Dhoni was wrongly given out -ICC confirms

Dubai: The ICC on Thursday confirmed that an error by the host broadcaster during first day's play in the second Test between the West Indies and India in Barbados led to the wrong replay being shown to the third umpire that caused Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's dismissal.

During India's innings, India captain Dhoni was out caught at mid-on off the bowling of Fidel Edwards.

On-field umpire Ian Gould suspected that the delivery may have been a no-ball, so as per the correct protocols he sought confirmation from the third umpire Gregory Brathwaite.

But the delivery Brathwaite was shown by the host broadcaster was legitimate and hence, Dhoni was given out.

However, it was subsequently established that Brathwaite had been shown the wrong replay and that the delivery that led to Dhoni's dismissal should indeed have been called a no-ball.

"The host broadcaster for this series, IMG Media, acknowledged the mistake and has apologised. Having looked into the situation, I am satisfied it was an unfortunate but honest mistake in what is a tense and live environment," said Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

"It is worth pointing out that the umpires followed the correct procedures and are without blame in this matter.

"Seeing as the game has continued, clearly there is no opportunity to reverse the decision. We are forced now to put it behind us and move on with the remainder of the match," he added.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for IMG Media took the responsibility and said that it was a case of human error.

"IMG Media takes its responsibilities on this matter very seriously. This was a case of human error, compounded by a senior replay operative having to return home at very short notice."

As this series is not operating the Decision Review System (DRS), the enhanced standards, including the presence of an ICC technical official, is not in place as would be the case when DRS is used.

Champions League 2011

New Delhi: Defending champions Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have been drawn in Group A of the 2011 Champions League T20 tournament that will be held from September 23 to October 9, it was announced on Thursday.

As many as 13 teams have the chance to go for Champions League T20 glory this season with seven teams already divided into two groups and six more competing for three remaining places in a pre-tournament playoff.



According to the schedule, the pre-tournament six-team qualifying event will be held at Hyderabad from September 19 to 21. Three winners from this round will join the seven teams in the main tournament that will run from September 23 to October 9. The matches have been scheduled in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.


For the qualifying tournament, the six teams that includes IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, will be divided into two pools and the top team from each pool qualifies for the group stage, with the third team to be the next highest ranked team based on points and then net run rate.

For the main tournament, the 10 teams will be divided into two groups for a round robin phase before the top two teams from each group progress to the Semi Finals.

The two semi-finals will be held on October 7 and 8 at Bengaluru and Chennai, respectively. Chennai will also host the final on October 9.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings have been drawn in Group A along with Cape Cobras (South Africa's Pro20 Series Champions), 2009 CLT20 Champions NSW Blues and Mumbai Indians. The fifth team from the group will be the team that finishes top of Pool B in the Qualifier.

Group B contains Royal Challengers Bangalore (2010 IPL Runner-Up), Warriors (2010 CLT20 Runner-up) and South Australian Redbacks (Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash Champions). The remaining two places will come from the Qualifier (the top of Pool A and the next highest qualifier).

The tournament starts in Bengaluru on September 23 with a Group B clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Warriors at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the second time that the venue has hosted the CLT20 opener.

Royal Challengers Bangalore is also the only team to have qualified for the past three tournaments while their opponent was the surprise of last year's event, using its home ground advantage in Port Elizabeth to great effect in the group stage on their way to the Final.

Group A action gets underway the following day with a double header in Chennai with Cape Cobras and NSW Blues in the early match followed by an IPL battle between MS Dhoni's all-conquering Super Kings and Sachin Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians.

Teams that emerge from the Qualifier won't start their group stage matches until 25 September, giving them time to regroup and prepare for their campaign.

ENGLAND VS SRILANKA 1st ODI HIGHLIGHTS

London: An inspired spell of pace bowling by James Anderson helped England dismiss Sri Lanka for just 121, sealing a convincing 110-run win in a rain-affected first match of the one-day series at The Oval on Tuesday.

