Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, has made several claims about procedural irregularities in the BCCI and IPL, including in cases where he faces legal action

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2015Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, has made several claims about procedural irregularities in the BCCI and IPL, including cases where he faces legal action. Modi’s statements, made to the TV channel, were in response to a growing controversy also involving India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, after it appeared that she helped him secure documents to travel out of the United Kingdom, where he has been living since 2010.The claims have also pointed to the close links in India between cricket and politics, with several of India’s senior ministers holding top positions in the BCCI for the past few decades.Modi left India after the 2010 IPL, around the same time the federal finance ministry launched several investigations into IPL-related issues. In 2013, Modi was expelled for life by the BCCI after a disciplinary committee found him guilty on eight counts of indiscipline and misconduct. That committee was headed by Arun Jaitley – who is now the country’s finance minister and the man whose department is investigating Modi.Those investigations led to Modi’s passport being revoked by the Indian government, essentially confining him to the UK. According to a story published by on June 14, Modi had last year sought a certificate of travel from the British government to travel to Portugal, where his wife was due to undergo surgery. The British government refused the certificate on the grounds that Modi was effectively a fugitive from Indian law, but acceded after Swaraj’s assurance that India had no objections to Modi travelling.This led to Modi obtaining the certificate and travelling to Portugal. Within days, he won a case in India to have his passport revocation overturned and he is now free to travel on the strength of that passport.However, Swaraj’s decision to help Modi – which she said was on compassionate grounds – has created a storm in India on several counts. One of them is that Modi was, at that point, effectively a fugitive against whom the Indian government had several cases. Another reason for controversy is that Swaraj’s daughter is Modi’s legal counsel in the cases, and the minister’s intervention was at the very least a conflict of interest. Other sticky points include whether Swaraj’s ministry went through the finance ministry in approving Modi’s request, and whether her action was a quid pro quo for Modi helping her nephew with a university admission in the UK in 2013.Modi has had a fractious relationship with India’s politicians, who have over the past few decades controlled the BCCI. The imminent cause of his fall from grace was his decision to take on a junior minister in the then Congress government, Shashi Tharoor, over the sale of IPL franchise rights to what became the Kochi Tuskers franchise.In his interview on Tuesday, Modi said the BCCI’s disciplinary committee, which investigated allegations of financial irregularities and subsequently recommended his ban, indicted him without giving him a fair opportunity to present his case. “That committee didn’t let me come on air,” Modi said. “The day I was supposed to come on air and go on to trial with them, that’s the day when they decided to end the committee.”He also said N Srinivasan’s office excluded him from all financial activities pertaining to IPL 2009, which was moved to South Africa and later came under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India’s finance ministry for contraventions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act.”(Arun) Jaitley was part of the process of moving it to South Africa. So was Mr. Srinivasan. So was Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia. So was Mr (Sharad) Pawar. I was just a member of that committee. The decision was taken by the committee.”I have said the BCCI was wrong in the way they operated the financial accounts in South Africa. That’s the basis on which the ED has penalised the BCCI for Rs 1600 crore.”It is my reply to the ED which says very clearly that (then BCCI president) Shashank Manohar proposed that the BCCI should open accounts in South Africa subject to RBI approval. I was excluded by Mr Srinivasan’s office in their financial process.”He said in writing, ‘I am deciding how the bank accounts will be operated, and I will decide how the money will be transferred.’ He made a committee – and this is the core connection – and he decided not to take the Reserve Bank of India’s approval, and decided on that basis to transfer money out. I had no role to play in that and I have shown clearly in my documentation to that effect.”

Mark Wood looks certain to return to the England side for the fourth Investec Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, but England are hoping that the use of an oxygen tank can help James Anderson return for the final Test at the Kia Oval

George Dobell at Trent Bridge05-Aug-2015Mark Wood looks certain to return to the England side for the fourth Investec Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, but England are hoping that the use of an oxygen tank can help James Anderson recover for the final Test at the Kia Oval.Alastair Cook, the England captain, has confirmed that Wood is in “pole position” to replace Anderson in Nottingham and suggested he had come through all the necessary fitness tests with “flying colours.””He has looked fit and ready,” Cook said. “We will have a last check in the morning, but it looks really good for Woody.”Cook also revealed that Anderson had started using “an oxygen tank” in a bid to regain fitness ahead of the final Test, which starts on August 20.”He’s been working with the physios, going in oxygen tanks and all that kind of stuff,” Cook said. “He’s doing everything he can. He is a big miss for us as he gives us attacking options and control.”Anderson sustained a side strain during the third Test at Edgbaston and will be wearing an oxygen mask for around 80 minutes a day for the next week or so.An ECB spokesman explained that there is anecdotal evidence that a boost in oxygen “speeds up recovery in muscle injuries” and that England were “exploring every avenue to get him fit for The Oval.”Chris Woakes, who might have returned to this squad had he not ruled himself out of contention after experiencing some pain in the knee on which he underwent surgery in April, also returned to action. Woakes had some fluid drained from the knee last week and declared himself fit for Warwickshire’s Royal London match against Hampshire at Edgbaston.

