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Queensland left a target of 236 in 45 overs but it was never in the home side’s sights

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Feb-2022Victoria came through a final session trial by spin as their clash against Queensland ended in a draw after declining to have a dip at a run chase offered by Jimmy Peirson’s declaration.A target of 236 in a minimum 45 overs was always unlikely and any chance of Victoria, who are top of the table, setting themselves up for it vanished when they lost early wickets which opened the door for Queensland to create some nervy moments.”We had every intention of trying to chase, but just got into a little bit of a hole against the new ball,” Victoria coach Chris Rogers said. “It was always going to be tough against the spin on that kind of wearing wicket with the footmarks. With one of our best players out there in Nic Maddinson, he felt that it was going to be too hard to try and chase, and we supported that decision.”Travis Dean edged to third slip in the fourth over and the in-form Peter Handscomb was given out to a top-edged hook although did not appear impressed by the decision. When Marcus Harris was beaten by one which skidded through from Matt Renshaw, Victoria were 3 for 33.Queensland crowded the bat – in the final hour everyone was in a catching position – with Mitchell Swepson, Matt Kuhnemann, Renshaw and Gurinder Sandhu, the latter bowling offspin rather than his usual seam up, rattling through the overs and they created a number of near-misses for the batters.However, Nic Maddinson, who had scored a century in the first innings and will now be on stand-by for the tour of Pakistan should there be any late issues before the squad departs, and Matt Short survived 30 overs.Mark Steketee, who has been drafted into the Pakistan tour after Michael Neser’s injury, only bowled two overs in the second innings before leaving the field nursing his side but after the match Peirson said it was a precautionary move and all indications were that Steketee would be fine.Earlier in the day it appeared that Victoria might be able to force a result themselves. Queensland had resumed just 58 ahead with three wickets down and Sam Truloff fell in the 11th over of the day. When Jack Clayton reverse swept to slip and Sandhu was caught behind, Queensland’s lead was 141 with considerable time left.Peirson and James Bazley prevented further loss and then opened their shoulders to push Victoria towards their declaration which included Jon Holland being taken for 17 in an over before removing Peirson to a catch in the deep.

He could also become available for the ODIs against West Indies next month

Mohammad Isam01-Dec-2020Mashrafe Mortaza bowled in the nets for the first time since recovering from a hamstring injury, with one eye on returning to competitive cricket. Although he is not part of any of the Bangabandhu T20 squads, it was mentioned during the players’ draft that he can join any of the squads after recovering from the injury.Mortaza, whose last competitive appearance was during the Dhaka Premier League in March, has had a rough time since the pandemic began, having tested positive for Covid-19 in June. Members of his family also contracted the virus in the past few months, and he hurt his hamstring while training last month.Tushar Kanti Howlader, the BCB trainer, said that Mortaza bowled four overs in the nets after completing his fitness work on Tuesday.”I am helping him with his return to training,” Howlader said. “He had been doing some work after recovering from Covid, so now he wants to get into a better position, fitness-wise. He is just bowling now. We cannot talk about match fitness just yet. He can be fit if he continues to train in this way. He doesn’t have to work on technique, it’s only his fitness that is the main concern.”Howlader said that Mortaza also lost a lot of weight which could pave the way for a comeback in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup, in which eight matches have been played and another 12 league games remain before the playoffs begin on December 14. So far Gazi Group Chattogram have lost Mominul Haque to injury, but any of the five participating teams would love to take Mortaza in their squad.”He has bowled four overs with full run up. I think he is around 84kg, after losing ten kilos,” Howlader said. “He will reduce more, I am sure. I think the match fitness is also up to him. He is Mashrafe, quite different, and he can do a lot of things. It is up to him, if he wants to play. He has to bowl four overs in the middle, so if he can manage it, then he will have match fitness.”Mortaza, who resigned from ODI captaincy earlier this year with a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe, could still become available for the ODI series during West Indies’ scheduled tour of Bangladesh next month.

