Tag Futebol

It has got hotter and hotter in Chennai as this Test has progressed, but the crowd does not seem to be feeling it. Much of the time they sit, but it takes just a boundary or a wicket, or a dropped catch, and there have been many of those in this game, to get them going. Standing, swaying, shouting, and waving Indian flags, they show an energy that the players out in the middle can only envy. In betweens these pockets of energy, they sit, and watch intently.Every once in while, without any kind of apparent provocation, they burst into a cry of what sounds to the unfocussed ear as “Hoo ha, hoo ha”. Then you listen carefully, and realise that they are actually chanting, “We want sixer”. That’s a fair request when Virender Sehwag is batting, but rather improbable when Parthiv Patel or Jason Gillespie are. Perhaps they are not chanting this because they actually expect a batsman to get inspired and hit a six, but merelybecause they feel like shouting “Hoo ha, hoo ha”. It can be liberating.Indian fans can be fiercely partisan, but not in Chennai. The crowds that stream towards Chepauk to watch a Test match have been registered in cricketing folklore as one of the most knowledgable in world cricket. They have a keen sense of cricket history, they understand the dynamics of a match, and you’ll even catch them applauding a good maiden over by the opposition side, something you will not find at Delhi or Kanpur.There was no better place for Shane Warne to break the world record (again) than here, and when he duly went one ahead of Murali on the second day, the crowds gave him a standing ovation. It was not merely out of admiration, but also adoration. Later, when Warne went to field near the boundary, the loud cheers he got prompted him to turn around and do some showboating.First, he imitated Sachin Tendulkar’s stance, doing the double-squat perfectly but omitting the crotch rub. Then, he stepped out and went through the motions of hitting a six. He followed that with an imitation of Billy Bowden signalling a six, and the crowd went berserk. It wasn’t because Bowden is popular here.This crowd is colourful in a literal sense. In the morning, sitting in the press box, Arun Lal, the cricketer-turned-commentator, commented on how journalists are so drably dressed, “in whites and greys and blues. Where are the reds, the oranges?”In the crowd, Arun. The full spectrum of colours is there in the stands, with red trousers, parrot-green shirts and orange caps popping up intermittently – and that’s just the men. One fellow with an Indian flag wears a gigantic red Mexican cap, curved so that from above, it looks like a red potato chip with a wart.I saunter into the stands to sit there for a while and soak it up, and find that they are nowhere near as bad as other Indian grounds. Water-bottles are allowed, food stands are a short walk away and, wonder of wonders, there are toilets. They are well looked after. “There is no better place than this to watch cricket,” says a middle-aged gentleman in a brown t-shirt and black trousers sitting next to me. He is Mr Ganesan.”I have been watching cricket here for more than 35 years now,” he informs me. “I saw the only Test Australia have won here. Really, I am telling you, India should have won that match.” And then he launches into a critique of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s captaincy in that match. ML Jaisimha would have been a better captain of India, he informs me.I tell him about the incident on the first morning of the Test, when the teams lined up for two minutes of silence for the memory of Keith Miller. The Australians had requested the ground authorities to make an announcement to join the teams in remembering Miller, but the men in charge had refused, citing the absence of a public address system as a reason. The crowds, thus, cheered loudly as the teams lined up, unaware of the moment.”That is terrible,” says Mr Ganesan. “I wish I had known. Keith Miller was a great player. I wish I had seen him play.” His eyes mist up as he remembers all that he has read and heard of Miller, replaying mental pictures of the Miller he has built up in his mind. Meanwhile, all around us, a cry of “Hoo ha, Hoo ha” begins again. The sun is shining, and there is a great cricket match on at the Chepauk. All is well with the world.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has hired Greg Chappell, the former Australian captain, as a consultant to their national team and their cricket academy. According to sources in the PCB, Chappell has telephonically given his consent to accepting the offer, but the contract remains to be signed.As per the terms of the proposed contract, Chappell will have to set aside 30 days per year to work with the PCB. He will be required to deal with players from the national team, and perhaps even the national cricket academy as required.When Chappell was contacted at his Sydney residence he preferred to play it safe. “I don’t think it’s right to comment on this until the contracts are signed, sealed and delivered,” said Chappell. Meanwhile, a spokesman for the PCB has said that Daryl Foster, a bowling coach also from Australia, will have a similar contract with the PCB. He is set to take up his first on-site assignment by conducting a 16-day coaching camp from June 24 onwards. The board was also considering using the services of Barry Richards in a similar fashion.Foster has worked with the Pakistan team before while Chappell has been evolving his own brand of coaching, called Chappellway, over the last few years. He has also been coach of the South Australian team and has conducted various coaching seminars in India and Australia.

