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The Indian board has decided to compensate the eight IPL franchises for any extra expenditure they incur in moving from India to South Africa this year, a senior official said

Ajay S Shankar25-Mar-2009The Indian board has decided to compensate the eight IPL franchises for any extra expenditure they incur in moving from India to South Africa this year, a senior official said.Apparently, the BCCI has a “definite idea” of expenses incurred by the franchises last year along with an estimate of how much the cost would have been had the event been staged in India this year, the official said.”Any expenditure that occur above these estimates due to the relocation to South Africa will be borne by the BCCI and IPL,” the BCCI official, who is also a member of the IPL governing council, said. “Of course, this does not mean a blank cheque for the franchises, but a satisfactory resolution will be arrived at.”The IPL declared a gross income of Rs 645 crore in its inaugural year in 2008 and a profit of Rs 51 crore, according to BCCI records. But this time, the board may fall well short of initial expectations, the official said, because a “suo motu decision” has been taken at the “highest level” to compensate the franchises.”The IPL is a long-term vision and the thinking at the highest level is to nurture the brand at all costs,” the official said. “Not holding the IPL this year just because of the costs involved would have been disastrous for the brand. We envisage that the IPL will one day become – some say it has already become – the single biggest cricket tournament in the world.”The Indian board’s compensation package, which would run into millions of dollars, is expected to include extra expenditure incurred by the franchises on travel, accommodation, and team costs, including practice facilities and fees for the host provinces in South Africa, which is likely to be paid as a bulk amount to Cricket South Africa (CSA) for distribution to various host provinces.”For instance, each of the franchises paid an amount of Rs 5 milion last year for each of the seven home games to the local state association in India,” the official, who is also a member of the IPL governing council, said. “We will keep that total of Rs 35 million as a benchmark this time and chip in with the extra money.”The Indian board, or the IPL, will even step in to help with team sponsorships, in case sponsors decide to pull out of any arrangement due to the relocation, the official suggested. “We can either help in getting fresh sponsorship for the teams for equivalent and higher amounts or in a worst-case scenario, compensate the amount,” the official said. “But I would hope that no sponsor adopts a short-sighted policy just because of this year’s relocation because they should know that there’s a lot of money coming their way in the long run.”The official also said the BCCI is in the process of transferring to IPL accounts an initial working capital of US$ 10 million in foreign exchange to organise payments for the second edition starting on April 18. “The payment is in the process of being cleared,” the official said. “More money will be transferred as and when the need arises.”However, the official refused to offer even a ballpark figure of how much the IPL would cost this year, including the payment to CSA, saying that the “calculators were still at work”. “You should understand that an event of this magnitude usually takes about two to three years to organize and we are squeezing everything into two to three weeks,” he said.

The ECB has released England’s main quick bowlers, except Andrew Flintoff who is on IPL duty, and captain Andrew Strauss for one Championship match each to prepare for the Test series against West Indies which starts on May 6