Sourav Ganguly, who has also faced conflict charges in the recent past, responded to the development by calling it a ‘new fashion in Indian cricket’

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Aug-2019Rahul Dravid is the latest big-name Indian cricketer to be served a notice by the BCCI’s ethics officer for alleged conflict of interest. This was in response to a complaint, which pointed out that Dravid was both National Cricket Academy director – as well as coach of the India Under-19 and India A teams – and a vice-president with India Cements, owners of Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.In July, Dravid’s appointment to the NCA had been delayed because he was a paid employee of India Cements. As had been reported by the at the time, Dravid would be on a leave of absence from India Cements until such time as he serves as the head of NCA.”Yes, I have sent a notice to Mr Rahul Dravid last week after receiving a complaint,” Justice (retd) DK Jain, the BCCI’s ethics officer-cum-ombudsman, was quoted as saying by . “He has been given two weeks to reply to the allegations of Conflict of Interest. Based on his reply, I will decide whether to proceed further or not.”Dravid must now file a no-conflict reply and, if asked by Jain, appear for an in-person hearing.Like in the cases of Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, and, more recently, BCCI Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) panelists Kapil Dev, Shanta Rangaswamy and Anshuman Gaekwad, the complaint against Dravid came from Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association life member Sanjeev Gupta. Tendulkar and Laxman were both members of the CAC earlier, while also being involved in different capacities with IPL franchises Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad respectively. Separately, there was a conflict of interest complaint against former captain Sourav Ganguly, the third member of that CAC panel, who is president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, mentor of Delhi Capitals in the IPL, while also being a TV commentator.Laxman and Ganguly were found to be in conflict in June. However, Jain ruled there was no issue of conflict against Tendulkar, after the latter submitted that he had decided not to be part of any BCCI committee, and had informed the board about it. As a result, the body was made defunct before being reconstituted with Kapil, Rangaswamy and Gaekwad.As such, Rule 38 (4) of the BCCI constitution prevents individuals from holding more than one of 16 posts, which are listed therein. These are: Player (current), selector/member of cricket committee, team official, commentator, match official, administrator/office bearer, electoral officer, ombudsman & ethics officer, auditor, any person who is governance, management or employee of a franchisee, member of a standing committee, CEO & managers, office Bearer of a Member (state association), service provider (legal, financial etc.), contractual entity (broadcast, security, contractor etc.) and owner of cricket academy.As for the Kapil-Rangaswamy-Gaekwad panel, the question of conflict came up because Kapil is also part of the steering committee on the newly formed Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA) where he is also one of directors. Incidentally, the ICA is funded by the BCCI. Kapil also works as an expert for Indian television channels. As for Gaekwad, it is alleged that in addition to working as a pundit on television channels, he is also part of the BCCI’s Member Affiliation Committee, a sub-committee which grants membership to state associations. Gaekwad, too, is part of the ICA’s steering group, as is Rangaswamy, who is also an ICA director.The three of them, however, have been cleared and tasked with picking the next head coach of the senior Indian men’s team. The decision is expected by mid-August.

Virat Kohli steered his side to 175 in Bengaluru, but the KKR top order fired collectively to win with five balls to spare

The Report by Nikhil Kalro29-Apr-2018
3:11

Agarkar: KKR doing the basic things better than RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders gained two significant advantages even before a ball was bowled in Bengaluru. First, Dinesh Karthik chose to bowl at a favourable chasing ground. Then, Knight Riders found out that AB de Villiers was out with a viral fever. Both those factors had a decisive impact as Knight Riders chased down a target of 176 with relative ease, with five balls to spare, consigning Royal Challengers to their fifth loss in seven games.Without their highest run-scorer of the season, Royal Challengers had to employ a less attacking approach, aiming for par instead of a 200-plus score, like the one they got in the previous game against Chennai Super Kings after losing the toss. All they could manage was 175 – the par score in day-night games at this ground in the IPL since 2015 has been 172 – even with a terrific, 44-ball 68 from Virat Kohli.Even on a pitch that was turning appreciably, Knight Riders had too much firepower. Led by Chris Lynn’s 62, along with rapid cameos from Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa and Dinesh Karthik, Knight Riders cruised home against a bowling attack that lacked penetration and sufficient defensive skill.Sussing out conditionsBrendon McCullum was brought into the XI due to de Villiers’ sickness. Quinton de Kock, despite coming off a half-century in the previous game, hadn’t quite found his fluency. For Royal Challengers’ batting line-up, already weakened significantly, a strong start was imperative.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

