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Tamim Iqbal creamed the Oman bowlers to score Bangladesh’s maiden T20 international century and secure his team’s berth in the main draw of the tournament

The Report by Mohammad Isam13-Mar-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTamim Iqbal made history and took Bangladesh into the next round of the World T20 with his hundred•ICC/Getty ImagesTamim Iqbal creamed the Oman bowlers to score Bangladesh’s maiden T20 international century and secure his team’s berth in the main draw of the tournament. His hundred set up a total of 180 for 2, which Shakib Al Hasan defended by razing the middle order on a rainy night in Dharamsala. Oman, who were flying high after a victory against Ireland, were shackled to 65 for 9 in 12 overs.The match was interrupted twice by rain and Oman’s target was revised to 120 in 12 overs. They effectively needed 75 off 22 balls after the second break. Oman then lost a spate of wickets and were never going to get close, bringing to an end a frustrating week in Dharamsala, where bad weather affected four of the first-round matches.Tamim lit up a damp night, though, with five sixes in his 63-ball innings – four on the leg side and one between mid-off and cover. He rotated strike too, scoring nearly a third of his runs in ones and twos. Tamim’s 97-run stand with Sabbir Rahman for the second wicket put Bangladesh in command and he stayed the course to give the innings a flourish at the finish.It would be accurate to state that this hundred is Bangladesh’s best T20I innings to date. The manner in which Tamim began indicated what was to come for Oman: Amir Ali had to pull his hand out of the way of a straight drive that was hit so hard it might have caused injury.At the other end, however, Soumya Sarkar struggled to get the ball out of the 30-yard circle. He struck two fours in his 12 off 22 balls and in the seventh over Ajay Lalcheta put him out of his misery. Tamim had hit the same bowler for fours to square-leg and third-man and for a well-timed six over long-on.Soumya’s dismissal seemed to do Bangladesh a favour because the effervescent Sabbir rotated strike from the first ball he faced. He got his first four with a reverse sweep that Bilal Khan nearly caught at short third-man, though, and he also could have been caught at long-on off Munis Ansari in the ninth over but it was a tough chance for Mehran Khan running to his left.Bangladesh reached 70 for 1 in ten overs and Tamim and Sabbir looked set for a big total. They picked up 14 off the next over bowled by Ansari, Oman’s best bowler. Tamim reached 52 off 35 balls in the 13th over before he and Sabbir struck a six each over long-off and long-on in the next six balls – the blow from Sabbir off Khawar Ali travelled 96 metres and landed in the second tier.Khawar was struck for a 94-metre six by Tamim too in the 16th over, but the bowler had his revenge when he had Sabbir bowled around his legs for 44 off 26 balls. With four overs remaining, Shakib Al Hasan was promoted to No 4 and made 17 off nine balls.Tamim’s hundred came in the 19th over, when after a brief lull he blasted Bilal through cover to score his tenth four – all of them along the ground. Bilal, however, was the only one to have bowled well at the top and towards the end, giving away just 16 runs in four wicketless overs.Oman had pulled off a shock chase against Ireland but it went wrong right from the start against Bangladesh. Their openers Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali skied catches in the first and fourth overs, top edging to third man and to mid-on respectively. Jatinder Singh and Adnan Ilyas played attractive shots but Ilyas was run out after the first rain break. Aamir Kaleem was caught off his glove in the ninth over, just before the second rain break.Shakib’s 4 for 15 were his best figures in T20Is, and the smile on his face was good news for Bangladesh. As much as the team had enjoyed Tamim’s batting form, they needed their best player to find his all-round form ahead of the main draw.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has reacted to the Premier League vote which failed to block his side's pathway to related-party loans.

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PL clubs vote not to ban loan moves from affiliate clubsHowe asked about how that would help NewcastleMagpies are majority owned by Saudi Public Investment FundWHAT HAPPENED?

The clubs did not vote in favour of a temporary prohibition on loans to linked parties. At a shareholders' meeting on Tuesday, 12 Premier League clubs voted in support of not placing a restriction on loan transfers between teams owned by the same person. This figure was two votes shy of what was required for the ban to be implemented.

