Sport / Cricket

Giles Clarke offers plan to help Pakistan but ICC slow to give backing

www.guardian.co.uk - ECB chairman says Pakistan cricket needs 'a proper plan' But Clarke's move risks fuelling resentment in PakistanGiles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, yesterday offered to help restructure Pakistan cricket in the wake of the illegal betting scandal after England successfully pressed for the three players under police investigation to be withdrawn from the one-day series.Pakistan's announcement yesterday that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will not play in the two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs has removed the prospect that the ECB will be forced to cancel the tour at an estimated cost of £12m.But Clarke's ambitions at his moment of triumph seemed to stretch far beyond a temporary political compromise as he revealed a high-risk strategy to help introduce a "proper plan" for the future of Pakistan cricket. He can only have been emboldened by the International Cricket Council's announcement last night that it had charged and provisionally suspended the Pakistan trio pending a tribunal under section two of cricket's code of conduct, which deals with on-field corruption.Clarke is chairman of the ICC's Pakistan task force, which is charged with planning an ordered return of international cricket to the country. Pakistan has not staged a home Test or one-day international since a terrorist attack on coaches carrying the Sri Lanka team and match officials to a Test in Lahore in March last year.The ICC was at pains to point out last night that Clarke's remit was limited to security concerns, but the events of the past week have convinced him of the need for wider reforms.Clarke said: "As chairman of the ICC's Pakistan task team, I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and everybody involved in Pakistan cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a proper plan exists for the whole of Pakistan cricket, given all the many and varied issues which have addressed it."We naturally have many challenges to face, Cricket fans across the world can be assured that we will be doing so." he added. Clarke's offer is made with good intentions but any assumption of a wider brief risks fuelling resentment in Pakistan, where national pride has been shaken by the allegations.Yesterday the sports minister, Ijaz Jakhrani, said in Lahore that until the police report was received he could not rule out that the affair was a "conspiracy against the players and Pakistan".Such is the febrile atmosphere in Pakistan that a plot inspired by India to ruin the country's cricketing reputation is widely suspected.England Cricket TeamPakistan cricket teamECBCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan win despite Lewis Gregory's triple-wicket maiden for Somerset

www.guardian.co.uk - Pakistan 264; Somerset 256-9 Pakistan won by eight runsPakistan's squad for the first Twenty20 international against England in Cardiff on Sunday was officially down to 13 players after the withdrawal of the three players under suspicion of involvement in the spot-fixing scandal. Pessimists reckoned that ten players was more accurate. Reinforcements may be urgently needed.Abdul Razzaq did not bowl after injuring his back and must be the most serious doubt for Sunday, Umar Akmal was struck in the face in the nets before start of play and there was also talk that Wahab Riaz had a dodgy shoulder, not that it was possible to ascertain how bad this was as Somerset's stand-in captain, Peter Trego, refused to let him bowl on the grounds that he was a substitute.Trego's stance might not have shown much sympathy to a touring side in turmoil, but it was based on good principles. Lewis Gregory, an 18-year-old from Plymouth, pulled off a triple-wicket maiden on debut - such things are the stuff of legend - and if Trego had allowed a Pakistan substitute to bowl, Gregory's heroics would have been expunged from the records. He would not have deserved that.Razzaq fell first ball of the over to James Hildreth's excellent catch in the deep, Umar Gul edged the fourth ball to the wicketkeeper and Saeed Ajmal was lbw to the last."I was worried about the legitimacy of the game," Trego said. "My understanding of it is that the game started as a List A game - and to my knowledge, you're not allowed to play 12 players in a List A game. I was concerned if we played 12 it would be deemed a friendly and that Lewis would lose his four wickets."Lewis would be savage if he got those figures taken away from him. A triple-wicket maiden inside a powerplay - fair play to him."Pakistan's 264 owed everything to a fourth-wicket stand of 169 in 31 overs between Shahzaib Hasan and Fawad Alam. At 199 for three, and 65 needed at nine an over, Somerset had a chance of an upset but Trego was stumped, the lower order fell away and Zander de Bruyn's unbeaten 122 from 142 balls was to no avail.CricketPakistan cricket teamSomersetDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Darren Pattinson injury adds to Nottinghamshire's bowler shortage

www.guardian.co.uk - Pattinson sprains ankle as Durham fight back England call up Ryan Sidebottom for one-day dutyIt is a good job Nottinghamshire have a decent cushion at the top of the Championship table, because they are starting to run out of bowlers. Ryan Sidebottom has almost certainly made his last appearance for the county having been called away, after two days of this game, on England one-day duty for the next two weeks, and his nominated replacement, Darren Pattinson, then sprained an ankle bowling his first ball in Durham's second innings.The over had to be completed by Andre Adams as Pattinson left the field for treatment. Although the best-known former Grimsby roofer in history returned for another crack after lunch, he could manage only two feeble overs that went for 26 before calling it quits. With Charlie Shreck and Andy Carter also injured, and Stuart Broad otherwise engaged, Notts could well be down to three fit seamers not only for the rest of this match but for next week's game against title rivals Yorkshire at Trent Bridge.However, they are only a reasonable batting performance away from a draw here that would secure nine points and extend their lead over second-placed Somerset to 25, with Yorkshire a further three points back.So draws from their remaining two games, against Yorkshire and then Lancashire at Old Trafford in the last round of matches starting on Monday week, would almost certainly be enough to regain the Championship title they last won in 2005.Pattinson played his part with the bat as they restricted Durham to a first innings lead of 29, resuming the innings Sidebottom had started late on Wednesday and blocking sensibly for most of the morning session until he was last out for a season's best 19. That allowed the three remaining fit seamers - Paul Franks, Adams and Luke Fletcher - to play some shots as Notts added 84 for the last three wickets after Steven Mullaney had gone to Liam Plunkett in the first over of the day.The admirable Adams then dismissed Durham's left-handed openers cheaply, but Gordon Muchall took the game away from Notts with his attack on the hobbling Pattinson after lunch. The tall 27-year-old, who was in line for a new contract before this innings even though he has still to fulfil his potential consistently in the nine seasons since he made his debut, raced to 50 from 52 balls and completed his 10th first-class century with his 16th boundary.Durham will resume on the last day with a lead of 308 after Dale Benkenstein and Ian Blackwell each reached 50, but the injury that has ruled Mark Davies out of their attack for the rest of the match is likely to rule out any bold declaration by the champions, who are not yet mathematically safe from relegation.Warwickshire took a huge step towards avoiding the drop by polishing off Kent to complete their second consecutive victory. The England Lions seamer Chris Woakes ended with match figures of 11 for 97 in addition to making two crucial contributions with the bat as the Bears climbed 18 points clear of Kent, who are now in the relegation zone with Essex.NottinghamshireDurhamCricketAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan put spot-fixing allegations to one side with Somerset warm-up win

www.dailymail.co.uk - Pakistan overcame setbacks on and off the field to beat Somerset by eight runs in a limited-overs warm-up match at Taunton. But the side suffered two injury blows. More... (Cricket)

Accused Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer insist they are innocent

www.dailymail.co.uk - Cricket's huge scandal took a new twist today when the Pakistan High Commissioner cast doubt on the video footage that sparked the allegations over fixing. More... (Cricket)

Ashes blow for Graham Onions as bowler is ruled out for nine months

www.dailymail.co.uk - England bowler Graham Onions will have surgery on his back next week and is expected to be ruled out of all cricket for up to nine months, the ECB have announced. More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: Analysis of what the high commissioner said

www.guardian.co.uk - Wajid Shamsul Hasan's statement had to play well domestically while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the playersThe Pakistani high commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has said that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt - are "extremely" disturbed by events in the last week and that they would not be in the right frame of mind to play again in England this summer. It was a carefully thought-out statement. During the last 24 hours Hasan has had to find a way of pleasing the people back in Pakistan while also responding to pressure from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council to make sure that the three players did not play on.AnalysisFollowing the late-night intervention of the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt, who appeared to upset the pathway to the carefully negotiated solution desired by the ECB and the ICC, talks continued well into the night. The high commissioner had to find a formulation of words that would play well domestically - backing the players in their claims of innocence - while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the players from the rest of the tour. It was always assumed that the escape route Pakistan would use would be to blame the pressure on the players for the decision to omit them. But Hasan went further by using emotive language to described the "mental torture" affecting the players.The statement"The three players have said they are extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week specially with regard to their alleged involvement in the crime. They mention that they are entirely innocent in the whole episode and shall defend their innocence as such. They further maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them all they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches. Therefore, they have requested the PCB not to consider them for the remaining matches till their names are cleared."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what the high commissioner said

www.guardian.co.uk - Wajid Shamsul Hasan's statement had to play well domestically while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the playersThe Pakistani high commissioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has said that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Salman Butt - are 'extremely' disturbed by events in the last week and that they would not be in the right frame of mind to play again in England this summer. It was a carefully thought-out statement. During the last 24 hours, Hasan has had to find a way of pleasing the people back in Pakistan while also responding to pressure from ECB and ICC to make sure that the three players did not play on.AnalysisFollowing the late night intervention of Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt, who appeared to upset the pathway to the carefully negotiated solution desired by the ECB and the ICC, talks continued well into the night. The high commissioner had to find a formulation of words that would play well domestically - backing the players in their claims of innocence - while also satisfying ECB and ICC demands to omit the players from the rest of the tour. It was always assumed that the escape route Pakistan would use would be to blame the pressure on the players for the decision to omit them. But Hasan went further by using emotive language to described the "mental torture" affecting the players.The statement"The three players have said they are extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week specially with regard to their alleged involvement in the crime. They mention that they are entirely innocent in the whole episode and shall defend their innocence as such. They further maintain that on account of the mental torture which has deeply affected them all they are not in the right frame of mind to play the remaining matches. Therefore, they have requested the PCB not to consider them for the remaining matches till their names are cleared."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Graham Onions faces a further nine months out with back surgery

www.guardian.co.uk - England bowler to have surgery next week 'I'm devastated but determined to overcome this setback'The England fast bowler, Graham Onions, faces a further nine-month lay-off after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that he will undergo surgery next week in a bid to overcome the back injury that has ruled him out of this winter's Ashes series.Attempts by England's medical staff to solve Onions's long-standing stress fracture without an operation have proved unsuccessful. Onions will undergo surgery next Monday and cannot realistically expect to return until midway through next summer. He first experienced discomfort in the nets on England's tour of Bangladesh and left the tour without playing a game.The ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce, said: "Graham has been suffering from ongoing discomfort due to stress fractures on both sides of his back. We have thoroughly exhausted all avenues of conservative treatment and rehabilitation with surgery very much seen as a last resort. Unfortunately, Graham has not responded to these forms of treatment and as a result we have no option left but to undertake a course of treatment involving surgery."The surgery Graham faces is a relatively significant operation and his rehabilitation will see him ruled out of all cricket for approximately up to nine months. His rehabilitation will be overseen and carried out by the ECB medical team in conjunction with the medical staff at Durham."England have long accepted that they will contest the Ashes without Onions. They discounted him from their plans three months ago, but the player himself remained committed to proving his fitness. Only now has realisation dawned as to the full extent of his injury."I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period," he said. "After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes winning England team last year I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia. Unfortunately, that's not to be and even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left."While I'm devastated to be facing such a long lay-off from cricket I'm determined to overcome this setback and make sure I get back bowling again next year and work my way back into the England calculations."England Cricket TeamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Video: Pakistan trio dropped from limited-overs fixtures at their own request after spot-fixing allegations

www.guardian.co.uk - The Pakistan high commissioner has stressed the innocence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and spoken of their 'mental torture' More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what Giles Clarke said

