Sri Lanka captain apologises for ´unbecoming´ behaviour

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka´s Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne apologised Monday for his "unbecoming behaviour" after being arrested for drink-driving in an accident that left a taxi driver injured.Karunaratne, 30, was taken before a magistrate who suspended his driving licence and fixed a trial for May 2. The cricket star was also asked to take a medical test.Police told the court that while driving under the influence of liquor, Karunaratne went through a red light and hit a taxi whose driver was hospitalised for minor injuries after the pre-dawn crash on Sunday."My actions were utterly unbecoming of a Sri Lankan national cricketer and I do apologise to all of you for this incident," Karunaratne said in a statement.The incident came as Sri Lanka decides who will be captain for the national team at the World Cup starting in England on May 30.Karunaratne, who led Sri Lanka to a stunning Test series victory against South Africa last month, had been one of the favourites for the position.Sri Lanka´s cricket board said in a statement it would investigate the incident "in order to take necessary action."

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Sawhney takes over as Chief Executive of ICC

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that Manu Sawhney will assume the position of Chief Executive with immediate effect.Sawhney has been working alongside the outgoing Chief Executive David Richardson for the last six weeks to ensure a smooth transition for the organization. Richardson will remain with the ICC until July as originally planned to oversee the delivery of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.Commenting on his appointment Sawhney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking over the reins from David, who has steered the sport so capably over the last seven years. I am pleased to say he will continue to lead the delivery of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 and there is no better person to ensure the event is the greatest celebration of cricket ever.“I am excited by the opportunities ahead and I am looking forward to working in partnership with our Members, partners and staff to ambitiously accelerate the global growth of the game. Technology, engagement, women’s cricket and driving greater value are key focus areas for us as we consider how we can innovate to transform the sport’s long-term future and create a vibrant and sustainable sport globally.Richardson added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ICC and I am pleased with what we have achieved in recent times particularly in creating greater context for all formats of the game.“The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is the perfect point at which to move on and I am privileged to be able to lead the delivery of this event and I know it will do our sport proud.“I’d like to wish Manu and the team all the very best of luck for the future.”

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Federer goes fourth in rankings after Miami triumph

PARIS: Roger Federer jumped up one spot to fourth in the ATP rankings released on Monday after capturing his 101st career title with his victory over John Isner in Miami.The Swiss great switched places with Austria´s Dominic Thiem, who had briefly climbed to fourth after defeating Federer in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago.Rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas moved up to a career best of eighth, while Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov cracked the top 20 for the first time following his run to the Miami semi-finals.Felix Auger-Aliassime, 18, soared 24 places to 33rd after matching compatriot Shapovalov´s run to the last four in Florida before losing to defending champion Isner.Novak Djokovic remains comfortably clear at the top despite crashing out in the last 16 in Miami, with Rafael Nadal still well ahead of third-ranked Alexander Zverev as the Spaniard targets a return from injury for the clay-court season.ATP rankings on April 1:1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,070 pts2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,7253. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,0404. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,590 (+1)5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,765 (-1)6. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,2007. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,1158. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 3,240 (+2)9. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 3,225 (-1)10. John Isner (USA) 3,085 (-1)11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,01512. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,81013. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,34514. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,295 (+1)15. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,140 (-1)16. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 2,02117. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 1,930 (+2)18. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1,885 (-1)19. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,875 (-1)20. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 1,820 (+3)Selected:33. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 1.245 (+24)

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IPL 2019: Lalit Modi reveals match-fixing incident in IPL match

Lalit Kumar Modi, the former commissioner of Indian Premier League (IPL) has alleged that match-fixing took place during an IPL match played between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).He tweeted a video of the match in which DC wicketkeeper Rishbah Pant can be heard on the stump mic saying that the next delivery would be hit for a four, and it exactly happened as Robin Uthappa hit the very next ball from Sandeep Lamichhane for a four. “Is this a joke or cannot believe this. Match-fixing to the highest order. When will @iplt20 @bcci.tv @icc @bcci ever wakeup,” Modi tweeted.This video went viral on social media in just a few moments and viewers claimed that the match was fixed.In 2013, the IPL was rocked by a spot-fixing scandal when three players from the Rajasthan Royals - S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila - were arrested by Delhi police on spot-fixing charges. Later, Indian cricket board (BCCI) banned them for life.The same year, a top official from the Chennai Super Kings and son-in-law of BCCI president N. Srinivasan was arrested by the police in Mumbai for illegal betting. A year later, Srinivasan stepped down as BCCI president due to a Supreme Court order. Both Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings were banned for two years.Modi has also been at the centre of an IPL controversy and was ousted from the league over shady initial bids of Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, a suspect broadcast deal and bid rigging of two new franchises.

