Proteas Beat Zimbabwe

South Africa laboured to a 5 wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first of three ODI matches being used as a warm up to next T20 World Cup.

Although South African never looked like doing anything but winning this match, the manner in which they did told of a side that hadn’t played much cricket in months. The bowling was solid, the fielding very good, and the batting did the job required, but it all lacked inspiration. Although many will argue that the laboured performance was worrying, it was actually exactly what these matches in Zimbabwe were pencilled in for - to rid the team of any cob webs, allowing them to be ready for the T20 show piece.

An inept batting performance by the Zimbabwe top and middle order saw them at 72-7 and in danger of losing the match before lunch. But a spirited lower orde fightback by Chigumbura and Brent helped them past 200, and a degree of respectability. The innings began with some impressive stroke play by Sibanda, but like the rest of the top order he got out just when he started to look like he would give the South Africans something to think about. He edged a ball from Pollock to Smith, who took a brilliant catch low to his right. After that the wickets fell regularly, with an alarming 5 run outs, much to do with the Zimbabwean indecision as with the South African fielding. Taibu, on his return to Zimbabwean cricket, offered a brief glimmer of hope, but that was snuffed out as he fell for 22 to the impressive Morne Morkel, making his South African ODI debut. It was left to Chigumbura and Brent to rescue the Zimbabwe innings, and each batted carefully at first and then opened up a bit, both reaching half centuries, Brent being undefeated as the innings closed on 206. Chigumbura, who batted well in the Afro Asia series, has shown enough to suggest that he needs to move up the order if Zimbabwe are to be competitive in the future. He is able to grind out runs as well as find the boundary, and it is with him that the Zimbabwe future lies.

For South Africa, Pollock was his steady self, and nothing less can be expected of the old pro, finishing with 1/25 in 8 overs. However it was the bowling of debutant Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, playing his third ODI, that will have pleased the selectors the most. Morkel, bowling at first change, has the type of controlled aggression that usually comes with experience. He is able to bowl quick while remaining economical at the same time. A weapon that will surely be utilised much more in the future. Giving South Africa a strike bowler who does not leak runs. Philander, who impressed in his first two games against Ireland and India in May, and who was named player of the tournament at the emerging players tournament in Australia recently, topping both the batting and bowling tables, continued to suggest he may be a leading player for South Africa in the present and not just the future. He picked up 2 early wickets in his spell, and was bowling when Zimbabwe slipped from 67-2 to 72-7. His economical bowling saw his figures after his first spell read 2/4 from 6 overs. He returned to bowl at the death where he conceded 11 runs in 2 overs.

On the batting side, there were half centuries from Smith, debutant Bodi, and de Villiers, who slipped down the order to four. Smith rarely looked comfortable, seeming to be under the weather, yet still managed to score his 50 off just 57 balls. Bodi, although far from the fluid, boundary hitting, batsman of domestic cricket, played some elegant flicks and lofted shots, and will be pleased with his debut performance. De Villiers looked the most comfortable at the crease and until he ran himself out never looked in any trouble against the Zimbabwean attack. It was left to Pollock and Philander to see South Africa home, winning with 2 boundaries in succession from Philander with 22 balls and 5 wickets to spare.

Although the performances of Morkel, Philander, Bodi and de Villiers will have pleased the South Africans, there is much they need to do to improve, to reach the higher standard that they aim for, and build momentum to next months tournament. They have two more matches this weekend to iron out any kinks and to give time out in the middle to their squad. For Zimbabwe, they’ll just be hoping to remain competitive.

Boucher In Trouble

Mark Boucher, the South African wicket keeper, is set to appear before a disciplinary board after recent remarks he made in a newspaper article regarding the exclusion of Jaques Kallis from the T20 squad. Upon his exclusion Kallis resigned as vice captain and questioned his future in the national team.

Bouchers remarks in the Business Day allude to non cricketing reasons behind Kallis omission from the squad.

"

It is either those who have an issue with him, and have a chip on their shoulders, or those who have ulterior motives."

"He's the best allrounder we've ever had and he's saved more [limited overs] games than anyone realises - and he is a far better one-day player than he is given credit for."

Boucher will appear at a hearing on Friday.

