Greg Chappell has once again created controversy by saying that Test cricket was “too hard” for most of the Indian players. Chappell, who parted ways with the team on a bitter note in 2007 after a tumultuous term of two years, felt that the team was not “really interested in Test cricket” during the series against Australia recently which was a disaster for India, says a report in The Times Of India.
At a promotional event for his book, Fierce Focus, in Adelaide, the Aussie batting great was reported as saying, “It was obvious from the start of the tour that the Indians weren't really interested in Test cricket. After the Australians showed that they were going to be a formidable foe, I was very disappointed with the Indians. And having worked with many of them and having been in the dressing room with them, Test cricket was too hard for most of them. They can only make a lot of money playing 20-over cricket. Fifty-over cricket they can sort of put up with.”
Chappell, while saying that to stay healthy Test cricket needed a strong India to, added, “Test cricket for a lot of subcontinent teams, I think is pretty tough. And the challenge for Test cricket is, without the sort of grounding that we (Australians) had as kids, Test cricket is too hard. It's very demanding mentally, physically and emotionally,” says the report.
Meanwhile, India team might have been routed 0-4 by Australia in the Test rubber and failed to make the finals of the tri-series Down Under, but the Cricket Board (BCCI) has kept the base price for home international games in the new broadcast rights to be bid for, at a slightly higher level.
According to The Indian Express report, the BCCI's Marketing Committee, which met here today, has kept the base price at Rs 31.25 crore plus one crore (Rs 32.25 crore) per international game for A category and Rs 33 crore plus one crore (Rs 34 crore) per game for B category. The base price of games will be declared in the tender, for which advertisements are to be given on March 10.
Other news (TOI, HT, Indian Express, The Hindu)
Akram Khan quits as Bangladesh’s chief selector: Chief selector Akram Khan quit on Wednesday protesting against the Bangladesh Cricket Board's interference in selection matters. Khan resigned due to his differences with BCB president Mustafa Kamal after opening batsman Tamim Iqbal was not picked for the Asia Cup.
Injured Viru out, Robin in T20 squad for SA: Opening batsman Virender Sehwag was left out while Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan were Wednesday recalled to India’s T20 squad for the one-off match in Johannesburg slated for March 30 to commemorate the 150 years of settlement of Indians in that country. The squad is almost identical to the one picked for the Asia Cup with Uthappa being the only inclusion in place of Sachin Tendulkar. Squad:Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virat Kohli (v.capt), Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Manoj Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, Ashok Dinda.
J&K sacks general secretary: The cash rich Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, headed by Union Minister Farooq Abdullah for the past three decades, on Wednesday sacked its General Secretary and recently elevated Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) after allegations of money swindling to the tune of `15 crore.
Kirmani barred from entering National Stadium: Former India wicketkeeper-batsman, Syed Kirmani on Wednesday learnt that life after retirement is very different after he was stopped at the entrance of the National Stadium in Karachi. Kirmani, who is here for a private visit, was stopped at the entrance where he paid an impromptu visit to refresh old memories. “I can understand the reaction of the security staff. Obviously, they have their duties to look after,” Kirmani said.
ICC may agree to local match officials in Pakistan: The International Cricket Council may waive its requirement for neutral match officials in a proposed ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh next month. The three matches, which are subject to agreement by Bangladesh, would take place in Karachi and Lahore from 16 to 26 April. The matches would be the first full internationals in Pakistan since March 2009 when Sri Lanka squad and match officials were attacked in Lahore.
Rajasthan Royals sign Owais Shah: Rajasthan Royals have signed England batsman Owais Shah for the fifth edition of the IPL as a replacement for spin king Shane Warne, who had retired from all formats of cricket. Warne had led the Royals in the first four seasons of the IPL, but for the upcoming season Rahul Dravid would captain the side.
