DEAN JONES URGES CRICKET AUSTRALIA TO APPOINT STEVE WAUGH AS TEAM COACH

Dean Jones urges Cricket Australia to appoint Steve Waugh as team coach

The former Australian cricketer, Dean Jones has said that the national team needs the services of former Australia’s middle-order veteran batsman Steve Waugh as its coach to come out of the recent plunging form.

"It's time for Steve Waugh to coach the team and to get Cricket Australia to start employing blokes who have played a bit of international cricket,” said Jones.

Jones urged Cricket Australia’s top management to give the serious coaching job to the candidates who have an experience of playing Test cricket, indirectly criticizing Tim Nielsen’s credentials who never played international cricket though he has a vast experience of first class cricket having played 101 matches for South Australia.

“If they (the team coaches) have never played for Australia, they (the players) get away with it,” said the former top-order batsman of Australia. "All the coaches around Australia have never played for Australia. You have to get tertiary education to be a coach now, but you can't get that qualification if you're too busy being the best (players) in the world," Jones continued his scathing remarks.

The 45-year-old Steve Waugh, who evolved from a raw 20-year-old talented all-rounder into a player who eliminated risk away from his game, played 168 Test matches for Australia compiling 10,927 runs at an average of 51.06. He led the Aussies in 15 of their record 16 consecutive Test victories. He was also the captain of Australia side that lifted the World Cup trophy for the first time in 1999.

Australia faced a humiliating 1-3 crushing at the hands of England in the recently concluded Ashes series losing the urn for the second consecutive time and what was more devastating was that all the three losses the Aussies faced were innings defeat.

The 49-year-old former batsman, who had played 52 Tests for Australia, lashed the shot selection and temperament of a few Aussie batsmen but again held the head coach responsible for such silly mistakes.

"…guys getting out in the last over of the day, all this silly stuff like flashing outside the off stump.”

Jones, however, said that the Ashes defeat at the hands of England was not end of the world for the side as it is part of game.

"Occasionally you've got to look at it and say, 'you're not good enough, lads',” he said. “I don't think we've hit rock bottom yet."

TWENTY20 BIG BASH: QUEENSLAND SCRIPT 8-WICKET WIN OVER TASMANIA

Twenty20 Big Bash: Queensland script 8-wicket win over Tasmania

James Hopes’ quick half-century led Queensland to their first victory in this season’s Big Bash event. In the match played at Brisbane Cricket Ground, an all-round Bulls attack restricted Tasmania to a below par 20-overs total of 118 before the Queensland skipper blazed away with the bat to take his side home with just two wickets down.

James Hopes, the Queensland captain, won the toss and put the visitors in to bat first. The decision turned out to be correct as some tight bowling supported by an athletic fielding from Queensland squad kept the tourists under check right through their innings.

The Tasmania opener, Tim Paine – who has recently been appointed as Australian national team’s T20 vice captain – became the first victim of the day when Luke Feldman broke his stumps in the third over with only 11 on the board.

Paine’s dismissal took Rhett Lockyear to the crease and with opener Mark Cosgrove, the duo added 16 more runs to the scorecard before the former edged Ben Cutting to wicketkeeper Dunk behind the stumps. Lockyear scored 14 runs from 11 balls hitting three boundaries.

The tourists contributed to their own downfall with two careless and needless run outs. Tim Paine’s opening partner, Mark Cosgrove misjudged his hit to deep square leg as an outstanding direct hit from Michael Neser broke his stumps while Cosgrove was attempting a double. Travis Birt followed Cosgrove’s footsteps in the next over after Hopes’ throw caught him run out. Birt was soon followed back by Ryan ten Doeschate and Krejza as the Tigers faltered to 60 for 6 in the 12^th over.

Tasmania captain George Bailey tried to earn his side some respect with his 30-ball 37 hitting two sixes and a boundary. Bailey and James Faulkner buckled down to add 41 runs for the seventh wicket partnership and eased the nerves of the visitors. Faulkner piled up 24 runs from 23 balls including a boundary and a six.

Nathan Rimmington led the Bulls' bowling attack with 2 for 23 from his quota of 4 overs while rest of the bowlers, except Hopes, shared one wicket each.

The Bulls’ run chase went off to a shaky start, losing its openers in the first three overs with only 25 on the board. But, an in-form James Hopes, well complimented by Lee Carseldine, led the side to what turned out to be a comfortable win in the end with 37 balls to spare and eight wickets still intact. Hopes’ 44-ball 65 was laced with ten muscular boundaries and one six while Carseldine’s unbeaten 25 included three fours.

WASIM AKRAM UNHAPPY ON PAKISTANI CRICKETERS BEING IGNORED FOR IPL

Wasim Akram unhappy on Pakistani cricketers being ignored for IPL

Wasim Akram has been disappointed over the Pakistani players not being a part of the Indian Premiere League (IPL) this year. This is the second consecutive time that the Pakistani cricketers have been ignored in the cash rich Twenty20 tournament.

