January 13, 2001
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 Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin lashed out against those implicating him saying they were jealous of his  achievements. He stated that many Mumbai cricketers had been able to get away scot-free despite wrongdoings. "Why does nobody talk about the 70 lakh cash found in Gavaskar's locker, or Ravi Shastri's Alibagh farm house or the disappearance of cash from Vinod Kambli's locker?" he said in an interview to a magazineFormer Test all-rounder Manoj Prabhakar has decided to take on both the BCCI & the government head on. He has given the Board ten days from January 5th to revoke the five-year ban imposed on him. He has also told the Sports Ministry that its threat to withdraw the Arjuna award will not stand legal scrutiny. His basis was that when the Madhavan report has categorically stated that there is no evidence of his involvement, how could he be banned. The ICC's anti-corruption unit has met former England captain Alec Stewart to discuss the allegations made against him in a report by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Stewart confirmed that he was ready to co-operate with the unit's investigation. In November last year Stewart had denied receiving money from a bookmaker for passing on weather and pitch reports as was alleged in the Indian agency report. Greg Blewett lashed 131 of 121 balls as Australia 'A' thrashed the touring Zimbabwe by 216 runs in a one-day match at Brisbane. Australia 'A' made 321-4 from their 50 overs and reduced Zimbabwe to 105 in 30 overs. The former British Prime Minister John Major who is holidaying is South Africa took time off to watch cricket. He described Mfuneko Ngam as the most exciting pace bowler he has seen in a long time. Major who is the president of the Surrey Cricket Club said he would definitely return to South Africa for the 2003 World Cup. The PCB defended its decision to hire Geoff Boycott on 3000 pounds per day plus expenses as money well spent. "If he can help us groom two or three good batsmen and improve their techniques, it would be money well invested in the future of Pakistan cricket", said Tauqir Zia in Karachi. The PCB chief also expressed confidence that the money paid to Boycott would eventually be sponsored. The Malaysian Cricket Association President Tunku Imran Jaffar said in Kuala Lumpur that he would still try to urge India to change their minds and join a tri-nation tourney also involving Pakistan. India had earlier declined to participate in the tourney due to time constraints. The series was scheduled to be held from January 28th to February 9th 2001 at Kuala Lumpur. Courtney Walsh has been named the first holder of the Malcolm Marshall Memorial Trophy for being the highest wicket taker in West Indies series against England. The Trophy named in tribute to the great West Indian fast bowler who died of  cancer last November will be awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in every subsequent series between England and West Indies. Walsh took 34 wickets just one short of the record held by Marshall himself of 35 in 1988 in England. Marshall's widow Connie presented the award to Walsh. The award carried a cash prize of $2,000.Mumbai is likely to be the venue of the two-week long conditioning camp for the Indian cricket team prior to the home series against Australia. The Indian coach John Wright, who is now in New Zealand, will decide the venue when he returns during the second week of January. Just for the record, Vidyut's performance was the second best by an Indian junior player after the 9-57 by Ashish W Zaidi's 9-57 against Pakistan U-19 at Kanpur in January 1990. India U-19: 257 & 378 England U-19: 285 & 183 (G Pratt 66, I Bell 48; S Vidyut 8-38) Mohammad Kaif Murali Kartik helped Central Zone pile up 417-8 on the second day of their Duleep Trophy league match at Kanpur. Central Zone: 417-8 (Mohamamd Kaif 83, Abhay Sharma 31, Murali Kartik 45; Javed Zaman 4-95, Sukhvinder Singh 3-89). A dense fog once again restricted play at Mohali in the West Zone tie against North Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Only 46 overs of play was possible during the second day. West Zone: 174-5 (Wasim Jaffer 39, HH Kanitkar 61; Ashish Nehra 2-51) Yesterday's News
Compiled by: Mohandas Menon
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