We weren't vigilant in handling IPL deals – Srinivasan

The BCCI president-elect, N Srinivasan, has admitted that the board was not vigilant in tackling financial irregularities in the IPL under Lalit Modi’s watch, the Times of India has reported

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2011The BCCI president-elect, N Srinivasan, has admitted that the board was not vigilant in tackling financial irregularities in the IPL under Lalit Modi’s watch, the has reported. Srinivasan, testifying before a parliamentary standing committee investigation into the IPL’s finances, said that pleading ignorance of Modi’s ways could not be an excuse – a significant change from the board’s earlier stand on the issue.The says it has a copy of the standing committee’s report, which has Srinivasan stating on record: “We were taken for a ride. I know we cannot plead before you that we did not know all this was happening. Your question would be, were you not vigilant? What did you do? I am sorry, sir, there is no defence for me. No defence in front of you. So, I am not pleading that [ignorance] at all. We just put our heads down.”The newspaper also reports that the board president Shashank Manohar admitted that the cheques for all IPL deals were signed by Srinivasan, the then BCCI treasurer, and subsequently MP Pandove who replaced him, and not by Modi. The board had previously put the blame on Modi’s shoulders, claiming that he had enjoyed a free hand in running the league.The revelations add a new layer to the board’s ongoing tussle against the Indian government’s efforts to bring the body under the transparency-enhancing Right to Information (RTI) Act, and a proposed bill to regulate Indian sports bodies. The BCCI’s argument against the RTI is that it doesn’t rely on government grants. The standing committee has, however, reportedly noted that a “coherent and consistent policy should be devised for the future whereby high-profile money-spinning events such as the IPL are not kept out of the ambit of law and taxability”.The committee also reportedly noted that the BCCI “meekly endorsed and approved decisions that were taken by the chairman [Modi] and all those responsible in breaching the law should be investigated and punished without further loss of time”.”When we questioned them [Srinivasan and Manohar], they had absolutely no answers,” Vijay Darda, member of the standing committee and a Rajya Sabha (the parliament’s council of states) MP, told the . “With folded hands they just stood there and admitted they had no explanations to offer. The problem with BCCI is too much money and too many big names involved in the administration. Sharad Pawar [ICC president], Farooq Abdullah, Arun Jaitley and all politicians want to be part of it.”Darda also raised the issue of the IPL’s dubious money trails, which was revealed by the committee’s investigations. “It was harrowing when we went through the records,” he said. “Money transferred from some tax haven to some other tax haven finally ends up with some connection in IPL. The committee wants to know what has been going on. We will have to ensure that they are brought to account.”Monopoly is an issue too. If the board is brought under RTI, the ordinary cricket fan will at least know what he’s paying for. Far too much is either unaccountable or being swept under the carpet.”

Lee backs Clarke to do a 'terrific job'

Brett Lee has said Australian cricket is in good hands with new captain Michael Clarke and that he expects former captain Ricky Ponting to still play a major role in the side after shedding the burden of leadership

ESPNcricinfo staff29-May-2011Brett Lee has said Australian cricket is in good hands with new captain Michael Clarke and that he expects former captain Ricky Ponting to still play a major role in the side after shedding the burden of leadership.”Obviously, Michael Clarke has a great cricket brain; he’s proven that when he’s been vice-captain,” Lee told the . “He’s the type of guy I think will do a terrific job for Australia.”It’s not like he’s been thrust into the limelight now. He’s had the guidance of Ricky Ponting and been vice-captain for a couple of years; he knows his game very well and the guys very well. He’s respected by the guys so I think he’ll do a great job – and full credit to Ricky Ponting to put his hand up to want to keep going and play cricket.”Lee said Ponting’s ability is beyond question and so long as he has the drive to keep going, “he’ll go on to bigger and better things as far as his batting goes.”Australia are currently in a process of transition in the wake of Ponting’s decision to step down as captain and while Lee has retired from Test cricket, he has every intention of being part of the one-day set-up. “I retired from Test cricket a few years ago in order to prolong my one-day career, and the signs are good as far as the way I bowled during the World Cup. I was really happy with my performance there and happy with the way the body responded.”I obviously want to play this Australian summer, I want to go to Sri Lanka in eight weeks and go to the Champions League and go to South Africa … but it’s about ticking off the little things. I’ll give myself a week or two off from training, do some light gym work and get my running up.”Lee recently turned out for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and was full of praise for his team-mate James Pattinson, tipping him to force his way into the Test team this summer. “We’ve got some young guys coming through. I think James Pattinson is going to be a really good find for Australia. He was with me at Kolkata Knight Riders while I was overseas. I think he’ll definitely play Test cricket this year.”He also asked the fans to be patient as Australia beings a new era after 15 years of unparalleled success. “We’re going through a transitional phase and it’s important that people realise that. You know we haven’t got Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Matty [Matthew] Hayden, Justin Langer, Damien Martin.”