Wasim believes that the Pakistani team has the most talented cricketers in the shortest format of the game and the IPL will lose its gloss without the Pakistani cricketers. There will be an auction of 416 players for the next edition of IPL and there is not a single player in that auction from Pakistan.

Wasim said that the shortest format of the game in most popular in Pakistan and the IPL will miss some of the Pakistani players. He said, “There is little doubt about the popularity of Pakistani cricketers in Twenty20 cricket. That is why I believe that the IPL will certainly miss exciting players like Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.”

Pakistan has featured in two finals of the Twenty20 world Cup and they also qualified for the semi-final in the third World Cup. The team is ranked number one in this format of the game.

The Pakistani cricketers were a part of the first edition of IPL in 2008 but after that, the players were not selected for the auction in 2009. The reason for that were the security concerns followed by the Mumbai attacks. However, the IPL authorities denied that and said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) didn’t conform about the availability of Pakistan players for the tournament.

On the other hand, the PCB said that there is no interest shown by the IPL authorities to select Pakistani cricketers for the tournament. Wasim is certainly not impressed with the lack of good communication between the PCB and IPL.

Wasim stated that, “There was obviously a lack of communication but PCB should have initiated and pushed for the inclusion of its players in the event. Their failure shows a lack of vision among the board officials.”

Wasm said that the Pakistani cricketers should be a part of the IPL as it is a very good platform for the players to showcase their skills.

Indian Premier League Auction 2011

David Hussey joins Punjab for $1.4 million

Gautam Gambhir sold to Kolkata Knight Riders for a record $2.4 million.

Yusuf Pathan to Kolkata Knight Riders for $2.1 million.

Robin Uthappa to Pune for $2.1 million

Rohit Sharma to Mumbai Indians for $2 million.

Irfan Pathan to Delhi Daredevils for $1.9 million.

Yuvraj Singh to Pune for $1.8 million.

Saurabh Tiwary to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1.6 million.

Mahela Jayawardene to Kochi for $1.5 million.

David Hussey to Kings XI Punjab for $1.4 million

AB de Villiers to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1.1 million.

Cameron White to Deccan Chargers for $1.1 million.

Jacques Kallis to Kolkata Knight Riders for $1.1 million.

Ross Taylor to Rajasthan Royals for $1 million.

Johan Botha to Rajasthan Royals for $950,000.

Dinesh Karthik to Punjab for $900,000

Sreesanth to Kochi for $900,000

Adam Gilchrist to Kings XI Punjab for $900,000.

Zaheer Khan to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $900,000.

Andrew Symonds to Mumbai Indians for $850,000

David Warner to Delhi for $750,000

Kumar Sangakkara to Deccan Chargers for $700,000.

Tillakaratne Dilshan to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $650,000.

Kevin Pietersen to Deccan Chargers for $650,000.

Daniel Vettori to Royal Challengers Bangalore for $550,000

Rahul Dravid to Rajasthan Royals for $500,000.

Graeme Smith to Pune for $500,000.

RP Singh to Kochi for $500,000.

Brendon McCullum to Kochi for $475,000.

Michael Hussey to Chennai for $425,000.

VVS Laxman to Kochi for $400,000.

Brad Haddin goes to Kolkata Knight Riders for $325,000.

Shikhar Dhawan to Deccan Chargers for $300,000.

JP Duminy to Deccan Chargers for $300,000

Parthiv Patel to Kochi for $290,000

Naman Ojha to Delhi Daredevils for $270,000

Wriddhiman Saha to Chennai for $100,000

Unsold: Graeme Manou, Brian Lara, Herschelle Gibbs, Jesse Ryder, Sourav Ganguly and Chris Gayle.

Racist e-mail scandal disappointing: Gilchrist

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist on Saturday termed the racist e-mail scandal involving his country's police officers "very disappointing", but claimed that Indian students Down Under are "positive" about their stay.

"If it (racist e-mail) is a recent news, as we will try to find it out, and if it is proven to be correct then it is very disappointing," Gilchrist said.

The cricketer said the Australian government has taken up the recent racial incidents against Indians "seriously".

"It needs to be taken seriously. Our government and the education sector have certainly addressed it. Indian students there have been very positive about being in Australia and on (university) campuses. They feel safe," Gilchrist told a television channel.

Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday summoned Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese and sought an explanation on the issue in which top Victorian police officers have been caught in a racist e-mail scandal joking about the electrocution of an Indian train passenger.

Gilchrist said Australia is trying to ensure that no racial incidents occur. "We have to work together to try and ensure that these incidents do not re-occur. I think we are trying to do that."

IPL4: VVS, Gilly not in Deccan's plans

So now it's business time once again! IPL players' auction is round the corner and just like other teams, Deccan Chargers, too, are rolling their sleeves up to battle in the players' market. And since it is already confirmed that the big-hitting Adam Gilchirst is making his way out of the Hyderabad-based side, the options available for the 2009 champions make for an interesting reading.

