South Africa cricketers condemn Sri Lanka salary delay

South Africa's cricketers have lent their support to the Sri Lanka players, who have not been paid their salaries for eight months, saying it was a credit to the Sri Lanka team that they had kept going but the issue needed to be resolved soon.

South Africa are set to host Sri Lanka for Tests & ODIs, but Graeme Smith & AB de Villiers, the Check & ODI captain respectively, selected to speak out against the Sri Lankan board, who have withheld their players' salaries due to a extreme financial crunch.

Sri Lanka Cricket is waiting on payments of around US$ four.3 million from the ICC for co-hosting the World Cup, but that will only arrive after the ICC complete their audit & the ICC have said it is SLC's responsibility to pay their players. "In this age of professionalism in cricket this type of thing ought to not be happening," de Villiers said. "It's a credit to the players that they have kept playing for their country since March despite all of this. They hope it gets sorted out soon."

"We require to show our support for Tillakaratne Dilshan & our fellow professional cricketers from Sri Lanka on this issue," Smith said in a South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) release. "It is far from ideal that the Sri Lankan team is about to start a hard Check series & ODI series here in South Africa without having been paid any of their remuneration for the last eight months."

The Sri Lankan Cricketers' Association (SLCA) has contacted the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) to seek assistance on what can be done to make positive the players are paid, & SACA's chief-executive Tony Irish said they hoped for positive progress before Sri Lanka started their tour game against South Africa A on December 9. "It's difficult to understand how a board which has co-hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup can find itself in such a desperate financial situation that it cannot pay its national team of fully contracted professionals for months on end", Irish said. "We know that the players association in Sri Lanka is doing what it can to sort this out for the players & they hope for some positive progress before the first match of the tour starts against."

SLC has been in a financial crisis following the construction of new stadiums in Hambantota & Pallekele, & the renovation of the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the stadiums were handed over to the military earlier this month because the board was struggling to maintain them. The World Cup had left SLC in debt to the tune of $23 million & the board had to ask for a grant from the Sri Lanka government.

Upali Dharmadasa, the chairman of SLC's interim committee, was critical of the earlier administration for spending expansively on those stadiums. They had said they was hopeful the players would be paid soon as they understood that the ICC audit had been done & SLC would get the remainder of the World Cup payment due to them.

Virat, Rohit upstage Rampaul; India go 2-0 up in Vizag

Kohli received valuable support from Rohit Sharma, who scored a solid 90 not out for a second successive half-century. The pair put on 163 for the fourth wicket to shape India's 11th successive one-day win at home.

The West Indies were in serious trouble at 63-5 after being put in to bat in overcast conditions, but Rampaul and opener Lendl Simmons (78) helped their team set a stiff target.

The earlier highest score by a number ten batsman in one-dayers was an unbeaten 73 by Pakistan's Mohammad Amir against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Rampaul gave a superb display of power-hitting in the coursework of his 66-ball innings, as they bludgeoned six sixes and as plenty of fours and put on 99 with Kemar Roach (24 not out), the third-highest stand for the last wicket in one-dayers.

The West Indies were 149-8 in the 31st over before adding 120 runs for their last wickets to frustrate India.

Rampaul, a left-handed batsman and right-arm paceman, and Roach returned to hassle India with the ball as they removed Gautam Gambhir and Parthiv Patel to reduce the hosts to 29-2 before rain stopped play for  40 minutes.

Roach struck along with his second delivery when they accounted for Patel, who was caught by skipper Darren Sammy at second slip, while Gambhir fell to a superb one-handed catch by Adrian Barath in the covers off Rampaul.

Skipper Virender Sehwag was dropped two times in the coursework of his 35-ball 26 before being caught by Andre Russell at long-off off part-time spinner Marlon Samuels, but Kohli and Sharma ensured the victory with a large stand.

Virat Kohli smashed a sturdy 117 to power India to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in the second one-day international on Friday despite Ravi Rampaul's record tail-end knock.

Rampaul cracked 86 not out, the highest score by a number ten batsman in one-dayers, to help the tourists post a challenging 269-9 in the day-night match in Visakhapatnam.

India were struggling at 84-3 before passing their opponents' total with 11 balls to spare for a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with Kohli hitting 14 fours in a 123-ball knock for his eighth one-day hundred.

Indian pacemen Umesh Yadav grabbed wickets and Vinay Kumar to do the early damage.

Simmons steadied the innings with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kieron Pollard (35), who was adjudged caught by wicket-keeper Patel off the gloves after smashing spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for successive sixes.

Simmons was the ninth man to be dismissed, run out while coming for a second run after hitting six and eight fours in his 10th half-century in one-day internationals.