AdvertisementWHAT HOWE SAID

"You say Newcastle were favoured but it was a Premier League vote," said Howe in a press conference. "We're not the only club involved in that vote. I think the majority of the Premier League and other clubs around the world [benefit] so it's not solely on us, I don't think.

"Newcastle, our club, had a view. We voted in a way, a way that we're allowed to, and the vote came out on the side that it did. I think just from my dealings with it, we're very relaxed on it. It's not the be-all and end-all for us. We've got a squad that we really like. Now if we get players fit before January then the need to recruit will become much less intense for us."

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Thanks to the vote, Newcastle, which was purchased by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in October 2021, would be able to loan players from other teams that the fund also owns. Indeed, the 'big four' Saudi Pro League teams – Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal – are majority-owned by PIF, with Newcastle having been linked with Ruben Neves.

There are ownership connections between other Premier League teams and foreign clubs. The Abu Dhabi-based City Football Group owns Manchester City and has ownership interests in a number of other teams worldwide. Meanwhile, BlueCo, the group that bought Chelsea, has an agreement to acquire shares in Racing Strasbourg in June. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership of French club Nice would also have provided obstacles for Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

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WHAT NEXT FOR HOWE?

Howe will now be free to pursue Newcastle's interest in Al-Hilal's Neves, who has been targeted by the Magpies after Sandro Tonali was banned from footballing activities due to his involvement in betting. Before that, though, Newcastle face a tough test against Chelsea in Saturday's Premier League fixture.

Here's where you can watch Orlando City vs D.C. United in the MLS on TV or live stream.

On Saturday, Orlando City will host DC United in Florida, a matchup between two teams that are separated by three points in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference. 

The home team is seventh in the division with 11 points after seven league games, while the visitors are ranked 11th, having played an extra match.

▶ Watch every MLS match, including the playoffs, here

▶ Buy MLS tickets from Ticketmaster, here

Orlando City has had a rocky start to the new season after making the MLS Cup playoffs and losing in the first round the previous year. They have yet to find any real consistency.

The Lions have 11 points through their first seven league games, having started with victories and draws before losing to Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions League by the thinnest of margins.

Orlando City will be encouraged by the fact that they do currently occupy a playoff spot at this early stage of the season and will now be keen to put a run of results together, starting with a second straight win this weekend.

Despite having a difficult start to their own term, their opponents will head to Orlando seeking to catch up to their hosts in points and possibly move up to the top seven.

DC United did open their MLS season on a winning note against Toronto in February, but they would then go six matches without recording a victory.

Wayne Rooney's team will be eager to make it two in a row on Saturday and continue their ascent towards the top seven with that victory putting them just outside the playoff spots.

GOAL brings you everything you need to know about where to watch the game on TV and stream live online.

Orlando City vs D.C. United date & kick-off timeGame:Orlando City vs D.C. UnitedDate:April 22, 2023Kick-off time:7:30 pm ET Venue:Exploria StadiumAdvertisementWhere to watch Orlando City vs D.C. United on TV & live stream online

Fans in the United States & across the world can watch MLS with Apple TV MLS Season Pass.

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Check out GOAL's soccer on U.S. TV guideTeam news & squadsOrlando City team news and squad

Orlando City have their entire squad available for selection. It is in defence where they have impressed thus far, and Pareja should certainly deploy an unaltered back-four featuring Kyle Smith, Rodrigo Schlegel, Robin Jansson and Luca Petrasso.

Orlando City possible XI: Gallese; Smith, Schlegel, Jansson, Petrasso; Martins, Araujo; Ojeda, Pereyra, Angulo; McGuire

Position Players

GoalkeepersGallese, Stajduhar, Grinwis.DefendersSalim, Schlegel, Jansson, Williams, Carlos, Petrasso, Santos, Smith, MidfieldersAraujo, Cartagena, Martins, Thorhallsson, Rivera, Pereyra, Loyola, Mohammed, McGuire.ForwardsOjeda, Gonzalez, Angulo, Torres, Kara, Enrique, Lynn.DC United team news and squad

DC United will be without Brendan Hines-Ike and Martin Rodriguez this weekend, as the pair have joined Taxiarchis Fountas on the club's injury list.

