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LAHORE, March 13: Former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has levelled corruption allegations against some senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to change the present set up.Addressing a Press conference here on Thursday Sarfraz said that the Pakistan team had been tasting defeats regularly fromthe home series against England to the World Cup-2003 and now there was no justification for General Tauqir Zia to head the PCB.Sarfraz claimed that he had brought it to the notice of the PCB chairman some incidents of corruption in PCB, two years back but no action had yet been taken by him.He alleged that the National Academy building in Lahore had been completed at a cost of Rs 600 million which should be around Rs 300 million. He went on to say that according to laws, any national project exceeding Rs 500 million should get an approval from NAB which was not sought for the academy. He also said that NAB should investigate the TV rights deal of 40.5 million dollars recently signed between PCB and Taj Company.He said that PCB chairman had changed the name of inquiry committee as review committee which was formed by the board to present its report on the debacle of the Pakistan team in the World Cup-2003.He said that Aaqib Javed, one of the members of the committee, had said that Wasim and Waqar were his favourite bowlers. How could he give his recommendation against them.He asked why the three foreign coaches of the team, Richard Pybus, Dennis Waight and Daryl Foster were not asked to appear before the review committee.He suggested that Moin Khan should be named as next captain of the team.

Graham Thorpe has been ruled out of the Fourth npower Test at Headingley. His hand injury has not recovered sufficiently to allow him to be considered for selection.A bone in Thorpe’s hand was broken by a delivery from Brett Lee during the Second Test at Lord’s.Thorpe ruled himself out of contention today after a fitness test, commenting that the hand “is still very sensitive."

The grand final between the two teams commenced amidst a packed house. The spectators must have enjoyed every minute of the game, but the result was one sided. Though it was unusual for Pakistan to surrender, they did so today.Bating first South Africa did not have a promising start losing 2 wickets for only 29 runs on the board. Gary Kirsten and Nicky Boje later succeeded in picking up the score and raising it to 70 in 15 overs, when the game was suspended on account of rain.On resumption the match was reduced to 35 overs each, thus prompting the players to score fast. As a result 40 runs were added in 5 overs. The rate of scoring going up created lot of excitement for the spectators. South Africa lost 3 wickets for 126 with Gary Kirsten having scored a marvelous 62 and Nicky Boje hoisting 50 in 36 deliveries.With full consideration of the reduced innings South Africa was trying to score the maximum runs. The batsmen at the crease were hitting all over the ground with a grand exhibition of slogging too. Pakistan’s poor fielding enabled them to pile up runs. Having survived a lot of chances, the Proteas were 152 for 6, eventually ending up the innings at 197 for 7. Daryll Cullinan remained unbeaten with a valuable contribution of 31 runs. Kabir Khan and Abdur Razzaq claimed 2 wickets each.Though the Proteas had scored 197 runs, the Umpires gave Pakistan a target of 215 runs in 35 overs to win. With a rain soaked pitch and wet atmosphere it was not an easy target.Pakistan opened with Imran Nazir and Saleem Elahi and lost the 1st wicket at 7, when Imran Nazir was out. He was followed on his trail by Yousuf Youhana rendering Pakistan to 33 for 2. Saleem Elahi who showed some courage to stay was trapped LBW for a useful 26 bringing down Pakistan to 44 for 3.All hopes now rested on the great pair of Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed but a good bowling – fielding combination of the Proteas did not let them flourish. Saeed Anwar was out after scoring a brilliant 24, while Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood followed him quick reducing Pakistan to a miserable 76 for 6.With the mountain of a target ahead, the players had lost heart and the spirit to fight. Ijaz Ahmed was the only batsman capable of pulling the team out of crisis but it was not a one man’s job. He was out after scoring a valuable 31 rendering Pakistan to 102 for 7. Rest was the matter of time. With no intentions to fight, the whole team was out for 121 runs in 28 overs.South Africa thus defeated Pakistan by 93 runs to win the Trophy. For his excellent all round performance Nicky Boje was declared Man of the Match.It was a very poor display of cricket by Pakistan. The players some how, did not have their heart in the game. Contrary to their previous performance they lacked the fighting spirit. South Africa certainly deserved to win. They gave a masterly performance to cause Pakistan’s demolition in less than the lesser quota of overs. Well done Proteas.