Taking into account the reasoning by the selectors, at least in public anyway, for Kallis omission, that they want him rested for the long, tough, season ahead, it is worth considering a few points. Firstly Pakistan, India and New Zealand have not included their best Test batsmen either. Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Mohammed Yusuf and Stephen Fleming have all been left out of their squads and been given an extended break in order to get more from them in Test and ODI cricket in the coming season. There is also a case for Flemings exclusion on the basis that it allows a more comfortable transition of the captaincy to Vettori. Yet none of these other players have put up a fuss (Pakistans Abul Razzaq criticized his omission but it appears that he is being dropped and not rested.) If Kallis is being rested due to the heavy workload he carries within the test and ODI teams, then why aren't Pollock and Ntini being afforded the same break? Clearly Kallis wanted to be involved so its not a case of a player opting out or being happy with a few more weeks of golf. If the argument was that Kallis is not suited to T20 cricket then what of Ntini? He doesn't offer anything with that bat and has bowled 30 balls in international T20 games and gone for 65 runs without taking a wicket. A record that suggests that he shouldn't be in the squad. Ntini has carried the Test and ODI attack for a couple of seasons now and perhaps his lack of form at the World Cup was because of to much cricket. Perhaps he to should have been rested. While it may be seen to most as a childish reaction by Kallis, and perhaps it is, it's still not a bad thing to have a player so upset about being left out, even when assured he isn't be dropped. A player who has scored over 8000 Test runs, over 9000 ODI runs and has taken over 200 wickets in Test and ODI cricket who has nothing to prove to anyone yet still gets this upset about not being selected for the least serious, least important form of the game? Surely that cant be the worst thing.

By all accounts Kallis lead the team in Ireland admirably, especially with his dealing with the young players, Philander, Duminy and Tshabalala, both on and off the field, so there is a strong desire to retain him as vice captain. Lets hope that happens.

Kallis Quits as Vice Captain

Following his omission from the South African T20 squad Jacues Kallis has stepped down as vice captain of the ODI and Test teams, raising doubts about his future.

Kallis, one of the finest all rounders in history, expressed his disappointment at being left out of the T20 squad when issuing his vice captaincy resignation.

"I have resigned as vice-captain and I'm considering my options with regard to the rest of my career," Kallis said. "I have been thinking long and hard over the weekend and there is still a lot of emotion involved because I am extremely disappointed. I was very excited about the tournament and hoping to make a huge contribution.

"I feel I have a lot of good cricket left and my best years might even be ahead of me. Ideally I would like to play many more years for my country but this weekend caused me to question my future for the first time."

The timing of this suggests that Kallis made the decision based on emotion rather then thought, and it is hoped that he changes his mind, particularly by CSA chief executive Gerald Majola.

While there is no doubting his class and ability there has long been debate amongst South African fans about Kallis position in the ODI team, when some regarding his run scoring on the slow side. However, with cricket in general moving towards a more aggressive approach to batting, Kallis has upped his strike rate considerably over the last season or so, and has maintained his position as the linchpin in the Proteas batting line up.

While Kallis has shown a more aggressive streak in ODI's he still tends to take a few over to play himself in before cutting loose. With this in mind, and the fact that you have less time to play yourself in in T20 cricket, the feeling is that Kallis best role would be opening the innings. Here he could take an over or two to gain a feel for the pitch and bowling, before opening up. However with Graeme Smith, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers and Gulam Bodi already competing for the two openers births (one really with Smith guaranteed one of the positions) the likelihood of this happening were slim. While Kallis has played 6 T20 games, both internationally and domestically, the likes of Bosman and Bodi have played over 20, giving them far more experience and expertise in this form of the game.

New chairman of selectors, Joubert Strydom, has put forward the taxing schedule over the next 18 months as the reason for Kallis being rested, and not dropped. Over this period South Africa travel to Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, England and Australia, and with this in mind the selectors felt it prudent to give Kallis a longer rest so as to come back refreshed and able to better handle the rigours of being am all rounder and the batting back bone of the team.

Kallis decision, though brash and immature (in terms of timing and not his person) clearly outlines the disappointment he feels at missing out on this inaugural tournament, being hosted by his country. While this can be understood and sympathised with, the rest that he will gain will benefit the test and ODI team, and Kallis himself, bringing a rested, focused and driven Kallis to the field for a tough season ahead. One that ends with a series against Australia. Kallis omission may be the best thing for his game, and the hopes of South Africa's team in the long run.

Concentration

A study of concentration. Zaheer Khan has been one of the stars of the recent test series. Confidence, competitiveness and success can be a very heady mixture and it will be interesting to see if it carries over into the maelstrom of the one day game.

Kallis Left Out

South Africa announced their 15 man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, to be held in South Africa, in September. Perhaps the biggest surprise was the exclusion of Jacques Kallis, who had been named as vice caption when the 30 man provisional squad was announced last month.