Make pitches tough for India – Tremlett

Chris Tremlett wants the grounds in England which are hosting Tests against India to produce lively pitches

Andrew McGlashan23-Jun-2011Chris Tremlett wants the grounds in England which are hosting Tests against India to produce lively pitches so that the hosts can make the most of home advantage with their strong pace attack. The matches will be played at Lord’s, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and The Oval and Tremlett hopes the visitors feel uncomfortable.Tremlett said the recent surface at the Rose Bowl – where he took a career-best 6 for 48 against Sri Lanka to seal the Man-of-the-Series award – was the “perfect” Test pitch with help on offer for the bowlers, but runs available for quality batsmen as Ian Bell and Kumar Sangakkara showed with their hundreds. Tremlett knows England never get any favours from India in their home country and believes the same should apply in this series.”I think that it’s important when you are playing in your home Test matches that you should be able to produce the conditions you want,” he told ESPNcricinfo at a Chance to Shine event in London. “India are used to playing in their conditions and we find it tough when we go over there so it’s about trying to use things at home to our advantage.”The Rose Bowl was the perfect Test wicket in my opinion. It had some pace, had some carry and there was a bit in it with the conditions. The lads who batted on it said the ball was coming on nicely. Generally cricket is more entertaining to watch with a pitch like that. Maybe Lord’s and Cardiff were a tad slow and the cricket a little stale at times, but hopefully there will be pace and bounce against India and we can take advantage.”However, Tremlett knows that even if conditions help England that India are going to be a tough batting line-up to break down. In his debut series in 2007 – against a line-up including Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni who will return this time – he remembers toiling hard on some flat pitches. He believes patience will be the key to bringing England success this time as they aim to overturn the 1-0 loss four years ago.Chris Tremlett hasn’t been selected for England’s one-day squad so already has an eye on India’s arrival•Getty Images”We had to be very patient and I think it will be the same this time,” he said. “They have a couple of very attacking players in Dhoni and Sehwag, but guys like Dravid and Tendulkar we know are very patient batsman and hard to remove. I think I’m good at banging an area consistently, being aggressive, but mixing it with patience and hopefully my past experiences will help.”The Test matches against India are now going to be the next cricket Tremlett plays for England after he was omitted from the Twenty20 and one-day squads to face Sri Lanka over the next three weeks. Given his form it was a surprise there was no place for him, especially with the experienced Tim Bresnan injured, but Tremlett is seeing it as an opportunity to ensure he’s at his peak for India’s arrival.”I’ve been given a rest but I also think they want to give other guys a go,” he said. “I’m disappointed, I felt I bowled reasonably well in Australia and played a couple of games at the World Cup. My focus is now to move onto the India series and be ready for that.”Even though I’m having a bit of a rest I think it’s important I keep ticking over and get some overs under my belt by playing a few Twenty20 games for Surrey and there’s a four-day game against Kent which will good preparation. There’s a chance for me to get some bowling but also to do some work in the gym and make sure I’m ready to for India.”There was a significant shift of hierarchy within England’s fast bowlers during the Rose Bowl Test with Tremlett promoted to the new ball in the second innings at the expense of Stuart Broad. It was a role he performed creditably during the Ashes, and in the second innings at Cardiff when James Anderson was injured, and while Tremlett is happy with any role in the team he does enjoy having first crack at the opposition.”I think I can play a role either way, sometimes conditions dictate that,” he said. “I feel I can offer quite a bit with the new ball with my bounce. At the same time I don’t mind using an older ball because you can get some swing when the lacquer has come off. However, I do feel I’ve done well with the new ball whenever I’ve been given the chance.”That next chance will come against one of the strongest batting line-ups in world cricket, but Tremlett won’t be fazed by the challenge. He has returned to England’s Test ranks as a close to complete fast bowler, and a successful series against India will cement him among the finest pacemen in the game.Chris Tremlett is an ambassador for Chance to Shine and was speaking on ‘Brit Insurance National Cricket Day’. Chance to Shine supported by Brit Insurance has brought cricket to over 1 million state schoolchildren. The programme costs £5million, or £15 per child, to run each year. To make a donation visit the Chance to Shine website

