Flintoff reaffirms England commitment

Andrew Flintoff has reiterated his belief that Twenty20 cricket will not impinge upon the primacy of Test cricket, by pointing out that it was his matchwinning feats at the game's highest level that have made him so attractive to the various clubs and franchises around the world that are now bidding for his services in the twilight years of his career.

On a short stop-over in London to promote his new autobiography, Flintoff defended his decision to turn down an ECB incremental contract, and confirmed that, following talks with the ECB, his over-riding ambition is to continue to play for England for as long as his form and fitness permits.

"Everything with them has been fine and above board," said Flintoff of his dealings with the ECB. "They know where we're at, and the reasons we're doing what we're doing. I'm available for every England game, except obviously Test matches, and for whatever they want me to do. Like every other player who plays for a county, you have to perform to get in the side.

"My motives are true," Flintoff added. "I want to play for England for a period of time, and I'd love to play more Test cricket but it's a physical impossibility, so the next best thing for me is to play ODIs and Twenty20s. Playing for England is what I've wanted to do since I was a kid, and I feel lucky to do it. I don't know how long left I've got to do it, so I want to play every possible game."

Despite his stated intentions, Flintoff's priorities were called into question last week when his agent, Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler, said that a desire to go bungee-jumping had been a deciding factor in his decision to reject the ECB's offer. But while Flintoff laughed off that particular notion, saying that bits of his body would fall off if he attempted anything quite so extreme, he insisted there was a serious point to his desire for autonomy.

"I've seen a lot of cricketers reach the end of their career and it has crept up on them," he said. "It happens very quickly, and in the end they have nothing to do. I want to forge another career so that there's a natural progression for when I do have to finish cricket. Obviously it's for personal reasons, but I've also got three kids and a family, and I want to provide for them. I want to work, and I didn't want any restraints over that.

"But I don't think it'll become the norm. Everyone gets lost a little bit in the rewards of playing Twenty20 cricket. The rewards come through playing Test matches and performing, because if you get your game right on the field, everything else will follow. I've experienced two sides of that, in my early 20s I took my eye off the ball and got carried away with other things, but then when I got my game right, the rewards are there for you.

"We've got a new generation of cricketers who are going to watch Twenty20s and can identify with it a bit more, but I don't think that'll have a negative impact on Test cricket," he said. "I still feel Test series, whether they are against Australia, South Africa or India, are the showcases of the summer. We're very fortunate in England to play in front of full houses, and for me it's everything. I'm bitterly disappointed I'm not going to be playing any more."

Flintoff added that he had not discussed his "freelance" decision with anyone outside his family and management group, but he nevertheless threw Kevin Pietersen's name into the mix as an example of a player who he believed would not seek to follow his example. "Everyone's asking will [Pietersen] do this and that, but he's desperate to play for England. I don't think it'll be the start of anything new.

"Years ago, Sir Garfield Sobers played for counties and Australian sides, and we've got a history of overseas players, and players going over to different counties," he said. "This freelance thing is a bit out of context, especially as I'm contracted to Lancashire as well. I don't think it's going to start a trend.

"I'm 31, I know my body and when I can play and not play," he said. "I've still got some personal ambitions that I want to do. I've got some contractual obligations with Chennai next year, and if the opportunity arose to play in Australia [I'd look at that]. I'd have loved to go to Australia when I was younger, but through touring for the past 15 years I've not had the opportunity to do that."

The rumours of Flintoff's future career moves continue to swirl, however, and he stated enigmatically that there would be more details emerging soon. He has been working with the UAE national cricket team while recuperating in Dubai, and has been offered some commentary work for next month's Champions League in India, although that remains dependent on his recovery from surgery. He also denied reports that he is to appear in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing and I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.

Whatever I do, the cricket will come first, and I'll build something around that," he said, reiterating his insistence that he would continue to give his all for England, regardless of the risk of yet more injury. "If I got injured playing for England, then fine, but I wouldn't pull out because I think I'm going to get injured, or to do something else. It's not an option. I'm available for every England game. You can talk about different scenarios, but provided I'm fit and not on crutches, I'm ready to go.

New Zealand aim to continue revival

Match facts
Sunday, September 29, 2009
Start time 2:30pm, 12:30 GMT

Big picture

Daniel Vettori's team often lift themselves at global events and if they don't make the semi-finals it will be something of a surprise © AFP
Related Links
Players/Officials: Brendon McCullum | Owais Shah
Series/Tournaments: ICC Champions Trophy
Teams: England | New Zealand
It is New Zealand's turn to do or die. A victory will take them through to the semi-finals, but a defeat will almost certainly see them heading home (see below). England, though, can already think about the knockout stage after their slick performance against South Africa. This tournament continues to confound, and what excitement that has brought.

New Zealand produced an outstanding performance against Sri Lanka to keep their tournament hopes alive. It was typical of them to bounce back so impressively after a heavy defeat against South Africa. There was grit, determination and no little flair as they out-gunned a talented Sri Lankan team that haven't found their top gear in this tournament. They might still survive, but need England to do them a favour.

Daniel Vettori's team often lift themselves at global events and if they don't make the semi-finals it will be something of a surprise - they are almost always there. However, their hopes have taken a blow with Jesse Ryder ruled out of the tournament after the injury he picked up during his destructive 58-ball 74 against Sri Lanka and his departure leaves a hole in the top order. But Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill have shown good form and it is up to them to take the strain. The captain, too, is leading from the front and his bowling spell was crucial to defeating Sri Lanka.

England, for their part, won't want to take their foot off the gas. Having waited so long to find winning form in one-day cricket it would be careless to let it slip now. There are also areas to tighten up on despite two hefty victories. In both games the support bowling for James Anderson - especially from his fellow quicks - has been lacking with Stuart Broad particularly culpable of pitching too short. They also dropped two catches against South Africa - one by Paul Collingwood, the other by Owais Shah - and although neither cost them the match those types of mistakes will eventually be punished.

How New Zealand can qualify

A win will obviously take them through - they might even top the group if the margin is comprehensive enough. However, New Zealand have a small chance even if they lose a low-scoring game by a very narrow margin: if they score 250 or less, and England win off the last ball (or a few balls remaining, depending on the target), New Zealand's net run rate will edge ahead of Sri Lanka's.

Form guide
(last five completed matches, most recent first)
England - WWWLL
New Zealand - WLLLW
Team news
The Wanderers has offered plenty of help for the quicks so England will stick with four pacemen. One change of bowling personnel could be Ryan Sidebottom for Graham Onions if Andrew Strauss wants more control, while the health of Matt Prior will be monitored after he was taken ill on the eve of the South Africa game. Steven Davies, the Worcestershire wicketkeeper, is on standby but hasn't yet been named as an official replacement. Eoin Morgan did a solid job behind the stumps and could keep the gloves if the management are confident Prior will be fit for the semi-final.
England: (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Joe Denly, 3 Owais Shah, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Eoin Morgan (wk), 6 Ravi Boapra 7 Luke Wright, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Graham Onions.

With Ryder ruled out, New Zealand will need a new opener. Aaron Redmond has been called into the squad, but the management will have to decide whether he can be thrown straight into such a crucial contest. When he came in during the World Twenty20 in England he had immediate success, but he was already in the country on that occasion. Other options are reserve keeper Gareth Hopkins or allrounder Brendon Diamanti to come into the middle order and Guptill to open the batting. Vettori said that Daryl Tuffey got a smack to the hand and was being monitored, while Ian Butler was better after an intestinal infection and should be available for selection.

New Zealand: (probable) 1 Brendon McCullum, 2 Aaron Redmond, 3 Martin Guptill, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Neil Broom, 7 Daniel Vettori (capt), 8 James Franklin, 9 Kyle Mills, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Daryl Tuffey/Ian Butler.

Watch out for...

After weeks of prodding around Owais Shah came out of his shell in explosive style as he launched six sixes in his 89-ball 98. His promotion to No. 3 for this tournament looked like a last-chance for Shah, with Jonathan Trott waiting in the wings for the South Africa tour and the eventual return of Kevin Pietersen. Now his place is secure again the fascination will be whether he carries Sunday's mindset forward and plays with similar freedom again.