Dominant Pakistan win Bangladesh series

Ruthless Pakistan drubbed Bangladesh by 76 runs in the second one-day international in Dhaka on Saturday to take a decisive 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Umar Akmal scored 59 & Shahid Afridi hit 42 off 27 balls as Pakistan piled up 262-7 after they won the toss & selected to bat in the day-night match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium.

The total proved beyond Bangladesh's reach after they were reduced to 19-4 in the 10th over, & managed only 186-7 despite a maiden international century from Nasir Hossain.

Nasir cracked 100 & Shakib Al Hasan made 34, the pair sharing a fifth-wicket stand of 106 runs, but Bangladesh were never in the hunt against the tight Pakistani bowling.

The 20-year-old Nasir, playing only his ninth one-dayer, plundered 11 boundaries as well as a six before they was dismissed in the final over.

Seamer Umar Gul completed with for 36, while off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez conceded 15 runs in his ten overs with wickets.

Pakistan's 27th win over the Tigers in 28 one-dayers has left only academic interest in the third & final match to be played in the port city of Chittagong on Tuesday.

The one-dayers will be followed by Check matches.

Pakistan had won the Twenty20 international by 50 runs & the first one-dayer by wickets at the same venue.

Gul also had Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim caught at gully, before Nasir & Shakib delayed the inevitable with their century partnership.

Hafeez, who opened Pakistan's assault, removed Imrul Kayes & Shahriar Nafees in successive overs after Gul had dismissed the aggressive Tamim Iqbal in his second over.

Hafeez (32) & Younis Khan (37) put on 57 for the second wicket after opener Imran Farhat had fallen in the third over.

Pakistan's innings revolved around a fourth-wicket stand of 83 between Akmal & Misbah-ul-Haq (37), before Afridi smashed sixes & boundaries towards the finish to boost the total.

The 21-year-old fell in the next over, the 39th of the innings, when they holed out in the deep off Shakib to make Pakistan 176-4.

Akmal lifted the tempo by reaching his 11th one-day half-century off 49 balls, steering seamer Rubel Hossain to the third-man fence.

It soon became 193-5 as one-day debutant Elias Sunny picked up his first wicket when they had Misbah caught in the deep in the 42nd over.

Indian Cricket players insured for Rs. 2.5 crore each

The BCCI has decided to insure India’s cricket team’s players with an insurance cover of Rs. 2.5 crore each. Public sector insurer, National Insurance Company has provided the insurance cover.

Since the attacks on Shri Lanka’s team in Lahore, there has been a big change in the BCCI’s policy. After that, the BCCI increased the insurance cover for cricket players by twenty-five times. However, this was only for the players who were playing abroad. Now, the BCCI has extended the cover to players not only in the national team but also for those having contract with the BCCI.

The BCCI has contract with 37 players; 12 in Grade A, five in Grade B and 20 in Grade C.  The insurance cover is for all with a uniform insurance cover of Rs. 2.5 crore each/ year.

The insurance cover has also been provided to even members of the support staff. The insurance cover is effective from 1st October, 2011. The decision was taken at a meeting of the board’s office bearers recently.

Australian Cricketers' Association seeking 'observer' role in Cricket Australia

 Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA)’s new president Greg Dyer believes the Crawford-Carter governance review, to be tabled at a Cricket Australia (CA) board meeting next week, is a chance that must not be missed to rid the board of self-interest and hold chief executive James Sutherland and his executives to account.

Dyer also revealed that his association would push to have a say on which directors are appointed to the board as part of any reforms, as well as seeking an “observer” role at board level.

“Players have just as much of an interest in the future of the game as the state associations,” the Age quoted Dyer, as saying.

However, Dyer also says that he fears some state-appointed directors will be reluctant to relinquish power and will resist any proposal for an independent commission.

“Full credit to them for doing the review, it represents a fantastic opportunity for fundamental change and they mustn’t miss it. It’s going to be a scary thing for some of those guys, but they have to grasp the report and go with it,” he said.

“They have appointed a couple of well-qualified people to tell them what the current failings are and what a new structure should be, so you’ve got to say that is objective evidence of a desire for change. I am concerned that that gets lost somewhere in between the filing of the report and its adoption.”

“You can understand why there is no push for change from those who are in an entrenched position, but it’s got to the point where it’s just untenable to remain in its current state,” he added.

According to reports, there have been calls for CA to change to an Australian Football League (AFL)-style commission structure - the structure that David Crawford played a pivotal role in creating.

Crawford oversaw the 1992 report that resulted in the creation of the current AFL Commission and the 2003 report that led to the formation of Football Federation Australia.

The third Crawford report, submitted two years ago, recommended sweeping changes to how sport is funded in this country and met fierce opposition from the Australian Olympic Committee.

Colin Carter, one of the original AFL Commissioners in 1993, held the role for 15 years and is now President of the Geelong Football Club.