Monty Panesar has spoken for the first time about his indefinite break from cricket at the end of April and has admitted that he “fell out of love with cricket”.

Tim Wigmore14-Aug-2015Monty Panesar has spoken for the first time about his troubled summer and expressed his ambition to play for England again. Panesar took an indefinite break from the sport at the end of April and has admitted that he “fell out of love with cricket”.”In pre-season I was unhappy about several aspects of my career and life, but I am now feeling refreshed, re-energised and refocused in becoming the best version of Monty I can be, on and off the field of play.””I am now prioritising my well-being first and my cricket second even though cricket is a very big priority in my life,” he said, while declaring his determination to remain involved in the game. “I love cricket and I love bowling. I want to play at the top level again and also, one day, coach young spinners.”Panesar’s words will encourage many who feared that, at the age of just 33, he was drifting away from the first-class game: his two-year contract with Essex expires at the end of the season and it is understood that it is unlikely to be renewed. It is understood that Leicestershire, who had been linked with Panesar, would not attempt to sign him.”Monty is not thinking too much about the future at this stage and is just focused on being happy, enjoying his cricket and bowling well over the coming weeks,” his personal coach Neil Burns said. “I believe that if this happens he will soon find that other things will fall into place naturally. He is taking full responsibility for his actions and whilst the past few years have been difficult, I believe he has gone through some powerful learning and is now focused on maintaining his self-improvement on and off the field and prioritising his wellbeing.”Panesar has drawn strength from his surprise recall for Essex last week. Although he failed to bowl Essex to victory on the final day, with Surrey’s batsmen saying that he bowled too flat and too quickly, Panesar claimed four wickets in the first innings and provided a glimpse of the qualities that earned 50 England Test caps, the most recent of which was the Boxing Day Test in 2013. Panesar even hit a six, smiting is third delivery down the ground.”The supporters at Essex are brilliant and it reminded me of the wonderful reception I got when I first played for the club on loan back in 2013, which was also at Castle Park,” Panesar reflected. “Despite my difficulties they remain very good towards me. This means a great deal to me even though few people know the extent of my personal challenges.”As well as Essex’s staff, many people have been involved in assisting Panesar in recent months. He has worked extensively the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the ECB’s national spin coach Peter Such, the mental conditioning coach Peter Gilmour and above all Burns.”They have been very helpful as a key part of the experienced professional support I have around me,” Panesar said. “I have been fortunate to have key people around me who I trust and who really have my own best interests at heart. I am working with some very experienced people to enable me to develop the balance and inner happiness I want to have so that more possibilities in my life can open up in a good way over time.”Burns said that Panesar’s difficulties had been both physical and mental. “I am not sure one can separate one from the other,” he said. “Monty has been through a very challenging period in his life.”Panesar’s determination to play for England again was reiterated by Burns, who even suggested that he was aiming to use Essex’s final four County Championship games to push for a spot in the tour to the UAE to play Pakistan in October. “I know he really wants to go to UAE this winter and recreate the success he had against Pakistan previously. He loves bowling in the UAE.”

Steve Camacho, the former West Indies batsman, has died at the age of 69

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Oct-2015Steve Camacho, the former West Indies batsman, has died at the age of 69. He passed away on Friday night in Antigua, the WICB said.Camacho played 11 Tests for West Indies between 1968 and 1971, scoring 640 runs. He also went on to play 76 first-class matches as a right-handed top order batsman, scoring 4079 runs including seven centuries and 24 half-centuries. Camacho even captained the West Indies President’s XI against various touring teams.After his retirement as a professional player in 1978, Camacho served as the manager of the West Indies team during the 1980s. He later acted as the secretary of the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control, before becoming the first full-time employee of the WICB, as the CEO.Dave Cameron, the WICB president, described Camacho as “a true stalwart, champion and leader of the game” in West Indies. “As a player, he represented Guyana and West Indies with pride and played his part in helping to grow the game. He was a mentor for several younger players in club cricket and played a major role in nurturing their development,” Cameron said.”He cared about the game and the people around him. He was very professional and hardworking and had the common touch. He kept in tune with the needs of the players, the staff he worked with, all who participated in West Indies cricket, and all those who cared and loved the game he served.”

