Showing posts with label Cricket World Cup 2011. Show all posts
Two Pakistan cricketers were issued notices by the ICC seeking information nearly a month before the spot-fixing scandal broke during the Lord's Test last month, ESPNcricinfo has learned. The players are part of the squad in England and were sent notices because they were already under the scanner of the ICC's Anti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU). One of them was provisionally suspended by the ICC after being named by News of the World's sting operation.
The ACSU "had already served notices seeking information from certain players even before the scam broke out," a source familiar with the ongoing investigation told ESPNcricinfo. It is also understood that relevant PCB officials were aware of the notices, which were sent immediately after the first Test in Nottingham.
ESPNcricinfo was unable to contact PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who has not made any statements since Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by the ICC. Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan team's manager, is not authorised to speak on the investigations and referred ESPNcricinfo to the chairman. Another official refused to confirm or deny that such notices had been received.
Although the Daily Mail has today named the two cricketers, there has been no official confirmation of their identities.
The notice served to the pair sought certain information and the players were required to respond within 14 days. Failure to do so would in itself constitute an offence under the ICC's anti-corruption code.
Some of Pakistan's cricketers are facing scrutiny not only from the ACSU but also from Pakistan's tax authorities who will reportedly probe the finances of the cricketers, a move endorsed by both Shafqat Rana, Pakistan's associate manager, and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi. "It was there in their (the government's) mind before we came over," Rana said about the tax probe. "I think it's a good thing, it will open things out so they (the players) will be very careful."
The ACSU "had already served notices seeking information from certain players even before the scam broke out," a source familiar with the ongoing investigation told ESPNcricinfo. It is also understood that relevant PCB officials were aware of the notices, which were sent immediately after the first Test in Nottingham.
ESPNcricinfo was unable to contact PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who has not made any statements since Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were suspended by the ICC. Yawar Saeed, the Pakistan team's manager, is not authorised to speak on the investigations and referred ESPNcricinfo to the chairman. Another official refused to confirm or deny that such notices had been received.
Although the Daily Mail has today named the two cricketers, there has been no official confirmation of their identities.
The notice served to the pair sought certain information and the players were required to respond within 14 days. Failure to do so would in itself constitute an offence under the ICC's anti-corruption code.
Some of Pakistan's cricketers are facing scrutiny not only from the ACSU but also from Pakistan's tax authorities who will reportedly probe the finances of the cricketers, a move endorsed by both Shafqat Rana, Pakistan's associate manager, and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi. "It was there in their (the government's) mind before we came over," Rana said about the tax probe. "I think it's a good thing, it will open things out so they (the players) will be very careful."
Kevin Pietersen and Dimitri Mascarenhas have been fined for their outbursts Twitter as England cricketers struggle to adapt to social media. Pietersen attended a disciplinary hearing at Lord's on Monday and pleaded guilty to two counts, following the post he made after being omitted from the squad a day of England, while repeating his apology last week .
Pietersen found himself in trouble after updating your Twitter account after his omission for the Twenty20 international against Pakistan. He was sent instead of Surrey to recover its original form after a disappointing season with the bat.
"Made for the summer break! Man of the T20 World Cup and dropped the T20 side as well. Its f ** k up!", Published on his own kevinpp24 Pietersen. I deleted minutes later, but not before being picked up by multiple users and distributed around the Internet.
"The hearing considered his remarks as prejudicial to the interests of the England team and the ECB and significant non-English player conditions of employment," said a statement. "It has been fined an undisclosed amount in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contract central England."
Stuart Broad said he was not interested in joining Twitter and players should be aware of their responsibilities. "You go on Twitter to get out there right to enter the public domain and let your voice be heard," he said. "But the players are aware of the responsibilities you have with that.
"We know you have fans and people are always aware of what is written. If you write something a bit controversial you know it's going to make headlines as if sometimes it is deliberate, with pop stars and movie stars to create a header, but we realize that athletes are responsible for not only us but also with our teammates. It's not something I have too involved with, but that is out there. "
Pietersen is not the only cricketer in hot water over comments Twitter Mascarenhas, the Hampshire captain injured, launching a stinging attack on Geoff Miller, the national team over the weekend and has been fined £ 1,000 by your county.
"Chairman of selectors came to Liverpool and did not even come and say hi .. what ap ****.. not take much to say hello, right?" was one of the two messages published which led to the adoption of measures Mascarenhas Hampshire and only escaped a ban because of its long-term injury.
"I realize that my actions were stupid and irresponsible and I regret any offense that may have caused," said Mascarenhas. "I apologize specifically to Geoff Miller, who always treated me fairly. I also apologize to Hampshire Cricket I feel I have let down. This was a silly conversation, late at night that got out of control and does not reflect my point of true view Mr. Miller.
"I learned a lot about the dangers of social networking sites and encourage other players to think carefully before signing with them."
Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, also warned about the risks of using social media. "Hampshire Cricket regrets the incident, but totally out of character for Dimitri Mascarenhas, violations of code of conduct club," he said. "Also, it alerts all players about the dangers of driving personal or private dialogue on the means available to the public.
"The fine is set at this high level and I feel no sense in imposing a ban, given the long-term nature of his injury. In reaching this conclusion I have taken into account Dimi previous exemplary record. However, as team captain who understands that his actions carry greater responsibility than others. "
Earlier this season, Azeem Rafiq, the offspinner Yorkshire, was fined and suspended from all cricket for a month after an attack of Twitter by John Abrahams, England Under-19 manager, after his absence in the second test against Sri Lanka.
