The rift between the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) continues to widen, the latest being a reply from Bruce Aanensen, the chief executive of the WICB, to the letter issued by Dinanath Ramanarine, the president and chief executive of the WIPA.In the letter, Aanensen alleged that Ramnarine wrote the letter that was supposedly sent by the players to him, expressing displeasure over Aanensen’s criticism over their performance during the recent tour to England.”This kind of action is dangerous, malicious and dishonest,” Aanensen said, adding: “In all of these accusations Mr Ramnarine has deliberately not spoken the truth, quoted me out of context, or substantially misrepresented the facts.”I consider this attack on my reputation and character to be a malicious, premeditated act on the part of Mr Ramnarine to convey a negative message regarding my style of management and my respect of others.”Aanensen said Ramnarine deliberately left out some bits of information in his accusation. “Where he says that he has asked for meetings with me, what he does not say is that these requests are to negotiate the terms of the UK tour.”WIPA have rejected the standard tour contract offered by the WICB as is the norm in tours in the FTP [Future Tour Programme], and asked to have the tour negotiated,” Aanensen said.That is “in accordance with normal industrial relations practice, that WIPA submit to us their proposal to allow us to see what they are requesting, and create a basis for negotiations.”To date, Mr Ramnarine has refused to submit a proposal. The WICB cannot properly prepare for negotiations unless we have received a proposal from the WIPA.”Referring to the issue of the players being labelled incompetent, Aanensen said: “The statement, ‘a bunch of incompetent cricketers’, was made by an ex-West Indies captain from the commentary box after the Leeds Test match in which the West Indies suffered their heaviest loss in our Test history.”This statement was the subject of a discussion with a radio host who interviewed me about a series of matters and is not my statement,” Aanensen indicated.Aanensen concluded: “I came into this position hopeful that the rift between the WICB and WIPA could be resolved…I remain hopeful, that somehow, the two organisations can work together in the interest of West Indies cricket, but maturity, honesty and respect must prevail for this to be accomplished and, sadly, Mr Ramnarine has not demonstrated these qualities.”

Anjum Chopra, the former India captain, has said that the state of women’s cricket has improved in the country under the management of the Indian board.”Things have certainly improved, facilities have increased. Women cricketers are being paid better than before. But it is too early to comment on anything, it is an ongoing development,” she told . The women’s game was previously handled by a separate women’s board before a merger with the BCCI took place last year.Speaking on the sidelines of a book release, Chopra said: “I am happy that the game is being recognised. As a woman cricketer it is a great feeling to be among the country’s elite sports personalities.”Chopra is due to receive the Arjuna Award, an annual honour given by the federal government to sportspersons excelling in their field, on August 29.

The ICC has thrown its weight behind the Indian board in the latter’s stand-off with the Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying the BCCI was its “only recognised body” to administer the sport in India.”We have not got any application from the ICL [for recognition] yet, but we already have a five-step process to decide on such issues,” Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s chief executive, said.The first four steps in the process of approving a tournament by a private body involved checks on: Whether it’s run for the development of the game or for charitable purposes; the players involved, and whether they were all contracted to their parent boards; the time and venue of the matches; and whether anti-corruption measures were put in place to run the event.The critical stage was the final one, where the applicants were asked whether the member board of the country had approved it. “If the answer is no we would not give it our recognition,” Speed said.He cited the example of a tournament planned last year in the USA, which was shot down by the ICC for not fulfilling the criteria he had mentioned.Speed also referred to what one of ICL’s talent scouts, Dean Jones, thought about the matches the ICL planned to organise. “From what I gather they are seeking to run what I can call within quotes unofficial cricket. Dean Jones was criticised in Australia for joining the ICL and his reply was that it was only glorified exhibition matches.”I have come to understand through media reports, and after talking to people in India, that what the ICL has planned is two to three weeks of Twenty20 cricket with six teams having three or four retired or retiring international cricketers and domestic cricketers.”We keep getting requests from private organisations for allowing them to organise events. ICC traditionally allows its members to run cricket. ICC does not interfere if a member board disciplines or does not discipline its players. At this stage all I can say is we have not been approached [by the ICL],” he said.Speed, however, said he would personally be extremely disappointed if Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf, who has joined the ICL, is not seen in action in the forthcoming India-Pakistan series. “Yousuf is at the peak of his career. My personal view is it will be extremely disappointing if he does not play in the series between India and Pakistan.” The Pakistan board has already decided not to consider those who join the ICL for international matches.