South Africa women’s tour of Bangladesh, which was scheduled for later this month, has been temporarily postponed, BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said

Mohammad Isam05-Oct-20151:05

Isam: CSA had security concerns

South Africa women’s tour of Bangladesh, which was scheduled for later this month, has been postponed due to security concerns, the BCB president Nazmul Hassan has said. South Africa women were supposed to arrive in Dhaka on October 15 to play three ODIs and five T20s.The development comes four days after the Australian men’s team also postponed their Test series in Bangladesh.Hassan said a decision will be taken on the series after a discussion on the sidelines of the ICC meeting in Dubai next week.”They [CSA] had wanted a security report but we thought it would be better to speak face to face in Dubai during the ICC meeting,” Hassan said. “I think the terror alerts would be taken off by the next five-seven days. We also need to know what type of security plan they have in mind. Since both these teams are mostly free, it won’t be a major problem to delay this series by a few days.”To make sure they don’t have a negative view, we need to sit with them rather than exchange emails. The series is temporarily postponed by mutual consent. They are not coming on October 15, and I think they will come a little later.”Hassan said he will ask the ICC for a solution to the problem of teams not willing to visit a country where there are isolated threats.”We have to find a solution to play even when there are threats. I think Zimbabwe will come early for the Test series but I don’t want to show the world or the people of Bangladesh that a team has visited. I want a permanent solution.”

Half-centuries from Rony Talukdar and Mohammad Mithun set up Bangladesh A’s 122-run victory against Zimbabwe A at the Harare Sports Club, ensuring the visitors also swept the series 3-0

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Nov-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Mohammad Mithun hit three fours and a six during his 60•BCB

Half-centuries from Rony Talukdar and Mohammad Mithun set up Bangladesh A’s 122-run victory against Zimbabwe A at the Harare Sports Club, ensuring the visitors also swept the series 3-0.Bangladesh A, after being inserted, began positively as Talukdar and Tasamul Haque shared a 90-run opening partnership. After Tasamul fell, Mithun kept the runs flowing by stroking a 64-ball 60, with three fours and a six, while Talukdar hit six fours and three sixes for his 77. The pair’s 57-run stand laid a solid groundwork, which Bangladesh A’s middle and lower order built on, as handy knocks from Mahmudul Hasan (31) and Muktar Ali (20*) powered the team to 286 for 8.Zimbabwe A lost wickets right from the off during the chase, and were eventually bundled out for 164 inside 42 overs. The opener Kevin Kasuza top-scored with 43, and Ryan Burl chipped in with 41, but only one other batsman – the captain Godwill Mahmiyo with 36 – managed to make more than 12. Mohammad Shahid was the pick of Bangladesh A’s bowlers, collecting 3 for 13.

ESPNcricinfo’s updates from the ninth round of Ranji Trophy matches this season

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Dec-2015

Man of the Match on debut and several injuries later, James Pattinson returns to probably lead the pace attack against West Indies next week after time on the sidelines has given him perspective

