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Jaywant Lele, the former BCCI secretary, has died of a heart attack in Baroda on Thursday. Lele was the board secretary when the match-fixing scandal broke out in 2000

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2013Jaywant Lele, the former BCCI secretary, has died of a heart attack aged 75 in Baroda on Thursday. Lele took over the post in 1996 and it was during his tenure when the match-fixing scandal broke out in 2000.In that period, the board first set up the Justice Chandrachud Commission to probe the match-fixing charges and then asked the CBI to step in after the former South African captain Hansie Cronje admitted to fixing. The investigation led to life bans on the former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin and batsman Ajay Sharma.Lele lost his post as secretary to Niranjan Shah during the 2001 board elections. He was gearing up for a return to cricket administration in the forthcoming Baroda Cricket Association (BCA).A former engineer with Sarabhai Chemicals, Lele became the honorary secretary of the BCA in 1969. In 2003, he was expelled from the BCA, along with two other administrators, for alleged financial irregularities and administrative lapses.The outspoken Lele was never short of a colourful quote. Before India’s tour of Australia in 1999-2000, a journalist overheard a private conversation in which Lele had predicted that India would lose 3-0. India did lose 3-0. Two years ago, he penned a memoir titled .Lele was also a qualified umpire.While BCCI president N Srinivasan stated he was “shocked to hear the sad demise” of Lele, Sachin Tendulkar said he will miss Lele. “He always hadwonderful words of encouragement for me and genuinely wished well for me,” Tendulkar told . “He was a wonderful person and a well-wisher of mine. I can never forget the interactions we have had over the years. I will miss him.”Malcolm Speed, the former chief executive of Cricket Australia and the ICC, said that Lele was “energetic and reliable”. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with him when I was the chief executive of Cricket Australia. He would always make sure that the relationships between various cricket boards remained cordial,” Speed said. “There are so many special memories that I have of him. He was a lively and colourful character who would ensure that he will be fondly remembered as a cricket administrator and a person. I am deeply saddened by his untimely passing away.”

The sight of MS Dhoni jumping triumphantly as James Tredwell failed to connect with the final ball of the match will become etched in the mind just like his iconic six two years back that helped India to World Cup.

Nagraj Gollapudi at Edgbaston23-Jun-2013The sight of MS Dhoni jumping triumphantly as James Tredwell failed to connect with the final ball of the match will become etched in the mind, just like his iconic six two years back that helped India to the World Cup.But even on that April evening in Mumbai, Dhoni had not celebrated in such an exhilarating fashion as he did as India won the Champions Trophy. Dhoni later explained why he let his guard down at the end of a long, long Sunday.”This means a lot because we were playing one of the best sides and also the kind of match that we had won,” Dhoni said. “To beat England in a 130-odd game is very difficult.”Although India entered the final as the only unbeaten team, playing England on home soil against their quality fast bowling attack was a challenge that was altogether different. Add to that the pressure of playing a final of a world tournament.Questions had been asked of Dhoni on Saturday if the Indian middle order, which had not done much batting in the tournament, could stand up to the task if the top order failed. Dhoni responded by saying his batsmen would need to play the situation.Yet the Indian middle order crumbled under pressure only barring some late fire fighting from Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. The Indian target seemed small. Dhoni agreed that the frequent rain interruptions did act as a distraction.BCCI awards cash prizes for win

The BCCI has announced prizes of Rs 1 crore (USD $167,530 approx.) to each member of the playing squad and Rs 30 lakhs (USD $ 50,265 approx.) for each member of the support staff