Umpire Gerard Abood became the first on-field official to wear head protection in an Australian fixture during Melbourne Renegades’ Big Bash League fixture against Perth Scorchers on Wednesday.Abood said he had been weighing up protection for some time due to the increased power in the modern game. “I’ve had close shaves in the past, a couple have been real tight and they weigh on your mind,” Abood told the Cricket Australia website. “I thought, ‘What needs to happen before we do put one on?’ I’d rather put one on just before I get hit than just after.”The T20 game has evolved to the stage where guys are practising specifically whacking balls as hard as they can and it’s just coming off faster and faster. As far as I’m concerned, it has just reached the point where it makes sense on every level, we’re only 24 yards from the bat and if it’s coming back at us pretty quickly there’s not a hell of lot of time to move.”Abood wore a black Masuri batting helmet, but Cricket Australia, the ECB and ICC are working together to design umpire-specific protective gear.Abood’s move comes after his compatriot John Ward was struck on the head during a Ranji Trophy fixture between Punjab and Tamil Nadu on December 1. Pashchim Pathak, the Indian umpire who was stood at square leg when Ward – who is still recovering from concussion – was struck, had also recently worn head protection. In November 2014, Israeli umpire Hillel Awasker died after being hit by a ball during a match in Ashdod.

ScorecardSri Lanka A ended their tour with a 154-run win against Durham after bowling them out for 217 on the final day. Chanaka Welegedara claimed four wickets as Durham collapsed following a fourth-wicket stand of 93 between Gordon Muchall and Gary Park.After batting on for a further 50 runs, Sri Lanka set the home side 372 for victory but they never threatened to get close. However, their bid to save the game started solidly with an opening stand of 71 between Will Smith and Mark Stoneman before Smith was trapped lbw by Dilruwan Perera.Park made 51, but he was caught behind off Welegedara shortly after Muchall had been run out. The lower-order didn’t offer much resistance as the last six wickets fell for 50 runs, the third run-out of the innings completing the victory for Sri Lanka and a highly satisfactory tour where a number of fringe players have shown pleasing form.

With a replica urn positioned a few metres from the table, as if anyone needed reminding of the impending announcement, David Graveney confirmed England’s squad of 16 to tour Australia this winter, to be captained by Andrew Flintoff, in a press conference at The Oval, a year to the day since England regained the Ashes.There were no major surprises, either. In fact the only source of contention Graveney was forced to alleviate was the decision to choose five players returning from injury (and, with Marcus Trescothick’s fitness still uncertain, six). Such concerns were roundly straight-batted and quashed, however.”We believe they will be fit by the time we go to Australia – it’s as simple as that,” Graveney firmly insisted. “If I can refresh your memories to four years ago, Flintoff arrived at the academy hardly able to walk – Darren Gough was in a similar condition. We are confident that all the injuries will be resolved. The situation now is that our medical team is much more professional and much better organised.”Graveney, who at times answered in quite a prickly fashion, said Ashley Giles would be on the plane to India for the Champions Trophy but only to assess his fitness. Prior to today’s announcement it was expected England would fly five reserves out to Perth under the wing of Paul Terry, who runs an academy there. Perth is sufficiently detached (by time zones, if anything) from the main squad to avoid treading on their toes, but close enough for the players to be called upon when required. However, the decision to shift the entire academy squad out there leaves England with, effectively, a squad of 30 to choose from.

“We’ll arrive on the 15th or 16th of November and will stay there until, roughly, December 22, Peter Moores, the Academy director, confirmed. “This enables us to prepare, get them bowling and [have them] ready should they be needed. It’s a high-performance camp – a training camp – to have players on standby. Paul Terry will help us out if we need to play any games but, in general, it will be a training base.”After months of speculation, Flintoff – looking mean and trim – was clearly delighted in his appointment as captain, but refused to send a message to Ricky Ponting or Australia.”Last summer was something special and some of the lads who are going want it again, some probably watched it and want to experience that euphoria,” he said. “There will be a lot of excited young lads. We’re going out there to play good cricket and compete with Australia who are the best team in the world.”Both James Anderson – who has missed the entire season with a back injury – and Liam Plunkett, whose side injury forced him out of the remaining Tests in the Pakistan series, were named – but there was no place for Simon Jones. Such a key figure in England’s win last summer, he underwent knee surgery in America during the summer and will not return to first-class cricket until next season.The first Test at Brisbane gets underway on November 23.

