Aussie Smith pinching himself after player award SYDNEY—Australia captain and batting supremo Steve Smith Thursday admitted it h a s been “a hell of a ride” from his Test debut as a l e g spinner to be named I C C cricketer of the year. The honour was bestowed on the 26year-old late Wednesday after finishing the year, which runs from September to September, as the leading Test run-scorer with 1,734 from 25 innings, averaging 82.57. He also became the second youngest player to reach the number one ranking for Test batsmen behind Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. “You don’t think about these awards and these accolades,” the dashing right-hander told the Cricket Australia website. “You just want to go out there and do the best you can for your team to try and win as many games as possible. “To be recognised as the best player this year against some unbelievable talent around the world, it’s very humbling and it’s an honour.”—AFP
Anderson out of first S. Africa Test DURBAN (South Africa)— England paceman James Anderson has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa with a c a l f strain, the England a n d Wa l e s Cricket Board (ECB) a n nounced on Thursday. “@jimmy9 ruled out of the first Test vs @OfficialCSA with a calf strain. He’ll be assessed for 2nd Test,” the ECB wrote on its official Twitter account. Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, underwent a scan on his right calf muscle on Tuesday and will not be risked for the first Test, which begins on Boxing Day. England hope that the 33-yearold will be fit for the second Test in Cape Town on January 2. Anderson was present for training on the Kingsmead outfield on Thursday, but was restricted to kicking a football around with bowling coach Ottis Gibson. —AFP
Courbis quits as coach of struggling Montpellier P ARIS —Rolland Courbis quit as coach of struggling French Ligue 1 outfit Montpellier on Wednesday following a run of seven games without a win which has left t h e team in danger of relegation. T h e 6 2 yearo l d Courbis h a d been in his second spell at the club, returning in December 2013 after two years in charge from 2007 and 2009. “The presidents, Louis and Laurent Nicollin today accepted the resignation of Rolland Courbis,” said a club statement. “They will announce his successor on Sunday, December 27.” Courbis steered Montpellier to seventh place last season but the team are currently 15th in the table, just three points above the relegation places following a recent run of six losses in seven games.—AFP
Azhar, Hafeez ‘boycott’ training McCullum wants to be at ‘absolute top’ as camp over Amir’s inclusion L AHORE —Pakistan’s plans for next year’s World Twenty20 have suffered a major setback after ODI captain Azhar Ali and opener Mohammad Hafeez boycotted a fitness training camp which also included the spot-fixing tainted pacer Mohammad Amir. Amir’s bid to make a comeback to the national side was given a major boost last week after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inducted the fast bowler in a camp for 26 players which also includes T20 captain Shahid Afridi. And on Wednesday the board issued a detailed press release backing Amir’s return to the national setup going as far as
saying that “even Islam calls for forgiveness in such cases.” But PCB’s efforts to reintegrate the pacer back into the Pakistan side took a hit on Thursday after Ali and Hafeez failed to ‘report to the camp’ at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. “Hafeez and Azhar Ali attended the camp in the morning but have not reported back,” PCB media manager Agha Akbar told Dawn without divulging too many details. Azhar, however, went public with his opposition soon after the development was reported in the news. “We will not take part in a camp which
Azhar Ali (left) and Mohammad Hafeez.
