royals Shane Warne said that he is willing working to help the spinners in India if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) offers him a job.

In an exclusive interview with IBN7 and CNN-IBN, Shane Warne said that he would consider any such offer in the future.

"If the BCCI wants to work in the spin department, I would have to work with our man Manoj Badale (co-owner, Rajasthan Royals) and I'm sure we can come up with something. I am not ruling any thing out but I am not saying I am agreeing to it now. It depends on my time and my family. But if there is an offer, any offer, I will see if it fits," said Warne.

The former Australian player said that he has worked with the spinners in his Royals team and would love to impart his knowledge to other young Indian spinners.

"As far as the BCCI goes, I work with all the spinners. Yusuf Pathan, Abhishek Raut and Ravindra Jadeja, who had a great last year, I work with all of them. I love cricket and I try to impart my knowledge on leadership on a lot of guys. As far as spin bowling goes, I would love to help any bowler. I would like to help (Amit) Mishra and Piyush (Chawla) and a few other guys as well," stated Warne.

The Rajasthan Royals captain also said that he would cherish the opportunity of coming to India and working there.

"I love India these days. It took me a long time to embrace the culture and appreciate India. It probably took me a couple of tours to understand that. But the last two Australian tours and the last two seasons of IPL have been great. The Indian people have been wonderful and I really appreciate that. The way they have welcomed me I think they have really appreciated the way I have looked after the youngsters of the Rajasthan Royals. The way we play makes our brand of cricket very exciting, so I think every body has a soft spot for the Rajasthan Royals," added Warne.

Symonds left out of Australia's Ashes squad

2009-05-21T17:31:00.003+05:30

Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds was a notable omission from Australia's squad for this year's Ashes cricket tour to England when it was announced on Wednesday.

Selectors named a 16-man squad with three all-rounders -- Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald and Marcus North -- but there was no room for the 34-year-old Symonds.

Symonds has had a chequered 26-Test career and has not played for Australia since last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne following a season of injury, poor form and off-field personal problems.

"Selectors have a tough job picking any team and it's obviously hard picking an Ashes squad and unfortunately for Andrew this time there hasn't been room in the 16-man squad for him," skipper Ricky Ponting said at the team announcement.

"He made a reasonable comeback in the one-day team (against Pakistan) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the last few weeks and unfortunately he missed out on this selection.

"But I know he'll keep working hard and he'll give himself every opportunity to make his way back into the team in the future."

Chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, said the selection of injury-prone Watson was subject to his recovery from a groin injury.

"I suppose Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson were competing for the same spot, I would class them both as batters who give us quality overs at their best, but on this occasion Shane has been preferred because in the selectors' view he adds great balance to the team," Hilditch said.

"Shane was in extremely good form before his minor injury and in addition he gives us quality pace bowling and he's capable of batting anywhere in the top six, so we think he's a very good selection for the Ashes tour."

Watson said he expected to be bowling in the nets next week after recovering from his latest setback and to be fit and ready by the time the team arrives in England.

Opening batsman Phillip Hughes is the youngster of the tourists at 20, and comes into the Ashes series on the back of scoring four centuries during a recent six-week English county guest stint with Middlesex.

"Phil Hughes has been setting the world on fire over there which is great for him and the team when we all arrive and get under way," Ponting said.

"We have a great balance of youth and experience, so hopefully when the big moments come around it will be all of us who stick our hands up and get the job done.

"Ponting's touring party will have a six-strong pace attack, headed by 310-Test wicket-taker Brett Lee and left-armer Mitchell Johnson. They will be backed up by Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Watson. Off spinner Nathan Hauritz was handed the specialist spinner's role, supported by Marcus North and left-armer Michael Clarke.

South Australian Graham Manou was named as a back-up wicketkeeper to Brad Haddin. The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.

Australia hold the Ashes after whitewashing England 5-0 in the last 2006-07 series at home after losing the famous urn in a titanic 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.

Priyanka hits back at Kareena

2009-05-19T17:27:00.002+05:30

Kareena Kapoor who recently asked her ex love Shahid Kapur to stay away from Priyanka Chopra and move on in life has received a tight slap from Priyanka verbally. Kareena who further went to say that Shahid and Priyanka are dragging her and Saif’s name to publicize ‘Kaminey’ has further intensified Priyanka's anger and she responded hardly. She hits back at Kareena and gave an appropriate reply to her false accusation.

Priyanka said, “Kaminey is directed by Vishal Bharadwaj whose directorial credentials don’t need any introduction and it is produced by UTV which is amongst the best production houses in the country today. I have seen the film and I feel it’s a brilliant piece of work. All those who will see the film will definitely love it. We as the team of ‘Kaminey’ are extremely well equipped and capable of publicizing the film and don’t require any outside help for the same.”

It is even said that the relationship between the two beauties turned sour ever since Priyanka started to date Kareena’s ex-boyfriend.