Canada suffered another setback after going into their final warm-up match against North West at Manzil Park, Klerksdorp desperately hoping for an improvement in form.John Davidson opened the innings with Ishwar Maraj, taking on the pinch-hitter role. He got the innings off to a bright start, taking 18 off the fourth over, and making 30 out of a first wicket partnership of 37 before edging a catch to slip.Desmond Chumney had another disappointment, making just 4 before he was caught behind and he was quickly followed by Maraj (15), who was lbw, and Billcliff, also lbw for a duck. Joe Harris was bowled first ball, leaving Canada on 53/5 in the 14th over.Canada’s batting line-up has proven frail over the last year, and today was no exception. Fortunately it has some depth, and Fazil Samad and Nicky De Groot put together a useful partnership, Samad playing his usual aggressive style with De Groot more cautious, taking on the sheet anchor role. They took the Canadians past 100 in the 25th over. Samad had reached 46 off 60 balls before he was caught, and the partnership had yielded an invaluable 85.This brought in Asish Bagai, recovered from his injury, who provided valuable support and in partnership with De Groot took the total past 200. De Groot reached an excellent 50 off 110 balls in the 48th over with a well-struck boundary, but was out next ball. He and Bagai had added 68. Nicholas Ifill came in at 9 and saw out the last two overs with Bagai. Canada finished on 215/7, with Bagai making a creditable 40*.In the absence of Sanjay Thuraisingam, Davis Joseph and Ashish Patel opened the bowling for Canada, and made a good start. Patel in particular bowled accurately, bowling his first four overs for just 6 runs, before Henderson hit two boundaries in his fifth over. This prompted a change, with Ifill the replacement; he was greeted with delight by Jacobs who smashed three consecutive boundaries in his first over.John Davidson replaced Joseph at the other end and showed the benefits of playing southern hemisphere cricket in the Canadian winter by immediately picking up a good length and line. De Groot replaced Ifill, and was immediately struck for a big six by Jacobs. After 15 overs North West were 62/0, well up with the run-rate after a slow start.Henderson and Jacobs progressed steadily, taking their partnership to 89 before Davidson caught Jacobs off the bowling of de Groot. Ifill, returning after his disastrous initial spell, had Mohammed lbw for a duck. But unfortunately he was unable to stem the run flow and after another expensive over, Patel came back, starting with a maiden, and continued his good work conceding only a single off his next over.Joe Harris kept ringing the bowling changes, but North West maintained steady progress, led by Henderson who reached his 50 from 88 balls with a boundary off Ifill. After 33 overs, North West were 144/2.Henderson made 77 before being run out by Billcliff, but at that point North West only required 32 runs from 10.4 overs. Arno Jacobs was batting confidently and took North West to victory as Ifill conceded 17 runs from the 44th and final over.So Canada went down to defeat again, although there were signs of some adjustment to South African conditions. There were positive notes. Sattaur, Bagai and de Groot all batted well, and the fightback from the depths of 53/5 was commendable. Both Davis Joseph and Ashish Patel bowled well. Joseph conceded just 30 runs from his 10 overs, and Patel only 17 from seven. The failure of the upper order, however, is a cause for concern, and finding a fourth or fifth bowler who can keep the runs down will be a challenge.Canada meet Bangladesh on February 11 in their first match of the World Cup.

