Pom Cricket Is Now 46% Saffa
Craig Keiswetter, another South African to be called up by the British.
Wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has become the latest ex-South African to be called up by England.
After sparkling performances for the England Lions side in their T20 tournament in Dubai, the Joburg-born player has been fast-tracked into the senior one-day side for their tour of Bangladesh.
A big-hitting keeper, Kieswetter – like Jonathan Trott – represented South Africa at the Under-19 World Cup level before throwing in his lot with Somerset.
Kieswetter has a South African pa and a Scottish ma, and now that he’s completed his residence qualification, he becomes the fifth SA-born player in the England set-up, joining captain Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior and Trott.
That makes the England team 46% South African. Nice one, guys.
Federer Struck By Lung Infection
World No. 1 Roger Federer withdrew from the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships because of a lung infection, the organisers said on the tournament Web site.
A four-time champion in Dubai, Federer contracted the infection last week and hasn’t recovered enough to play in the $2 million event, which starts tomorrow, they added.
Federer won his 16th major title last month when he beat Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open. He’s now set to return to action at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, in March, the Dubai tournament said.
Jan Hernych comes into the main draw in Dubai after Federer’s withdrawal.
With thanks to Bloomberg.com
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Asif Barred From UAE For Drugs Possession
Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Asif will not be allowed to enter the United Arab Emirates for two Twenty20 games against England next week after authorities in Dubai refused to lift a ban imposed upon him for an alleged drugs offence.
Asif was deported from Dubai in June 2008 for allegedly possessing a small quantity of opium in his wallet as he arrived in the UAE on a flight from India after playing in the IPL. He was en route to Lahore from Mumbai when he was detained by Dubai customs officials.
The Pakistan Cricket Board made a second attempt last week to get the ban revoked, but it was refused. The board also failed to get clearance for Asif to play in the UAE last year, against New Zealand.
Wasim Bari, the PCB’s chief operating officer, said: “We made a request with the UAE authorities but they turned it down as it’s not possible under their laws.”
Asif also underwent a year-long suspension for testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone. He made his limited-overs comeback during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy in England and was hoping to use the Twenty20 matches against England to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies at the end of April.
Thanks to the guardian.co.uk
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“I’ll Take Him Back,” says Terry’s wife.
Tough times for Chelsea captain John Terry.
Forgiveness may be on the cards for the disgraced England and Chelsea skipper John Terry.
After pleading for clemency in a 45-minute phone call with his wife Toni, John Terry might just be in the clear after she conceded to giving him “one last chance.”
Terry might also get one last chance from England coach Fabio Capello when the pair meet on Friday to discuss the England captaincy. Capello will only make his decision after the weekend for fear that more revelations will emerge about Terry’s torrid affair.
Terry’s wife Toni is currently hiding out in Dubai after the story broke that her hubby had cheated on her with lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, who is also the ex-girlfriend of Wayne Bridge, Terry’s England teammate.
According to reports in the Daily Mirror, Toni is prepared to give her husband the benefit of the doubt, after he claimed it was only a fling, and the relationship meant nothing. However, if he steps out of line again, the relationship will be over – and Toni will make sure he has as little access as possible to his children, three-year-old twins Georgie John and Summer Rose.
Cricket Australia To Be Punished Over Pitch Invader
Pitch invader David James Fraser tackles Pakistan opener Khalid Latif to the ground.
The International Cricket Council has asked Cricket Australia for a report into the breach of security that allowed a spectator to enter the field of play during Australia’s fifth one-day international against Pakistan at the Waca in Perth yesterday and tackle the Pakistan opener Khalid Latif to the ground.
The incident occurred in the 46th over of Australia’s innings. Latif was brought down from behind by 37-year-old David James Fraser but was uninjured. The spectator has been charged with assault and given a life ban from the ground. He was also fined A$500 (R3 380).
“Obviously the ICC is very disappointed by the incident,” an ICC spokesperson told Cricinfo. “There has been a clear security breach. We have asked CA to send us a detailed report on the incident before we can make any comment.” Given the ICC’s zero tolerance for such breaches, the matter is being viewed with concern and it could be brought up at the ICC executive board meeting in Dubai from 9-11 February.
Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, said: “I just hope I never see that again to tell you the truth. I had seen that once a long time ago and that ended up being a horrible incident and seeing it again is a worry.
“Obviously we don’t condone that sort of behaviour and it’s unfortunately a small minority of the crowd that turns up to do something stupid like that which puts everyone in the same boat. There was a lot of security around there and even more after it happened, but we’d like to think that it doesn’t happen in Australia again.
Asked what should happen in future, Ponting said: “Making a very good example of this guy is a good way to start. If you make a good example of him and make it clear to everybody that turns up at the cricket that sort of behaviour is unacceptable. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t want to see those people at the ground if they are going to behave like that.”
Thanks to the Guardian.co.uk
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