Stuart Broad opts out of IPL

London: Pacer Stuart Broad has refused to join the growing list of England cricketers seeking lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) deals as he wants to focus his energies on international assignments like the Ashes.

“It’s a good opportunity for players but it’s a good opportunity for us. We’ve got a very important summer ahead of us with the Twenty20 and the Ashes and this is a decision Stuart has made and we must respect that,” England team’s managing director Hugh Morris said while revealing Broad’s decision to opt out.

Yasir, Asim in

Karachi: The IPL has included discarded batsmen Asim Kamal and Yasir Hameed for the players auction to be held on February 6. A senior official of the IPL has informed Asim and Yasir that their names have been included in the list of players for auction.

Symonds case

Melbourne: Andrew Symonds is likely to escape suspension and only be fined for his radio rant against New Zealand player Brendon McCullum as Cricket Australia will treat him as a first-time offender in the hearing Thursday. Code of Conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis will oversee the proceedings in the closed-door hearing. “Andrew Symonds has never been reported for a breach of the Code of Behaviour... This will be treated as a stand-alone incident,” CA spokesman Peter Young was quoted as saying by an Australian daily.

CSA move

Calcutta: Injured Proteas captain Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher along with overworked fast bowlers were on Wednesday exempted by Cricket South Africa (CSA) from playing in domestic competitions in view of the upcoming series against Australia at home.

In a release, CSA chief executive officer Gerald Majola said the decision to release Smith, Boucher and other contracted players was to give them a chance to recover for the forthcoming series against Australia in South Africa soon.

SA debutants

Calcutta: South Africa has decided to field two uncapped players in place of pacers Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini in the fifth and final one-dayer against Australia in Perth.

Simi in lead

Noida: Simi Mehra returned the only sub-par card (71) to take the lead on the opening day of the ninth leg of the DLF Women’s Professional Golf Tour Wednesday.

Simi blasted four birdies against a bogey and a double bogey in the par-72 course. Vandana Agarwal of Calcutta lies in the second position with a score of six-over 78.

Gagan at No.5

New Delhi: Ace shooter Gagan Narang climbed up one spot to reach number five in the latest men’s air rifle World Rankings issued by the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF).

Staff reporter & Agencies