www.guardian.co.uk - The most intriguing part of Giles Clarke's statement was his call for a 'proper plan' to exist for Pakistan cricket Analysis: What Yawar Saeed saidGiles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, today responded to the news that Pakistan would not pick the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations: Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.Analysis The ECB was desperate not to appear triumphalist after its repeated demands for the withdrawal of the three Pakistan players from the one-day series. Clarke, however, does not do false modesty. He made his announcement with a certain hauteur. He received no questions because it was known that questions would not be tolerated.The ECB had been disturbed by Ijaz Butt, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, repeating his assertion on BBC News on Wednesday night that the players would not be suspended unless they were found guilty. This seemed to clear the way for them to return to play the one-day series.A series of late-night phone calls followed during which it was again made clear that the ECB expected the Pakistan board to find a way to exclude the players while the allegations against them were examined.The most intriguing part of Clarke's brief statement concerns his call for a "proper plan" to exist for Pakistan cricket. Clarke is likely to press from within the ICC for support for Pakistan cricket, including the return of tours to the country, to come hand in hand with stronger safeguards against illegal betting scams.His challenge will be to do this without stirring old anti-colonial sentiments. Shortly before Clarke appeared before the cameras, the Pakistan sports minister, Ijaz Jakhrani, was interviewed on the Indian news channel CNN-IBN and warned that the entire thing could be an anti-Pakistan plot.Cricket does not have a deal at the moment. It has a truce.The statement"The England and Wales Cricket Board welcomes the announcement of the Pakistan Cricket Board's squad for the NatWest T20 and NatWest ODI series. We look forward to an extremely competitive series, full of excellent cricket and we can assure cricket fans across the country in the most competitive spirit long associated with contests between England and Pakistan."As chairman of the ICC's Pakistan task team, I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and everybody involved in Pakistan cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a proper plan exists for the whole of Pakistan cricket, given all the many and varied issues which have addressed it. We naturally have many challenges at ICC to face. Cricket fans across the world can be assured that we will be doing so."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: An analysis of what the tour manager said

www.guardian.co.uk - Yawar Saeed chose his words carefully when he said Asif, Amir and Butt were being 'replaced' rather than 'suspended'Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan tour manager, was the first to reveal that the three players at the centre of the spot-fixing allegations - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir - would not play in the remaining matches of the tour of England. Here is an analysis of what he said - and why he had to be careful about what he said - as well as the full transcript.AnalysisSaeed was in a tricky situation. He had to announce the withdrawal of the three Pakistan cricketers from the squad and yet he was aware of legal advice that he should not use the word "suspended" under any circumstances.He therefore chose to talk only of replacements. His evasion briefly invited a conspiracy theory that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir might try to return for the ODIs. That theory was scotched when the Pakistan High Commisioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, suggested they had requested to withdraw from the tour because of the "mental torture" they had suffered.Saeed would also have been aware of the likely outcome to the cricketers' meeting with the Pakistan High Commissioner - that they would proclaim their innocence.The interviewYawar Saeed For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is here this morning, i.e. 13 people. Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again.Question So the three of them won't be rejoining the party?YS No commentQ And the others will not take any part in the rest of this tour?YS I have just spoken in English. We will ask replacement to make up the squad of 16.Q Have they been suspended?YS No, no, no.Q Will they be staying in England?YS They are still here. I cannot answer anything on their behalf because negotiations, ehm, investigations are being made by Scotland Yard, ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team I am managing and the team today is 13 and will become 16 with replacements.Q Are you relieved?YS There is nothing else - I have always been in relief.Q Who made the decision that they will not be rejoining the squad?YS I don't think I would like to give all on who is telling me what to do?Q Have they withdrawn themselves?YS No they have notQ Are they in a fit state to play cricket?YS Please ask them. (Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB, later suggested in London that they were not in the right state of mind).Q So they will not rejoin the squad at all?YS Shall I repeat it again? Today 13, we will get another three replacements to make 16. Very simple.Q Are they out of the five one-dayers as well?YS I will repeat it for the fourth time. As of now we are 13, after the T20s we will ask for three replacements for the five ODIs which will be 16 again.Q From Pakistan?YS Naturally not from any other country, good God.Q How difficult is it for the 13 left here without the other three?YS One has to play without a lot of guys, a lot of great guys have come and gone, the game must go on. Cricket must be played at its best.Q How much pressure have you been put under as tour manager?YS Not at all, I do my job, the job is to ride the pressure not to be under the pressure. I am not in a position to discuss politics.Q Has this been done for the integrity of world cricket?YS Why can't we wait until the investigations are over? Why do we jump for everything? If they are innocent they will play. Let's wait till the decision is made.Q Who will be the replacements? Is Younis Khan a contender?YS We haven't decided yet. All Pakistani cricketers are contenders.Q Can I ask you again who made the decision they would not play?YS I'm not going to stand here and say who rings me and who tells me. All I'm saying as a manager is this is the 13, and we'll ask for another three.Q You were told what to do?YS Everyone is told what to do yes? Why not keep it simple? This is the squad for T20s. We'll get another three replacements for 50-50. Any complex issue cannot be made easy within 10 minutes of press. Let's please wait for the decisions to come.Q Who made the decision?YS I have made the decision. Is that a good answer? Thank you very much.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan cricketers innocent of spot-fixing, says high commissioner

www.guardian.co.uk - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who have been dropped from tour, face top officials over betting allegationsThe Pakistani high commissioner said today he believed the three players under investigation for spot-fixing were innocent, after talking to them in London about the allegations.Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who will take no further part in the tour of England, had been summoned to explain themselves to commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan, and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Ijaz Butt.After the meeting, Hasan read out a statement saying the men maintained their innocence but had requested their own removal from the remaining matches because of the "mental torture" they had faced.In response to a question he said: "I believe in their innocence."When pushed on why he believed they were innocent, he said: "Because they have not been proven guilty."Hasan said the players were "extremely disturbed with what has happened in the past week".While speaking Hasan was persistently asked by Pakistani journalists, who believe the team is the victim of a conspiracy: "What about India?"The three players were met by a media scrum as they arrived at the high commission this morning in four-wheel drives with blacked out windows, and required a police escort to the building.The Pakistani team manager, Yawar Saeed, said earlier that the players would miss all remaining matches of the tour. Replacements will be called up for the five-match one-day series against England but not for the two Twenty20 matches.The players' removal from the squad will come as a relief for the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), who will be hoping the move takes the heat off the rest of the tour and stems any protests by fans.Giles Clarke, ECB chairman and chairman of the ICC's Pakistan taskforce, welcomed the announcement that the players would play no further part and said he hoped the remaining matches would be played in a "competitive spirit"."I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, and Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and everyone involved in Pakistani cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a proper plan exists for the whole of Pakistani cricket," he said.The focus will now return to the ICC investigation, although officials will not be interviewing the players until they get the go-ahead from the police. That is likely to be tomorrow at the earliest, which is when the police are next due to question the players.Ever since the allegations broke, Pakistani officials have maintained that the players would not be removed from the team until wrongdoing had been proved. Hasan denied today that they had come under any pressure from either the ICC or the ECB to pull them out of the tour.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketPakistanHaroon SiddiqueDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Somerset cricket fans unperturbed by Pakistan spot-fixing scandal

www.guardian.co.uk - The betting allegations involving Pakistan players has not put off fans attending today's tour match against SomersetWhile the players at the centre of spot-fixing claims faced officials in London, fans in Somerset were simply hoping for a good - and straightforward - game of cricket.Most spectators arriving at a sun-drenched County Ground in Taunton, where Pakistan are taking on Somerset, said the scandal had not dampened their enthusiasm for the sport.Martyn White, 74, from Great Wishford, near Salisbury, who is a season-ticket holder at both Somerset and Hampshire, said: "The scandal has not put me off coming - I am just interested in the game itself."I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out."Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter."And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine."Pakistan fan Beenish Faridi, 27, said the allegations would be "very bad for cricket" if they proved to be true, but was still hopeful her heroes would be vindicated.The stay-at-home mother, who is originally from Lahore but now lives in Taunton, said: "I'm still feeling very excited, and I'm still here to support Pakistan. We were really upset initially by the allegations, but it's not proven yet and we can't condemn the whole team if a few players have done something."We feel that there might be some conspiracy involved - there are lots of possibilities. Until they are proven guilty, they are still innocent to me."But if it's true that will tarnish the sport and will be very bad for cricket and for Pakistan. That should not be happening, and we are hoping so much that it is wrong. At first we felt really bad and ashamed, but there is no proof yet and we are here to support the full team."The other players are still playing and we should encourage them to keep their morale."Angela Dawson, 53, said she was extremely saddened by the newspaper allegations - but felt 18-year-old Mohammad Amir should not be banned for life if found guilty because of his age. The training consultant from Churchinford, Somerset, said: "I have been looking forward to this game for ages. The match-fixing allegations do look pretty damning, but it definitely did not stop me turning up today."The worst thing about the scandal is that one young, talented cricketer in Mohammad Amir has been caught up in it. He's only 18 and I don't think he should be banned for life if found guilty - people should not judge him too harshly."Ross Henley, 44, a civil servant from Taunton, added: "I think we need to wait until the results of that investigation before making any opinions about the game, and whether it has been tarnished or not."We've got a fantastic set-up here in Somerset and we'll give both teams a good welcome. The scandal doesn't put me off going at all. I think a lot of people in Taunton and Somerset were greatly looking forward to this fixture and a good day's cricket."I don't think it will affect the play - in fact I think it will make no difference at all. You only have to speak to people in the local area to know how excited everyone still is."All us supporters just want to concentrate on the cricket - we're expecting a bumper crowd. I'm still just looking forward to a great day's cricket."Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamPakistanSteven Morrisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Cricket fans in Taunton unperturbed by spot-fixing scandal

www.guardian.co.uk - The spot-fixing scandal involving three Pakistan cricketers has not put off fans attending today's match against SomersetWhile the players at the centre of match-fixing claims faced officials in London, sports fans in Somerset were simply hoping for a good - and straightforward - game of cricket.Most fans arriving at a sun-drenched County Ground in Taunton, where Pakistan are taking on Somerset, said the scandal had not dampened their enthusiasm for the sport.Martyn White, 74, from Great Wishford, near Salisbury, who is a season ticket holder at both Somerset and Hampshire, said: "The scandal has not put me off coming - I am just interested in the game itself."I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out."Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter."And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine."Pakistan fan Beenish Faridi, 27, said the allegations would be "very bad for cricket" if they proved to be true, but was still hopeful her heroes would be vindicated.The stay-at-home mum, who is originally from Lahore but now lives in Taunton, said: "I'm still feeling very excited, and I'm still here to support Pakistan. We were really upset initially by the allegations, but it's not proven yet and we can't condemn the whole team if a few players have done something."We feel that there might be some conspiracy involved - there are lots of possibilities. Until they are proven guilty, they are still innocent to me."But if it's true that will tarnish the sport and will be very bad for cricket and for Pakistan. That should not be happening, and we are hoping so much that it is wrong. At first we felt really bad and ashamed, but there is no proof yet and we are here to support the full team."The other players are still playing and we should encourage them to keep their morale."Angela Dawson, 53, said she was extremely saddened by the newspaper allegations - but felt 18-year-old Mohammad Amir should not be banned for life if found guilty because of his age. The training consultant from Churchinford, Somerset, said: "I have been looking forward to this game for ages. The match-fixing allegations do look pretty damning, but it definitely did not stop me turning up today."The worst thing about the scandal is that one young, talented, cricketer in Mohammad Amir has been caught up in it. He's only 18 and I don't think he should be banned for life if found guilty - people should not judge him too harshly."Ross Henley, 44, a civil servant from Taunton, added: "I think we need to wait until the results of that investigation before making any opinions about the game, and whether it has been tarnished or not."We've got a fantastic set-up here in Somerset and we'll give both teams a good welcome. The scandal doesn't put me off going at all. I think a lot of people in Taunton and Somerset were greatly looking forward to this fixture and a good day's cricket."I don't think it will affect the play - in fact I think it will make no difference at all. You only have to speak to people in the local area to know how excited everyone still is."All us supporters just want to concentrate on the cricket - we're expecting a bumper crowd. I'm still just looking forward to a great day's cricket."Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamPakistanSteven Morrisguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Shane Warne wants life bans for match-fixing in cricket

