Bradman bat up for auction
Sydney: A cricket bat used by Australian great Donald Bradman and signed by his 1948 “Invincible” team is expected to fetch up to 20,000 Australian dollars ($17,900) at auction this month, an auctioneer said on Friday. Charles leski, whose company is selling the item, said Bradman used the Sykes bat to score 115 in his final first-class innings at home before the team travelled to England in 1948. The Invincibles went on to become — and remain — the only Australian side to go through an entire Ashes tour unbeaten. The item, which spent 20 years on display at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) from 1984, will be auctioned on August 15 in Melbourne. “Few items of cricketing memorabilia overshadow those belonging to Sir Donald Bradman,” leski said. “Of these, his bats are among the most prized possessions because they were his ultimate stock in trade. “Together with his baggy green caps, they represent his unique talent that has yet to be matched.”
‘Ganguly showed lack of respect’
Bangalore: Former captain Sourav Ganguly may have showed a “lack of respect” by turning up late for toss when India locked horns with Australia during the historic 2001 Test series, feels Steve Waugh who was a leading a bunch of extraordinarily talented Aussies in that rubber. “The fact that he turned up late every game -- it was his choice. I just thought it showed a lack of respect for the game. It didn’t really affect me. The match referee actually told him that he had to turn up on time,” Waugh said when asked about the controversial episode.
Tiwary to go to UK for surgery
Kolkata: Sidelined by recurrent injuries, India batsman Manoj Tiwary will fly to london on Sunday for a surgery in his twisted left knee. British orthopaedic surgeon and knee specialist Dr Andrew Williams, who had worked with the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Shoaib Akhtar, and more recently Cheteshwar Pujara, is likely to operate him August 7. “I’m returning on August 16 and thereafter will go for rehab at NCA (Bangalore),” Tiwary said while felicitating U-17 cricketers of Mainland Sambaran Cricket Academy who won CAB Junior Tournament.
Give Rasool a chance: J&K CM
Srinagar: Disappointed at Perveez Rasool’s non-inclusion in the playing XI of Indian cricket team in the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said BCCI should give him a chance to prove himself. “Come on BCCI give the young man (Rasool) a chance to prove himself,” Omar wrote on his twitter page. Rasool, an all-rounder, is the first cricketer from the state who has made it to the Indian cricket team. The Chief Minister, an avid cricket follower, has expressed disappointment that the Jammu and Kashmir cricketer has not been given a game even though India has taken an unassailable lead in five-match the ODI series. “Really disappointed that Parvez Rasool hasn’t been given a game in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Hold Cronje type enquiry: Kirmani
Bangalore: Former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani on Friday called on the BCCI to hold a thorough enquiry into the IPl spot-fixing scandal as was done in the case of Hansie Cronje match-fixing scam. “The entire camera was on Hansie. He was asked you tell us whether you have taken it or not and he accepted it. Those who accept their follies and repent are great gentlemen. You see, that’s how the enquiry should be (and only) then the public will (realise the truth),” he told reporters here. Kirmani, who was awarded the best wicket-keeper in the 1983 World Cup, said a transparent enquiry was not conducted into the IPl spot-fixing scandal. “Has anyone, who has been accused of the crime (betting or spot-fixing), questioned on cameraIJ Has anybody involved been interviewedIJ No not yet. So where is the transparencyIJ” he questioned.
‘WC victory heralded golden era’
Dubai: Former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has said victory in the 1992 World Cup heralded a golden era for Pakistan, in which the country not only produced some of the best cricketers but also yielded outstanding results on the international scene. . Inzamam scored a total of 225 runs in 10 innings during the event in 1992, but it was his match-winning knocks of 37-ball 60 against New Zealand in the semi-final and a 35-ball 42 against England in the final, that earned him the reputation as a future star. “The victory in the 1992 World Cup changed Pakistan cricket. A number of cricketers from that side turned out to be role models and inspiration for the younger generation. Collectively, they proved to be a force to be reckoned with,” Inzamam said, adding: “I think it was the best era in which I played cricket. We defeated almost every team in Test and ODI arena on a regular basis. “We were able to dominate the world in the 90s because the World Cup victory completely transformed us and changed our mindset. The World Cup victory gave us the confidence and belief that we were exceptionally talented and skilled, and if we could win the World Cup from the situation that we were in, then we could win anything from any situation.”