ICC considers 12-team World Cup for 2015

Twelve teams could contest the 2015 World Cup as the ICC is considering a compromise between the 14 teams of 2011 and a tight 10-team model currently on the table

Daniel Brettig and Nagraj Gollapudi04-Apr-2011Twelve teams may contest the 2015 World Cup as the ICC is considering a compromise between the 14 teams of 2011 and a tight 10-team model currently on the table for the tournament’s next edition.The ICC’s executive council is meeting in Mumbai on Monday and on the agenda is the format for the next World Cup, to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, following the rousing success of this year’s edition, which was won by India.Following much discussion of the 10-team tournament favoured by organisers, and an outcry by Associate nations given their likely exclusion, the ICC may now be leaning towards a 12-team event, possibly with two pools of six teams followed by quarter-finals, semis and the final.”At the moment it is still 10 teams but we are discussing the 12-team option,” an ICC official told ESPNcricinfo.The same format was used in the 1996 tournament, co-hosted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and won by the Sri Lankans. Another path is to choose a round-robin model where each team plays each other once before the semi-finals, as was the case when Australia and New Zealand hosted in 1992.Prior to his team’s departure for Bangladesh, new Australian captain Michael Clarke reiterated the desire of most international players to see Associate nations given their chance on the limited-overs game’s biggest stage.”I really enjoy seeing the minnow teams getting an opportunity to be honest, I guess it’s up to the ICC to work out whatever they think is for the betterment of the game, that’s obviously their priority,” Clarke said in Sydney.”For me I think the two World Cups I’ve been involved in have been fantastic, it certainly does feel between games like you have a long period, when you’ve got six and seven days between games, but I’ve enjoyed seeing some of the minnow teams or all of the minnow teams play.”I think we’ve seen throughout this World Cup that there were a few upsets and some great cricket played, so I just hope and am certain that the ICC are looking to improve the game of cricket.”Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said the executive council meeting would finalise much of the discussions surrounding the next event, plans for which are already being mapped out by the Cricket Australia and New Zealand Cricket.”The length of 50 overs will find certain teams out but I think there are 10 teams that can seriously compete in that format,” Lorgat told Sky Sports News. “That’s a debate we are still finalising; in fact the board meeting over the next two days will consider that and will determine which teams will play in the 2015 World Cup.”Ireland were the best Associate nation at each of the past two tournaments, and their chief executive Warren Deutrom had said the deferral of a decision on the tournament format until after the 2011 event was a sensible one.”I think that is the right decision,” Deutrom said. “What it does is allow the ICC board to make a decision based on all the evidence, rather than no evidence whatsoever. We are pleased because if two or three teams do perform well during the group stages, that does provide an option to look favourably on qualification, and to see if the number of teams is quite right.”

Sibanda replaces Williams in Zimbabwe squad

Sean Williams, the Zimbabwe left-hand batsman, has been forced to pull out of the rest of the World Cup with a fractured thumb and will be replaced by batsman Vusi Sibanda

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-2011Sean Williams, the Zimbabwe left-hand batsman, has been forced to pull out of the rest of the World Cup with a fractured thumb and will be replaced by batsman Vusi Sibanda. William fractured his right thumb during a training session on Thursday in Ahmedabad, a day before Zimbabwe’s clash with New Zealand. He missed the match, and after gaining the ICC’s approval, Zimbabwe announced Sibanda as his replacement.Williams featured in Zimbabwe’s first two matches of the tournament, scoring 28 against Australia and 30 against Canada.The call up for Sibanda means Hamilton Masakadza, one of Zimbabwe’s most experienced batsmen and a surprise exclusion from the original World Cup squad, continues to be ignored. Sibanda has played 85 one-day internationals himself, and featured in Zimbabwe’s 2007 World Cup campaign. He lost his place in the squad for Zimbabwe’s tours of South Africa and Bangladesh last year, and consequently for the 2011 World Cup, after a string of poor scores in 2010.His recall comes on the back of a strong showing in Zimbabwe’s domestic four-day competition, the Castle Logan Cup, in which he has scored three centuries this season for Mid West Rhinos.Williams is the fourth player Zimbabwe have had to replace since they announced their original squad of 15. Sean Ervine pulled out of the squad in order to continue playing for Hampshire. His replacement Tino Mawoyo then had to pull out too, due to an abdominal muscle tear and Terry Duffin was called in. Zimbabwe also lost seamer Ed Rainsford to an ankle injury, with Tinashe Panyangara coming in as his replacement.Zimbabwe’s next match is against Sri Lanka on March 10 in Pallekele.