In a year when Mark Ramprakash sped past the 2,000 run mark for the second successive season, it would be easy to forget the achievements of club captain Mark Butcher.After an incredible second half of the season turnaround that saw Surrey finish fourth in the Championship however, there are plenty of positives that the former England batsman can take from his third year at the helm.Butcher played a pivotal role in this year’s campaign by scoring 752 runs at an average of 39.57, the highlights of which were 179 at Hove in May and 100 at the Rose Bowl in August. His achievement in turning the club’s season around following a difficult start to the summer has also been outstanding. Despite the lack of silverware at the Oval this year, Butcher has hailed the season a success.Speaking at an event to launch Surrey and Brit Insurance’s school playground marking scheme, Butcher said: “Considering the start we had, I think the season stands as one that we can be proud of. With a few weeks left, it was still touch and go as to whether we would be caught in a relegation fight. The fact that the guys were able to pull together and produce some superb results was a great achievement in itself.”The way we played against Hampshire and Lancashire towards the end of the summer really showed what we are capable of on our day. By finishing fourth in the Championship, we have every right to feel optimistic moving into 2008”.The next stage of the playground markings scheme was being showcased at Marden Lodge Primary School in Caterham. The project has been carried out throughout schools in Aldershot, Woking, Worplesdon, Dorking, Addlestone, Battersea, Putney, Merton, Croydon and Camberwell, with Brit contributing £3000 each year to each school.With the brightly coloured markings and wall targets, the scheme provides a cost-effective way of transforming an outdoor space into a fun and vibrant environment fit for playing cricket, and a variety of other games. The markings will also encourage boys and girls to play and develop their skill levels during their break times, as well as help teachers deliver the school curriculum.Butcher said: “People forget that this is where the love for cricket starts when you’re a child. Not to mention that it encourages everyone to get out and have some fun which is what it’s all about. I wish that I’d had facilities like this when I was growing up.”

Zimbabwe will play more cricket than ever this winter with the announcement that they will field a representative side in all three franchise tournaments in South Africa this season.Explaining the rationale behind the decision taken by the boards of the two countries, Brian Basson, general manager, CSA cricket operations, said that all full member countries had been requested by the ICC to assist Zimbabwe in the development of their cricket. Because of the close geographical proximity, he said, South Africa have a special responsibility in this regard.Because this initiative has been undertaken at short notice, Zimbabwe will only play a single round in the four-day SuperSport Series with all their matches being at home. The franchises will take their points forward from these matches although this will not apply to Zimbabwe.Zimbabwe will, however, play a full double round, home and away, in the MTN Domestic Championship and a full single round (home and away) in the Standard Bank Pro20 series. Should the Zimbabwe side qualify for the knock-out phases, these matches will be played in South Africa,The initiative will be reviewed after the completion of the season. There will be no changes to the fixtures as originally announced for matches between the South African franchises.

England’s injury worries ahead of the first Test at Kandy on Saturday were exacerbated on the second day of their final warm-up match in Colombo, when James Anderson joined Steve Harmison on the casualty list.However, David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, said that Anderson had merely been withdrawn as a precaution, after reporting soreness and discomfort in his left ankle. He was expected to take the field on the final day.The problem appears to have been caused by a return drive in the first innings, when Anderson was struck on the boot in his followthrough. Though he emerged ahead of the Sri Lankan second innings to go through his warm-ups with England’s remaining seam bowlers, Matthew Hoggard and Ravi Bopara, he withdrew from the field after only a couple of deliveries, on the advice of the team doctor, Mike Stone.In the absence of his two fast-bowling colleagues, it was left to Matthew Hoggard to carry the England attack, and he did so with aplomb, taking 5 for 25 in nine overs. “Jimmy was happy to come out and bowl,” said Hoggard, “but it’s a practice game and it’s not crucial.””He’s bowled a lot of overs in the last month or so, and did really well in the one-day series, so not crucial that he missed out on 27 overs in one session. We felt we could could leave it 24 hours because we thought we’d have a long spell tomorrow.” Thanks to the efforts of Hoggard and Bopara, however, that will not now be the case.Meanwhile Harmison, who reported a back spasm during his first-innings stint, was said to be moving more freely after a swim and extensive physio. “We are expecting him to improve and we will test him out when we get to Kandy,” said Graveney.Chris Tremlett, who is based with the England Performance Programme in Chennai, is the likeliest stand-in if England do require pace-bowling back-up. That, however, is not on the cards just yet, as Harmison himself was an addition to the original 15-man tour party that was selected in September.It wasn’t just England’s bowlers in the wars. The Sri Lankan legspinner, Kaushal Lokuarchichi, had to undergo an operation after suffering a broken finger while dropping a tough caught-and-bowled chance when Bopara had made 17.