Set a tough target of 232 off 32 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method, Sri Lanka wilted to 15-4 by the fifth over, with Anderson taking 3-7 in his first three overs to remove Tillakaratne Dilshan (1), Kumar Sangakkara (4) and Mahela Jayawardene (5) — the team's three key batsmen.



The fast bowler then took a sensational diving catch to see off the dangerous Angelo Mathews (16) before adding Nuwan Kulasekara to his list of scalps, finishing with figures of 4-18 off five overs and giving England the perfect start to the five-match series.

Earlier, Craig Kieswetter hit a rapid 61 off 56 balls either side of a frustrating three-hour rain delay to help England to 229-8.

There was no fairytale end to Sri Lanka veteran Sanath Jayasuriya's international career. The 41-year-old opener, playing his 445th and final ODI, perished for 2 off just four balls, although he did grab the wicket of Ian Bell to have bowling figures of 1-46.

The victory allowed England to gain some revenge for the humiliating 10-wicket hammering it received at the hands of the Sri Lankans in the World Cup quarterfinal in March and improved its overall ODI record against the tourists to 24-22.

Sri Lanka, who welcomed back captain Dilshan from a broken thumb, whitewashed England 5-0 in the teams' last ODI series on English soil but was always up against it after going for 7.15 runs an over in England's innings.

Aside from Kieswetter, whose entertaining knock on his return to the team featured four fours and two sixes, Eoin Morgan (45 off 35 balls) and Kevin Pietersen (26 off 24) also chipped in with quickfire knocks for England.

Opener Alastair Cook (5) — starting out as England's full-time ODI captain and playing his first ODI in 15 months — had lasted just three balls but Kieswetter underpinned the rebuilding of the team's innings in some style.

Suranga Lakmal then went for 20 off the last-but-one over — with allrounder Tim Bresnan smashing 24 off 13 deliveries late on — to give England a bigger psychological advantage by the turnaround.

Dilshan departed to the third ball of Sri Lanka's innings, holing out to Bresnan in the deep, before Anderson trapped Jayawardene lbw, leaving the tourists on 14-3 after 26 balls.

When Sangakkara was caught and bowled by the Lancashire paceman, who then dived to his right to pouch a hooked slog by Mathews to make it 40-5, it was a case of damage limitation for Dilshan's side.

Thilana Kandamby went for a slow 19 before the tail briefly wagged, Lasith Malinga (26) and Suraj Randiv (24) enjoying a swashbuckling 52-run, ninth-wicket stand. Graeme Swann wrapped up the innings, dismissing the tailenders in the space of four balls to end with 3-18 off five.

Malinga (3-40) earlier had Sri Lanka's best bowling figures.

ICC Meet -Decision on ICC Presidency deferred

Hong Kong: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has deferred until October a proposal to abolish the rotational policy on appointing the governing body's president.

"The board ... decided to defer the proposed constitutional amendment to the nominations process for election of president," the ICC said in a statement at the end of a two-day meeting of its executive board.

Scrapping the rotational policy would impact on Pakistan and Bangladesh the most as the South Asian countries are due to nominate the successor to New Zealander Alan Isaac as ICC president in 2014.

Isaac is to take over from incumbent Sharad Pawar of India next year.

The executive board also revised its stadium policy based on this year's World Cup experiences and venues for ICC events will now have to be match-ready six months before a game.

"Even though the (2011) event was hugely successful it is important for us to learn lessons so we can continually improve our events," ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said.

The 2011 World Cup organisers were left red-faced when an ICC inspection team dropped an under-prepared Eden Gardens as the venue of the India v England match barely a month before the game.

Lorgat also said the ICC was planning a special celebration for next month's England v India match at Lord's - cricket's 2,000th test.
Among other decisions taken on Wednesday, the Pakistan Task Team presented a report comprising 63 recommendations covering areas of governance, cricket administration, playing structure, financial viability and communications.

