‘RR smart enough to strategise’
Jaipur: Satisfied with his team’s back-to-back victories in the Champions league T20 tournament, Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid on Friday said his players have quickly adapted to the conditions and successfully executed all the strategies. “We have been smart enough to learn about the conditions and plan the strategies,” Dravid said. “Right now we are focusing on our next match against Perth Scorchers. We will have to beat them to move on and then would think about the Otago Volts, who are a good side and are always attacking,” said the former India captain. Dravid, however, admitted that it would be an ideal scenario to play the first semifinal, which is scheduled to take place here — in Rajasthan’s home ground. “We are hopeful of making it to the semis and it would be an ideal scenario to play the first semifinal at the home ground. Then have a rest day and then play the final,” said Dravid.
oz captaincy not on watto’s mind
Jaipur: Shane Watson could be in contention for the captaincy job of Australia if Michael Clarke misses out the limited overs series against India beginning on October 10 but the all-rounder on Friday said that he was not thinking about the leadership role. Watson sought to evade a question when he was indirectly asked if he was ready to captain the Australian side if Michael Clarke misses out the India series due to fitness issues. “I am batting and bowling and have a big role in the team. I am not thinking about captaincy and I am happy to contribute with the bat and ball,” Watson said.
question mark over Savant
Chennai: While N Srinivasan is all set to file his nomination as the BCCI president for a third term and has already got a proposer and a seconder from the South Zone, there are chances that he might make some changes among the executive functionaries. While interim secretary Sanjay Patel may get a full term, there is a big question mark over whether Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Savant would continue as the treasurer. As of now there are some indications that Srinivasan might go in for a new treasurer who would replace Savant. “Srinivasan is very satisfied in the manner Sanjay (Patel) has performed his duties as the secretary. The Baroda- based businessman has helped Srinivasan in a critical time and also openly supported Srinivasan on all forums. Therefore the president thinks that he (Patel) deserves to be rewarded. However there is a distinct possibility that Ravi Savant might have to relinquish his position as treasurer,” a senior BCCI official who is currently in Chennai for the AGM said over phone.
Iyer’s ton helps Indian colts
Visakhapatnam: Shreyas Iyer smashed a quick-fire century to help Indian colts beat Australia by 18 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter and enter the finals of the Under-19 Quadrangular tournament here on Friday. With this victory, India U-19 rounded off their league engagements unbeaten, winning all three of their matches. They had earlier beaten South Africa and Zimbabwe. Iyer sizzled with the bat as he hit 109 off just 67 balls, studded with 10 fours and six sixes to steer the hosts to a massive 321 for five. He also stitched a valuable 170-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Ricky Bhui (66 67b, 6X4, 2X6) to take the team past the 300-run mark.
Panesar handed suspended ban
london: England spinner Monty Panesar has been given a suspended ban until the end of the 2014 cricket season for potentially threatening and intimidating behavior. Panesar was disciplined by the England and Wales Cricket Board for two incidents while playing for Essex against Worcestershire in the County Championship this month. Panesar breached ECB directive 3.2, stating “he did not conduct himself fairly and properly on the field.” The action comes less than two months after Panesar received a fixed penalty notice from police for urinating on bouncers outside a nightclub in Brighton. Panesar has been included in England’s Ashes squad to tour Australia in November.