ICPA support for Ganguly
The Indian Cricket Players' Association (ICPA) rallied behind a beleaguered Sourav Ganguly and termed as 'excessive' the six-ODI ban slapped on him by the International Cricket Council, reports PTI from Kolkata.
Arguing that the player should have been given a hearing after he filed his appeal, ICPA vice-president Arun Lal said in a statement that while the ICC had to ensure over rates, a six-match ban could impact a cricketer's career.
“We feel that the six-match ban is excessive. We realise that the ICC has to ensure over rates, but a six-match ban could impact a player’s career -- surely, that is not the intention of the ICC," Lal said.
Ganguly, who is struggling to come out of a prolonged batting slump, was banned by match referee Chris Broad following India's slow over rate in the fourth ODI against Pakistan in Ahmedabad.
Lehmann's hopes dashed
Australian selectors have dashed any faint hopes batsman Darren Lehmann held of regaining a spot in the national side when they axed the player alongwith five others from the new contract list for the 2005-06 season, reports AFP from Sydney.
They axed ageing fringe players Martin Love, Ian Harvey, Matthew Elliott, Jimmy Maher and Brad Williams. Instead, selectors opted for Victorian all-rounder Cameron White, 21, South Australian off-spinner Daniel Cullen, 21, Queensland all-rounder James Hopes, 26, NSW wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, 27, and Victorian quick Michael Lewis, 30. NSW fast bowler Nathan Bracken, 27, found his way back into the fold after being dropped in 2004-05.
Lehmann, 35, was the highest-profile casualty, with chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns confirming that his international career is over after 27 Tests (1798 runs at 44.95). "We are indicating that it is time for us to look toward the future," Hohns said.
Msykina pulls out of Fed Cup tie
Anastasia Myskina has pulled out of Russia's Fed Cup tie against Italy in Brindisi on April 23-24 with a shoulder injury, reports Reuters from Oakland California.
Myskina's coach Jens Gerlach said the French Open champion decided after last week's tournament in Charleston that she needed to give her sore shoulder a rest.
Myskina was upset in the second round by Czech 15-year-old Nicole Vaidisova at the Family Circle Cup. ''We decided it was better not to take any more risks because we have Roland Garros coming up,'' Gerlach told Reuters by telephone.
Davis Cup live on Doordarshan
Doordarshan will telecast live the Davis Cup tie between India and Uzbekistan to be played in Jaipur from April 29 to May 1 on its DD Sports channel, reports UNI from New Delhi.
Schedule:
April 29: 9.30 am Opening ceremony, 1st and 2nd singles.
April 30: 12.00 noon: Doubles; May 1: 10.00 am: Reverse singles.
Romario gets recall for friendly
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has included 13 uncapped players for next week's friendly at home to Guatemala and recalled 39-year-old Romario for a farewell appearance, reports Reuters from Rio de Janeiro.
“He will start the game and play for at least the first few minutes,” said Parreira. “It's a tribute to one of Brazilian great players.'' Romario currently plays for Rio de Janeiro's Vasco da Gama.
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Wednesday, April 20, 2005
