Australia to face New Zealand

MELBOURNE: Australia will kick off their home cricket season in December with two test matches against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand before taking on the world’s top-ranked test side India in a four-match series, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday.

Former top dogs Australia have slumped to fifth in the world test rankings and new captain Michael Clarke faces a stiff challenge to salve home fans still smarting from the Ashes debacle, which concluded in January, with victory over the sub-continental power.

After playing December tests against New Zealand at the Gabba in Brisbane and Hobart’s picturesque Bellerive Oval, Australia play India in Melbourne for the traditional Boxing Day test before the series moves to Sydney, Perth and Adelaide respectively.

“With the commencement of the ICC World Test Championship we know that every test win is vital and the Australian team will be keen to start the home season positively against New Zealand,” Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland said in a statement.

Australia, who are in the throes of a comprehensive team performance review following their 3-1 loss to England in the Ashes, need to be ranked in the top four to qualify for the ICC’s first test world championship, slated for 2013.

Leading one-day international side Australia and World Cup holders India then play two Twenty20 matches in February before being joined by Sri Lanka for 12 ODI matches excluding finals, in the home side’s first tri-series in four years.

Australia play World Cup finalists Sri Lanka in three tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches in a tour starting in August but are battling a raft of injuries, including finger complaints for former captain Ricky Ponting and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

The side has also been rocked by huge criticism of team selection policies after 35-year-old opening batsman Michael Katich was denied a central contract, signalling the likely end of his test career.

The Australian 2011-12 cricket schedule is as follows:

Test series:

Dec. 1-5 Australia v New Zealand (Gabba)

Dec. 9-13 Australia v New Zealand(Bellerive Oval)

Dec. 26-30 Australia v India(MCG)

Jan. 3-7 Australia v India (SCG)

Jan. 13-17 Australia v India (WACA)

Jan. 24-28 Australia v India(Adelaide Oval)

Twenty20 matches:

Feb. 1    Australia v India (Sydney Olympic Park)
Feb. 3    Australia v India(MCG)
ODI matches:
Feb. 5    Australia v India (MCG)
Feb. 8    India v Sri Lanka (WACA)
Feb. 10 Australia v Sri Lanka (WACA)
Feb. 12 Australia v India(Adelaide Oval)
Feb. 14 India v Sri Lanka (Adelaide Oval)
Feb. 17 Australia v Sri Lanka(SCG)
Feb. 19 Australia v India(Gabba)
Feb. 21 India v Sri Lanka (Gabba)
Feb. 24 Australia v Sri Lanka (Bellerive Oval)
Feb. 26 Australia v India (SCG)
Feb. 28 India v Sri Lanka (Bellerive Oval)
March 2 Australia v Sri Lanka (MCG)
March 4 1st Final (Gabba)
March 6 2nd Final (Adelaide Oval)
March 8 3rd final (Adelaide Oval)

Pakistani cueists gear up without coach

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cueists, Mohammad Sajjad and Shahid Aftab are training without a coach here at Pakistan Snooker and Billiards Hall for participation in ENOC Snooker team International Championship.

The event is scheduled to be held in Dubai, UAE, from June 24-28 and Sajjad and Shahid will be participating in the team event.

A source in the Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association (PBSA) told APP on Tuesday that “we do not have any financial assistance to hire any international or local coach who can give a bit more tips to these players.”

“We wrote a letter to the Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) last month to give us some grant so that we can hire a coach for the team.”

“We are still waiting for the PSB’s reply but there is not much time left as our cueists will be departing for Dubai on June 23 for participation in the event,” he told APP.

The source said that the PBSA had a couple of options in mind but they were ruled out since the camp had just a few days left.

“I’m confident that our players can manage without a coach and will bring laurels to the country when they return back,” the source added.

Afghanistan, India, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and hosts UAE are to participate in the event.

“The event carries a cash prize of US $5,000 for winners, US $2,500 for the runner-up and US $1500 for losing semi-finalists. The highest break performer will get US $500,” he concluded.

Afridi meet Chairman Ijaz Butt with Govt Officials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pakistan’s former ODI captain Shahid Afridi and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ijaz Butt held a closed-door meeting in Islamabad amidst the presence of several members of the government, DawnNews reported.

According to a source within the PCB, the objective of the meeting was to thaw out a quick solution to the present crisis that is engulfing Pakistan cricket.

An out-of-court solution was also discussed, the source added.

Some sections of the media stated that Afridi was likely to be reissued clearance to play overseas after he withdraws his petition in the Sindh High Court.

PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar told The Associated Press the meeting took place on Tuesday, but declined to comment further.

It must be noted here that while the lawyers of Afridi and the PCB are preparing for a Sindh High Court hearing on 16th June, pressure from various political circles might force both parties to settle the issue out of court.

Afridi went to court after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) punished him for allegedly breaching a code of conduct by announcing his retirement after he was dumped as one-day captain, and levelling allegations against the board.

It suspended his central contract and revoked all his no-objection certificates (NOCs), which would have allowed him to play in England – where he was due to represent Hampshire in the Twenty20 league – and Sri Lanka.

The Sindh high court in Karachi adjourned Afridi’s case until June 16, when PCB officials are expected to justify their sanctions against the all-rounder before a two-member bench makes a decision.

Pakistan’s Davis Cup tie against S. Korea

KARACHI: The training camp for Pakistan’s Davis Cup tie against South Korea next month begins on Wednesday in Islamabad.

US-based coach Jalil Riaz will supervise the camp which will not include Pakistan’s ace tennis player Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi who is set to take part in the Wimbledon Championship.

Qureshi will fly directly to Korea from England for the Davis Cup tie, Pakistan Tennis Federations Senior Vice President Irshad Bhatti told PPI.

Aqeel Khan, the current Pakistan’s No 1 would join the camp on 17th June after his coaching stint with Sri Lanka’s junior team.

Meanwhile, upcoming star Samir Ifikhar will also join the camp the same day as he is currently in the UK due to his academic commitments. The fourth member of the Korea bound team is Yasir Khan, the younger brother of Aqeel Khan.

Others to participate in the camp are Jalil Khan, M. Abid, Muzammil and Muddasir.

“This will be a top-class tennis training camp and therefore we have also called two youngsters Muzammil and Mudassir to get exposure and gain confidence by playing against top-class national players,” Irshad said.

Denied of home-advantage for some years, Pakistan defeated Hong Kong at their home earlier this year and they would now face South Korea in the Asia Oceania Group-II tie from 8th to 11th July. A win in the contest will ensure the teams promotion to Group-I.