With Ryder on his way home, the onus turns to Brendon McCullum to provide the boundaries at the top. He has done it many times before, but played second-fiddle to Ryder against Sri Lanka. After New Zealand's defeat against South Africa, some former players suggested McCullum should drop back down the order, but now he should be given the license to attack. If he comes off, New Zealand will be well set.

Pitch and conditions
Both teams have enjoyed the Wanderers - each winning their previous match on the ground - and the extra bounce will keep the quicks interested. However, runs have also flowed when the bowling has been off line.

Stats and trivia
The two sides have met in 69 ODIs, with New Zealand leading the head-to-head 34-29 along with two ties and four no results.
In multi-team tournaments (of five or more sides) there have been seven meetings with New Zealand ahead 4-3.
Quotes

Everyone was picking Sri Lanka and South Africa to go through to the semi-finals and New Zealand and England left to battle it out. But it has a been complete reversal so it's great for both sides.
Daniel Vettori hopes to keep proving New Zealand doubters wrong.

Pakistan look for more discipline in bowling

Pakistan's deal is not quite done yet. Two wins from two, in this tight tournament, at least means onward progress to the semi-final rests in their own hands. Regardless of the result between Australia and India at Centurion, they will be aiming to keep their game in working order when they take on the world champions in Centurion on Wednesday.

"Our preparation is going really well at the moment," Intikhab Alam, Pakistan's coach, said after an energetic training session at the University of Witwatersrand ground in Johannesburg. "You have to have different strategies against different sides. You can't go with the same strategy as we did against India. We have to look at their strengths batting and bowling and prepare accordingly to that."

Pakistan will be confident, despite a poor recent record against Australia; they've won only three of the last 12 encounters between the sides. "You cannot deny they are the world champions. We lost the series earlier this year (3-2) but I reckon we should've won it and we beat them in the T20. We are confident.

"It's always a challenge to play against better sides. This team has so much potential. Everyone has got a role, batsmen, bowlers and fielders and they all know what to do. If plan A doesn't work the captain is there to implement plan B. We have to take Australia's key points and work to that."

Though progress has been smooth, Pakistan are not without dilemmas. The first is a pleasant, selectorial one. Mohammad Asif has yet to play a part in the tournament, despite intense speculation before each of the two games. If the game becomes a dead rubber, he may well get a look-in. "It's a very healthy sign that your bench strength is such that good players have to sit out. The problem is for selectors in picking a team -- if a guy is bowling well, how can you drop him? It is a healthy sign."

The other is an age-old one. On Saturday against India, Umar Gul and Mohammad Aamer gave away six no-balls - and free hits - between them, most of which were punished. Australia will, like India, not waste such offerings. Work is being done on the issue, but match conditions, said Intikhab, are inevitably different.

We are very strict when we do practice and we always call no-balls in the nets. At times what happens is that pressure builds up and you stretch and strive and that is where you go wrong. It shouldn't happen at all. I don't think there will be that much pressure against Australia - we want to keep winning. It's a crime to bowl a no-ball or wide with free hits.

Ireland decline ECB's 40-over invite

Cricket Ireland has declined the ECB's invitation to join the new English domestic 40-over one-day competition in 2010. The ECB has ditched 50-over cricket in favour of a shorter format, but Ireland feel their development will be better served by concentrating on the international version.

"Notwithstanding any possible changes to its format down the line, international cricket is our bread and butter and the means by which we are measured on the global stage," Warren Deutrom, the Cricket Ireland chief executive, said. "Therefore, we felt that we needed to focus our limited financial resources on preparing for our international programme."

Ireland's developing reputation on the international stage - they reached the Super Eights of the World Twenty20 in June and the same stage of the 2007 World Cup - also means they are forging their own fixture list ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

"We are very lucky to have England as the Full Member in our region. They have been nothing but incredibly generous with the opportunities they have afforded Ireland at all levels, both within the domestic competition and at full senior level," Deutrom said. "That generosity is now beginning to pay off, and we are starting to take the stabilisers off the bike and stand on our own two feet as a country that has an improving record of achievement against some of the best teams in the world."

Despite declining the 40-over offer they are confident of getting more three-day fixtures with county 2nd XIs and an increased programme of A-team cricket. Their schedule also includes an Under-19 World Cup, ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers, World Cricket League plus the Intercontinental Cup.

Ireland's coach, Phil Simmons said: "Our international fixture calendar has become very comprehensive, and, assuming we get what we think we will get fixture-wise and we continue to qualify for events and their latter stages like the last couple of years, we may have between 40-50 international fixtures in 2010. Leading up to the 2011 World Cup in the sub-continent, I want to focus on primarily the 15 or 16 players who will represent us there, and I feel that the 12 additional games would be a step too far for the guys.

"We'll also be playing in the Under-19 World Cup in January in New Zealand, and it's my intention for a substantial number of that squad to form the basis of the A team. That's not forgetting about the World Cricket League and possible European Championships, you can see they too will have no shortage of cricket.

"The Friends Provident Trophy used to serve us well timing-wise in terms of preparing the players for the international summer. However, given our success and expansion, we are now playing more and more cricket out of season. It's approaching an all-year-round game for Irish cricket, therefore the timing doesn't work as well as in past years."

Netherlands will take Ireland's place in the 21-team 40-over tournament alongside Scotland and an ECB Recreational XI and the board said they would continue to support Irish cricket. "We are pleased that we have supported Ireland in becoming a high performance country within the ICC Associate group," David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said. "Given the heavy expansion of cricket at international level for this group we can understand why Ireland have focused their resources on international events.

The ECB, as the Full Member within Europe, continues to support European Associates and Affiliates, and we continue to have an excellent relationship with Ireland. The Irish women participate in our Women's County Championship while we have an agreement in place to play ODIs in alternate years, and this remains the case as part of a broad agreement with Ireland.

Jefferson leaves Nottinghamshire

Will Jefferson, the opening batsman, has been released by Nottinghamshire after losing his first-team place.

Jefferson joined the county in 2007 from Essex and played role in Nottinghamshire's Championship promotion that season but didn't make any first XI appearances since June this year.

"I am very sad that it has not worked out for me at Nottinghamshire but it has been an honour to represent the club over the past three seasons and I will always have happy memories of my time here," Jefferson said. "Due to a combination of injuries and a lack of consistency with the bat in the longer form of the game over an extended period of time, I feel it is time to move on and find a new lease of life somewhere else.

Director of cricket, Mick Newell, added he was surprised that the moved hadn't worked. "I always look to sign players who have performed consistently well against us and I genuinely thought that Will would kick on and do well here," he said. "I'm amazed that it hasn't worked out for him because he is a talented player and I have no doubt that he can continue playing first-class cricket."

In 22 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire, Jefferson made 939 runs at 26.82 with one hundred.

Pakistan keen to host 2014 Twenty20

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is interested in hosting the 2014 World Twenty20.

Pakistan has missed out on two global ICC events in recent times due to security concerns; the 2008 Champions Trophy and the 2011 World Cup. The first was taken away last year after a number of teams expressed strong reservations about touring the country.

The fate of the 2011 World Cup, to be jointly hosted in the subcontinent, was decided this year, after the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore in March. After the attacks the ICC ruled out international cricket in Pakistan till 2011, though it has set up a task force, working with the PCB, to find ways for international cricket to return to the country.

But Pakistan are quietly confident that the recent improvement in the situation within the country, following military action in northern areas, may lead to more stability.

We are interested in making a bid for the tournament, Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, told Cricinfo. "It is very early right now but we are interested. Hopefully the situation will have improved and stabilised in the country by then."

Butt is in Johannesburg currently, where he will be attending the ICC executive board's meeting on October 6-7. It is believed, however, that the ICC hasn't yet begun considering bids for the event and may not do so until the end of the year or early next year.

Are 50-over ODIs in danger actually?

Asking if the 50-over game is in danger sounds timely considering the following:

* I, and I suspect several others, yawned after realizing that two 50-over ODI tournaments will be in progress simultaneously (the 7 ODIs between Australia & England and the 4-match tri-series involving New Zealand, India & Sri Lanka.
* Sachin Tendulkar has a proposal to save the format from becoming irrelevant.
* The ECB announced that domestic games would be 40-overs a side from the 2010 season.