DC United possible XI: Miller; Palsson, Pines, Birnbaum, Jeahze; Teixeira, Canouse, O'Brien, Klich; Benteke, Fountas

Position Players

GoalkeepersMiller, BonoDefendersJeahze, Ruan, Najar, Santos, Williams, Birnbaum, Pines, SargisMidfieldersKlich, Durkin, Canousse, Asad, Palsson, Rodriguez, Ku-DiPietroForwardsBenteke, Robertha, HopkinsENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Ben Stokes hit the fastest Test hundred at Lord’s, off 85 balls, and Alastair Cook ended the fourth day unbeaten on 153 as England build a lead of 295

The Report by Andrew McGlashan24-May-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:16

Stokes counter-attack leaves all results possible

The last time Ben Stokes played a Test at Lord’s, less than a year ago against India, he had bagged a pair, England had lost and he was about to dropped. On the fourth day against New Zealand he hurtled to the fastest Test century at the ground, off 85 balls, alongside a magnificent unbeaten 153 from captain Alastair Cook, to give England a lead of 295 and leave a myriad of prospects for the final day.Stokes’ hundred eclipsed the 87-ball effort by Mohammad Azharuddin in 1990 and also became the second fastest for England in Test history, behind Gilbert Jessop’s 76 balls against Australia in 1902 and a ball quicker than Ian Botham against Australia, at Old Trafford, in the storied summer of 1981. There will, inevitably, be the linking of the two allrounders’ names after such a display of match-turning power, not to mention Stokes’ first-innings 92 which lifted England from depths of 30 for 4.The game was in the balance when Stokes arrived following a 158-run stand between Cook, who continued his form by making a second century in consecutive Tests, and the prolific Joe Root. But despite their alliance the lead was a precarious 98 with six wickets remaining and the second new ball 10 overs away. At the time, Cook was on 98 – when Stokes departed with 101 to his name, top edging a sweep to slip, Cook had provided 24 of the 132 runs for the fifth wicket.Stokes had been quickly into his work before tea, crunching five boundaries before rain briefly took the players off. There was no disrupting Stokes’ flow and the new ball lit the blue touch paper. He launched into Tim Southee who decided to test out the middle of the pitch and ended up with a spell of 6-1-53-0, during which the complexion of match change significantly.It began, though, with three crisp drives in four balls which, perhaps, was the persuasion for Southee to change tactic. And it might have worked when, having pulled one six over deep square leg to reach 65, Stokes went for a repeat next delivery and the ball burst through Doug Bracewell’s hands on the boundary. Next ball, a top edge flew over the keeper. In all, Stokes’ second fifty took 28 balls in a display of sustained clean hitting not seen by an England player since Kevin Pietersen was in his prime.In the space of a 26-over stand England’s main aim had shifted from primarily match-saving to potentially match-winning. There is only one successful chase higher than the current target on this ground – West Indies’ 344 for 1 in 1984 – but you would imagine that Brendon McCullum would tell his men to have a go. As England showed, despite the occasional sign of uneven bounce, there were few gremlins in the pitch although it was difficult to judge what impact spin could have as Mark Craig struggled for any consistency.No one will know the pitch better than Cook. There for the entire day, he brought up his 27th Test century – following his ton in Barbados – and fourth at Lord’s from 206 balls (before Stokes had got off the mark) with a punch down the ground as McCullum surrounded him with catchers on the off side. As he completed a third run there was a show of raw emotion as he celebrated towards the dressing room and received a prolonged ovation from the crowd, which was repeated later in the evening session when he passed 150. It was not the reception of an unpopular man.The morning had been especially testing for England, who did well to only suffer the one loss. Southee had immediately found movement when he resumed from the Nursery End, getting his third delivery to tail away late at Bell to take the edge. The first hour brought 31 runs; the second 70 as Cook and Root eased into the task at hand.Cook went to his fifty from 122 balls and when Craig was introduced half an hour before lunch he cut and pulled as the bowler dropped short. His judgement on what to play and what to leave was almost impeccable but he also latched on to scoring opportunities; the pull was in good working order and there was even a cover drive as the lead swelled over 250. By the end of the day, he was 41 runs away from overtaking his mentor, Graham Gooch, as England’s highest Test run-scorer.Root, again, also played a vital hand in reviving England. After the early loss of Bell, New Zealand sensed a chance to make major gains while the ball was moving. Root was far from fluent at the start of the innings and on 7 had a heart-mouth moment when he flicked Boult off his pads and Corey Anderson dived forward at square leg. No one was entirely sure if it had carried and third umpire ruled there was no conclusive evidence.Craig’s introduction, as it would for most of the day, relieved some of the pressure as Root went to an 83-ball fifty and the fluency of the first innings returned. However, in the afternoon he was sucked in by a short-ball ploy and obligingly hooked Matt Henry to long leg. Another missed hundred for Root, but it set the stage for Stokes. And how he responded.