Brydon Coverdale04-Dec-2015Man of the Match on Test debut against New Zealand, Man of the Match against India in his third Test, it seemed that anything was possible for James Pattinson back in 2011. He was 21 and it was reasonable to hope that by 24 or 25 he would be the leader of Australia’s Test attack. Instead, by then he was training greyhounds and embarking on a career as a builder. If nothing else, his time on the sidelines has given him perspective.There have been injuries to his feet, ribs and hamstrings, but the big problem has been his back. Stress fractures arrived during the 2013 Ashes and flared again in 2014, and he has played only 13 of a possible 48 Tests since his debut. Now, Pattinson has a chance to add to that tally for the first time in 20 months, and he views things differently after his time away from the game.”I’m probably not taking it as seriously as I did when I was younger,” Pattinson said last week in Adelaide after rejoining the Test squad. “It was sort of everything to me, cricket. But now, having been away from the game, I’ve got a few things outside cricket that I enjoy as well. So I’m really relaxed with my cricket now.”There’s a lot of hobbies, I’ve just started a Diploma in Building and Construction so that’s something that I’m really keen on. I’ve got a passion for the greyhounds because my brother [Darren] is a greyhound trainer so there’s been a lot of early mornings walking greyhounds around while I was in a back brace.”Pattinson did not play against New Zealand in the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval, but he appears a certain starter for the first Test against West Indies in Hobart starting next Thursday. His opportunity has come at the expense of Mitchell Starc, who suffered a foot injury that has effectively ended his involvement in international cricket for the summer.Pattinson and Starc made their Test debuts together at the Gabba four years ago, only a fortnight after Pat Cummins also won his baggy green in South Africa. Like Pattinson, Cummins was Man of the Match on debut, while Starc already loomed as a left-arm successor to Mitchell Johnson. The prospect of that trio forming Australia’s future Test attack seemed exciting, and inevitable.Four years on and countless injuries later, Starc has played 25 Tests, Pattinson 13 and Cummins is yet to add to his single appearance. They have only once played together for Australia – in the third ODI against England in September. Less than three months on, Pattinson is the only one of the three who is fit, and he will likely work alongside Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle in Hobart.”There’s always opportunities with fast bowlers,” Pattinson said on Friday. “Everyone gets injured at some stage during their career. You’ve just got to be ready to take those opportunities. Our bowling cartel is pretty close, we’re always looking out for each other. It’s really exciting to see Josh do quite well in the last Test and Pete to get his 200 wickets. It’s pretty exciting to hopefully be joining them.”Pattinson, now 25, has tweaked his action to help his back, but he is still confident he can reach similar speeds to when he emerged as an international cricketer. So far this summer Pattinson has 10 Sheffield Shield wickets at 22.80, and Australia will likely look to him as a strike bowler, with Siddle proving in Adelaide he remains a highly effective stock bowler.Siddle’s efforts were especially impressive given the personal loss he suffered during the match – his grandmother died before the third day’s play. There were also times during the Test when Siddle seemed to be struggling with a sore back, but he was out in the middle to hit the winning runs on the third evening.”Sidds is a really strong character,” Pattinson said. “There was a lot of support behind him. It was fantastic for him to be out there and hitting the winning runs for Australia, I think that helped him a lot. You could probably see the relief on his face when he did hit those winning runs. He’s a strong character and I’m sure he’ll be up and about for Hobart.”He’s been a great help for me throughout my career, and not just at the start of my career. Over the last two years when I’ve been injured he’s been a really good sounding board for me and been great.”There is one thing about Siddle, though, that Pattinson hopes will change upon his inclusion in the Test team. Last time they played together in a Test, Siddle batted ahead of Pattinson.”I bat ahead of Victoria so I’m hoping I can get ahead of him for Australia. We’ll probably have a few debates about it, especially after he got the winning runs in Adelaide,” Pattinson said, before adding with a smile: “But I think I should be above him.”

Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Agar produced fine counterattacking fifties to help Perth Scorchers to a 30-run win against Sydney Thunder in Sydney

The Report by Tristan Lavalette07-Jan-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCameron Bancroft was awarded the Man of the Match for his counterattacking 72•Getty Images

