ICC mulls regulating T20 meets

London: As popularity of the Twenty20 format of the game seems going through the roof, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering regulating the spree of T20 tournaments to protect the attraction of international cricket.

“All these tournaments are springing up and what we are trying to do is regulate them in a more effective way. A private businessman might have different ambitions but we have to protect the game of cricket,” ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat said.

Ashraful denial

Dhaka: Bangladesh captain Mohammed Ashraful denied on Wednesday that he was behind the mass exodus of top cricketers to the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Ashraful said he had rejected an offer of $2.1 million to play for three years in the ICL. “They said I was the kingpin behind all these (deals). But it’s totally wrong,” he said.

Vice-captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza said the ICL offered him a contract worth $1.74 million but he rejected it. “Obviously money is very important. I play for the money too but my priority is playing for Bangladesh,” Mortaza told a website.

Bradman bat

Melbourne: Don Bradman’s first Test cricket bat attracted a record price of $121,500 at an auction.

The bat, purchased by an undisclosed Australian buyer, was signed by the entire 1928-29 Australian team as well as the English team which won the series 4-1. “This is a record price for a cricket bat and there were several bidders, all of them within Australia, hoping to win the auction,” a spokeswoman for Melbourne’s Leski Auctions said.

ECB visit

Ahmedabad: Concerned over security issues in the wake of the serial blasts in the city, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has sent two of its officials to take stock of the situation at venues for the upcoming India tour later this year. ECB director of cricket operations, John Carr, and security manager Reg Dikason, on Wednesday visited the Sardar Patel Stadium here to have a close look at the facilities and security arrangements.

Buchanan son

Sydney: Kolkata Knight Riders’s coach John Buchanan’s eldest son Michael will play for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side in some tour matches against his native state team, the Queensland Bulls.

PCA award

London: After enduring a career plagued by anxiety attacks and depression, things are finally looking up for former England opener Marcus Trescothick, who has been nominated for the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Year Award.

Chris injury

Wellington: A nagging hamstring injury has forced New Zealand paceman Chris Martin out of next month’s one-day international series in Bangladesh.