Following the end of a marathon emergency board meeting, the West Indies Cricket Board expressed “sorrow” for the events that lead to West Indies aborting their tour of India last week

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2014Following the end of a marathon emergency board meeting, the West Indies Cricket Board expressed “sorrow” for the events that lead to West Indies aborting their tour of India last week and decided to request an immediate meeting with the BCCI to arrest the slide in trust expressed publicly by the Indian board.The WICB also plans to set up a task force that would meet both the players and its representative West Indies Players Association (WIPA), both of whom have been locked in an impasse over the new combined business agreement and memorandum of understanding which was signed in September. The task force will meet with all parties before reporting its findings to the WICB board.Although the WICB stated that it would act “expeditiously as the situation would allow”, the statement did not mention the exact timeline when the task force would return its findings. There was also no mention of who would form part of this task force. “WICB believes that a way can be found to repair the damage that has been caused and to ensure that similar events do not recur, with the focus being on the betterment of West Indies and world cricket.”The meeting in Barbados was always going to be crucial, but it assumed critical importance once the BCCI working committee, which met on Tuesday morning in Hyderabad, decided to exercise the legal route against the WICB for its role in the India tour getting terminated. That meeting had lasted less than an hour and was attended by ICC chairman N Srinivasan, who is currently suspended from his role as BCCI president but attended in his capacity as president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.In contrast the WICB meeting lasted for about seven hours, at the end of which a short statement was issued stating it was “mindful” of the BCCI decision. “The West Indies Cricket Board regrets, and is deeply embarrassed by the premature and unfortunate end to the recent tour of India,” the statement issued by the WICB communications head Imran Khan, said. “The WICB once again expresses to the BCCI and all stakeholders – especially the cricket loving public of the West Indies and India – sorrow for the events leading up to this development.”On Monday two directors had told ESPNCricinfo that the only possible avenue left for the WICB to salvage the deteriorating situation was to meet the BCCI. “In light of the longstanding good relationship between WICB and BCCI, which goes back decades and has produced numerous mutual benefits, the WICB looks forward to meeting with the BCCI to discuss these decisions which can have serious implications for West Indies cricket,” the WICB statement said.The directors also were in favour of taking strict disciplinary action against the players, but there was no mention of any sanctions today against Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies ODI captain, who lead the revolt and was instrumental in the team returning mid-way from the India tour.Most directors did not respond to calls at the end of Tuesday’s meeting, instead allowing the statement to declare their intent. The WICB will also schedule “an urgent debriefing” with the West Indies team management comprising team manager Richie Richardson, team director Richard Pybus, interim head coach Stuart Williams and possibly chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd.The WICB board also took the opportunity to “assure Cricket South Africa that it will use its best endeavours to ensure a successful tour of South Africa as scheduled.” West Indies are scheduled to tour South Africa in December for a three-Test series with the first match scheduled from December 17.