Pakistan beats Bangladesh by 5 wickets

Shahid Afridi took five Wickets and Unbeaten on 24 as Pakistan signed a five - Wicket win over Bangladesh despite a nervous run chase in the first one - day international on Thurs

Afridi helped Pakistan bowl out the hosts for a Paltry 91 and after his side was Reduced to 63-5, the former captain partnered misbah - Al - ax (16 not out) to take Pakistan past the winning target in 25.4 overs.

Pakistan's spin attack Combined to wreck Bangladesh's Batting effort. While Afridi took the Headlines with his 5-23, mohammad hafeez, shoaib Malik and Saeed ajmal took Wicket each.

Fast Bowlers reality gallbladder and aizaz tsheema also struck to make sure all six Pakistan Bowlers party with a Wicket. Nasir Hossain point - Scored for Bangladesh on 21, with only ruble Hossain (15 not out), Shockey on hasan (15) and Rahim (11) Reaching double Figures for Bangladesh's Innings to end after just 30.3 overs.

The 12 Extras was the fourth highest contribution to Bangladesh's total. But when set up an easy win, Pakistan almost had it off. Open imran ban was Bold by nasir in the 10th over, sparking the case of five Wickets for 27 runs. Shockey and ruble took two Wickets Apiece.

The in - form Afridi, who returned to international Cricket in November after Resolving a dispute with the Pakistan krikket beard, hit 24 of 23 balls while the much more conservative misbah to 46 balls for his 16 not out. Pakistan took a 1-0 lead in the three - the same series.

Shahid Afridi the all-round star as Pakistan beat Bangladesh in opener

Shahid Afridi starred with bat and ball as Pakistan Survived a small collapse to defeat Bangladesh by five Wickets in the first one - day international in dhaka.

More Bowling the hosts out for a Paltry 91, Pakistan looked on course for a Crushing win but the Tigers showed some fight in the field to reduce their opponents to 63 for five.

Afridi, who took five for 23, stopped the Poland with 24 not out as he and misbah - Al - ax saw their side over the line without further loss.

Having lost the only Twenty 20 at the same ground by 50 runs, mushfikvr Rahim's side are Hoping for a measure of revenge in the 50 - over series opener but instead find themselves Steamrollered in 30.3 overs.

The Started Badly when the terrible tamim Iqbal fell for a duck from the fourth ball of the day, the off - spinner mohammad hafeez Pinning him Lev on the back foot with the new ball.

Hafeez and reality gallbladder are Exemplary in the opening stages, with Bangladesh Scoring only two runs of the first five overs. Naeem Islam finally located the boundary Midway through the sixth but departed to the next ball, Edging gall to misbah at slip.

Shahryar nafees's first four came from its 24 delivery, although he continued to find Scoring difficult. He lost 1 / 3 partner when mushfikvr mistimed a cut off shoaib Malik and has taken on the Wicket for 11.

That left Bangladesh 29 for three and three tub later it was 29 for four, nafees's Torturous Innings of seven completed by Afridi. He has only three tub to make mahmudullah his second victim, the vikketkeeper sarfraz ahmed with the capture.

Nasir Hossain, the no 7, Belatedly Started to work the ball around to up the Scoring, Amassing the top score of 21 before aizaz tsheema drew a Ungainly shot of him to see the ball loop high to sarfraz. Shockey - the - hasan also God start, Reaching 15 only to throw away his Wicket with a large cut to reality some time ago by point to give Afridi another success.

Abdul razzak (three) and review Reza (one) Lingard for only six balls Apiece as said ajmal and Afridi continued the procession. The last person, rubel Hossain, Mustard three late Boundaries to reach 15 not out but even Islam can not hold it firm, Afridi and sarfraz Combining again to give the all - Rounder a five - for.

Hafeez Started the chase by slashing the second ball of the Pakistan Innings for four, Adding two further Boundaries in the third over as razzak Stride.

With nine overs gone, Pakistan were 36 for naught but Bangladesh God much - needed Breakthrough when nasir Bold imran ban for 12. Hafeez followed for 22, taken off the Bowling of rubel Moments after Registering his fifth boundary.

A dubious Lev verdict against younus Hahn gave Shockey a Wicket and his side a Glimmer of hope in 42 for three. Sarfraz (two) keep their spirits high with a poorly judged hook Looping to midvikket off a ruble Bouncer.

Misbah taking the sting out of events with 16 dot balls in a row before Getting off the mark with a big six off Shockey.

The sides began the interval with the score at 58 for four and Shockey put Pakistan five down in the first over after the Resumption, a fine delivery Bowling reality akmal for seven.

The same Bolar could have had Afridi for one but he was put down by the diving nafees at slip. It was their last chance as misbah (16 not out) stood and Afridi hit his way to victory with 24 in 23 balls, including three Boundaries in a single Shockey over