While Australia chose to send the basically the same team that had done duty for them in the Caribbean World Cup, with the exception of the now retired Glenn Mcgrath, the South African team sees 7 players included who did not make the trip to the West Indies. While Australia have gone the root of seeing limited over players as limited over players, be it in a 50 over game or 20 over game, the South Africans have chosen a squad geared towards the shortest form of the game. This would explain the exclusion of Kallis, one of the finest all rounders in the history of the game, who's game is perhaps least suited to T20 cricket. Kallis has in the past shown that he is capable of playing an aggressive innings, as he did against the West Indies in the World Cup, but he still needs a few overs to play himself in, a luxury that is not available as much in T20 cricket. So Kallis will have a longer rest to gear him up for a long season that begins with a tough tour to Pakistan almost immediately after the tournament ends.

In Golam Bodi, JP Duminy, Johan van der Wath, Albie and Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Thandi Tshabalala, all of whom did not go to the World Cup, the Proteas have chosen players to give them more options, and fire power, players suited and tested in the quick smash and grab game. Bodi, an attacking opening batsman, has been rewarded for his domestic performances in Pro 20 cricket over the last few seasons, and should be given his chance at some stage of the 2 week tournament. Duminy, a stylish, stroke playing middle order batsman, has played ODI's for South Africa, and gives them the option of spin as well. In van der Wath, Albie Morkel and Vernon Philander South Africa have some hard hitting batsman, capable of clearing the boundaries at will, as well as seam and swing bowling options. All three should play apart with bat and ball for the Proteas. Morne Morkel, the tall fast bowler, gives the attack the raw pace and aggression, that can complement Pollocks perfect line and length, while having the added bonus of being pretty economical as well. Morkel should find himself in the South African Test and ODI squads soon.

Andre Nel, Charl Langeveld, Ashwell Prince, Andrew Hall, Robin Peterson, Roger Telemachus miss out from the team that left for the West Indies in March. Andrew Hall can perhaps count himself unlucky as his economic death bowling could have been an advantage, however in Pollock, Ntini, van der Wath, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, and Philander the selectors probably feel they have enough variation and options in the pace bowling department. Another player who can count himself unlucky not to make the team is Morne van Wyk, who has been the outstanding domestic batsman in Pro 20 cricket over the last few years, and did well against India and Ireland in May, when deputising for the injured Smith. Again the numbers where not in his favour this time as the batting line up looks particularity imposing, with Smith, de Villiers, Bosman, and Bodi all competing for the openers birth.

The squad has met the racial targets set out by CSA, of 7 from 15 non white players, and has not been weakened at all. All the players there are selected on merit, and any 11 chosen from these 15 will be hard to beat. South Africa will go into the tournament confident of winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka Cricket hits back at Bedi

Media manager hints at possible legal action against the former Indian skipper for his outburst

Sri Lanka Cricket officials yesterday hit back former Indian test captain Bishan Singh Bedi over his alleged comment that Sri Lanka’s champion spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is a “monster” setting wrong precedent to youngsters.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s media manager Samantha Algama said that they are “greatly disappointed and concerned” by the statements made by Bedi and added that Sri Lanka Cricket sincerely believes that appropriate action should be taken by the authorities to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Hinting at possible legal action by the spinner, Algama said “Sri Lanka Cricket will support any and all efforts by Muralitharan to take corrective action in the matter” in a written statement sent to “Daily Mirror”, referring to our lead story yesterday, where Bedi was quoted.“While SLC respects the right of individuals to form their own opinion regarding the matter of illegal bowling actions; we feel that Mr.Bedi's comments are defamatory and are intended to cause harm to Mr.Muralitharan's reputation, his achievements and also disparages the ICC's ruling on the said matter.” Algama added.

Explaining the matter further, Algama stated “Mr.Muralitharan's bowling action has been scrutinized time and again by bowling experts, bio-mechanical experts and medical experts and has been found to be within the laws of the game. Furthermore, the ICC has also set in place procedures that deal with suspected illegal actions. Mr. Bedi should be aware of these procedures and processes.”

“It is irresponsible for a person of Mr.Bedi's stature in the game to make such public comments where he has clearly attacked the personal integrity of Mr.Muralitharan and the technical competency of the ICC. Mr.Bedi has needlessly, unfairly and deliberately targeted Mr.Muralitharan in his vituperative outburst.” Algama’s statement added.

Murali will take legal action against Bedi says manager

Muttiah Muralitharan’s manager Kushil Gunasekara in a statement to “Daily Mirror” yesterday said that the champion spinner will take legal action against Bedi’s comments shortly. Following is Gunasekara’s statement.