McCullum and de Kock scored 40 runs in the Powerplay, 11 runs below their average score in the period this season. McCullum soon found his hitting rhythm, though, with two fours and two sixes in two overs after the Powerplay, lifting the scoring rate to over eight.Soon after the time-out, however, Royal Challengers lost their way. De Kock holed out to deep cover. McCullum toe-ended a pull to the keeper. Two balls later, Manan Vohra was bowled off the inside edge. A score of 67 for 0 quickly turned to 75 for 3.Kohli owns the deathDe Villiers’ absence also hampered Kohli’s scoring template. Aware that his presence in the death overs could marginally increase the utility of Royal Challengers’ score, Kohli was cautious early in his innings. He took 18 balls to score 20, but with Royal Challengers at 100 for 3 in 14 overs at that point, Kohli couldn’t wait any longer.Royal Challengers hit nine boundaries in six overs thereon; Kohli hit six of them. Royal Challengers scored 75 from there; Kohli hit 48 of them. His innings included three sixes, two of which were a direct result of a strong bottom hand through the line of the ball, hit in the arc between long-on and deep midwicket. Royal Challengers had 175, a score that seemed below par given the ground dimensions.Theatrics of T20sBefore the start of the chase, Knight Riders’ target of 176 – one less than the score Royal Challengers needed to beat Delhi Daredevils earlier this season and one more than the score Knight Riders needed in the reverse fixture against Royal Challengers at the Eden Gardens – seemed insufficient.Lynn and Narine made a strong start before a rain interruption that lasted 30 minutes. Then, with Knight Riders seemingly in control, the game drifted on with the illusion of control. Royal Challengers made a strong comeback in that period, including having Andre Russell caught for a golden duck on his 30th birthday.The equation by then came down to 43 off 24 balls. But just when the game seemed in the balance, Knight Riders broke the chase open, much like those two previous games Royal Challengers were involved in.

Afghanistan’s bowlers shot Zimbabwe out for 54 in a rain-curtailed final ODI to help the visitors seal the series 3-2

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2017
Scorecard
Rahmat Shah top scored with 50•Zimbabwe Cricket

Afghanistan’s bowlers combined to roll Zimbabwe over for 54, helping the visitors seal a 3-2 series win with a 106-run D/L victory in the final ODI in Harare.Afghanistan elected to bat and were provided a brisk start thanks to opener Noor Ali Zadran’s 49-ball 46, even as Zimbabwe got regular breakthroughs early on. Noor Ali eventually fell at the end of the 15th over, a wicket that put the brakes on Afghanistan’s momentum as captain Asghar Stanikzai and Rahmat Shah tried to steady the innings from 85 for 3. The pair put on 39 off 64 balls, which was followed by a fifth-wicket stand of 35 between Shah and Samiullah Shenwari. After Rahmat reached his fifty, both he and Shenwari were run-out as Afghanistan found themselves at 172 for 6 at the 40-over mark.Allrounder Mohammad Nabi then batted with the lower order, hitting four fours and a six in his 48 off 40 balls. Dawlat Zadran hit 14 off 6 balls to lift them to 253 for 9. Medium-pacer Chris Mpofu finished with figures of 3 for 46 while the spin duo of Graeme Cremer and Sean Williams kept things tight and conceded a combined 74 in 20 overs.Zimbabwe’s response was delayed by rain and a wet outfield, leaving them with a revised target of 161 off 22 overs. They suffered an early blow, losing Peter Moor in the second over. Three balls later, left-arm spinner Amir Hamza removed Solomon Mire, before returning two more wickets off four balls in his next over to reduce Zimbabwe to 13 for 4.There was to be no recovery, with only two batsmen getting into double-figures, as Nabi and Rashid Khan – who were both picked up by the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL auction earlier this week – took combined figures of 5 for 22. Rahmat was named Man of the Match for his fifty.

Meg Lanning’s 127 off 135 overshadowed Suzie Bates’ ton to help Australia Women clinch the series 2-1, after a convincing six-wicket victory against New Zealand Women in Mount Maunganui

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2016
ScorecardMeg Lanning’s second consecutive century helped Australia home•Annette Johnston from Heddfan Photography

Meg Lanning’s 127 off 135 overshadowed Suzie Bates’ ton to help Australia Women clinch the series 2-1 and maintain their 17-year grip on the Rose Bowl, after a convincing six-wicket victory against New Zealand Women in Mount Maunganui. Bates and Lanning became the first set of captains to score centuries in the same Women’s ODI.Lanning, coming off an unbeaten century in the previous game, came in early after Morna Nielsen dismissed Nicole Bolton in the last ball of the second over. Her knock formed the backbone of Australia’s run chase, taking the side to the brink of victory, but was dismissed in the penultimate over. Alyssa Healy hit a four off her first ball to seal the chase of 244 with eight balls to spare.New Zealand used seven bowlers in their attempt to defend their total. Nielsen and Sophie Devine were economical and picked up a wicket apiece, while Leigh Kasperek claimed two scalps. However, the 129-run fourth-wicket stand between Lanning and Alex Blackwell powered Australia towards the target.Earlier in the day, Lanning’s counterpart, Suzie Bates, led New Zealand’s effort with 110 off 133 balls. She was supported by Amy Satterthwaite and Sara McGlashan, adding stands of 87 and 101 for the second and third wickets respectively.New Zealand, though, did not quite get the lower-order thrust to push them past 250. After the fall of the third wicket at 201, they added only 42 runs off the last 41 balls.Rene Farrell was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Her figures of 1 for 38 in 10 overs helped Australia contain New Zealand to 243.

