Dampener on India’s English summer plans

Indian middle-order bat Yuvraj Singh might be completely out of contention for a season with English county Kent, top officials at the Kent ...

Indian middle-order bat Yuvraj Singh might be completely out of contention for a season with English county Kent, top officials at the Kent County Cricket Club (KCCC) confirmed. Speaking to The Sunday Express from the UK, KCCC Cricket Administration Manager Richard Hall said, ‘‘Yuvraj had never been approached by the KCCC to play for the club this season. It could be that his name had come up during discussions, but what we hope to have is Rahul Dravid. That could be a posibility.’’

Interestingly, the clarification comes only a week after KCCC official Paul Millman had confirmed to The Sunday Express that the club is most certainly looking at Yuvraj as a second part of the season option. The doublespeak on the part of KCCC comes as a bit of a surprise, especially in the backdrop of several Indian players’ confirmations being derailed in varying degrees.

Lancashire are frustrated as Harbhajan Singh may be unable to fulfil his contract because of injury. Bhajji was set to reach the county on April 28, after participating in the Bangladesh triangular, but his arrival has been put on hold indefinitely.

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‘‘Only four days are left before the season starts,’’ Jim Cumbes, Lancs chief executive told reporters, adding, ‘‘We got to know just a couple of days ago and Harbhajan will need rest to cure it.’’

Coach Mike Watkinson said, ‘‘It seems that a small period of rest is the best way forward for both parties. We’ve not lined anybody else up yet but will consider it on an ongoing basis and take it from there.’’

According to the Leicestershire website, batsman Virender Sehwag will miss the opening championship match of the season against Kent at Canterbury and a few other championship matches and one-dayers.

Leicestershire chief executive Kevin Hill has been quoted as saying: ‘‘We have heard that Virender may be required by the Indian Board to stay and play in a domestic final on May 6. That has come as a bit of a shock to us because we understood we would only have to release him only for international commitments. We are making further inquiries about the situation.’’

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The only sure-shot for the season seems to be Javagal Srinath, who has been drafted in by Durham as cover for Australia’s Martin Love. According to the club’s website, the senior Indian pro agreed a move to Durham after Love was selected for the Australian touring party to the West Indies. He will double up as the bowling coach for the club as well.

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