CAN’T FORCE INDIA-PAK TO REVIVE TIES: ICC
Karachi: ICC chief executive Dave Richardson has said that while the world body wants resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral ties but it cannot interfere in the matter concerning boards from both countries. “We realise just how important it is for world cricket to have regular matches between Pakistan and India but unfortunately the ICC cannot interfere in this matter as it is a bilateral matter purely between two boards,” Richardson told the Express newspaper. He pointed out that the spectator and viewer interest in Pakistan and India matches was phenomenal and it was great for cricket as a sport. “We have seen the interest and hype their matches generate even in ICC events but after the new governance system now bilateral tours are to be decided between individual boards and the ICC is only responsible for posting match officials. So we can’t interfere or do anything in this matter but we would like to see them playing bilateral matches again.”
WEST INDIES STIll IN IT VS AUSTRAlIA ON DAY 3
Roseau (Dominica): Newcomer Shane Dowrich and veteran Marlon Samuels kept West Indies in a strong position on Day 3 of their first Test against Australia at Windsor Park with a 144-run partnership before Dowrich fell to Josh Hazlewood. At the time of going to press, the West Indies were at 181-4 having picked up a minor 11 run lead. The West Indies, conceded a first-innings lead of 170. Dowrich, on debut, went at 70 off 184 balls. The 23-year-old struck five boundaries in a stoic innings. Samuels, in his 59th test, struck seven fours in 71 not out off 157 balls. The hosts, resuming precariously poised on 25-2, dipped into deeper trouble in the first half hour.
Brief Score: West Indies: 148 & 181/4 lead Australia: 318 by 11 runs.
IPl HAS HElPED IMPROVE INDIAN UMPIRING
New Delhi: Only the second Indian to be inducted into the ICC’s Elite Panel of Umpires, Sundaram Ravi feels many of his compatriots are on the verge of breaking into the top bracket after improving their skills by officiating in the IPl. “In the last five-six years, the standard of Indian umpires has gone up because of our umpires standing in the IPl,” Ravi told ESPNCricinfo. “They get to work with elite umpires and referees from different countries. They get to interact with international players, coaches, support staff. All these things have made Indian umpires better. I am sure in the near future at least one or two more will make it to the elite panel. A couple of them are now nominated for the World T20 qualifiers next month,” he said.