Cricinfo staff07-Apr-2009The ECB has released England’s main quick bowlers, except Andrew Flintoff who is on IPL duty, and captain Andrew Strauss, for one Championship match each to prepare for the Test series against West Indies which starts on May 6.The players who are heading to South Africa for the IPL will arrive back in the UK on May 1 but Strauss, along with pace bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steve Harmison, will appear once in the lead up to the series. Anderson and Broad can play in the matches starting on April 21 against Sussex and Worcestershire respectively, while Harmison faces Yorkshire a day later.The careful handling of Anderson and Broad is understandable after their considerable workload during the winter, but the Harmison case is different. He didn’t over-exert himself in the one-day series, sending down 25 wicketless overs in a three-week period, after playing in just two of the Tests. He is far from a certain selection for the opening Test, but it is well known he benefits from miles in his legs and one match is likely to leave him short of ideal preparation.Durham, the defending county champions, miss the opening round of matches and are instead playing Durham UCCE. However, there is a one-day game against Yorkshire on April 19 and another Championship game, against Somerset, from April 28.Strauss, who was left out of England’s World Twenty20 squad on Monday, is available for Middlesex against Leicestershire from April 28. Ian Bell, who spent the majority of the tour on the sidelines after being dropped following the Test defeat in Jamaica, is available for all Warwickshire’s matches and will also appear for MCC against Durham at Lord’s this week.That match features Michael Vaughan in what is shaping as a battle for England’s No. 3 spot. Owais Shah currently holds that position but didn’t make the most of his opportunity in the West Indies and his next cricket is in the IPL. Alastair Cook’s availability for Essex will be determined by his recovery from a broken finger he picked up in the nets last week.Ryan Sidebottom and Graeme Swann will both be available for Nottinghamshire after their recovery from recent operations. Sidebottom underwent surgery on his troublesome Achilles shortly after leaving the West Indies tour in mid-March, while Swann also missed the one-day series to have some floating bone fragments removed from his right elbow.Sidebottom is two to three weeks away from a return as he targeting the Championship game against Lancashire, on April 29, as his return but Swann’s recovery could take slightly longer which makes him doubtful for the first Test against West Indies.Swann’s challenger for the spin berth, Monty Panesar, is available for all Northamptonshire cricket, while at the other end of the scale the only action Matt Prior will have before facing West Indies is a Friends Provident match against Gloucestershire on April 19.Player availabilityAndrew Strauss – County Championship match against Leicestershire from April 28-May 1.
James Anderson – County Championship match against Sussex from April 21-24.
Stuart Broad – County Championship match against Worcestershire from April 21-24.
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Steve Harmison – County Championship match against Yorkshire from April 22-25.
Matt Prior – Friend’s Provident Trophy match against Gloucestershire on April 19.
All cricketAlastair Cook, Ian Bell, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Adil Rashid, Michael Vaughan, Luke WrightRecovery dependentRyan Sidebottom, Graeme SwannIPL dutyKevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara

Celtic legend Frank McAvennie has asserted that he believes the influx of new attackers Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgios Giakoumakis at the club has given Switzerland international Albian Ajeti a ‘kick up the backside’.

The Lowdown: Ajeti picks up the pace

Enduring a frustrating time at Celtic so far, the 24-year-old has registered just 12 goal contributions in 37 games for the Bhoys, with eight goals and four assists [Transfermarkt].

However, two of these goals came last weekend in the Premiership as he helped his side to a 3-0 win against Ross County at Parkhead [BBC].

The Latest: McAvennie thinks new arrivals have awoken Ajeti

Following Ajeti’s weekend double, McAvennie reckons that the increased competition from new arrivals may have something to do with the Swiss striker’s upturn in form. Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 61-year-old claimed: “There’s competition at Celtic now”.

He then added: “When there is new competition, people up their game and push themselves.

“If he carries on like that he will score goals. Giakoumakis has come over and Kyogo is there as well.

“Those arrivals have clearly given him a wee kick up the backside. He will be getting pushed in training. That can only be good for Celtic.

“He said at the weekend ‘give me games and I’ll score’, that’s all well and good but I’m 61 and I could still score for Celtic”

“If he stays fit and does what Postecoglou says he will score goals”

“I thought he would go this summer so to see him scoring is brilliant”.

The Verdict: Hopefully Ajeti can continue his goalscoring exploits

Rightfully, McAvennie points out that the 6 foot Ajeti will be keen to ensure that he can stake a claim for regular starting opportunities at Celtic as the season progresses.

He has impressed so far with his appetite to get involved in attacking passages of play, registering 1.5 shots per game in the Premiership this season [WhoScored].

If he can replicate his weekend heroics frequently throughout the campaign, Ajeti may yet hopefully have the last laugh on his doubters.

In other news, Sky Sports pundit rues recent setback to Celtic ace. Find out more here.

Former Ipswich Town star David Norris believes that the club need to add more grit into their midfield because they’re conceding too many goals.

The League One club have struggled at the beginning of the season and currently sit 20th in the third-tier, only winning their first game of the season at the weekend, against Lincoln City.

Ipswich have conceded 15 goals in their opening seven games, the highest number of goals shipped in the league. AFC Wimbledon, who have conceded 13, are second in that list.

Indeed, the club conceded five against Bolton Wanderers before their win over Lincoln, and have conceded two each against both MK Dons and Wimbledon.