Despite their dominance of the BBL over the years, Perth Scorchers have repeatedly been written off. After they slumped to 2 for 1 in the second over to a formidable Sydney Thunder attack, the Scorchers could probably hear the scepticism reverberating. However, once again, the defending champion’s famed resilience reared and another finals appearance looks assured after a 30-run victory over the Thunder at Spotless Stadium in Sydney.Notching their fourth win of the BBL, the Scorchers pulled a game clear of the Thunder after both teams were deadlocked at second on the ladder.Largely due to contrasting, but highly effective, half centuries from precocious youngsters Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Agar, the Scorchers recovered from the perilous early position to compile 5 for 175 after being sent in to bat.It was a total the highly disciplined Scorchers attack always looked likely to defend. On television commentary, Mark Waugh rated Thunder paceman Andre Russell the “best fast bowler in the competition”. Waugh may have a change of heart after Scorchers spearhead Jason Behrendorff (3 for 26 off 4 overs) again produced a scintillating display claiming the early wickets of Aiden Blizzard and the out-of-form Jacques Kallis to leave the Thunder reeling at 2 for 17 after three overs.Shane Watson, the Thunder’s acting captain in place of an injured Mike Hussey, looked in sparkling form counterattacking young Scorchers paceman Joel Paris, who is set to make his ODI debut against India next week.But Watson fell just when he looked threatening, playing on for 18 to leave the Thunder 3 for 49 in the ninth over.
The Thunder’s chase looked forlorn until the powerful Russell produced an extraordinary display of brutish batting. In the ultimate purple patch, Russell smashed five sixes in eight deliveries between overs 12 and 14.The most noteworthy of the bunch was a slog off Behrendorff that astonishingly went 116 metres, just one metre short of Dan Christian’s tournament record.But Behrendorff showed his form, snaring the crucial scalp of Russell, assisted by a clutch catch from Paris after the ball swirled high in the air. Russell compiled a highly entertaining 20-ball 42 but his dismissal effectively ended the Thunder’s hopes, and they eventually finished well short of the target at 9 for 145.A comprehensive victory looked unlikely earlier in the day when the Scorchers struggled mightily with the bat at the beginning of their innings. Much of the Scorchers’ batting had revolved around their opening partnership of Shaun Marsh and Michael Klinger, the Scorchers captain, who was out in the first over for a duck, followed quickly by the dismissal of Marcus Harris.Marsh looked in fine touch compiling 28 with ease, but his dismissal halted the Scorchers’ comeback and left them delicately poised at 3 for 64 in the 11th over. The Scorchers perceived weakness was their inexperienced middle-order, which had hardly batted throughout the tournament due to Klinger and Marsh’s domination.Making a mockery of that perception, Bancroft and Agar combined for Scorchers’ fourth-wicket record partnership of 105 off just 51 balls.
Bancroft, a technically correct batsman, played orthodox yet powerfully, particularly through the off side. Smartly, he rotated the strike early in a determined rebuild attempt, and then impressively muscled numerous shots down the ground.In a notable contrast to his teammate, Agar looks ungainly at times with minimal footwork and a wild swing of the bat. But at the core of his burgeoning batting is his attentiveness; Agar watches the ball closely and when in rhythm, morphs into a stylish and powerful batsman.
His effervescence was infectious, as the pair scurried between the wickets, rattling the suddenly ragged Thunder.
Agar’s cavalier approach netted 68 off 34 balls in his first BBL half-century, while Bancroft scored a 53-ball 72.The impressive performances of their youngsters will well please the Scorchers, who will be without the services of Marsh for the remainder of the BBL.

Pakistan A completed their comeback from 2-0 down to take the unofficial ODI series against England Lions with a hard-fought three-wicket win in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsSam Billings made 89 but it was not enough for the Lions•Chris Whiteoak

Pakistan A completed their comeback from 2-0 down to take the unofficial ODI series against England Lions with a hard-fought three-wicket win in Dubai. Fakhar Zaman was the star of the show, claiming 5 for 27 with the ball before crunching 62 off 65 balls to help ease Pakistan’s path in the chase.The Lions kept battling until the end in their attempts to defend 216, having chosen to bat first on a tricky surface. The spinners were expensive but Liam Dawson and Stephen Parry took the first three Pakistan wickets to fall, while Zaman and Asif Zakir fell in quick succession after a 53-run partnership.Tom Curran then struck twice in a row, either side of a wide, to reduce Pakistan to 187 for 7, still 30 runs from victory. It required the calm heads of Zohaib Khan and Mohammad Hasan to see them home with 13 balls to spare, repaying England for their 3-2 win in the T20s before Christmas.England’s total was based around a century stand between Sam Billings, who top-scored with 89, and Dawson but there was little of substance either side of their fifth-wicket partnership. They rebuilt the innings from 52 for 4 but, after Dawson was dismissed for 48 in the 41st over, another slow collapse ensued to leave England all out with five balls unbowled.Junaid Khan and Mohammad Abbas picked up an opener apiece and left-arm spinner Zohaib then removed Ben Foakes and Daniel Bell-Drummond (25) to send the top four back inside 20 overs of the decider.Billings and Dawson accumulated steadily to resurrect the Lions, adding 106 in 20.2 overs. Dawson only hit one boundary in his innings and when he was bowled just short of a half-century by Zaman, England struggled for momentum. Tom Westley was trapped in front and Billings became Zaman’s third wicket a couple of overs later, stumped after hitting back-to-back boundaries.The Lions managed to add 58 during the last ten overs, even as wickets fell, but Zaman wrapped up a maiden five-for – he had previously only taken two List A wickets – by removing Curran and Parry and Mohammad Nawaz finished the innings early by having Toby Roland-Jones stumped.