“After every few overs our batsmen had to come off,” he said. “People talk about getting set, getting used to the pace and then playing the big shots but that was never the case. Whenever the batsmen felt they were set, they had to come off and we had a break of 15-20 minutes. That never allowed us to gain any kind of momentum or build partnerships which were needed. And that was reflected when the middle order went in to bat. It was the main reason why we ended up scoring less than what we ended up scoring than what we had liked to score.”Before India began their defence, Dhoni pointed out upfront to his players that the only way India could win was by working hard and working to the plans: “Before going in I said, Let us firstly get rid of the feeling that it is a 50-over format. It is a 20-over game. We have seen in IPL that 130-run can be very difficult target to achieve.”He also asked them to not to look for the rain to act a saviour. “God is not coming to save us,” Dhoni told his team in the huddle. “If you want to win this trophy we will have to fight it out. We are the number one-ranked side so let us show it that they will have to fight for these 130-odd runs. So let us not look for any outside help.”The key was not allow England to build the partnerships, hence it was important to see the back of two batsmen, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott, both classical and highly successful Test batsmen, as quickly as possible.”Trott was a very important wicket,” Dhoni said. “Cook also. They are two batsmen who look to play through the innings and the others rotate around them. That means if they get they get a good partnership going they can play freely.”The fact that he is the only captain to have won all three global limited over tournaments is something Dhoni will admit is a special feeling. According to him there were similarities in the way India won the 2007 World Twenty20 and the Champions Trophy because the players were hungry to succeed and that had helped raise the overall spirit of the squad.”There were also quite a number of players who were making a comeback and wanted to do well desperately and be part of the team,” he said. “There are a few who wanted to do well and have a settled position in the side.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the second one-day international between England and New Zealand

The Preview by Alan Gardner01-Jun-2013Match FactsJune 2, 2013
Start time 10.45am (0945 GMT)England’s top-order failed to build a score big enough for their bowlers to defend at Lord’s•Getty ImagesThe Big PictureLike a confident election campaign team beginning to get wind of some worrying exit poll data, England are experiencing a few pre-Champions Trophy jitters. Having glided serenely towards this year’s limited-overs centrepiece with their Bank of England top three, middle-order pocket rockets and specialist seam-and-swing attack blueprint firmly in place, there is just a hint of disquiet. And not only because defeat to New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl would mean a first ODI series loss at home in almost four years.Injury deprived England of Kevin Pietersen several weeks ago – providing grist to the mill of those who worry about their stolid approach early in the game, two new balls or otherwise, and the subsequent pressure that puts on the players to come – and “niggles” now hang ominously over two key members of the bowling attack, in Stuart Broad and Steven Finn. Chris Woakes, in particular, was treated dismissively by Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor at Lord’s and the call-up for Boyd Rankin, who played his last ODI for Ireland in February 2012, might kindly be described as a gamble. Neither Rankin or Jade Dernbach are yet in the Champions Trophy mix but Alastair Cook was noticeably unwilling to make any guarantees on the fitness of Broad and Finn.But one flutter of panic does not make an episode of and England will likely dust off those shiny new red uniforms and refocus on imposing their “skills” against New Zealand. Switching rapidly between formats can cause problems for everyone and while a one-day side largely familiar to each other through Test cricket can have its benefits, the challenge is for them all to go up in gear together. It seems unlikely that so many of the batsmen will get in and not go on again. England came from behind to win the ODIs against the same opponents earlier in the year and will undoubtedly be sharper down at the Ageas Bowl.New Zealand’s position is, by contrast, an enviable one. Unfancied for the tournament to come and dogged by indifferent form over the last couple of years, Brendon McCullum was understandably excited by victory at Lord’s (which maintained their unbeaten record in ODIs there) and what it augurs for his team. Guptill’s return to form has been timed like the lofted six over long-on during his unbeaten century and the bowling attack demonstrated variety and skill. New Zealand are the only team other than Australia to win an ODI series in England in the last five years; they are in sight of a repeat.Form guide (Most recent first)
