Wake up call: BCCI’s technical committee under Ganguly to discuss on overhauling domestic cricket

To overhaul domestic cricket in the wake of India’s disastrous overseas outings over the last season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI’s) technical committee is set to meet here on Tuesday, says a report in Hindustan Times.

The committee, headed by former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, is expected to discuss all the suggestions made by various quarters in domestic cricket over the last four months. The key points to be finalised will be the Ranji Trophy format and the domestic season fixtures. The existing Ranji format — teams are divided into two tiers of 15 and 12 each — is criticised by all and sundry. Even during the Ranji captains and coaches conclave on March 22, it was voiced that teams needed to play more first-class games.

“As a result, don’t be surprised if it’s decided to split the two tiers into 18 and 9 teams each, or the premier domestic competition is split into three tiers of nine teams each. This would mean every team will be assured of getting at least eight games per season, since the top tier (Elite Group) is divided into two groups,” says the report.

Other news (TOI, Indian Express, The Hindu, Tribue, Hindustan Times)

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Philander named SA cricketer of the year: Fast bowler Vernon Philander was named South Africa’s cricketer of the year on Wednesday following a sensational entry into Test cricket during the 2011-12 season. Philander, 26, took 51 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 14.15. He took five or more wickets in an innings on six occasions.

First day washed out in England-Windies third Test: Rain washed out the first day of the third and final test between England and West Indies at Edgbaston on Thursday. Persistent rain fell all day, after heavy rain overnight, and play was finally called off at 1535 local time.

Easy win for Pak in 1st ODI: Superb bowling spells by Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Hafeez set up a sixwicket win for Pakistan against Sri Lanka on (D/L) method. Sri Lanka were restricted to 135/8 in 42 overs. Billy Doctrove quits umpiring : West Indies official Billy Doctrove has retired from umpiring after a 14-year international career, cricket's world governing body said on Thursday. Doctrove, 56, declined to seek an extension to his annual contract which was due to expire at the end of June, the International Cricket Council said in a statement.