South Africa will assess the security situation in Karachi before anyfinal decision is taken on the status of the last ODI, scheduled in theport city for October 29.Twin suicide bombings directed at the motorcade of former prime ministerBenazir Bhutto last week killed 140 people and injured hundreds.Bhutto was returning to the country after eight years of self-imposedexile.”A South African security official will go to Karachi today to assess thesituation on the ground there,” Ahsan Malik, PCB’s director communicationssaid. “He is expected to report back tomorrow afternoon after which thesituation will become clearer.” One PCB official will also travel withhim.Various high-level meetings have been held between the South Africancontingent and local security officials, as well as the interior ministry.Speculation has been rife about the fate of the last ODI since the blasts.One report in , a leading English daily, said the game islikely to shift to Lahore, where the first two ODIs were played, thoughnothing has yet been finalised.South Africa have already played a Test and a warm-up in Karachi, afteravoiding it altogether on their last tour in 2003.

Cricket Australia has denied charges of complacency after the first Test of the summer attracted disappointing crowds and TV viewing figures.Although last year’s comparable Test was the opening one in the Ashes, the drop of 40.7% in viewers was more than expected. An average audience of 625,000 watched the Sri Lanka Test compared to more than a million for the England match. The aggregate Gabba crowd of 55,953 was also down 66% on last year’s record of 164,727. Only 7629 turned up on Sunday and 1285 for the final day.Graham Dixon, the chief executive of Queensland, criticised CA for “sitting on its laurels”, a reference to a limited TV promotional campaign. “Was the Test promoted properly? I don’t think so,” he said. “Did Cricket Australia rest on its laurels? Yes. I think that is a fair criticism.”[Shane] Warne and [Glenn] McGrath would always market a match in their own right because they were such big names. But this Test was never going to sell itself. The marketing people had plenty of notice to come up with a good campaign, probably since last March, but all we have really seen is Nathan Bracken bowling at a coin on a wicket.”The charges were denied by Peter Young, the board’s spokesman. “We are not taking our foot off the pedal, in the same way as Ricky Ponting is not taking his foot off the pedal,” Young said. “No one can afford to rest on their laurels … it doesn’t matter what market you are in.”And he pointed out that the crowd at the Gabba was the third biggest since the 1970s. “It’s a serious discussion but let’s not forget that the crowd figures speak for themselves.”However, Dixon’s view was partially backed by David Johnston, the CEO of Tasmania who host the second Test which starts this Friday. Around 7000 tickets have been pre-sold and Johnston said that he had had to increase local advertising to promote the game.”We’ve done a lot of local promotions with radio stations and hopefully that is working well,” he said. “There are things I would have liked done differently but Cricket Australia get their advice from their advertising agency and sometimes people on the ground in the state associations have a different view on things.”

