The start of World Twenty20 preparations

The games against Pakistan, and the one against India, are the chance to zero in on our perfect Twenty20 squad

It's been a long season on the road for myself, having played a full season of the IPL. I knew it was going to be particularly long so in order to stay fit and alert, I have been trying to keep things simple, focus on my game and manage recoveries properly. Touch wood, things have been okay so far. I also make sure I do not push myself too hard. I don't see us getting any breaks real soon, at least till the next IPL.

There is a lot of Twenty20 cricket being played and over the years, I think our players have got a measure of it to a certain extent. But like any other format, it keeps evolving. People are coming up with new tactics so you need to keep ahead of everybody else. You can't make too many mistakes in the shorter versions.

Personally, Twenty20 has taken me back to the way I used to play. In that sense, the freedom with which I play my strokes doesn't really surprise me because as a schoolboy, this was how I batted. I used to play quite aggressively. When I started playing international cricket, I realised I really had to tighten my game and take more responsibility. In Test cricket you don't always have too much freedom. In one-dayers, for a long period of time you have to build your innings, especially at my position at No. 4. Opening the batting has given me the same kind of freedom I enjoyed as a schoolboy.

I have enjoyed a fair amount of success as an opener in Twenty20, but my presence at the top depends on the team combination. Tillakaratne Dilshan and I have built up a decent opening partnership in the last couple of years or so. Even in one-day cricket I regularly open the batting. We're trying to be more flexible as well, because going into the World T20, we need to have a good idea on what kind of squad we need. We're using these two games, plus the one T20 against India, to find the right combination so we will mix and match. This is the start of an important series for us so we need to make a statement.

It's a fact that we've hardly played Twenty20 cricket as a unit over the last six months. However, if you look at the IPL, quite a few of our players were involved in it in one way or the other so, individually, that's a lot of Twenty20 cricket. With the three upcoming games (two against Pakistan and one with India), plus the upcoming Sri Lanka Premier League, that should be enough to prepare us for the World T20.

Those players who have not had the benefit of match practice in the IPL have been training over the last few weeks on their fitness. The period after the England Tests was the best time to do that. They've also spent time working on their skill sets. We had about six-seven guys training specifically for the Test series and some for the ODIs and T20s. Taking Dinesh Chandimal's example, halfway through the IPL his franchise realised he wasn't going to play so he was sent back to train with the national squad. It was nice of Rajasthan Royals to release him. It has all been done in a systematic way so that the preparation hasn't been compromised.

As for our bowling reserves, I feel Nuwan Kulasekara is right up there to give Lasith Malinga the support he needs. We're trying a few young guys so we need to see how they come up. Thisara (Perera) and Angelo (Mathews) have been around for a while so I'm glad I've got a couple of allrounders I can always bank on. I'm also very excited about Sachithra Senanayake, the offspinner, who had a good time in Australia. Ajantha Mendis is coming back from injury, so we're going to gradually build him up, perhaps try him at some point in the Pakistan series or against India. We rested Rangana (Herath) because he had a knee operation but he might play him in the one-dayers. There's good competition as well and it's healthy.

Pakistan will be a challenge because have a nice blend of youth and experience. From the squad of 15, they've got a lot of variety in their bowling armoury. What makes them competitive is the sort of bowling options available, apart from the specialists. All in all, it should be a competitive T20 series.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is the country's leading Test run-scorer

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Decision on Indo-Pak ties likely in June - Ashraf

The ICC's annual conference in Kuala Lumpur in June is where India and Pakistan could take significant steps towards the resumption of cricketing ties, with even the possibility of the announcement of a series, according to PCB chief Zaka Ashraf.

Ashraf is in Delhi for a few days after attending the IPL final (to which he was invited by the BCCI) in Chennai, and he told ESPNcricinfo, "Probably the final decision will be [taken] in Kuala Lumpur, where the ICC board of directors meeting will be held. There MrSrinivasan and I will hold discussions, and maybe we will be able to formulate and announce something about the resumption of ties."

He denied that the two parties had already discussed or suggested a tentative schedule for a bilateral series during a gap in England's winter tour of India, when the England team will return home for a Christmas break. "The BCCI haven't conveyed that to us. What we see on the calendar is that the English team will continue to play matches. But that is now up to the BCCI, the ball is in their court. They have to think which slab is available, where there is a vacuum during which both of us can play. What we can play, what format … they have to take steps and let us know."

During his stay in Delhi on what was his first visit to India, Ashraf said he had met with the Pakistani high commissioner to India, Salman Bashir, and political leaders of several parties, ruling and opposition, whose names he did not wish to reveal.

India and Pakistan have not played each other in a bilateral series since December 2007. It is India's turn to tour Pakistan, but the country has not hosted an international series between two Full Members at home following the Lahore terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in March 2009. Bilateral ties between India and Pakistan have been frozen since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Pakistan, however, travelled to India to play in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup.

On the day that an unofficial lunch meeting took place between Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari in April, IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla had told Pakistani channel Geo TV that the participation of Pakistan players in the IPL would depend on bilateral ties between the two nations.