England LWWLW
New Zealand WLLWLWatch out for…After Tim Bresnan was sent for elbow surgery over the winter, Chris Woakes was given an opportunity to audition for the No. 7 spot. He performed creditably in New Zealand and is a more accomplished batsman but doubts about whether he has the requisite level of control if the ball does not swing for him resurfaced at Lord’s. He is considered by some to be a better red-ball prospect – and going at almost eight an over is certainly one way to confine your ambitions to a different format – but he should get another chance at the Ageas.Luke Ronchi joined the ranks of dual internationals with his New Zealand debut on Friday, taking three catches in a tidy display behind the stumps. An aggressive, fast-scoring batsman, he has been tasked with opening the innings but got little opportunity to demonstrate his abilities thanks to a pearler from James Anderson that saw him off for a three-ball duck. Improving on that may not be too difficult but Ronchi has a further incentive to impress, having played locally in the Southern Electric Premier League for Bashley (Rydal) during the early part of his career.Team newsLess than a week before the start of the Champions Trophy, England have some issues to ponder. Broad and Finn will be protected again and Bresnan remains on standby to leave for the birth of his child. After the struggles of Woakes and Dernbach at Lord’s, uncertainty stalks the replacements bench. Could Boyd Rankin – valued for his height, which differentiates him from the other fit bowlers in the squad – make a surprise England debut? Will Woakes’ batting keep him at No. 7, despite a rank display with the ball? Is a two-spinner policy conceivable? Might Ravi Bopara make yet another comeback? Unlikely. But the announcement at the toss will be interesting.England (probable) 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Ian Bell, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Boyd RankinDaniel Vettori’s continuing fitness woes mean that Nathan McCullum will again shoulder the spinning duties – a job he proved more than up to at Lord’s, taking 2 for 34. Aside from two top-order failures and Brendon McCullum’s continuing search for form with the bat, most of the XI that won at Lord’s made contributions of some sort so an unchanged side seems likely.New Zealand (probable) 1 Luke Ronchi (wk), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Brendon McCullum (capt), 7 James Franklin, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Mitchell McClenaghanPitch and conditionsThe pitches in Southampton can be on the slow side but internationals are usually blessed with a true surface to bat on; barring one rain-affected match, you have to go back to 2004 to find an ODI in which there was not an individual century scored on either side. A sunny forecast means minimal assistance for the seamers.Stats and trivia New Zealand’s only previous visit to the Ageas (formerly Rose) Bowl came during the 2004 NatWest series*. The match, against West Indies, was abandoned without a ball bowled. Ian Bell has made two of his three ODI hundreds at the ground: 126 on both occasions, against India and West Indies. New Zealand have won six of their last seven completed ODIs against England in England. James Anderson needs three wickets to overtake Darren Gough as England’s most successful one-day bowler.Quotes”The signal? It’s that [baby in arms] from the balcony. Then I’ll drop my shopping and hope I’ve bowled my ten overs, then sprint off, jump in the car with my spikes on.”
“When you lose two tall bowlers you want to replace them with another tall bowler.”
“South Africa was quite similar, we came off some tough Test defeats, then we rocked up and won the first game. We’re a very confident one-day team and it was a satisfying win.”
*June 1, 20.30 GMT: The original said the match was part of the Champions Trophy. This has been corrected.

