Hafeez suspended for illegal bowling action
Dubai: In a massive blow to Pakistan cricket, all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was today suspended by the ICC after his bowling action was found to be illegal in bio-mechanic tests. "The International Cricket Council today confirmed that an independent analysis has found the bowling action of Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez to be illegal and, as such, the off-spinner has been suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect," the ICC said in a statement. The 34-year-old Hafeez was tested last month at the loughborough testing center, one of ICC's latest accredited laboratories, after being reported for an illegal action during the first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. "The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations," the ICC said.
India need tough minds and technique: lawson
Adelaide: Former Australian cricketer Geoff lawson feels India would need a combination of tight technique and tough minds to get the better of Michael Clarke and Co. In the much-anticipated Test series starting here on December 9. "They will need some tough minds as well as tight techniques to reverse the away game trend," lawson wrote in 'The Sydney Morning Herald'. "On the last trip, Sachin Tendulkar was in search of a 100th international hundred and could find neither the technique nor the temperament to deal with Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson then Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc. "The margins of victory varied between significant and humongous - two losses by an inning and one by almost 300 runs," he said.
Players can't use BCCI logo in domestic matches
New Delhi: In a fresh diktat for players representing various teams in domestic competitions, the BCCI has instructed match referees to ensure that none of the India players — current or discarded — sport the Board logo either on their gear as that will be considered a violation of the association's code. Normally, the moment a player breaks into the Indian team and then subsequently comes to domestic cricket, they have a habit of wearing India helmets, jerseys or caps. The BCCI wants to stop that. "The rule has been there from the start of the season but has only been implemented in all earnestness during the recently-concluded Deodhar Trophy final between West Zone and East Zone," a BCCI official, in the know of things, told PTI.
Australia ready to inflict pain on India: Watson
Adelaide: Australia might still be mourning the tragic loss of Phillip Hughes but all-rounder Shane Watson today said his team will be ready to dish out aggressive cricket and inflict pain on India when the opening Test gets underway here on Tuesday. The 33-year-old all-rounder said last week has been the most challenging phase for the team but he believed that his side will play with the same aggression as in the past and avenge their 0-4 loss to India last year. "We've played our best cricket when we are aggressive. That's ever since I've been involved in the Australian cricket team. We are aggressive with bat and ball, especially with the ball as we were during the last Ashes series. That's not going to change because that's when we're at our absolute best," Watson told reporters on Sunday.
PCB to decide on Ajmal biomechanics Test Today
Karachi: With Mohammad Hafeez also being suspended from bowling in international cricket, the Pakistan Cricket Board will decide on Monday when to send Saeed Ajmal for the official ICC biomechanics test. Ajmal made a quiet return to Pakistan yesterday from london where he has been working on his bowling action with Pakistan's former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. "He was supposed to play for ZTBl in a Quaid-e-Azam trophy match which started from Saturday in Karachi but he reached lahore and went straight to his hometown, Faisalabad," a board official said."He will now appear before the PCB bowling action review committee on Monday which will decide his future course of action. In all probability Saeed will be asked to first play a first class match from next week before the committee decides to advise the PCB to send him for the ICC biomechanics test," the official said.
Ton-up Gambhir leads from front as Delhi score
New Delhi: Skipper Gautam Gambhir led from the front with a gutsy unbeaten century while the others floundered as Delhi struggled to 260 for six at stumps on the first day of their opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Saurashtra, here Sunday. When the stumps were drawn, Gambhir was undefeated on 123 off 270 balls, having shared a 88-run stand for the fifth wicket with another veteran Rajat Bhatia (47). While Virender Sehwag was run out for 9, Unmukt Chand's (28) downfall came due to atrocious shot selection. The day's highlight certainly was Gambhir's 38th first-class century. Agencies