Ashraf said his discussions with BCCI president N Srinivasan had not touched upon the participation of Pakistan players in the IPL much. "I didn't discuss the IPL, because it was more of a commercial thing. I was talking to the BCCI more on the revival of cricketing relations - on bilateral ties, because that is more important. If they feel like inviting Pakistani players [to the IPL], it is up to them. If they want to, I think that will be a good move also."

The participation of the Sialkot Stallions in the Champions League T20 was however confirmed by Ashraf. News of the decision to invite the team from Pakistan to the most lucrative club competition in world cricket was released on Twitter by Sundar Raman, a member of the CLT20 technical committee, but it is yet to be formally announced. Similarly Raman announced on Twitter that the dates for the Champions League T20 would only be released by the end of June. Ashraf, who had talked about the resumption of ties with Srinivasan on the side of ICC meetings in Dubai, said he had been asked for his approval for the Sialkot Stallions not once but twice by Srinivasan.

"He called me once from India about 15-20 days ago to discuss the Champions League T20, saying the issue [of Pakistani participation] has come to the board and 'if we decide in favour of Pakistan do you have any objection'. And I said no, of course not, I am always in favour of ties. So after the meeting he called me and said 'I'm going to the press to announce it. Finally I just want to ask, I hope you don't any objections'. I said our board and our people are also for the revival of ties of cricketing relations, Test series, one-day and Twenty20 games." Ashraf said the news of the invitation extended to the Sialkot Stallions had been welcomed "in the press, by the general public and the board. At least the ice is melting. And things are moving in the right direction."

The meeting between the Indian prime minister and the Pakistani president had been important, because it indicated that the Indian government had no objections to the resumption of cricketing between the two countries. "What I understand is that, again, the honourable president of Pakistan requested that the honourable prime minister of India do something, so that India-Pakistan cricket could be revived. He [the Indian prime minister] said, 'Yes, I'm for it, the government has no objection and we are going to convey it to the [Indian] board. The board should decide the other questions … when and where they should play, because those are the nitty-gritty details.' "

Ashraf said that he had kept aside an extra day after the IPL final to have an extended meeting with Srinivasan. However, the extended meetings could not take place because Srinivasan had to be admitted to hospital during the IPL final for observation. "He never used to smile, but he was smiling then [when Ashraf visited him in hospital]," Ashraf joked. "He was very happy that I went. That showed that brotherly relations between the boards are developing."

He came across goodwill in general, he said, on his visit to India. "I found that everybody in India has got good feelings about Pakistan and they all want cricket to resume between these two great cricketing nations. There's great cricket passion in India, like there is in Pakistan. I brought with me, to the people of India and Indian cricket fans, the warmth and feelings of Pakistani cricket fans. This visit is like a friendship message from both the nations to each other.

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Indian engineer challenges D/L method

The ICC will meet to decide whether an engineer from India has simplified the system to determine a winner in rain-affected matches.

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New Dehli – An Indian engineer will learn Thursday whether his challenge to the English system for determining the winner of rain-affected cricket matches – one of the most complicated rules in the sport – has been successful.

The current method, devised by English statisticians Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis and known as the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) rule, was first introduced at the international level in 1996.

It uses mathematical formulas to calculate the winning target for the batting team when rain reduces playing time in limited-overs matches and was first adopted after World Cup rules made a mockery of the 1992 semi-final between England and South Africa in Sydney.

V. Jayadevan, an engineer in southern Kerala state, spent a decade working on his so-called VJD system, which has been used in Indian domestic matches since 2007 following a recommendation from batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

The International Cricket Council will announce on Thursday if the VJD system will replace the Duckworth-Lewis method after discussions in London by the ICC’s cricket committee, headed by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd.

Jayadevan, a passionate statistician, calculates his chances of success in percentage terms.

“I think there is 90 percent hope if members read it patiently,” Jayadevan told AFP from his office in Thrissur.

“I will not be at the meeting because I was not invited, so I cannot immediately clear any doubts which a member may have. That is why I have taken away the remaining 10 percent chance,” he said.

Jayadevan insists his system of calculating revised targets is a vast improvement on the D/L method.

“Both are two different ways of approaching a problem, two different mathematical models,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with D/L system, but many times the targets set by it are not reasonable or sensible.

“In my report to the ICC, I have pointed out the mathematical and statistical flaws in the D/L system and how that has been corrected in my method.”

In the World Cup game that prompted the adoption of the D/L method, South Africa needed a gettable 22 runs off 13 balls before rain stopped play, but that became a ludicrous 21 off one ball when the match resumed.

In England, the challenge has been seen by some as another attempt by India, the game’s superpower, to chip away at the influence of England, the former colonial power and inventor of the game.

“There could be no more symbolic example of India’s challenge to surpass England in every aspect of cricket’s world order,” noted the Guardian newspaper. – Sapa-AFP

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Zimbabwe Twenty20 Triangular Series, 2012 / Fixtures

Mon Jun 18 
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 1st Match - Zimbabwe v Bangladesh
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Tue Jun 19
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 2nd Match - Bangladesh v South Africa
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Wed Jun 20
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 3rd Match - Zimbabwe v South Africa
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Thu Jun 21
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 4th Match - Zimbabwe v Bangladesh
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Fri Jun 22
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 5th Match - Bangladesh v South Africa
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Sat Jun 23
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT 6th Match - Zimbabwe v South Africa
Harare Sports Club
N/A
Sun Jun 24
11:00 GMT | 13:00 local
16:00 PKT Final - TBC v TBC
Harare Sports Club

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Du Plessis, Chris Morris get South Africa T20 call-up

Faf du Plessis, the middle order batsman, has been has been named in South Africa's 15-man squad for the unofficial Twenty20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, in Zimbabwe in June, while Chris Morris, the Highveld Lions allrounder, has received a maiden call-up.

