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Cricket World Cup 2015: We are three games away from winning WC, says De Villiers

Wellington: Even after losing their last cricket World Cup Pool B game against Pakistan, South African skipper AB de Villiers on Wednesday said they are only three games away from lifting the elusive trophy.

"I 100 percent believe we are the best team in the tournament here. Those two losses in the group stage did hurt us a bit but we are past that now. We know we are very close... three games away from taking that World Cup home," de Villiers was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.com.

"The most important game is tomorrow but we know we are not far off so it's important to be positive and still believe we are the best."

The Proteas in their last group encounter the United Arab Emirates (UAE) here on Thursday.

The skipper said he was sure his side can chase down any score and he was quite confident of the batting line-up which has not quite fired in the last two matches.

"It's not an issue. I believe we can chase down any total, We've done it in the last year a few times under pressure. We didn't get it right the last couple of chases and that's alright."

"I am still confident in the batting unit. I believe there are a few guys due for big runs and it's going to happen soon at the right time," he said.

South Africa's immediate focus, though, is the balance of the team. Their preference for seven specialist batsmen has left them making up a fifth bowler from part-timers but playing five front-line bowlers will leave a batsman short which again can be a cause for concern.

"That's the difficult decision most teams have to make at this World Cup - an extra batter or an extra bowler," the 31-year-old pointed out.

"The last few games we have gone for the extra batter, against India we went for the extra bowler. Both times we lost. So it's a difficult one."

McCullum wary of Bangladesh's pacers

Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, singled out Bangladesh's pace attack as the real challenge for his batsmen ahead of their 2015 World Cup Pool A clash in Hamilton on Friday (March 13).

The Bangladesh pacers, Rubel Hossain, Mashrafe Mortaza and Taskin Ahmed, took eight of the ten England wickets to fall (one more was a run out) in their famous 15-run victory in Adelaide, which sealed their place in the quarterfinals.

"I think what we saw the other night with a couple of the guys there, the threat that they pose with ball in hand for their quick bowlers is a lot more than a few years ago," said McCullum at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

"Tomorrow's going to be tough. The quick bowlers are going to ask us some questions, especially if it juices up a little bit. But we've faced some good, quick bowlers over the last little while too."

New Zealand, having won all five of their matches in the tournament so far, will end the group stage on top of the Pool A points table irrespective of the result against Bangladesh.

McCullum, with three brisk half-centuries, including the fastest World Cup fifty, off just 18 balls, already, is expected to be targeted with spin by Mortaza's men.

“You can't get too wound up in the talk. The game is played with bat and ball, and tomorrow I guess we'll see what unfolds," McCullum pointed out. “So respectfully just wait and see what tomorrow has got to bring.”

He was also quick to disagree when asked if he felt his team was yet to be tested in the competition.

"We have been tested, and I think we've come through those tests," he said. "I think we've been tested considerably throughout the tournament, and I think we've found a way to get ourselves through those situations and it's really a pleasing aspect."

Confident that his team would make the most of the lessons from the past weeks, he added, “We've had the ability to bowl teams out in front to 200 and pretty much every opportunity we've had, we've had batters first, we've managed to get over 300. [Some] guys might be a little light on some hard game time under pressure late in a game. But it's, I guess, a byproduct of success we've been having along the way.”

He reserved special praise for Daniel Vettori, who’s taken 12 wickets in five games at a remarkable average of 11.33. “He's referred to as a bit of a wizard as well from teams over in Australia, and his art and his ability to just read a game and the ability to use a change of pace and subtle change of pace is something which I think not too many other guys around the world have such skill at. Couple years ago he was struggling for fitness, and I think what we've seen over the last few weeks is a guy who's gone away, worked incredibly hard on his fitness, and still has the drive within him to be part of the New Zealand team.”

McCullum confirmed that his teammates, including Kane Williamson, had recovered from stomach trouble and would be available for the game, but Adam Milne, who has a bruised shoulder, is likely to be replaced by Mitchell McClenaghan, the left-arm pacer, in what will be New Zealand’s first change to their XI.