The ongoing drama that is the USA Cricket Association shows no sign of ending despite the hope expressed by Chris Dehring, the independent third party appointed to try to find a solution to the imbroglio.Last Friday (November 30) Dehring wrote to stakeholders to advise them that after months of negotiations the new constitution had been released for ratification. He said: “I recommend this new constitution to you as a solid foundation to take US cricket forward.”But those hopes might come to nothing after a scathing attack on the new constitution by Atul Rai, the man who preceded Gladstone Dainty as the USACA president.In a letter to Dehring which has been circulated to all stakeholder clubs, Rai wrote: “I am thoroughly disappointed with the outcome of the six-month process, to say the least. I have examined the document that has been posted on the USACA website and I am shocked to see that the final version of the draft constitution is almost the same as what Dainty tried to force down everyone’s throats back in January. There are several areas in the constitution that remain unchanged despite your assurance to me that the new document was going to reflect the changes as agreed upon by both parties at your meetings.”Rai claims that the constitution will allow Dainty to in effect control the balance of the board. He also accuses him of creating new leagues which are “either completely non existent or they are just a bunch of guys playing cricket on a long weekend” to further boost his support. “Isn’t it ironic that these duly constituted leagues that have been in existence for a long time are not allowed to be part of the process while some bogus leagues are listed as legitimate member leagues?” he wrote. “Despite repeated requests to investigate this matter, no action has been taken.”Dainty called the shots every step of the way, whether it be by delaying things or by intimidation. The entire process of ratification of the constitution and the elections should have been conducted by an independent auditor. Without the independent auditor, a majority of the stakeholders in America, including myself, have no faith in the process and plenty of precious time and effort by many individuals has been wasted.”Rai, who is a major voice for the influential Council of League Presidents, concluded with a call to reject the constitution and “to find alternatives to USACA so that the future of USA cricket does not continue to hang in balance while the … inept administrators of USACA dwindle away precious time trying to build their own power houses”.The letter will be a blow to Dehring, who has worked hard to broker a solution, but there are strong concerns in many areas that Dainty has been allowed to establish a position where his faction will contain control of the USACA.While critics of the board are vocal, the USACA continues to maintain the virtual silence which has been a hallmark of their administration for several years.The result of the election is due to be announced on December 27.

Phil Jaques is trying to recover from the mumps in time to play in New South Wales’ FR Cup match against South Australia in his home town of Wollongong on Sunday. Jaques is desperate to move off Australia’s injury list after being struck by the disease after scoring two centuries in the Sri Lanka series.Jaques is one of a group of players causing concern – Stuart MacGill, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting have all missed domestic games – but he is regaining health. “I’m hopeful of playing but we’ll need to see where I’m at physically,” Jaques said in the Sydney Morning Herald. “My aim is to play.” New South Wales’ medical staff will continue to monitor Jaques in case he develops any complications.It now appears he will be fit for the Boxing Day Test and Matthew Hayden, Jaques’ opening partner, has also recovered from knee tendonitis. Hayden spent the past week training in preparation for the Chappell-Hadlee Series, which starts in Adelaide on December 14.Shaun Tait, who had to withdraw from the first Test of the Sri Lanka contest, is also on the comeback trail from an elbow problem, but he was outstanding in the Pura Cup match against Queensland, taking ten wickets for the game. The selectors are trying to decide the best way back for Tait, but the bowler is in no doubt about which option he would choose.”I’d rather play for Australia in any game,” he told AAP. The squad for the Chappell-Hadlee Series will be chosen on Thursday.

Australia may have to reconsider unleashing a four-pronged pace attack against India for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne as MCG curator Tony Ware has hinted that the pitch may not seam as much as expected. Ware also went by the recent trend of spinners getting enough purchase through the domestic season, suggesting that Australia play slow bowler Brad Hogg.”Shane Warne got a five-for on the first day of the Boxing Day Test last year, and we’ve been getting turn in all the Pura Cup games this year,” Ware told the . “The weather is shocking but I still think we’ll have a pitch that isn’t too greened up.”Hogg was successful against the Indians during Australia’s recent tour, picking up 11 wickets in the one-day series. However, his limited experience at the Test level and and the fact that India have played Australian spinners well could work against his selection.Former fast bowler Glenn McGrath felt that Australia would be better off unsettling India with pace rather than spin. “It’s a tough one,” McGrath said. “The argument is that the Indians don’t like the pace and bounce of Australian wickets, and they play spin regularly. Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson can all bowl at 150kph and Stuart Clark is there to pull it back if needed. It would be a throwback to the West Indies.”One thing I’ll say for Shaun Tait is that he peaks, and when he bowls at the pace he is now, you have to capitalise on it. You have to make the most of it while it’s there. I’m sitting on the fence because I also think Brad Hogg deserves to be there.”The persistent rain over the last few days, which washed out India’s only warm-up match against Victoria at the Junction Oval near the MCG, had hampered the preparation of the pitch. Ware said at least one day of clear weather was needed to prepare a good wicket.”In a perfect world we would have 10 days of mild weather before the game, but we’ve had our Test track under the covers for the last three days and that’s not ideal for us. I’m not overly concerned yet. We need a break in the weather, though, so we can get the covers off. We basically need one good day to finish things off. We’re at the mercy of the weather.”