The squad will be led by Johan Botha. AB de Villiers, allrounder Jacques Kallis and the fast-bowling pair of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been rested because all four played extensively during the recent IPL and will likely be needed in all three formats for the upcoming series against England.

Du Plessis has played 21 ODIs for South Africa but has never been part of the Twenty20 squad. He staked a claim for a place in the shortest format after a successful stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2012. Du Plessis, who opened the batting and scored three half-centuries, held the orange cap for being the leading scorer in the tournament at one stage, although he finished 13th on the batting charts.

In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, du Plessis said, "If I could pick where to bat in 20-over cricket, I would say I'd like to open. It suits my style of batting because I am someone who can hit the ball over the top and along the ground, and I've learned when to hold back and when to go for it."

Du Plessis has been tipped to open the batting with world-record holder Richard Levi, although that would probably come at the expense of limited-overs vice-captain Hashim Amla. While du Plessis' inclusion in the national squad was expected, Morris' came as a complete surprise to everyone, including himself.

"One of my former provincial coaches, Lawrence Mahatlane called me up to say congratulations and I wasn't sure what he was talking about," Morris, who has also been picked in the South Africa A side to play Sri Lanka A, told ESPNcricinfo. "I don't know what to do yet. I'm not sure if I should jump and down or what. I was just happy to be playing franchise cricket and I didn't even think about the national side at all. I've come such a long way in such a short time, that definitely wasn't in my thoughts."

Morris has just completed his first full season as a franchise cricketer, having been spotted by former Highveld Lions coach Gordon Parsons in Centurion in 2009.

South Africa's 15-man squad Johan Botha (capt), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dane Vilas (wk)

"Gordon saw me there and asked me if I wanted to go to trials at the Lions and I did," he said. "Before that I was playing club cricket in Pretoria and to be honest, I didn't really set the scene alight. But then I got offered to go to the Lions academy and the rest is history. The Lions have taught me everything I know about my game."

After playing in the amateur competition for a season, Morris was contracted to the Lions for the 2011-12 season. He scored two half-centuries and took 23 wickets at an average of 26.00 in the first-class competition and was the leading bowler overall in the MiWay T20 competition, with 21 wickets. It was his performances in the shortest format that earned him his national call-up.

"He was also very effective as a lower order hitter and played a very significant role in getting the Lions to the final," Cricket South Africa's selection convenor, Andrew Hudson, said.

Morris opened the bowling and stepped up to bowl at the death as well, two roles he has enjoyed. "I wanted that kind of responsibility because when I have that, then I focus more," Morris said.

While Morris has played club cricket in England before, he has never travelled as part of a tour, except at school, and has also never been to Zimbabwe. Most of the national squad are relative strangers to him as he has only met them as opponents occasionally in the past.

"I'm really excited and really looking forward to it," he said. "The more I can talk to people, the more I am going to learn."

The rest of the squad includes players who have been given opportunity in the past. Both Farhaan Behardien and Dane Vilas featured in South Africa's XI for a one-off Twenty20 against India in March. Behardien has been a consistent performer for the Titans in the last few seasons and will bat in the middle-order, while Dane Vilas will don the wicketkeeping gloves.

Botha continues as captain, after he also led the team in the match against India, an indication that he remains part of South Africa's World Twenty20 plans. He will be released from his national contract after the ICC event in September to captain South Australia and will not participate in the South African domestic season.

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No central contract for Ryder

Jesse Ryder and NZC have agreed to avoid a national contract this year, but Ryder's manager and friend, Aaron Klee, squashed any fears Ryder might be looking at becoming a free agent in the various Twenty20 leagues across the world. The decision was made at Ryder's routine yearly review, a process every contracted New Zealand player goes through.

Ryder, Klee, New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief Heath Mills, NZC's director of cricket John Buchanan and manager Mike Sandle were present at the review. Outgoing coach John Wright was not. Ryder tweeted the review went on for three hours. He also tweeted, "Looking forward to playing for NZ again when The time is rite."

NZC CEO David White is in England for an ICC meeting, but he said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting. "All of the evidence shows that Jesse is on the right track, both on and off the field, but we're aware that there are still steps to be made. While cricket remains an important part of his life, it is his health and well-being that need to be the primary focus.

"Jesse wants to concentrate on his personal goals without the media pressures, commercial pressures and other demands associated with being a contracted player. This decision is fully endorsed by the NZCPA and NZC."

The outcome of the meeting was hardly unexpected, but there has been speculation around that the various Twenty20 leagues around the world could tempt Ryder into following several West Indies cricketers down the freelance route. Ryder's manager, though, reassured he still wanted to get back to playing for New Zealand.