The ICC keeps bleating about how it is proud that there are 3 viable formats of the game, and that all three can co-exist. That's actually rubbish. If the scheduling of tours & tournaments doesn't change significantly, one form of the game (and I'm willing to bet that it won't be T20) will gradually disappear until there's nothing left of it, except for silly-looking administrators (to paraphrase Lewis Carroll).

Let's assume that there will be 3 formats of the game, and that a typical series would have 2 tests (sadly), 5 ODIs and 2 T20 games. Factor in ICC rules (can't locate it) that mandate at least 3 days gap between tests, 2 warm-up games (1 before the tests and 1 before the ODIs), at most 1 back-to-back ODI, 2 days gap between the other ODIs, 1 day gap between the T20 games and at least 1-2 days gap between each leg (Test, ODI & T20) legs of the tour. We're talking of something like a 40-day tour, with 21 playing days. Nearly half the tour's duration would be devoted to the 5-day game (either the actual playing days or the warm-ups or the time between first-class games). It definitely does seem like the softest target. Remove the tests from the tour, and you can easily squeeze in at least 5 more ODIs.

Now, on an average, each team plays around 3 test series during a year. Let's assume that all these series are 2-test, 5-ODI & 2-T20 affairs (which is a very simplistic & minimal assumption). So we're talking of a total touring time of 120 days, out of which just over half are playing days. If only it was so simple.

There are ICC tournaments to contend with, each lasting 30-40 days at least, on an annual basis. Then there are some series that don't fit in to the minimalistic 2-5-2 model. They may have 3 tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20 games. Others like Australia's tour of England have 5 tests, 7 ODIs and 2 T20 games. That tour started on June 24 (excluding the T20 World Cup) and will end on Sep 20 - nearly 3 months, with nearly 50 playing days! Then there are some other meaningless tri-nation tournaments. Then there're the new leagues - IPL and Champions League.

So, players could be "on-the-road" for something like 220-250 days a year, playing on around 120-140 of those days.

Isn't it still obvious that if the ICC continues to harp on retaining 3 formats, something is going to give?

Yet, will it necessarily result in T20 driving the 50-over game out of existence? I suspect not, primarily for commercial reasons.

Assuming that other factors are identical across both the formats (i.e. teams play out the entire allotment of overs, and lose the same number of wickets), TV viewers watching a 50-over game would see 60% more ads than when they were watching a T20 game (figure it out - 49 over-breaks v/s 19 over-breaks per innings).

Even though you can squeeze in 2 T20 games within the duration of 1 50-over ODI, the number of ad-breaks between overs is reduced by 22% (49 v/s 2x19). We haven't even got to the possibility that more wickets are likely to fall across 50 overs compared to 20 overs, thereby increasing the number of ad breaks!

Even the ECB's (and Cricket South Africa's) moves to 40-over cricket will fail for the same reason - 20% less ad-breaks. The BCCI is unlikely to support the ECB & CSA on this. Cricket Australia moved away from the tri-series format only this year. So they're unlikely to take a plunge without having evaluated the benefits of staging 2 bilateral ODI series compared to the ODI triangular format. There's probably not too much of a point in discussing what other countries will do.

In any case, the ICC had already announced the venues for the next 3 World Cups over three years ago. This doesn't imply that a change in realities won't make them change the format of those tournaments. After all, the 2010 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy (hosted by West Indies) was converted into the T20 World Cup. Such a move would need the BCCI's backing (and by implication a few other boards that kow-tow to them), and that seems very unlikely at this point in time.

Labels: burnout, fatigue, future, odi, prediction, test cricket, twenty20

Rahul Dravid's selection just doesn't make sense

I'm a huge fan of Rahul Dravid. Anyone who has talked cricket with me, and anyone who has followed this blog over the past 5.5 years, would have realized it.

Yet, I really believe it was totally stupid to get Dravid to dust off his blue gear. The very fact that he was named in the list of 30 probables for the ICC Champions Trophy obviously meant that he was always going to be in the final 15. On Sunday, he was picked for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy.

There are various reasons bandied around for his selection, including the inability of India's young batsmen to cope with short-pitched bowling at the T20 World Cup, Sehwag's absence, the need to get Dhoni to play his natural swashbuckling style, Dravid's ability to play the short ball, the fact that the Champions Trophy will be in South Africa (where bowlers get significantly more help), and that Dravid proved he still had his limited-over skills & exhibited them in the 2009 edition of the Indian Premier League.

There are many reasons why Dravid's selection makes no sense.

* If Dravid has been selected because the likes of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, etc. got found out against the short ball, what happens if he succeeds in Sri Lanka and flops in South Africa? Do the selectors recall Rohit Sharma? Even if Rohit hasn't shown any improvement in skills against short-pitched bowling?
* What happens if Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir, etc. show a marked improvement in handling quick bowling? Do the selectors give Rahul a vote of thanks for his guest appearance?
* What happens if Dravid fails in Sri Lanka and South Africa?
* What happens if Dravid succeeds in Sri Lanka and South Africa? Do the selectors keep picking him until he announces his retirement?
* What happens if Dravid fails in Sri Lanka but succeeds in South Africa? Given that the next World Cup is in the sub-continent, how would that do the Indian team any good?
* For all the talk about his performance in the 2009 IPL, he averaged 22.6 with a quite pathetic strike rate of 116.
* He hasn't played a single domestic one-day game since March 2008.
* He doesn't seem to have played in the Buchi Babu or the KSCA tournaments. So he's basically going into the two series without any sort of match practice.
* Even England, and let me re-emphasize that, ENGLAND, after so much talk around recalling Ramprakash, Trescothick, etc., didn't do something stupid!

Interestingly though, in 2006, Ganguly was picked in the squad of 30 probables but left out of the final 15.

An related rant, written nearly a decade ago - "Azhar's recall a retrograde step".

Labels: champions trophy, dravid, gambhir, raina, rohit sharma, selection, squad

Aussies, be happy it was Justin and not John

The hottest Ashes news yesterday was not Australia levelling the series 1-1, but Justin Langer's leaked memo/dossier on specific England players & England cricket in general.

If the newspaper ('The Daily Telegraph') really paid to get access to that document, they really have a lot of spare money on their hands. There's nothing in that document that Australia's cricketers or team management would not have already been aware of. Indeed, replace references to England (cricketers or the domestic cricket system) with any other country, and the dossier would still be valid.

John Buchanan made a career out of such well-timed and well-placed leaks.

Australia must actually feel glad that it was Langer's dossier and not one from John Buchanan. At least they could understand what Justin was saying.

Labels: ashes, ashes 2009, australia, buchanan, dossier, england, langer, leak

Where have we seen this one before?

Australia embark on high profile tour, with a squad light on bowling. Injuries impact the selection of the XI. Amidst much speculation about his inclusion, a former captain of the host country announces his retirement. While the series is on, one of the host country's main bowlers also announces his retirement.

Australia pretty much dominate the first test, but can't quite close things out. The cricket early on is gripping, but largely attritional with neither side apparently willing to risk defeat while pursuing victory. There are claims related to 'moral victory' 'momentum',etc. after the first test.

The Aussies are thrashed in the 2nd test, at a venue where until then, they'd lost only once in the ground's history.

Somewhere along the way, individual batting records were broken.

Australia's much-hyped & aggressive opener fails miserably.

This is so much 'deja-vu all over again'! Now all we need is an elbowing incident, a ban, some very defensive strategic bowling by the host team and bizarre captaincy by Australia's skipper.

Say no to drugs testing!

There's a huge tug o' war involving the BCCI, ICC and WADA with other bit-players like the Indian sports minister, FICA & the Olympic Council of Asia offering their opinions on the issue.
Cricinfo does a good job with summarizing the issue, including concerns on all sides.

To me, the BCCI citing security reasons & concern for players as an excuse to not comply with the norms is so funny, sad and ironic. Recent evidence suggests that when it comes to taking care of players, the BCCI is on very thin ground.

