A Bit About Spor's In Genral.....!

The worst thing about professional sport is the one thing which defines it, money. It breeds a culture of arrogant, self-obsessed football stars, mercenary agents, bloodsucking city shareholders, overweening TV executives and paranoid administrators desperate to secure every penny they possibly can to pay for their kingdoms.

What clearer example could we have of this than the England & Wales Cricket Board’s decision this week to sell exclusive TV rights to all international cricket in England to satellite broadcaster BSkyB? It was a move long touted, but rarely taken seriously. A few hours before the announcement was made an item on BBC Radio 4 barely mentioned it as an option, concentrating instead on the likely retention of the status quo. The consensus among pundits seemed to be that it was one of those wild ideas which emanate from headquarters from time to time but which they’re never quite bold, or stupid, enough to pursue.

Not this time. Six years after first experimenting with satellite coverage of home Tests, the ECB has finally gone all the way, and next summer’s final Ashes Test at The Oval will be the last live international cricket to hit UK screens until at least 2010. Under the current arrangements, which began in 1999, Sky already had the rights to screen live coverage of at least one home Test per year, usually the least commercially attractive. The remaining Tests were the preserve of terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4, who also shared with Sky coverage of the knock-out C&G Trophy tournament and highlights to some other Sky matches. But Sky also held exclusive rights to all home One-Day Internationals, the Twenty20 Cup and the One Day League. It has broadcast live coverage of every England overseas tour since 1990.

Sky’s domination of English cricket is now complete, the only concession to terrestrial viewers being a promise of 45 minute highlights packages on Channel 5, the UK’s newest terrestrial broadcaster whose sporting portfolio is at present largely limited to running European and South American soccer matches in the early hours of the morning. Their broadcasts can currently be received by only 80% of UK households. No doubt Five will be delighted with this boost to their prestige, but they will have to try hard to make their coverage work. Lucky viewers of this channel are bombarded with adverts, roughly 4 minutes worth for every 15 minutes of airtime, which would bring that 45 minute slot down to 33 minutes of actual cricket. It is unlikely to be any more generous than this, since the desire to attract a more upmarket class of advertiser (instead of the current ‘no-win-no-fee’ lawyers and consolidation loan companies), must be a key factor in their motivation.

For the ousted Channel 4, it is a sorry end to a partnership with the ECB which began so promisingly. Taking over from the BBC in 1999, the commercial broadcaster was widely commended for smartening up the game’s presentation with improved graphics and camera work, while the commentary was also closer to the chatty, light-hearted style made popular by BBC Radio’s Test Match Special. Sadly, the critical acclaim was never matched by popular viewing. Although a brilliant high water-mark was reached when 5 million tuned in to watch the thrilling climax to the 2000 Lord’s Test against West Indies, audience figures rarely rose higher than the 1.8 million who tuned in on average during the last couple of years of BBC coverage.

Signs of Channel 4’s dwindling commitment to the game crept in surprisingly quickly. The flagship Saturday morning magazine programme ‘The Cricket Show’ was soon slashed from 60 to 30 minutes, initial promises that cricket would only give way to horse racing on Saturday afternoons did not last long either. The departure of David Brook, director of strategy and development and the man largely responsible for bringing cricket to the channel, in the autumn of 2002 was perhaps a crucial signal that things were about to change.

Exclusive Article by Ken Piesse 17/01/03

Murray Goodwin has urged the Australians and others to tour strife-torn Zimbabwe despite the continuing political and financial instability which has brought his country-of-birth to its knees.

"It's just so important for the development of cricket in our country," he said. "It would be a huge downer if they don't. The Zimbabwe public live for sport and to have the best in the world there is very important."

Goodwin rejected the opportunity to return to Zimbabwe and play in the soon-to-start World Cup, saying he still has bitter memories of how the Zimbabwe Cricket Union ran the game in the late '90s. "I'm enjoying playing for Western Australia and (English) county cricket for Sussex. I do miss the international scene, miss playing with some of my best mates and traveling the world playing the game I love. "But the way the Zimbabwe cricket Union ran things in the past was an absolute dog show."

"I didn't want to be part of that and I was fortunate in that I could come here and be a part of a more professional outfit. I didn't want to be treated like I was. "It had to take the retirements of people like myself, Neil Johnson, Adam Huckle and Paul Strang for them to buck their ideas up. Suddenly their financial situation jumped 300 per cent ... and they kept telling us that they had nothing in their coffers."

"We were earning foreign currency for the country and they were paying us Zimbabwe dollars and the inflation then was 75 per cent. Now it's 140 per cent. It's chaos."