IPL 2009 - Point Table of Teams

2009-05-18T14:54:00.004+05:30

Teams		Matches	Won	Lost	Tie/NR	Points	NRR
	IPL Delhi	12	9	3	0	18	0.31
	IPL Chennai	12	7	4	1	15	1.02
	IPL Hyderabad	13	7	6	0	14	0.26
	IPL Mohali	13	6	6	0	14	-0.42
	IPL Jaipur	13	6	6	1	13	-0.36
	IPL Bangalore	12	6	6	0	12	-0.30
	IPL Mumbai	13	5	7	1	11	0.40
	IPL Kolkata	12	1	10	1	3	-0.97

Highest Runs Scorer and Highest Wicket Tacker in IPL 2009

2009-05-11T17:48:00.009+05:30

Orange Cap (Highest-Run Getter)

Player	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100	50	4s	6s
ML Hayden	11	546	89	54.60	145.21	0	5	58	21
AB de Villiers	12	405	105*	67.50	135.45	1	3	35	10
AC Gilchrist	13	395	71	30.38	146.84	0	2	42	24
JP Duminy	12	363	62	45.37	113.79	0	5	24	11
SK Raina	11	342	98	31.09	147.41	0	1	31	17
Yuvraj Singh	13	334	58*	30.36	121.45	0	2	25	16
TM Dilshan	12	329	67*	41.12	119.20	0	3	33	10
KC Sangakkara	13	325	60	32.50	103.17	0	2	29	5
RG Sharma	13	321	52	29.18	119.33	0	1	20	17
SR Tendulkar	12	318	68	31.80	121.37	0	2	31	10

Purple Cap (Highest Wicket Taking Bowler)

Player	Mat	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR
RP Singh	13	47.4	321	19	4/22	16.89	6.73	15.0
SL Malinga	12	45.3	274	17	3/11	16.11	6.02	16.0
A Nehra	11	43.0	287	17	3/27	16.88	6.67	15.1
IK Pathan	13	46.2	358	15	3/35	23.86	7.72	18.5
MM Patel	10	30.5	227	14	2/14	16.21	7.36	13.2
YA Abdulla	9	28.0	241	14	4/31	17.21	8.60	12.0
SK Warne	12	46.0	341	14	3/24	24.35	7.41	19.7
L Balaji	10	30.2	246	13	4/21	18.92	8.10	14.0
A Kumble	12	43.1	254	13	5/5	19.53	5.88	19.9

Tendulkar getting better with age: Waugh

2009-05-09T14:37:00.003+05:30

Instead of waning with age, Sachin Tendulkar is getting better with every passing day, former Australia captain Steve Waugh said here on Friday.

"He is improving day by day and in his prime form," Waugh said and added in a lighter vein: "Looking at the way (Sachin) Tendulkar is playing, it seems he can play till 50 years."

The Australian great had earlier compared Tendulkar with Sir Don Bradman.

Asked whether he is interested in coaching, the 43-year-old said, "Not thinking about coaching now. Maybe in future, I will think about coaching." Talking to reporters at a cricket clinic at Beleghata in north Kolkata, he praised India's South African coach Gary Kirsten's way of work while describing the jobs of a captain and a coach.

"The captain is always the boss on the field, as he has to be on the spot. The coach on the other hand plays a supporter's role quietly. Look at Kirsten. He goes on about his job very quietly which is exactly the coach's role." Waugh termed Indians as favourites to defend the title in the second edition of the ICC World Twenty20 due in England in June.

"Indians have a very good side. The youngsters are really impressing and the IPL has done good for them.

"But Australians also have a strong chance for the title," he said.

With the England led by a rather inexperienced Andrew Strauss, Waugh said the Baggy Greens have a good chance to retain the Ashes.

"Aussies have an advantage over England. I think Strauss' elevation will only help us," he said, ending his three-day whirlwind tour of the city.

On the last day of the trip that began with visiting to Udayan, a rehabilitation home for children from leprosy colonies near Barrackpore and then getting his hands and feet dirty by taking part in a drive to clean-up city canals, Waugh today gave tips to children in the cricket clinic.

Afridi's record knock made with Sachin's bat

2009-04-30T18:43:00.008+05:30

While it is common knowledge that Pakistan's Shahid Afridi holds the record for a 37-ball one-day century, not many know that it came off the blade of Sachin Tendulkar's bat.

Speaking exclusively to Gulf News yesterday, Afridi said that his 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in Nairobi, in his very first one-day innings, came off the bat of the modern day's greatest batsman.

"I had just got into the Pakistan team and during nets in Nairobi 'Wicky Bhai' [Waqar Younis] gave me a bat and said, play with this and see. It is Sachin's bat," said the charismatic Pakistan all-rounder, here playing the Chapal Cup series against Australia.

"I tried it out it; it felt good and played with it in my first ever one-dayer. I scored that innings of 100 in 37 balls with the same bat," said Afridi, who was 16 years and 217 days when he entered the record books on October 4, 1996. Afridi, who is one of the most popular players among the Pakistani stars, had belted 11 sixes and six fours in that 37-ball innings which is still the world record for being the fastest ODI century.

Afridi went on to explain how Sachin's bat had landed with Younis.

"It was a great honour for me to play with Sachin's bat for he was a great player. Sachin had given the bat to 'Wicky Bhai' and had asked him to get a similar bat made in Sialkot for him [Sachin]," Afridi said.

"Of course I have also got out on zero with that bat. Now it is with me and sometime back people told me to auction it but I still have kept it with me," said Afridi.

"It will always be one of my treasured possessions as I used it in my very first one-day match playing for my country and also for hitting a world record," said Afridi, feared by bowlers all over the world for his big hitting.