London, September 20
The ODIs are perceived to be on the decline and it's none other than Sachin Tendulkar who has now come out publicly in support of revamping the current 50-over format having written a letter to ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat.

Tendulkar, the world's highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs and someone who is on the threshold of his 100th international century, wants ICC to make "a radical switch" from 50-50 to four 25-over innings.

Apart from reducing the number of overs per innings, Tendulkar has also proposed several more changes for the ODIs.

The Indian batting icon had spoken about this new concept in television interviews in the past but had never written a letter to ICC in this regard.

"I have been capturing my thoughts on what I think would be the way forward to ensure that all three formats in the game co-exist and ensure value creation," he wrote in the letter.

He argued that four alternate innings of 25 overs for each side in an international would be the fairest way of balancing the advantages gained by the team that won the toss when pitch and weather conditions mean that a match can virtually be decided by the spin of a coin.

Tendulkar's letter also proposed changes in voluntary Powerplays. In each 25-over block, Tendulkar wants only two Powerplays at the behest of the batting side but suggested that up to four bowlers should be allowed up to 12 overs each, rather than the present limit of 10.

One of the prominent matches featuring India seemed to have been lost after spin of coin was 1996 Wills World Cup semifinal when Lankans batted first on a square turner.

The match was awarded to Sri Lanka by the referee after a crowd riot which stopped proceedings after India lost eight wickets.

Again, Sri Lanka were unlucky when they were forced to chase a large Australia total in fading light towards the end of the 2007 World Cup final in Barbados.

Tendulkar also cited two games in the most recent World Cup when evening dew helped England to achieve a tie in their classic qualifying game against India in Bangalore but then counted in favour of Ireland during their famous run chase against England at the same venue.

A split into two equal innings a side was often proposed for the final of the domestic county competition in the UK - originally the Gillette Cup - in the days when it was invariably an advantage to field first, the report said.

The hover cover, instant outfield drainage and sophisticated drying equipment have ensured that matches at Lord's almost always start on a dry pitch these days, but that is not the case everywhere.

In Australia last winter, the inter-state one-day tournament, the Ryobi Cup, was played over 45-overs-a-side, split into two alternate innings of 20 overs followed by two of 25.

The format was generally rated a success by Cricket Australia (CA). There were more close finishes, more runs, more wickets and larger TV audiences.

Significantly, the new regulations appeared to overcome the relatively dull and predictable middle-over phases of 50-over games. — PTI

New Delhi, September 20
The death of this Tusker, though on expected lines, came sooner than expected. Kochi Tuskers Kerala had suffered severe birth pangs before succumbing to its own weight of expectations and contradictions. There is no chance of its revival, as categorically stated by newly-elected president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), N. Srinivasan.

“There is no way Tuskers can get back into the IPL fold, unless they go to court and get relief,” a key member of the IPL Governing Body told The Tribune.

The Tuskers had defaulted on their bank guarantee payment of Rs 120 crore to BCCI, the franchise fees for the next ten years. They had been reminded about the payment obligations, time and again by the BCCI, though the franchise claimed that it thought it had time will September 26 to make the payment. But this argument did not make any impact on the BCCI, which decided to throw the Tuskers out of the IPL.

When a consortium of businessmen from Gujarat, Mumbai and Kerala snapped up one of the two additional IPL teams that were put on auction on March 21, 2010, in Chennai for an astronomical sum of Rs 1550 crore -- the other team auction was won by the Sahara Group for a record Rs 1750 crore -- many eyebrows were raised.

For, the team was to be based in Kochi and Kerala did not boast of a rich legacy in cricket, though S Sreesanth had made a place for himself among the pantheon of top players and some administrators from the State had held key positions in the BCCI.

How Kerala came to own an IPL team became a mystery, even for the cricket pundits from the State, as the bid process was kept a top secret, till the final moments. Later, through a twitter war, the real players of the drama were unmasked, and the role of Shashi Tharoor, then a junior minister in the External Affairs Ministry, was revealed.

Not only that, Tharoor played a pivotal role in clinching the team for Kochi, but it was also revealed that his then fiancée (and present wife), Sunanda Pushkar had 19 per cent sweat equity in the team.

Tharoor’s role in getting Tuskers to Kerala alienated his close friend and IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who was keen to buy the team through some friends. When Modi failed in his bid, he tweeted to expose Tharoor and Sunanda’s stakes in the team, which eventually cost Tharoor his berth in the ministry. Modi too had to pay a heavy price, as he was ousted as the IPL Commissioner. It was like throwing the baby with the bath water as the IPL was Modi’s brainchild as he conceived and delivered it. Not only that, the BCCI also ordered an inquiry and filed cases against Modi for alleged misappropriation of IPL funds and for owning IPL teams through surrogates (allegedly Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab).

Then there were differences among the stake-holders which almost undid the team. But despite all the teething troubles and problems with the Kochi Corporation and the Kerala Cricket Association, Tuskers, led by Mahela Jayawardene and including the likes of Sreesanth, played beyond expectation in their first season, by beating Kolkata Knight Riders, twice champions Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab.

