Briefly Cricket

Melbourne: Federation of International Cricketers Association FICA chief Tim May on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the ICC,saying its governance structure is fraught with conflicts of interests,cronyism and lack of specific expertise and independence. The governance structure of the board is a relic of the past, May told The Sun-Herald. 8220;Whilst the ICC maintains its present board structure,it is most likely the ICC will continue to be held by the public as an underachiever,8221; he added.

India-SL series dull: Akram

New Delhi: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram feels the just-concluded Test series between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be a rather dull affair due to placid tracks. Fast bowlers got murdered and it was not fun at all,believe me. The 1-1 draw is a fair result but it has to be said that apart from two or three brilliant performances,it was a dull series, Akram said.

Lahore: PCB chairman Ejaz Butt admitted that the team had left a lot to be desired and said some important decisions concerning the national team would be taken soon. We will take some important decisions after a meeting of the governing council. The players disappointed with their performances in the Test series, Butt said.

Atapattu defends Murali

Colombo: Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu said Muralitharan brilliantly timed his verbal attack on Bishan Singh Bedi.Of course,it was with amusement that I read Muralis parting shot at Bedi. It was brilliant timing too, Atapattu said. He Murali has hardly said anything on his way to 800 wickets and when his work was done with a world record tucked under his belt he came out with this quip in answer to Bedi. Who can take him on, Atapattu wrote in The Sunday Leader newspaper.

Rockstar Lee coming to India

Melbourne: His cricket career hampered by injuries,Australian pacer Brett Lee is working on his future as a musician and India would be the first stop for his rockstar ambitions. Lee will be in India later this month to perform with his new band called White Shoe Theory with his friend Mick Vawdon. They have been booked for eight shows in India so far,the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mick is the lead singer and he has a great voice. Weve known each other for years. I do the back-up vocals and play the bass, he said.

Gul out of England series

Birmingham: Pakistan side received a huge blow on Sunday when pacer Umar Gul was ruled out for the remainder of the series against England. Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed confirmed that MRI scans and ultrasound tests have shown that Gul has a muscle rapture in his thigh which would take three to four weeks to heal,leaving him out of the remaining two Test matches. 8220;He is out of the Test series. We will have another check-up in 10 days time to know exactly how soon he can return to international cricket,8221; Yawar said. Agencies