www.guardian.co.uk - Former spinner calls on ICC to flex its muscles '[Pakistan players] should be thrown out if found guilty'Any players found guilty of being involved in match-fixing or any other form of illegality related to gambling in cricket should be banned for life, the former Australian spinner Shane Warne has said.The News of the World last weekend made allegations that the Pakistan bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were asked to bowl no-balls during their Fourth Test against England at Lord's."If it is true and they have been found [guilty of] match-fixing and throwing games and spot-betting with the no-balls and stuff, if that's the case they should be thrown out," Warne said today. "If it's fixed by players, they should be banned for life. Anyone who's involved should be thrown out."The ICC have to flex their muscles and just go after Pakistan." Warne, who was fined for admitting he had taken money from an Indian bookmaker for providing pitch and weather information in 1994, said he had been shocked by the latest allegations, especially since the International Cricket Council had instituted an anti-corruption unit."I thought that the game was clean now with the anti-corruption people there," Warne added. "[But] if you look back over the incidents they've had in the past, you'd have to say no, they haven't really flexed their muscles. So you'd hope that at this stage they can flex their muscles and show that they do run the game."Shane WarnePakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Accused Pakistan trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer pulled from England tour

www.dailymail.co.uk - Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has confirmed Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour of England. More... (Cricket)

Australia give chance to teenage paceman Josh Hazlewood for their pre-Ashes tour of India

www.dailymail.co.uk - Teenage paceman Josh Hazlewood has received a shock call-up to the Australia Test squad to tour India next month, alongside fellow quick Peter George. More... (Cricket)

Pakistan cricket trio dropped from England tour

www.guardian.co.uk - Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, who are under investigation for spot-fixing, to miss rest of tourThe three Pakistan cricket players under investigation for spot-fixing will play no further part in the rest of the tour of England, the team manager said today.Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Yawar Saeed said.The players will not be replaced for the two Twenty20 matches but they will be replaced for the one-day series.Saeed made a statement in Taunton, where Pakistan are due to play Somerset today.Butt, Asif and Amir had already been ruled out of the Somerset match as they were summoned to appear at the Pakistani High Commission in London today to answer the allegations that first ran in the News of the World on Sunday.More details soon ...Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamPakistanCricketHaroon Siddiqueguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Phillip Hughes returns but Brad Haddin still out for Australia

www.guardian.co.uk - Phillip Hughes returns for two-Test series in India Brad Haddin making progress but should make AshesThe opening batsman Phillip Hughes has returned from a dislocated shoulder but the wicketkeeper Brad Haddin remains unavailable for Australia for the two-Test series in India next month.Hughes dislocated his shoulder while boxing in a training session and had surgery in May while Haddin has had an elbow tendon injury and been out of action since the World Twenty20.Tim Paine, who replaced Haddin for Australia's matches against Pakistan in England, has retained his place. "Brad Haddin is making good progress with rehabilitation of his elbow tendon injury," the Australian team physio Alex Kountouris said."He is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks but will not be available to play in the Test component. He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka one-day international series."The fast bowlers Peter George and Josh Hazlewood were both included for the series, with the first Test in Mohali on 1-5 October and the second Test in Bangalore starting on 9 October."India is ranked No1 in Test cricket and there is no harder assignment in Test cricket at the moment than playing India on their home soil," the national selection panel chairman, Andrew Hilditch, said.Hilditch said the 15-man squad reflected their satisfaction with the progress of the team over the past year. "The Australian team had a very successful home summer last year and an away series win against New Zealand," he added."While it was disappointing to draw the series in England against Pakistan, the squad reflects the good performances of the team over the last 12 months as we continue to prepare for the Ashes."Australia squad to face India Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane WatsonAustralia cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Somerset v Pakistan - live! | David Hopps and Andy Wilson

www.guardian.co.uk - The latest news from Taunton and the betting scandal Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed tha the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal - today's events as they happened