The PTT comprises Giles Clarke (chairman), Mike Brearley, Peter Chingoka, Haroon Lorgat (ICC Chief Executive), Ranjan Madugalle, Ramiz Raja, and David Richardson (ICC General Manager- Cricket).
The ICC Executive Board also received a request from the PCB to consider hosting an ICC event in Pakistan in 2018.

INDIA VS WESTINDIES 2nd TEST HIGHLIGHTS

Bridgetown: Indian batsman Suresh Raina was fined 25 per cent of his match fee for a Level I breach in ICC's Code of Conduct on the first day of the second cricket Test against West Indies on Tuesday.

According to a release issued by the ICC, the batsman was found to have breached Article 2.1.3 of the code which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse".

After first day's play concluded, the left-handed batsman pleaded guilty and accepted the proposed sanction offered to him by match referee Chris Broad. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Asad Rauf and Ian Gould as well as third umpire Gregory Brathwaite and fourth official Norman Malcolm.

The incident happened in the 56th over when Raina batting on 53 was given caught by forward short-leg fielder Adrian Barath off Devendra Bishoo's bowling. It was a late decision given by umpire Rauf and Raina was visibly unhappy with the decision .

The release states, "The batsman shook his head to indicate that he did not hit the ball which seemed to be an attempt to influence the umpire's decision. On being given out, he looked to the sky in disgust and then after picking his bat up from the ground swung it at the dirt as well as shaking his head again."

According to match referee Broad, it was "a clear breach of code."

"What Suresh did was a clear breach of the code, something the player himself has accepted. There is a fine line between showing disappointment at a dismissal and demonstrating dissent but on this occasion Suresh was well over that line and his behaviour was unacceptable," Broad was quoted as saying by the release.

INDIA VS WESTINDIES 2nd TEST LIVE

Barbados: India reduced West Indies to 82/5 on day two of the second Test at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (12) and Marlon Samuels (15) were at the crease at lunch.

Ishant Sharma gave India the sort of start the visitors were looking for at the beginning of second day's play as the Indian speedster got the wickets of the two overnight not out batsmen - Devendra Bishoo and Ramnaresh Sarwan - at the Kensington Oval on Wednesday.



Both the batsmen got out in one over of Sharma. Bishoo (13), clearly perturbed by the pace and bounce of the lanky pacer, couldn't hold onto a rising delivery and was caught in the gully by Kohli.

Sharma struck again on the last ball of his over when he trapped Sarwan (18) in front for the second time in the series.

Sharma got the reward for the consistent line and length he maintained throughout the morning session. Praveen Kumar, who was equally impressive with his swing, could have also registered a few wickets to his name had the ball touched the batsmen's bat on every play and miss.

Earlier, showers on Wednesday morning delayed the start second day's proceedings.

After a see-saw battle on the opening day of the second Test, when 13 wickets fell, it would be a day of survival for the West Indies while India would like to take the initiative by taking more Windies' wickets at the lively wicket of the Kensington Oval.

At the close of play on day one, Ramnaresh Sarwan was batting on 10, while night-watchman Devendra Bishoo joined him to face the last delivery of Abhimanyu Mithun

Indian wickets fell like ninepins after tea and their first innings was wrapped up for 201 by some consistent bowling by Fidel Edwards and Devendra Bishoo during the last session.

VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina shared an invaluable 117-run stand for the fifth-wicket and revived the visitors’ innings, which was once tottering at 38/4 in the day’s first session.

Umpire Daryl Harper retires after criticism

Dubai: In what can be termed as a moral victory for the Indian team touring the West Indies, Australian umpire Daryl Harper withdrew from standing in the third and final Test after being criticised for making dubious decisions in the first Test.

The appearance in the Dominica Test from July 6 would have been Harper's last as an international umpire but the Aussie chose to retire one match early after India's displeasure over some of the decisions he made.



"The real shame is it deprives him of the opportunity to sign off as a Test match umpire in a befitting manner," the ICC said on Wednesday in a statement.