* In 2006, the BCCI 'volunteered' its cricketers to play a ODI series in Sri Lanka when South Africa pulled out of tri-series after a bomb blast. Thankfully, that ODI series was rained out almost totally.
* Earlier this year, the BCCI agreed to a tri-series in Zimbabwe (South Africa being the 3rd team) despite the dysfunctional nature of the country and a cholera outbreak.
* The BCCI has always (and will continue to) got its cricketers play meaningless ODIs as a result of board-level give-and-take policies. Players or support staff who warn of burnout and fatigue are gagged.

The ICC became a signatory to the WADA code in July 2006. Last year, the ICC's board approved the code's adoption for tournaments that it conducts (ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy, Under-19 World Cup, ICC Trophy, etc.).

The BCCI needs to provide answers to these questions.

* Exactly what were Sharad Pawar (ICC VP) and Shashank Manohar, who are both on the ICC Executive Board, doing when the board made its decision? झक मार रहे थे?
* If they were present, were they aware of the implications when the decision was made (even if it wasn't unanimous)?
* If they were absent, did they know about the agenda and could they have done something about it?
* Why did the BCCI do nothing until the deadline (Jul 31) to convene an emergency meeting regarding compliance with WADA's "whereabouts" clause?
* Did the BCCI ever inform its players about the implications of the 'whereabouts' clause?
* Why should the rules for India's cricketers be different from cricketers from other countries?
* Indeed, why should the rules for India's cricketers be different from superstar sportspersons from other countries?

Could retainerships in Twenty20 leagues prevent premature retirements?

A couple of weeks ago, Andrew Flintoff announced his retirement from test cricket. He was followed by Chaminda Vaas. These retirements come as no surprise considering the physical strain associated with being quick/fast-medium bowlers. If Flintoff plays the remaining 3 Ashes tests, he would end up with 80 tests. The sad part is that he missed a whopping 63 tests. At 143 tests, he'd have been in the top 5 most-capped test cricketers of all time (behind Steve Waugh, Tendulkar, Border & Warne).

Last year, Scott Styris retired from tests. Earlier this year, Jacob Oram threatened to follow his teammate.

The irony is that the same cricketers who extoll the virtues of test cricket, call it the ultimate form of the game, rate their test cricket achievements as being the pinnacle compared to those in other forms of the game, etc. invariably end up retiring from test cricket. Can you point out anyone who has quit ODIs to continue playing tests? So do we all get this lip-service?

Cricket boards really run the risk of many more quality players quitting test cricket. Is it possible for everyone to have the cake and eat it to? Can T20 leagues & international cricket co-exist without antagonizing everyone involved? Is it necessarily a zero-sum game?

Let's make a few assumptions here - some could be wrong of course!


* Cricket administrators (cricket boards & organizers of T20 leagues) are telling the truth when they say test cricket needs to thrive.
* Cricket boards want to exercise maximum control over their players.
* Players believe that test cricket is the supreme form of the game.
* Players want to maximize their earning potential while they're still able to exhibit their skills well.
* Sponsors want the best players to be part of the event (not necessarily play) so that they can be used as great marketing vehicles.
* Cricket boards don't get anything from the IPL (or indeed any of the other proposed T20 leagues) when their contracted players participate in the tournament. So, a cricket board's first reaction to such a tournament is either that they won't allow their contracted players, or the players can participate for a ridiculously short period of time.
* The player's concerns are to not get injured, to play quality cricket, to earn as much as they can and to be able to fulfill their national commitments & contractual obligations with their cricket board.
* The T20 tournament organizer's primary concern is that the best players should be available for the maximum possible period of time, and play well enough in order to make the tournament a great success.
* Players are paid only on the basis of the number of games they play in T20 leagues.
* The money that cricketers earn from the IPL (or other leagues) is far in excess of what they have been earning so far.

Given all these assumptions, how do we best balance the self-interests of the players and the administrators?

The combination of the last two factors hugely influences a player's decision to quit playing test cricket and free up that time to play more and more Twenty20, including at events like the IPL, Champions League, etc.

Adam Gilchrist was largely spot-on in the talk he gave as part of the 2009 Cowdrey Spirit of Cricket Lecture (transcript & video) when he said:

An acceptance that professional players will increasingly make pragmatic decisions about their careers, which may involve playing less Test cricket or even perhaps, none at all. That the arrival of rich, franchised based competitions like the IPL will hasten this trend and reduce the primacy of playing for your country or provincial team. That a young first class cricketer in Bangladesh or the West Indies may have an entirely different set of playing priorities and goals to those youngsters playing in England or Australia. goals to those youngsters playing in England or Australia. That Cricket Administrators must adapt to these realities with clever programming of international fixtures to dove-tail off these competitions and if necessary radically change, even jettison the Future Tours Program in order to achieve this.

Let's leave aside for a moment the reality that Gilchrist contradicted himself in that statement. If the FTP was jettisoned, this would directly result in the likes of Bangladesh, West Indies & Zimbabwe playing less cricket against the 'stronger' (cricketing & economic factors) teams like Australia, South Africa, India & England. That would imply a reduction in the quality of cricket they're exposed to as well as revenue for boards.

Do you seriously expect a cricketer from West Indies to say "No thanks, I'd rather play a test against Bangladesh because I'm so much in love with my administration"? Of course not! He's going to take the first opportunity available to throw away the WICB contract and play in one of the T20 leagues. So actually, by jettisoning the FTP, you could be increasing the risk that "a young first class cricketer in Bangladesh or the West Indies may have an entirely different set of playing priorities and goals to those youngsters playing in England or Australia".

Having digressed, we now go back to the question - how to best balance the self-interests of the players and the administrators?

Would a retainership-based payment structure work?

What if the IPL (or other T20 leagues) split up the player's payment on a 60-40 basis, whereby 60% of the money they get is based on the number of games they play? But the remaining 40% is actually given to their cricket board. The cricket board could reduce the payment made to the player if he skips commitments (training, other contractual obligations, international games, etc.) because he gave a higher preference to playing in the T20 tournament. That 60-40 split is just a number. It could have been 50-50 or even 70-30, but the split-up needs to provide sufficient incentives & disincentives.

Players who are not contracted to their boards would receive a pro-rata amount based on the number of games they played along with other contractual obligations fulfilled.

This gives cricket boards enough incentive to release players for the tournament, knowing fully well that they will get something out of it if the players don't honour their side of the bargain. Players have an incentive to balance playing T20 leagues and international cricket. They don't fall under the 'daily wage worker' category, because really speaking when you're paid on a pro-rata basis, that is what you are! The tournament organizers & sponsors benefit since they know that cricket boards and players are both committed to the event because they both stand to gain.

What are the potential problems associated with such a model? Manipulative boards (and there're plenty in that category) could reduce the payments on the basis of flimsy arguments. Players could opt out of board contracts, thereby removing the boards from the equation altogether and destabilizing international cricket. Tournament organizers & sponsors could offer incentives for players to give up their existing board contracts.

It may still be an option worth considering. If the model can prevent even one star player from quitting test cricket, I'd reckon it has done its job.


Labels: ashes, ashes 2009,
burnout, champions league, colin cowdrey lecture, fatigue, flintoff, gilchrist, indian premier league, lord's, mcc, retire, twenty20, vaas

WICB and WIPA combine to help West Indies set unwanted record

Directly as a result of the farcical WIPA v WICB impasse, West Indies provided Bangladesh its 2nd ever test win a couple of days ago.

Players are totally entitled to receive contracts, but in the absence of these contracts, is industrial action in a sporting scenario the right option? It is not as though the West Indies players were blameless. They didn't have contracts because they refused to sign the contracts that the WICB offered. Did the WICB offer favourable terms? Perhaps not. As it is, West Indies cricket has suffered majorly in the past couple of years with sponsors pulling out.

Would Digicel, the current sponsor, have had the right to demand that the WICB field a XI that would enhance the Digicel brand? Wouldn't Digicel's contract with the WICB have referred to WICB attempting to/ensure that the best players turned out for the West Indies? It's quite obvious that Digicel wouldn't like to have been associated with a side led by Floyd Reifer, who got a birthday present in the form of the captaincy a couple of weeks before his 37th birthday. It's like England naming Ian Ward or Aftab Habib captain and India naming Vijay Bharadwaj skipper. Of course, one thing is for sure - captaincy has a positive impact on Reifer's batting. His batting average went up by a whopping 36%.