Family may keep Kirsten from renewing contract – Dhoni

MS Dhoni has said that the distance from his family might prevent Gary Kirsten, India’s coach, from renewing his contract after the 2011 World Cup

Sidharth Monga in Centurion15-Dec-2010MS Dhoni has said that the distance from his family might prevent Gary Kirsten, India’s coach, from renewing his contract once it runs out after the 2011 World Cup. “Of course,” Dhoni said when asked if India were trying to do everything within their powers to make Kirsten stay. “But what you also need to see is he has been part of the Indian cricket team for the last three years. His family – Joshua is a growing kid right now and James is a young kid too [both Kirsten’s sons] – which means Gary wants to spend time with his family. That will be the most crucial thing apart from the money aspect.”He has given [the Indian team] whatever he could, the best he could, and of course it was a pleasure to have him in the side, but then again it is a decision he will have to take. More than the cricketing part, it will be his family that will have a real impact on the decision.”Dhoni said there haven’t yet been discussions with Kirsten about extending his contract because the team is focused on the South Africa tour and the World Cup. “It’s a discussion that will take place. We will wait for the right time. After this series we have the World Cup coming, which means he still has close to two, two-and-a-half months with us. We will try to get the most out of him, but at the same time, as I always say, it will be a pleasure to have him for another three years.”Dhoni reiterated Kirsten’s value to the team over the course of his tenure as coach. “I have always said that he is one of the greatest things to have happened to Indian cricket apart from the talented cricketers we have got. Throughout he has been away from the media, he just concentrates on the work he needs to do. We have had a great time under him. It is an advantage to have him in the side.”Kirsten joined India after the acrimonious tour of Australia in 2007-08, and under him India have completed their ascent to No. 1 Test ranking, lost just one Test series, and are going into the World Cup as one of the favourites. His behind-the-scenes-yet-hands-on style has been appreciated by the Indian players, who have taken every opportunity to thank him.

Karachi Blues win comprehensively

A round-up of the fourth day of the eleventh round in Division One of the Quaid-E-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Jan-2011Karachi Blues completed a comprehensive win against Faisalabad at the National Stadium in Karachi. They had ended the third day in a dominant position, taking seven Faisalabad wickets for a lead that wasn’t much. Faisalabad did put up a bit of resistance on the fourth day, with Ahmed Hayat making 39, but folded for 246 as Tabish Khan finished with a four-for. Set a target of 175 on the final day, Karachi went about their business in positive fashion and secured victory in the 37th over. Rameez Raja starred with an unbeaten century, off just 79 balls, while opener Asad Baig supported him solidly with 51 not out. Karachi, after playing 10 games, are left with 27 points while Faisalabad are second from bottom at 15 in 11 games.Multan had lost ten straight games this tournament but managed to avoid humiliation in their 11th, against Islamabad at the Multan Cricket Stadium. In fact, they were in a good position to gain a first-innings lead having reduced Islamabad to 189 for 6 in their response to 244. However, the Islamabad lower order stepped up on the fourth day, with Imad Wasim remaining unbeaten on 65, and Kamran and Fakhar Hussain chipping in with 30s to take the team into the lead and stretch the score to 262 for 7 declared.Habib Bank Limited will play in the final of the QEA Trophy after topping the table at the end of the 11th round. Their match against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore had just 19 overs of play, with the final day being washed out without a ball being bowled.Rawalpindi averted the threat of conceding a first-innings lead against Sialkot on the rain-affected fourth day as Adnan Mufti (50*) and Muzammil Nizam (44*) rescued them from a precarious 104 for 7 in response to 209 at the Jinnah Stadium. Both scored at a fluent pace to take the team to 190 for 7, though were prevented from gaining a first-innings lead that would have helped them seal a place in the final of the competition. The fourth day of the contest between Water and Power Development Authority and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad was washed out without a ball being bowled.The contest between National Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan International Airlines was washed out without a ball being bowled for the fourth straight day.As it stands, HBL have qualified for the final but there are three other teams in the running to meet them there. WAPDA and Rawalpindi are tied on 54 points, with the latter having a higher net run-rate. PIA are yet to take on Karachi Blues, and should they win that match with maximum points they will reach the final. PIA, if they win by an innings, will make it through. Should they win without one, they will be left tied with Rawalpindi and WAPDA on 54 points, and the finalist will be decided based on net run-rates.

