London, December 3
Even as the decision on India tour is yet to be taken, the ECB has given clear indication that England will return for the Test series and insisted that the board will not let terrorism influence the spirit of its players.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke's comments suggested that the tour is most likely to get underway as scheduled although, the board is awaiting reports from its security advisor Reg Dickason before officially confirming whether or not the tour will go ahead.

Dickason is in India for collecting security information on the two cities - Chennai and Mohali - which are hosting the Tests.

''Under no circumstances will we allow our cricket to be dictated by terrorists,'' Clarke said.

''The security advice we are receiving has not changed and we are getting a lot of help and cooperation from everyone in India. The BCCI is doing all it can to facilitate the tour but we must do what we have to do properly and thoroughly. It is what every England player wants and deserves,'' Clarke was quoted, as saying by The Independent today.

Clarke added that he was unaware of the reports that some players, including Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison, had said that they would be unavailable for the tour.

''India is an enormous country and there are large parts of it that have never seen terrorist activity. In 2005, the Aussies were sensible and we are doing the same here. I am not aware of any player making himself unavailable yet but that is not my remit. Cricket is Hugh Morris's responsibility,'' he stated.

The Kevin Pietersen-led England team appears set to stop over in Abu Dhabi for a couple of days of preparation.

Last night reports from the Emirates suggested England will play a warm-up game at the at the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club before heading for India to play the two-Test series.

It is also believed that several of the Performance Squad bowlers, who were in India at the same time as the one-day side, will accompany the Test squad. — UNI

London, December 3
Former England captain Geoff Boycott has hit out at the ECB saying it was "monstrous" even to be thinking of sending players back to the terror-stricken sub-continent and demanded International Cricket Council's intervention to stop the two-Test series.

"Given what has just happened in India, it is monstrous for the England and Wales Cricket Board even to be thinking about sending the team back out again," he said.

"The ECB are showing a lack of moral judgement by pressing ahead with all these meetings and security inspections. The whole thing is just too raw," he was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

Over 200 people, including some foreign nationals, were killed in the worst-ever terror attacks in India, in which terrorists hijacked two luxury hotels and fought not-stop for around 60 hours.

"No one should underestimate the scale of this disaster. The aftershocks are not going to die down quickly. If the players go back next week, they won't be able to escape the inquests into what happened," he added.

Boycott said even change of venue was not a solution to the players' problem as Mohali was closest to Pakistan where Mariott hotel witnessed a bomb blast a few months ago.

"You have to show some common sense, and make sure no one is going to get hurt. It is only a couple of months since the Islamabad Marriott was taken out by a lorry-load of explosives that went off just outside the front gate.

"In the circumstances, it seems bizarre that the Indians are trying to reschedule one of the Test matches to Mohali. It is the closest ground to Pakistan, only a matter of 25 miles from the border," said Boycott.

"To even talk about flying there is ridiculous. It is time for the ECB or, if not them, the International Cricket Council to stand up, stop messing around, and show some leadership," Boycott said.

The former England captain said the idea of players returning to India for the two-Test series was insensitive as mere words could not fight terror.

"It's all very well to say 'we mustn't let the terrorists win' but what about the grieving families who have lost loved ones? And what about the players' wives, who will be afraid to turn on the television for fear of what they might see? For me, the whole idea just seems disrespectful, insensitive and immoral," he said.

Boycott also felt the timing was not apt for the Test series to go on as no one would be in the right frame of mind for the recreation.

"Sport is supposed to be enjoyable, entertaining, and essentially fun. But I don't know how any of that can be possible when India is burying more than 200 victims of terror," he said.

The former opener said he expected some 'common sense' from the Board.

"More importantly, we don't yet know enough about the Bombay disaster. You can't just be macho and gung-ho and go barging into these situations saying everything is going to be OK." — PTI

London, December 3
The ICC President David Morgan has urged England to resume their tour of India while hitting out at former cricketers like Geoffery Boycott for demanding that Kevin Pietersen and Co. back out in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes.

"I have seen British writers criticising the England and Wales Cricket Board for wanting to return while the disaster is still 'raw' in India to use Geoffrey Boycott's expression," Morgan was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

"In my view they are failing to understand that it isn't for British people to make a judgement on what people in India want. It is quite clear that the people who run cricket in India want the game to resume as soon as possible. Wouldn't we want the same here if the boot was on the other foot?" he asked.

Former players like Boycott and Graham Gooch have urged for the cancellation of the two-Test series after it emerged that top players like Andrew Flintoff are reluctant to travel to India. But Morgan felt the show must go on.

"I think it's staggering when British journalists suggest that it is inappropriate to go because India needs to have time to mourn. Would we take that from Indian or Australian journalists? Of course we wouldn't," he explained.

Morgan hoped that ECB security expert Reg Dickason would give an all-clear to the security arrangements at the two Test venues.