I refer to the media publication that appeared in the Daily Mirror of 9th August 2007 pertaining to the repulsive comments made by Mr Bishan Singh Bedi which is of a very serious defamatory nature to bring disrepute and tarnish the impressive image of Mr Muttiah Muralidaran.

It is no surprise that the ugly behaviour and unjustified allegations made by Mr Bishan Singh Bedi depicting more of a personal attack coincides with Murali’s attempt to achieve the highest number of test wickets by any bowler in the history of the game in the not too distant future.

The legal team of Mr Muttiah Muralidaran will shortly institute legal action against Mr Bishan Singh Bedi in view of the sordid and ghastly manner in which he has condemned by way of a severe character assassination to undermine Mr Muttiah Muralidaran’s magical art of spin bowling.

Strong SA A Team for Zimbabwe

Boeta Dippenaar will lead a strong South Africa A team in two 4 day games in Zimbabwe over the next 2 weeks.

The squad contains a host of players with international experience and seems to be a combination of fringe and current full squad members.

The inclusion of Andre Nel, Charl Langeveld, Andrew Hall. Ashwell Prince, Paul Harris and Hashim Amla, all usually members of the Test squad, seems to suggest that they wont be part of the Twenty20 World Cup squad due to be announced in Cape Town on Saturday. If they were part of that squad then surely they would be in Cape Town this weekend and not playing in Zimbabwe?

So if we can guess that those picked for these matches will almost certainly miss out on selection for the Twenty20 squad then Morne van Wyk can count himself very unlucky to be in Zimbabwe. While his inclusion may indicate that he is in the minds of the selectors for Test selection, the fact that he has been the outstanding batsman in domestic Pro 20 should have surely guaranteed his selection for Septembers show piece. At the same time the exclusion of Vernon Philander seems to suggest that he will make Saturdays squad selection.He should be a very exciting, useful option during the tournament.

While noting that the likes of Nel, Hall, Amla, Prince, Harris and Langeveld have been included to get their season off to a start, with a series to Pakistan following directly after the Twenty20, another interesting observation is the spin options in the 14 man squad. Paul Harris, who played in the last Test series against India, in joined by Johan Botha as well as spin options from Imran Khan and Justin Ontong. So while the selectors must be applauded for attempting to rectify South Africas well known spin problem we have to ask why Thandi Tshabalala has not been included? If he is seen as the future of South African spin bowlers then surely he needs as much exposure as possible before being included in the Test squad? This is what A team's are for.

The selectors have also stated that Neil Mckenzie was not selected as they feel his stint with Somerset in County Cricket would benefit him more. Thus allaying any fears that Mckenzie was once again over looked and is not in their plans.

The full squad is: Boeta Dippenaar (capt), Yusuf Abdullah, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Andrew Hall, Paul Harris, Imran Khan, Charl Langeveldt, Andrè Nel, Justin Ontong, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Thami Tsolekile (wk), Mornè van Wyk.

Sri Lankan players too approached to play in the ICL

A wealthy rebel league in India seems set to take Sri Lankan cricket by storm as several top players have been approached to join the lucrative series, sources said yesterday.
The Indian Cricket League promoted by Zee Telefilms, the country's largest lmedia group, features six teams that will play Twenty20 matches across India. Each team in the league, which has not been recognized by the International Cricket Council or the Board of Control for Cricket in India, will have four international players, two Indian stars and eight up-and-coming players.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sources said several players were privately approached by agents during a series here with Bangladesh, but that the SLC would not allow any contracted players to join the rebel league.

"If they go ahead and join the league, the result would be similar to the 1982 rebel tour to South Africa," an SLC source said. Fourteen Sri Lankan cricketers led by Bandula Warnapura were banned for 25 years in 1982 for playing in the South African series.

But press reports here said that retired Russel Arnold has accepted the offer and is negotiating with the new league. Arnold was not available for comment. At least two other Sri Lankan star players have been offered contracts ranging from US$500,000 to US$600,000 for each of the three years in the playing contract.

Indian Cricket League in contact with 60 international players

Former England captain Tony Greig and Indian Cricket League representative claimed recently that the breakaway league was in contact with 60 international players.

With the likes of West Indian Brian Lara already signing for the Twenty20 competition and ex-Australian Glenn McGrath already expressing his desire to be a part of the competition, there seems to be a plan to rope in several star cricketers.
ICL is offering up to $2.3million for a three-year contract to certain stars with the original contracts known to include a loyalty payment, and anybody who hesitates will find their payments reduced if they try to get back on board later, a FOX Sports report added.
The powerful Indian cricket board has made it clear that it will impose life bans on any of its international players or youngsters who are associated with the ICL. The board is determined to spoil the breakaway competition.