With a Test average of 40-plus, Goodwin, 30, said he left with a few misgivings, but has no regrets at re-starting his career with Western Australia. So far this summer he has made two big Pura Cup centuries - 176 against Tasmania and 164 against South Australia - and has also been prominent in the one-dayers, his contributions including 52 from 51 balls against Victoria last Friday night in Melbourne.

He wishes the very best for Zimbabwe cricket and doesn't expect any safety issues to be a problem for the visiting international teams. "You never know though," he said.

"It's quite a volatile situation there, if teams don't go it may start sending a message through to the government to get their house in order."

"But from a cricketing perspective all the players and fans want to see Australia and England play there. It would be a huge boon for the game there."

Goodwin was a member of the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy in 1992-93. He has represented Zimbabwe 90 times, including 19 Tests.

Role Of ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.
The ICC has 106 members: 10 Full Members that play official Test matches, 36 and 60 Affiliate Members. The ICC is responsible for the organisation and governance of cricket's major international tournaments, most notably the Cricket World Cup. It also appoints the umpires and referees that officiate at all sanctioned Test matches, One Day International and Twenty20 Internationals. It promulgates the ICC Code of Conduct, which sets professional standards of discipline for international cricket, and also co-ordinates action against corruption and match-fixing through its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). The ICC does not control bilateral fixtures between member countries (which include all Test matches), it does not govern domestic cricket in member countries, and it does not make the laws of the game, which remain under the control of the Marylebone Cricket Club.
Alan Isaac, the former chairman of New Zealand Cricket, is the President of the Council who succeeded Sharad Pawar, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The current CEO is David Richardson who succeeded Haroon Lorgat.

On 15 June 1909 representatives from England, Australia and South Africa met at Lord's and founded the Imperial Cricket Conference. Membership was confined to the governing bodies of cricket within the British Empire where Test cricket was played. West Indies, New Zealand and India were elected as Full Members in 1926, doubling the number of Test-playing nations to six. That year it was also agreed to make a change in membership, with election being for; "governing bodies of cricket in countries within the Empire to which cricket teams are sent, or which send teams to England." However the United States did not meet these criteria and was not made a member. After the formation of Pakistan in 1947, it was given Test status in 1952, becoming the seventh Test-playing nation. In May 1961 South Africa left the Commonwealth and therefore lost membership.
In 1965, the Imperial Cricket Conference was renamed the International Cricket Conference and new rules adopted to permit the election of countries from outside the Commonwealth. This led to the expansion of the Conference, with the admission of Associate Members. Associates were each entitled to one vote, while the Foundation and Full Members were entitled to two votes on ICC resolutions. Foundation Members retained a right of veto.
Sri Lanka was admitted as a Full Member in 1981, returning the number of Test-playing nations to seven. In 1989, new rules were adopted and International Cricket Conference changed its name to the current name, the International Cricket Council. South Africa was re-elected as a Full Member of the ICC in 1991, after the end of apartheid; this was followed in 1992 by the admission of Zimbabwe as the ninth Test-playing nation. Then, in the year 2000 Bangladesh received test status. Ireland is due to get test status by 2020 according to the ICC.

Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev - Cricket Ka Jaadugar

The man with a grin almost as big as the subcontinent itself, has been named Indian Cricketer of the Century, as adjudged by a panel of experts from Wisden.

India's Kapil Dev, who enjoyed a career in international cricket spanning 16 years and who led India to it's World Cup win in 1983, has enjoyed many accolades, but this is by far his finest achievement, even after being named Wisden International Cricketer of the Year in 1983.

Although the talents of many other Indian cricketers were scrutinised by the panel, amongst them, current test player Sachin Tendulkar and former great Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil's allround performance with bat and ball was considered superior and snared him the title.

Profile

Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj - Known as: Kapil Dev Born: 6 January 1959, Chandigarh - India Played for: Haryana - Northamptonshire - Worcestershire - India Batting Style: Right Hand Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium Pace Test Debut: Ind v Pak at Faisalabad, 1st Test, 1978-79 Last Test: Ind v Nzl at Hamilton, Only Test, 1993-94 ODI Debut: Ind v Pak at Quetta, 1st ODI, 1978-79 Last ODI: Ind v Windies at Faridabad, 1st ODI, 1994-95

Career Stats

Bowling Summary

434 Wickets at an average of 29.64

Batting Summary

5248 runs at an average of 31.05 in 131 test matches

Cricket Book's

A selection of cricket books for you to purchase online covering many subjects including books to teach you all about the game of cricket and how to play it, cricket player biographies, cricket history, cricket stats and facts, also a number of general books about the sport of cricket. Brought to you by Abc of Cricket in association with Amazon.co.uk

To view more details about the book of your choice or to make a purchase online, simply click the title of your choice and you will be taken to a page where you are able to make a secure transaction with a guarantee of delivery anywhere in the world. Amazon.co.uk provides superior service and security to other online book sellers and is the first choice on every occassion when our editor orders. He resides in Australia and the longest a delivery has taken so far, is six (6) days. Not bad all the way from the UK, eh!