"If Mr Dickason says it isn't safe, the players are not going to go and the ICC will have to decide whether it agrees with Mr Dickason or the BCCI. Time is short for an independent assessment to be made but that is what will have to happen. I hope things will not reach that point.

"If the England team chose to withdraw despite receiving the all-clear, it wouldn't just damage India it would damage England too. In terms of reputation, and perhaps in terms of financial reparations as well,” he added.

“India’s contribution to world cricket is extremely important and it would be disastrous if India were seen to be unsafe for international cricket for any period of time,” he added. — PTI

Melbourne, December 3
Ricky Ponting's over-rate woes after spin wizard Shane Warne's retirement have cost the Australian cricket team a hefty $130,000 in fines so far. Investigations conducted by the 'Daily Telegraph' found that the skipper himself has had to cough up $23,200 to the ICC after getting fined in five of the 16 Tests that he has played following Warne's retirement, one of the worst record in world cricket so far.

Ponting now is level with South Africa’s Graeme Smith as the most penalised captain (15) since 2003. The report claims Cricket Australia has become so fed up with the violations that it might push for on-field penalties.

CA chief James Sutherland is so incensed by Ponting's slow play that he is planning to use a CEO meeting in South Africa next week to urge the ICC to replace fines with real-time punishments such as losing fielders for slow play. "I don't think the sanctions that are in place are having the desired effect," Sutherland said.

"No one likes getting slugged a fine and in the worst case, captains can get suspended as well. But I would like to think there is something that can happen in a more immediate sense inside of a match that has a greater team impact that could produce a better result," he said. After being fined 23 times in the last 15 years for slow over rate, this year alone Australia have been penalised six times which cost the team $123,000 in match fee.

However, much of the problem seems to have occurred after Warne's retirement. In the 145 Tests between Warne's debut in 1992 and his retirement last year, Australia were fined just nine times. The leg-spinner's ability to bowl some quick overs has been sorely missed by Ponting, who in a bid to fill the gap has been forced to use part-time bowlers. — PTI

Karachi, December 3
Lashing out at Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said the senior batsman should have spared a thought for the team's image before going to India and giving vent to his disgruntlement there.

Malik said he still respected Yousuf as a senior player but felt it was wrong on his part to hold a press conference in India and make accusations against him.

"I don't know why he is saying this. But it would have been better if he had come to me as a senior player, friend or brother and told me about his feelings," Malik said while appearing on a show on 'Dunya' channel.

"This would have been better instead of him going to India and saying all these things in a press conference there.

"I still respect him as a senior player and as a friend and I feel he still could have given a lot to Pakistan team and we needed his services. Yousuf should have thought about Pakistan cricket," he added.

Yousuf, who joined the rebel Indian Cricket League last month, has repeatedly claimed that he was forced to do this because Malik didn't give him the required respect as a senior player. He also said Malik was not as good a captain as India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Referring to Yousuf's comparing him with Dhoni, Malik said as a captain he has always tried to give his best.

"I only know as captain I have given my best and try to lead by example. I don't shy away from challenges whether it is batting in a crisis or bowling in power play. What more can I do as captain."

The all-rounder made it clear that neither he got an offer from the ICL nor would he have considered such an offer.

"I frankly don't have the time for such leagues and for me the priority is my country."

Meanwhile, former Test pacer and assistant coach of the Pakistan team, Aaqib Javed also lashed out at the ICL and players who had joined it.

He said people should first realise what level of competition there was in the ICL and then voice their demand of recalling the players who performed well in the league to the national team.

"It is just like club cricket. I don't understand how people can say these players should be picked on those basis given the competition they are batting or bowling against. As it is the ICL is not recognised by the ICC, PCB or the Indian board so these players can't be selected."

Aaqib said the players should have given first priority to Pakistan before deciding to join the ICL.

"Till the last moment Yousuf was with me at the academy training and he didn't tell me anything," he added. — PTI

Karachi, December 3
The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to take any disciplinary action against troubled pacer Mohammad Asif, even if he is penalised by the drugs inquiry tribunal of the IPL for his alleged doping offence in the inaugural edition of the Twenty20 tournament.

"It is like double jeopardy. You can't punish a man twice for the same crime. If the IPL tribunal does not clear him from the doping offence obviously he is going to face a long ban and the PCB does not come into the picture," a senior PCB official told PTI.

He also made it clear that the Board had rejected Asif's plea for the release of his central contract payments this year.

"We have looked into his request and got legal opinion. The fact is that presently he remains suspended from all forms of cricket and until the IPL tribunal reaches a decision we can't do anything for him," he said.

Asif was due to appear before the Indian Premier League tribunal on November 29 and 30, but the hearing was called off because of the terror attacks in Mumbai and the inquiry tribunal is yet to convey fresh dates to the pacer.

Asif, playing for Delhi Daredevils, had tested positive for a banned substance during the semifinals of the IPL earlier this year.