Harper will be replaced by Richard Kettleborough.

Indian players were said to be unhappy with some of Harper's decisions in the first test at Kingston. The visitors lead 1-0, with the second Test currently being played in Barbados.

"The reality of the situation is that Daryl's statistics show his correct decision percentage in Tests involving India is 96 per cent, which is considerably higher than the international average for top-level umpires," ICC general manager of cricket David Richard said in the statement.

The 59-year-old Harper officiated in 95 tests, 174 one-day internationals and 10 Twenty20 games.

He made his international debut in 1994 in a ODI between New Zealand and South Africa at the WACA in Perth. He officiated in his first Test during the 1998 Ashes series at the same venue.

AFRIDI fined for breaching the Cricket Board's Code of Conduct

Islamabad: Sacked Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was on Thursday slapped with a hefty fine of 4.5 million rupees by the PCB disciplinary committee after he pleaded guilty of breaching the Cricket Board's Code of Conduct at a hearing here.

Afridi was, however, granted no-objection certificate to play abroad, clearing the way for his appearance for Hampshire in English Twenty20 tournament and in Sri Lanka Premier League.



The all-rounder pleaded guilty before the four-member committee to the charges of violating his central contract clauses in unilaterally announcing his retirement and criticising the PCB and its officials.

"The committee unanimously decided to fine him 4.5 million rupees (USD 53,000) for various breaches of code of conduct," PCB legal advisor Tafazzul Rizvi told reporters here.

"The committee recommended his NOCs to play abroad be restored, which Pakistan Cricket Board has endorsed," he said.

Afridi reacted to the committee ruling by stating that he was not interested in playing international cricket at the moment.

"Right now I am not thinking about playing international cricket. But I will be going to England to play for Hampshire," Afridi said.

The PCB announced the decisions of the disciplinary committee, headed by Sultan Rana, nearly three hours after the hearing.

Earlier in the day, Afridi had refused to apologise for his alleged violation of PCB Code of Conduct but said that he would accept the verdict of the disciplinary committee.

"I admit I have made mistakes but circumstances forced me to do things. But I have not apologised to the committee," Afridi had told reporters after the hearing.

Rizvi said the entire procedure was according to the PCB Code of Conduct and constitution and Afridi had the right to appeal to an appellate tribunal of independent judges against the disciplinary committee decision.

"Similarly the Board can also appeal against the decision if it feels the penalties are not severe enough,? Rizvi said.

Afridi was charged earlier this month with breaching the PCB Code of Conduct by abruptly announcing his retirement from international cricket to the media and making disparaging comments about Board officials.

He announced his retirement after the PCB removed him as captain for a one-day series against Ireland.

He then filed petition before the Sindh High Court challenging the disciplinary proceedings against him and also demanding for an independent tribunal to hear his case.

But after meeting with PCB Chairman Ijaz butt in Islamabad earlier this week, Afridi changed his mind and withdraw his petition from the High Curt and agreed to appear before the disciplinary committee.

Afridi was also fined three million rupees by the Board last year after the Australian tour for his offence of tampering with the ball during the fifth ODI at Perth.

He appealed to Butt and the fine was revoked after the PCB chairman said the player had already been punished by the ICC for the same offence.

India Vs WestIndies 5th ODI Highlights

A lively pitch made for the most exciting 25 overs of the series, and arguably the whole ODI season in the West Indies. The home fast bowlers asked the Indian batsmen plenty of tough questions, most of them fumbled, and while he didn't have all the answers, Virat Kohli was well above the pass mark and continued to fight it out.

Kemar Roach and Andre Russell exploited the bounce available on the moist Sabina Park surface to reduce India to 21 for 2, Kohli and Manoj Tiwary then added 58 in nine overs without ever looking completely comfortable, but Kieron Pollard restored balance with the timely wicket of Tiwary. Rohit Sharma, the highest run-getter in the series so far, joined Kohli in another quick unbroken 46-run partnership to give India the edge, especially because the run-rate read five an over despite all the plays and misses, and all the edges.