Norris believes that there is a real frailty at the club, in terms of their solidity, with it being too simple for the opposition to score goals.

He said: “So I think they’re lacking a little bit of grit in midfield and I think it’s too easy at the minute for teams to score against them. They’ve been too frail.”

Norris played for the club between 2008 and 2011, going on to become club captain in 2010.

Simon Jones is hopeful of playing for England this summer despite a knee injury ruling him out of Worcestershire’s season opener against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl later in the week

Cricinfo staff14-Apr-2009Simon Jones has said he’s hopeful of playing for England this summer despite a knee injury ruling him out of Worcestershire’s season opener against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl later this week. Jones has not bowled off a full run-up since last August and he said he was not sure exactly when he would regain fitness.”I am off half-a-run up now, that will progress quickly. It’s just a case of getting overs under the belt which can be frustrating,” Jones told the . “Patience is a keyword for me. I have worked hard all winter so I’m not going to rush things because it’s a long old season and this game would be a bit too early.”I’m still a few weeks away from playing. Having been through this before it’s difficult to predict when because things can progress quickly. You just have to work closely with the physio and go on what your body says as well.”Jones last played for England during the 2005 Ashes and was able to turn out for his former county Glamorgan in only five matches in the next two seasons. However, he fought back with 42 wickets in nine games for Worcestershire last summer and even secured a place in England’s squad for the postponed ICC Champions Trophy.This summer’s first Ashes Test will be played at Cardiff, Jones’ former home ground, but Jones was not looking too far ahead. “I feel that if I am bowling well then I can be pushing for a place elsewhere,” he said. “Whether other people believe that I’m not sure. I have always had people who have doubted me, but I have just used that as fuel to prove people wrong and get back in the side.”But I’m not going to look that far ahead, I don’t see the point in that because you can only be disappointed sometime. I’ve always hoped that if I’m bowling well, the selectors will look at me. The day they stop looking at me, then I will just concentrate on my cricket with Worcestershire.”

Bangladesh overcame a spirited display from Scotland to continue their successful build-up to the World Twenty20

Cricinfo staff29-May-2009Bangladesh 142 for 4 (Mahmudullah 46*) beat Scotland 141 for 7 (Hossain 5-16) by six wickets
ScorecardBangladesh overcame a spirited display from Scotland to continue their successful build-up to the World Twenty20 with a six-wicket victory at Wormsley. Their main man was the teenage fast bowler, Rubel Hossain, who proved almost unplayable in his four overs as he claimed the remarkable figures of 5 for 16.Despite Rubel’s efforts, however, Scotland were still able to bat through their 20 overs, and posted a respectable 141 for 7 thanks to 45 from 41 balls from their captain, Gavin Hamilton, and a 37-ball 50 from Neil McCallum in the middle order.In reply, Scotland landed two early blows when Shamsur Rahman was caught behind off Gordon Drummond for 1, before Dewald Nel extracted the big wicket of Mohammad Ashraful for 3.But at the other end, Tamim Iqbal kept the scoreboard moving by blazing 33 from 21 balls, to pave the way for Shakib Al Hasan (36 from 29 balls) and Mahmudullah (46 not out from 35) to ease Bangladesh to victory with eight balls to spare.Bangladesh’s bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake was all praise for Rubel’s effort. “He is improving all the time,” he said. “He trains hard and has so far managed to execute what he is doing in training. His natural pace and slightly unusual action makes him an interesting proposition.”Mahmudullah, too, was in a confident mood after his brisk innings. “I am going out there with a very positive mind,” he said. “I am looking to hit the ball hard and score runs all the time. I guess the mindset is helping me a lot.”I also started this tour very confident because I am coming off a successful domestic season where I made runs. Also, I had worked on my technique, especially on my backlift with Jamie (Siddons) and it has paid off.”

Some Wolves fans have been left fuming at Gabby Agbonlahor after his prediction involving them emerged on talkSPORT.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Sunday show, the former Aston Villa and England international striker has now predicted that the Midlands club will be in a relegation battle this season after their 2-0 home loss at the hands of Brentford in the Premier League at Saturday lunchtime.

As Agbonlahor put it, the performance was ‘shocking’, but some members of the Molineux faithful believe that he is being too reactionary as it is still very early on in the campaign.

