The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) appears to have made significant progress in its investigation of the bookie/player/underworld ring. The Director Mr RK Raghavan said they had significant evidence in terms of documents and also that they had obtained a lot of evidence with the help of the income-tax department.

Andy Flower's unbeaten 232 at Nagpur against India in the recent Test series is now the highest score made by a Test batsman during the month of November. Sir Don Bradman's 226 against South Africa at Brisbane way back in November 1931 was the previous highest.
The Sports Minister Uma Bharati said that the Government has a right to take back the Arjuna Awards from tainted players, as there is such a provision in the rules under which national awards are given. The minister was replying to the representations made by the players against the withdrawal of their awards. Regarding the move to make match fixing a criminal offence, she said that the proposal had been sent to the law ministry following detailed discussions with law minister Arun Jaitley.

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Former England cricketer Ian Botham has issued a public apology to his wife and family after details of his alleged affair with an Australian waitress (Kylie Verrells) were published in a British tabloid. The two had met way back in 1988 when Botham was in Australia as commentator for the Ashes series. Verrells eventually realised that Botham would never leave his family for her.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is likely to consult former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi to rectify the actions of their suspected bowlers Naimur Rahman and Mohammad Rafique. Bedi when contacted said he was unaware of any such offer. It may be recalled that the ICC has asked the Board's of Pakistan and Bangladesh to see that their players Shahid Afridi and Naimur Rahman and Mohammad Rafique make efforts to correct their suspect action.

The ambitious 10-year programme of the ICC is likely to be put on hold following reservations by Pakistan. The Pakistan Board seeks two clarifications, both India related…
1. In case India backs out of a commitment to play Pakistan in Pakistan the ICC will arrange for a substitute team to play Pakistan.
2. The ICC will arrange for any financial losses that may be incurred by the Pakistan Board due to such cancellation.
With Pakistan taking such a stance it is unlikely that that the 10-year programme will be finalised and will in all probability be deferred to June 2001.

Sachin Tendulkar has pulled out of the West Zone squad for the four-day Duleep Trophy tie against South Zone to be played at Surat between January 18th-21st for personal reasons. He is however likely to play the next match against East Zone. However, Ajit Agarkar who did not feature in West Zone's previous tie will play against South Zone. Nayan Mongia will lead the side.

The beleaguered Sri Lankan team fighting a losing battle in South Africa is now at the center of controversy involving Tamils of Sri Lankan origin settled in Africa. A number of Tamil organizations in South Africa protested against the ongoing tour and urged that sanctions be imposed against the Sri Lankan Government, who they believe is supporting the genocide of innocents.

Rakesh Kanojia will lead a 15-member Mumbai CA team, which will participate in the Pepsi Inter-City Youth Cricket Series to be held at Chennai from January 22.

The Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai is likely to host a tri-series one-day tournament during the last week of January between the national champion sides from India, England and Australia. The dates for the tournament are being finalized.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Umpires' committee is to meet in New Delhi on January 21st to decide the panel of umpires to officiate during the forthcoming tour of Australia to India. The BCCI working committee will also finalise the venues for the series.

Scores at a glance Deepak Chougale struck a fine 97 that prevented the touring England Under-19 bowlers from running through the South Zone batting on the first day of their three-day tie at Chennai.
South Zone:275-8 (TS Suman 42, DA Chougale 97, VS Suri 44; I Pattison 2-40, RS Ferley 2-53)

Match report >

Uttar Pradesh won the Vijay Merchant (under-16) Trophy defeating Delhi on the first innings lead at the Eden Gardens, Calcutta. The match ended in a draw.
Delhi : 155 (S Dhawan 68; A Yadav 4-33) & 245-5 (K Rawat 100 not out, H Mehta 76;
Uttar Pradesh : 237 (T Abbas 33, A Alam 39, A Yadav 60 not out, P Gupta 44; K Rawat 4-48, A Bali 3-45)




Joke of the day… The Devil proposed a cricket match between heaven and hell. Saint Peter smiled, "It wouldn't be fair - we've got all the cricketers". "Ah" said the devil "not to worry, we have all the umpires".

Yesterday's News

Compiled by: Mohandas Menon