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From toss on Twitter to shorts on the field, is ICC serious about the new cricket rules?

International Cricket Council (ICC) came forward on Monday attempting to amplify the appeal of the game to the youth by introducing a bunch of amusing and revolutionary proposals.The international cricket body announced on their social media that a number of changes will be rolling out with the start of World Test Championship from July 2019 to June 2021 that will draw in more interest form the younger generations. “As part of our efforts to make the game more appealing to younger generations, the ICC will be applying both numbers and Instagram handles to kits from the beginning of the World Test Championship,” ICC tweeted.1- Instagram handles added to kitsThe global governing body of cricket suggested that during the longest format, the jerseys of the players will have their Instagram handles printed on the back along with their numbers: As part of our efforts to make the game more appealing to younger generations, the ICC will be applying both numbers and Instagram handles to kits from the beginning of the World Test Championship.” 2-Twitter poll instead of coin tossIn another groundbreaking move, ICC revealed that the traditional coin toss that determines who gets to bat and field first, a Twitter poll will let users decide which team should opt for what: “In further changes ahead of the World Test Championship, the tradition of the coin toss will be replaced by a @Twitter poll, allowing fans at home to decide who bats and bowls!” 3- Wear shorts if it gets hotIn case the temperatures rise up to a certain degree, ICC has suggested that players can be allowed to wear shorts on the ground: “Should the temperature reach 35°C, the ICC's updated playing conditions will allow all Test players the option to wear shorts.”4- Commentators on the fieldIn another amusing turn of events, commentators can now move closer to the pitch to closely observe as they will have the option of moving directly into the field instead of the com-box: “In a move to bring fans even closer to the sport, broadcasters will have the option to position commentators on the field of play behind the slips cordon.”5- Double wicket playMuch like baseball, this proposition lets players hurl double trouble on the opposing side: “After taking a catch, the fielding team will be permitted to complete a ‘Double Wicket Play’ by running out the other batsman”.6- Eights and 12s on one delivery Moreover, ICC also permitted sixers and boundaries to turn into eights and twelves as the runs scored in the game’s evening session of a day or night game will be doubled: “Runs scored in the evening session of day/night Tests will count double, creating a new and exciting strategic element.”7- Faults and AcesApart from that, a change has also been made in the cricket lingo as dot balls and no balls will now be called ‘Faults’ and ‘Aces’: “Two minor changes will be made to cricket terminology with no balls and dot balls to henceforth be known as 'Faults' and 'Aces'.”While   the changes were well-received all around elevating the excitement of cricket enthusiasts, many users have drawn our attention towards this being a possible April fool's prank, which we can only wait and see! 

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5 takeaways from Pakistan vs Australia series