Gilchrist, one of the best in the 'cricketing business', took the team's reins from VVS Laxman after the side had a disastrous inaugural season where it finished at the bottom of the points table. The swashbuckling Aussie not only brought immediate results in the next edition, but also enthused the spirit that was missing in the first season.

Though, touted as underdogs in the 2009 event, which was shifted to South Africa, Gilchrist, with good support from his former Aussie teammate Andrew Symonds and other Indian players took everyone by surprise by clinching the cash-rich event.

But since the left-hander has already made up his mind to look for other opportunities, it is interesting to notice the places he may go to.

It's already in the air that the new entrant, Pune Warriors, could take the services of the 38-year-old as he has got the perfect credence to lead the side. And with good players, decent support staff and owner's backing, he could definitely help the Sahara group-owned side to set off to a flier.

There is also a strong possibility that Kolkata Knight Riders, could rope in the experienced player, as Shah Rukh Khan and other co-owners are looking for a breath of fresh air, especially after the disappointment of the first three seasons, where it performed much below everyone's expectations.

If Sourav Ganguly — the present captain of KKR — leaves the Kolkata side, which very much seems to be on the cards, then Gilchrist could be the right person that coach Dav Whatmore and his team would like to work with.

And as the date — December 8 — to retain the four marquee players by each team is approaching, only Andrew Symonds and Kemar Roach are certain to have a long run for the Deccan side.

There is no chance that Herschelle Gibbs, who has been in the news lately more for his controversial book than his cricketing credentials, will be retained. It is also certain that Chaminda Vass, who is over 36 years of age, will make the cut. West Indian Dwayne Smith had already got an extended spell with the franchise, so it is unlikely that he would be a part of the set up this time.

Two other Australians, young Mitchell Marsh and pacer Ryan Harris who were impressive with the limited outings they got, are not the best bargains with the amount of money at stake.

Since maximum of only three Indian players can be retained by a franchise, for most of the players, it's a battle of survival as few may just not be picked by the same side or may be by any.

The most interesting case will be of VVS Laxman. The stylish Hyderabadi batsman has been on a roll — playing vital innings and scoring tons of runs — in the longest version of the game. But still many find him slow for the fast-pace cricket. His ground fielding, except standing in slips, has always been under the scanner.

And though it would be difficult to fill Gilchrist's shoes but another Australian, who is as competent as the left hander, Shane Warne could be the perfect replacement for the wicket-keeper batsman. The former Aussie great had a dream inaugural season with the Rajasthan Royals, helping them winning the trophy in 2008.

However, his availability will depend on whether the Jaipur-based team gets the chance to participate in the next edition. But if things go according to the BCCI's plan then Warne could well be in Deccan's dug out next season.

Warne's teammates in Rajasthan, Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan, could also be the lucky one if being selected for the Chargers. Same holds true for Kings XI Punjab's Sri Lankan veterans, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The two Sri Lankans are looking certain to leave the Mohali side, especially after the dreadful outing they had in the last three years.

So the stage is set and the players are ready to be under the hammer and now everything depends on how quickly Deccan charges itself up to make a move in the players' auction.

Lara, Gilly in top bracket for IPL auction

Dec 21, 2010 Former West Indies great Brian Lara, dashing Australian batsman Adam Gilchrist and hard-hitting Chris Gayle are among the overseas players who have been put in the top price bracket for the January 8 and 9 players' auction for the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League(IPL).

Around 400 foreign players have expressed their willingness to be a part of the cash-rich event. They have been classified in six brackets ranging from $20,000 to $400,000.

Defending World T20 champions England have six players - Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright and Michael Yardy - in top bracket. New Zealand have their skipper Daniel Vettori, deputy Ross Taylor and wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum in the top rung.

The Australians have only three players - Shaun Marsh, Gilchrist and Brett Lee - in the top bracket base price. The Hussey brothers Mike and David are in the second base price bracket of $300,000, while T20 and ODI specialist David Warner is in the third bracket with a base price of $200,000.

It is also learnt that, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting's names did not figure in the list that the IPL governing council had sent to the franchisees.

Surprisingly, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara is missing from the top group as only two Sri Lankans - Mahela Jayawardene and TM Dilshan - have found place. South African captain Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers are in the elite group as well.

There are however no Bangaldeshis in the top bracket as Shakib Al-Hasan gets the highest base price of $200,000, while Mohammed Ashraful and Tamim Iqbal have base prices of $50,000 and 100,000 respectively.

Top Bracket Base Price ($400,000)

England: Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad, Luke Wright, Michael Yardy

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum

Australia: Adam Gilchrist, Shaun Marsh, Brett Lee

South Africa: Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers.

Sri Lanka: TM Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene

West Indies: Chris Gayle, Brian Lara