While champions Manchester City ran away with the league title in 2020-21, there were plenty of individuals from other clubs who shone this season

Manchester City claimed the Premier League title ahead of Manchester United, while Liverpool and Chelsea ended up in the Champions League places at the expense of Leicester City. But which players stood out enough to guarantee a place in Alex Keble's Premier League team of the season? Getty ImagesGK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa’s goalkeeper was probably the signing of the summer. Martinez equalled Brad Friedel’s record of 16 clean sheets for Villa in a single top-flight season, helping transform Dean Smith’s side from one of the leakiest in the division to one of the strongest.

Martinez ranks third in the Premier League for shots saved (15) and second for ‘prevented goals’ (9.71), a statistic that measures a goalkeeper’s saves against the expected goals (xG) of the opposition shots.

But Martinez’s influence goes far beyond shot-stopping. His unrivalled skill in catching shots and crosses – where others would parry or punch – has completely reshaped Villa’s tactical organisation.

Martinez’s sticky gloves allow Villa to reset and get back up the pitch, hence their strength on the counterattack.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)

Nobody typifies Manchester City’s season like Cancelo, an intelligent and versatile footballer who nominally played as a left-back or right-back throughout 2020-21, but in reality popped up all over the pitch.

His influence as an inverted full-back has been startling and progressively courageous; at times this season he has advanced in the right half-space like Kevin De Bruyne.

The key to City’s title win was their tactical unpredictability, created by Pep Guardiola through the rotation of full-backs. Depending on the configuration he chose, City could line up with three at the back, dual overlapping full-backs, two extra bodies in midfield, or an extra playmaker in the number 10 position.

Cancelo is the only City player who could perform any of these roles, and from either side too.

Getty ImagesCB: Wesley Fofana (Leicester City)

Leicester City’s 20-year-old centre-back has been a revelation.

Brendan Rodgers probably did not expect to be able to rely on Fofana in his debut campaign quite like he has, but his aggression and anticipatory skills have already made him one of the most revered centre-backs in the Premier League.

Tellingly, Fofana ranks fourth in the division for interceptions (2.2 per game), a stat normally dominated by defensive midfielders. This speaks to Fofana’s tendency to step out from the back and boldly shut down the opposition play, an eye-catching feature that works particularly well in a back three.

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Getty ImagesCB: Ruben Dias (Manchester City)

Almost every player who joined the Premier League from abroad last summer has endured a difficult debut campaign in England, which is perfectly understandable given the country has been in lockdown for so much of the last year.

It is even more remarkable, then, that Ruben Dias has been rock solid for Manchester City.

Dias started the most Premier League games (32) of any City outfield player, his power and athleticism not only keeping Aymeric Laporte out of the side but also drastically improving John Stones.

After the fallow year without Vincent Kompany, City have found their defensive leader for the next decade.

Alba or Marcelo? Busquets or Casemiro? And is there any place for Bale? Find out who makes the Clasico's best combined starting line-up

Getty ImagesMarc Andre ter StegenThere is little argument possible on the Clasico's best shot-stopper. Ter Stegen has undergone an astonishing transformation over the last 12 months, stepping out of Claudio Bravo's shadow to become one of the most proficient goalkeepers in world football. If the German continues in the same vein Manuel Neuer may have a fight on his hands to keep the No. 1 jersey for the World Cup.AdvertisementGetty ImagesDani CarvajalWhile Barcelona have struggled to find Dani Alves' replacement at right-back, there is no doubt over who controls that flank at the Bernabeu. Carvajal is now one of the first names on the Madrid team-sheet, and his absence has been sorely felt whenever he has been unable to play.Getty ImagesGerard PiqueA player that only seems to get better with age. Pique may still make the headlines for his flamboyant off-pitch behaviour, but on it he is a consummate professional and the inspiration behind a Barcelona defence that has yielded just seven goals in 16 Liga outings this season. He makes the XI comfortably ahead of Raphael Varane, who is struggling to build on early promise at the Bernabeu.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesSergio RamosOne of the toughest choices to make in this combined line-up. Samuel Umtiti has taken to life at Barca like a duck to water, forming a formidable partnership with Pique. But it is instead the centre-back's Spain partner who makes the cut, a recognition of his standing as Madrid captain and ability both in defence and as a set-piece weapon.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund man scored a superb individual goal in Naples as they ran out 3-2 winners over the Italian champions