The reality is that regardless of the result of the game, no side would have "won" or proved anything. Had West Indies' B side beaten Bangladesh, it would have told us that Bangladesh aren't even good enough to beat a second string WI XI. Now that Bangladesh have won, as a corollary, it implies that West Indies cricket is so much lacking in depth that a 2nd XI loses to Bangladesh. I suspect with the exception of perhaps New Zealand, every other country's 2nd XI should be able to beat Bangladesh.

As a result of the feud between the cricket board and the players, the test had 9 debutants (7 for West Indies, 2 for Bangladesh) and this is the first time since 1961 that 9 or more players have debuted in a test that wasn't the first test played by a country (or the first one played after a prolonged break).

Bangladesh v India in 2000 had 14 debuts, Zimbabwe v India in 1992 had 10 debuts (all the Zimbabwe players except Traicos), West Indies v South Africa in 1992 had 13 debuts (South Africa's first test after re-admission) and Sri Lanka v England in 1982 had 12 debuts. Most of the other games that had a lot of debuts were those played shortly after World War II.

ICC Champions Trophy 2009

ICC Champions Trophy, 2009

SHEDULE

Obama says race not "overriding issue" in criticism

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Friday some of the opposition he faced was because of his race but denied former President Jimmy Carter's charge that racism was a leading factor in angry criticism of his healthcare agenda.

"Are there people out there who don't like me because of race? I'm sure there are. That's not the overriding issue here," Obama told CNN as he weighed in on a controversy that has simmered since the former president injected charges of racism into the U.S. healthcare debate this week.

"I think there are people who are anti-government," Obama, the United States' first black president, said in one of a series of television interviews on Friday.

"I think there's been a long-standing debate in this country that is usually that much more fierce during times of transition or when presidents are trying to bring about big changes," he said.

Carter raised the point after South Carolina Republican Representative Joe Wilson shouted "You lie" at Obama during a healthcare reform speech in Congress last week and thousands of conservatives rallied in opposition to Obama at demonstrations in Washington.

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man," Carter told NBC News.

Obama made clear he disagreed with Carter, a fellow Democrat. The president is caught up in a fight to reclaim lost ground from critics of his effort to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, his top domestic priority.

"I think that race is such a volatile issue in this society, always has been, that it becomes hard for people to separate out race being sort of a part of the backdrop of American society, versus race being a predominant factor in any given debate," he told ABC News.

SIMILAR THINGS SAID ABOUT ROOSEVELT, REAGAN

While acknowledging some of the animosity he faces is due to racism, he said there was a flip side. "Are there some people who vote for me only because of my race? They're probably some of those, too," he said.

As for some of the caustic rhetoric that has bubbled up at conservative protests, Obama told CNN, "The things that were said about FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) were pretty similar to the things that were said about me -- that he was a communist, he was a socialist."

"Things that were said about Ronald Reagan when he was trying to reverse some of the New Deal programs were pretty vicious as well," Obama added.

Obama told ABC that most Americans were just trying to figure out how proposed healthcare changes would affect them but that concern about big government was "probably the biggest driver of vitriol right now."

Obama had mostly steered clear of the issue of race in the weeks since he injected himself into a fierce debate in Massachusetts after black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was arrested at his own home on suspicion of breaking into it.

After Obama created an uproar by saying that Cambridge police had acted stupidly in the case, he later expressed regret for the tone of his remarks and had the professor and police officer to the White House for a beer in what was dubbed a "beer summit."

Ahmadinejad says Holocaust a lie, Israel has no future

TEHRAN - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a lie Friday, raising the stakes against Israel just as world powers try to decide how to deal with the nuclear ambitions of an Iran in political turmoil.

"The pretext (Holocaust) for the creation of the Zionist regime (Israel) is false ..... It is a lie based on an unprovable and mythical claim," he told worshippers at Tehran University at the end of an annual anti-Israel "Qods (Jerusalem) Day" rally.

"Confronting the Zionist regime is a national and religious duty."

Ahmadinejad's anti-Western comments on the Holocaust have caused international outcry and isolated Iran, which is at loggerheads with the West over its nuclear program.

The hardline president warned leaders of Western-allied Arab and Muslim countries about dealing with Israel.

"This regime (Israel) will not last long. Do not tie your fate to it ... This regime has no future. Its life has come to an end," he said in a speech broadcast live on state radio.

Germany said Ahmadinejad was a "disgrace to his country."

"This sheer anti-Semitism demands our collective condemnation. We will continue to confront it decisively in the future," Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Ahmadinejad's comment "only serves to isolate Iran further from the world."

Ahmadinejad won support from Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah which fought a 34-day war with Israel in 2006. "Our belief and creed ... remain that Israel is an illegal entity, a cancerous tumor, that must cease to exist," Nasrallah said in a televised address.

Ahmadinejad will appear next week at the United Nations General Assembly and Tehran will hold talks on October 1 with major powers worried about the Islamic Republic's nuclear strategy.

Western powers are concerned by what they have called Tehran's defiance and "point-blank refusal" to suspend uranium enrichment and address the issue as demanded by U.N. Security Council resolutions since 2006.

Instead of directly addressing those demands, Iran handed world powers this month a proposal that spoke generally of talks on political, security, international and economic issues but was silent on its nuclear program.

Diplomats familiar with the Iranian proposal said it was vague and did not appear to pass "the smell test."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said it was time Iran showed it is serious about addressing international concern. "There will be accompanying costs for Iran's continued defiance: more isolation and economic pressure," she said.

NUCLEAR PROGRAMME

Ahmadinejad repeated Thursday that Iran would "never" abandon its disputed nuclear program to appease critics.

In an NBC-TV interview, he also offered no direct response when asked whether there were any conditions under which Iran would develop a nuclear weapon.

"We don't need nuclear weapons," Ahmadinejad said, speaking through an interpreter. "We do not see any need for such weapons. And the conditions around the world are moving to favor our ideas," he added.

The major powers suspect Iran's uranium enrichment program is a cover for developing nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly said it is enriching uranium only to generate electricity, not for fissile bomb material, although it has no nuclear power plants to use low-level enriched uranium.

Next month's major powers talks with Iran offer no clear relief to Israel, which wants world powers to be prepared to penalize Iran's vulnerable energy imports but sees Russia and China blocking any such resolution at the U.N. Security Council.

The major powers, which include permanent U.N. Security Council members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States as well as Germany, offered Iran trade and diplomatic incentives in 2006 in exchange for halt to uranium enrichment.

They improved the offer last year but retained the demand that Iran suspend uranium enrichment, something Tehran has ruled out as a precondition.

President Barack Obama, who came to office pledging to engage with Iran, has suggested Tehran may face harsher sanctions, possibly targeting its gasoline imports, if it does not accept good-faith talks by the end of September.

But Russia, which has veto power in the U.N. Security Council, last week ruled out oil sanctions against Iran.

Iran, the world's fifth-biggest crude producer, is seen as vulnerable to oil sanctions because it imports 40 percent of its gasoline to supply the cheap fuel Iranians see as a birthright.

TURMOIL AT HOME

At home, Ahmadinejad is facing strong opposition which erupted into unrest following his disputed re-election in June.

Friday, Iranian security forces clashed with supporters of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi and arrested at least 10 of them during annual anti-Israel rallies in Tehran.

Thousands of supporters of Mousavi, wearing green wristbands or shawls, were among crowds marching in the "Qods Day" rallies.

The state news agency IRNA said Mousavi and reformist cleric Mehdi Karoubi, both defeated candidates in June, had been forced to leave the rallies after being attacked by "angry people."

Reformist former president Mohammad Khatami took part in the rally, but was attacked by hardliners and had to leave after his robe was ripped and his turban fell to the ground, an ally of Khatami who accompanied him told Reuters.

The June vote, which was followed by huge opposition protests, plunged Iran into its worst political crisis in three decades and revealed deepening rifts within its ruling elites.

Opposition leaders say the poll was rigged to secure Ahmadinejad's re-election. The authorities deny it.

The opposition says 70 people died during protests after the vote. It contradicts the official death toll of 36 people.

(Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy in Beirut, Alexandra Hudson in Berlin)

Rogge: Obama not going to Copenhagen

LONDON (AP) --- IOC president Jacques Rogge said disputes with the U.S. Olympic Committee will have "no negative effects whatsoever" on Chicago's chances of landing the 2016 Summer Games.

Rogge also reiterated Thursday that he believes the Oct. 2 decision will come down to a handful of votes. He said President Barack Obama told him that first lady Michelle Obama is the best "stand-in" to push Chicago's case at the meeting in Copenhagen.

Rogge spoke in a conference call with reporters two weeks days ahead of the International Olympic Committee vote in the tight race between Chicago, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo.

"I think I can make a bet today and say that it's probably going to be a couple of votes, two, three, four," Rogge said, echoing his comments in an Associated Press interview last week. "Something like four, five votes is only the situation of a change of mind of two or three persons. You see how close it is. You can convince two people more and you might win."

The IOC's 100-plus members vote by secret ballot, with the candidate getting the fewest votes eliminated in each round until one city secures a winning majority. In 2005, London beat Paris by four votes — 54-50 — in the final round to secure the 2012 Olympics.

Chicago, seeking to bring the Summer Olympics to the U.S. for the first time since 1996, has had to endure tensions between the USOC and the IOC over the American body's share of Olympic revenues and its plans to launch a U.S. Olympic television network.

However, Rogge noted that the two sides reached a truce on the revenue issue in March and the USOC agreed last month to put its TV project on hold.

"I think it will have no negative effect whatsoever," he said. "These two things are out of the discussion now, so I don't except a negative aspect."

Obama, who considers Chicago home, called Rogge last Friday to inform him that he wouldn't be going to Copenhagen because he is busy seeking a health care overhaul. Instead, he is sending his wife, who grew up in Chicago, to lead the delegation.

"President Obama expressed in a very clear way his very strong support for Chicago, and you know how charismatic he is when he wants to express the love for his city," Rogge said. "He was very clear to say he's totally behind the bid and will remain behind the organization should Chicago get the games.

"But he explained (to) me that the current political situation in Washington did not allow him to participate in the bid in Copenhagen. He said with a sense of humor that he would send the best part of his couple, and that the first lady would probably be the best stand-in that he could have imagined for himself."

While there has been speculation that Obama could still decide to fly to Copenhagen at the last minute, Rogge said he never mentioned that possibility to him.

"He did not speak about eventually coming to Copenhagen," Rogge said.

In recent years, government leaders have traveled to the IOC meetings to help seal the deal, including Tony Blair for London and Vladimir Putin for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Spanish King Juan Carlos have said they will be in Copenhagen for the vote. Tokyo's bid organizers are urging new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to go.

"The IOC is very honored by the presence of dignitaries, heads of state, heads of government," Rogge said. "It is also reassurance that public authorities are behind the bid and will be supportive. However, this is absolutely not a requirement of the IOC.

"If they come, we're glad they come, we're honored, but we don't want them to come at all (costs)."

Asked about Rio's case for taking the Olympics to South America for the first time, Rogge said that could be "one element" in the IOC vote.

"Is it a big role? Is it a lesser role? This is up to each IOC member to decide," he said. "It's one of the issues that will be considered."

Rogge said the members' trust in the bid leaders will prove decisive.

"All being equal between different cities in terms of technicalities, it's the confidence you have in the people who have made the bid and who will be the organizers in staging the games," he said. "You give the games to a couple of people, and the charisma of these people is very important."

Data likely to show gains in economy

A quiet four-day week last week will be followed up with a busy economic calendar that will probably reveal the economy is gaining some momentum.

The government's cash for clunkers program is likely to show up in strong retail sales for August, though most analysts believe that ex-autos, sales will be almost flat.

Manufacturing has been one of the brighter spots in what is still a sluggish economy. Industrial production for August is expected to move ahead as companies begin to restock dwindling inventories.

And the first look at the sector for September, which will come from the Empire and Philly Fed Indexes, are forecast to show a continued rebound in production.
For a look at issues impacting the US and global economy, please see Tomorrow's Economy Today.
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Should Joe Wilson apologize again, or should we move on?

Look for Democratic leaders to introduce a formal resolution sometime this week to admonish SC GOP Congressman Joe Wilson if he doesn't make a formal apology on the House floor for his outburst during President Obama's joint address to Congress last week. House Democratic aides said that Wilson was given an opportunity to apologize on the floor on Thursday, but declined to. Wilson says he will not apologize again.
Obama was on "60 Minutes" last night. Correspondent Steve Kroft asked him about the Wilson outburst:

KROFT: Were you surprised?
OBAMA: Well, Congressman Wilson, shouting out during my joint sessions speech was a surprise not just to me, but I think to a lot of his Republican colleagues. You know, said that it wasn't appropriate. He apologized afterwards, which I appreciated. I've said so.
Truth of the matter is that there has been I think a coarsening of our political dialogue. That I've been running against since I got into politics.
KROFT: Do you think that Congressman Wilson should be rebuked? There was talk about that today, and now he's claiming that he is a victim. That he's being attacked.
OBAMA: (laughs) But see, this is part of what happens. I mean, it becomes a big circus instead of us focusing on health care.

Is Obama right? I think he's absolutely right. In fact, there's a bit of a trap in this portion of the transcript that you can be almost dead certain will catch the eye of people who will let
themselves be distracted.
It's a bit of a dilemma for me because, on the one hand, if I point it out in the transcript, you might be tempted to avoid it because you don't want to look like you're part of the problem, do you?
If I don't point it out, you'll be tempted to jump all over it, become outraged and, as Obama euphemistically put it, join the "big circus." Then again, people hell bent on being distracted by sideshows are more inclined to be distracted no matter what you say, but I'll lay back and see if anyone picks up on what I'm talking about in the transcript.
That said, back to "60 Minutes" where, in continuing his answer, Obama also makes a point about media:

I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so, one of the things I'm trying to figure out is, how can we make sure that civility is interesting. And, you know, hopefully, I will be a good model for the fact that, you know, you don't have to yell and holler to make your point, and to be passionate about your position.

As a person who works in media, I can tell you that he's exactly right about cable news, and about news in general. News coverage has to serve two masters: It has to inform and, in this day and age, it has to make money. It's funny we should be talking about "60 Minutes" here when many, including its creator and long-time producer Don Hewitt (who died last month), felt that "60 Minutes" was the equivalent to opening a Pandora's Box: It was the first legitimate news program to make a profit. Before that, in the days of Cronkite and Huntley-Brinkley, news was always an accepted "loss leader," but it was always a very matter-of-fact, even bland effort to deliver news and just news. Commentary was called commentary, such as Eric Severeid at the end of Cronkite's newscasts.
If "60 Minutes" was the Pandora's Box that created the tantalizing prospect of news as profit, several other things escaped that all have had a major impact on not just what but the way news is presented on television, especially cable news. What got let out?
1) Cable news, obviously, which was more of a curiosity in 1983 and had a relatively staid delivery. The pace has changed with the internet boom to where the news cycle is no longer 24 hours but really more like three cycles, morning drive, noon and afternoon drive. It's changed the pace but it's also gone from depth and understand to a focus on shrieking headlines
2) Tabloid talk television. It began with shows like "Hard Copy" and "A Current Affair" (hosted by Bill O'Reilly) --"Tsk Tsk TV" heavy on the sensationalism. We used to joke about how the stories would always show the same three seconds of footage over and over and over again. Usually it was a mundane clip like some accused rapist-murderer seen having drinks at some bar, or footage of O-J Simpson trying to fit that glove on his hand, shown over and over and over again, with breathless cutaways in between to photos of his slain wife, police tape outside the Simpson home. And so on. Add to this the hour-long afternoon talk shows that were more and more outlandish. Oprah wheeling out a toy wagon with several pounds of animal fat to dramatize how much weight she lost; Phil Donahue wearing a kilt, Geraldo getting his nose broken during a chair-throwing melee, and of course, Jerry Springer, who never seemed to run out of trailer trash people willing to be guests on his show. It was a long way from William F Buckley's "Firing Line."
3) The WWF. Don't laugh, but the WWF, now the WWE, its showmanship, the confrontations and drama --I see its influence. Add the NFL sports graphics that Fox incorporated into their cable news product and now you're delivering the kind of eye candy that cable news has since become. All those bells and whistles gives old school types the impression that their watching the "circus," not an informational program. And it is a circus (or a show, if you prefer a tamer term), as Fox News has proven with innovations everyone else copied.

