Briefly Cricket

The ICC might do away with the concept of neutral umpires by this years Ashes. I think the progress with DRS has been extremely good...

Neutral umpires to go?

London: The ICC might do away with the concept of neutral umpires by this years Ashes. I think the progress with DRS has been extremely good,to the extent that I think we should be thinking about the best umpires being appointed to Test match irrespective of whether they come from the participating teams or not, ICC president David Morgan told Cricinfo.

Australia win series 3-0

Hobart: Australia completed a 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan after wrapping up their 12th successive Test victory over their opponents on Monday. Only Khurram Manzoor 77 put up some resistance while for Australia,off-spinner Nathan Hauritz 3/30 and Peter Siddle 3/25 were among the wickets.

IPLs US foray likely

London: IPL is contemplating bringing the T20 event to the US in near future to expand its global reach,according to a report in the Times. We hope to be able to provide the fans in the US the live experience of the IPL. We will start with a few matches in the US in the next 18 months or so, IPL chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

Hilfenhaus doubtful for NZ

Melbourne: Ben Hilfenhaus long-running knee injury has put him in doubt for Australias tour of New Zealand next month. We are going to hold him off from bowling for at least three or four weeks,Australias physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. Hilfenhaus appears out of the ODI section of the tour but is likely to be back for the Tests beginning March 19.

Dutt buys T-10 team

New Delhi: Actor Sanjay Dutt has become the latest Bollywood star to venture into cricket,though he has gone for a shorter format known as T-10 Gully Cricket. Dutt has become the proud team owner of Sirsa Gullies for the T-10 gully cricket season 2. A mega night cricket tournament,T-10 Gully Cricket,will feature non-first class cricketers in the age group of 15-24 years.