"He is not playing any cricket at the moment," Klee said. "He is at home. If there are cricket opportunities - it's his job, it's his living - he could look at them. Short, sharp opportunities, but certainly not looking at this as freelance. The IPL was great, it provided him an opportunity to get the wheels back on the track, but Jesse still wants to play for New Zealand. There are certain things he needs to do in the meantime, and if it takes a certain period of time now, it is important to take that opportunity to do that now."

Klee said Ryder didn't yet feel ready to commit to a full-time contract. "If he had accepted a contract you are basically obliged to play," Klee said. "You are basically in a breach of contract if you say, 'No I can't play a certain tour'. Eleven months of the year touring, spent playing, all that time playing cricket, we could end up being where we were a few months ago. We don't want to do that."

Klee said Ryder had made good progress since his one-match suspension for breaking team protocol, and didn't want to undo the good work by hurrying back. Ryder then took a break from all cricket, but has since made a comeback in the IPL. He has also taken professional help, travelling to India with his clinical psychiatrist Karen Nimmo.

"We are on a good track," Klee said. "We need to carry on this track. It was Jesse's idea [to not seek a new contract]. He wants to continue what he is doing, and he has been doing very well. To be able to continue to do that, it's too much of a commitment under the contract."

There is no time frame for Ryder's comeback to national plans. Nor is he asked to come back with certain improvements before he is considered by New Zealand again. "There is nothing like that discussed today," Klee said. "It's very much in Jesse's court. When he feels ready we will communicate that to NZC. The great thing is, they have given Jesse some space to do what he needs to do."

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Pybus appointed Bangladesh coach

Richard Pybus, the former Pakistan coach, has been named Bangladesh coach, taking over from Stuart Law who resigned in April. Pybus, 47, has signed a two-year deal with the BCB and is expected to join the Bangladesh side before their tour of Zimbabwe next month.

"I am delighted at the opportunity of coaching Bangladesh," Pybus said. "I am looking forward to getting busy with the boys.

"We have an active schedule ahead of us and for me the next few months will be about building relationships with the players and the coaching staff and ensuring that the progress made up to the Asia Cup continues."

Pybus hasn't been in charge of an international side since 2003 but had flown to Bangladesh earlier this month to interview for the national coach's role. He will be Bangladesh's third coach in a year as Law had been in the post for only nine months after succeeding another Australian Jamie Siddons last July.

Pybus was appointed Pakistan coach for their 1999 World Cup campaign, while he was with Border, before returning to the South African provincial side. He coached Pakistan again until the 2003 World Cup and had stints with Titans and Cape Cobras (South Africa), and Middlesex. He was with Cobras until March 2012 and was also linked to the South Africa job last year

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The Battle of the Rain Gods

The intricacies of the system used to recalculate run targets in rain-affected one-day matches are unfathomable to most people, but the ICC's cricket committee must grapple with the subject at Lord's over the next two days when it is presented with an alternative to the dreaded D/L method which has been adopted in international cricket in the past 15 years.

The Battle of the Rain Gods might not quite rival the best of Greek mythology - Hollywood is not yet thought to be interested - but it does not lack importance. A World Cup could one day depend on the outcome.

On one side are two reserved statisticians from Lytham St Annes, a peaceful seaside resort on the Lancashire coast, Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis, whose system has benefited from an ever-increasing amount of data and has gradually won acceptance in cricket circles as making the best of a bad job.

On the other side is a persistent engineer from the southern Indian state of Kerala, V Jayadevan, who has had the audacity to challenge the established order by claiming that the D/L method "comprises several silly mistakes."

In its place, he proposes the alternative that he has worked on tirelessly for the past 15 years - the VJD method. VJD, to British minds at least, sounds disturbingly like the return of Mad Cow Disease, but Jayadevan insists that cricketing sanity is one of the advantages of his system, which has already been trialled in Indian domestic cricket and was also adopted in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League.

The D/L system was eventually introduced in response to a farcical finish to England's World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1992 when South Africa resumed after rain to find their target had been reduced to 21 runs from one ball.

There is a sense that Jayadevan's rival system is too much for the ICC to cope with. It took cricket officials years to respond to his letters. One set of rain rules was quite enough. But gradually Jayadevan, a deputy director in the Keralan Engineering Research Institute, won support, notably from the former India captain Sunil Gavaskar.

And so, the ICC annual meeting in Hong Kong last June received his proposals and, doubtless with a grimace, passed them down to the cricket committee at Lord's for their consideration. Dave Richardson, the ICC's chief-executive-in-waiting, has indicated that they will be taken seriously. Clive Lloyd, the former West Indies captain, chairs the committee and played in an era when the response to rain was to turn to the newspaper crossword and put your feet up.

"I wish they get time to go through my views that bring out the anomalies in the D/L method," Jayadevan has told India's Mail Today. "If the members read it, half the job is done.

"The inherent fear of people for mathematics seems to have helped D/L method being questioned beyond a limit. The D/L system comprises several silly mistakes. But somehow it has managed to create an impression in the entire cricket community that it's highly scientific."