South Africa dictated proceedings for the first time in the series as they beat Sri Lanka by 56 runs

The Report by Firdose Moonda26-Jul-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details South Africa were in control for the first time in the series•AFP

What a difference two overs can make. That was all it took for South Africa to stay alive in the series, have their confidence restored and beat Sri Lanka at home for the first time in close to 20 years.The 49th and 50th over of their innings produced 38 runs and took their total from middling to challenging. David Miller scored 35 of them himself – prior to this match no South African batsman had managed a score greater than 29 in the series – hitting Thisara Perera and Lasith Malinga straight down the ground. He proved South Africa could be competitive and could come back after being under pressure in the first two matches, and even large sections of the third.And what a difference an over can almost make. Perera hit Robin Peterson for the second-most expensive over in ODI cricket to throw Sri Lanka back into contention after they slumped to 93 for 7. The 35 runs included five sixes and a four, Perera displaying his prowess, especially over the leg-side.Like Miller, he showed the temperament required to succeed in conditions where the surfaces are sluggish – survive first, thrive later. Unlike the South African, Perera was asked to do too much at the end.Because Miller did not have a target to chase, he had less pressure on him. His strike rate hovered between 70 and 80 for most of his stay at the crease as he settled in. He needed AB de Villiers to usher him through the period where even singles were hard to come by and soon realised patience would pay off.Only at the very end, when Perera and Malinga seemed to have dinner rather than death bowling on their minds, did Miller pounce on anything too full and one which was too short. Miller registered the first South African half-century on the tour after their top order failed – Hashim Amla’s absence is growing glaring as each match goes by.South Africa tried a third opening pair in as many matches with Lions’ team-mates Alviro Petersen and Quinton de Kock fronting up first. Both were watchful but de Kock was unable to contain his attacking instincts and was vulnerable outside the offstump.He offered a chance in the fourth over when he swung at a wide one without any foot movement but Tillakaratne Dilshan at slip could not hold on. Sri Lanka hit back two balls later when Malinga bowled his first short ball and Petersen tried to hook too early, only to glove it to Kumar Sangakkara.Sri Lanka’s attack continued to find the edge of de Kock’s bat and the youngster fell on his sword to open South Africa’s middle up to a familiar state of panic. Both JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis posted insubstantial scores, with Duminy looking good again but unable to kick on and du Plessis uneasy at the crease and almost run out twice before actually being found short of his ground.De Villiers looked closer to breaking the lean run but Sri Lanka’s spinners and Ajanthan Mendis in particular did not let him get away. Mendis was difficult to pick while Rangana Herath and Dilshan kept things tight. It was only when Miller decided to hit out that the complexion of South Africa’s tour became a little rosier.Things got better for them from there as the fit-again Lonwabo Tsotsobe did the bulk of the damage upfront. He plucked three wickets in a six-over spell in which he extracted bounce, produced seam movement and partnered Morne Morkel to perfection.Morkel created pressure at his end with pace and steep lift, while Tsotsobe’s accuracy ensured eight dot balls were produced before the first run was scored. Sri Lanka’s were troubled by anything back of a length and Dilshan was the first to succumb. He spooned a catch to de Villiers at cover before Kumar Sangakkara went in the same over, chasing one that moved away.Upul Tharanga was also undone by bounce and edged Tsotsobe to Petersen at slip. With Sri Lanka at 16 for 3, South Africa were in control for the first time in the series.They held the match in their grip even as Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal combined for a 55-run stand. Robin Peterson reviewed an lbw shout against Jayawardene, which was going down leg and Jayawardene survived a stumping chance when Peterson was bowling but the left-arm spinner had the last laugh. Peterson bowled Jayawardene with one that skidded on, but that was the end of his involvement in the night.Peterson’s figures were ruined by Perera, who hit his first four sixes over the mid-wicket boundary. Then, he sent Peterson back over his head for four and he finished with the biggest hit of the night, over square leg.That over brought Sri Lanka’s required run-rate below six but, it would take more than one over to change the course of the match. Perera had a few more meaty hits, but he didn’t have a second over to match his first and when he was dismissed, Sri Lanka’s hopes went with him.

