I consider myself superior to Sunil: Boycott

NEW DELHI: Cricket living legend Sunil Gavasakar is targeted by every cricketer and off field people now and then. This time former England opener Geoffrey Boycott claimed that he was superior to Sunil as far as technique is concerned. Boycott said in his book titled 'Sunil Gavaskar:


Cricket's 'Little Master' that he and Gavaskar possessed common things in many respects but he had the better technique. He supported his view by saying people love to make comparisons between he and Sunil due to similiar playing techniques. He mentioned some similarities like they batted right-handed, opened the innings, had a great appetite for runs, hated to give their wickets away and possessed good technique.

As our records show, Sunil played more matches, scored more runs and centuries than me, but in terms of technique, I consider myself superior to Sunil even if by just half a percentage point," he added. Gavaskar has played 125 Tests and scored 10,122 runs while Boycott has 8114 runs from 108 matches. Incidentally, Boycott's argument could not convince former umpire and his Yorkshire teammate Dicky Bird who had no doubt that Gavaskar was the better batsman.

Dhoni cashing in on holidays

NEW DELHI: There is no cricket, net practice and back to back matches for Indian cricket team. Till September, there is no tours and cricket. So in the holidays, Indian cricketers enjoying their personal life.

Indian captain MS Dhoni is to finish some commercials while Gatuma Ghambir and Virendrea Sehwag opt to be with their families.

Sachin Tendulkar is in England and had a number of things on his menu card. He visited Madame Tussauds museum. Some of the cricketers enjoying foreign trips and some busy in meeting relatives. The team will take part in ICC Champions Trophy to start the busy schedule.

KCA meeting today: Sreesanth's county issue to be discussed

KOCHI: Kerala Cricket Association will discuss today the issue of S Sreesanth's debut in County Cricket Championship this season. However, the last decision will be up to Sreesanth. The associaltion will not botherd playing for county. Kerala Cricket Association secretary T C Mathew said the issue of the counties’ offer to Sreesanth would come up for discussion in the KCA meeting on Friday.

“Sreesanth spoke to me about the offer but the details are yet to come in,“ he said adding the association would not object to the move. Sreesanth's brother informed that some of the counties from England had contacted them for this championship.


The speedster is yet to take any decision. Sreesanth, tipped to take over the state team’s captaincy from allrounder Sony Cheruvathur this season, will miss two of the early season domestic tournaments should the deal materialise. He would be, however, available for the Ranji Trophy campaign that begins in November.

Buchanan should not have written such stuff: Ganguly

KOLKOTA: Former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly said that Buchanan should not have written such remarks in his recently published book. He called it unfortunate. John Buchanan, former Australia coach, has been removed as the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders team. Ganguly said that though he has not read the book, The Future of Cricket: The Rise of Twenty20, but seen some news update on the net.


Ganguly mentioned that Buchanan has done well for Australia as a coach. People hold him in high esteem and all these were unnecessary. “I don’t think this should have happened… I think, we Indians are used to it now. So, it’s unfortunate and we just got to deal with it.” Sourav also termed speculations to the CAB election news in the air.


“I have just said that I want to come into administration… There is no guarantee. I have not entered into administration yet and people are thinking of 2014. It’s disappointing actually.” “Playing cricket and administration are two different things.

When I played for India, I got good wishes from my teammates, and by just announcing my intent, I have been reading so many stories. “This is all speculation. I have not decided anything, and as I said, it’s not about fighting elections. It’s about trying to help the game. I want to be at a place from where I can help the game. It’s how they take it,” he said.

Sourav Ganguly still not out: to contest CAB prez election

KOLKATA: Sourav Ganguly, former captain of Indian cricket team and commentator, is still not out! He is reported to continue in the game by contesting for the president’s post in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Ganguly himself confirmed the report by saying he was convinced that he could play a positive role.


If believed the reports he might become the hot favourite for the post of BCCI president in 2014. At some point, I will find a way to get into the CAB where people have known me since I was a kid. I have respect for them and I am sure they will appreciate my concern for Bengal cricket and the difference I can make. I am in no hurry," he added.

The Prince of Kolkata celebrates 37th birthday: Ganguly turns 37 on Wednesday. He celebrated his birthday with his family and friends. A day before, present Indian team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrated his birthday on Tuesday.

India takes 2-1 lead in the four-match series

CASTRIES: India won the crucial third one-day international match by 6 wickets against the West Indies on Friday night at Beausejour Stadium. In the rain interrupted match, West Indies scored challenging 186/7 in revised 27 overs. From West Indies Ramnaresh Sarwan and Chris Gayle played sensible and attacking innings who scored 62 and 27 respectively. Indian bowler Ashish Nehra fired again and took 3 wickets. While Harbhajan took 2 wickets. India was asked to chase 159 off 22 overs according to the Duckworth/Lewis system finally. Indian opener Dinesh Karthik (47) and Gautam Gambhir (44) gave shape to the Indian reply. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni played another sensible and match winning innings in the match. Dhoni scored 46 not out and declared man of the match. India chased the total when one ball was to deliver.


Earlier, the West Indies innings, delayed before the start by just over two hours, was interrupted three times by persistent showers. Captain Chris Gayle hit six fours in a blistering 27 off 14 balls before he fell first ball on resumption after the first break at 27-1. Sarwan and Runako Morton (22) added 51 for the second wicket in between two more rain interruptions. Morton was eventually stumped off Harbhajan Singh at 78-2. Sarwan dominated the middle order as fellow Guyanese Shiv Chanderpaul (15), Dwayne Bravo (14) and Darren Bravo (21) chipped in. Denesh Ramdin hit 14 not out off six deliveries to deliver a late charge.

How's that! Four-day Test cricket!

NEW DELHI: Like global slowdown, Twenty20 cricket is affecting each and every format in the game. The new T20 format has won the hearts of cricket lovers in a short time. Now ICC indicates that Test cricket may have some interesting changes to woo spectators in the stadium. In an interview with a leading news magazine, ICC president David Morgan said that Test match may be reduced to four days.This attempt is a resulted of an attempt to make the Test cricket more result oriented and lucrative.



Morgan said this in the wake of the few changes that are being mooted, including a two-tier format and day-night Tests. "We need better over-rates, better pitches that give a good balance between bat and ball and we need to consider day-night Test cricket," he said.


The ICC president is very keen for the day-night Test and mulling on the option of the pink ball during the night games. "We are looking very closely at ball manufacturing design that replicates a red ball, maybe an orange ball, a ball that could still allow us to play in white clothing and still at night."