Off-road Test: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor quick take: paying rapt attention

Ford's press release reads, "The all-new 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor is a purpose-built, high-performance 4WD off-road truck versatile enough to take on the most challenging desert adventures as well as the everyday commute."

Hmmm. So we didn't go adventuring in the desert nor commit an everyday commute. We didn't even drive the F150 SVT Raptor on-road. We did, however, take the Raptor over ruts and rocks and up and off steep hillsides in the woods of northeastern Pennsylvania, and even if the Raptor wasn't in its native Southwest desert domain, we'd learn if Ford's pickup could handle terrain usually best left to Jeep Wranglers and Land Rovers.

The 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is an F-150 pickup adapted and factory-built pickup truck intended to actually perform what standard pickups are shown doing in TV commercials, the leaping, the rock flinging, the barreling through water like the Titanic in search of an iceberg, the stuff that if done by actual owners would have the truck suffering a fate equivalent to that of the big ship, and not covered by the warranty either.

With the F-150 SVT Raptor, however, Ford leverages off its extensive desert -racing credentials to fill what it saw as a yawning gap in the truck market, the high-performance off-road truck market.

"Most of the major manufacturers have focused on-road performance [sic], so when we looked at what was available in off-road truck performance, it was somewhat limited," explains Mark Grueber, Ford product marketing manager for pickups and large SUVs. "The was the perfect opportunity for Ford to further differentiate the F-150 from other trucks on the market."

And certainly the Ford Raptor looks the part, with a grille with "FORD" carved into it, widened front and rear fenders with black fender extenders outside of that, covering Big BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA/KO 315/70-17 tires. The hood and front fenders are vented to allow hot underhood air to escape, the fender vents . Tiny clearance lights are set into the leading edge of the hood rather than on the top of the cab. The SVT Raptor is seven inches wider than the base Ford F-150.
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And for those so inclined, there's an optional "digital mud" graphics package for the rear sides of the cab and rear outer fenders, as on our test 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pickup.

The interior is at least as graphically enhanced, particularly with the Raptor Interior Color Accent Package. To say that the dark orange accented interior is intense it like saying a drum set rolling down the basement steps is loud. The interior package is available only on Raptors with exteriors in Tuxedo Black or, as we drove, Molten Orange Tri-Coat. Raptors in Blue Flame Metallic and Oxford White come with the standard black interior.

But bulging fenders and outrageous color combinations have been tried before. Where the Raptor differs is in having the muscle to match the flash. The standard engine is Ford's well-seasoned 5.4-Triton "three-valve" V-8 engine rated at 320 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. It uses, says Ford, a new open-valve fuel injection strategy that "delivers increased horsepower during towing and higher rpm operations, lower emissions and more efficient use of fuel." A new 6.2-liter engine designed for truck use will be available in early 2010 (as a $3,000 option).

Scroll down for full photo gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and its features.

It's the suspension, however, that distinguishes the Ford Raptor pickup. Ford has engineered a full 12.1 inches of usable travel in the rear suspension and 11.2 inches in the front. "Triple internal bypass" FOX Racing Shox used front are rear have internal valving that firms up damping as the shocks move towards their limits, reducing the likelihood of the truck bottoming out. Combined with the big off-road tires, the suspension allows a more supple ride over rough terrain.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor tailgate logoThe Ford F-150 SVT Raptor's stability control system has two modes in addition to standard. "Sport" mode turns off the traction control, allowing more vehicle yaw movement. The full off-road mode turns off the electronic stability program completely while switching the ABS to a special off-road setting that allows the wheels to lock more, helpful when driving off-road. The locking rear differential is also allowed to stay locked at higher speeds, which Ford says imitates the spool (permanently locked) rear differentials of race trucks.

The F-150 Raptor is also the first Ford application of hill descent control. This technology uses the traction control sensors to control the speed of the vehicle in steep downhill situations, applying and releasing brakes individually and available traction and vehicle speed allow.

The Off-Road Mode button on the center console (next to a panel of auxiliary switches provided to make aftermarket customization easier) selects a throttle map and transmission shift schedule better suited for off-road operation, the transmission holding each gear for longer periods of time. This allows better throttle modulation to control the vehicle.

For trailering--presumably not off-road--the Raptor has standard trailer sway control and an integrated trailer brake controller as optional equipment.

Trailer control was unnecessary where we were driving, however, crawling through narrow passes between trees and rocks over jagged boulders that made basketballs look small. Ford designed the Raptor's long suspension travel for soft landings from desert racing-like jumps, but it also allowed articulation allowing all four wheels to stay on the ground even over the most contorted terrain.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT RaptorWe were able to stop the F-150 Raptor in awkward positions for dramatic photography, places where momentum would usually be needed to get through without getting stuck or having to back up to try again.


We were able to get moving again by just putting the transmission in gear and giving the Raptor some throttle. Not too much throttle, however, because the off-road mode adjusts throttle response to specific off-road conditions. At slow speeds the F-150 Raptor allows finer calibration of power--and less likelihood of breaking traction--by softening response to pedal movement. Sometimes less is more.

Ford's hill descent works as advertised, the big knobbly tires gripping allowing feet-off-the-pedals on our steep downhill test section.

Diving at speed in desert conditions we weren't able to test because there isn't very much desert in Northeastern Pennsylvania. But from our limited experience in the woods, we think the Ford press release missed as aspect of the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. There are raptors in the forest, and we think it's a suitable environment for Raptors as well.


Illustrations: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Photos by John Matras.

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2009 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor selected specificationsType Pickup truck, 4WD
Engine 5.4L/320-hp SOHV 24-valve V-8
Displacement, cc 5400
Compression ratio 9.8:1
Materials, head / block Aluminum / cast iron
Fuel delivery Sequential multi-port injection
Transmission / drivetrain 6A / 4-wheel drive
Suspension, front / rear Coil-on-shock double A-arm / live axle on leaf springs
Steering Power rack-and-pinion
Turning circle, ft 44.6
Brakes, disc dia., in. 13.8 / 13.7
Wheels, size / type 17-inch / cast aluminum
Tires, size 315/70R-17 light truck all-terrain
Dimensions & capacities
Lenght, in. 220.9
Width, in. 86.3
Height, in. 78.4
Wheelbase, in. 133.0
Cargo box, length in. 67.0
Curb weight, lbs. 5863
Fuel tank, gal. 26
Payload, lbs. 1,020
Towing, lbs. 6,000
Performance
Fuel economy, EPA mpg, city / hwy 14 / 18



2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor features and pricesBase price $38,020
Powertrain/functional: Four-wheel driver; 4.10 front axle/4.10 rear axle w/ electronic locking differential; trailer tow package, AdvanceTrac w/ roll stability control std
Suspension/chassis: Heavy-duty front chassis and engine skid plates; long-travel high-performance suspension; high-performance off-road front and rear triple internal bypass FOX Racing Shox; SVT performance cast-aluminum front upper and lower control arms; SVT performance tie rods; SVT performance front coil springs; SVT performance rear leaf springs; SVT performance front and rear microcellular jounce bumpers; steering rack travel/boost curve; Hill descent control/easy Off-Road Mode std
Exterior: Flared front fenders with functional air extractors; flared pickup box outers; power dome hood w/ functional air extractors; cast aluminum running boards; "brick wall" front grille; front and rear wheel lip moldings; unique front and rear bumpers; integrated marker lights; Securicode keyless entry; front and rear towhooks; power windows; power sliding rear window w/ defrost, power mirrors std
Interior: front, front side and side-curtain airbags; autodimming rearview mirror; leather steering wheel with center strip, controls; power locks; cruise control; unique Raptor trim; leather/cloth front seats / vinyl rear seat; six way adjustable driver's seat; front and rear rubber floor mats with SVT logo std
Audio: AM/FM/CD/Sirius/SYNC std
Stowable bed extender 195
Tailgate step 350
Power one-touch moonroof 995
Integrated trailer brake controller 230
Rear view camera system (mirror-based or nav screen based) 450
Navigation with Sony audio (requires Luxury Package) 2,430
Interior Orange Accent Package 395
Graphics Package 1,075
Luxury Package: 10-way power driver and passenger seats w/ heat and driver memory, dual automatic temperature control, Sony audio w/ 6-disc CD, power/heated/signal/driver-dimming memory side-view mirror, power-adjustable pedals 1,950
Delivery 975
Total MSRP w/ all options $47,065
Note: 6.2-liter SOHC V-8 / six-speed auto trans available early 2010 $3,000

Princess Leia trades rebel fighter for Lexus GS, talks incest and pedophilia?