Leeds handed double boost ahead of Palace

Leeds United have been handed a double boost ahead of their upcoming Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent Joe Donnohue report for the Yorkshire Evening Post, in which the journalist reveals that both Nathan Ferguson and Luka Milivojevic are major doubts for the visit of Leeds on Monday evening, as the duo are still yet to recover from injuries sustained earlier this month.

In his report, Donnohue writes: “Nathan Ferguson and Luka Milivojevic are not expected to feature against Jesse Marsch’s side as both are struggling with injuries picked up this month.”

Huge boost

While it is true that neither Ferguson nor Milivojevic have exactly been first-team regulars under Patrick Vieira so far this season – largely as a result of injury – the news that the pair look unlikely to feature once again on Monday evening will nevertheless come as a huge boost to Jesse Marsch and his Leeds United side.

Indeed, following his 2020 move from West Bromwich Albion to Selhurst Park, versatile right-back Ferguson has had something of a torrid time with injury, so far making just one senior appearance over his near two-year stay in south London.

And, speaking after this single outing – a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in December last year – Joel Ward praised the 21-year-old’s work ethic in his recovery from injury:

“You have to appreciate it. It’s a testament to his character and the way in which he has picked himself up after each setback. They are only setbacks, and they are only speed bumps, and unfortunately in life, we come across those.

“As a man, he has taken them on his shoulders to make sure that he has put himself in the right position and have the right people around him. His work ethic to make sure that he is right, ready to go, and to come back, is spot on. We all want to see him be back out on the pitch and doing what he does.”

Meanwhile, club captain Milivojevic has been in and out of Vieira’s XI over the course of the current campaign, making 13 appearances in the Premier League, over which he has averaged a respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.79.

Additionally, with Michael Olise looking as if he too will be watching on from the sidelines on Monday evening – after the winger picked up a foot injury in the Eagles’ 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United in midweek – the news of Ferguson’s and Milivojevic’s continued absence will undoubtedly provide a huge boost to Leeds United’s chances of returning to Elland Road with all three points.

And, with the Whites currently sitting just five points above the relegation zone with six fixtures left to play, these marginal gains could well prove to be the difference between the club playing Premier League or Championship football next season.

AND in other news: Orta given green light for “superb” £8.5m-rated signing, it’d be a huge coup for Leeds

ACSU to vet Pakistan World Cup probables

The PCB will send a list of potential World Cup probables to the ACSU for clearance before selecting their final squad for the ICC’s showpiece tournament next year

Osman Samiuddin14-Nov-2010In an unprecedented move, the PCB will send a list of potential World Cup probables to the ICC’s Anti-corruption & Security Unit (ACSU) for clearance before selecting their final squad for the showpiece tournament next year. The development is part of continuing efforts by the Pakistan board to restore confidence in a battered reputation following a year of unrelenting corruption allegations linked to the national side.At a PCB governing board meeting on November 1, chairman Ijaz Butt informed members that the ACSU would be contacted over the squad selection. The minutes of that meeting, first obtained by , a leading local channel, and available with ESPNcricinfo, state clearly that “30 names [are] to be given by PCB for clearance by the ACSU, from which the PCB will select the final squad for the World Cup.” The minutes go on to reveal that Butt will give the ACSU the 30 (or more) names and the ACSU will “give their feed back (not in writing) to PCB on whether there were some doubts about player(s).”There has been growing speculation in Pakistan over the past week that the exclusion of certain players from the current squad and potentially from the World Cup is linked to an ICC directive to ensure the integrity of the team, and thus the game. The ICC has issued repeated denials that it has any say over what is essentially an internal selection matter. “It’s clearly not the job of the ICC to select any teams and we will not do so,” the ICC’s chief executive Haroon Lorgat told ESPNcricinfo. “It remains the responsibility of each member board, in this case the PCB, to pick its 30-man provisional squad or 15-player final squad for the World Cup 2011. However, the ICC, being a members’ organisation, is always willing to provide feedback or support to any member that seeks its assistance on any issues.”The PCB issued a press release on Saturday insisting that it was the board’s “sole prerogative to select the squad” for the World Cup and that the ICC would not be signing off on it. But they did acknowledge that all players would be reviewed “through its Integrity committee and may seek the guidance of the ACSU on any player it wishes to select. The decision as to which players will be included in the 30-man provisional squad will remain with PCB.”The initiative, it is believed, is a result of ongoing discussions between the ICC’s Pakistan Task Team (PTT) and the PCB; the PTT was reconstituted in October to help Pakistan deal with a raft of corruption issues, as well as its core aim of helping the PCB deal with the absence of international cricket in the country. This was one of the recommendations on the table and ESPNcricinfo understands it was the PCB – rather than the ICC or the PTT – which took it up on its own accord.