The captain also backed Ross Taylor, the out-of-form batsman, to come good at some stage in the tournament. “His form is not a major concern,” he insisted. “He's been short of opportunity throughout this World Cup, just through the nature of us bowling as well as we have and obviously chasing down the runs."

Unforgettable Cricket World Cup 2015 fan banners in sports

cricket world cup 2015 - South Africa's 16-1 advantage

South Africa's 16-1 record against West Indies is the most lopsided between two top-eight teams in ODIs since the beginning of 2007

3-2 South Africa's World Cup record against West Indies. They won in 1992, lost in 1996 and 2003, and won in 2007 and 2011.

16-1 - South Africa's win-loss record against West Indies since the beginning of 2007. It's themost lopsided win-loss ratio in ODIs between two of the top eight teams during this period. South Africa's only loss was in Port Elizabeth earlier this year, when West Indies chased down 263 for the loss of 9 wickets. There was also a tied game between them in the 2013 Champions Trophy in Cardiff. The next most one-sided match-up is also against West Indies - Australia have an 18-2 winning record during this period.

4 - Hundreds that both AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla have scored in ODIs against West Indies. Amla has got them in 11 matches, and averages 94.66, while de Villiers has played 20 games, and averages 66.06 against them. Both have a strike rate of 105. Two other South African top-order batsmen have also enjoyed batting against West Indies - JP Duminy averages 63.14 from 15 games, and David Miller 78.75 from ten.

20.69 Chris Gayle's batting average against South Africa in his last 13 ODI innings, going back to the beginning of 2007. During this period his highest score against them is 45.

4 Number of times Morne Morkel has dismissed Gayle in ODIs. He has bowled 46 balls to Gayle, and conceded 41 runs. Against Dale Steyn, Gayle has scored 47 off 45 balls and been dismissed once; while Vernon Philander has gone for 35 from 24, for one dismissal.

12 Wickets for Imran Tahir, from four games against West Indies, at an average of 13.25 and an economy rate of 4.72. Steyn has 19 from 12 games, at an average of 23.57, while Morkel has 22 from 12 and averages 23.54.

7 Number of games out of the last ten completed ones at the Sydney Cricket Ground - going back to 2010 - that have been won by the team chasing: they all have been day-night games as well. Each of the last four matches at the SCG has gone in favour of the team batting second.

4.93 The average run rate for the team batting first in ODIs here since 2010. There have been only two 275-plus scores in the last ten 50-over games for the teams batting first.

cricket world cup 2015- How the teams stack up

A look at how New Zealand and Australia's elevens match up, player to player

On Saturday, the World Cup co-hosts meet at Eden Park and given recent form and familiarity with conditions, it is a clash of the two favourites to win the tournament. Remarkably, Australia and New Zealand have not played out a full ODI since the last World Cup in 2011, when Australia prevailed in Nagpur. That is a shame, because it is hard to imagine two more evenly-matched one-day outfits right now. As these comparisons show, it is hard to split the sides, although New Zealand seem more settled and with the home advantage, might just have the edge.

Opening with a bang
Brendon McCullum & Martin Guptill v David Warner & Aaron Finch

Who would you rather, Brendon McCullum or David Warner? That has been a common question asked this week as observers consider the power batsmen at the top of these two orders. McCullum lets his bat do the talking, as he did with 77 off 25 balls against England in Wellington. Warner's mouth does plenty of talking, but so does his bat. But the question neglects the serious talent at the other end: Aaron Finch is Australia's top ODI run scorer of the past two years, and is coming off a World Cup 135 against England; Martin Guptill has New Zealand's highest-ever ODI score. On the small Eden Park ground, heaven help the record books if all four men get going.