Frequently asked questions: the who, what and how much of IPL 2013

Vishal Dikshit02-Feb-2013Which players are going to be a part of the 2013 IPL auction?
The 2013 IPL auction will feature new names as well as those cricketers who were let go by the franchises when they announced a list of players they had retained and released in keeping with the October 31, 2012, deadline.The original Hyderabad-based franchise, Deccan Chargers, was terminated from the IPL in October. That led to a new team, SunRisers Hyderabad, being formed, and they retained 20 players from the Chargers franchise and released the remaining 13.How much money can the teams spend at the auction?
Each franchise can spend up to $12.5 million on their 2013 squad. The franchises have already spent a portion of that sum on the players they retained in November 2012, and on the ones they traded/signed in the transfer window that closed on January 18. The franchises can now spend the remainder of the amount during the auction.In 2008, every franchise had $5 million as the auction purse. In 2011, that was increased to $9 million. But there was no restriction on what was spent outside of the auction and, last year, there were few high-value trades outside of the auction – for example Dinesh Karthik went from Kings XI Punjab to Mumbai Indians for a million. Subsequently, many franchises complained about the big money being spent outside of the auction purse. So the IPL decided that this year, instead of just regulating the amount being spent at the auction, they would set a consolidated sum of $12.5 million for the franchises’ entire 2013 squads.For how long will the players, who are bought on Sunday, be able to play for the franchise that buys them?
The players signed on Sunday will be available to play for their respective franchises only in this year’s IPL.The contracts of the players who are already with franchises will also end this year. When the players were signed in 2011, the contracts were for two years with the option of extending them for an extra year. The 2014 auction will see more players being auctioned as new contracts will be signed.Is there a cap on the maximum amount a franchise can bid for any player, and will there be a tie-breaker this year too?
In effect, there is no cap on bids for any player. The teams can spend whatever amount they want on procuring a player, based on how much of their $12.5 million purse they have remaining.Yes, the tie-breaker rule still exists. As per this rule, if two franchises submitted the same maximum bid for the same player, they must then submit a cheque with an undisclosed amount to the BCCI – this money comes from outside of the $12.5 million purse. The franchise whose cheque offers the higher amount gets the player and the undisclosed amount goes to the BCCI.How many players in total, and overseas players, can each franchise have?
Each franchise can have a total of 33 players, including 11 from overseas. The squad size was increased from 30 to 33 before the 2012 IPL auction. When it was 30, 20 Indian and 10 overseas players were allowed. However, in the final XI, only four overseas players can be included.Can overseas players be bought outside the auction?
Under normal circumstances, overseas players, whether capped or uncapped, can be bought only at the auction. However, in case of injuries cropping up in a squad, the franchise has the right to sign an overseas player outside the auction as a replacement.In the case of Indian players, uncapped players are signed outside the auction. Capped players, on the other hand, have to be signed at the auction. Capped Indian players can be bought outside the auction only if they are released by a franchise during the trading window. For example, Abhinav Mukund, who has played five Tests, was released by Chennai Super Kings in November and signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore in January.What are capped and uncapped players?
A capped player is one who has played international cricket for his country in any format of the game: Tests, ODIs or Twenty20s. An uncapped player is one who is yet to make his international debut.Why was the Deccan Chargers franchise terminated?
The Deccan Chargers franchise was terminated in October 2012 after its owners, Deccan Chronicles Holdings Limited (DCHL), failed to produce the bank guarantee that the Bombay High Court had stipulated they furnish in order to avoid termination from the league.The franchise had defaulted on several fronts (including payments to players and foreign boards) after DCHL ran into financial problems. The BCCI, subsequently, had set a deadline of September 15, 2012, for the owners to clear all dues. Since the owners were unable to sort out their financial problems, they put the franchise up for sale. They then rejected the sole bid they received, and were unable to offer viable a solution, which eventually led to their termination.Why is there a new franchise from the same city as Deccan Chargers, instead of from a different city?
Once Chargers were terminated, the BCCI invited bids for a new IPL franchise from one of 12 cities, including Hyderabad. The Sun TV Network won the bid, offering Rs 85.05 crores per year for a five-year deal, for a Hyderabad-based franchise.

Yorkshire have been forced to deny a rift with their legspinner Adil Rashid, with the start of the Championship season only a few hours away

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-2013Yorkshire have been forced to deny a rift with their legspinner Adil Rashid, with the start of the Championship season only a few hours away.Rashid was quoted in the on Tuesday as saying that if his season did not go well he would insist on going to another county on loan – the same route followed by Ajmal Shahzad, whose disenchantment with Yorkshire led him to play out last season with Lancashire before joining Nottinghamshire on a three-year deal.A statement from Yorkshire said that the interview had taken place on January 24 and that Rashid had apologised to the captain, Andrew Gale, for the embarrassment caused.Rashid only took 16 wickets at 41 runs each in 10 Championship matches last season and his batting fared equally badly – 129 runs at 16.12. His reputation as an exciting England legspinner in the making has collapsed, as he has even fallen out of recent Lions squads.”Now is the time to draw the line, and if it happens again I’ll say: ‘OK, I’ll go out on loan somewhere else to play’,” he said in the original interview. “I hope it doesn’t come down to that. I’ve been playing here seven years and I want to stay. But I have a career and I can’t waste another year.”It’s hard to come straight on and hit your length and line with every delivery if you’re hardly bowling and the coaches and people around you don’t give you the backing.”Rashid said that he accepted some of the blame, but it had to be shared with the captains and the coaches. “If a player’s not performing, don’t just all of a sudden disrespect him, or think: ‘Oh, he’s nothing now’ then as soon as he starts playing well: ‘OK, I’ll respect him again now’.”The captain knows what I can do because I’ve got 200-plus first-class wickets. He should have thought: ‘OK, he’s done this in the past, I need to back him.’ If I don’t get that from the captain obviously my confidence is going to go down.”In response, Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket, said: “It is disappointing and frustrating that this article has been used on the eve of the season. Although an interview was conducted in January, the way Adil has worked and behaved throughout the winter would not suggest to me that we have a problem.”Adil has worked extremely hard and has been a vibrant member of the squad. He is someone who is valued at the club and all the staff here are committed to helping him become a consistent performer and fulfil his obvious potential.”There was also the sound of backtracking from Rashid. “It was an error of judgement to make those comments to the media back in January,” he said. “Yorkshire is a great club and there is a very positive atmosphere within the squad. I just want to concentrate on my game and work hard to be part of Yorkshire’s aim for success in 2013.”