The challenge for the ICC, and indeed the cricket public, is to go beyond nationalistic rivalries, judge the stringency of two complex systems and calculate the benefits they can bring to the game. There are differences and a few can be outlined in laymen's terms.

The battle between Duckworth and Lewis on one hand and Jayadevan on the other has been characterised as a battle between mathematics and engineering. The mathematician pins faith in the purity of the mathematical algorithm; the engineer is prepared to more emphasis on the evidence of what works. In other words, Jayadevan will adopt what one specialist called "intelligent use of trial and error" if it produces a better outcome.

To add to the debate that is raging in statistical circles, the view is growing that Twenty20 behaves very differently from ODIs and requires its own separate tables.

"Like in cricket, the ultimate result of a stroke is more important than how it is played," Jayadevan said. "The most important point regarding the acceptability of a method is its reasonability to adjust targets in a truncated match, and here my system is far ahead. A majority of cricketers and officials are looking for a change and hence it makes sense to give an opportunity to VJD system at least for the next two years."

Both systems recalculate a rain-reduced target based on the number of overs faced and the number of wickets remaining - described as the "resources" still available. There are, however, key differences.

Firstly, the D/L method relies upon a pure mathematical curve that assumes a team's scoring rate accelerates throughout a team's innings. Jayadevan argues that this is no longer the case because of fielding restrictions in the early overs which cause a rush of early scoring before mid-innings consolidation. His tables are adjusted empirically to take this into account. He even claims to take Powerplays into account.

Secondly, and this is where it gets difficult, the D/L method relies upon a single curve which is used to make adjustments to the target. Jayadevan uses two curves: a normal curve to adjust runs already scored, and a target curve to adjust runs still to be scored. The normal curve takes note of both runs scored and wickets lost, but the target curve takes note of only runs remaining.

The greater complexity of Jayadevan's system is less of a problem than it once was. Both methods are computer-based. Calculations are no longer made on the back of an envelope. In theory at least, you can just key in the match details and await the printout

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Kolkata celebrates KKR's victory

Tens of thousands of people turned out on the streets of Kolkata on Tuesday to receive the Kolkata Knight Riders team, returning home as IPL winners. The political leadership, top actors and musicians, and the local cricket establishment - including former ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya - joined the team in the celebrations.

The team began with a five-kilometre open-top parade from the Hazra area of south Kolkata to Writers' Buildings, the seat of government; the crowds - estimated at more than 50,000 - were packed ten and sometimes 20 people deep, with many more on rooftops and balconies. After a short function there, the team headed for Eden Gardens, which had been thrown open to the public for free entry.

At Eden Gardens, almost every seat was occupied - a larger crowd than at most cricket matches. The ceremony there included the traditional presentation of scarves to the squad by the state's chief minister and the cutting of a cake. However, the event was marred by chaotic scenes at the end, with crowds being beaten back by baton-wielding policemen resulting in some injuries.

While most of the Knight Riders' overseas players left the squad at Chennai, Shakib Al Hasan remained behind, as did most of the coaching staff including head coach Trevor Bayliss and mental skills coach Rudi Webster.

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Tahir trains with Qadir in Lahore

Abdul Qadir, the former Pakistan legspinner, has said he rues the fact that the Lahore-born Imran Tahirwent on to play for South Africa and not Pakistan. Tahir had met Qadir in Lahore on Tuesday, and will remain in Pakistan for the rest of the week, for personalised training sessions in preparation for South Africa's tour of England in July.

The pair had worked on increasing the variations in Tahir's bowling. "He is here to enhance his variations, and sought my guidelines regarding the finger googly and using flight as a weapon," Qadir told ESPNcricinfo. "He is very keen to learn more and I love to help him, because he applies what I teach him. I have only shared the googly information with him and Shahid Afridi."

Qadir is confident of Tahir making an impression in England. "England [have always] struggled against spin bowling a lot, but once it comes to their home conditions, they are good. I have shared my past experiences with Tahir, told him how to counter English batsman in their own conditions … I am optimistic that he will make an impact with his improved bowling."

Tahir, who has played seven Tests for South Africa, played cricket in Pakistan from 1996 to 2006. "My relations with Imran aren't something new," Qadir said. "I've know this boy since he was playing in the Under-19 team here; he had tremendous talent and I was urging the [Pakistan] board to try him. I still regret not having this boy in Pakistan colours, but I am proud of him."

Tahir was once part of the Pakistan A team and was one of the popular legspinners on the Pakistani domestic circuit in 90s. He was team-mates with Shoaib Malik and Abdul Razzaq in 1996, in the Under-19 squad that played against England and Australia.

"He has played an ample amount of cricket in Pakistan, it's unfortunate that we couldn't have him playing for Pakistan," Qadir said. "He was so hardworking and a good learner, and always wanted to play cricket on the big stage. He eventually got there, where he always wanted to get.

"This is not the first time he has come up to me for tips, he was consistently in touch with me and always visits me when he is here in Lahore.

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'Captaincy is leadership, not age' :Mohammad Hafeez

How did your team-mates come to call you "professor"?
They started calling me "professor" as a joke because I give a lot of feedback, and it was Ramiz [Raja] bhaiwho spread it in the media. My family and friends call me Chanda [moon].