Given New Zealand’s history during unrest in Sri Lanka, it is little wonder that yesterday’s anti-Government demonstrations have raised concerns here.In 1987, New Zealand’s three-Test series tour of Sri Lanka was called off after a bomb blast in Colombo’s central railway station at the end of the first Test.In 1993, a bomb blast during a political assassination outside the team’s waterfront hotel saw several members of the side return home, a reduction from three Tests to two and the call-up of unprepared players from New Zealand to take part.New Zealand Cricket’s general manager Tim Murdoch said NZC was monitoring the situation and would be in touch with the New Zealand side later today for reassurances about the players’ safety.”Manager Jeff Crowe has not communicated any concerns to New Zealand Cricket and the team is no doubt focusing on its match against India tonight.”As soon as practical we will communicate with Jeff Crowe for an update of the security situation but we were encouraged by [captain] Stephen Fleming’s comments on radio this morning that the team felt ‘perfectly safe.'”We also understand from media reports that the team may move out of Colombo after tonight’s match as they have a scheduled four day break before their next game against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. We hope to confirm this with team management later today,” he said.

Against a disappointing Western Australian attack, titleholder Queensland has made an excellent opening to the defence of its Pura Cup crown with a fine batting performance on day one of the match between the teams at the WACA ground in Perth. Buoyed by fine innings from Jimmy Maher, Stuart Law and Matthew Hayden, the Bulls have completed the first-class season’s opening day at the imposing scoreline of 2/283.Having shared the last four domestic first-class titles between them, both states entered this season with high hopes of success. But, for much of the day, this was a one-sided contest. The Western Australians encountered problems from early in the piece – fast bowlers Brad Williams and Brendon Julian were late withdrawals due to injury and, in a testament to the sheer quality of the competition, they could not find room in their eleven for returning Zimbabwe Test and One-Day International player Murray Goodwin – and they never recovered.It was Maher (132*) who offered the central contribution to the Warriors’ grisly predicament. The busy left hander was relaxed, authoritative and in command; the end result, perhaps inevitably in such circumstances, was the seventh first-class century of his career. Against some accurate new ball bowling from Jo Angel and Sean Cary, his innings began slowly. He was also a touch fortunate to survive at 39, when a cracking cut stroke was grassed by Justin Langer at gully off Angel’s bowling, and then again at 90, when Simon Katich dropped an incoming throw to the bowler’s end with the scrambling Queenslander still well short of his ground. But the rest of the day offered a showcase to his ability to industriously nudge the ball into gaps on the leg side, to drive with power through the covers, and to play horizontal bat shots with rapidly growing confidence the further that his innings tend to progress.Adopting the no-nonsense strategy of playing straight and resisting the temptation of flinging his bat at the succession of wayward deliveries bowled to him throughout his near-on four hours at the crease, Law (86*) also enjoyed an excellent day. Having come to the crease only twenty minutes after lunch – when the loss of Martin Love (4) to a catch at slip off Angel provided some hope of a Western Australian fightback – his role in the day’s proceedings was crucial. He cajoled and he caressed the ball beautifully through the off side in particular and, in the midst of his unbroken partnership of 189 runs with Maher, looked a completely different batsman from the one who strangely struggled so badly for form through much of the last Australian season.Maher’s opening partner, Matthew Hayden (47), also contributed freely to a first wicket stand of 87 before being trapped lbw by an Angel delivery on the line of leg stump. In fairness, it should be said that all three benefited from the experience of plying their trade on a benign pitch on a warm, sunny day: conditions which made opposition captain Tom Moody’s decision to invite the visitors to bat first all the more surprising.The placid nature of the track and the call at the toss were, though, far from the most significant of Western Australia’s problems. Suspicions about the Warriors’ ability to capture twenty opposition wickets on a consistent basis have been raised more than once in the lead-up to the season and, notwithstanding the gravity of the loss from this attack of players of the quality of Williams and Julian, they did little to dispel those pessimistic assessments today. Gavin Swan (0/38) and Angel (2/57) both acquitted themselves well but received little support. On far too many occasions throughout the day, the ball was pitched on the wrong line and a considerable number of deliveries passed harmlessly wide of the stumps on both sides of the wicket. Other than for four overs of gentle spin from Katich, the attack was purely pace-based and its explicit lack of variation was yet another factor among many which worked in the Queenslanders’ favour.