Scorecard

Bermuda virtually guaranteed themselves a place in the ICC Intercontinental Cup semi-finals when they wrapped up an innings-and-105-run victory over Cayman Islands in Toronto.Canada need to score more than 575 inside 90 overs against Cayman Islands later this week and then bowl them out twice if Bermuda are to be denied. But weather forecasters expect heavy rains in the Toronto area from Hurricane Katrina, and if correct that match could be a complete washout.It took Bermuda a little over an hour to polish of Caymans. Resuming on 50 for 4, they had little answer to Dwayne Leverock who took five of the six wickets to fall, finishing with 6 for 16 and match figures of 11 for 72. Despite that, Clay Smith was named Man of the Match for his first-innings hundred.Bermuda, barring miracles from Canada, will meet Kenya in Namibia in October. The other semi-final will be between Ireland and United Arab Emirates.

England 319 and 99 for 3 beat West Indies 208 and 209 by 7 wickets and lead the series 2-0
ScorecardDay 5
Bulletin – England wrap it up in half-an-hour
Verdict – From world-beaters to woeful losers
Quotes – ‘It’s taken a hell of a lot of hard work’
News – Lara and Jones fined
News – Ricky Skerritt resigns as manager
Day 4
Bulletin – England on the brink of victory
Verdict – England’s discipline made the difference
News – Jones apolgises for Sarwan outburst
News – Lara reported to referee
Roving Reporter – Limited satisfaction
Day 3
Bulletin – Thorpe extends England’s lead
Verdict – Patience, persistence, resistance
Quotes – ‘Personal scores are irrelevant,’ says Nasser Hussain
Day 2
Bulletin – Rain halts West Indian fightback
Verdict – Survival of the grittiest
Roving Reporter – Backbench rebellion
Quotes – Fletcher backs the old guardDay 1
Bulletin – Harmison demolishes West Indies … again
Verdict – From damage limitation to Curtly imitation
Roving Reporter – Taking the strain in Port-of-Spain
Pre-matchPreview – West Indies pick up the pieces

The first week of the 2003 World Cup has gone by after causing agreat deal of heartache for a lot of people. The biggest surprisewas South Africa losing twice. And if the double blow was not badenough for the host nation, they have lost Jonty Rhodes to aninjury while Allan Donald seems to be struggling in his finalhurrah.

Talking of Donald, another great cricketer who was looking tosign off in style by winning the World Cup, Shane Warne, hassadly been forced to fly back home after failing a drugs test. I,for one, was looking forward to seeing the blonde bombshell takeon the world’s best batsmen. Arguably the best spin bowler of hisera, Warne’s loss to diuretics has taken some sheen off the WorldCup. He would definitely have played a major role in the latterstages of the tournament when the tracks were expected to takeincreasing turn.Despite Warne’s loss, the popular wisdom is that Australia willgo all the way and win the coveted Cup. But I still have mydoubts regarding their batting. In the game against Pakistan,they probably got away because Waqar Younis failed to apply morepressure when his team had their opponents on the mat. As for thegame against India, Australia did not even have to bat for morethan 20 odd overs.All credit, though, to Andrew Symonds for playing such a superbinnings under pressure against Pakistan. Despite this, I,however, still feel that the Australian middle-order might justcave in during an important game. That is when they would sorelymiss the experience of Steve Waugh, their saviour on moreoccasions than one. Remember, that in the previous World Cup, itwas two great efforts – one by Steve Waugh and the other abrilliant spell from Warne – that took Australia to the covetedtrophy.Brian Lara’s brilliant comeback has, meanwhile, revitalised theWest Indies’ World Cup ambitions. No team can under-estimate thebatting strength of the men from the caribbean, but it is their bowling that looks a bit weak with the part-timers having to chip in with 20 overs.This will leave them exposed against a strong batting side.India’s performance thus far in this World Cup has been dismal. Their batting looks woefully short of confidence, and sadly the message that is being communicated by the body language of the senior players does not make for happy reading.That said, I am deeply saddened by the violent reaction of somefans in India; such mindless acts will only have a negativeeffect on the team. It brings to mind the sad scenes towards theend of the 1996 World Cup semi-final game against Sri Lanka atKolkata. No matter what, violence is certainly not the solutionto any problem.