However, despite the recent indiscretions seems that the ECB will stop short of banning players from Twitter as originally thought a couple of weeks. From the current team of Graeme Swann and James Anderson are prolific, while Tim Bresnan - which ran into trouble last year - and Steven Finn also have accounts.
"Jimmy and Swanny are two good examples of good tweeters if there is such thing," said Broad. "What they do very well is that not make statements about the equipment, use it as a joke and not to enter a boring mundane things. It's all very fun. Ultimately, we are responsible as players and people who are employed by more of us if they decide to get rid of it is a situation that people will face. "
Pietersen found himself in trouble after updating your Twitter account after his omission for the Twenty20 international against Pakistan. He was sent instead of Surrey to recover its original form after a disappointing season with the bat.
"Made for the summer break! Man of the T20 World Cup and dropped the T20 side as well. Its f ** k up!", Published on his own kevinpp24 Pietersen. I deleted minutes later, but not before being picked up by multiple users and distributed around the Internet.
"The hearing considered his remarks as prejudicial to the interests of the England team and the ECB and significant non-English player conditions of employment," said a statement. "It has been fined an undisclosed amount in accordance with the terms and conditions of their contract central England."
Stuart Broad said he was not interested in joining Twitter and players should be aware of their responsibilities. "You go on Twitter to get out there right to enter the public domain and let your voice be heard," he said. "But the players are aware of the responsibilities you have with that.
"We know you have fans and people are always aware of what is written. If you write something a bit controversial you know it's going to make headlines as if sometimes it is deliberate, with pop stars and movie stars to create a header, but we realize that athletes are responsible for not only us but also with our teammates. It's not something I have too involved with, but that is out there. "
Pietersen is not the only cricketer in hot water over comments Twitter Mascarenhas, the Hampshire captain injured, launching a stinging attack on Geoff Miller, the national team over the weekend and has been fined £ 1,000 by your county.
"Chairman of selectors came to Liverpool and did not even come and say hi .. what ap ****.. not take much to say hello, right?" was one of the two messages published which led to the adoption of measures Mascarenhas Hampshire and only escaped a ban because of its long-term injury.
"I realize that my actions were stupid and irresponsible and I regret any offense that may have caused," said Mascarenhas. "I apologize specifically to Geoff Miller, who always treated me fairly. I also apologize to Hampshire Cricket I feel I have let down. This was a silly conversation, late at night that got out of control and does not reflect my point of true view Mr. Miller.
"I learned a lot about the dangers of social networking sites and encourage other players to think carefully before signing with them."
Rod Bransgrove, the Hampshire chairman, also warned about the risks of using social media. "Hampshire Cricket regrets the incident, but totally out of character for Dimitri Mascarenhas, violations of code of conduct club," he said. "Also, it alerts all players about the dangers of driving personal or private dialogue on the means available to the public.
"The fine is set at this high level and I feel no sense in imposing a ban, given the long-term nature of his injury. In reaching this conclusion I have taken into account Dimi previous exemplary record. However, as team captain who understands that his actions carry greater responsibility than others. "
Earlier this season, Azeem Rafiq, the offspinner Yorkshire, was fined and suspended from all cricket for a month after an attack of Twitter by John Abrahams, England Under-19 manager, after his absence in the second test against Sri Lanka.
However, despite the recent indiscretions seems that the ECB will stop short of banning players from Twitter as originally thought a couple of weeks. From the current team of Graeme Swann and James Anderson are prolific, while Tim Bresnan - which ran into trouble last year - and Steven Finn also have accounts.
"Jimmy and Swanny are two good examples of good tweeters if there is such thing," said Broad. "What they do very well is that not make statements about the equipment, use it as a joke and not to enter a boring mundane things. It's all very fun. Ultimately, we are responsible as players and people who are employed by more of us if they decide to get rid of it is a situation that people will face. "
Phillip Hughes, the Australian opener, has returned to the Test squad while his New South Wales team-mate, 19-year-old fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, has also won a place in the 15-man pool for the tour of India in October. Offspinner Nathan Hauritz, whom Ricky Ponting had termed last month as a 'lock-in' for the India series and the Ashes, reclaimed his position as Australia's No. 1 slow bowler after recovering from a foot injury.
The trio take the place of fast bowler Clint McKay, middle-order batsman Usman Khawaja and left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe who were part of Australia's squad for the two Tests against Pakistan in July.
"The squad we have selected sees the return from injury of Phillip Hughes," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. " [It] includes a very good mix of experience and new young talent with Steven Smith, Hughes and two young fast bowlers in Peter George and Josh Hazlewood."
Brad Haddin, the first-choice wicketkeeper, is still not available due to an elbow injury giving Tim Paine another Test series behind the stumps. "Haddin is due to commence restricted batting in the next few weeks," Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. "He is on track to be available for club cricket and for New South Wales with the possibility of being available for selection in the India or Sri Lanka one-day series."
There was also no place in the squad for Victoria fast bowler Peter Siddle, a regular till a back problem ruled him out of action for seven months ago, who will test his fitness in this month's Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.
Two Tests form the first leg of Australia's tour of India, followed by a series of three one-dayers which ends on October 24.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke (vice-capt), Doug Bollinger, Peter George, Nathan Hauritz, Josh Hazlewood, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Tim Paine (wk), Steven Smith and Shane Watson.
