Standard Bank Triangular series in South Africa

The Indians will be upbeat after their 41 run win over the South Africans at Centurion yesterday when they take on the talented and hard working Kenyans in the fourth match of the Standard Bank Triangular series in Bloemfontein today. There are likely to be sweeping changes made to the side with a couple of players likely to get a break. Reetinder Sodhi and Jacob Martin should be included giving Das and Srinath a chance to sit out. Das has been unable to do much in both the games he played.

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The Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly expressed his displeasure at some of the umpiring decisions made at the Centurion match against South Africa. He added that he strongly believed that on field umpires should refer doubtful catches to the third umpire. Ganguly was reacting after TV replays shows that Kallis had not taken his catch cleanly. His rival skipper however felt that referring catches to the third umpires was not necessary and that umpires, standing in the middle, should use their judgment as often as possible.

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Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly who in the recent times invited the wrath of many a match referee said it was that fear that resulted in him not showing any reaction to the catch taken by Kallis although he was convinced the catch was not taken cleanly. Ganguly in his short tenure as captain has had to sit out of couple of matches so far after questioning umpiring decisions.

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The Indian coach John Wright kept tightlipped about the letter that had been faxed to him and the team physio by the new BCCI chief Jagmohan Dalmiya questioning the Indian teams lackluster performance in the recent months. Dalmiya's aversion to hiring foreign coaches for hefty sums is a known matter. Wright simply said at present he was just concentrating on the game plan.

England in Zimbabwe

England fast bowler James Kirtley has been declared officially as having a suspect action by the match referee of the bilateral series Naushad Ali. Ali has reported his view to the Zimbabwe Cricket Union as well as the ICC. It is still unknown whether England will play him in the final one-dayer of the series tomorrow. England leads the series 4-0.

Miscellaneous (International)

The Agenda for the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Executive Board meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur in October 18 and 19 is a lengthy one. Among the topics likely to be discussed are the toughening of penalties and bans on players for any breach of the ICC Code of Conduct and imposing fines and penalties on countries failing to willfully fulfill their international touring commitments as per the 10 year plan. The meeting was originally scheduled to be held at Lahore but was rescheduled to the political uncertainty prevailing in Pakistan.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to agree to the International Cricket Council's proposal of rescheduling its home international commitments on neutral venues. The PCB have put forward Sharjah and Morocco as the acceptable neutral venues where matches could be played until tension in the country eases out.

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Former Pakistan all-rounder Mudassar Nazar has been appointed coach of the Pakistan cricket team. The English coach Richard Pybus quit, quoting security fears over his stay in Pakistan that will be necessary if he continued as coach. Pybus had refused to come to Pakistan to take charge of the training camp prior to the Sharjah tournament beginning in October. Mudassar Nazar who termed the offer as a challenge said he was keen to continue until the World Cup in 2003.

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Australian skipper Steve Waugh has been given the clearance to resume training from next week. Waugh completed a course of blood-thinning medication to treat a blood clot in his left leg. Waugh was forced to sit out of the fourth Test against England and played the fifth one despite not being fully fit. The blood clot was discovered on his return to Australia and treatment was begun immediately. Waugh is likely to play the fist Test against New Zealand beginning November 8th.

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Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has urged Australian captain Steve Waugh to play for as long as he could. Describing Waugh as the best captain in world cricket today Imran said that criticism made of his fitness should motivate him to play cricket longer. Imran, himself played international cricket up to the age of 39 and led Pakistan to the 1992 World Cup before retiring. He added that Waugh is a mentally strong and disciplined guy and with, and discipline the body remains fresh and allows you to keep going."

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The West Indies may pull out of a planned tour of Sri Lanka as they have become uncertain about the political situation in the country following the announcement of elections on December 5. There was however no comment from the Sri Lankan Board on the matter. West Indies is also scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2002.

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Nearly 250 people of the expatriate Sri Lankan community and well-wishers of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, attended a reception held recently to felicitate Test cricket coach Dav Whatmore and his wife Kathy, who were on a short visit to Victoria. The Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Victoria and the Sri Lanka-Australia Council organized the reception jointly. Whatmore's contribution to Sri Lankan cricket was lauded.

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The Australian Cricket Board and Hutchison Telecom a telecommunications company have signed a USD12.5 million dollar deal. This change in sponsor follows the collapse of Australia's long time sponsor Ansett Airline.

Miscellaneous (National)

The Board of Control for Cricket have decided to call off the the Cooch Behar (Under-19) Trophy for the 2001- 2002 season in order give the players more time to prepare for the Junior World Cup to be held in New Zealand from January 19 to February 10, 2002. India are the defending champions. All domestic tournaments for the juniors will be completed by November 4 and the selection committee will name 25 probables for a World Cup camp that will be held in Bangalore from December 8 to 22, 2001.

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