If you are doubtful about buying products online, just try it, we guarantee you will be more than pleased with the service you get and will be converted to shopping from the comfort of your own home. Amazon.co.uk is not rated the world leader in online sales for nothing!

If you prefer Cricket Video and DVD, be sure to visit our online library of titles, all available for purchase at the best prices on the web. There are hundreds of titles available, we list just a few of the best.

Cricket Video and DVD

Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring Since its first publication Tom Smith's book has become the first reference book umpires and scores from Test match to club cricket levels consult. It contains the complete Laws of Cricket, help on interpretation and practical hints. Tom Smith's book has been revised under the auspices of the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers. It is the only guide authorised by the Association.

Shane Warne: My Autobiography Shane Warne is arguably the greatest spinner of all time - he has taken 356 wickets in 82 tests since his debut in the Sydney test in the 1991-92 series. In this autobiography, he talks about his early ambitions, and offers a colourful narrative account of the various Ashes series in which he has been involved.

Sir Vivian This autobiography, written with journalist Bob Harris, tells the story from Viv's point of view, and is pretty much what cricket fans would expect from the man who was no stranger to controversy on a number of occasions during his playing days.

Jargonbusting: an Analysts' Guide to Test Cricket Simon Hughes, one of the pillars of Channel 4's much-acclaimed test match commentary, wrote Jargonbusting to explain cricket to an audience unfamiliar with its complexities and odd vernacular.

Bradman's Best Sir Donald Bradman saw more cricket than anyone else in the 20th century. He personally watched virtually all the best cricketers from all the major playing nations, as well as both playing in and selecting Test sides from 1928 to 1971, giving him an unprecedented appreciation of the best the sport had to offer. Towards the end of his life, from a whole century of cricketers, he selected the very finest twelve for his ideal team. Now, you can read about that team, in the words of the great man himself and in so doing gain an insight into the game he loved.

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2003 Whilst the British climate may not truly herald the beginning of summer until a later date, the publication of this cricketing bible each April signals the imminent start of the season for our summer game. As ever, the latest edition Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, stands as a benchmark for every aspiring sports annual.

The Laws of Cricket Sets out in full the text of the new laws of cricket. For each of the 42 laws, this guide provides a commentary, covering reasons for changes and highlighting their anticipated effects at every level of the game.

West Indies Cricket Grounds and Ovals

West Indies Cricket Grounds and Ovals

The West Indies, home of the 2007 Cricket World Cup boasts many of the most beautiful and scenic cricket grounds in the world. Most have a long history and tradition in Windies cricket and have been witness to many a legendary performance.

Antigua Recreation Ground
Renowned as one of the most lively Test venues in the world for its lively and exuberant fans, the Recreation Ground saw its first test match in 1981 when England were the opposing team.

Arnos Vale
Arnos Vale became the most recent ground in the West Indies to be granted test status and held its first test in June 1997, West Indies v Sri Lanka, which ended in a draw.

Bourda
The only test match ground in Guyana, Bourda is also one of the largest in the Caribbean with a seating capacity of 22,000.

Kensington Oval
Administrative home of the Barbados Cricket Association, Kensington Oval was the location for the first test match ever played in the West Indies.

Queens Park Oval
Seating 25,000 comfortably, Queens Park Oval in the picturesque Port of Spain, Trinidad, is the largest Test ground in the West Indies.

Sabina Park
Set amidst the spectacular backdrop of the world famous Blue Mountains, Sabina Park is actually set in one of the driest parts of Jamaica, and can therefore prove as much of a test for the groundsmen as batsmen.

Compare them with opening combinations of the past. Did you ever see Greenidge and Haynes against spin? By the time they’d seen off the pace bowlers, they’d done all their damage. By the time Langer and Hayden do the same, they’re only just beginning. Three figures on the board only seem to famish their craving. Their teamwork against spin is beautifully thought out. Against South African offie Claude Henderson, they displayed the variety two southpaws can bring. Henderson delivered around the wicket and across to Hayden, who did most of his scoring on leg, sweeping resolutely, employing his newly-acquired quick step inside the line. Henderson held that line to Langer, and saw ball after ball rattle the off-side pickets. Their series-saving partnership of 102 in the second innings at Johannesburg early this year came mainly at the expense of the sometimes-baffling Paul Adams. 36 came off his first five overs.

