ICC to launch ‘Net Bowler' program
Melbourne: With just over 100 days left for the ICC Cricket World Cup to kickstart in Australia and New Zealand, the event organisers are set to launch their official 'Net Bowler' program at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Thursday. An unprecedented number of 1,500 net bowlers are required for the tournament and the scanning of the potential candidates will start under the watchful eyes of Matthew Hayden, said an ICC release. The former Aussie opener will also share his experiences with the young bowlers and the Allan Border Field will be announced as an official venue for the tournament. Net bowlers are usually drawn from high level club cricket and play an important role in helping World Cup teams practise their batting prior to and during the tournament.
Williamson out of NZ-SA series
Wellington: Batsman Kane Williamson will miss the two remaining matches in New Zealand's limited-overs series against South Africa due to a wrist injury. Williamson skipped the opening six-wicket loss to South Africa at Mount Maunganui on Tuesday and has subsequently been ruled out of second match at the same venue Friday and the third at Hamilton on Monday. Head coach Mike Hesson on Wednesday said Williamson had a ligament tear in his left wrist from the recent Champions league in India. Williamson joins leading batsman Ross Taylor in missing the series. Taylor has a calf injury.
loughborough latest ICC testing centre
Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced that National Cricket Performance Centre at loughborough University has been accredited as a testing centre for suspected illegal bowling actions. loughborough now joins Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cricket Australia's National Cricket Centre in Brisbane and the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai which were all announced earlier this month. All ICC-accredited facilities were assessed against a range of criteria, including having an indoor area large enough to allow a player to bowl off his or her normal full run-up; a motion analysis system with a minimum of 12 high speed cameras capable of producing three-dimensional data, suitably qualified personnel, experienced in using such systems, and implementing the ICC testing protocol. The ICC has provided its testing protocol, which includes a suite of testing equipment and software, to the three accredited centres, to allow for a consistent assessment of bowlers across different facilities and countries.
Younis ton saves Pakistan
Dubai: Younis Khan proved the selectors were wrong to drop him from Pakistan's limited-overs team by hitting a sedate 25th test century on Wednesday as Pakistan reached 219-4 on the opening day of the first test against Australia. Younis, who had criticized the selectors for axing him from the ODI series against Australia, made 106 off 223 balls before he was trapped lbw by a sharp Mitchell Johnson (3-22) delivery with the second new ball. Azhar Ali (53) shared a 108-run stand with Younis and defied Australia for nearly 3-1/2 hours after Johnson and Peter Siddle had earlier reduced Pakistan to 7-2. Younis hit 10 fours and completed his first test hundred against Australia when he lofted offspinner Nathan lyon over midwicket for his only six of the innings. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 34 with Asad Shafiq not out on 9 at stumps. Dropped on 22, Ali made a sedate 53 off 167 balls, including six fours, before playing a loose drive off Mitchell Johnson (2-18) to give Australia its only wicket in the afternoon session. Earlier, Johnson and Peter Siddle had cut Pakistan to 7-2 after Misbah won the toss and elected to bat. Brief Scores — Pakistan: 219/4 (Younis Khan 106, Azhar Ali 53; Mitchell Johnson 3-22) vs Australia.