His 'B' sample also came positive but the traces of substance varied in both the tests, leading his lawyer to challenge the procedure of the tests adopted by the IPL.

Later, Asif was also detained in Dubai for 19-days in June for carrying a banned substance in small quantity while returning home after featuring in the IPL.

However, he was later released without any charges.

Former PCB Chief Operating Officer, Shafqat Naghmi, the head of the inquiry tribunal formed to probe Asif's Dubai saga, has claimed that the pacer was caught with opium at the airport which led to his detention.

However, the newly-appointed Chief Operating Officer, Saleem Altaf made it clear that the PCB did not have any record or report confirming Asif was carrying opium with him.

"But we might decide to have a fresh inquiry into the matter if Asif is cleared by the IPL," he said.

He added that the PCB could also view Asif's case on compassionate grounds but that depends upon on the IPL drugs tribunal's finding. — PTI

Kolkata, December 3
Over the next fortnight the top 16 teams in the country, which includes 12 second division I-League sides, will vie for top honours in the Federation Cup to be held in Kolkata and Barasat. With the erstwhile knock-out format giving away to a single-leg league format, it will be interesting to see how the 12 top clubs cope with fatigue and expectation after going through 11 gruelling rounds of the I-League.

They will be up against State Bank of Travancore, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, New Delhi Heroes and Oil India (Assam) -- four teams who have made the cut after going through two qualifying rounds, introduced this season. In tomorrow’s opening encounter, I-League holders Dempo will take on minnows SBT and the second match of the day will see United Sports Club locking horns with Mumbai FC.

Striker Ranty Martins looks doubtful for Dempo’s opener, having pulled a hamstring. Moreover, key players Mboyo Iwomi, Samir Naik and Nicolau Borges didn’t travel with the club putting Dempo in a bit of bother. However, Dempo coach Armando Colaco was still oozing confidence. “Though our focus is on the I-League, we are giving equal stress to the Federation Cup. We want to win this title,” said Colaco.

The ignominy of three successive defeats in the I-League could be weighing heavy on holders East Bengal, who won the Federation Cup after 11 years beating Mahindra United 2-1 in the final in Ludhiana. The reigning champions have picked Suley Musah and Yusif Yakubu as the two foreigners in the 30th edition of the tournament since only two imports are allowed this time as per the AIFF instruction.

That leaves out East Bengal’s new Ghanaian recruit Ishmael Addo, who replaced ailing Edmilson Marques in the I-League. East Bengal’s preliminary list of 25 players also includes Surkumar Singh and Dharamjit Singh.

However, all eyes would be on 12-time Federation Cup champions, Mohun Bagan, who have been the show-stealers of late in the ongoing I-League, winning six games in a row to sit pretty in second place after the end of the first phase.

The last time the Federation Cup was held here in 2006, the green-and-maroons won the title. Much will depend on Bhaichung Bhutia and Brazilian ace Jose Barreto, the driving force behind Mohun Bagan’s resurgence in the league.

Barreto may have lost much of the pace but his ability to deliver near perfect crosses and his predatory skills still make him a dangerous customer for opposition defenders. Another team to watch out for would be I-League leaders Sporting de Clube Goa, who have been the picture of consistency in an otherwise topsy-turvy league this season. Two defeats in 11 matches speak highly of the Vishwas Goankar-managed side’s effort.

JCT, the defending champions, will have to come up with something special to even reach the semifinals since only one team from each group progresses to the last-four stage. — PTI

London, December 3
As Cristiano Ronaldo contemplated a year that has brought him enough silverware to last a lifetime, the Manchester United winger could have been forgiven for resting on his laurels. But the Portuguese playmaker is determined to make his star shine even brighter in 2009 after beating Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to the Ballon d'Or this week.

The award is given to Europe's top footballer and, on the back of a phenomenal 2007-08 season in which he scored 42 goals for his Premier League and Champions League-winning club, there is little doubt that Ronaldo deserved the prize. “I always play with pressure because people always expect a lot from me and I don't think that will change,” Ronaldo told United's website, www.manutd.com.

“Winning this award makes me feel very happy inside because it's one of the best days of my life. But my responsibilities are still the same; I want to continue to play well for my club and my country and try to do as well as last season. Of course I can improve — there are many things I still need to learn. You can never let yourself think you know everything. I am still very ambitious and I will continue to work very hard every day.

“I know it will be very hard to better last season, but I will try - if you don’t try you win nothing. A new season means a new challenge and I want to help the team win more trophies.” Ronaldo becomes the first United player to win the award since the late George Best in 1968. Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton were also honoured in the 60s and the Portuguese winger was proud to follow in the footsteps of three of Old Trafford’s all-time greats.

“It’s amazing that only four players in the club’s history have won it, I didn’t know that until yesterday,” Ronaldo said. — AFP