The young rocks
Kane Williamson v Steven Smith

Kane Williamson is 24, Steven Smith is 25. Williamson has captained his country, so has Smith. Williamson is New Zealand's leading ODI scorer of the past year, Smith is Australia's reigning ODI Cricketer of the Year. Williamson has become New Zealand's most reliable batsman, Smith is Australia's. The retirement of the likes of Ponting, Tendulkar, Kallis, Dravid et al left some uncertainty about who would figure in the next generation of great batsmen. There is every chance that Williamson and Smith will lead the way.

The middle-order experience
Ross Taylor v Michael Clarke

If there are top-order wobbles, both teams have an experienced right-hander who can steady things in the middle. Australia's problem is that theirs, Michael Clarke, has played only two ODIs in the past year, got injured in both of them, and by Saturday will have spent 11 weeks without a proper international match. For New Zealand, Ross Taylor might have flown under the radar compared to some of his team-mates, but scored an ODI hundred four games ago.

The wicketkeepers
Luke Ronchi v Brad Haddin

Luke Ronchi v Brad Haddin. The subject, no doubt, of the occasional Australian selection debate circa 2008. Haddin was preferred then, but Ronchi filled in during ODIs in the Caribbean when Haddin was injured. Now they are playing for opposing countries. Both men now have a finishing role down the order, and little separates their striking ability. Haddin is especially strong down the ground, so the short straight boundaries at Eden Park may well suit him.

The seaming allrounders
Corey Anderson & Grant Elliott v Shane Watson & Mitchell Marsh

It will be interesting to see how the medium-pacers from both sides handle the small ground, whether they can contain the batsmen by using variations or nagging accuracy. Corey Anderson offers something different, being a left-armer, and his batting might is clear. Shane Watson has the experience of the quartet, but not necessarily the recent form. Mitchell Marsh took a five-for against England but New Zealand might target him, and Grant Elliott is the most overlooked of the group but also has the most recent hundred.

The spinners
Daniel Vettori v Glenn Maxwell

New Zealand will use a highly-experienced, specialist spinner who can bat. Australia will use a part-time offspinner whose dynamic batting and fielding could turn a game. Maxwell's presence contributes to Australia's very deep batting order, but at Eden Park he will have no room for error with his bowling. Vettori's experience and canniness might prove an advantage to New Zealand.

The pace attacks
Tim Southee, Trent Boult & Adam Milne v Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc & Josh Hazlewood/Pat Cummins

Richard Hadlee reckons Tim Southee and Trent Boult are New Zealand's best ever new-ball pair. Their swing and control will be a severe challenge for Australia's top order; Southee's seven-for against England was a masterclass of swing bowling. But Mitchell Starc is just as fine a swing bowler when conditions suit - no bowler has more ODI five-fors in the past three years than Starc's four. Both teams have men who can break 150kph - Mitchell Johnson and Adam Milne - but New Zealand's attack is more settled, with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins jostling for the final spot for Australia. Execution amongst the fast men could be where this game is won or lost.

The captains
Brendon McCullum v Michael Clarke

Australia have become so used to winning without Clarke in the one-day format that it is hard to predict what effect his return could have for a side that feels more like it belongs to George Bailey. Certainly the captain-coach dynamic between Clarke and Darren Lehmann has received plenty of attention lately, thanks to Shane Warne and his comments. New Zealand's leadership is more settled. "Stephen [Fleming] was amazing in the background, the way he could organise and motivate a team," Daniel Vettori said on Thursday. "I think Brendon does that similar sort of role, but he probably does it on the field. That's why the guys have gravitated towards him so much, because of the example that he sets, particularly the way he fields, he sets an example that you have to follow."

cricket world cup 2015- The 'magic wand' behind India's turnaround

It has helped that India have a captain who has lasted as long as he has due to his approach of treating cricket for what it is: a game

It is a 15-minute leisurely walk along the Swan riverfront in Perth to a restaurant serving simple south Indian meals near the jetty. A couple of India players and a member of the support staff strolled along to the place last evening to enjoy a relaxed dinner. It was a busy time at the restaurant, but no one disturbed the players while they ate, barring a single fan who also patiently agreed to wait for a photograph till they had finished.

