BCCI non-committal on postponement
Chennai: Maintaining a non-committal stand on the postponement of Annual General Meeting (AGM), BCCI Interim President Shivlal Yadav today avoided a question on the subject during the signing of an MoU between the Board and the MRF Pace Foundation here.”This is not the appropriate forum to discuss BCCI matters,” said a blunt Yadav after signing the five-year deal. The Mukul Mudgal committee on Monday got a two-month extension to complete the IPl probe with the Supreme Court ordering N Srinivasan to stay away from discharging his duties as BCCI president. There was speculation that the AGM could be postponed to give the Tamil Nadu strongman an opportunity to come clean and return as president as there is virtually no opposition in the BCCI ranks.
Board signs 5 year pace talent deal Chennai: India’s premier pace bowling foundation, MRF, on Tuesday entered into a five-year agreement with the BCCI to train and hone the skills of the Cricket Board’s contracted pacers at the academy here. As per the “historic deal”, the board will send its current and upcoming pacers to the academy to train under the Director of the Pace Foundation, the legendary Glenn McGrath. “This is a great moment. The association between the BCCI and the MRF Pace Foundation will hugely benefit Indian cricket in the long run,” said an elated BCCI Interim President Shivlal Yadav. “It has been a wonderful couple of years for me at the MRF Pace Foundation. I now eagerly look forward to working with India’s best at the foundation. Our facilities compare favourably with the best in the world and I am eagerly looking forward to this challenge.” said McGrath.
Misbah wants more selection role
Karachi: Pakistan’s embattled test and one-day captain, Misbah-ul-Haq on Tuesday hinted that he wants a more telling role in selection matters. The 40-year-old senior batsman told reporters at the Gaddafi stadium after a meeting with Shaharyar Khan, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), that the selected team was always what he wanted. “I think you should ask this question to someone but as a captain I can only give my suggestions to the selectors they listen to me but sometimes the team is not according to what you want,” he said. “Obviously everyone has his opinion on selection matters but at the end collective opinion is taken into consideration while finalizing team,” he added.
Aaron to work under McGrath
New Delhi: India’s fastest bowler Varun Aaron has started his 10-day training program under Aussie legend Glenn McGrath at the MRF Pace Foundation as part of a tie-up between the BCCI and company. The BCCI, in a strategic tie-up with MRF, has announced a 10-day camp for some of the talented pacers but the spotlight will be on speed merchant Aaron, who will be working under McGrath, to iron out the chinks in his bowling as well as learning about the tricks of bowling on pitches Down Under. India will be playing four Test matches while Aaron will also be eyeing to make a comeback into the ODI team. Along with Aaron, two other notable names training at the foundation are Ishwar Pandey, who has been a part of the Indian touring party in New Zealand and England, and India discard Ashok Dinda. McGrath, who has taken over from Dennis lillee as the chief coach of India’s premier pace bowling factory, had earlier worked with Aaron and Pandey. McGrath considers Pandey as one of the most talented swing bowlers in the country at the moment.
Oldest Test cricketer passes away Johannesburg: South African fast bowler Norman Gordon, oldest surviving Test cricketer at 103 years old, passed away after a year long illness due to renal complications. Gordon passed away in his home in Hillbrow, close to the Johannesburg City Centre, where he has lived for over sixty years. Gordon played five Tests against England back in 1939 taking 20 wickets in all before World War cut short his international career. His nickname was ‘Mobil’ as he used to apply hairgel to set his folowing mane while bowling. He was best known for being one of the 22 players, who took part in the epic ‘Timeless Test’ between England and South Africa that was held between March 3-14, 1939 in Durban. Gordon had bowled 92.2 overs in the match with each over having eight balls as per rule at that time. The match ended on the 10th day as England team had a train to catch from Durban as they had to board the ship ‘Athlone Castle’ from Cape Town which was already pre-booked.