In a TMZ.com video of Carrie Fisher walking to her Lexus GS, the actress who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy jokes with the TMZ ambush videographer that “if it’s either incest or pedophilia, I’m all about it”. It’s kind of weird, and even a little sad because I was one of about 100 million teen boys who was sure she was ‘the one’ and admired her determination to define herself outside the Star Wars aura.

The video is truly bizarre, and after reading on her blog how much comments about her weight bothered her, I wasn’t going to mention that it had been about a decade and a hundred pounds since I last saw her. THEN I got to the bottom of her post where she pretty much tells everyone they can have, ummm, ‘relations’ with her bovine genitalia. So enjoy the video, appreciate that she has decent taste in cars, and is perhaps a little bitter and is off her medication.

Will any change in format of Test or ODI rob its real charm?

Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s idea of changing the one-day international format doesn’t impress former Pakistan captain Imran Khan, who believes the 50-over game has its own charm and there is no need to tinker with it. “Every format of the sport has its own utility and charm and it is better not to try to change these formats,” said Imran. “I don’t think the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket poses any threat to Test or 50-over matches if the international calendar is balanced properly,” said the cricketer-turned-politician.

Tendulkar had recently suggested splitting the 50-over matches into two innings of 25-overs each. Imran said after Test matches, ODIs provided toughest challenge for a players and the International Cricket Council (ICC) or its member boards should not try to reduce the number of overs to 40 or less. “That will rob one-day matches of its real charm. Then it is better the ICC just focus on further popularising Twenty20 cricket,” Imran said. He, however, did not see any harm in the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket since it filled the coffers and was good value for money for the spectators. “But at the same time no one should try to change the format of Test or one-day matches. Let them co-exist,” he said. Imran felt the Champions Trophy in South Africa would prove a success and remove any doubts over the future of 50-over cricket.

Younis plans founding players’ association, will it serve the purpose?

Younis Khan aims to launch a players' association in Pakistan and has already contacted the Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA), a report said Friday. The Pakistan captain met FICA chief Tim May in London during the T20 World Cup in June and “had sought details about the formation of players' association.'' Khan has discussed the issue with current and former players in Pakistan and plans to meet Pakistan Cricket Board officials.

“I want to work for the betterment of cricketers in Pakistan because there are several players who are in a lot of financial problems,'' Khan told daily newspaper Jang without mentioning the names of players. “I don't want any confrontation with the PCB and we are not making a group against the board.'' Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the T20 World Cup, said, “We just want to gather the players for their own rights.''

Khan is expected to have another meeting with May during the Champions Trophy, which begins from Sept. 22 in South Africa. Pakistan's former Test captain Majid Khan had formed a players association during the 1980s, but it did not last long.

Golf: Pakistan qualifies for World Cup, makes history

Muhammad Shabbir and Muhammad Munir etched their names in the history books as they guided Pakistan to their first Omega Mission Hills World Cup on Saturday. The unheralded Pakistani duo shot a superb three-under-par 68 in the final round foursomes at Seri Selangor Golf Club to finish third at the Asian qualifier, which was won by pre-tournament favourites Singapore.

"Pakistan have played in the cricket World Cup, hockey World Cup and squash World Cup, but never before in our history that we've been in golf's World Cup," said a delighted Munir. "I don't know how to describe how we feel right now. I'm sure everyone in Pakistan will be very happy," he added. Pakistan mixed their scorecard with four birdies against two bogeys before nailing a crucial final birdie on the 18th hole to seal a historic debut against the world's best.

Represented by Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat, Singapore carded a closing 72 for a four-day total of 15-under-par 269 to finish one shot ahead of Philippines pair Mars Pucay and Angelo Que. The top three qualify for the World Cup, which takes place in China in November. A World Cup appearance continues to elude the Malaysian pair of Iain Steel and Danny Chia as they ended fourth after a battling 71 while Myanmar finished a further three strokes behind following a 74.

Is the named Pakistan squad best combination, as claimed by Qasim?

Pakistan cricket chief selector, Iqbal Qasim Friday said that the named outfit was the best combination available in the country keeping in view the toughness and seriousness of the Champions Trophy. He said that Pakistan had no option but to look towards their experienced players for a tough event like the Champions Trophy. "The Champions Trophy has the world's best eight teams," said Qasim, who took over as the chief selector early this month. "We will need all the experience we have to do well in it as there are top teams like Australia and India in our group." Pakistan made an embarrassing first round exit from the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in India after suffering defeats at the hands of New Zealand and South Africa.

Qasim made it clear that the senior players had to perform otherwise there were many youngsters full of potential who can fill their places. When asked about Pakistan’s chances in the event, the former leg spinner said if Pakistan were able to defeat West Indies in their opening match, then the team would be on the right track to make ‘step by step progress’ in their quest to win the coveted title.

Pakistan team selectors, headed by former Test spinner Iqbal Qasim, have dropped experienced and seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and opener Salman Butt. Opener Nasir Jamshed, who was part of the one-day international squad in Sri Lanka, has also been excluded, while the controversial fast bowler Mohammad Asif in a 15-member squad named for next month’s ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa.

Asif had served his time for the mistakes he made and the board felt he could be a big asset for the team in such a big tournament, said Qasim. But despite his selection, Asif can’t take part in Pakistan’s conditioning camp leading up to the Champions Trophy because his ban expires after the camp finishes.

The selectors have stuck with the batting line-up that performed poorly against Sri Lanka. The experienced batting quartet of Shoaib Malik, Misbahul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan forms the basis of the batting line-up. All-rounder Shahid Afridi has been appointed vice captain keeping in view his performance as captain in the only Twenty20 international during the Sri Lanka tour. The Pakistan squad has only one specialist opener in Imran Nazir, who returned to the side in Sri Lanka after leaving the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). Many eyes will be on Umar Akmal, wicketkeeper Kamran’s 19-year-old brother, who made such an impact in Sri Lanka and was Pakistan’s highest scorer in that series.

Squad: Younis Khan (captain), Imran Nazir, Misbahul Haq, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Rana Navedul Hasan, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Yousuf, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Umar Gul, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif, Rao Iftikhar Anjum and Saeed Ajmal.

Let’s hope psychologist will cure our mental cricketers

Pakistan captain Younis Khan in an interview said he had asked the Pakistan cricket board to arrange more time with a psychologist during a short conditioning camp to be arranged for the Champions Trophy in mid-September. “We will have two proper counseling sessions because there is a problem with us that we tend to suffer from a mental block, when it comes to handling pressure or finishing off matches,” he said.

Pakistan will again seek the help of a sports psychologist to inspire them to repeat their Twenty20 World Cup success in the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa. Pakistani players had several counseling sessions with sports psychologist Maqbool Bari before heading to England, where they upset a string of more-fancied sides to clinch the T20 World Cup in May. The team faltered badly, however, immediately after during their recent tour to Sri Lanka, where they lost both the Test and one-day series. “There is no doubt that the sessions with the psychologist helped improve the self belief and focus of the players before the T20 World Cup,” Pakistan captain Younis Khan told

The Pakistan board has also appointed former captain and batting great, Javed Miandad as batting consultant for the Champions Trophy. Younis said that former captains, Waqar Younis and Saeed Anwar would also visit the conditioning camp to work with the players. “I think our players can gain a lot by seeking advice from these former greats and a psychologist. We need these things to do well in the Champions Trophy which is a mega event.”