Hamilton Masakadza rued the number of dropped chances, which he blamed forhis side’s defeat against Pakistan in the second ODI at Niaz Stadium inHyderabad.Zimbabwe dropped five catches in all, including two tough chances – Nasir Jamshed and Shahid Afridi benefitting twice each. Had they taken their chances and furtheredPakistan’s mini stutter during the middle overs, the result just mighthave been different.Each of the drops was crucial. Jamshed, dropped on 6 and 72, scored 74, his second successive half-century. Afridi scored an attacking,unbeaten 43 to take Pakistan through but he was able to do so only afterbeing dropped on 30 and 32.”I thought we played well to reach that total [of 238] and it could have been agood total had we taken our chances,” Masakadza said. “We spilled those opportunities at crucial junctures and we might have takenit a bit closer had we held on.”Masakadza was leading the team on the field after Prosper Utseya injuredhis foot while batting, and had earlier top scored with an aggressive 87 after Zimbabwe opted to bat. An early start provided plenty of seam movement and Vusi Sibanda and Chamu Chibhabha both edged behind off Sohail Tanvir.”The movement was there but it only lasted about five to six overs,”Masakadza said. “After that, the pitch eased up and it was a good battingwicket.”Masakadza proved his point ably, hitting ten fours altogether and sharinga 137-run third-wicket partnership with Tatenda Taibu (81). However, abatting collapse after Zimbabwe went past the 200-mark – in which fivewickets went for only nine runs – meant Zimbabwe fell at least 50 runsshort of posting a competitive total.

Pubudu Dassanayake, Canada’s coach, has announced a new coaching team who will take charge across the various levels of the game.Shaun Miller who played minor counties cricket in England will be the deputy national coach and he will be responsible for Western Canada which includes the areas of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. He holds an ECB Level 3 qualification.Anderson Cummins, the former West Indies and Canada opening bowler, will look after the Under-19s, who have not qualified for the World Cup in Malaysia this month but will definitely take part in the 2012 event as hosts. Farooq Kirmani who represented Canada in the ’80s, will be undertaking the future of the juniors, in looking after the Under-15s. George Codrington, who represented Canada at last year’s World Cup in the West Indies, will undertake the women’s program.The trio do not, as yet, have formal coaching qualifications, but do have extensive experience of developing players’ skills over many years. “All three have played a considerable amount of international cricket – in Anderson’s case, at Test level,” a Canada spokesperson told Cricinfo. “It is important for Canadian cricket that we maximize this type of expertise which exists within the country.”Geoffrey Crosse will resume his role as technical analyst, team with specific skills in video analysis. “He has formal, college-level qualifications in that area,” said the spokesman, “which is becoming increasingly important for us.”There has been a change in the selectors’ panel too, as Errol Townshend has tendered his resignation as national selector. Richard Hawes, Chris James, Bhan Deonarine and Arvind Patel will soon be joined on the panel by a replacement Ontario representative. The Ontario Cricket Association will recommend a replacement to the CCA. The CCA will then appoint a replacement who will be formally elected to the position at the next AGM.Their big job this year will be to select the side they believe will help Canada win the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers in Ireland in August. This will be Canada’s singular focus for the foreseeable future, with two teams from six going through to the World Cup. Project Stingray, as it has been called, will be led by Dassananayake and moves into high gear immediately.The efforts will include the following: an expansion of indoor winter training, with indoor nets and indoor games being played three times a week; specific Twenty20 training; much usage of DVD footage; input from qualified sports psychologists; and the inclusion of promising Canadian Under-19s in the process.

