McCullumstands bytestimony
Wellington: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has denied he has ever been involved in match-fixing and stood by his evidence to an ICC investigation into corruption. McCullum added he was “disappointed” that excerpts of his testimony had been leaked to the media after it was reported he had told investigators that a former player approached him about corrupting matches in 2008.
“Let me be clear I have never ever fixed a cricket match,” he said in a statement before appearing at a media conference in Christ-church on Thursday. “I am 100 per cent behind the fight against corruption in the sport.”
Essex move
London: English county side Essex have agreed in principle to play T20 cricket at the London Olympic Stadium from 2016. Essex chief executive said two other counties were also interested in plans to stage a T20 festival at the east London landmark. “In principle there is an agreement that a two-week festival of T20-type cricket could be played at the Olympic Park from 2016,” Derek Bowden told a television channel on Thursday. “Ourselves, Kent and Middlesex have all expressed interest in playing there.”
Smith injured
London: Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith is set to miss the rest of the English county season with Surrey after suffering a fractured knee, the club said on Thursday. The 33-year-old opening batsman, who retired from international cricket this year, will return home to undergo surgery. Surrey have signed Smith’s former South Africa teammate Hashim Amla for the next month.
Manan bitter
New Delhi: Manan Vohra still rues not being able to be a part of the India under-19 World Cup winning team led by Unmukt Chand. Manan was sure to make the cut, but a finger injury ruled him out of the Cup in Australia back in 2012. “Even after my good performances in the IPL, I can’t forget that setback as I was not able to be a part of the Cup winning squad.” he said.
Bangar view
Mohali: Kings XI Punjab coach Sanjay Bangar feels the failure to capitalise on a good start cost his side the IPL game here. “I think in the middle overs, we threw it away a bit as after ten overs we were going at around 90 for the loss of a wicket. In the middle overs, we lost it,” Bangar pointed out. Having set a target of 157, Mumbai Indians won the game comfortably by seven wickets.
Lendl upbeat
Mohali: Mumbai Indians opener Lendl Simmons said they would approach their upcoming games with a positive mind and hope for the best results. “We will approach these (remaining matches) positively and hope for the best,” he said.
England 247/6
London: Gary Ballance hit a 72-ball 64 and Ian Bell hit a 56-ball 50 to take England to 247 for six in 39 overs against Sri Lanka after being put in to bat in the first ODI. For Sri Lanka Sachithra Senanayake took three for 30.
Brief scores: England 247/6 in 39 ovs (G. Ballance 64, I. Bell 50, J. Root 45; S. Senanayake 3/30) vs Sri Lanka.
Agencies