Personal space in public places is a luxury for Indian cricketers back home, and they enjoy whatever precious leeway they get while touring. They have to come to value this space so much that they guard it zealously from all outside interference. They like to exist in their own cocoon - just the players and the support staff. Come occasions with still greater scrutiny than their usual high levels such as the World Cup, the cocoon enveloping the squad only gets thicker, shutting them from the world as much as possible. 

It becomes even more critical then that the inner space around the squad remains free of negatives, and an enabling atmosphere is created. Especially when you have been on the road for three months, and are expected to do so for another month. Especially when you have won nothing in those three months leading into a world tournament where you are the defending champions.

You go right away into the two big games in your group, against arch-rivals Pakistan, and South Africa, a side you have never beaten previously in a World Cup. Watchers are expecting you to beat the weaker sides in the group and scrape to the knockouts riding on the predictability of the format. And you come up with two thumping victories in matches you were widely expected to lose. The team management, the support staff, the captain and the players face flak when the side does not do well. They also deserve credit for delivering such a sensational start to their World Cup title defence.

MS Dhoni was asked what magic wand had he used to engineer this turnaround. He put it down to the squad having faith in each other and keeping together during tough times previously on the tour.

"I think it's the belief and trust that we have in each other," Dhoni said. "What's very important is to have that belief and that magic wand actually is the support staff and the 15 players because irrespective of what others think, what really matters is what 15 people who are part of the team are thinking and how the management is working. If we are moving in one direction and we are together, there are more chances of us making a strong comeback."

As always, it has helped that they have a captain who has lasted as long as he has due to his approach of treating cricket for what it is: a game. "It's not the end of the world, and that's how I feel any sport needs to be taken," Dhoni had said when asked how the side had dealt with their winless months in Australia.

It is how Dhoni had approached the Pakistan game as well, saying that no matter who the opposition was, you were going to earn the same number of points for a win. Although he had admitted it was not a normal game, he promised his players would try to treat it as that. Which is what they managed to do.

Living in the present might sound a cliché but that is what India have had to do in Australia. They had no option but to put away the losses where they belonged: in the past. There is already enough pressure of expectations in the present, according to Dhoni, for the players to entangle themselves in thoughts of past defeats.

Whatever Dhoni wanted from his squad in the build-up to the tournament could not be achieved if the spirits sank in the dressing room, highly probable when the wins are not coming.

"Well, that's really the job of the leader," Dhoni said. "What we wanted to do from a management point of view was to keep the morale high. It is very crucial because if the morale is down then it becomes more difficult to come back. Everybody is smiling, and even going through a lot of difficulties and problems, and if you turn up every day to improve yourself as a cricketer, you know the result will follow."

India have ensured the players get to totally switch off from the game on the days they are not training. Recreational activities and outings have been organised to try and keep some freshness intact amid the jadedness that can easily set in on such an extended trip.

On the other hand, India have also tried to get the most out of training sessions. They have often requested for centre-wicket nets. Practice has been intense and focused.

As Dhoni said after the South Africa win, India have invested too much effort into this core set of players over the past few years to not have them ready to fire come the World Cup. The players have responded superbly in the first two big ones, and have earned themselves a more relaxed setting for the remainder of their group engagements.

cricket world cup 2015- Backing Green at the Gabba

Choice of game:
Ireland v United Arab Emirates at the Gabba (located in Kevin Pietersen's favourite city, Brisbane).

Team supported:
Ireland. Not only do I have Irish heritage, I also figured 100% of Ireland's cricketing faithful would not be able to make it to the match, and someone had to sing Ireland's Call in their stead. Hashtag Backing Green.