Steve Harmison took three wickets on his Yorkshire debut as the visitors fought back late in the day at Chesterfield

Nigel Gardner at Chesterfield18-Jul-2012
ScorecardPhil Jaques made 61 for Yorkshire but no other batsman reached fifty•PA Photos

Although this has been a summer most will want to forget, it has been a decent one for Derbyshire and their followers. The sun has been obscured by rain clouds but this “unfashionable” county have basked in the warm glow of County Championship success.It has been 13 seasons since Derbyshire sat down at domestic cricket’s top table but they showed why they went into this contest with a 25 point lead in Division Two. Until that is, Yorkshire and Steve Harmison came roaring back in the final sessionHarmison had endured another chastening day on his second appearance for Yorkshire who had collapsed in startling fashion on a pitch that is a decent one to bat. Harmison swung the bat breezily to help his new team-mates to a batting point but when he ran in from the Lake End with the ball in his hand, the radar was clearly not functioning.His fourth ball was a wide and there was one more before his opening over ended. There was another in his next as the ball shot away down to the leg side to the boundary and when Jaques took him out of the firing line, he had bowled five wides and two no balls in three overs which cost 27. The fact that Derbyshire’s bowlers did not concede a wide or a no ball between them made it even worse.But how quickly the tide of fortune can turn in this game and he responded in the best possible fashion when Phil Jaques brought him back in the 27th over. It proved an inspired piece of captaincy as he took 3 for 0 in 11 balls although it has to be said, Derbyshire gave Harmison generous assistance.First Jon Clare was tempted into a rash drive at a ball he should have left alone and then in his next over, Wes Durston chased one he should have ignored and edged to second slip. It was hardly vintage stuff but after all his recent problems, Harmison will not mind how the wickets come.As Yorkshire opener Joe Root said: “They might not have been the most pleasing-on-the-eye balls that got the wickets but the pace he was bowling at obviously put a lot of doubt in the batsmen’s minds. You could see they weren’t comfortable so you’ve got to give him a bit of credit.”At least his third victim was the result of a decent bouncer which former Yorkshire batsman David Wainwright helped on its way into the hands of Moin Ashraf who did well to take the catch and stay inside the ropes.By the time stumps were drawn at 7pm, 17 wickets had fallen but rather than convene a pitch panel, the ECB should summon a batting inspector to delve into what unfolded on the opening day of this top of the table clash.Yorkshire’s position after lunch matched the unusual sight of blue skies over picturesque Queen’s Park as Jaques and former Derbyshire batsman Gary Ballance proceeded in untroubled fashion and appeared to be setting the visitors up for a score of around 350. But all that changed in the 40th over as Mark Turner tore in from the Lake End to instigate a startling collapse that saw the visitors crash from 175 for 3 to 219 all out on the stroke of tea.Turner took the first three of those seven wickets to fall to fully justify the decision to give him his first Championship appearance of the season in place of a batsman, Chesney Hughes, who was originally down on the scorecard to play.Yorkshire appeared to be in even more trouble as Derbyshire replied by moving to 43 without loss but then they also hit the self-destruct button to leave the visitors holding a slight advantage at the end of a remarkable day.