Lalman Kowlessar, an executive member of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), has called the recent strike by the West Indies Umpires’ Association (WICUA) during the sixth round of the Carib Beer Series a “total failure”.Kowlessar also praised the six umpires belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Umpires and Scorers Council (TTCUSC), which was not a part of the strike, and who were drafted in to fill in the void created by the WICUA’s boycott. “The games went on and the umpires did a great job,” he said.The WICUA had withdrawn its services for the last two rounds of the 2007-08 Carib Beer Series to protest against the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) decision to remove Trinidadian umpires Hayden Bruce and Kaso Dowlath from the list of officials for the tournament’s sixth round. The duo are linked to the newly-formed Association of Cricket Umpires of Trinidad and Tobago, a body which is not aligned with the Trinidad board.But Kowlessar said Bruce and Dowlath were not on the list of umpires recommended by the TTCUSC to the Trinidad board, though their names appeared on the list approved by the West Indies board’s sub-committee for umpires. “This was noticed by the TTCB, which informed the WICB, pointing out the perceived error. The WICB then removed those two names.”

Bill Brown, who has died aged 95, epitomised the Australian cricket ethos and was an invaluable role model for the younger generations of Test cricketers, according to Steve Waugh. It was during the Waugh era that Australia’s players embraced the team’s history and Brown was called on to present baggy green caps to modern stars Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey.”I reckon that if one person could have their picture beside the baggy green cap to illustrate what it stood for, it should be Bill,” Waugh told the . “Bill was the man who my generation really looked up to. I say that all the time at corporate functions.”For us he was the embodiment of everything great about the baggy green cap. He had everything – strength, great ethics, character and wonderful stories from the past and yet still had great respect for the modern game.”The remarkable thing about him was he was so sharp. You never had to repeat anything. Nothing got past him. You felt as if you were talking to a 30-year-old. He was always putting himself down. He used to say his best shot was a leg glance and that he was just the guy who used to bat at the other end [to champions like Don Bradman].”Gilchrist said cricketers of the past decade adored Brown’s willingness to keep up with the game and appreciate the newer generation of Australian Test representatives. “He was just so respectful of the modern players,” Gilchrist said. “You never heard Bill complaining about modern bat weights or covered wickets.”Sam Loxton, who is now one of only four surviving members of the 1948 Invincibles touring squad, said Brown was a good friend. “Bill was a great fellow and a terrific player,” Loxton said. “He was always fun to be with.”Creagh O’Connor, the chairman of Cricket Australia, said Brown would be remembered as a first-rate batsman of the 1930s and 1940s. “Bill was a fine cricketer, good enough to carry his bat while making a double century at Lord’s,” O’Connor said. “But those of us who had the good fortune to meet and know him in more recent years will also remember him with great affection as an impish wit and good-humoured servant of the game, always ready to lend his assistance.”

Boeta Dippenaar has been elected as the president of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) at its annual general meeting in Johannesburg.”I feel privileged that the players have elected me as the president of our players association” Dippenaar said. “The player voice is very important in the game and we feel that SACA plays a big part in this. Our involvement in shaping things now can only make it better for those players who will follow us in the future.”Ahmed Amla, who was elected vice-president, said: “We are hoping to build on the good work already done by SACA and to do this by working within the spirit of the game. To be elected by fellow players is an honour and I will do my best to make a contribution.”Justin Ontong and Gerald Dros were also elected as members of the executive committee. Gerald Dros, who retired as a professional cricketer at the beginning of last season, was re-elected having already served on the committee for a number of years.”It’s good to see the players elect such a strong executive committee” said Tony Irish, Chief Executive Officer of SACA. “The re-election of Dros gives the executive committee some continuity while Boeta, Ahmed and Justin are among the most respected cricketers in the country. I’m looking forward to working with these players. SACA plays a vital role in collectively representing the players in the Proteas and in each of the franchise teams. We intend to continue to take the players association from strength to strength”.