www.guardian.co.uk - Breaking news: Pakistan trio dropped from England tour News, reaction and updates from Taunton and London Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed that the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.33am: Andy Wilson at Chester-le-Street writes: After the dramatic Second Division game between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire demanded most attention during the last couple of days, the focus now switches back to the battles at the top and bottom of the Championship elite.The leaders Nottinghamshire are locked in an intriguing game with Durham here at the Emirates ICG (where calling the Riverside by its correct new title secured free flapjacks for tea yesterday), but the first result will come from Edgbaston. Kent will resume their second innings on 131 for five, still needing another 163 to beat Warwickshire, who must therefore be strong favourites to secure a second consecutive victory that would strengthen their unlikely survival bid.The Bears looked dead and buried when they folded against Notts at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago, but if they do win today they would pull 18 points clear of Kent, and also climb above Hampshire and Durham - although all three of those counties would retain a game in hand. Unless Hampshire can mount a strong fightback against Lancashire at Aigburth, where they have a first innings deficit of 238 to wipe out, their game against Kent at Canterbury next week is now looming as another relegation crunch.Hampshire then end the season against Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl. It would be hard to come up with a stronger argument for the two-division structure, when it produces so many meaningful games at the business end of the summer. Fingers crossed that this glorious September weather can last for another couple of weeks.10:34am: The three Pakistani players at the centre of cricket's betting scandal have been left out of the one-day series against England, writes David Hopps in Taunton. Yawar Saeed, the team manager, announced before Pakistan's one-day warm-up against Somerset at Taunton today, that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part in the tour. Conspiracy theorists still suspect otherwise. Every sentence uttered by Saeed was examined for hints that they might rejoin the tour at some stage. Even in the volatile and shifting world of Pakistan cricket, it sounds like a conspiracy theory too far. "For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is at Taunton this morning ie 13 people," said Saeed. "Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again." "I can make no statement on their behalf. Investigations are being made by Scotland Yard and ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team that I am managing. And the team is today 13 and will become 16 again with replacements."10.40am: Our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson tweets: So, as expected, a slightly confusing compromise has been reached. Pak statement vague for obvious reasons.10.40am: So we're flitting from hard news to county cricket whimsy and back again today. It was a busy day on the county blog yesterday, and a triple century of comments below the line to boot. One poster's cameo encapsulated the frustration of following your county side from afar. With Kent's No7 Geraint Jones negotiating his way to the close against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Veriditan wrote in successive comments:6:42PM: Two balls to survive tonight. C'mon, Jonesy...6:46PM: What? Another over? I smell doom!6:49PM: G Jones lbw b Woakes 41 89 3 1. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrghh11am: Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has just announced that he "welcomes the announcement" from the Pakistan Cricket Board. He added, with a straight face, that he is looking forward to the forthcoming ODI series being playing "in the spirit" that matches between England and Pakistan are always played in. We'll have the full statement shortly.11.05am: More from our sports news correspondent: Pakistan High Commission officials handing out copies of a Roy Greenslade piece about the Fake Sheikh's methods. Interesting.11.19am: Pakistan are batting first at Taunton after Somerset won the toss. England's Craig Kieswetter takes his place at the top of the hosts' order. Shahid Afridi is the Pakistanis' captain.11.44am: Owen Gibson in Kensington tweets: Barriers belatedly erected outside high commission. People carrier in situ preparing to whisk players away. Scrum of snappers poised.11.58am: These are the scenes outside the high commission, as tweeted by Owen Gibson.12.05pm: The Pakistan high commisioner, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, has told reporters that the players suspected of spot-fixing, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, have been "extremely disturbed" by events during the last week. The players say they are "entirely innocent" and are "not in the right frame of mind to play cricket" having been "deeply affected" by the allegations. The commissioner added that the players are " innocent until proven guilty" and will "go to a court of law to defend themselves as such".12.12pm: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has clarified that the players have not been suspended from the series but have requested not to play in the remaining Twenty20 and one-day international matches. Saeed said 13 players will be available for the two Twenty20 matches before three replacements arrive to bolster the squad for the five-match one-day series. No word yet on who the replacements will be.12.16pm: Is this issue still a matter of sporting integrity or one of international politics, following the media scrum that met the players earlier? Here's Giles Clarke's response to the ommissions of the three players and the rest of the series:"We can assure cricket fans across the country that the matches will be played in the most competitive spirit long associated with contests between England and Pakistan. I look forward to working with Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, Ijaz Butt, the chairman of the PCB, and everybody involved in Pakistan cricket in taking forward cricket in Pakistan so that a plan exists for the whole of Pakistan cricket, given all the many and varied issues which it's up against."No specific mention of the plans announced last month for an ICC World XI to play a match in Pakistan.12.21pm: Shahid Afridi, the player who has been plunged in to the media hornets nest as captain of the limited-overs side, said: "Obviously, if they have done something bad, you need to give them a punishment. But I think we are still waiting for the results. It will be a really tough series and I think everyone is trying to focus on the cricket now. We are here to play some good cricket. We are trying to make our squad better."12.30pm: Pakistan have reached 114-3. Here's more from Owen Gibson tweeting from Kensington:Back to staring at a door, waiting for the players to emerge. Some #PAK conspiracy theorists convinced the whole thing is an Indian plot.12.42pm: Here are Peter Trego's thoughts on the ommission of the three players: "I suppose maybe taking those guys out of the equation for a while, until that's finalised, is probably the best thing for cricket. If there's a cloud hanging over [the series], it's probably going to detract from the actual competition."Talking of clouds, here's the weather forecast for Sunday.1.05pm: A summary of today's news so far from Haroon Siddique, David Hopps and Owen Gibson.1.17pm: Police in yellow jackets, Sky Sports reporters in suits, journalists in shirts, photographers in T-shirts, the engine of a car with blacked-out windows revving outside the high commission but still no sign of the players at the centre of the allegations on a sunny day in Kensington. Meanwhile Steven Morris has been in Tauton this morning asking the watching fans for their reaction to the events of the past week. Unsurprisingly, they're more interested in the cricket. One said: "I don't believe corruption to be widespread, but strong punishments should be handed out to those caught out. Obviously we don't know what kind of pressure players are under, but if these three cricketers are found guilty then they should be banned for life. But even if there are future scandals it won't put me off going to matches - I have already booked to watch England in Australia this winter. And I don't think it will affect the atmosphere here in Taunton today - I think people just want to see a good game of cricket in the sunshine." You can read the full story here.1.20pm: Back in the serene world of county cricket, there is nevertheless some news to report, chips in Andy Wilson from Durham. Warwickshire have beaten Kent, but only after a last-wicket stand of 67 between Martin van Jaarsveld and Matthew Coles that may have had a few Bears buttocks clenching. The margin of victory was still a comfortable 95 runs, and the win lifts Warwicks well out of the relegation zone, while leaving Kent deeper in the mire. Neil Carter grabbed the last wicket of Coles to give the rejuvenated South African five for 60 in Kent's second innings, but Chris Woakes was the Bears' match-winner with match figures of 11 for 97 from 29 overs, in addition to two crucial contributions with the bat.More whimsical stuff for county blog regulars here in the north-east, where Darren Pattinson has been the central figure of the morning session. He came into the match halfway through as the nominated replacement for Ryan Sidebottom, who has joined the England squad in Cardiff, and therefore resumed Sidebottom's innings at 11am. He batted rather well, too, scoring only 19 but playing a sensible supporting role to allow Paul Franks, Andre Adams and Luke Fletcher to throw the bat as Notts added 84 for their last three wickets after Steven Mullaney had gone in the first over to Liam Plunkett. But after being last out, Pattinson's opening spell lasted a single ball - he twisted his ankle on the crease, and had to hobble off to be replaced by an old-fashioned 12th man who isn't allowed to bat or bowl.Durham are 12 without loss at lunch, extending their lead to 41, but Notts will be happy enough with six bonus points from the game so far that extend their lead at the top to a minimum of 22 over Somerset.1.31pm: It seems the waiting media scrum, including our man in Kensington Owen Gibson, have been duped by the Pakistan high commission security staff, as the players have apparently left the building and returned to their hotel after passing into an adjoining building while the media's attention was diverted by the high commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan leaving via the main exit, holding a cigar. It brings to mind this Sigmund Frued quote: "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."1.33pm: David Hopps has analysed the carefully chosen words of Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan tour manager.1.46pm: Back in Taunton, Somerset have finally taken the wicket of Shahzaib Hasan. The tourists are now scuttling past 238-4.1.47pm: And another! Shahid Afridi's gone for two.1.53pm: And another! Fawad Alam's gone for 97. Another wicket for Mark Turner.1.56pm: David Hopps has been running a fine-tooth comb through what the key players (apart from, of course, the actual players) said this morning. Here's his analysis of the words of Giles Clarke. And here's a taster:The most intriguing part of Clarke's brief statement concerns his call for a "proper plan" to exist for Pakistan cricket. Clarke is likely to press from within the ICC for support for Pakistan cricket, including the return of tours to the country, to come hand in hand with stronger safeguards against illegal betting scams2.00pm: And another! Abdul Razzaq for two. Five overs left.2.04pm: And another! Umar Gul's gone for nought.2.06pm: This has been quite a flurry. Saeed Ajmal's gone, also for nought. Lunch anyone?2.11pm: Away from the excitement surrounding KP's debut, an unhappy Surrey fan has spoken. Here's a taster:"I accept that the policy of playing Schofield at 7 has reaped rewards in certain games this season but it has relied on massive starts from the openers by and large. On a wicket on which Schofield's bowling was never likely to keep the runs down he should've been dropped in favour of the extra batsman - Jason Roy - who gives us some firepower lower in the order. Spriegel and Hamilton-Brown, the sixth and seventh bowlers respectively, bowled 8 overs between them in any case."2.15pm: Pakistan all out for 264. I think we'll have a summary of events at Taunton for you shortly.2.30pm: Meanwhile the Press Association has some details of a rare Warwickshire win today:Chris Woakes completed the best all-round performance of his career as Warwickshire saw off relegation rivals against Kent inside three days in a vital County Championship Division One clash at Edgbaston. The 21-year-old England Lions seamer took 11 wickets in a match for the first time and also contributed 81 with the bat to give his side victory by 95 runs after less than two hours' play on the third morning. Neil Carter reached 50 Championship wickets for the first time in 10 county cricket seasons and in all the new-ball partners shared 19 as Kent were dismissed for 111 and 228. In the two innings eight batsmen were out for ducks, although Martin van Jaarsveld redeemed himself with a century from 147 balls at the second attempt. 2.33pm: For those who haven't seen it yet, Australia named this 15-man squad overnight for the two-Test series against India next month, their last Tests before the Ashes: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shane Watson3.29pm: England bowler Graham Onions will have surgery on his back next week and is expected to be ruled out of all cricket for up to nine months, the England and Wales Cricket Board have announced.3.39pm: Mr Hopps has filed on that Graham Onions story. Here's a sneak preview of his news piece that will go live shortly:The England fast bowler, Graham Onions, faces a further nine-month lay-off after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced that he will undergo surgery next week in a bid to overcome the back injury that has ruled him out of this winter's Ashes series. Attempts by England's medical staff to solve Onions' long-standing stress fracture without an operation have proved unsuccessful. Onions will undergo surgery next Monday and cannot realistically expect to return until midway through next summer. He first experienced discomfort in the nets on England's tour of Bangladesh and left the tour without playing a game. The ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce, said: "Graham has been suffering from ongoing discomfort due to stress fractures on both sides of his back. We have thoroughly exhausted all avenues of conservative treatment and rehabilitation with surgery very much seen as a last resort. Unfortunately Graham has not responded to these forms of treatment and as a result we have no option left but to undertake a course of treatment involving surgery. "The surgery Graham faces is a relatively significant operation and his rehabilitation will see him ruled out of all cricket for approximately up to nine months. His rehabilitation will be overseen and carried out by the ECB medical team in conjunction with the medical staff at Durham." England have long accepted that they will contest the Ashes without Onions. They discounted him from their Ashes plans three months ago, but the player himself remained committed to proving his fitness. Only now has realisation dawned as to the full extent of his injury. "I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period," he said. "After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes winning England team last year I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia. Unfortunately that's not to be and even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left. "While I'm devastated to be facing such a long lay off from cricket I'm determined to overcome this setback and make sure I get back bowling again next year and work my way back into England calculations." 3.48pm: The Pakistan high commissioner has stressed the innocence of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, and spoken of their 'mental torture'3.50pm: Tea at the Emirates ICG, where Durham are 170 for two, and now have a lead of 199, writes Andy Wilson. Gordon Muchall has batted as well as I've seen him, putting the boot into a Notts attack effectively reduced to three seamers by Darren Pattinson's injury with an unbeaten 87.Dale Benkenstein reached a more restrained half century from 71 balls just before the interval, but the cricket has been overshadowed by the Graham Onions news Hoppsy has just written about. Only yesterday evening Durham's director of cricket Geoff Cook had been hoping that Onions may be able to play some lower level cricket before the end of this season. Now he is facing a major operation that will extend his period of inactivity to up to 18 months.6.10pm: Apologies for dimished coverage of Somerset v Pakistanis - our at-ground team are knee-deep in writing news stories and all sorts. The Pakistanis won by eight runs, despite an unbeaten 122 from Zander de Bruyn. Kamran Akmal snared two stumpings and a catch. More to follow in a bit.6.20pm: Stumps at Chester-le-Street. Durham 279 for five, so they lead Notts by 308 runs with five wickets - and one day - remaining.6.37pm: Here's an update from Liverpool where Australia Test squad member Phil Hughes has been looking "uncomfortable at the crease":Hampshire, led by Jimmy Adams' second successive century, are making Lancashire fight hard to wrap up victory at Liverpool. Adams, 29, battled for the whole of day three to back up his seven-hour 196 against Yorkshire at Scarborough last week with 109 not out off 283 balls as he wiped out a first-innings deficit of 238. Left-handed Adams and Michael Carberry resumed this morning on 15 for none but partnerships of 73 inside 31 overs between Adams and Neil McKenzie for the third wicket and 78 inside 24 for the fifth with Sean Ervine held the hosts up. The visitors closed on 275 for five from 103 overs and lead by 37. Carberry was first to go when he fell trying to pull Kyle Hogg. He could only get a top edge which looped to wicketkeeper Gareth Cross to leave his side at 45 for one in the 22nd over of the innings. Phil Hughes - called into the Australian squad for next month's tour of India this morning - looked uncomfortable at the crease for the second time in the match as he made only 12 before he was caught at first slip off the bowling of Gary Keedy. Hughes made room outside leg stump to try to cut the left-arm spinner but was undone by a turning delivery which he could only edge into his pads. Paul Horton did the rest. Adams played solidly - as the situation dictated - but was strong against the short ball as he hit 12 boundaries. McKenzie was also patient but he was one of two wickets to fall in the afternoon session to Tom Smith (three for 56 from 23 overs). Having offered a half chance to Mark Chilton at point on 21, McKenzie edged Smith behind for 31 off 111 balls. And when James Vince saw his off stump travel five balls later, Hampshire were 140 for four in the 61st over. Ervine, perhaps not surprisingly, played the most attacking innings of the day. He hit six boundaries in his 48 off 70 balls and survived a massive caught behind shout off the bowling off Smith just two balls before he was ousted. He hit a disdainful four through mid-wicket the ball after the appeal but then immediately edged Smith to Horton at first slip to leave the scoreboard reading 218 for five in the 85th over. While Lancashire were a bowler light due to Glen Chapple's calf strain, there was also less in the pitch for the bowlers. Adams, who passed 1,000 four-day runs for the season in the first innings, reached three figures off 273 balls after he had taken his side into the lead. It took him 91 balls to get through the eighties and nineties. Wicketkeeper Michael Bates will join him at the crease in the morning on 27 not out.6.59pm: OK, that's it above the line. The comments will stay open below the line for more chat into the evening. Stay tuned to the site for a Taunton report from Mr Hopps. We're back again in the morning to see what happens at Chester-le-Street, which will bring Notts level with Somerset on games played and clarify the County Championship equation for next week. Cheers all.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketPakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal - live! | David Hopps and Andy Wilson

www.guardian.co.uk - Breaking news: Pakistan trio dropped from England tour News, reaction and updates from Taunton and London Hit the auto-update button for the latest posts Updates also from Andy Wilson at Durham v Notts Watch the latest county cricket highlights here11.19am: Pakistan are batting first at Taunton after Somerset won the toss. England's Craig Kieswetter takes his place at the top of the hosts' order. Shahid Afridi is the Pakistanis' captain.11.05am: More from our sports news correspondent: Pakistan High Commission officials handing out copies of a Roy Greenslade piece about the Fake Sheikh's methods. Interesting.11am: Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has just announced that he "welcomes the announcement" from the Pakistan Cricket Board. He added, with a straight face, that he is looking forward to the forthcoming ODI series being playing "in the spirit" that matches between England and Pakistan are always played in. We'll have the full statement shortly.10.40am: So we're flitting from hard news to county cricket whimsy and back again today. It was a busy day on the county blog yesterday, and a triple century of comments below the line to boot. One poster's cameo encapsulated the frustration of following your county side from afar. With Kent's No7 Geraint Jones negotiating his way to the close against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Veriditan wrote in successive comments:6:42PM: Two balls to survive tonight. C'mon, Jonesy...6:46PM: What? Another over? I smell doom!6:49PM: G Jones lbw b Woakes 41 89 3 1. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrghh10.40am: Our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson tweets: So, as expected, a slightly confusing compromise has been reached. Pak statement vague for obvious reasons.10:34am: The three Pakistani players at the centre of cricket's betting scandal have been left out of the one-day series against England, writes David Hopps in Taunton. Yawar Saeed, the team manager, announced before Pakistan's one-day warm-up against Somerset at Taunton today, that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir will play no further part in the tour. Conspiracy theorists still suspect otherwise. Every sentence uttered by Saeed was examined for hints that they might rejoin the tour at some stage. Even in the volatile and shifting world of Pakistan cricket, it sounds like a conspiracy theory too far. "For the two T20s the squad will remain what it is at Taunton this morning ie 13 people," said Saeed. "Once we have played those two T20 games, for the ODIs subsequently we will be asking for replacements to make up the squad of 16 again." "I can make no statement on their behalf. Investigations are being made by Scotland Yard and ICC and others. All I am talking about is the team that I am managing. And the team is today 13 and will become 16 again with replacements."10.33am: Andy Wilson at Chester-le-Street writes: After the dramatic Second Division game between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire demanded most attention during the last couple of days, the focus now switches back to the battles at the top and bottom of the Championship elite.The leaders Nottinghamshire are locked in an intriguing game with Durham here at the Emirates ICG (where calling the Riverside by its correct new title secured free flapjacks for tea yesterday), but the first result will come from Edgbaston. Kent will resume their second innings on 131 for five, still needing another 163 to beat Warwickshire, who must therefore be strong favourites to secure a second consecutive victory that would strengthen their unlikely survival bid.The Bears looked dead and buried when they folded against Notts at Trent Bridge a few weeks ago, but if they do win today they would pull 18 points clear of Kent, and also climb above Hampshire and Durham - although all three of those counties would retain a game in hand. Unless Hampshire can mount a strong fightback against Lancashire at Aigburth, where they have a first innings deficit of 238 to wipe out, their game against Kent at Canterbury next week is now looming as another relegation crunch.Hampshire then end the season against Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl. It would be hard to come up with a stronger argument for the two-division structure, when it produces so many meaningful games at the business end of the summer. Fingers crossed that this glorious September weather can last for another couple of weeks.10.28am: The Pakistan team manager, Yawar Saeed, has confirmed tha the Test captain, Salman Butt, and fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer will play no further part on the current tour. Saeed, speaking from Taunton where Pakistan play Somerset today, said: "The T20 squad will remain what it is here this morning, ie 13 people. When we play the one-day internationals we will be asking for replacements to make the squad up to 16. The (three) players have not been suspended." 10.21am: The latest from our sports news correspondent Owen Gibson: The Pakistan team manager in Taunton says they will call up 3 replacements for Amir, Asif and Butt for the one day series - seems they won't play. Sighs of relief from ECB and ICC no doubt. Still no sign of Amir, Asif and Butt outside the Royal Garden Hotel in High St Ken ... At least one of the players has just emerged from the underground carpark in a people carrier with blacked windows and diplomatic plates.10.17am: It's also day three of the week's Championship games today. Well, those that didn't experience a 40-wicket frenzy inside a day and a half that is. At Chester-le-Street Durham are making Notts work hard to take their County Championship title. Andy Wilson is there for the resumption. And Kevin Pietersen's 38 in a CB40 Second Division match made waves yesterday. Here's Barney Ronay's report.10.16am: Pakistan's Test captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer - the Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations - will miss the Twenty20 and one-day international series against England, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed has just said.10.15am Morning. The most eagerly awaited 50-over warm-up game in yonks takes place today. Journalists have been bedding down at Taunton Holiday Inn for days in anticipation of seeing Pakistan play their first game since the Lord's Test fizzled out so awfully on Sunday. Mr Hopps will be in the maelstrom.And, 162 miles away in London, Pakistan's captain Salman Butt and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are meeting the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket board and lawyers to discuss the spot-fixing allegations. Owen Gibson will have the latest from the Kensington hotel. Meanwhile, Marina Hyde has penned her view on spot-fix-gate.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoCricketAndy WilsonDavid HoppsOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan betting scandal: Mohammad Asif axed from Bollywood film