A 197-run opening stand between Shahriar Nafees and Lou Vincent led Khulna Royal Bengals to their first victory this season, against Duronto Rajshahi in Khulna

The Report by Mohammad Isam24-Jan-2013
ScorecardShahriar Nafees is the first Bangladesh batsman to score a Twenty20 century•Bangladesh Cricket BoardKhulna Royal Bengals achieved their first victory of the BPL, against Duronto Rajshahi, by a convincing margin of 68 runs. The foundation was laid by the captain Shahriar Nafees’ record-breaking century and his unbeaten opening stand of 197 with Lou Vincent, a BPL record. The defeat kept Rajshahi level on points with Barisal Burners, Chittagong Kings and now Royal Bengals.It was also the first time a side batting first completed its innings without the loss of a wicket. Nafees scored 102 off 69 balls with 12 fours and two sixes, becoming the first Bangladesh batsman to score a Twenty20 century. He beat Tamim Iqbal’s 93 for Wayamba United. It is also the first of this BPL season and the fifth overall.Vincent, who has two Twenty20 centuries, supported Nafees through the 20 overs, providing him with enough strike and entertaining the crowd with some deft strokes. He made 89 off 51 balls with eight sixes, the most for any batsman in an innings this year. The pair’s opening stand is also a BPL record for any wicket, beating the previous best of 167 between Ahmed Shehzad and Chris Gayle in the inaugural match last year. It is the fourth highest in all Twenty20s.Rajshahi started the chase of 198 positively but lost their way once Tamim, Charles Coventry and Jahurul Islam had got out by the 11th over. Khulna looked hungrier to win than in their previous games in the tournament, and completed the crushing win in the penultimate over, bowling their opponents out for 129.

Brad Young has become the latest veteran spinner to join the Big Bash League after signing with the Adelaide Strikers

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2012Brad Young has become the latest veteran spinner to join the Big Bash League after signing with the Adelaide Strikers. Young, 39, has been confirmed as the team’s replacement for his fellow left-arm orthodox bowler Jon Holland, who will miss the entire BBL season while recovering from shoulder surgery.Young played six one-day internationals for Australia in 1998 and 1999, and he also took a hat-trick against New Zealand in the semi-final at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, in a match that was not considered an official ODI. He has not played at the elite level since his last appearance for South Australia in 2003 but he impressed the Strikers coach Darren Berry, who trialled Young and Mark Higgs during practice matches last month.”Brad Young is a great story coming off the surf beach at Grange,” Berry told the of Young, who has been playing cricket in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association rather than grade cricket. “It was a tough call [between Young and Higgs], but we just felt Brad was better suited to what we are looking for. He will be a handy addition.”Young will be available for the Strikers’ next game, against Brisbane Heat on Thursday. He joins fellow veteran spinners Shane Warne and Brad Hogg in this year’s BBL – Stuart MacGill was also part of the tournament last summer – and Young believes his age and experience will hold him in good stead for a return to elite cricket.”I played when Australia were the No. 1 side in the world, I look back with fond memories and hopefully there are a few more over the next few weeks,” Young said. “I have a wiser head on my shoulders. I do feel ready, shed a few kilos, the ball is coming out well and I am just trying to get up to speed on the fielding and batting.”