The ICC has confirmed that its annual meeting will be moved from Lord’s for the first time in its 99-year history and relocated to Dubai. The switch, revealed by Cricinfo last week, was prompted by uncertainty over whether Zimbabwe’s chairman Peter Chingoka would be able to obtain a UK visa in time as the ICC wanted all representatives to attend.”The annual conference week was originally scheduled to be held at Lord’s in London,” said an ICC statement on Monday. “The decision to move the location to the United Arab Emirates was made by the ICC board on the basis that all delegates required to attend would be permitted entry.” The conference week will take place between June 29 and July 4.There was confusion last week as to whether Chingoka’s visa application to enter the UK been obstructed or if he had actually applied at all. It appears that in fact he had withdrawn his latest application in order to use his passport to travel to India.The board’s president-elect, David Morgan, said on Saturday that Chingoka’s visa had neither been granted nor refused. He added: “The ICC at its last board meeting took a decision that if it wasn’t certain that Mr Chingoka was going to be in possession of a visa by April 15 then the conference week would be relocated from here [Lord’s] to Dubai.”

Although the independent forensic audit into the affairs of Zimbabwe Cricket has still yet to be made public, Cricinfo has learned that Ruzengwe and Partners, the small Harare-based firm that carried it out, have been appointed as auditors to the board.The forensic audit, demanded by the government after allegations of financial impropriety were levelled against the ZC executive, was launched in March 2006 by Peter Chingoka, the ZC chairman.Until recently, the routine audit work was carried out on an honorary basis – ie for free – by Price Waterhouse Coopers, a firm of international standing with offices in Harare. It is unclear whether Ruzengwe and Partners are also working without payment, or whether PWC stood down or were replaced..An accountant who has worked on ZC’s accounts in the past told Cricinfo that there were questions over the appointment of the same outfit who had carried out the forensic audit to this role. “At a large blue-chip firm questions would be asked regarding a potential conflict of interest,” he said. “I think there are clear ethical concerns.”Many stakeholders are concerned that no accounts since 2005 have been made public either. The old constitution stipulated that audited accounts had to be presented to the AGM within a specified period. One former senior ZC official told Cricinfo that “you would have thought that audited accounts would have had to be presented to an AGM held within a prescribed period after the year end … but we have not had sight of the latest constitution.”Another official with close links to the ZC said: “For the board to be taken seriously and properly discharge its mandate, it is responsible for ensuring that an annual audit of ZC finances is done in timely manner by a reputable firm of auditors, and that the financial statements contain a full and proper explanation of all movements in ZC finances over the preceding 12 month period. This basic reporting requirement is legislated by statute in Zimbabwe.”Stakeholders have been subjected to a two-year battle to obtain the books and this has resulted in calls for a forensic audit … {which has] diverted resources away from cricket. Let’s face it, none of this would have been necessary had the board being doing its job properly in the first place.”The last audited accounts made public were for the year ending April 30, 2005 and were prepared by PWC.