The world’s No.1 allrounder and bowler, Australia’s Shelley Nitschke, has announced her retirement from international cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2011The world’s No.1 allrounder and bowler, Australia’s Shelley Nitschke, has announced her retirement from international cricket. Nitschke, 34, will bow out after the quadrangular series final against England in Wormsley, and she will leave at the peak of her game, having won the past three Australian Women’s International Player of the Year awards.Her value to Australia’s team cannot be underestimated; as well as being the highest-ranked bowled and allrounder in the world, she is third on the international batting rankings table. A win in the decider against England would be the perfect way to cap off the career of Nitschke, who made her international debut seven years ago.”There are a couple of highlights that really stand out, those being the 2005 World Cup win in India and the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup victory in the West Indies which were are very memorable experiences and were great to be part of,” Nitschke said. “My plan has always been to go out when I was still playing well and on my terms. I’m happy with my career and achievements and the time feels right. I’m certainly not getting any younger.”I have had a tremendous amount of support throughout my career from friends outside the game, coaches, team-mates, my parents and my partner have always been really supportive and I thank them all for their help and advice along the way. I have thoroughly enjoyed representing my country and cherish every moment that I’ve had around the team and I wish them all the best.”I’m now looking forward to getting back into full-time work, perhaps having some time to play other sports as well and having more time to spend with my family and friends.”An opening batsman and left-arm spinner, Nitschke was named the ICC International Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2010. Michael Brown, the acting CEO of Cricket Australia, said Nitschke had been a wonderful ambassador for women’s cricket in Australia and would be sorely missed from the national side.”Shelley Nitschke has been a standout allrounder at world level for quite a few years now and her abilities with both bat and ball have greatly contributed to the success of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars,” Brown said. “Her service for women’s cricket in Australia has been outstanding both as a player and an advocate for the game.”She has dedicated herself to cricket in the most professional way and her record at international level speaks for itself. She will certainly be sorely missed.”In 79 ODIs prior to the quadrangular final, Nitschke has scored 2032 runs at 34.44 and has taken 97 wickets at 21.88, making her Australia’s all-time third leading wicket taker behind Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Lisa Sthalekar. She has also played six Tests and 36 Twenty20 internationals, and is the world’s leading T20I wicket-taker and Australia’s top run-scorer.

Cricket Kenya has been forced to cancel a short tour to England after a contractual dispute arose between the board and the players on the eve of the trip

Martin Williamson18-Jun-2010Cricket Kenya has been forced to cancel a short tour to England after a contractual dispute arose between the board and the players on the eve of the trip. The players are refusing to travel unless the board agree to their contract demands, and Kenya’s preparations for the World Cricket League Division One tournament in Netherlands have been thrown into turmoil.The trip to Rochdale, Lancashire was meant to have been a warm-up for the competition in Netherlands, and the players’ decision was only relayed to the board hours before they were due to leave. It is believed that the boycott will leave CK around $50,000 out of pocket.The contracts for the 16-man national squad expired at the end of May and had been expected to be renewed without difficulty, CK offering a 10% pay rise despite continuing poor on-field performances from the team.However, last week a four-man deputation claiming to represent the squad met with CK officials and set out new terms which were deemed unacceptable. They included reverting to a number of old terms and conditions which had been set aside a few years ago after the ICC, African Cricket Association and CK decided they stifled new players.Surprisingly, the deputation did not contain any of the current squad but did include Maurice Odumbe, Steve Tikolo and Kennedy Otieno as well as Isaiah Odhiambo. Various demands were made by these “representatives” involving radical changes to the structure of the contract – including huge increases to players’ remuneration. Various other complaints unrelated to the contract – including a complaint against the behaviour of the chairman of selectors – were deferred. They also refused to allow any board member to approach the team directly.On Wednesday, the quartet appeared on television and launched a vicious attack on the board, demanding among other things that several key officials stand down. CK attempted to broker a solution, offering interim contracts with assurances that the issues would be addressed on the team’s return but this was declined.”It’s the same old story,” an insider said. “They are trying to use a tour as blackmail.” The role of the seemingly self-appointed gang of four was also heavily criticised. “We will not be put against a wall to deal with people like this.”An official statement said: “Cricket Kenya regards this conduct by these ‘players’ representatives’ as outrageous and disgraceful. Having regard to the gratuitously offensive nature of the allegations made and the questionable agenda of the former players involved, the Cricket Kenya Board unanimously resolved not to engage with these ‘player representatives’ any further.”The player representatives concerned had no authority whatsoever to go public in this way. They are neither accredited formally by the players nor are they part of a properly registered players association. Their sole function was to negotiate terms with Cricket Kenya on behalf of the players. The players’ contracts specifically forbid any player from engaging with the press and to criticize the national board. It is plain that their real motive was intended solely to undermine and embarrass Cricket Kenya.”Kenya’s cricketers are already highly paid, with senior players earning around $1500 a month, almost ten times the national average, and juniors around $800.Aside from the considerable loss of goodwill among those in England who have bent over backwards to accommodate the Kenyan tour, there is also concern over preparations for the World Cricket League Division One tournament which starts early next month. The squad has already been submitted to the ICC, although CK is believed to be prepared to send a weakened side if the stand-off continues.”Cricket Kenya stands by its decision and is determined not to be held to ransom by the national team – or by its so-called ‘representatives’- in this way,” the statement concluded.The position of Maurice Ouma as captain also appears untenable. He accompanied the four delegates to the original meeting and by refusing to even allow the board to talk to the team it seems likely he will be replaced.