Key performer:
While his performance didn't contribute to a win, Shaiman Anwar's terrific century was easily the best innings of the day. Gary Wilson shepherded a difficult chase intelligently, and Kevin O'Brien's belligerence got Ireland into an ultimately winning position, but Anwar seemed to possess a little of both Wilson and O'Brien. Many of us guys and girls in green were assuming he was going to run out of time to make his hundred after a circumspect start. But some powerful late-innings strokes gave us a reason to celebrate. Presumably, the UAE fans enjoyed it too.

One thing I'd have changed about the match:
Is it wrong to berate Mother Nature when she answers our call? I attended the Australia v Bangladesh match in the rather naïve hope of seeing some action. My rant against the rain would have been heard at the other side of the stadium (because the echo was so distinct). Only a few days later, we spectators are blessed with a perfect Brisbane day (stifling humidity and all), and everybody spends it in the shade. It's too hot, we say.

Face-off I relished:
Khurram Khan v Ireland. This man's batting prowess is not lost on those who know their Associate cricket. But I suspected the firmer wickets of the southern hemisphere would present a challenge, particularly against fast bowlers. As it happens, things didn't go according to this fan's pre-match script (one wonders why they're drafted at all). Ireland's spin attack performed admirably and, while the UAE were forced to consolidate after stumbling to 78 for 4, Khurram Khan's abundant skill evaporated into the scorching hot sun.

Wow moment:
Kevin O'Brien produced two wow moments of contrasting styles. He unleashed some dodgy deliveries towards the end of the UAE innings, prompting those of us in the crowd to wonder why a bowler's variation has to be that variable. But that's the best thing about being an allrounder - you can still contribute. His duet of booming straight sixes brought the game back to life.

Close encounter:
Bail fail. The green contingent in the crowd experienced a gamut of emotions when that brightly lit bail didn't drop. Shock, acceptance, surprise, relief, joy. All in one minute.

Shot of the day:
Amjad Javed channelled some extraordinary players with his whip off the hip from the all-over-the-shop bowling of Kevin O'Brien in the 39th over. A little bit of Sir Viv Richards, a little bit of Aravinda de Silva and a lot of "Shut up, I wanna see this replay" was heard in the stands.

Crowd meter:
Less than 6000 people enjoyed this match. I guess this is one of the reasons the ICC is whittling down future World Cups. But sitting among the Irish cricket faithful was always going to make the match more enjoyable, regardless of crowd numbers. We were camped next to like-minded fans from Penbroke Cricket Club (or Penbroke Cricket Clu, if read from their torn flag). Andrew Balbirnie was the number one star in their eyes, but this delightful group of fans were silenced after his dismissal for 30. They soon perked up as Ireland's chase hit the home stretch.

Fancy dress index:
Despite the dedication of the UAE fans (who were barely visible from the other side of the ground), the points must go to Larry the Leprechaun. A man who can wear a polyester suit, fake red beard and impractical hat, relish the heat, sing all day and be a photo magnet has got my respect.

Entertainment:
Drummers kept pulses racing in those occasional ODI lulls. Warm applause greeted their renditions of Teenage Kicks andEnter Sandman, played in concert with the on-ground PA system. A few callous groans were reserved for any time a U2 song was played. I imagine those groaners have heard their last album.

Marks out of 10:
9 out of 10. All the griping about the heat knocks it down a little but frankly, complaining about the heat at the cricket is like complaining about the cold at the Winter Olympics. The day was littered with great people, a great atmosphere and a great match. And that's something the ICC can't afford to shrug from their shoulders. Associate nation cricket is exciting, and it should be here to stay.

PS. Apparently, I was caught on camera wolfing down a chocolate ice cream. It brings to mind the episode of Seinfeldwhere George is filmed making a pig of himself at the US Open. I hope that footage doesn't come back to haunt me… Actually, make it 8 out of 10.

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No consensus on next year's IPL auction

MUMBAI: The nine franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) do not seem to be in sync over the rules that need to be framed for the auction process ahead of the fifth edition of the league in 2012.