www.dailymail.co.uk - The backlash against Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif has begun. Aamer has been sacked by his kit sponsor, while Asif's proposed role in a Bollywood film is in jeopardy. More... (Cricket)

Kevin Pietersen apologises for Twiiter outburst - and then makes sorry start for Surrey

www.dailymail.co.uk - Kevin Pietersen showed glimpses of his best form at The Oval but the dropped England batsman's Surrey debut still ended in disappointment as he fell short of making his first limited-overs half-century in almost four months. More... (Cricket)

County break will give Kevin Pietersen a chance to regain his swagger | Mike Selvey

www.guardian.co.uk - Come the Ashes the struggling England batsman should have his touch and confidence restoredKevin Pietersen may not have expressed it in the most elegant terms but he was certainly not wrong. It has been quite a comedown from the lofty heights of Mount Olympus to the second division of the County Championship. From Kensington Oval to Kennington Oval in the blink of an eye.A little under four months ago, in Bridgetown, I sat transfixed and watched as Pietersen systematically brutalised Dale Steyn, the best fast bowler in the world, with pyrotechnic strokeplay of the highest order. It mattered not that it was Twenty20. This was one of the most scintillating passages of play I have seen, up there with the evening I witnessed at close hand Jeff Thomson, ferociously fast, and Viv Richards, immense, in single combat.Move on then to Lord's last week. All the hours of practice (and there is none more diligent in that regard) counted for nothing as he flayed wildly at his first delivery from Mohammad Amir, edged and made his way back to the dressing room.It was the stroke of a desperate man, who has done what he can to reverse the tide of his form and had finally settled on what he might have seen as the only course left open to him: give it a go.Two years ago, at Edgbaston, Paul Collingwood found himself in a similar situation, survived the chance that might have seen him reduced to the ranks, discovered an inner calm and made a career-saving hundred.If Pietersen had made proper contact with what was little more than a wide half-volley, then who knows what might have followed. Perhaps there was an inevitability about it. Maybe fate was intervening and saying that there is nothing to be gained from papering over the cracks.It presented a dilemma to the England management, though, for under the circumstance there were two courses of action open to them. On the one hand, they could rationalise that they have a batsman of the highest calibre, going through a difficult period against high- class bowling in helpful conditions, and that sooner rather than later everything would come around.With two Twenty20 matches in particular, but then five one-day internationals to follow - albeit the form of the game in which he has suffered most since losing the England captaincy at the start of last year - here was an opportunity for him just to go out and give it a belt, without the possible repercussions were he to take such a cavalier approach into Tests.But then again, in both an individual and team context, how much leeway is it reasonable to allow someone before it becomes counterproductive? Alastair Cook, for example, has survived through some difficult times, while Ian Bell was sent back to county cricket. The answer lies not just in the ability of the player concerned but in his personality, too.In Pietersen we have someone whose cricket is almost driven by the internal engine of his ego. No one can match his strut. Underlying it, though, say those who know him best, is an insecurity that ultimately (and uncharacteristically) manifested itself in his soul-bearing interview on Sky last week where he made it plain that his confidence was shot. When the cock of the walk is reduced to that, it really is time to sit up and take notice.His continuing presence in the glare of the international arena, especially for a tournament that does not really matter a huge amount in the scheme of things, would serve no real purpose. Andy Flower has made the right call. What Pietersen needs now is not the intensity of competition but the chance to feel his hands again, even if it is in a less challenging environment.Are there any real doubts that by the middle of November Pietersen will once more be in a fit and proper condition physically and mentally to be a thorn in Australian sides? He will have two championship matches for Surrey and three proper warm-up games in Australia before the first Test in Brisbane that starts on 25 November. No one-day cricket will interfere with the preparation.By then surely he will have rediscovered that state of mind where instinct, his strongest suit, is not taken over by indiscretion. As always there has to be a happy medium. We cannot, in one instance, marvel at some of the more outrageous aspects of his play, those that elevate him above the norm, and then castigate him for his excesses or lack of responsibility when these very extravagances fail him.As with, say, David Gower, we need to recognise and accept him for what he is while not trying to make him what he is not. The break now will do him nothing but good: an opportunity to take stock. He will be stronger for it. If anyone outscores him this coming Ashes series, then my bet is they will have played exceedingly well to do so.Kevin PietersenSurreyCricketMike Selveyguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

The drama of Mohammad Amir should have more than one act | Marina Hyde

www.guardian.co.uk - The truth behind spot-fixing can be stranger than fiction and happy endings are rareSport is about stories. The reason no one cared when Matt Le Tissier used his autobiography to confess spot-fixing was because his story was over. The heartbreak of Mohammad Amir being implicated in the Pakistan spot-fixing scandal is of course that his story was only just beginning, and even old hands instinctively romanticise the narrative of sport. For how many tens of millions of cricket fans did Nasser Hussain speak on Sunday morning, when he admitted his immediate thought on hearing of the allegations was "please don't let it be the young lad"?We can't help but see sport like this, which is why fixing lends itself so evocatively to fiction. In the Godfather Part II, the Chicago Black Sox scandal serves as a character note for the mesmerically amoral Hyman Roth, who declares: "I've loved baseball ever since Arnold Rothstein fixed the world series". Rothstein was the mafia gambler on whom Fitzgerald based the minor character of Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby, who is casually introduced to the narrator as "the man who fixed the World's Series.""The idea staggered me," the narrator relates. "It never occurred to me that one man could start to play with the faith of fifty million people - with the single mindedness of a burglar blowing a safe. 'How did he happen to do that?' I asked after a minute. 'He just saw the opportunity'," is Gatsby's affectless reply.Perhaps inevitably, taking poetic licence with sport fixing doesn't limit itself to art. Even in the realm of reality, fact tends to blur with fiction. There is no contemporaneous record of the words "Say it ain't so, Joe" ever being uttered, though that has not stopped the supposed child's inquiry of the disgraced Shoeless Joe Jackson having passed into legend.Despite the intense public attention on the grand jury investigation into the eight White Sox players accused of throwing the 1919 World Series, the only report that resembles the story was featured in a single Minnesota paper, which claimed Jackson emerged from the courthouse into a crowd of "several hundred youngsters, aged from 6 to 16". (Very cinematic.) According to the paper's account, "one urchin stepped up to the outfielder, and, grabbing his coat sleeve, said: 'It ain't true, is it Joe?' 'Yes kid, I'm afraid it is,' Jackson replied. The boys opened a path for the ball player and stood in silence as he passed out of sight. 'Well, I'd never have thought it,' sighed the lad." Forgive the cynicism, but I can't help suspecting that sleeve-tugging urchin was about as real as the convenient "onlookers" and "close pals" that populate today's tabloid stories.Yet though it may not be literally true, the youngster's tragic disillusionment has echoed down the years because it carries a psychological truth. Into this canon of truths literal and psychological we may induct the News of the World's revelation that Mazhar Majeed, the alleged middleman of this latest scam, roused the teenage Mohammad Amir out of his bed on the eve of a Test match, and called the young prodigy a "fucker", before informing him his instructions would keep till morning anyway. It is the sort of detail that if it hadn't happened, one would have had to make up.One piece of Shoeless Joe testimony that is undeniable, because it appears on the stenographer's record, has the player's wife finding out about his involvement when a team-mate entered their hotel room and threw $5,000 on the bed. "She felt awful bad about it," reveals Jackson, "and cried about it for a while."I first read that years ago, and ever since have had the most vivid picture of a scene, imagining Katie Jackson staring at the bundle of money and crying for the loss of the hero she married. All surmise, of course. She was probably crying out of fear he'd be caught - but our imaginations fill the gaps. We instinctively map narratives onto what we see and hear because we want - need - to experience sport as a story.A melee of co-dependent and antagonistic people will have to decide whether they want Pakistan's current story to have the scorched-earth ending of a Shakespearean tragedy, where none of the main characters are left standing, or whether a more modern tale of redemption is possible. For me, sport will be better if a way is found for Mohammad Amir to go on to take 600 Test wickets as a symbol of reformation. You don't have to be soft hearted or "soft on crime" to wish for this. You just have to dream of seeing the second act.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketMarina Hydeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Sorry then Surrey as Kevin Pietersen is well received at The Oval