What sort of feedback?
I actually get involved in planning the team. I do a lot of calculations and assessments about the team and its position, and I'm blunt about sharing it.

You were recently appointed Pakistan's Twenty20 captain. What does it mean to you?
Representing Pakistan at the national level is a big honour, for which I have a high regard, and being a captain of the side is the highest level you achieve as a cricketer. It's a privilege and I am thankful to the PCB for honouring me and trusting me. As a player I have earned a lot of respect. Now it's time to gain more respect as a captain.

As a player you own your performance, but as a captain you are responsible for the whole team's performance. You have to be on your toes all the time. For me it means a lot as it's about respect, and now it's important for me to get results in the field.

What is your philosophy for leading Pakistan? How are you going to follow on from Misbah-ul-Haq? 
Every captain has his own ideas and approach in executing plans. I too have plans; there is no set pattern and formulae captains follow. My idea might be a little different, but whatever it is will be with the consensus of the team management.

The basics are to give all players the required confidence, as I believe no player can give you 100% until he isn't given the confidence he needs. I know each selected player is talented and has a role to play. I will create a comfortable atmosphere where every player will feel confident. The rest is my responsibility, to get the best out of these boys in the field.

Players generally have to face a lot of criticism for bad performances, and as captain there is added pressure
Pakistan is a cricket-loving country and people get too emotional, mainly because the expectations are very high. I think there is a need to understand the sport and its components. It's a game in which you can't maintain a straight winning graph because you can't have the same day every day.

Criticism is good and healthy if it has logic, and critics should understand that no sportsman in the world can guarantee a victory on every day he plays. In our country people only expect the best, but sometimes you play extraordinarily and sometimes plans won't work.

What would you have done if you weren't a cricketer?
I could have been an engineer. I did my FSC [higher secondary] from Sargodha College and always wanted to be an engineer, but instead I got involved in cricket and opted to do a Bachelor of Arts.

You weren't able to hold down your place in the national side in your first seven years. What have you done differently since?
You can't succeed until you learn from your mistakes. There are good and bad experiences, and this process never ends. You shouldn't lose hope, and I strongly believe you can achieve anything through hard work. There is always a right time for everything. I agree that in those seven years I wasn't able to make an impact but I worked hard to come back.

Do you agree that captaincy is best given to players after 30, when they are more mature?
I don't agree. It's not about your age, it's about leadership qualities. Any player who understands cricket, has ideas, and good man-management skills, can be a captain. Also, it's not important that every good player can be a captain because the qualities vary from player to player.

How confident are you about captaining the side? 
This is not the first time I am going to lead a side. I have been captaining at the regional level, departmental level, and the Pakistan A team, though it's different at this level. But then I know most of the players and have been playing with them over the years. I am optimistic about my captaincy and aim to become a better player and contribute in winning games. I understand I have additional responsibilities. I have to maintain a balance.

Are you satisfied with the squad selected for the two Twenty20s in Sri Lanka?
You always require the best line-up to play and the balance of the XI is important. Yes, I have been given a good combination. The best part of the team is that each player is talented and has a well-defined role. That will reduce my effort to redefine their role. We have a set combination and only need minor adjustments depending on the conditions.

	"Players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal are my best men in the side, who have been performing well for years in the format"

Players like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Gul and Umar Akmal are my best men in the side, who have been performing well for years in the format. This will only help me.

What does Twenty20 cricket mean to you? 
To be very honest, I am a big fan of Test cricket. It has a grace that attracts me. I really enjoy playing it because it requires a great deal of skill. I feel privileged to play this format because it lets you feel you are at the top of your profession.

Twenty20 cricket is entertainment, with more commercial values. It's short and fast and pulls in the crowds. I enjoy playing it. It keeps you on your toes; you have to be quick and move with the flow. You have to keep switching your plans, as the game changes with every ball.

What do you expect from Sri Lanka?
Both teams will be facing tough competition. We will be wary about the fact that Sri Lanka are always tough in their home conditions, but they are not invincible. We have a good record against them in recent times. They might have experienced players, who must be warmed up after playing in the IPL, but we have kept ourselves in perfect shape too, training and practising hard in hot conditions for the last month.

You are 31. You started playing international cricket about ten years back. How long do you want to play?
I don't want to make a precise statement here but I can tell you I will walk away when I'm no longer useful. I understand every player has to go one day, but I am currently enjoying playing cricket and have maintained a good fitness level. I haven't given a thought to how long I will play but I will continue till my form and fitness favour me.

You made a statement recently that the IPL was a missed opportunity for Pakistan players.
I was comparing the Pakistan team to the rest of the world. Most of the players, including those from Sri Lanka, played in the IPL under intense scenarios, which is good from a practising point of view.

Yes, there is an opportunity because once you go there you become a better professional. And the more cricket you play, the more your chances of improving. I never meant to say I miss it generally, but at the end we had to play matches here as part of practice ahead of the Sri Lanka series

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I am fully committed - Jerome Taylor

Jerome Taylor, the West Indies fast bowler who has been overlooked on fitness grounds for the tour of England, has hit back at allegations by the WICB chief executive Ernest Hiliare that he has failed to commit to rehabilitation programmes put in place in the past two years to quicken his return to the Test side.

