Cricket Briefs

The PCB is likely to suspend national selector Mohammad Illyas for violating the terms of his employment contract.

PCB to sack selector

Lahore: The PCB is likely to suspend national selector Mohammad Illyas for violating the terms of his employment contract. The PCB has already issued two show cause notices to Illyas,a former Test player and father-in-law of cricketer Imran Farhat,after he spoke in the media including a TV show on the Shahid Afridi issue.8221;Illyas violated his contract terms and is liable to disciplinary action as is Shahid Afridi. There is every likelihood of the board suspending him as national selector and his contract this week,8221; a source said. Afridi had alleged Illyas was heading a lobby against him after Farhat was dropped from the team.

Katich,Tait dropped in CA list

Melbourne: Veteran batsman Simon Katich and pacer Shaun Tait were dropped,while Pakistan-born Usman Khawaja was included in Cricket Australia8217;s list of 25 annually contracted players announced on Tuesday. The new entrants in the list are Patrick Cummins,Xavier Doherty,John Hastings,David Hussey,Usman Khawaja,Jason Krejza and James Pattinson. Also departing the list is James Hopes,Simon Katich,Andrew McDonald,Clint McKay,Marcus North and Adam Voges who did not have their contracts renewed for 2011-12. CA said the list was decided on the basis of the 8220;form of the players over the past 12 months and their likelihood of Australian selection over the next 12 months.8221;

Hope to shed chokers tag

Johannesburg: South Africa8217;s tendency to choke at big tournaments is something newly-appointed ODI and Twenty20 captain AB de Villiers would like to change during his tenure. 8220;It was helluva disappointing for us to have lost in the World Cup quarter-final,8221; De Villiers said. 8220;We obviously have the history of not performing well at the big events and that is definitely something we want to change and will work on,8221; he said. 8220;I don8217;t believe we played bad cricket,but of course we went down again when the pressure was on,but there is a fresh look in the side now which is always good. I am sure it will improve,8221; the right-hander added.

Rogge favours cricket in Olympics

London: IOC president Jacques Rogge has told the Evening Standard that cricket could be a successful addition to the summer Olympics,although it would most likely be in the Twenty20 format. 8220;The International Cricket Council will decide at the end of June whether they will make an application. The incoming president might be interested. We would welcome an application,8221; Rogge said. It8217;s an important,popular sport and very powerful on television. It8217;s a sport with a great tradition where mostly you have a respect of the ethics. In the Olympics,it will not be Test cricket,of course.8221;

Dual captaincy good: Kirsten

Johannesburg: Newly-appointed South Africa coach Gary Kirsten said he does not see a problem in working with two separate captains for different formats AB De Villiers and Graeme Smith. 8220;I am really looking forward to it dual captaincy. I think is a positive step,they are both experienced,talented cricketers and there is no reason to suggest why it won8217;t be successful,8221; he said. 8220;As time wears on,we will work on the relationship and the trust involved,8221; he added. Kirsten said that he along with his assistant Russell Domingo and new bowling coach Allan Donald would look to create flexibility in the South African team. 8220;We first have to create a culture of empowerment in which everybody is encouraged to take difficult decisions, he said.