While the franchises unanimously agree that all players from the sacked Kochi Tuskers franchise and those newly inducted should be included in the auction, there is no common consensus on the auction purse, tie-break rules and overall limit of the squad.
In a recently held meeting of all franchise CEOs, the minutes of which are available with TOI, there have been internal disagreements on the kind of money that should be allowed for spending; whether there should be a silent or open or unlimited bidding in case of a tie-break and should the number of foreign players in each team (currently 10 is the upper limit) be increased along with the number of foreign players allowed on field (four is the upper limit currently).

While the overwhelming majority view is that there should be no change, some franchises are open to the idea of including three additional slots for foreign players and an increase in the number of foreign players in the team.

One franchise CEO in particular wrote to the other team officials saying only those issues should be "represented (taken up with) to IPL where there is consensus".

Franchises have varied opinions on the value of the added purse - it ranges from $750,000 to $2m. However, the consensus view of most franchises remains at $1m.

Further, these franchises have absolutely no consensus on what rule should be implemented in case of a tie-break - some have suggested silent bidding, some open bidding and the others lots and unlimited bidding. Therefore, teams have left the entire decision to IPL, requesting only that "the spirit of the salary caps, while deciding upon the tie-breaker method, be kept in mind".

One area where all franchises are in unanimous agreement is the replacement of players. Replacement of player will result in franchise losing the agreed contract value of the new player from the purse.

Now, it is for the BCCI/IPL to reconfirm these provisions and ratify them. A governing council meeting is scheduled this weekend.

Cummins told to prioritise Tests over IPL

HOBART: Australian captain Michael Clarke and predecessor Steve Waugh on Thursday urged rising teenage pace star Pat Cummins to prioritise Test cricket over the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Cummins, 18, who is sidelined for at least six weeks with a bone stress heel injury, wants to play in the IPL, but there are concerns the youngster may overtax his body at a crucial stage of his physical development.

The youngster's manager Neil Maxwell has confirmed Cummins intends to nominate for the lucrative IPL auction ahead of next April's tournament.

But Clarke said he wants his Test players to "prioritise" representing their country ahead of the IPL and Champions League tournaments.

"The one thing I love about IPL is that every individual has the opportunity of making their own choice," Clarke told reporters ahead of Australia's second Test against New Zealand in Hobart.

"But I think the individual player needs to work out where his body is at and then make that decision at the time of going into the IPL.

"There's a lot of international cricket and I just don't want to see players not prioritising international cricket.

"Every player who plays for Australia, that is first and foremost and Test cricket being the pinnacle of that. Then if your body can handle you playing IPL or Champions League then that's up to the individual."

Amid a growing injury crisis in Australian cricket -- with Mitchell Johnson out for the entire summer season following foot surgery and opener Shane Watson troubled by calf and hamstring injuries -- Waugh cautioned Cummins to think again about joining the IPL.

"The priority has got to be playing for Australia, the baggy green (cap) is number one and everything else slots in underneath that," Waugh told The Australian newspaper.

"Obviously, there's money to be made from the IPL, but I think as a young guy with his potential and his star quality, he's going to make a lot of money out of the game of cricket.

"The IPL right now should be a fair way down on his radar.

"And if his body is a little bit susceptible to injury at the moment, his commitment has got to be playing for Australia first."

Cummins damaged his left heel during Australia's spectacular victory over South Africa in Johannesburg last month and has been unavailable for this month's two home Tests against New Zealand.

It was initially thought to be bruising but new scans have revealed a bone stress problem and Cummins is unlikely to bowl again until early to mid-January, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.

As such he is likely to miss all four home Tests against India in a series that starts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day, with further matches in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide throughout January.

CLT20 in India?

Buoyed by the success of Champions League last year, the organizers are mulling staging the event again this year in India. "With three IPL teams taking part in the tournament, the CLT20 league was a success in India. The organizers would surely want to host it again in India," a source said.