In making comparisons, we shouldn’t underestimate the bowling they’ve faced. Before their stultifying attacks on Pollock, Kallis, Donald and Ntini here, those bowlers were considered the equal of the Australians, especially on our own pitches. Ominous noises accompanied each leg of the series. This was to be a legitimate world championship. Little noise has been made since. Their fate was established when Hayden and Langer got 80 on the first morning in Adelaide. Then 202 in Melbourne; 219 in Sydney. On the first day of the third Test in Sydney, Pollock and Donald, sharp and full of revenge, got the ball to seam extravagantly. 219 runs later, they were still looking at Hayden and Langer.

Charismatic and fundamentalist. Their strength is that of other great openers: selection, determination, simplicity and technique. But they continue to write the Amplified version. They’ve been a study in the art of partnership batting. New or old, a loose ball is still a chance for maximum runs. This brings immediate pressure to do what few can: bowl tight and fast from the outset. When tightness comes, they rotate the strike. Either way, the scoreboard never rests, and this forces the harried opposition to make hasty decisions. So decisive are they these days that even a shunned stroke sends out a strong message that there is design behind every decision. You can see them appropriate the power a fielding side usually has over two isolated batsmen, celebrating each little victory along the way, even when the rest of us remain unsure as to the nature of that little victory. Langer was overjoyed at Hayden’s 136 against New Zealand at the Gabba (he got 104). “It was a highlight of my career, seeing Haydos get a century here in Brisbane. I know how long he’s been waiting for it.”

The cavalcade of great openers features some of cricket’s most unusual and independent characters: Hutton, Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Gavaskar, Lawry, Fredericks, Ponsford, Boycott. Even the great combinations were not necessarily great team players. Rather, they’re cricket’s pioneers. The Boers of the game, under siege from the malicious attacks of mercurial, ferocious adversaries. Hayden and Langer have no such grimness about them. In one of sport’s most fearsome occupations, their antidote to fear is fun. Against blazing pace they love their role as Australia’s firewall.

It’s not the light of their revelation, but its darkness, that fascinates our press. Only a venial competitiveness keeps them this side of idolatry. Langer’s been known to give bowlers plenty, sometimes unceasingly, and has demonstrated reluctance to leave the crease after the fatal finger has gone up. Hayden, the affable antagonist, has served many a batsman with pungent observations about their prospects, garnished with obscenities, as though he’d prefer to greet them togged up in Lincoln green rather than the traditional creams.

Much-lampooned for their mid-pitch embraces, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer have had more to celebrate in a short time than any opening pair in history. During one monster partnership, mid-pitch, Langer told Hayden he felt like he was playing backyard cricket. Hayden pointed to the badge on his helmet and reminded him of the significance of their achievement. He had a point. No matter what else happens, they have, like their team, toppled tradition.

The custodians of that tradition, bless ‘em, point to longevity as the measure of greatness. They point out that Langer might already be faltering. Critics, those tin Tarquins in search of tall poppies, have been kept at bay only by their wild success. If one stumbles, their pens will gush retrospective wisdom about inflated averages and average opposition, as if any era would withstand such fastidious scrutiny. The fact is, Langer-Hayden has a compelling case for immortality. Even if they never scale those heights again, their flag is firmly planted at the summit. When they passed their 1000 runs together – which is when the metre of greatness is usually turned on – they were, by light years, the best-performed opening partnership in history, 25 ahead of Hobbs and Sutcliffe’s average; eleven and a half years ahead of Greenidge and Haynes’ record for double-ton stands; Their strike rate of 60 is light years ahead of any other combination that has passed the thousand-run mark.

Then that fateful night before the fifth Test at The Oval, when Steve Waugh called Slats into his room to give him the news: he wouldn’t be playing. For one night, the elevation of Justin Langer seemed a specious way of keeping a favoured apostle in the side. He’d become that most ephemeral of cricketing creatures: the makeshift opener. At the end of the next day, Matthew Hayden had that partner he could “feed off”.

It was the last piece of the puzzle, so obvious in retrospect, as this team’s numbers suddenly jumped into sequence. Martyn stayed and Langer was back. Shunned, then exalted, then shelved, he’d been reconstituted. His 102 shouldn’t have surprised. On a few notable occasions as number three, he took block soon after the start of the innings and handled the new ball with authority. His retirement, hurt, shouldn’t have surprised, either. He gets hit so often no matter where he is on the field that he’s even been permanently removed from the bat-pad position. “A couple of hits have been pretty traumatic.” he says. “But hopefully my reflexes at the crease are pretty good. The more you ask me about it, the more nervous I’m getting!” I know our pluckiest cricketer is kidding.