Andrew Symonds says he is not overly sensitive about racism but considers comments unacceptable when they come from opposition players with whom he has no friendship. Harbhajan Singh was suspended for three Tests for allegedly calling Symonds a monkey during the Sydney Test and while Symonds would not discuss the specifics of the case he said he would not kick up a fuss with players he got along with.”I’m not a sensitive person about it,” Symonds told the . “If you know me well you can have a joke to me about anything and any part of racism and I’ll laugh.”I mean, I’m not sensitive about it but if I’m not your friend, if you’re an opposition player or something like that, it is unacceptable. Even with opposition players, if I do know them well and they want to joke about something like that, it doesn’t stir me up so what’s happened is something I and the Australian boys have taken very seriously.”But the Indian camp has strenuously denied that Harbhajan used the term “monkey” and has launched an appeal, meaning Harbhajan is free to play for India until the appeal is heard. No date has been set for the hearing and there is no guarantee it will happen before the final Test in the series, which starts in Adelaide on January 24.”It is a really difficult thing for me to comment on as it hasn’t been totally resolved,” Symonds said. “Obviously, people are very interested in what’s happened but they probably won’t actually know exactly what’s happened for quite some time, until the dust has settled.”Symonds said he became used to hearing comments about his appearance during his school years and he was not easily offended. “I’m very relaxed about life and I understand there are many different types of people,” he said.”You know, I used to have a bit of fun and people used to have a bit of fun with me in the playground when I was at school so I understand that kids are very blunt about that sort of thing. But it [racism] is one of those things that, in the modern day, is obviously very publicly unacceptable.”

ScorecardEngland’s tour of Australia lurched into further trouble in the second warm-up match, this time with a defeat at the hands of Australia Under-21s. Lowly state team Victoria had inflicted a humiliating nine-wicket win in the opener on Friday, while in this match the juniors won by 52 runs after dismissing England for 162 in reply to their 214.Alyssa Healy (Ian’s niece) made 45 and there was a fifty for Jessica Cameron, in her second season for the Shooting Stars, to boost them to 8 for 214 after Rachael Haynes (who had scored a fifty against them in Victoria disguise last week) chose to bat first.England vice-captain Nicki Shaw was on the receiving end in particular, recording 1 for 52 from nine overs. Stephanie Davies was the best bowler in only her second match, with 2 for 28 from her ten overs, which is one positive England can take away, along with Laura Marsh’s 2 for 36.Nevertheless, the home side’s score was below par for this level but proved more than enough as the bowlers, led by Rene Chappell, took regular wickets to shoot out England for 162. The opener Beth Morgan failed again with the bat, making 9. None of England’s Australia-ready players particularly shone, in fact: Lydia Greenway notching a nought, a wicketless Jenny Gunn making 13, Isa Guha struck twice but at a cost of 40 from six overs. On the positive side, England are gaining in some confidence and getting match practice as a unit.England’s captain Charlotte Edwards, while pleased with the bowling and fielding, couldn’t hide her regret. “We’re obviously bitterly disappointed. Our batting was well below-par with some soft dismissals. We were always up with the run-rate, but we didn’t establish any decent partnerships until it was too late.”Assistant coach Mark Lane, who arrived late Friday night in lieu of Vince Wells who couldn’t make it for personal reasons, added: “We’ve been knocked down, but it’s not how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up. It’s not all doom and gloom – we need to stick together and stand up and be counted. We’ll practise really hard tomorrow and come out fighting on Wednesday.”If this is a glimpse into the future, Australia should be assured – like their men they are an enviable factory, thanks in part to their smooth system. As for England’s present, there may be one or two worries. They still have one more warm-up on Wednesday but with the first international looming on Friday they must be privately a little concerned.The side are a positive bunch, however, and will aim to improve again in their next match against the Shooting Stars.