New Delhi, September 20
New BCCI president N Srinivasan on Tuesday assured that the players' interests of the terminated IPL franchise Kochi Tuskers Kerala will be taken care of by the cricket board.

Cracking the whip for breach of contractual terms, the Board on Monday terminated Kochi's contract, a move which prompted the controversial Kerala team to threaten legal action against the BCCI.

"What will be the consequences of the termination and the future of the players as well as whether to play with nine teams -- all these will be decided by the IPL governing council. (But) players' interest will be safeguarded. BCCI will not leave the players in lurch. We will find a equitable solution that is viable both for the players and the BCCI," Srinivasan said.

"Whether it will be nine-team affair it's for the IPL governing council to take a call at their next meeting, which I hope, is soon. I can't decide that on my own its a decision of the IPL governing council and for BCCI as a whole to take," he said.

He brushed aside allegations of conflict of interest involved in him holding the top post in the BCCI and at the same time owning the Indian Premier League side Chennai Super Kings, saying that India Cements Limited and not he owns the team.

"India cement, the public limited company, owns Chennai Super Kings. I don't own it. I don't have any personal conflict of interest at all. All members take decisions in BCCI at the AGM or the executive committee unanimously. In governing council if any matter on franchisee issue comes up I would excuse myself," Srinivasan said.

"I don't make up the governing council. There are eminent people and I will observe all propriety as far as the IPL franchisee is concerned," he said. — PTI

Hyderabad, September 20
Trinidad and Tobago produced a superb all-round performance as they spanked Leicestershire Foxes by 51 runs to qualify for the Champions League Twenty20 main tournament here today.

Riding on openers Adrian Barath and Lendl Simmons' fluent half-centuries, Trinidad and Tobago first produced a solid batting display to post a competitive 168 for two after electing to bat and then restricted Leicestershire to 117 for nine at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. With the win today, Trinidad booked a berth in the 10-team main tournament. They had defeated Sri Lanka's Ruhunu Eleven by five wickets in their first Group A qualifier match. — PTI

Brief Scores:

T&T 168 for 2 (Simmons 67, Barath 62) beat Leicestershire117 (Taylor 56*) by 51 runs.

Colombo, September 20
Australia clinched the Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 on Tuesday after resurgent skipper Michael Clarke led from the front to snatch a draw for the tourists in the third and final game.

It was Clarke's first Test tour as captain, the series win coming after the 125-run victory in the opening encounter in Galle. The second Test in Pallekele ended in a rain-affected draw.

Clarke burst into form with a fluent century and Michael Hussey narrowly missed a third consecutive hundred as Australia piled up 488 in their second innings before they were all out shortly before close with a lead of 331 runs.

Sri Lanka were 7/0 from two overs in their second knock when the match was called off at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the capital Colombo.

Clarke hit 112 and Hussey made 93 in a remarkable batting revival after Australia had conceded a first innings lead of 157 runs in good batting conditions. The victory saw Australia and Sri Lanka exchange positions in the official Test rankings, with Clarke's men moving to fourth place and Sri Lanka dropping to fifth. — AFP

Wellington, September 20
Italy illustrated the benefits of playing regular international test rugby when they routed Russia 53-17 in the only game at the World Cup on Tuesday, while players from the Pacific islands were in hot water with tournament officials.

Captain Sergio Parisse was at the heart of his side's best moments for the Italians, breaking tackles and linking backs with forwards. — Reuters

Patiala, September 20
The wait for justice seems to be getting longer for the dope-tainted Indian athletes, who are suffering at the hands of their own fraternity. With these athletes already suspended from active participation in any event, vital months of their lives is being wasted attending a series of hearings being conducted by the dope panel.

The urgency shown by the Sports Ministry in throwing out Ukrainian athletics coach Yuri Ogrodnik, following the dope controversy in June 2011, is found missing when one takes a look at the plight of the tainted athletes. Adjournments of their hearings on flimsy grounds have become a scheduled affair since July with the next date now falling on October 5, well over the stipulated three-month period.

Despite the deadline fixed under the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) rules, questions are still being raised by the NADA Anti-Disciplinary Panel, which is headed by a retired judge. Till the panel hands over punishment, or gives a clean chit to the athletes, they continue to be ‘provisionally suspended’, with a ban on participation in any recognised event.

Sources confirmed that the athletes have to pay considerable sums from their own pockets to their advocate in defending themselves before the panel and the regular delays help no one. “What is the need to spend so much money and appoint a special NADA Anti-Disciplinary Panel, when adjournments are being sought at every hearing on petty grounds?” questioned an athlete, visibly perturbed with the system.

Reacting on the issue, NADA chief Rahul Bhatnagar said that though there was a three-month deadline for such hearings but the deadline could be compromised in the name of justice. “The athletes would not be able to participate till the panel clears their names and as per rules, NADA is helpless as the panel works independently,” Bhatnagar told The Tribune.