Hilaire questioned Taylor's commitment as a professional cricketer during a visit to the first Test at Lord's, saying he was very "difficult" to deal with during the various rehabilitation progammes in the last two years.

But Taylor has told ESPNcricinfo that on his home island of Jamaica nobody had ever seen fit to question his commitment and that he was "disgruntled" at the West Indies board's policy of making demands on him that applied to no other players and that these demands had stalled his comeback to international cricket.

Hilaire was critical of Taylor's indifference towards the WICB medical programmes on Sky TV. "I know, for example, Jerome was on contract, he was injured, he was put on a programme," he said. "It was exceedingly difficult to get him to commit to the programme and to apply himself, to even get him to go to Kingston to get his medical check-ups and to do what had to be done.

"He was in that programme supervised by Jimmy Adams. And there were a lot of difficulties with Jerome. He came back, got injured again, and he was put on another programme. And he was asked to play an entire series of the first-class season to demonstrate that he was fit.

"He took a break, went to Jamaica to a funeral came back and got injured. He was put on a programme. Next thing we heard he was in the IPL. Since then he has not played for Jamaica nor has he played in the IPL this year. There is only so much you can do. You have a player, you are providing for him to be on the medical programme, you are providing for him to be in that rehabilitation programme and he doesn't commit himself to it as a professional."

Taylor, who has had differences with the board over communication about his injury, dismissed Hiliaire's remarks. "I have no idea what Mr Hilaire is actually saying," he said. "Basically I do not know where he is getting his information from. As far as commitment is concerned towards cricket I don't think my efforts can ever be questioned. If you ask anybody in Jamaica, where I have played my cricket, they will tell you I am somebody who has always shown commitment towards cricket and my development."

He also said he has completely recovered from the back injury, having travelled to the USA where a combination of strength training, acupuncture and deep tissue massage were part of his recovery process.

"Everything is feeling all right. I am just going through the paces, taking my time not to rush back to anything but also making sure no stone is left uncovered," he said. According to Taylor, the WICB has not been in touch for the past 18 months except for speaking recently with the Jamaica Cricket Association president: "Nobody from the WICB has been in contact with me recently. The only person I have been in touch with was the JCA president."

Letter sent by Jerome Taylor to the WICB on June 30, 2011 Dear Mr. Howard, I am seeking some clarification as to my eligibility for selection to the West Indies cricket team. Since I have received no official word from the WICB and have only seen what is written in the press, I am writing to you as Director of Cricket to see if you can shed some light on the situation for me. I refer to the WICB press release dated May 29th 2011 which was made available to the press at the same time that the squads for the Digicel Pearls T20 and the first two ODI's were announced. The selection notes at the foot of the release, note number five in fact, states that the selectors are of the view that I am required to play a full season of regional cricket in order to prove my fitness to perform adequately at the international level before I can be considered for selection. As it stands it appears that I will not be qualified to play for the West Indies for the rest of 2011 as there is no domestic cricket scheduled before the international commitments for the year are over. I am a bit confused as to exactly why that is so as I played in the last regional tournament representing Jamaica until missing the last game through injury. There was no domestic cricket being played after my recovery but I have played other cricket and proved my fitness so I am asking for some clarification as to the policy of the West Indies Cricket Board regarding players returning from injury as it doesn't seem as if the same thing applies to all players in the same situation. I look forward to your early response. Yours respectfully, Jerome Taylor.

Taylor last played for West Indies in the home ODI series against South Africa in mid-2010 but a chronic spine injury resurfaced to sideline him once again. He did go on to play the IPL in 2011 season for Pune Warrirors but back spasms ended his chances of a quick comeback to the international fold.

An attacking fast bowler, Taylor's best spell came ironically against England in the first week of February in 2009 when he cut through the England batting order in the second innings in Jamaica with extreme pace and swing to roll out the visitors for 51, setting up a famous innings victory. West Indies have managed to secure just two Test victories since that success.

A year ago, the WICB excluded Taylor from their limited-overs squads against India and announced that the selectors wanted him to prove his fitness during the first-class competition and then fulfill an entire season of four-day cricket to be eligible for a return to Test cricket.

"The selection committee is of the view that Jerome Taylor is required to play a full season of regional cricket in order to prove his fitness to compete adequately at the international level before being considered for selection," the release said.

Michael Holding, the former West Indies fast bowler, argues that this stipulation was unfair to a youngster like Taylor. "I don't care if Jerome Taylor wasn't committed to the rehab program or if he even had a broken leg and couldn't play," he said. "I am dealing with the principle of dealing with a young man in his twenties and putting stipulations in place which will basically rule him out for at least 18 months and possibly more."

Holding also accused Hilaire of feigning ignorance about Taylor playing the IPL as it was mandatory for any player to get an No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the home board. "He had to get that from the WICB. Is there some other phantom WICB that gave him the NOC?" he said.

According to Taylor he is "currently" not injured and is working in his native St Elizabeth in Jamaica, training at the St Elizabeth Technical School with the senior coach there. "I am not injured. I am working hard on my fitness along with the coach and we are making sure everything is sorted in due time," he said.