Against the brand new ball, neither Parthiv Patel nor Shikhar Dhawan looked comfortable. Parthiv, who had actually looked comfortable against the short ball in the earlier matches, was done in on the hook, and Dhawan on the cut as the bouncer cramped him up. Tiwary and Kohli then went through uncomfortable moments, and West Indies even paid for their eagerness in the field. Tiwary was only one when a short ball lobbed off his wrist band, wide of second slip, but Darren Sammy could only watch Lendl Simmons run from gully and dive in front of him. Tiwary hit a six and a four in his run-a-ball 22 before Pollard induced the edge.

Even before Tiwary was taken, he had been made to look out of place. He shuffled across twice to break free, thick-edging one and hitting a huge six off the other. Kolhi meanwhile didn't have to resort to any innovation. You could see the man trusted his natural game to fight through the tough conditions. For a man who favours the front foot, Kohli didn't show too many problems transferring the weight, and more impressively wasn't caught back when the bowlers tried the surprise full ball.

There were edgy moments, yes. Sammy's lack of pace would have meant an opportunity for release, and he was drawn into a drive away from the body. The edge, though, flew wide of slip. Pollard, who put in extra effort on the responsive pitch, got one to bounce shoulder-high from just short of a length. Kohli was beaten, but he did the right thing, dropping the wrists and trying to move out of its line. One thick edge went past gully, another delivery nipped in but he survived the lbw because of the extra bounce in the pitch. In the 24th over, after he had reached his fifty, Kohli copped one on the finger as he looked to pull Russell.

While the pitch presented those problems, it also provided good value for good shots. And Kohli never got bogged down. It showed from the time he flicked the eighth delivery he faced - a full one - for four through midwicket. The shot that stood out was off the rare full delivery from Roach. Kohli, though, hadn't gone back instinctively, and punched it between Roach and mid-on. He ran fast between the wickets, and brought up his fifty with another exquisite drive, a wristy one past extra cover, off Anthony Martin. Just before that, though, he had another taste of good fortune when Adrian Barath missed an opportunity to turn him out, going for a direct-hit even when he was stranded halfway up the pitch and Russell was there waiting for the throw.

IND VS WI 5th ODI live

Jamaica: Rohit Sharma was bowled by Anthony Martin and Yusuf Pathan followed suit a India lost their seventh wicket in the fifth and last ODI against the West Indies at Sabina Park on Thursday.

Earlier, the needless run out of Virat Kohli and an irresponsible shot by India's skipper Suresh Raina allowed the West Indies to come back into the match.

Kohli scored a sparkling fifty off just 64 balls and was well supported by Sharma's steady knock as the duo put India in a commanding position.

Put into bat by West Indies, India got off to a worst possible start as they lost both openers early. First one to go was Parthiv Patel when he mistimed the pull shot and was spectacularly caught by Windies leg spinner Anthony Martin off Andre Russell. Patel scored just 6 from 11 balls.

Soon to follow him back to the dressing room was fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan who failed to deal with a rising delivery from Windies paceman Kemar Roach to give Ramnaresh Sarwan a straightforward catch in the slips. Dhawan scored 11 from 26 balls which included one four.

Virat Kohli was joined by Manoj Tiwary in the middle, the middle-order duo played some brilliant shots all over the park which included a huge six from Tiway at mid-wicket of the bowling off Darren Sammy.

Kohli and Tiwary added 58 runs between them at a strike rate of over hundred to take India to respectable position before Pollard struck to dismiss Tiwary for 22 and India were left tottering at 3/79.

On probably the fastest pitch to be played on in the series, West Indies skipper Darren Sammy won the toss and chose to bowl first.

For the West Indies Adrian Barath made his way into the West Indian line-up.

After losing the last ODI encounter Team India made a couple of changes with opener Shikhar Dhawan replacing Subramanian Badrinath and R Vinay Kumar also featuring in the starting eleven.