The IPL governing council has suspended all five players named by the India TV sting operation alleging corruption

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2012The IPL governing council has suspended five players named by a sting operation alleging corruption until an inquiry into the accusations is conducted. TP Sudhindra (Deccan Chargers), Mohnish Mishra (Pune Warriors), Shalabh Srivastava (Kings XI Punjab), Amit Yadav (Kings XI Punjab) and Abhinav Bali were suspended, according to IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla.”The above players would not be entitled to participate in any cricket match played under the aegis of the BCCI while under suspension,” N Srinivasan, the BCCI president, said in a statement.Shukla said Ravi Sawani, the former head of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU), will conduct the inquiry. “The conversation [in the sting] is about other matches also, which are not IPL, or in previous IPLs,” Shukla said after the meeting on Tuesday. “After due consideration, the BCCI president has decided to have an inquiry for which a commissioner has been appointed, Mr Ravi Sawani. He will be conducting the preliminary inquiry. His report will be sent to the disciplinary committee.”Indian politicians brought up the matter during a parliamentary session. Former India cricketer Kirti Azad, who is now a member of the country’s main opposition party, the BJP, reportedly said that corruption in sports was on the rise with politicians heading sports associations. “I have no objections with politicians heading sports bodies,” Azad was quoted as saying. “But ever since politicians have taken over, corruption has seeped in and grown from top to bottom.”However, Srinivasan said corruption was not as widespread in Indian cricket as it was being made out. “I don’t think this operation can reflect what is going across the board. I can’t deny what has happened because the evidence is there as what was shown yesterday. But at the same time it is a case of few individuals so I don’t want to generalise on this,” he told an Indian TV channel.”I believe it will be a case of few individual players maybe out of greed or whatever taking wrong steps. I am not prepared to take a brush and paint the whole thing or say that this is rampant or anything like that.”He also defended the franchise owners from any allegation of corruption. “All the franchisees are people of stature behind it. It will be wrong to presume they are doing something wrong and then make enquiries. If something comes to light it is different.”Meanwhile Srivastava, one of the players accused by the sting, said he was not guilty. “I fail to understand whatever is being said about spot-fixing. Also if they [a TV channel] are showing all the video clips, why aren’t they showing the clip where I allegedly am demanding Rs. 10 lakh?” he told NDTV. “The voice in that telephonic conversation is not mine. It is very easy to frame anyone with a doctored audio clip.”India TV, a television channel, showed footage of a player bowling a big no-ball in a limited-overs match and played a recording of a phone conversation that it said was of a current IPL player negotiating a fee for bowling a no-ball. It also had at least three players on camera allegedly seeking more lucrative deals – including extra money that would have violated their IPL contracts – with other league franchises through an undercover reporter posing as a sports agent.Srivastava has not played a match for Kings XI this IPL season, though he was a fairly regular starter in 2011 and has played 14 matches in all. Mohnish Mishra played the solitary match for Warriors in 2012, when he replaced Sourav Ganguly against Royal Challengers Bangalore and was dismissed for 4. Sudhindra played three games for Chargers, conceding 136 runs and taking only one wicket, while Yadav has not got a game for Kings XI. Bali, an allrounder from Delhi, is not part of the IPL but has played first-class and limited-overs cricket for Himachal Pradesh.06:32 GMT, May 16: This story has been updated to include the reaction of Srinivasan and Indian politicians

Chris Gayle has said that all differences between him and the WICB have been resolved and his aim now is to give a lift to Caribbean cricket.