www.guardian.co.uk - The England batsman radiated a bruised sense of amour propre while a beaming late summer crowd goggled and chirpedKevin Pietersen may have lost his England one-day spot, his air of unquenchable buoyancy and maybe even - should the ECB take a dim view - his Twitter account but a debut appearance for Surrey, above, today in the Clydesdale Bank 40-over competition demonstrated he has yet to lose the air of popular magnetism that continues to cling to England's most charismatic batsman even in the midst of his doldrums.There was a sense of bustling expectation among a healthy 7,917 crowd at The Oval - up about 3,000 on the usual - for tonight's floodlit county bow, a 90-run defeat by Worcestershire that came at the tail end of a very public 48 hours of acrimonious demotion. This afternoon Pietersen finally offered a full apology for yesterday's Twitter post that not only disclosed his omission from England's one-day squad but described the selectors' decision as "a fuck up". "It came out in the way that I didn't want it to come out," Pietersen said on Surrey TV. "I apologise for it entering the public domain and I also want to apologise for the language I used. It wasn't anything against the England selectors or the England set-up."It was an olive branch the chairman of selectors, Geoff Miller, appeared to accept, albeit rather stiffly. "I've had a chat with Kevin. He explained the situation. I'm not too au fait with Twitter but he explained what had happened and an apology was forthcoming," Miller said.Pietersen's county farming-out still has an air of the remedial boot camp about it, not least as he spent the opening 40 overs of his Surrey career mooching at long-off as Worcestershire's batsmen piled up a formidable 386. Prior to the match Surrey's chief executive, Paul Sheldon, had confirmed that Pietersen's wages would be paid by England and that Surrey have simply agreed to "accommodate him on loan for the balance of the season", confirming the sense of having taken in an errant godson. "We want England to win the Ashes and we want KP back in form. I think he'll bring a few more spectators in, I think he'll be a great influence on our young players."The first of these is perhaps more likely, although Pietersen's diligence in practice may be a useful guide for Surrey's young team. Here he appeared for a brooding pre-match net on the outfield, his first official sighting in the Surrey tracksuit, which ended with a few tension-relieving biffs into the empty seats. There is a pleasing circularity to Pietersen seeking rehabilitation at The Oval almost exactly five years on from his exhilarating, Ashes-clinching 158 on this ground, the high water mark of his Test match career and a moment where he seemed brimful with fearless promise. Perhaps a return to the scene appealed. Or maybe he likes the fact it is only 15 minutes' drive from his Wandsworth riverside apartment.Tonight Pietersen's entrance with the bat was delayed by Worcestershire batting first in the designated KP support act role. At the start of play he emerged on to the Oval outfield accompanied by a personal security guard, presumably to dispel any fears that one of the politely applauding Surrey regulars in the Bedser Stand might leap the balustrade, unexpectedly enflamed by KP-proximity. This did not happen and Pietersen was free to strut about in his straight-backed fashion, radiating a bruised sense of amour propre while a beaming late summer crowd goggled and chirped and generally could not believe its luck at such unexpected melodrama.The Worcestershire innings saw Vikram Solanki, another talented England discard, sprint to a fine hundred full of elegant aerial hitting. There was an unexpected treat midway through the innings as Pietersen, in ill-fitting Surrey slacks, came on to bowl a single over of his jerky off-breaks. Immediately he had Gareth Andrew dropped by a diving, headline-fluffing Matthew Spriegel at long-off. His fifth ball disappeared into the crowd. The sixth one bounced back off the scoreboard.Emerging at first wicket down in Surrey's chase - greeted by wild cheers and whistles - Pietersen got the chance to exact revenge on Worcestershire's bowlers, which he set about with an array of leg-side flicks in a perky 38 before being caught and bowled by his personal bowling nemesis, the left-arm spinner - on this occasion Shaaiq Choudhry, playing in just only his sixth match. England's selectors, having taken a huge gamble in dropping their star batsman, will be hoping for a similar, albeit more concerted response in the coming weeks.Kevin PietersenSurreyClydesdale Bank 40CricketBarney Ronayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan cricket trio are unlikely to face criminal charges

www.guardian.co.uk - Butt, Asif and Amir should escape criminal charges 'Spot-fixing' players set to face officials tomorrowThe three Pakistan cricketers at the centre of a global storm over betting allegations are highly unlikely to face criminal charges, legal experts said today.The Test captain, Salman Butt, and the pace bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, left their base in Taunton this morning for a Kensington hotel ahead of a pivotal meeting in London tomorrow with the Pakistan high commissioner, the Pakistan Cricket Board and lawyers. Informal talks continued at the hotel where the three players are staying, with officials from the PCB, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the International Cricket Commission and the high commission involved.The three players are expected to be dropped from the rest of the tour, although not formally suspended, while investigations continue. However, some Pakistan officials are still believed to be arguing that they should be allowed to play in the forthcoming Twenty20 and one-day matches.While their team-mates are in action against Somerset in a warm-up match 162 miles away, the trio will be questioned over the allegations in Sunday's News of the World that they were paid to bowl no‑balls at specific points during last week's fourth Test at Lord's.Following further questioning from police, they will return to join their team-mates on Saturday. Scotland Yard detectives raided the team hotel on Saturday and seized mobile phones, laptops and money.But legal experts with direct experience of other sports integrity cases believe it is highly unlikely the three cricketers will face any criminal charges."One of the massive problems in any sport is defining how you actually define what is happening as criminal," Neill Blundell, the partner and head of the fraud group at the law firm Eversheds, who acted for one of the defendants in the Kieren Fallon case, said."What they often have difficulty doing is evidentially linking what is going on with the betting. If all you've got is one person saying certain things, it can be very difficult to link that behaviour to what is going on on the pitch, even if it seems logical to do so."Blundell, who represented Fallon's co-defendant Miles Rodgers against charges of conspiracy to defraud, said the police and prosecutors would tread carefully following a string of high-profile cases in which they had failed to make charges stick."Proving that link beyond a reasonable doubt is very difficult to do. What might appear strong evidence initially can be very difficult for a law enforcement agency. As has been proved by other similar cases, proving guilt and making evidence admissible can be very difficult."Others sports integrity experts said that because it appeared no bet had actually been placed, it was difficult to see how a charge of conspiracy to defraud - the route most expect the police to go down - or the untested offence of cheating introduced in the 2005 Gambling Act could be made to stick against the players.Rick Parry, the former Liverpool FC chief executive who chaired a government-ordered review of sports integrity issues, agreed. "I don't think [the case] has any evidence at all," Parry told CricInfo. "Unless the News of the World placed a bet - which would be highly unlikely because in so doing they would have carried out a criminal act - then there doesn't appear to be any betting activity at all associated with these particular allegations. It places the ball, to pardon the pun, squarely back into the hands of the cricket authorities."Mazhar Majeed, the 35-year-old Croydon businessman at the centre of the News of the World allegations, who was alleged to have told the Pakistan players to deliberately bowl no balls in return for £150,000, was arrested on Sunday and released on bail. Today it emerged Majeed had been arrested as part of a separate money-laundering investigation by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.With the players unlikely to face criminal charges, there is greater onus on the next move of the ICC's anti-corruption and security unit. The ACSU has been in constant communication with the police and will pool evidence it has collected over several months with that garnered by the News of the World and law enforcement agencies. Its investigators will not question the players directly until police give them the go ahead to do so.Haroon Lorgat, who arrived in London today to meet the PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, said he expects the ICC's investigation to come to "some sort of conclusion" by the weekend. England face Pakistan in the first of two Twenty20 matches on Sunday, when it is understood the News of the World is planning to publish further revelations.Reports in India today contained further details of the ASCU's investigation into spot-fixing claims against Pakistan players. The Times of India claimed it wa examining recordings of conversations and text messages exchanged between Pakistan players and Majeed even during the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketOwen Gibsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Derbyshire bowl out Gloucestershire to complete stunning comeback

www.guardian.co.uk - Derbyshire 44 & 236; Gloucestershire 156 & 70 Derbyshire won by 54 runsDerbyshire claimed the most improbable of championship victories by skittling Gloucestershire for 70 in the last innings of a match in which they had been bowled out for 44 on the first morning."In all the games of cricket I've played in and watched - and somewhere along the line that includes Botham's Ashes - I've never seen anything like it," Derbyshire's director of cricket, John Morris, said from a jubilant Bristol dressing room shortly after the victory had been completed. "To win a game when you've been bowled out for 44 - I'm not sure any of our lads have quite got their heads around it yet."Derbyshire have never won a first-class match after making such a low first-innings total, which was their worst since they were routed for 42 by Lancashire at Buxton in 1975 on a snow-affected pitch. They began their fightback on the first day of a game that was completed in 893 legitimate deliveries and less than five sessions, restricting Gloucestershire to a first-innings lead of 112. But it was Chesney Hughes, a tall 19-year-old spinner from Anguilla who came to England to play for Fleetwood last summer, who was almost solely responsible for giving them a chance of victory.He was left unbeaten on 96 when Derbyshire were bowled out for 236 in their second innings but Morris said: "If ever an innings deserved a century, it was Chesney's. That could get overlooked with everything else that's happened but it shouldn't be. It was a phenomenal innings for a 19-year-old to dominate a game on that wicket."Morris said the pitch was playing far better on the second day, having been damp on the first morning when Derbyshire were bowled out in 16.1 overs after losing what seemed a crucial toss. But his players still fancied their chances of defending 124 after Hughes's morale-boosting knock and their confidence soared as Gloucestershire quickly slipped to 18 for four, with Tim Groenewald taking three of the wickets."The pressure went into the Gloucester dressing room and with respect they've not batted very well," Morris said. "All the way through it was obvious that, if we could get Hamish Marshall out, we'd win the game."Marshall, the former New Zealand opener with an Irish passport, was ninth out having hit 44 out of 58, and Derbyshire completed their victory by the ridiculously comfortable margin of 54 runs. It was their first win since April, although they remain bottom of the Division Two table, with Glamorgan likely to be the main beneficiaries of the comeback as it leaves them well clear of Gloucestershire in the battle for the second promotion place behind Sussex.Durham retained the upper hand against the Division One leaders, Nottinghamshire, although the curse that has hung over their seam attack all season struck again. Mark Davies, who had played in only four previous championship matches and failed to take a wicket in any of them, earned outstanding figures of 15-11-10-2 - but then limped off with nerve damage in his leg that will prevent him bowling in the rest of the match. Nottinghamshire finished the day on 257 for six in reply to Durham's 372.Durham's director of cricket, Geoff Cook, also confirmed that Steve Harmison will not play again this season because of his foot problem and that the promis-ing all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out for three months with a broken bone in his foot, although Graham Onions is hoping to be given the all-clear from a London specialist this week to play some second-team cricket before the end of the season.Wickets continued to tumble in the battle to avoid relegation from Division One at Edgbaston. Warwickshire earned a first-innings lead of 183 by dismissing Kent for 111, with their England Lions seamer Chris Woakes taking six for 52, but then slipped to 54 for eight in their second innings before Woakes underlined his all-round potential with 51 from 41 balls.The 21-year-old followed up with the wickets of the Kent openers Rob Key and Joe Denly as they slipped to 36 for four, then returned to dismiss Geraint Jones after a fifth-wicket stand of 95 with Martin van Jaarsveld that leaves the visitors 193 runs away from a victory that might be described as highly unlikely in any other week.County Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoDerbyshireGloucestershireWarwickshireKentDurhamNottinghamshireCricketAndy Wilsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Somerset security high as Pakistan take flak from sponsors