Australia’s series sweep of Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates completed a remarkable turnaround that began in India, but it hasn’t necessarily cleared up the picture ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019.With their 20-run win over Pakistan on Sunday, 31 March, Australia maintained their unbeaten record over their opponents in ODIs in the UAE, inflicting a 5-0 sweep. They are now on an eight-match unbeaten streak in the format, a sharp turnaround after a dismal start to the year, when they suffered a series defeat against India at home.As for Pakistan, they gave some of their newer players a chance, and even tried a couple of their Test specialists. But it simply didn’t add up – close as they came – against a resurgent Australia.With just about two months to go for CWC19, we look at the implications that this result has for both sides.1. Aaron Finch is here to stayAaron Finch enjoyed his most productive bilateral ODI series Aaron Finch enjoyed his most productive bilateral ODI seriesAt the start of the year, Australia’s limited-overs captain was far from a shoo-in for the World Cup. But after 451 runs in five matches – the second-highest series aggregate in Australia’s ODI history – Finch has left little doubt that he is the right candidate to lead them at the tournament.Finch’s series ended with two centuries and two fifties, including a career-best 153* in the second ODI at Sharjah. Having proven himself on the slower tracks in the United Arab Emirates, Finch will now relish travelling to England, where the ball will come onto the bat at pace, feeding his natural stroke-making ability.2. Australia’s top-order conundrum is far from resolvedAaron Finch and Usman Khawaja were an imperious force at the top of the order Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja were an imperious force at the top of the orderLike Finch, Usman Khawaja has hit peak form in the months leading up to the World Cup. Having earned a recall to the one-day side after a gap of two years in January, Khawaja is making the most of his second wind. After just 13 ODIs, Khawaja is closing in on 800 runs for the calendar year, and has two hundreds and six fifties. The problem? David Warner.The former vice-captain has served his year-long ban and is making up for lost time. In three matches at the ongoing IPL 2019, Warner has blasted two half-centuries and a century and has made himself impossible to ignore. How do Australia fit him in? Warner has to bat at the top, which would necessitate one of Finch or Khawaja moving down the order – a tad unfair on either after the month they’ve had.3. Pakistan’s bench strength is worryingPakistan desperately missed some of their regulars, such as Babar Azam Pakistan desperately missed some of their regulars, such as Babar AzamPakistan rested their senior players for the series to accomplish two things – keep the regulars fresh for the World Cup and assess some of their untested talent. The second of those has raised serious concerns.The bowling, especially, lacked incision and never seemed like it could hold Australia back. Barring Usman Shinwari, all of them averaged well over 40. In fact, outside of Shinwari and Junaid Khan, who averaged 44.50, the figures for the rest were 70 or above.Their Test regulars didn’t give a favourable audition of their white-ball credentials either. Yasir Shah looked nothing like the wicket-taking machine that he is in whites, and while Mohammad Abbas began his ODI career brightly with 1/44, he fell apart to end with a sole wicket from 27 overs.4. Rizwan and Sohail are long-term prospectsHaris Sohail's performance was one of the takeaways from a forgettable series for Pakistan Haris Sohail's performance was one of the takeaways from a forgettable series for PakistanMohammad Rizwan made his ODI debut in 2015, while Haris Sohail began further back, in 2013. In all that time, they have played a combined 63 ODIs.Both batsmen showed tremendous resolve and composure, making runs in tough situations. Sohail gave Pakistan their first hundred of the series, when he struck an unbeaten 101 to power them to 280. He then ended the series like he began, with another century – a career-best 130 in a demanding, but ultimately unsuccessful, chase of 328.Rizwan lifted his team from 35/2 to give them 284 in the second ODI, where he made 115, and then took Pakistan within touching distance of a 278-run chase in the fourth game, when he made 104 and partnered fellow centurion Abid Ali in a 144-run third-wicket stand.Unfortunately for them, both their efforts couldn’t translate to a win.5. Glenn Maxwell could be the player to watch at the World CupGlenn Maxwell's form is spelling ominous signs for teams around the world before the World Cup Glenn Maxwell's form is spelling ominous signs for teams around the world before the World CupMaxwell is a transformed player. For years, Maxwell has promised a lot but hasn’t always lived up to it, throwing away starts and showing extended periods of inconsistency between moments of brilliance.But since the India series, where he made a T20I hundred in Bengaluru, Maxwell has shown that he has matured a lot, has the ability to read situations, and carefully choose his moments to attack. The element of calculation has added layers to an already destructive game and made him an exponentially bigger threat.Maxwell finished his series with three half-centuries in four outings, and is the lynchpin of a middle order that is throwing up new heroes by the day.

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India’s Sawhney takes over as Chief Executive of ICC

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that Manu Sawhney will assume the position of Chief Executive with immediate effect.Sawhney has been working alongside the outgoing Chief Executive David Richardson for the last six weeks to ensure a smooth transition for the organization. Richardson will remain with the ICC until July as originally planned to oversee the delivery of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.Commenting on his appointment Sawhney said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking over the reins from David, who has steered the sport so capably over the last seven years. I am pleased to say he will continue to lead the delivery of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 and there is no better person to ensure the event is the greatest celebration of cricket ever.“I am excited by the opportunities ahead and I am looking forward to working in partnership with our Members, partners and staff to ambitiously accelerate the global growth of the game. Technology, engagement, women’s cricket and driving greater value are key focus areas for us as we consider how we can innovate to transform the sport’s long-term future and create a vibrant and sustainable sport globally.Richardson added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the ICC and I am pleased with what we have achieved in recent times particularly in creating greater context for all formats of the game.“The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is the perfect point at which to move on and I am privileged to be able to lead the delivery of this event and I know it will do our sport proud.“I’d like to wish Manu and the team all the very best of luck for the future.”

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