Briefly Cricket

Patil’s NCA vision

Bangalore: Former India batsman Sandeep Patil,who succeeded Dav Wahatmore as National Cricket Academy director,said he aspires to augment the bench strength of Indian team during his association with the NCA. Soon after taking charge on November 1,Patil made his intentions clear when he said that his main focus would be to create a pool of players who can be thrown into the rigors of international cricket at anytime.

Younis’s wish irks PCB

Karachi: The PCB and some former Test players are not happy with the recent statements made by skipper Younis Khan,who announced his retirement from T20 cricket in July,that he is willing to play it for the national team. “What Younis is trying to do will create more discord in the team,what is the necessity of such statements so soon after a major crisis has been averted in Pakistan cricket,” a board official said,declining to be named. PCB has made Shahid Afridi as the captain of the national T20 side until the World Cup in West Indies next year.

Pat on the back for SA

Johannesburg: Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola congratulated Davy Jacobs and his South African team on winning the Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.South Africa beat surprise finalists Hong Kong in the final by two wickets with Farhaan Behardien hitting a six off the last ball of the match when five runs were required for victory. It is South Africa’s second win in this tournament in the last four years. “All credit must go to Davy Jacobs and his merry men for winning the Hong Kong Sixes in nail-biting fashion,” commented Majola who was present at the final.

Ireland’s plea to ICC

Dublin: If successful,they would be the 11th full member nation and the first to step up from associate status since Bangladesh in 2000. It could eventually pave the way for Ireland to play at Test match level. However,Irish chief executive Warren Deutrom admitted they faced a lot of work to meet the criteria and that the process would take several years. Ireland are keen to reap the financial benefits which come through ICC full member status and getting on the future tours programme. However,their application is seen by many as something of a long shot.