Jude Bellingham bagged his eighth goal of the season as Real Madrid ended Napoli's 13-game unbeaten Champions League streak at home, snatching a 3-2 victory in an enthralling encounter on Tuesday. The contest, in truth, could have gone either way, but Bellingham's virtuoso brilliance, coupled with a stunning Federico Valverde strike , saw off the Italian champions.

Napoli took the lead with their first chance of the night, as Kvicha Kvaratskhelia whipped a corner into the box, which Real Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga misjudged, and after the ball pinged off the crossbar, it fell kindly for Leo Ostigard to head into an open net.

But Madrid offered a response. Bellingham won the ball just outside the Napoli box, before feeding Vinicius Jr for a fine finish from a tight angle. The England international then put Madrid ahead shortly after with a magnificent effort, weaving through the Napoli defence before curling a shot past Alex Meret.

Napoli levelled things up again after the break, Piotr Zielinski smashing home from the penalty spot after the hosts were awarded a dubious spot-kick for a Nacho handball. Los Blancos found an edge as the game went on, though, and were good value for their winner as Valverde fired from distance, his 25-yard-effort hitting the bar before bouncing into the net off Meret's back. The home side pushed for a winner late on, but Madrid saw off late pressure to secure an important away win that leaves them with one foot in the Champions League knockouts.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Stadio Diego Armando Maradona…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Kepa Arrizabalaga (5/10):

His blunder handed Napoli the opening goal. Was otherwise unconvincing, though did make a smart reflex save to deny Osimhen.

Dani Carvajal (5/10):

He was always going to be given a tough night by Kvaratskhelia, and that was the case, as the Georgian wound his way around the right-back all evening.

Nacho (7/10):

Unlucky to give away a penalty — it was never a handball. Turned in a solid showing otherwise.

Antonio Rudiger (8/10):

Engaged in a fine battle with Osimhen, which he won in key moments. Madrid never looked shaky with him at the back.

Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):

Handed a start ahead of Mendy at his less-favoured left-back spot. Booked early. Rightly removed after an hour.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (8/10):

Controlled space effectively, and probably should've found the net in the first half. Has made the No.6 role his own this season.

Federico Valverde (7/10):

'Scored' the winning goal after an otherwise rather sloppy night on the ball. His ability to cover ground was vital otherwise, though.

Toni Kroos (6/10):

Pinged some nice passes, but never really controlled the game in his usual style. Needs a rest.

Jude Bellingham (9/10):

Assisted Madrid's first, scored their ridiculous second. He probably should have grabbed another, but a miss will do little to detract from another excellent performance from the Englishman.

Getty ImagesAttack

Rodrygo (5/10):

Struggled to get involved in the game, and often tried to do too much. He's yet to score this season.

Vinicius Jr (8/10):

Looked lacking in sharpness until he scored the Madrid equaliser. Had a few good chances after, and found a rhythm. He will be so important once fully fit.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Replaced Camavinga and made a crucial clearance late on.

Luka Modric (6/10):

Offered a solid shift off the bench, which is pretty much his role these days.

Joselu (6/10):

Struggled to get involved, but certainly had the legs to give Madrid life late on

Dani Ceballos (N/A):

Not enough time to make an impact.

Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):

Benched Modric, and opted to start Camavinga at left-back. Madrid controlled the game early, but lost it when Napoli offered more of an attacking threat in the second half.