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2012Chris Gayle, who played his first innings in West Indies colours since the 2011 World Cup against Middlesex on Wednesday, has said that all differences between him and the WICB have been resolved and his aim now is to give a lift to Caribbean cricket.”Everything has been rectified,” Gayle said. “The main objective is to contribute to West Indies cricket and uplift it. I’m available for all formats of the game. Hopefully I can get some runs in whites and in coloured clothes.”Gayle had been in international exile after the World Cup following the breakdown of his relationship with the WICB and was restricted to plying his trade, quite successfully, in domestic Twenty20 leagues around the world. After prolonged discussions with the WICB, Gayle eventually pulled out of a contract with Somerset to show his commitment to West Indies, following which he was selected in the squad for the limited-overs series against England.He began his comeback with 34 off 30 deliveries in the West Indians’ big win over Middlesex in the tour match at Lord’s and admitted to feeling “a bit nervous” at the start. “It is good to be back in my No. 45 jersey I represented West Indies in once. I started out a bit nervous, I am human, but things came along well after that. Unfortunately I got out. I am looking forward to the first ODI and should be in a better state of mind.”Gayle said at the moment it was very important for him to fit into the squad as quickly as possible. “Once you get settled in everything will come back to normal. You get that feel again in any environment which you have been out of for a year. Once you get back that feeling, once you get back into your comfort zone, things will be much easier.”I want to contribute more. Hopefully get a few more centuries for West Indies. The most important thing is to try and get a couple of series wins. Because the pressure has been there. Even when I wasn’t playing, the pressure has still been there outside. I am still a part of it whichever way you look at it.”Gayle has declared himself available for all three formats of the game, so should return to Test cricket on July 25 against New Zealand in Antigua – his first Test since December 2010. His return also provides a major boost to West Indies’ chances at the World T20 in September.In the absence of Gayle, and another veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan, West Indies’ focus has been on building a squad for the future under coach Ottis Gibson and captain Darren Sammy. Gayle agreed that youngsters were the future. “When you look at guys like Adrian Barath or Kieran Powell or even young Darren Bravo, they have long contributions to make for West Indies cricket. They are the future. You cannot just hide them or throw them away. You still have to keep them in the group. And hopefully with experience things are going to be well.”Looking ahead to the ODI series against England, Gayle said while West Indies have a talented squad with plenty of powerhitters, they “still have a lot to do by rotating the strike, picking up the singles and playing smart cricket.”England and West Indies play three ODIs and a T20 later this month with the first one-dayer at West End on June 16.

ESPNcricinfo rounds up the eighth round of matches of the Premier League Tournament 2011-12