Racial Targets to be Met

Cricket South Africa has stated that racial targets will have to be met for the fast approaching Twenty20 World Cup, which South Africa will host, in September.

What this means is that, just as in the World Cup in the Caribbean, 7 of the 15 members of the World Cup squad will have to be non-white. While the rest of the world may not share the same problem, South African cricket has to take into account the injustices of its countries history and attempts to bring parity to the playing fields, to have a team that represents the people of the country. That is a fact that South Africans have to come to terms with and stop quibbling about. While I have always maintained that quota's, or targets, should be used at domestic level and not at international level, the reality is that the system is here to stay - for now at least.

What South African, and world fans in general, must not mistake is the quality of the players selected. The non-white players, although meeting targets, are not of a sub standard to their white team mates. Ntini has lead the bowling attack in both limited and test cricket for a number of years now, Prince has been the most consistent Test batsman of the last 2 years, and Hashim Amla's run scoring at domestic level over the last few years has demanded a place in the test team. Saying that the non white players are in the team based on colour is an insult to them and the system.

The problem arises however in the strict meeting of those targets. By saying that we have to have 7 rather than we would like to have 7 the selectors are harming the game at this level. In the recent World Cup the target was met, with Roger Telemachus being the 7th player. Telemachus is good enough to play at this level, and can do a job for the team, however he did not play a single game at the event. That isn't the problem, Australia didn't utilise every member of their squad, as most other teams did, but the problem comes with the players left behind. Johan van der Wath is good enough to make the first eleven never mind the touring 15, yet when he is continuously left behind because he is fighting for 8 places and not 15, he must begin to think of his future. Continuously being overlooked must make Kolpak a very appealing avenue. Morne van Wyk was given a chance on South Africa's recent tour to Ireland, where he showed he was ready for international cricket. If he subsequently gets over looked after that, not to mention him being the outstanding domestic batsman of recent seasons in all forms, he too will begin to think of a future in England. The flaws in the system mean that if South Africa continue to overlook their talent they will lose them, and the England team in a few years could be all South African.

The signs that the system are working, and don't need to be rushed, are there. At the recent Emerging players tournament in Australia, which was won by South Africa, Vernon Philander topped both the batting and bowling tables, JP Duminy and Alviro Pieterson featured highly on the batting side, and Yusuf Abdullah on the bowling. So if the talent coming through is a representative mixture of white and non white then surely in a few years the full team will be too, irrespective of targets? There is only danger in rushing through such a sensitive system. The players want to believe that they are the best, and not that they are numbers in a target game. That sort of thinking set back the career of a promising player like Justin Ontong, and although he is beginning to fulfill his undoubted potential, can not be allowed to happen again.

South Africa is in the unenviable position of having to marry sport and politics, a combination that does not go together well. If the country and people are to move forward, if they are to be the best, they must hold on to their pool of talent. Targets should be a goal and not set in stone. The best players will come through the system and targets will be met - they should not be forced.

Philander Stakes a Claim

The South African Emerging team successfully defended the title they won last year by defeating New Zealand in this years final in a competition that also included emerging teams from India and the hosts, Australia.

While the South African team can be pleased with their performances, and the experience gained by some of its younger players, the most pleasing aspect of the tour was the prolific form of all rounder Vernon Philander.

They say the true measure of an all rounder, a genuine all rounder, is if he is able to hold his place in the team as both a batsman and a bowler, and not a batsman who bowls a bit or a bowler who can bat, as is the case of many of the “all rounders” in cricket today. Philander, who made his international debut in South Africa’s recent short series in Ireland, provided his credentials as an all rounder by topping both the batting and bowling tables at the tournament. In 6 matches Philander bowled 48 overs and 5 balls, taking 13 wickets at an average of 9,15. He topped the wickets taken, best average, and best economy tables. His economy rate of 2,43 was by far the best and showed that he was able to stem the run rate as well as take wickets when called upon to bowl his fast medium seamers. In the 6 matches Philander, batting in the middle order, was called upon to bat 4 times, and ended not out on 2 occasions. He scored 141 runs at an average of 70,50, the best average of the tournament, and a strike rate of exactly 100.

Philanders all round ability, and the experience he is not getting, is a shining light for South African cricket. It has been suggested that Philadner is one of the players who is seen as a potential replacement for Shaun Pollock, when the great Polly calls it a day, but on current form there is no reason that he should not be in the team with Pollock right now. It can do his young, growing, career no harm to be taken under the wings of Pollock and Kallis at this stage of his development. With bat or ball in hand, Vernon Philander, and South African crickets, future looks b