Jesse Ryder’s latest indiscretion has given Tom Latham a spot in the New Zealand Test squad. And if Ross Taylor’s second child does not arrive by tomorrow, Latham will make his Test debut in Wellington against India

Abhishek Purohit in Wellington12-Feb-2014Jesse Ryder’s latest indiscretion has given Tom Latham a spot in the New Zealand Test squad. And if Ross Taylor’s second child does not arrive by tomorrow, Latham will make his Test debut in Wellington against India. It is a “tricky” scenario, Latham admitted, but it will also fulfil his dream to play Test cricket for his nation, and the 21-year old is gearing up for it.”I suppose it is a tricky one but I have to prepare myself to play and if I do get the nod, then I am ready to go and if not, then Ross will slot back in,” Latham said. “It will be very exciting. I have always wanted to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket for New Zealand is a dream and it will be very rewarding.”There could be pressure playing your first Test, but Latham said it helped coming into a side that was yet to lose a game to the visitors. “It’s probably the best way to come into a team, when the team is doing well. There will be pressure on me but the boys will be squarely behind me if I do get the nod.”Latham has caught some of the Indian bowling on television during this series and feels they are a decent attack, especially on a Wellington pitch which wore a green look two days before the match starts. “I remember playing [Mohammed] Shami out here a few years back when he came out with the India A team and he was a good bowler,” Latham said. “They are all good bowlers in probably tricky conditions which should be out there. If I do get the nod, then fingers crossed I will do well.”He got the call-up on the back of his 687 runs at an average of 68.70 in the ongoing domestic first-class Plunket Shield. He made five half-centuries and an unbeaten double-hundred for Canterbury, and was glad to have turned in consistent scores.”That’s what I was asked to do,” he said. “I went back and played for Canterbury and it’s nice that I have been putting those numbers on the board and I think that consistency is probably the most pleasing thing. It is nice that the selectors have rewarded me for that consistency. I have done a lot of work with Bob [Carter] in the Black Caps setup. He has been really good and he was my coach a few years ago at Canterbury.”Those first-class runs came at the top of the order but if he plays in Wellington, Latham will have to slot into the middle order, something he said he should have “no problems” doing. “I have batted in the middle order before. It’s my first season sort of opening for Canterbury. Last season I was in the middle order so it’s not a position that is unfamiliar to me, so hopefully I can carry on from where I have left off with Canterbury.”Latham said even opening in first-class cricket had not posed too many issues, as he had done the job through age-group cricket. If the Test debut happened, he said he would look to continue what had worked for him at Canterbury, which was to play his natural game.He was part of the New Zealand side that toured Sri Lanka in November last year, and made a match-winning 86 off 68 in the second ODI in Hambantota. Before that, he had fifties in unofficial Tests in Sri Lanka and India for New Zealand A. Latham said those scores had boosted his self-belief.”It was obviously nice to score runs and let yourself know that you can do it. In the games after that, I have certainly felt more confident batting out there. Putting those numbers on the board builds that confidence.”

The BCCI’s annual elections have been postponed until January 31, 2015 following a directive from the Supreme Court