The group of players barred from representing Pakistan or playing in the country’s domestic cricket for playing in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) is considering taking legal action against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Imran Farhat, Taufeeq Umar and Shabbir Ahmed – the three currently active players who would be otherwise eligible for Pakistan selection – hit out at the board’s decision , arguing that it was an attempt “to destroy our livelihood.””We will discuss this among ourselves and take some advice from Inzi bhai before we move forward,” Farhat told Cricinfo. “This is a very sad situation and we will try everything in our powers to get back to playing for Pakistan.”Farhat and Umar said legal action was a definite possibility, while also clarifying remarks made by the PCB over a petition the players had apparently filed against the ban earlier at the Lahore High Court. Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, said the court had dismissed the petition, but Farhat said this was not the case.”The petition wasn’t filed,” Farhat explained. “We reconsidered and decided to wait on it because the message conveyed to us was that the board’s governing committee might change its mind and let us play after their meeting [on January 25].”The board did offer one way back for the players, suggesting that if they pulled out of their ICL contracts, they would consider any subsequent appeal to lift the restriction. But Farhat insisted that pulling out of his three-year contract was not an option.”That contract gives me security. It is like a safety net for me. What safety do we get here? We will not pull out of it on principle alone,” Farhat said. “The board is happy to send players to the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is also another separate league. What is the difference between that and this? Will the IPL also not harm Pakistan cricket?”Though the ICL isn’t officially involved in helping the players in a legal battle should one arise, the group is planning to seek constant advice from the organizers on how to move forward.

The last time India toured Australia John Buchanan was irritated his team was distracted by “deal-making and sponsors” and slipped a harsh letter under each of the players’ doors. It might be time Tim Nielsen, the new coach, devised a similar ploy for his big-name batsmen who have been dug out twice by the fantastic performances of the low-key bowlers.Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting are struggling and if it was not for the men at the bottom of the order the team would be at the foot of the tri-series instead of the top. The bowlers deserve buckets of praise and could be forgiven for writing to the batsmen asking them to lift their standards.A copy of Buchanan’s note was posted under the wrong door in 2003 and soon the world knew of Australia’s internal conversations, which ranged from “deal-making” and “sponsors” to “Tugga’s farewell to Adelaide”. Replace Steve Waugh’s nickname with Adam Gilchrist’s and not much has changed in more than four years. It’s not too hard to imagine how the same groups of issues could lead to clutter in the minds of Twenty20’s most wanted.The senior players on the Indian Premier League’s wish-list are contemplating a huge increase in their bank balances and not-so-secretly wishing next month’s Pakistan series is cancelled due to security issues. That way they could cash-in on Twenty20 instead of representing their country and fulfilling obligations that have been planned since before the birth of the game’s new format.Gilchrist’s emotional, country-wide farewell has added to the distractions, just like Waugh’s did, and the upshot is below-par batting and fielding. A century to Gilchrist and excellent returns from the back-up bowlers covered up the sloppiness in Perth on Friday, and James Hopes, Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson did it again in Adelaide when they operated without the resting Brett Lee. Michael Clarke’s 79 also helped mask the severe problems as the team scrambled to 9 for 203, which was 50 too many for India.At the toss Ponting spoke of the need for the top batsmen to start contributing, but they flopped again. Ponting and Symonds have been heavily involved in finding reasons why the Australians should be allowed to join the IPL in April. While they have been looking to India their form has disappeared, and Hayden has joined the drought. In five games Symonds has 38 runs and Ponting 53; Hayden has fared slightly better with 84 in four.Even before the current issues Ponting was busy with the Harbhajan Singh trials and suffered with a lower-back injury at the conclusion of the Test series. If he wasn’t so interested in spending potential downtime in India he could justify having a mid-series rest. The most glaring example of Ponting’s lack of focus was an attempted slog-sweep off Munaf Patel, a shot he would never consider with a clear mind, and especially not when he was on 5.India bowled well but most of Australia’s batsmen let themselves down. Ponting cut straight to point, Hayden edged playing too close to his body, Symonds glided to gully and Michael Hussey was frustrated into driving at a wide outswinger. Only Clarke was able to harness the tunnel-vision and work through the troubles on a deceptive pitch.A similar strong attitude was carried by the bowlers, who are quite a few rungs down the celebrity pole than the run-makers. Hopes was incredibly tight and deserved his two wickets, Bracken was just as suffocating and Johnson and Brad Hogg collected important breakthroughs. They played with the love and excitement of people who would not swap their spots for any amount of US dollars.In the field Australia were below their best again, missing balls, giving away overthrows and failing to grasp another slips catch. The distractions are obvious but they managed to succeed in gaining another bonus point. They really operate as a team, covering the weaknesses amid all the disruptions, but the bowlers know they are owed. Letters for the batsmen may arrive from a couple of sources.