also includes Amir. We will not back down on our stance but are willing to discuss the matter with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan,” Azhar was quoted as saying by Geo News. In November, Hafeez turned down an offer from Chittagong Vikings to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League as the franchise had already signed Amir. Hafeez reportedly turned down an offer of around 10 million Pakistani rupees as the franchise snapped up Amir in a predraft deal. The former captain said he could not ‘share a dressing room with a player who tarnished the image of Pakistan.’ “It is not about individuals or any personality clash. It is about the image of Pakistan cricket. I cannot play with any player who has tarnished and brought a bad name to the country,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “This is my personal opinion and this is not just about Pakistani players, it’s about all players,” the 35-year-old added. “I didn’t get a direct offer from the BPL team but some agent came up with the offer and I turned it down only because I didn’t want to share a dressing room with that player.” Earlier this month, former captain and ambassador of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Ramiz Raja, was critical of the PCB’s sympathy towards Amir and said that if he had powers to make a call on the matter, he would have never let the young fast bowler play again. “Pakistan cricket has suffered a lot. I don’t have courage to face any more shocks or jolts again. I have experienced this practically and those who have witnessed such things practically can’t forgive the characters involved in the act,” said Ramiz, in an interview.—Agencies
Shahryar warns of disciplinary action for opposing Amir’s return LAHORE—Pakistan Cricket Board Chair- to the national setup going as far as saying man Shaharyar Khan hinted that opener Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali can face disciplinary action after the duo boycotted a fitness training camp which also included the spot-fixing tainted pacer Mohammad Amir.
Shaharyar was quoted as saying by BBC Urdu: “We have talked earlier regarding this matter and we will talk again, but still if they (Azhar and Hafeez) do not agree then the PCB will think about a disciplinary action against them.” Amir’s bid to make a comeback to the national side was given a major boost last week after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) inducted the fast bowler in a camp for 26 players which also includes T20 captain Shahid Afridi. And on Wednesday the board issued a detailed press release backing Amir’s return
that “even Islam calls for forgiveness in such cases.” But PCB’s efforts to reintegrate the pacer back into the national side took a hit on Thursday after Ali and Hafeez failed to ‘report to the camp’ at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. “Hafeez and Azhar Ali attended the camp in the morning but have not reported back,” PCB media manager Agha Akbar told Dawn without divulging too many details. Azhar, however, went public with his opposition soon after the development was reported in the news. “We will not take part in a camp which also includes Amir. We will not back down on our stance but are willing to discuss the matter with PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan,” Azhar was quoted as saying by Geo News. In November, Hafeez turned down an offer from Chittagong Vikings to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League as the franchise had already signed Amir. Misbah warns of unpredictable repercussions of Amir’s return. Test skipper Misbahul Haq warned that Amir’s return to the national side will bring a host of challenges for the team management. Amir is on the brink of return to the Pakistan side following impressive performances since he was allowed to play professional cricket again after a ban following conviction in the famous spot-fixing saga in 2010.
career winds down
W ELLINGTON —Brendon McCullum in- to have an adverse effect on the team. tends to bow out in style when he starts his farewell tour Saturday leading New Zealand into a one-day series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka have called up reinforcements
for the five ODIs after their 2-0 hammering in the Tests. Lahiru Thirimanne, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara and, depending on fitness, Lasith Malinga are among a number of players injected into the ODI squad. But as much as they want to get on the winning side of the ledger McCullum is equally adamant he wants to sign off his illustrious 13-year-career on a winning note. The opening ODI is on Boxing Day in Christchurch, McCullum’s hometown and where he will play his last international in the second Test against Australia in two months. “We’ve got a bumper calendar really with Sri Lanka here at the moment, Pakistan to come and finishing off with the Aussies,” he said. “From a playing point of view and a captain’s point of view, I’m fully committed to playing at the absolute top of my game and make as many contributions as I can.” Coach Mike Hesson said he does not expect McCullum’s retirement announcement