There are also his past connections with AVFC to contend with as well, and so it is not a surprise at all to see so many WWFC supporters disagree with his opinion despite the poor result and disappointing performance.

Wolves fans on Agbonlahor prediction

These Wanderers were left fuming as the prediction made by Agbonlahor was shared by talkSPORT on their official Twitter page:

“What a surprise a former Villa player and Villa fan saying his team’s rivals are going to be in a relegation battle after 1 bad performance”

Credit: @JaysonGibbons2

“…and last week you said wolves would be fine this season. You just go with the flow Gabby”

Credit: @dave_golding

“Shock, Villa fan says Wolves are in trouble. Every team in the league has off days. Villa gave taken 1 point out of a possible 6 against newly promoted teams so far.”

Credit: @charlie_bish93

“Bore off”

Credit: @salopwolf

“As bad as we were yesterday one game doesn’t make a season. First 4 games we could have easily had 12 points! On to the next one”

Credit: @Leicesterwolf

“Gabby giving his opinion that nobody asked for again”

Credit: @DanWWFC89

In other news, find out what John Percy update has Wanderers buzzing here!

Zander De Bruyn, Thami Tsolekile, and Ugasen Govender have signed for the Lions for the 2009-10 season

Cricinfo staff29-Jun-2009The Johannesburg-based Highveld Lions franchise has signed up three new players for the 2009-10 season – Zander De Bruyn, Thami Tsolekile and Ugasen Govender.de Bruyn, the allrounder who has played three Tests for South Africa, makes a return to the franchise (formerly Gauteng) after playing the last three seasons for the Warriors. He’s currently playing county cricket for Somerset.Tsolekile, the wicketkeeper who has also played three Tests for South Africa, has transferred from the Cape Cobras. Govender, a fast bowler, has moved from the Durban-based Dolphins franchise and is expected to join his new team-mates in September after his league cricket stint in the UK ends.”I am very excited about these three new signings as I know that culturally all three will fit really well into the culture we are striving for in the team,” Dave Nosworthy, the Lions head coach, said. “In the three we gain real experience and youth, whilst both Zander and Thami are also real allrounders which is an asset to any team.”I look forward to meaningful contributions and performances in the coming season, and welcome Zander, Thami, and Ugasen into our fold.”The Lions finished third last season in the SuperSport Series with two wins and six draws from ten games.

Lots of Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming as an update emerged on the Premier Sports Cup.

As per the official Twitter page of the Ibrox faithful, a date has now been confirmed for when they will play Hibernian in the semi-final of the competition.

The game will take place on Sunday 21st November at 4pm, with Celtic facing up against St. Johnstone in the other semi-final.

A lot of Light Blues have been left very unhappy, as it means that they will have little time to celebrate if they get through, and of course the travel arrangements for a late Sunday afternoon game can be brutal for fans.

It is an extremely awkward kickoff time especially for such a big occasion, leading fans to share their frustration on what is just the latest example of putting TV rights money over football supporters.

Rangers fans on Cup news

These Gers fumed as the news on the fixture was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it was ‘mental’:

“Horrendous kick-off time for fans that need to travel any distance.”

Credit: @GF7Volunteers

“Very unhappy”

Credit: @smcg72_

“Sickener”

Credit: @nathan_aitken

“Mental.”

Credit: @IbroxLive

“Shambles of a kick-off time for fans traveling from Northern Ireland”

Credit: @Neil0806

“4pm on a Sunday! Criminal”

Credit: @blairmcaulay99

In other news, find out which £25.2m-rated Premier League ace has revealed he was ‘going to sign for Rangers’ here!

A wash-out in the second one-dayer in Amstelveen gave hosts Netherlands the short series over Canada

Cricinfo staff12-Jul-2009A wash-out in the second one-dayer in Amstelveen gave hosts Netherlands the short series over Canada. Netherlands won the first game by 50 runs – despite a brilliant 94 from Canada’s Rizwan Cheema – and the second one-dayer, which was to have been played back-to-back, couldn’t even get off the ground.Canada will finish their European tour with their second Intercontinental Cup match between July 15 and 18.