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Friday, April 15, 2011

Ireland spinner Regan West retires

Ireland spinner Regan West has announced his retirement from international cricket after failing to overcome a shoulder injury.
The 31-year-old took 56 wickets in 38 appearances for the Irish and was part of the squad which reached the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 in June 2009, but has not played since facing England two months later.

Despite undergoing a number of operations on his shoulder, West has had to admit defeat in his battle to regain fitness.

"I'm pretty gutted with the outcome really," West said.

He continued: "At the beginning it wasn't a case of 'if I would bowl again', it was just 'how long it would take to recover'. My left shoulder is not in good shape, so the recommendation that I shouldn't bowl again didn't come as a surprise but it is still very disappointing.

"I had a brilliant time playing for Ireland and have gained a lot of very good memories. I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to represent Ireland, and it is sad for me that it is now over."

Zulqarnain Haider withdraws asylum application


Zulqi phatoo
London: Pakistani cricketer Zulqarnain Haider on Friday withdrew his asylum application that he had filed in Britain’s Home Department after his dramatic disappearance from Dubai during a one-day series between Pakistan and South Africa in November last year.
Later he was found at London Airport, saying that he was receiving life threats form alleged bookies.
He had filed an application with the Britain Home Department, seeking political asylum on the grounds that he could not return to Pakistan due to life threats.
Inexperienced wicketkeeper this week met Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik during his visit to London.According to sources Malik assured Hader that ample security would be provided to him and his family.The sources said that Haider decided to withdraw his application after Malik’s assurances.
They said that Haider also contacted to PCB chairman Ejaz Butt before taking the decision.
Zulqarnain Haider had played a key role in his last one-day match against South Arica and  secured a victory for his team.

Michael Vaughan fears hectic schedule might make ECB lose coach Andy Flower

Michael Vaughan fears hectic schedule might make ECB lose coach Andy Flower


Former England captain Michael Vaughan fears that the extremely hectic international schedule may see England losing their coach, Andy Flower.
Vaughan himself retired from cricket after he used to remain away from home for long due to cricketing assignments.
England coach, Andy Flower, has also voiced similar concerns after they had to spend over three months Down Under.
Later many of the players headed to the Subcontinent for the ICC World Cup 2011. However, some of them returned home, as they had injuries and the rest of the team lost their momentum and returned back after their exit from the quarter-final of the tournament.
Flower has done wonders for the current England side. He helped them win two consecutive Ashes series, which included the 2010-11 one in Australia after 24 years. Flower also helped England break their ICC event jinx as he won the ICC Twenty20 championship with the side.
Former English skipper, Vaughan praised Flower for his non-stop efforts for the betterment of the team. He is of the view that Flower should be given rest and time as he could not spend time with his family due to the tight schedule of the England team.
He said that the coach of the team also works as hard as the players do, so he added that he is worried about Flower as he could not get time to rest.
Vaughan also said that it was important for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to keep Andy Flower fresh because he has been doing a great job with the team. He said that ECB could not afford to lose him to a hectic international schedule with the England team.
Commentator Vaughan also talked about Kevin Pietersen, who has been ruled out from the team due to hernia concerns. He said that the board should also give him one chance to return to his prolific form.
He stated, “He’s an amazing talent, but it’s clear that somewhere in the last year something hasn’t been right mentally with him – and he’s got some kind of distraction”.

New batting coach likely after West Indies tour



Batting legend Javed Miandad’s refusal to coach the national cricket team has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to defer the appointment of batting coach till the conclusion of the West Indies tour. An official of the PCB has informed that the PCB has deferred the appointment of batting coach till the end of West Indies series as they are unable to find a suitable bating expert at the moment. Pakistan will play five-match ODI and two-match Test series in West Indies from April 23 to May 20.

“Actually nobody in the board was expecting that Miandad will refuse this offer and everybody was considering him as a batting consultant for the squad. However, his refusal stunned the management and they did not have sufficient time to look for a batting consultant before the West Indies tour,” he said. “Pakistan will spend one month in West Indies and it is improper to name a new batting coach at this moment. We believe that the board will be in better position to name someone for this slot towards the end of this tour,” the official said.


He added the board had already started looking for a batting consultant and the top management had some names under considerations. “We are unaware about the possible candidates but the top bosses surely have some names under discussion. Hopefully these names will be made public in next few days,” he added. The issue of appointment of a batting coach was raised by skipper Shahid Afridi and other members of team management after the Pakistan batsmen failed to perform in the World Cup that concluded earlier this month in India.

Indo-Pak cricket rivalry bigger than Ashes: Waqar

Karachi-Routers, Pakistan cricket coach Waqar Younis has called for the resumption of Indo-Pak cricket ties, saying that a contest between the archrivals is more significant than the Ashes.
"The most important thing for Pakistan is the revival of our contests with India, which is also beneficial for the entire cricketing world. The rivalry [between India and Pakistan] is more important than the Ashes," the Dawn quoted Waqar, as telling media persons.
Pakistan, considered underdogs before the start of the 2011 World Cup, made it to the last four stage of the tournament before their campaign ended in a 29-run defeat at the hands of India in the semi final clash at Mohali on March 30.
"Though Pakistan reached the World Cup semi-final, we have not been playing international matches at home [since March 2009], which is worrying for us. And [therefore] a bilateral series against India can revive international cricket in Pakistan," said Waqar.
Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani's March 30 visit to India to watch the high voltage Indo-Pak encounter on the invitation of his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh, Waqar said that cricket had yet again worked as a bridge, bringing both countries closer during the World Cup.
"The prime ministers of the two countries met each other due to the Mohali semi-final," he said, adding, "More such activities between India and Pakistan can bring their people further closer to each other."
Waqar also noted that the Pakistan team getting welcomed on arriving home, despite losing the crucial World Cup semi-final match to India, was a new tradition.
"Though the people were disappointed after we lost the semi-final, they welcomed us because the team played good cricket in the group matches and the quarter-final," he said.

Kochi Tuskers Kerala beat Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets in IPL- Sony Max

Mumbai- Routers, Kochi Tuskers Kerala beat Mumbai Indians by 8 wickets in IPL match and did an upset in the tournament.Sachin Tendulkar who scores 100 for his team didn't make difference like always.
Jadeja hit consistent 2 six for winning his team.Jayawardene also play key role for Kochi Tuskers Kerala win over Mumbai Indians.