Investigators from the ICC and ACB will question Australian opener Mark Waugh in early February with regard to the match fixing issue. Members of the ICC's anti-corruption unit will question Mark Waugh who is said to have had alleged links with Indian bookie Mukesh Gupta.

A report submitted by former BCCI president IS Bindra to the CBI gives details of how Navjot Singh Sidhu, Nayan Mongia and Manoj Prabhkar placed bets on a match in England not involving India. Bindra has also named former Indian team physio Dr. Ali Irani as his source. Interestingly Dr Irani has made no such statement during his deposition before the investigative agencies.
Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble will be operated upon by orthopaedic surgeon Mark Fergusson in Johannesburg, South Africa. BCCI secretary JY Lele said that Kumble would be out of action for at least four months after the surgery ruling him out for the home series against Australia and the Sharjah tourney. Meanwhile back in Mumbai after a brief holiday, Indian coach John Wright said he would sorely miss the services of Kumble.

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The preparatory camp, before selecting the Indian cricket team to play a home series against Australia will be held at Chennai (and not Mumbai as earlier reported) from February 5-10. The NKP Salve Challenger Trophy, a one-day tournament featuring India Seniors, India A and B teams will be played in Chennai from February 12-15.

The ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle said he was more or less satisfied with the Nehru Stadium at Indore. He said that the outfield was a little bad, adding that could be set right. He said the press box and pavilion where the players would be put up during a match was spacious. It may be recalled that Indore was banned from hosting any international matches after a one-day match between India and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned in 1997 as the pitch was under-prepared and un-playable.

A three-member review panel constituted by the Pakistan Cricket Board to help all-rounder Shahid Afridi correct any problems to his action will be convened on January 18th. Afridi has also been invited to the meeting. The review panel includes Abdul Qadir, Ijaz Fakih and Moshin Kamal. Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfaraz Nawaz said he believed Afridi is a victim "of ICC-driven racism".

Confusion still prevails over the hiring of Geoff Boycott by the Pakistan Board. Initially Boycott had refused to reconsider his demand of 3000 ponds a day, but the PCB seems to have struck a deal for 2000 pounds a day after assuring him that he will be considered for future coaching stints in Pakistan. The England opener however said he was still not decided about the whole issue.

South African opener HH Gibbs is a doubtful starter for the sixth and final one-day match against South Africa because of a side strain. Gibbs has just returned to the international side after a six-month ban following match-fixing allegations. All-rounder Andrew Hall has been put on standby for Gibbs.

South African all-rounder Lance Klusener could also miss the sixth one-dayer against Sri Lanka due to a knee injury. All-rounder Justin Kemp is likely to replace Klusener.

New Zealand Cricket sought an exemption from the International Cricket Council (ICC) last week for the Auckland all-rounder Tama Canning. Canning, is of Maori parentage but born and brought up in Australia, is now eligible to play for New Zealand after the ICC approved a NZC request for an exemption for him to avoid a four-year stand-down period. However no exemption has been sought for leg-spinner Aaron Redmond, another Australian who has been through the New Zealand Cricket Academy at Lincoln University. The only previous exemption ever to be made by the ICC was for former Zimbabwe international Neil Johnson who had transferred from South Africa. New Zealand selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee said today he was pleased for Canning, and pleased for New Zealand cricket.

Pakistan skipper Moin Khan feels the tour of New Zealand will be a tough, although he has experienced players in the side to handle the demanding conditions there. In reply to a query, Moin said that he was not against the concept of having separate teams for Tests and One-dayers as it gave the selectors the opportunity to try more players and pick specialists.

Scores at a glance South Zone under-19 spinners Balaji and Faiq ripped through the England under-19 batting order as the tourists ended up for 183 in their first innings on the second day. South Zone Under-19: 275-8 decl & 43-1 (TS Suman 39 not out)
England U-19: 183 (JM Sadler 32, CT Tremlett 49: L Balaji 4-54, M Faiq 4-40).

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They said it ….. "The only fellow I've met who fell in love with himself at an early age and has remained faithful ever since"
- Dennis Lillee on Geoffery Boycott.
"Atherton leads England's rearguard action from the front".
- a headline in the Daily Telegraph.
"Border was facing a four paced prong attack"
- Dave Renneberg former Australian pace bowler & commentator.


Yesterday's News

Compiled by: Mohandas Menon