During the last edition of the hearing on August 18, attended by all the tainted athletes, advocate for the eight dope tainted athletes, R.K. Anand, had sought certain documents following which the case was adjourned to the next date in September. The same happened during the September hearing last week, resulting in more delay and now the case would come up for hearing in the first week of October.

Interestingly the cases of the international athletes who were found ‘positive' in tests conducted by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Mandeep Kaur and Jauna Murmu, have also been clubbed with the other six athletes despite certain guidelines. Ideally, Mandeep and Murmu’s cases should be heard separately, given the fact that these come under the IAAF and have practically been taken away from the domain of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Sini Jose and Tiana were found positive in an in-competition test at the Bangalore Inter-State meet in June and two others, Ashwini and Priyanka Panwar, in out-of-competition tests done at Patiala. “We are opposed to such a scenario where separate cases of all the eight athletes have been clubbed together, making the proceedings more confusing in for everyone,” claimed Gurung Kanth, whose law agency is representing NADA.

Kolkata, September 20
Prayag United SC dished out a lacklustre performance wasting opportunities in plenty to play out a goalless draw against Air India in a group D league fixture of the the 33rd edition of the Federation Cup here today.

Playing before an empty gallery of the Yuba Bharati Krirangan, United SC did not show any urgency even as they had more possession against the Airmen who crashed out of the tournament following the draw.

Patiala, September 20
The Punjab Government will hold a meeting of the Sports Committee with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal after September 22 to decide upon various issues related to sports, including the short-listing for the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award and jobs for players who had won medals during the Commonwealth Games.

This was announced by president of the Punjab Olympic Association, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, during his visit to the Punjabi University here today. He was here to announce the holding of the 6th Junior and 7th Youth Women’s National Boxing Championships here from September 24.

Talking to The Tribune, Dhindsa said that the Sports Department had already formed a committee for the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award and invited applications as well. But the scrutiny process could not be completed due to the SGPC elections. Now that the election code of conduct would cease being in effect from September 22, the department would hold a meeting with the Chief Minister in this regard.

When asked about the delay in offering jobs to sportspersons who won Commonwealth Games medals, Dhindsa said the Punjab Government had given jobs to few players, including Ronjan Sodhi, Avneet Kaur and Amandeep Kaur and would soon appoint other players as well.

Regarding a petition that has been filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by contractual coaches with the Sports Department, regarding the applications for regular posts of coaches, Dhindsa said that the department was helpless as the case was in court.

BRIEFLY

Somdev receives award
Delhi: Indian tennis ace Somdev Devvarman, who had struck a golden double last year by finishing on top in both the Commonwealth and Asian Games singles events, today received Arjuna Award from Sports Minister Ajay Maken. The 26-year-old Somdev was also a part of the Indian team that won Davis Cup in 2009 and 2010. — PTI

Eden’s matches shifted
Kolkata: The four Champions League Twenty20 ties, which were scheduled to be held at the Eden Gardens here, was today shifted to Hyderabad and Bangalore after the stadium was rendered unsuitable for the matches due to flooding following monsoon rains. After a discussion between Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and CLT20 organisers, the governing council of the tournament has moved the matches from Eden Gardens to Hyderabad and Bengalore, pending approval from local authorities”, CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya said. — PTI

Tim Nielsen steps down
COLOMBO: Australia coach Tim Nielsen stepped down on Tuesday after his side clinched a Test series victory over Sri Lanka, Cricket Australia said. "Tim has been national coach during a period in which we have had a long list of great champions leave the game and has been a strong support for new players coming into the side over that period," Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement. — Reuters

Sania slips in rankings
New Delhi: The ranking of India's injured singles stars has dipped with Sania Mirza slipping to 88 from 81 and Somdev Devvarman sliding to 70, a loss of five places, in the latest WTA and ATP ranking charts. Sania is out of action since US Open where she suffered a tear in her left knee and Somdev recently strained his right shoulder during India's Davis Cup campaign. — PTI

Goa to host Gaming Festival
Panaji: The coastal state of Goa would be hosting the 'World Gaming Festival' (WGF) between September 23 and 26 at Casino Royale, one of the off-shore gaming ship anchored in Panaji city waters. The organisers said that 600 players will compete in five skill-based games — Black Jack, Roulette, Poker, Baccarat and Indian Flush on the off-shore vessel, which is tagged as India's largest live gaming casino. — PTI

India beat China 4-2
New Delhi: India outplayed China 4-2 to register their third win on the trot and advance to the semifinals of the Girls U-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok today. India, who led 2-0 at half time, scored through Navjot Kaur (11th minute), Lilima Minz (34th), Poonam Rani (49th) and Anupa Barla (66th). — PTI

Rahim is new Bangla captain
Dhaka: Mushfiqur Rahim has been named Bangladesh's new captain for the upcoming home series against the West Indies and Pakistan, an official said today. All-rounder Mohammad Mahmudullah was named Rahim's deputy, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Rabeed Imam said. "Rahim will captain the national team for Tests and limited-over matches for the home series against the West Indies and Pakistan," he told AFP. — AFP