Cricket

Pressure will be immense on Flintoff to play in IPL final

London, Apr. 22 : Having ensured a victory for the Chennai Super Kings against Bangalore''s Royal Challengers in the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), England all rounder Andrew Flintoff is likely to face pressure to return for the final should his franchise make it on May 24.

The pressure would be immense for a player of the stature of Flintoff or Pietersen to be given special dispensation to take part knowing that the final one-dayer against the West Indies is taking place on the same day, reports the Daily Express.

According to the tabloid, it is quite feasible, amid the intricate and delicate politics of global cricket, that the ECB would agree to send Flintoff back to the Chennai dressing room in preference to the England one.

Proteas spinner Botha says not playing IPL because of faulty bowling action

Proteas spinner Botha says not playing IPL because of faulty bowling actionCape Town (S. Africa), Apr. 22: South African off-spinner Johan Botha has said that he is not playing in the second edition of the Indian Premier League here because of his faulty bowling action.

"There were two or three teams interested in my services, but they could not offer me a contract because of this issue," Sports 24 quoted Botha, as saying.

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 11 runsDurban, Apr 21: Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs in a rain truncated Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to field first.

Kings XI, which had earlier lost its opening match to Delhi Daredevils, got a poor start when both opener Karan Goel lost his wickets early.

Irfan Pathan, who was promoted up in the order, hit some beautiful shots. He scored 32 runs off 17 balls.

Clarke to use Pak ODI series to bring Oz batting back to its consistent best

Michael ClarkeMelbourne, Apr 20 : Australia’s captain for the Dubai series, Michael Clarke, has said that his team’s main focus will be on improving their batting during the one-day international series against Pakistan.

Clarke leads a squad without regular captain Ricky Ponting, strike bowler Mitchell Johnson and middle order batsman Mike Hussey, all being rested ahead of the Twenty20 world championship and Ashes campaign.

The Australian squad assembled in Dubai ahead of the tour-opener on Wednesday with Clarke predicting that Pakistan will prove a difficult opponent in their first ODI clashes in more than four years.

ECB plans new 20-over competition with Indian sponsorship

ECB plans new 20-over competition with Indian sponsorshipLondon, Apr. 19 : The England and Wales Cricket Board is hoping to tap into the lucrative Indian Twenty20 boom.

A Telegraph report says that interest is growing in the ECB''s plans for a new 20-over competition, now known as the P20.

A potential sponsor has been found in Kingfisher, owned by billionaire businessman Vijay Mallya - who also owns the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the IPL.

ICC denies Pakistan hosting right for 2011 World Cup

 ICC denies Pakistan hosting right for 2011 World CupDubai, April 17 : In a major setback to Pakistan Cricket Board, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday decided not to hold any match of the 2011 World Cup in Pakistan.

During an important ICC meet held in Dubai today, it was decided that no world cup match could be held in Pakistan, following a uncertain political and security situation prevailing in that country.

The decision is anticipated to cost Pakistan Cricket Board an approximate loss of 800,000 to 100,000 dollars.

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