He’s been battered, never bowed.

Five Tests later, the phrase “Langer and Hayden” evoked dread. They’d joyously plundered the best England, New Zealand and South Africa had to offer. As though they’d been acquainted from birth, they understood each other implicitly. More platitudes-to-live-by were consigned to disuse: take the shine off the ball. Stay in. Score with care. Lay foundations. Protect your team mates; they have no idea of the new ball’s vagaries. Rather it was the uncomplicated spirit of George Hedley which prevailed, who said, “I cannot accept that an opening batsman should not be a shot-player. The new ball goes to the fence much easier.”

When he scored 123 off 121 balls at Bellerive, against the Kiwis in 2001-2, racing to 50 while Hayden was still on one, it was our first “what the…?” experience of the man who’d also been stereotyped: “never to dominate an attack.”

So quickly has this pair established itself as one of the greats, it would be fair to assume it’s all downhill from here. That seems okay with them. Their security doesn’t depend on the might of their individual parts, but their ability to operate as a sum. Hayden is now officially the world’s number one batsman, but believes he wouldn’t be there if not for Langer. “Our partnership has taken my own game to a different level, because we love batting together; we love being successful together. We thrive on each other’s company out in the middle. It’s been the most successful period in both our careers, let’s face it.” Independently of their partnership, it’s true that their batting has been outstanding. Langer has scored a fifty and a hundred without Hayden close by, and given his team numerous fast starts. Hayden has gone on to get four hundreds and three fifties after his mate has departed. Their averages since they’ve come together have greatly exceeded their career averages (Hayden: 2236 runs 104.47. Career: 58.8. Langer: 1113 runs at 53.70. Career: 43.11)

To neither, though, does “success” mean “runs”, because their equation includes more than cricket. Their mutual fascination with the world beyond enriches their understanding at the wicket and their relationships with colleagues and fans. Hayden became renowned during the Indian tour for arising before his team mates to take in the daybreak rituals of the locals.

Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin (born 8 February 1963, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh) also known as Azhar, is an Indian politician and former cricketer. He was an accomplished batsman and captained the Indian cricket team for much of the 1990s, until his involvement in a match-fixing scandal forced him into retirement. A member of the Indian National Congress, Azharuddin won election from the Moradabad constituency of Uttar Pradesh to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India.

Competition	Test	ODI
Matches	99	334
Runs scored	6,215	9,378
Batting average	45.03	36.92
100s/50s	22/21	7/58
Top score	199	153*
Balls bowled	13	552
Wickets	0	12
Bowling average	–	39.91
5 wickets in innings	–	0
10 wickets in match	–	n/a
Best bowling	0/4	3/19
Catches/stumpings	105/–	156/–

In his prime, he had a graceful, fluid batting style, comparable to that of his English contemporary, David Gower and Australian batsman Greg Chappell. The wrist flick was his most characteristic shot and he fared best against spinners. The grace and fluidity of his wrist once prompted John Woodcock, a noted cricket writer, to say, "It's no use asking an Englishman to bat like Mohammad Azharuddin. For, it would be like expecting a greyhound to win the London Derby!" Former Indian captain and International umpire Venkataraghavan said that "Azharuddin had the best wrists in the game, but Tendulkar isn't too far behind" while praising Sachin Tendulkar.

Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh :-Real Player Of Cricket

Stephen Rodger Waugh, AO (born 2 June 1965) is a former Australian cricketer, and fraternal twin of former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh. Steve Waugh captained the Australian Test cricket team from 1999 to 2004. He was the most capped Test cricket player in history with 168 appearances until 3 August 2010, when Sachin Tendulkar of India broke this record. He is known amongst friends as "Tugga" (as in tug of war), and amongst the public as "Iceman" for his ability to remain calm and cool in high-pressure situations throughout his career. Dean Waugh, another of Steve's brothers, is also a cricketer, having played first-class and list A cricket in Australia. He is known for his philanthropic work, and he was named Australian of the Year in 2004.

Competition	Test	ODI
Matches	168	325
Runs scored	10,927	7,569
Batting average	51.06	32.90
100s/50s	32/50	3/45
Top score	200	120*
Balls bowled	7,805	8,883
Wickets	92	195
Bowling average	37.44	34.67
5 wickets in innings	3	0
10 wickets in match	0	n/a
Best bowling	5/28	4/33
Catches/stumpings	112/–	111/–

On 30 September 2009, Steve Waugh was one of five new members announced as part of the growing class of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. On 4 January 2010, he was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in front of his home fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.