www.guardian.co.uk - Somerset guard against any unrest at warm-up Tourists' kit suppliers suspend support of AmirSomerset will stiffen security arrangements for Pakistan's warm-up match at Taunton tomorrow ahead of a one-day series against England that could remain in doubt until only 24 hours before the first Twenty20 match is due to start in Cardiff on Sunday.Richard Gould, Somerset's chief executive, said he is prepared to accept light-hearted banter and a few catcalls from a crowd expected to be approach 5,000, but said that security measures will guard against any unrest following allegations of a betting scandal involving three Pakistan players."We have dusted down the security plan from when England staged the World Twenty20 and we will use this as a guideline," he said. "We don't anticipate problems because we have a good family atmosphere but if problems occur then we will strengthen our security as necessary."Unrest definitely exists, however, among some of Pakistan's sponsors, with one deal scrapped and others in danger of being withdrawn. Most disturbingly, the two deals in doubt also promised to bring much-needed investment in grassroots cricket in a troubled country.The team's kit suppliers, BoomBoom, have suspended their sponsorship of Mohammad Amir, the wunderkind fast bowler, whose potentially brilliant career faces a grave crisis at the age of 18, and could abandon the agreement entirely only four months into a two-year deal. That deal includes plans to build a cricket academy in Karachi. Amir's image has already been removed from the company's website."Like everyone else in the cricket world, we are truly saddened and shocked by these allegations," the managing director, Ali Ehsan, said. "I sincerely hope they are not true. However, we believe in, and encourage players to have, the freedom to play fairly. We cannot allow our brand to be associated with any whiff of corruption or suspicion of foul play. While the suspension of our commercial involvement with Mohammad Amir is not a step we take lightly, we nevertheless feel that it is the right thing to do while a judicial process unfolds and innocence or guilt is established. BoomBoom is also reviewing its position as official kit supplier to the Pakistan Cricket Board."Pepsi's "cricket stars" talent hunt was launched amid much fanfare in June, with promises to hold trials in more than 100 Pakistani towns and cities, and widen cricket opportunities in a country where the rich and privileged are repeatedly favoured and where opportunity rarely extends beyond Lahore and Karachi.Pepsi, which has used the players extensively in its television and online advertising, said: "At this time we have made no changes to our long-standing cricket sponsorships," but added: "We believe that integrity is the foundation of fair sporting competition and we are aware of the International Cricket Council's ongoing investigation."The fallout could extend beyond Pakistan if the ICC handles the next few days badly. Sponsorship experts have warned that brands will turn their back on the sport unless the ICC is seen to take decisive action over the issue. The affair is leading to pressure for agents of international cricketers to be properly licensed and subjected to regular vetting procedures. A rival Pakistani agent, Umran Khan, whose Dubai-based sports management company manages seven players including the one-day captain, Shahid Afridi, has already condemned cricket's controls on agents as entirely inadequate.Asif may be dropped from an Indian film in which he was supposed to play a Pakistani cricket coach who travels to the southern Indian state of Kerala to teach students. The director, Kaithapram Namboothiri, said: "If Asif is guilty I cannot take him in the film as it will impact on public sentiment and the success of the film. I cannot blame Asif unless he is proven guilty, but I cannot wait much longer." Namboothiri said he is already in talks with another Pakistani cricketer for the role.Asif's former girlfriend, Veena Malik, has continued to make allegations of his involvement in match-rigging, appearing on Pakistani TV to accuse him of links with an illegal Indian bookmaker, Deeraj Dixit, a Delhi freelance photographer.As the three players at the centre of the allegations left the Holiday Inn in Taunton hotel by taxi late morning today, escorted by the PCB's security officer, Khawaja Najam, Butt was asked: "Will you be back, Salman?" "Why not?" he replied defiantly. After four days of allegations and conjecture, that is the question that must now be answered.Shahid Afridi, who resumes the Pakistan one-day captaincy as Butt, captain of the Test side, departs with his career in question, made no attempt to disguise the severity of the situation when he arrived with the Pakistan team for practice. His priority, he said, was to lift morale. "We guys are coming from a very serious situation," he said, "so maybe in the ground we forget everything and play some good cricket and entertain the people there."Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamSomersetCricketDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistani 'match-fixing' bowler dropped from Bollywood film

www.telegraph.co.uk - Mohammad Asif, the Pakistani international fast-bowler at the centre of the match-fixing scandal, has been dropped from his debut film role as cricket coach with high ethical standards. More... (Cricket)

Kevin Pietersen says sorry for foul-mouthed Twitter comment

www.guardian.co.uk - Pietersen says controversial tweet sent by mistake Batsman reacted badly to being dropped by EnglandKevin Pietersen has apologised for the foul-mouthed tweet which followed his omission from England's Twenty20 and one-day international squads to face Pakistan.The South Africa-born batsman's poor form resulted in him being dropped yesterday for the England squads to take on the tourists in five ODIs and two T20s.Pietersen broke the news by posting a message on Twitter which said: "Done for rest of summer!! Man of the World Cup T20 and dropped from the T20 side too.. Its [sic] a fuck up!!"The comment angered the national selector, Geoff Miller, who may still reprimand the 30-year-old for the incident.Pietersen will now play the remainder of the season at Surrey as he attempts to win back his place in the England squad, after the England and Wales Cricket Board brokered a loan deal with the batsman's parent county, Hampshire.Pietersen admitted he published the message on Twitter by mistake and apologised for his comments ahead of his Surrey debut against Worcestershire today."It came out in the way that I didn't want it to come out," Pietersen told Surrey TV. "It was something that wasn't meant for the public domain and I apologise for it entering the public domain and I also want to apologise for the language I used."The Surrey chief executive, Paul Sheldon, said the county were happy to help England by taking Pietersen on loan."We had a call from the England and Wales Cricket Board to ask if we would accommodate him on loan for the balance of the season, which is two one-day games and two four-day games," Sheldon said."We were very pleased to oblige. We feel we're here very much to help England. This is more about England than about Surrey."We want England to win the Ashes and we want KP back in form and if we can assist in that way then we're absolutely delighted to do so."Sheldon confirmed Pietersen would play in all four of Surrey's remaining fixtures, starting with today's Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture against Worcestershire at The Oval.He said: "There's no point in having him unless he's playing. We're losing Steven Davies to the England set-up so he will effectively just replace Steven. He won't keep anyone out."I think he'll have a huge impact. I think he'll bring a few more spectators in, I think he'll be a great influence on our young players, because we've got a very young side, and of course what we really want him to do is to score lots of runs and get back into form."Kevin PietersenEngland Cricket TeamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan cricket scandal: emergency London meeting postponed

www.guardian.co.uk - Meeting with Pakistan high commissioner delayed Sponsor suspends links with bowler Mohammad AmirThe meeting between the three Pakistan players at the centre of spot-fixing allegations and the country's high commissioner - the senior representative in the UK - has been postponed until Thursday, officials have confirmed.The Test captain, Salman Butt, and the bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have left their team-mates in Taunton, where Pakistan were preparing for Thursday's one-day match against Somerset, to travel to London for the meeting.The Pakistan Cricket Board's chairman. Ijaz Butt, will also attend to discuss the allegations that players had been bribed to bowl deliberate no-balls in the fourth Test against England, which finished at Lord's on Sunday.The three players should be free to rejoin the squad on Friday, two days before the tourists' first Twenty20 game against England. There is another Twenty20 match scheduled, to be followed by five one-day internationals.On Tuesday, the PCB announced it would hold an internal investigation into the allegations, while the Lahore high court has summoned the PCB chairman, the federal sports minister and seven players to hear a petition calling for the players to be charged with treason. British police and customs officials are also investigating.The fallout from the scandal looks set to hit the players in the pocket too as BoomBoom, the official kit supplier to the Pakistan cricket team, suspended its commercial relationship with the teenage fast bowler Amir on Wednesday.BoomBoom's managing director, Ali Ehsan, said in a statement that the company was also reviewing its position as the official supplier to the PCB. Ehsan said the decision to suspend the relationship with Amir did not imply any judgment on the allegations."We cannot allow our brand to be associated with any whiff of corruption or suspicion of foul play," he said. "While the suspension of our commercial involvement with Mohammad Amir is not a step we take lightly, we nevertheless feel that it is the right thing to do while a judicial process unfolds and innocence or guilt is established."Amir's fellow bowler Asif's hopes of appearing in an Indian film in which he was supposed to play a cricket coach also look in doubt.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan match fixing claims: player's former girlfriend to meet ICC

www.guardian.co.uk - Mohammad Asif's ex-partner to meet investigators Accused players have left Taunton to return to LondonThe former girlfriend of the Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been asked to give evidence to the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit in a match-fixing investigation.Veena Malik's manager Sohail Rashid said on Wednesday that the actress has been approached by the ICC after Asif was implicated in the spot fixing scandal uncovered by a News of the World sting."They have approached Ms. Malik and will be soon meeting with her," Rashid said, but was unsure when and where the meeting will be held.An ICC spokesman said the game's governing body does not comment on the ongoing investigations of its anti-corruption unit.It's not for the first time that Asif had been embroiled in the off-field controversy. In 2006 he was sent home before the Champions Trophy in India after testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone along with fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar.In 2008 he was detained at Dubai for 19 days when a small amount of opium was found in his wallet as he transferred at the airport.Malik said that she believed an Indian national, who often called and sent text messages to Asif, was involving in illegal gambling."I was surprised why a guy from India is calling so frequently and sending texts to Asif," Malik said. "That was quite suspicious for me... Later on [Asif] went to Thailand to have a meeting with this particular guy."The three players named in the allegations, captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Asif have today left the Pakistan team hotel in Taunton and headed to London.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Corruption: We must be ruthless and put the fear of God into people | Duncan Fletcher

www.guardian.co.uk - Treating cricket with disrespect is not a frivolous matter. Even the smallest transgression must mean that a career is overI remember the first time that officials from the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption unit explained to me, during my time as England coach, the extent of the illegal betting industry in cricket. The scale of the gambling that took place left all of us quite flabbergasted.We were a little scared when we walked out of that room, uneasy in our new-found knowledge of the extent of it all. It was a subject about which we had never given much thought and suddenly we were aware about the potential for corruption in the game. The danger was that a small minority could ruin the game for the majority. Cricket did not deserve something like this.I spent much of last Sunday staring at the sports news on TV with a sense of shock as memories of those meetings came back to me. We must remember that allegations of malpractice made against some of Pakistan's players remain unproven. But if the allegations are true then Pakistan are guilty of a terrible lack of respect to the game and to English cricket.England have gone out of their way to help Pakistan cricket at a difficult time in their history. They have recognised the huge problems Pakistan cricket faces while they cannot stage matches in their own country because of the threat of terrorism. This summer England have also staged a neutral series between Pakistan and Australia. You would not think it was possible to squeeze any more cricket into an English summer, but somehow they did it. To read the allegations that are now being made is pretty hurtful.Treating cricket with disrespect is not a frivolous matter. There must be no distinction between a player found guilty of rigging an entire match and a player found guilty of deliberately bowling a no ball. We must be ruthless and put the fear of God into people. Even the smallest transgression must mean that a career is over.Mohammad Amir, at 18, is a young fast bowler with the world at his feet. There are not too many out-and-out fast bowlers in international cricket at the moment with such potential to build a memorable career. What concerns me is whether he has been used. He is a young person without too much experience in life. Players like that need guidance and advice to ensure that their careers progress successfully. It is too easy for them to be taken advantage of.As the news reached Lord's on Sunday morning, I don't think it would have taken a great deal for the England dressing room to get themselves focused. From England's point of view, it was the other side who had the problems. The game had been settled the previous evening and they just had to complete the job. I would expect that a lot of the England guys were so annoyed by the allegations that this would have been quite enough to get them in the mood. They would have wanted to give Pakistan a hiding.The Lord's Test will be remembered for what took place off the field but it is vital that people don't forget how England performed. England won by an innings but if they look in the mirror they will be very concerned about the cracks in their batting. Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad papered over them with their world-record stand. England's batting collapsed again and the players and management must keep this recognition at the front of their minds and not forget about it amid all the controversy. England have collapsed four times in Tests this summer. It has become a worrying trend.I have to pay tribute to the innings produced by Trott and Broad. Every Test has been a match where the bowlers have been saying "Give me the ball". Trott recognised that the conditions favoured the bowlers and he responded accordingly. He made the bowlers bowl at him and he had the patience to leave deliveries whenever necessary. He stuck to his game plan. It was also a great achievement by Broad. He might have faced some bad bowling but he still had a lot of good balls bowled at him and he was not dismissed by them. He has promised a lot as a batsman and this time he showed that he can do it.Broad scored as many runs in one innings at Lord's as he had for England throughout the year in Tests and one-day cricket. People ask how this can be. I have insisted before that England's problem is not a technical problem, it is a mental problem.I think that Graeme Swann is another batsman who is as good as Broad. He should also be getting these big innings. I could understand why Swann batted above Broad for a while, at No8. Broad could be an England No7, but Swann could also bat at seven if he put his mind to it. It is all very well adopting a positive attitude when he comes out to bat, but is that because deep down he is lacking confidence? All these things have to be addressed.Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamEngland Cricket TeamEngland v Pakistan 2010Duncan Fletcherguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Players accused in Pakistan spot-fixing scandal face emergency meeting