The move will be seen as a further, unofficial confidence building measure in the PCB’s battle against corruption, added to measures such as the tightening of the players’ code of conduct, or the eventual implementation of an anti-corruption code to mirror the ICC’s

Effectively the board is asking the ACSU to share any information and concerns they may have over any player. The move has two purposes in mind. One, it will be seen as a further, unofficial confidence building measure in the PCB’s battle against corruption, added to measures such as the tightening of the players’ code of conduct, or the eventual implementation of an anti-corruption code to mirror the ICC’s. But it is also an insurance against potential troubles in the future. If there are, for example, any doubts about Pakistan games at the World Cup, the board can at least correctly claim that all players involved had been cleared by the ACSU.Pakistan’s selectors are expected to meet on Monday to put together a list of 40 probables which will then be sent to the ACSU later in the month. The final 30 probables have to be submitted by November 30.Three of Pakistan’s players – Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir – have been provisionally suspended by the ICC over allegations of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord’s earlier this year. The full hearing into their case will take place in Doha, Qatar in January, ruling them out of the initial probables selection. Questions have also been raised, however, over the continued exclusion of two more players – Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal – from the current squad.Kaneria was not given clearance by the PCB to travel to the UAE for the Test series against South Africa. No reason has been made public by the PCB, though his entanglement in a separate spot-fixing case for Essex earlier this year may have something to do with it, even if he was eventually cleared by Essex police. Akmal was sent a notice by the ACSU earlier this year as well, but has not been selected for the current series on fitness grounds according to the PCB.

New Zealand puts sweeping changes on hold

NZC has not made any major changes after its meeting reviewing New Zealand’s disastrous tour of Bangladesh, where they lost all four ODIs

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2010The New Zealand board has put on hold any sweeping changes following the team’s disastrous tour of Bangladesh, where they lost all four ODIs. It has instead set up a specialised cricket committee and called on the players to redeem themselves on next month’s tour of India.The board met on Friday with captain Daniel Vettori, coach Mark Greatbatch and performance director Roger Mortimer, after nine-hour-long meetings on Thursday with NZC management and Martin Toomey, a high-ranking official of SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), a government sponsored body to promote sports in the country.Chris Moller, the NZC chairman, called Friday’s meeting with the team officials “comprehensive and robust”, and said that the New Zealand team needed to be given an opportunity to redeem themselves, on the tour of India next month.”We believe that the team needs to be given the chance to demonstrate that they can perform,” Moller said, “the players must take responsibility.”The cricket committee comprises Moller, former international cricketers Stephen Boock and Rob Hart, and High Court judge Sir John Hansen. Its remit will run “from the grassroots right through to the elite level, including the Black Caps.”Moller said that while the performance in Bangladesh was “very concerning”, they will be no major changes in team composition or in the team management immediately. Vettori is the team’s captain, part of the selection committee, their leading bowler and an important lower-order batsman, but NZC decided he didn’t have too much on his plate. “We asked that question, we had a good debate on the subject,” Moller said. “Dan commented that he feels the level of weight on his shoulders was far less than was the case 12 months ago.”Bangladesh’s emphatic victory was the first time they had defeated major opposition in a series. The tour was marred by poor weather and rain washed out New Zealand’s warm-up games, forcing the visitors to go into the ODI series with no match practice. Their batsmen struggled to adjust to the pace and turn of the pitches in Mirpur and failed to score more than 200 in three out of four innings.

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