Clive Lloyd has resigned from his position as chairman of the Stanford 20/20 Cup board citing concerns over how the future of the tournament affects West Indies cricket. reported that Lloyd’s resignation followed “a very healthy discussion” with Allen Stanford, the Antigua-based Texan billionaire who spent US$41 million to bankroll the recent tournament, but there are rumours that a looming clash between Stanford and the WICB would have put Lloyd in an uncomfortable position.Lloyd is a WICB director and chairman of the board’s cricket committee, but was one of 14 former West Indian legends who worked closely with Stanford to organise the successful tournament. “I have since had time to reflect on the matters which we discussed and, in particular, concerns for the future of West Indies cricket in relation to the Stanford 20/20 tournament,” Lloyd said in a brief letter of resignation.Stanford’s next venture is a US$5 million 20-over match featuring the Stanford SuperStars – 20 of the best players from the tournament – against South Africa in November. However, a possible conflict with the dates for West Indies’ tour of Pakistan overshadowed the announcement. During a press conference to announce the team, Lloyd emphasised that West Indies cricket should always remain the focus and that replacements for those selected for the Pakistan tour would be arranged for.Stanford is believed to have a different opinion. “We cleared all of this with the ICC and with the WICB in terms of having a clear date in November that would not be in conflict,” he said. “We have this in writing from January. The date for the Pakistan tour was announced after we were told that our one night, 20-over match would not be in conflict. I want to make it very clear that, as someone who has now committed US$41 million, that I went into this with a conciliatory tone and attitude with the WICB. I met with Ken Gordon three times. Now it is unfortunate that they scheduled the Pakistan tour to coincide with our 20-over match with South Africa that was previously agreed to.”The Super Stars’ match is scheduled for November 10 in Antigua, while unconfirmed reports indicate that West Indies are due to arrive in Pakistan on November 7 – two days after the Champions Trophy final.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Sri Lanka made short work of Zimbabwe in the first encounter between the two sides in the Paktel Cup, finishing the match off in less than 52 overs, just over half the scheduled amount. Their victory was set up in the field: after winning the toss Marvan Atapattu put Zimbabwe in on a grassy Rawalpindi pitch and his attack, featuring four seamers, rolled them over for 104 in 33 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya produced some fireworks as Sri Lanka coasted to their target, and gave themselves an afternoon off with an early victory.Zimbabwe would have had no inkling of how quickly their innings would unravel while Stuart Matsikenyeri was batting in the first hour. Matiskenyeri ignored the early loss of Brendan Taylor, his opening partner, and played the game he knew best. Ball on bat sounded like a rifle shot as he fired off a string of boundaries in the first few overs, and Zimbabwe raced to 50 at nearly five an over. But having reached 37 out of a total of 54, Matsikenyeri grew a shade too adventurous against the accurate medium-pace of Farveez Maharoof, swung across the line, and was bowled.Thereafter the Zimbabwe batsmen gifted away their wickets with a series of ill-chosen strokes. Maharoof picked up a second wicket, that of Vusi Sibanda with a cutter, and Dilhara Fernando, out of the Sri Lankan side for a while, teased out Mark Vermeulen with the slower ball, bowled with a split-finger grip – one of his specialities. Atapattu saw his chance and brought back Chaminda Vaas for a second spell, a move that brought him another two wickets. Only Dion Ebrahim held one end up as the Sri Lankans easily finished off the tail, and Upul Chandana picked up some cheap lower-order wickets to finish with 3 for 15.With only 105 to chase, Sri Lanka threw their bats at the bowling and lost a couple of wickets in getting home. Saman Jayantha, who replaced Avishka Gunawardene at the top of the order for today’s game, again gave evidence of more than one chink in his technique – hard hands, and a tendency to play across the line of the ball – in making 21 before he miscued a flick horribly and skyed a catch to Tatenda Taibu. Jayasuriya was in better touch, and sent several deliveries searing through the infield on the way to 40, but Zimbabwe had the small satisfaction of picking up three wickets in all before Sri Lanka got home.The two sides now play each other a second time on October 11, and Zimbabwe will want to put this disappointing performance behind them, and try to demonstrate that they can indeed compete at this level.

A special DVD marking England’s 3-0 Test series victory in the West Indies will be released in May. will feature over two hours of highlights from England’s Wisden Trophy triumph – the first time for 36 years that England have won a series in the West Indies.Highlights of this memorable series include matchwinning performances from Stephen Harmison, Graham Thorpe, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan. The release includes Harmison’s demolition of West Indies for their lowest-ever Test score (47 in Jamaica), Graham Thorpe’s invaluable knocks, Matthew Hoggard’s hat-trick, and the Antigua run-fest, which included Brian Lara’s new world-record score of 400 not out, and valuable centuries from Andy Flintoff and Michael Vaughan.This production is a DVD exclusive, and is Region 0 (viewable worldwide). The DVD is being produced by Green Umbrella, the sports specialists who are also releasing 400 not out – Brian Lara’s World Record Innings.Caribbean Calypso – West Indies 0 England 3
Running time: 130 mins approx
Release date: May 17, 2004
Publisher: Green Umbrella
Price: £14.99Customers can pre-order this DVD at Cricshop. An exclusive Cricinfo version of this release features a number of special DVD extras.Click here to order a copy from Cricshop