Taylor said making a comeback will not be difficult, but that he failed to understand why only he has been asked to pass stringent, long-term fitness standards before being reconsidered for selection.

"I have never seen any other player who has to play a full season, which to me I think is unfair," he said. "That is the only thing that has me disgruntled somewhat because if you are going to have to some criteria for returning to cricket, then let it be the criteria for all and not only for me. To me it is unclear why I have to play a full season. It makes no sense."

Taylor sent a letter (see sidebar) on June 30 last year to Tony Howard, the WICB cricket manager, "seeking some clarification as to my eligibility for selection to the West Indies cricket team." Though he got a call from a WICB official, who said the board would like Taylor to meet the national selectors, Taylor's response was why no on would reply to him in writing.

Taylor, 27, has not ruled out taking the new ball for West Indies again. But for that to happen both him and WICB have to sit down and talk. He added he was certain what exactly he needed to do to get back in favour with the WICB.

"What is happening now is not in my control," he said. "Since I have to play a full season for the comeback and if that is the criteria I have no grouse about it and I wouldn't want to get into a quarrel or argument with anyone. The only thing I can do is to make sure I do what I have to do, make sure that I get myself in a position where I am ready when they are ready to pick me."

At the same time Taylor, whose contract was bought out by Pune Warriors for the fifth IPL season, does not just want to sit idle."I am not going to sit around and wait, just carry on with life serenely. I want to play some cricket. Cricket is happening around the world."

If West Indies are not interested, perhaps the life of a Twenty20 itinerant awaits.

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SLC looks to tighten up on player-media interaction

Sri Lanka Cricket is set to tighten up on players' interaction with the media. From now on, Sri Lanka players will have to obtain prior permission from SLC CEO Ajith Jayasekera before speaking with any media personnel. A letter to this effect is to be drafted by Jayasekera, in consultation with SLC lawyer Harsha Amarasekera, and sent to all the contracted players.

A spokesman for SLC said that this regulation may also be included as a clause in the players' contracts. The players are expected to sign their new contracts before the start of the series against Pakistan, which begins on June 1.

The executive committee of SLC had also decided to write a "mild" letter to former captain Kumar Sangakkara, regarding an interview he had given to a newspaper, "reminding him of his obligations" and stressing "that such actions will not be tolerated in future". Sangakkara had previously come under the scrutiny of the cricket administration in Sri Lanka, when he had delivered the MCC's Spirit of Cricket Lecture in England, in which he has said that the establishment was run by "partisan cronies".

The SLC, meanwhile, it is understood, has to pay the players the remainder of their outstanding salaries, along with the dues from the Commonwealth Bank Series (played in Australia in February-March) and the Asia Cup (played in Bangladesh in March)

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IPL was an educational experience, says Tamim

A few weeks outside of his comfort zone hasn't caused Tamim Iqbal to shed his energetic demeanour. Talking to the media for the first time since returning to Dhaka after the IPL, where he did not get a game in 16 matches for his franchise, Pune Warriors, his answers were an exercise in controlled emotions and wit. He took the route that would help soothe his and the fans' nerves. In fact, he said he was not available for the team's final two matches due to "personal reasons".

"It will be selfish to say that they [Warriors] didn't let me play," Tamim said on Saturday. "I have always been a team man, wherever I've played."

Being one of only two representatives from Bangladesh in a multi-national tournament like the IPL meant that there was added pressure, especially after going into the tournament on the back of four consecutive half-centuries in Bangladesh's highly successful Asia Cup campaign. That good form also added to Tamim's frustration at not playing. "It was very frustrating, because I went there with very good form. I thought I would play from the start, but the team is the most important factor. I thought every day was an opportunity for me, despite not playing.

"The thing that I liked the most was that despite being from Bangladesh, I did speak during team meetings. These things are very important because our team [Bangladesh] needs a lot of leadership qualities, so if we can speak to big players [from other countries] and in big team meetings, our leadership qualities will rise. I'm sure Shakib has done it [at his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders], and I did it."

Tamim also said that he enjoyed observing those around him, especially the big two in his team - captain and mentor Sourav Ganguly, and Australia captain Michael Clarke. "They are both very different human beings; they have different ways of thinking. It was very interesting to see how they talk in team meetings, especially Ganguly, who is one of India's best captains. I saw something in him … the way he talks, he means something.

"Clarke told me that I should be playing, that meant a lot to me. If he rates me highly, why should I be disappointed? More importantly, I got the idea that he follows Bangladesh cricket. He and I spoke a few times and he told me that our unit has a lot of potential. He also said that we have a chance to impress at the next World Cup.

Despite being in such exalted company, Tamim remained a competitor and yearned to play. He was told to be prepared to play on several occasions, he said, but his chance just did not come. "There were many instances when I was asked to get ready but in the end I didn't play. I was being told, when six matches were left to play, that you'll play this game, that game ... When I shared my problem with them, they told me to go home and sort it out first ..."

"But I'm just 23, I have 10-12 years of cricket in me, so if I keep performing there will be a lot of opportunities."

Now Tamim will take a few days off before joining Victoria Sporting Club in the Dhaka Premier Division's Super League from May 31. Later, in mid-June, he will travel with Bangladesh to Zimbabwe

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