www.guardian.co.uk - Trio travel to London to be questioned over allegations Butt, Amir and Asif could face life bans if guilt is provenThe three Pakistan players at the centre of cricket's betting scandal have left their Taunton hotel for an emergency meeting in London tomorrow that will go a long way to determining whether Pakistan's tour of England will continue and whether their own careers are likely to be at an end.The Pakistan captain, Salman Butt, and the bowlers Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif have initially been summoned to appear before the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Ijaz Butt, the country's high commissioner and lawyers, in the knowledge that they could face life bans if their guilt is proven.They are also expected to be face further questioning from the Metropolitan Police."Will you be back Salman?" Butt was asked as he left. For the first time in three days, the eyes of Pakistan's young captain twinkled. His reputation lies in ruins, but his desire is not yet spent. "Why not?" he asked."Are you guilty Salman?" The second question, more hostile, was ignored as he got into the front of a taxi. The other two players remained silent. Amir's normal cheeriness has not been as evident. Asif has largely confined himself to his room.The players were travelling with the Pakistan security officer, Khawaja Najam, a brisk former army officer known to everybody as The Major, and his family.They will automatically miss tomorrow's practice match against Somerset at Taunton. Irrespective of Butt's suggestion that he will return — with an aim of playing in the opening Twenty20 international against England in Cardiff on Sunday - the ECB wants the players removed from the tour.The previous evening, on a small patch of lawn outside the Holiday Inn, the Major's son had looked on shyly as Daniel Yousuf, the eight-year-old son of Mohammad Yousuf, had played some knockabout cricket with a verve and a skill that, unbeknown to him, communicated a little about the innocence that cricket once again finds itself trying to protect.A week ago, before the News of the World sting suggested that spot-fixing was rife, Butt was repeatedly hailed as a potential saviour for Pakistan cricket, a man capable of bringing order from chaos.Even if he does somehow survive his reputation will never be as pristine again. Now the mood has turned against him. If there is sympathy for anybody, it is for somebody even younger, the 18-year-old Amir.Increasingly, the argument is heard that even if the allegations are proved, he has been groomed by others more culpable. There is talk that an ICC chief executive's meeting in Cape Town next month could be of similar mind. There are many more meetings to be held, however, before then.Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketPakistan cricket teamDavid Hoppsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan match-fixing claims: ICC promises swift action

www.guardian.co.uk - ICC chief Haroon Lorgat has promised players will be punished if found guilty in the investigation into spot-fixing More... (Cricket)

Accused Pakistan trio set to miss clash against Somerset to attend London inquiry

www.dailymail.co.uk - Three Pakistani players at the centre of 'spot-fixing' allegations will miss tomorrow's match against Somerset after it was confirmed they will instead be attending an inquiry in London. More... (Cricket)

Mohammad Asif may miss film role over Pakistan spot-fixing claims

www.guardian.co.uk - Pace bowler had won part in an Indian movie Director: 'If he is guilty, I cannot take him in the film'Mohammad Asif may be dropped from an Indian film in which he was supposed to play a cricket coach after he was named as one of the three Pakistani players alleged to have been involved in a spot-fixing scandal.The 27-year-old pace bowler was due to star in a Malayalam-language film about a Pakistani cricketer who travels to the southern Indian state of Kerala to teach students.However, the director Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri is having second thoughts in the wake of the allegations that Asif and Mohammad Amir bowled no-balls by arrangement in last week's fourth Test against England. Captain Salman Butt was the third player named in the report."If Asif is guilty, I cannot take him in the film as it will impact public sentiment and the success of the film," Namboothiri said. "I cannot blame Asif unless he is proven guilty, but I cannot wait much longer."Namboothiri, a lyricist and composer who is making his directorial debut, said he was in talks with another Pakistani cricketer for the role, with shooting due to begin next month."The theme demands that the protagonist of the film be Pakistani," he said.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Mohammad Asif set to miss out on film role over Pakistan spot-fixing claims

www.guardian.co.uk - 27-year-old pace bowler had won part in an Indian movie Director: 'If he is guilty, I cannot take him in the film'Mohammad Asif may be dropped from an Indian film in which he was supposed to play a cricket coach after he was named as one of the three Pakistani players alleged to have been involved in a spot-fixing scandal.The 27-year-old pace bowler was due to star in a Malayalam-language film about a Pakistani cricketer who travels to the southern Indian state of Kerala to teach students.However, director Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri is having second thoughts in the wake of the allegations that Asif and Mohammad Amir bowled no-balls by arrangement in last week's fourth Test against England. Captain Salman Butt was the third player named in the report."If Asif is guilty, I cannot take him in the film as it will impact public sentiment and the success of the film," Namboothiri said. "I cannot blame Asif unless he is proven guilty, but I cannot wait much longer."Namboothiri, a lyricist and composer who is making his directorial debut, said he was in talks with another Pakistani cricketer for the role, with shooting due to begin next month."The theme demands that the protagonist of the film be Pakistani," he said.Pakistan cricket betting scandalPakistan cricket teamEngland Cricket TeamCricketguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

County cricket - live! | Andy Wilson and Barney Ronay

www.guardian.co.uk - The day's play from around the grounds. Click here to see live scores and county cricket video highlights can be perused here9.50am Morning. Notts need to get amongst Durham's lower-order today if they are to continue their serene progress to the County Championship title. The hosts are 347 for six overnight at Chester-le-Street.Andy Wilson is there. We are also at the Oval for this evening's CB40 match between Surrey and Worcestershire, in which Twitter's kevinpp24 should get a bat.And we're keeping an eye on this year's Bristol Wicketfest.Oh, and if any counties release a player in unfortunate circumstances, we'll be sure to bring you the grovelling follow-up press releases as and when they happen.CricketKevin PietersenCounty Championship Division OneCounty Championship Division TwoMinute-by-minute reportAndy WilsonBarney Ronayguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)

Pakistan match-fixing claims: Croydon crisis confirms worst corruption fears

www.guardian.co.uk - Mazhar Majeed was quoted as saying "the only reason" he bought Croydon Athletic was to launder money made from match-fixingIt has long been feared that clubs in non-league football are prey to being taken over by criminals and used to launder ill-gotten money, but Croydon Athletic, now in the Ryman League Premier Division, stands as the first where an owner has apparently confessed to doing so.Mazhar Majeed, the Croydon-based businessman filmed by the News of the World bragging about fixing Pakistan Test matches, was also quoted as having said "the only reason" he bought Croydon Athletic was to launder the money made from match-fixing.Majeed, who was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud bookmakers, is understood to have also been arrested by HM Revenue and Customs as part of an investigation into possible money laundering at Croydon Athletic. A 35-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man who were not named were also arrested by HMRC as part of that money-laundering investigation.Croydon Athletic, formed in 1986 as a merger between Norwood and Wandsworth football clubs in south London, have been financed to unprecedented success since Majeed took over - as co-owner, according to the club, on 1 July 2008. The club immediately installed an electronic scoreboard of a quality not usually deemed necessary for the Ryman League First Division, hired a manager, Tim O'Shea, and signed players who took Croydon to the 2009 London Senior Cup Final where they lost on penalties to Hendon Town.O'Shea's side began last season by hammering Ashford Town 7-0 and finished as champions, promoted to the Ryman League Premier Division for the first time. Throughout, the club has denied paying huge money to O'Shea or to attract players, but acknowledged that their improved fortunes have come from the money Majeed has invested. David LeCluse, described on the club's website as its chairman, confirmed yesterday that Majeed, who appointed him, was putting money into the club.LeCluse said he runs a pest-control business and struck up a friendship with Majeed when he was called to exterminate vermin at Majeed's property. He said Croydon's budget is "nothing out of the ordinary" and that he had "no idea" anything like a money-laundering investigation or match-fixing scandal could hit the club.LeCluse said staff had been told Majeed was the 70% owner of the club until as recently as last Tuesday, 24 August, when Majeed told them he had taken over the remainder of the shares. Croydon Athletic does state on its website that Majeed is a director and the club's owner, but in official Companies House records, Majeed does not appear in any capacity. Jenna Manji, 29, giving her occupation as "consultant," is listed as the sole director and the 92% owner of the shares in Croydon Athletic Sports and Social Club Limited, the club company registered with the Ryman League. The minority stake of 8% was stated in April to be owned by the company secretary, Roy Price.Manji, reported to be Majeed's sister-in-law, and Majeed both give as their address an office block in Finchley, north London, which is occupied by a firm of accountants Adler Shine. Nobody from Adler Shine returned a call about their relationship with Majeed and Manji. Majeed's own business history is checkered. A director in two active investment companies, 14 companies of which he was a director have been dissolved: one, Able Trading, is in liquidation owing £1.1m to the NatWest Bank, and another property company, Valeco, owned a property in Croydon which NatWest had put into receivership.The Football Association, whose financial regulation department was established partly to oversee and help clean up non-league football, is understood to have investigated aspects of Croydon Athletic's affairs about 18 months ago but no charges have been brought. Then after the club won promotion in May, the department began to conduct a review of its finances, which the FA now does routinely with clubs at non-league level.With the FA investigators having been in for just a month, Croydon's previous chairman, Dean Fisher, was sent to prison for three years for defrauding the company for which he worked, TCS Media in Bayswater, of £525,825. Prosecutors told the court that Fisher had issued false invoices to the company and diverted their payments to his own accounts, and that he poured £260,000 of it into the club. Croydon denied that but acknowledged in a statement that Fisher had bankrolled spending "until he was refunded at the end of each month".That fraud conviction in the middle of a financial review clearly gave the FA's investigators reason to think all may not have been exactly as it should be at Croydon Athletic, and it is understood the review was still going on when the revelations about Majeed broke on Sunday. The FA would not confirm any details, saying: "As this is part of an ongoing potentially criminal investigation we cannot make any comment at all."The club's accounts, for the year to 30 June 2009, the first in which Majeed was stated to own the club, show that it owed almost £500,000, an increase in its debt of £307,000 during the year.Non-league football has for years been considered vulnerable to money laundering because clubs are often in financial difficulties but nevertheless have cash flowing through them from the gate, programmes, catering and bars. The FA's financial regulation department has as one of its primary functions to encourage non-league clubs to keep better records, pay their tax and VAT and manage their money better. But while many have become more professional and are run by dedicated staff and platoons of volunteers, the semi-professional game is still blighted by insolvencies.Stephen Vaughan, when the owner of Barrow, in the Unibond league, said himself that he had been arrested in the late-1990s by HMRC, who were investigating the alleged laundering of "millions of pounds of supposed drug money" on behalf of the convicted Liverpool drug baron Curtis Warren. In Warren's biography, Cocky, Warren was said to have flown on a helicopter over Barrow's ground, and told the pilot: "I own that."No charges were ever brought against Vaughan, who admitted he was a friend of Warren's but "categorically and strenuously" denied involvement in money laundering. Vaughan was banned from being a company director for 11 years - and from involvement in football - last year after admitting an unconnected £500,000 "carousel" VAT fraud.Alan Turvey, the Ryman League's long-serving chairman, said of events at Croydon: "We will be seeking a meeting with the club, working closely with the FA and authorities, and doing everything necessary to protect the integrity of the league and its clubs."Pakistan cricket betting scandalCricketEngland Cricket TeamDavid Connguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds More... (Cricket)