Ryder not in Nz’s World cup plans
Wellington: Troubled batsman Jesse Ryder’s chequered past came back to haunt him today when New Zealand selectors left him out of a preliminary 30-man World Cup squad. The 30-year-old is regarded as one of the Black Caps’ few match-winners but his career has been littered with alcohol-fuelled incidents and chief selector Bruce Edgar said New Zealand were not prepared to gamble on him for the tournament. The squad features all the players currently facing Pakistan
on tour in the United Arab Emirates, including spinner Daniel Vettori, who may make next year’s showcase tournament his international swansong. It will be cut to 15 on January 8 as New Zealand look to set a new benchmark in the February-March tournament they are co-hosting with Australia.
Abbott set for return after tragedy
Sydney: Sean Abbott, who delivered the ball that killed Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, is set to return to action after being named today in the New South Wales squad. There were fears that the young fast bowler may have been too traumatised to play again after Hughes died from being hit by one of his bouncers at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month. Abbott attended Hughes’s funeral last week and many people around the cricket world have expressed solidarity with the 22-year-old following the freak accident. NSW captain Moises Henriques said the bowler was holding up well.
He’s coping pretty well," Henriques told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Banned Senanayake in Sl wc squad
Colombo: In a surprise move, Sri lankan selectors have included banned off-spinner Sachitra Senanayake in the 30-member probables for next year’s ODI World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand. Senanayake is yet to be cleared by the ICC after having been banned.
Having taken corrective measures to alter his delivery action, Senanayake underwent testing at ICC’s new centre in Chennai. The report is expected in the next few days, Sri lanka Cricket officials said. The selectors have also brought in 23-year-old left-arm spinner lakshan Sandakan. The Sri lankan management has been impressed by the young spinner’s variety of deliveries.
sachin congratulates blind wc team
New Delhi: Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has congratulated the Indian visually impaired cricket team for winning the World Cup for Blind by defeating Pakistan. "Congratulations to Indian Visually Impaired Cricket team on winning the World Cup. Should inspire the potential world beaters in the country," Tendulkar wrote on Twitter on Monday. After winning the trophy, Indian captain Shekar Naik said the team was elated at having won despite the great odds and lack of support from the BCCI. The Indian team comprised 17 players and three officials. There are around 22,000 blind cricketers in the country. Sports Ministry has planned a felicitation programme for the team.