Sharda Ugra10-Dec-20143:55

Ugra: Srinivasan defence all about holding on to BCCI post

The BCCI’s annual elections have been postponed to a date not later than January 31, 2015 following a directive from the Supreme Court. The elections were due to be held on December 17, but the BCCI told the court that the elections could not be held until the hearings in the IPL 2013 corruption case were completed.This is the third time the BCCI elections, originally scheduled to be held before September 30, 2014, have been postponed as there has not been a final decision on the IPL corruption case over the involvement of sidelined BCCI president N Srinivasan.A two-man bench of the Supreme Court consisting of Justice TS Thakur and FM Kalifullah heard the arguments from counsel representing Srinivasan, BCCI, India Cements Ltd, former Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan and Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra on Wednesday. Given that there are arguments to be made by counsel for IPL COO Sundar Raman as well as the litigants Cricket Association of Bihar, along with interventions that have been permitted by the court, there is a very strong possibility the case could extend into the new year.The BCCI pleaded with the court asking what could be done about the elections in the course of extended hearings and asked for an order with regard to the elections. Justice Thakur then asked why, on previous two occasions, the BCCI had taken decisions on its own to postpone the elections, but was now seeking a direction of the court. BCCI counsel CA Sundaram replied that it would be “appropriate” as the Registrar of Societies had been given information the last time the elections had been postponed.As part of his arguments in court today, Srinivasan’s counsel Kapil Sibal gave an undertaking, on behalf of his client, that if he were elected president, “till the (proposed) committee suggests the procedure to deal with the issue of conflict of interest, he will not attend any IPL governing council meeting or any other IPL related discussion in any meeting of working committee or general body meeting of the BCCI.”The undertaking handed over to the court also said that the Court’s proposed two-member high-powered committee could “suggest sanctions to be imposed, in accordance with applicable IPL rules, on person prima facie found to be involved in the act of betting by the Mudgal panel, besides determining the liability of the franchisees.” The “suggestion” refers to the fact that the committee’s conclusions would not be binding on the BCCI.N Srinivasan’s counsel said the sidelined BCCI president was ready to give an undertaking, that were he to be elected president, he would not attend BCCI working committee meetings or IPL governing council meetings•AFPThe BCCI also raised its objections to the court’s suggestion of a high-powered committee, comprising two former judges independent of the board, to take a decision and also mete out a penalty on the conflict of interest issues around Srinivasan, his son-in-law Gurunath and the Super Kings franchise.The BCCI argued that the panel would “challenge” the board’s “autonomy”, as a private body, governed by the Societies Registration Act. The BCCI, Sundaram said, did not want an “external agency” to set its rules. Like in Srinivasan’s argument, the board wanted the findings of the high-powered committee to be “suggestions” and “not be binding on the BCCI.” The court did not agree with this argument, saying that the BCCI had taken no action on its own and stated that the two judges’ decisions could work to “strengthen” the rules of the BCCI.In response to the fact that the BCCI was a private body, the bench made a precise observation of the current status of the BCCI. The BCCI counsel were asked if the board could whether any other Board could call the team selected by them, ‘Team India?’ The court said the BCCI had “de facto and de jure monopoly.””If you have disqualified any person, can he play in any international cricket conducted by ICC? If you have this kind of all-pervasive control, then you are performing a public duty.”The court told the BCCI that the “entire game of cricket and its edifice will collapse” if the BCCI’s current “arrangement” was “allowed to continue and if people’s confidence in the sport is not restored.” The BCCI was asked, “If you (BCCI) fail in your duty, can’t we get it corrected? If there is some temptation for a thief to enter, why can’t you stop it? Why are you averse to it?”Sundaram argued that the court could intervene when there was a specific case where public confidence had been dented but not make sweeping changes to the BCCI’s private bylaws, to which the bench responded by asking, “So you want us to catch the thief but not plug the scope of future theft?”In arguing India Cements’ case, the company’s counsel Mahesh Jethmalani said that the Super Kings franchise should not be penalised for the actions of Gurunath. Jethmalani said that Gurunath was betting in a “personal capacity” and “from home”. He also said argued that India Cements has 3000 employees and the company could not keep tabs on what each one did at home. Justice Thakur said: “It doesn’t make a difference, betting is betting. You should have ensured you are not surrounded by people who bet.”Siddharth Luthra, counsel for Gurunath said that the court should not “prejudice” Gurunath’s criminal trial in Mumbai with its findings. Gurunath was arrested in Mumbai on May 24, 2013 on charges of cheating, forgery and fraud.When asked repeatedly whether Gurunath was a Super Kings team official, no specific answer was given. Thakur asked him, “Do you want to disclose or not?” to which Luthra said his client had “the right to defence and the right to silence. It is a subject matter of prosecution.” Gurunath had also refused to speak to the Mudgal committee on the same grounds, citing the criminal case pending against him in the Bombay High Court.The hearings for the case will resume on December 15 at 2pm and the court will go into a vacation between December 19 and January 5. Sixteen-and-a-half hours of judicial time have gone into the hearings of this case since the Mudgal committee presented its final report to the Supreme Court in early November.