Though interested, Cummins not certain for IPL 5

MELBOURNE: A day after former Australian captain Steve Waugh warned Pat Cummins against falling for the lure of IPL cash, the teen pace sensation on Thursday said he will pull out of Twenty20 league if he feels it could have a negative impact on his national team performances.

Cummins has been ruled out for most of Australia's four-Test series against India due to a heel injury that he picked up during his seven-wicket haul on debut against South Africa in Johannesburg last month.

The injury, however, has not deterred the fast bowler from giving his name for the IPL auction next season. But Cummins said it is too premature to take a call on his participation in the cash-rich league.

"I've been talking to some of the other guys. It's a worthwhile opportunity going over there," Cummins said about his discussions with Australian teammates regarding the IPL.

"But to get in there you have to nominate right now. You can always pull out later. I think it would be great to play, but we'll look at it again closer to the date. If it's going to affect any other cricket over here...I definitely don't want it to be affected," he was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

If Cummins decides to play in the IPL, he will at least miss the first half of the tournament as it clashes with Australia's tour of the West Indies.

The IPL begins in Chennai on April 4 and ends on May 27, while Australia's tour of the West Indies stats from March 16 till April 27.

IPL mulls 10 teams in 2014

NEW DELHI: With the 10th team's slot in Indian Premier League (IPL) falling vacant after Kochi Tuskers were shown the door, the league officials are now looking at filling that slot in 2014. In the recently held meeting of the team owners with IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla, the proposal to include another team in the IPL, put forward by league officials, was discussed at length. 

This year and the next year's editions will consist of nine teams playing 76 matches in all. In 2014, if the 10th team comes into existence, BCCI may fall back on the old format of IPL 4. BCCI is looking at two groups comprising of five teams each with 74 matches being played, each team playing 14 league games. 

This year's IPL will return to its inaugural format, which saw teams playing each other on home and away basis. The only difference is that instead of 14 league matches, every team will get eight matches at home. This could result in substantial increase in their share of central revenue. 

Sources indicated that every team is at least guaranteed Rs 50 crore from the central revenue. "This is good news for all the teams. But we are not sure how it will benefit us if 10th team becomes part of IPL in 2014," a team official said. 

Clarke wants teammates to prioritise country over IPL

SYDNEY: Australian captain Michael Clarke wants his fellow players to prioritise national duty over playing in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) if their fitness for international cricket is not to be compromised.

Clarke has preferred playing for Australia by never featuring in the IPL since its inception in 2008. Though he doesn't want his teammates to follow his example, Clarke says a player's focus must be on the country.

"The one thing I love about IPL is that every individual has the opportunity to make their own choice," Clarke was quoted as saying by Herald Sun. "But I think the individual player needs to work out where his body is and make that decision at the time of going into the IPL."

"There is a lot of international cricket. I just don't want to see players' not prioritising international cricket. That is my goal, that every player who plays for Australia, that (role) is first and foremost, and Test cricket being the pinnacle of that," said Clarke following reports of young fast bowler Patrick Cummins and his senior mate Mitchell Johnson showing interest in IPL 2012.

Cummins is recovering from a foot injury and is doubtful for the series against India in two weeks' time. While Senior players in Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger and Johnson are running against the clock to be fit for the highly anticipated contest starting with the first Test in Melbourne Dec 26.

Clarke says he is ready to offer advice to the players, including Cummins, on the country versus club issue.

"I don't know if it's my place. As Cricket Australia has said for a long time, it is really out of their control. It's up to the individual player. If Patty (Cummins) wants to come and speak to me, I'll be more than happy to give him my views on it."

"If your body can handle playing IPL and Champions League, that is up to the individual. I think that is great."

Majola claims conspiracy to oust him

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa chief executive Gerald Majola, who has refused to resign following investigation into allegations that he paid himself and other CSA staff huge IPL 2 bonuses without informing the board, on Friday claimed that "outside forces" are out to oust him.

"There must be something out there, because the entire board was unanimous and if they take a decision and then somewhere else there is another decision taken, then there must be something out there which is not operative in cricket," Majola said at a briefing by CSA on Friday.