I feel for the passionate fans of this wonderful game, who feelhurt and let down by the performance of the Indian team. Theunhealthy extent to which the media and the commercial folks havehyped up the game is beginning to prove detrimental now. If thetrend continues, Indian cricket is in real danger of sufferingthe fate of the proverbial golden goose.Having said that, the Indian cricket team and the management, inparticular, deserve all the criticism that is coming their way.The voices that are coming out of the Indian camp provides littlereassurance. If the team management can’t really make out what isgoing wrong with the players, then it is a serious problem thatthe BCCI has to address as soon as possible.I do not doubt the talent and ability of the Indian cricketers,may it be Sourav Ganguly or Mohamad Kaif. These guys have provedto us in the past that they have it in them to do well and wingames for India. With this being the case, I feel that if theforeign coach, sports psychologist, and the computer analyst workdiligently, the players wouldn’t be left feeling as clueless.When it comes to giving advice, I can, for starters, tell our batsmenthis – they need to work hard on their footwork! I am amazed thatsomeone like Rahul Dravid looks so stiff and immobile at thecrease. The same is the case with most of the other players -their feet are not going anywhere, and they have been playingaway from the body, a cardinal sin as far as any top-notch batsman is concerned. All said, my best wishes are still with the Indian team. They nowhave to win the next game against Zimbabwe, though I cannot help but shudder at the very thought of it possibly being a green top at Harare.New Zealand is one team I expect to be in the World Cup final.They have in Chris Cairns a quality all-rounder who can win agame on his own. He will certainly bowl more in the coming gamesand that will add a definite edge to their cricket.

When it comes to their skipper, Sourav Ganguly should try tolearn something from Stephen Fleming. It was a few tacticalblunders by the Kiwi captain that lost his team their openinggame against Sri Lanka. I wouldn’t have expected Fleming to dropVettori, and even decide to bowl first against Sri Lanka. Themistake was made, the game was lost, and New Zealand got off to apoor start. But importantly they did not give up.Fleming and his boys were not willing to let their heads drop,even when South Africa scored 306 against them. Had not rainintervened, I am certain that New Zealand would have scored allthe runs needed to win the game. Fleming led from the front,played a knock that was simply surreal, and took New Zealand tovictory. Indeed, he richly deserves the title – Captain Marvel.This World Cup has gotten off to a stunning start, breaking a lotof hearts and yet providing joy to millions of fans around theworld. The quality of cricket too has been excellent. As we headinto the second week, Australia are at their dominant best. SouthAfrica, meanwhile, are continuing to choke. As for India, theymust play for their life in the remaining games. But when itcomes to picking the team that would go the distance, New Zealandstill remain my favourites.

A fighting century from John Crawley and some adventurous strokeplay from Lancashire’s lower order batsmen blocked Yorkshire’s victory charge on the third day of the Roses match at Headingley.Lancashire closed on 280 for eight with a lead of 122, leaving Yorkshire favourites to clinch their sixth victory of the season and strengthen their position at the top of Division One of the CricInfo Championship table.Resuming their first innings in the morning on 376 for five, Yorkshire added a further 155 before their last wicket fell at 531.Darren Lehmann, whose overnight 222 was already the highest by a Yorkshire batsman at Headingley since Maurice Leyland’s 211, raced on to a record score in a Roses match, 252, before his epic display finally came to an end as he swung at Glen Chapple and was bowled.The Australian had given a flawless exhibition of batting in which he received 288 balls and struck 35 fours and a six.Yorkshire’s innings was far from over when Lehmann departed, however, because Darren Gough continued to blaze a trail, putting on 83 in 24 overs with last man Steven Kirby.Gough was looking set for the second Championship century of his career until he edged Peter Martin to Warren Hegg and was out for 96 from 101 balls with 14 fours and a six, Chapple finishing with a creditable five for 83.Lancashire got off to a shocking start as Michael Atherton edged to slip in Kirby’s first over and Mark Chilton then fell lbw to Gough to make it three for two.Yorkshire’s bowlers kept chipping away at Lancashire but they were defied by captain Crawley who batted superbly for the second time in the match. He never gave a chance as he moved on to his century out of 176 for five but when he had made 113 off 141 balls with 14 fours and a six he cut at Craig White and was caught behind.In the same over, White dismissed Chapple, whose drive was edged to David Byas at first slip, but Chris Schofield laid about him until he was caught at mid-off for 34 and Yorkshire were denied any further successes by Martin and John Wood who slammed the weary bowlers for 47 off the day’s last eight overs, Martin ending unbeaten on 32 and Wood 28.