“We’re expecting the guys to carry on in a similar style of play in terms of how we want to go about things,” Hesson said. “We will still be quite aggressive in the way we go about the game and we’ll certainly be asking that of our players.” Nearly half the team beaten by Australia in the World Cup final in March will be missing from the Sri Lanka series. Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson are injured, Daniel Vettori has retired, Trent Boult is being spelled for the ODI series and Tim Southee is being rested for the first two games. However, Adam Milne, New Zealand’s quickest bowler and who missed the World Cup final because of a heel injury, returns to the side. He joins Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt Henry and Doug Bracewell as the pacebowling options, with the quartet vying for places in the squad to be named for the World Twenty20 in India in March. Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was disappointed the way his side folded in the Tests but expected a better showing in the limited overs series. “Dilshan, Kulasekara and Thirimanne are joining the one-day team and we’ve got a fair bit of experience so we are looking to give them a good run for their money,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in the one dayers.” One bright spot for Sri Lanka in the failed Test campaign was the emergence of 23-year-old Dushmantha Chameera as a talented quick bowler. “He’s played just a few games and he’s been absolutely brilliant and he was able to shake the New Zealanders. He’s a great, bright prospect for us going forward,” Mathews said. “He doesn’t have a lot of seam movement. It’s just that he can bowl fast. He can bowl a good yorker as well and if he can keep his pace up here constantly, troubling the batsmen, that’s all I want.”—AFP
The 23-year-old initially caused destruction through his bowling in Grade II cricket and then went on the take 14 wickets in nine matches during the recently concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). During an interview to BBC Urdu on Thursday, Misbah said that Amir’s comeback to the side will not put an end to the already long-lasting issue, but new intricacies will rise. “The concern regarding Amir’s return is a complicated subject,” said Misbah. “Me as the Test captain, players in the team and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to go through a testing process after Amir comes back.” Misbah believed repercussions of Amir’s return to the national team are unpredictable. “The reaction of cricket fans and the media when Amir comes back into the side is very uncertain and hard to predict.” The middle-order batsman said the captain in charge and the team management will have to face a lot when Amir comes back. “It will surely be difficult for the Pakistan captains when they will have Amir playing under them,” said Misbah. “They will have to face questions from media when they travel to places like England. “It will be much easier for them within the country though,” added the Mianwali born cricketer. Misbah also hoped that the PCB will be successful in clearing the concerns of the players who have voiced their disapproval towards Amir’s return.—Agencies
Chinanu Onuaku of Louisville Cardinals shoots ball during game against Utah Valley Wolverines in Billy Minardi Classic at KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Amir’s fate to be decided by PCB’s Governing Council members B IPIN D ANI O BSERVER CORRESPONDENT MUMBAI—The decision on selection of their
Shaquile Coulthirst of Tottenham Hotspur heads the ball during the Barclays U21 Premier League International Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur U21 and Porto U21 at The Lamex Stadium, Stevenage, England.
pace bowler Mohammad Amir for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand, the Pakistani selectors have referred the matter to the Governing Council of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), it is learnt here. According to the highly placed sources in the PCB, the four-member selection panel headed by Haroon Rashid (Saleem Jaffer, Kabir Khan and Azhar Khan are the other members) will act on the advice of the GC members. “The ban-period on Amir is over and he has also been cleared by the PCB chairman (Sharhryar Khan) but owing to the media uproar in the country, we are not going to take any chances”, one of the selectors, speaking exclusively over his mobile from Pakistan, said. “It (his selection) is not a small thing. The 23-year-old pacer is very much in form. He has completed his ban-period but there is a lot of excitement in media and in general public and therefore we don’t want to take any chances”, the selector added.
The Pak team is set to play three Twenty20s and three ODIs’ in New Zealand next month. In the meantime, Kabir Khan is “unlikely” to resign from the selection panel, even if Amir is chosen in the team. “I don’t know how I was wrongly reported in the media ? If I want to resign, I would quietly approach the PCB chairman. Why would I involve media ? I will act in the best interest of the nation. I will not let my country down”. Asif Iqbal backs Amir In the meantime, the former Pak. skipper Asif Iqbal has also backed the pace-bower. “I think everyone deserves a second innings when they repent and served the punishment meted out. Amir has done both and he can now show the world that he has come back as a reformed human being and a reformed player”, he said over telephone from his Kentbased home in England. “It would have been wrong if any player is still serving ban and the cricket authorities are promoting his case to get him back in the team. Amir was found guilty and was punished by ICC and now he is available for selection”, Asif Iqbal, who is a Director at ARY Network, added.