"I don't know (who they are). I wish you could tell me," Majola said, two days after the Nicholson inquiry into the financial affairs of CSA suspended its work until January.

The inquiry was instituted by sports minister Fikile Mbalula following almost two years of wrangling over the IPL bonus, which has seen the former president of CSA, Mtutuzeli Nyoka, ousted twice after he called for an independent inquiry into the matter.

Majola also repeated his admission to the Nicholson inquiry that he had not complied with corporate governance laws regarding the bonuses by not adhering to section 234 of the Companies Act, although he added that he had followed the same processes after the IPL as he had done for the bonuses in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2009 Champions Trophy.

The IPL's second edition was hosted in South Africa because of security concerns around elections in India at the time.

Clearly irked by questions on whether he should resign because of the damage done to CSA's reputation, Majola wanted to know what the damage was.

Majola appeared to be oblivious to the fact that as the bonus saga dragged on, sponsors shied away from CSA and that complaints have been mounting at grassroots level about the lack of funds for developmental cricket.

Acting president of CSA AK Khan however, agreed that there has been damage done to the body's reputation.

"I would be naive to tell you that there is no damage, and I would be dishonest. Yes, there is reputational damage, there are relationships that have been damaged," Khan said, adding that CSA was working hard at addressing this with all the stakeholders, including the media.

Majola also denied knowledge of claims that there were missing pages in the IPL contract, which the provincial Gauteng Cricket Board had asked to see and received a threat instead from CSA of having international games taken away from the Wanderers stadium as punishment.

"There was nothing to hide in that contract," Majola said.

Khan would not confirm that the board would accept the findings of the Nicholson inquiry, expected to be ready by the end of February.

Smith, O'Keefe on the lookout for new IPL homes

SYDNEY: New South Wales pair Steve Smith and Steve O'Keefe, who are also housemates, are on the lookout for new homes in the Indian Premier League after the demise of their franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala. 


According to the Sydney Morning Herald, they will be keen to attract the eyes of scouts when the trading window opens on Thursday. 


The pair face strong competition from former Kochi teammates such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, VVS Laxman, Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge in the trade period, which is open for players bought in last year's player auction. 


Teams have until January 20 to pick up a maximum of four players, while the player auction will be held in late January or early February.

VVS Laxman may not get a team in upcoming IPL auctions

NEW DELHI: Already under severe pressure to retain his place in the Test squad, VVS Laxman'sIPL career may just come to a halt as none of the nine franchises are keen on roping in the senior batsman as a full-time player. 

Laxman, who was bought by Kochi Tuskers Kerala at a price of $400,000 during the last edition, will again go under the hammer along with fellow India players like Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Rudra Pratap Singh, Kiwi Brendon McCullum and Lankans Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan. 

While there would be a fight among the teams for Jadeja whose game suits the shortest format, Laxman looks like one of the bigger names who might just miss out. 

"This auction won't be a full-fledged one. The franchises have $2 million purse and teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore, Pune Warriors will come to the auction with even lesser money. All the owners will be very choosy about the players they will be zeroing on. I don't see Laxman fitting into the scheme of things," an IPL official said on Monday. 

Interestingly, during the last edition, Laxman had lowered his base price from $400,000 to $300,000 in order to attract prospective bidders. 

The BCCI has handed the franchises a list of 180 players excluding Kochi players, whose names would be inducted later. 

The parent body has instructed teams to choose around 50 to 60 names to make the auction short and meaningful. 

"Effectively, franchises will pick around 18-20 players amongst themselves. So there is no point in calling out names that would go unnoticed," a franchise official said. 

Asked what can be the way out for the 37-year-old Hyderabadi, a source pointed out, "If he accepts to be a mentor, then some franchise may just recruit him, but taking him as a full-time player is certainly not a wise business decision." 

Among the foreign players in demand, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell with a base price of $100,000, can attract a number of bidders.