Sa'adi Thawfeeq13-Mar-2012Premier League Tier AColombo Colts CC, led by Malinda Warnapura, have secured the Premier League Tier A title after they came out on top of their crucial game against Singhalese SC, which ended in a draw at Havelock Park last weekend.The high-scoring match that saw four centuries being scored resulted in Colts obtaining first-innings points, which extended their lead in the standings to more than 14 points from second-placed SSC.SSC seemed to have the game under their control when they rattled up 401 batting first after winning the toss. Sri Lanka Test batsman Thilan Samaraweera warmed up for the two-Test series against England with a 249-ball hundred against his former club. His 160-run parntnership for the fourth wicket with Thilina Kandamby, who scored 124 off 214 balls, laid the foundation for SSC’s total.Colts lost a wicket in the 12th over of their reply, but SSC had to wait another 85 overs for their next success. Colts opener Harsha Vithana and wicketkeeper Kushal Janith Perera shared the first triple-century partnership of the season, as SSC tried as many as nine bowlers to dislodge them. The pair put on 320 for the second wicket with both batsmen making their career-best scores. Vithana scored 157 off 319 balls and Perera 186 off 290 balls as they took the game away from SSC and edged their club closer to the championship title. Colts closed at 435 for 4 and managed to grab four cheap SSC wickets in the second innings to show their complete domination. Colts have only a game against lowly placed Badureliya SC to play the coming weekend and skipper Malinda Warnapura said that they wanted to finish off the season in style, with a win.”The success of our side is not due to any one player who has been outstanding, it has been a team effort where everyone contributed at different times,” Warnapura, under whose leadership Colts have now won the Premier League twice and finished runner-up once in the past three years, said.”At the start of the season the club wanted us to give the youngsters exposure. Apart from me and Sajeewa Weerakoon who are both over 30 the rest are in their twenties. I am glad that we were able to win the championship with a young team.”SSC, whose best chance is to finish runner-up, take on bottomdwellers Nondescripts CC in their final match. First-innings points in that game will ensure the position, but NCC, who are on the brink of relegation, will try their best to grab as many points as possible. Along with NCC, Moors SC and Badureliya SC are also fighting hard to avoid being relegated.Moors lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with their first win of the season, defeating Lankan CC by 186 runs at Moors Sports Club Ground. Despite a fighting century from opener Ashen Silva for Lankan CC, Moors’ first-innings total of 304 was enough for a lead of 106. Moors went for quick runs in their second essay and reached 272 for 5, scored at 5.78 runs an over. Former Sri Lanka one-day cricketer Dilhara Lokuhettige, in only his second appearance of the season, slammed 101 not out off 85 balls, including five sixes, to give the Moors innings the necessary impetus. Faced with a target of 379, Lankan CC folded timidly for 192, with former Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Dinuka Hettiarachchi taking 8 for 55 in the second innings.Nondescripts CC once again slipped to the bottom of the table when they came off second best to Ragama CC/ptta-11/engine/match/534888.html in their drawn match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground. NCC’s batting failed to get past Ragama’s modest first-innings total of 217; they were bowled out for 184 by the spin of former Sri Lanka legspinner Malinga Bandara, who returned his best figures of the season with 7 for 56. An opening partnership of 217 between Udara Jayasundara, who got a career-best 154, and Ian Daniel (110) saw Ragama set NCC an imposing target of 408 to chase in the fourth innings. Skipper Jehan Mubarak’s second-successive century and his third of the season ensured NCC’s batting did not succumb twice in the match.Defending champions Bloomfield have made a late spurt, recording their third win of the season, but it seems they have left it too late to catch up with the top two. Sri Lanka spinner Suraj Randiv pressed for a Test place against England with a superb spell of offspin bowling. After going for 163 runs without success against SSC the previous week, Randiv was in his element as he made the ball talk, grabbing 11 wickets in the game, with figures of 8 for 128 in the second innings. Badureliya found, to their dismay, that totals of 226 and 379 were not enough to stop the rampaging Bloomfield side, who went onto complete an emphatic seven-wicket win.Edging closer towards the final weekend, Tamil Union’s performances began to falter as they conceded vital first-innings points to Chilaw Marians in their drawn match played at the P Sara Oval.Premier League Tier BWith their sixth win of the season in eight matches Sri Lanka Army, captained by Manjula de Soysa, have secured the Premier League Tier B crown with one match to play. Without the services of their matchwinner Seekkuge Prasanna, who has left for Dhaka to play in the Asia Cup, Army showed they had enough ammunition in store to beat Sri Lanka Air Force by an innings. Army was assured of the title when their closest rivals Sri Lanka Navy were beaten by by one wicket by Saracens in a thrilling finish. The win propelled Saracens to third spot and they have a very good chance of ending runner-up if they win their last match against Sri Lanka Ports Authority. Navy plays Air Force in their last game.Colombo CC, at the bottom of the table for most of the season, should feel safe after grabbing first innings-points off Panadura in a high-scoring game. Two good knocks of 93 and 115, by Saman Jayantha and Upul Fernando respectively, saw them overhaul Panadura’s total of 330 comfortably, with four wickets in hand. However their real matchwinner was the six foot, three inches tall offspinner from Lumbini M: Maduka Liyanapathiranage, who returned career-best match-figures of 12 for 147, which included an innings-best of 7 for 98 in the first innings. Maduka, who compares his bowling style to that of Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis, was playing in only his fourth first-class match.Another offspinner, Aravinda Premadasa, made a memorable first-class debut for Kurunegala Youth CC when he captured 10 wickets for 62 including figures of 7 for 54 in the second innings as Police, chasing a tall target of 433, were bundled out for a paltry 144 and lost by 288 runs. There were also maiden first-class hundreds for KYCC’s Sisira Kumara, at the age of 32, and for 21-year-old Sajith Kalumpriya.