Cricket - Int News
International Cricket Council Awards 2021to be unveiled this week
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (January 18, 2022):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the 2021 edition of the ICC Awards, celebrating and rewarding the top performances across men’s and women’s international cricket throughout the year will be unveiled on all of ICC’s channels and platforms this week. Beginning with the ICC Teams of the Year in the T20I category for both men’s and women’s on Wednesday, 19 January followed by the ICC Teams of the Year in ODI for both men’s and women’s revealed on Thursday, 20 January. The ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year will also be revealed on 20 January.
The individual awards for excellence in women’s and men’s international cricket will be revealed on the ICC channels on 23 and 24 January.
This year’s awards will comprise a total of 13 individual awards in all as listed below:
Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year
ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year
ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year
ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year
ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year
ICC Spirit of Cricket Award
ICC Umpire of the Year
Players that have had the most impactful performances in the period under consideration – 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 were nominated for these awards.
The ICC Voting Academy, comprising a wider selection of global cricket journalists and broadcasters, have voted for their first, second and third choices, while an overwhelming 1.2 million global cricket fans also submitted their votes to choose their favourite cricketers of the year.
The result of the ICC Voting Academy selections and the fans’ vote will be combined to determine the winner in each of these categories.
The Emerging and Associate categories listed above did not feature shortlists and were determined solely by the ICC Voting Academy.
LCIA rules in favour of the Pakistan Cricket Board in multiple arbitrations against Techfront and Blitz
LAHORE (January 18, 2022):-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today confirmed that it has received the final awards of the arbitration proceedings initiated by it against Techfront International FZE (Techfront) as well as the two separate arbitrations filed against it by Blitz Advertising (Pvt) Limited, before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and the outcome of all arbitrations has been favourable towards the PCB.
The dispute relating to Techfront International FZE (Techfront) was on default of rights fee payments due in respect of the Television Broadcast and Live Streaming Media Rights Agreements of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), while the disagreement with Blitz Advertising was, inter alia, on the delayed television broadcast and live streaming media rights fee payments for HBL PSL 2020 matches.
In the arbitrations, the sole arbitrator appointed by the LCIA dismissed Techfront and Blitz Advertising’s claims and directed both entities to pay to the PCB rights fees rightfully due to be paid to PCB as claimed as well as the costs claimed by the PCB in lieu of counter-claims, damages, arbitration and legal costs and other miscellaneous expenses incurred.
All awards have been issued in accordance with the laws of Pakistan as well as LCIA Rules under which every award shall be final and binding on the parties and by virtue of the arbitration agreement, the parties undertake to carry out any award immediately and without any delay.
PCB Chief Operating Officer Barrister Salman Naseer: “These are major triumphs for the PCB as we have been able to successfully claim substantial revenues of the HBL Pakistan Super League. This also indicates we have air-tight contracts and that we will go full distance in protecting the HBL PSL brand as well as the interests of our franchises.” (Press Release)
Sean Williams century makes dad emotional: Making 100 by any Zimbabwean is a huge achievement
Bipin Dani
Sean Williams was the only centurion of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday, though his Zimbabwe team could not win the match.
Back home, his father, Collin Williams, who also played First Class cricket, did watch the match on TV.
"I have always said this and I will say it again, for any Zim player to make 100 in these types of games is a huge achievement. These young men have to work twice as hard when they bat on the international stage", speaking exclusively, he said.
"I am a very proud dad, to sit and watch our son make a 100 on tv is just fantastic and uplifting. When they left for tour, I wasn’t sure on how much match practice and preparation the team had managed to get in, but clearly they had done fairly well as I thought a good few of the players were nice and positive".
"As for Sean his attitude was indeed positive from ball one and went at a run a ball for his innings, I thought the openers did a nice job, they got off to a nice start".
Sean Williams has dedicated this innings to his father.
"For this reason, it was very emotional. Sean and I are very close and I had been talking to him and saying he still has plenty of cricket left in him, not only with the bat and ball but as a senior player, he has the right mentality to bring young players on", he added.
Sean had announced his Test retirement in August last year.
"No, I wasn’t disappointed at all as it was his choice really. Sometimes the cricket gets overshadowed by side shows, like I also said I feel he has still a lot more to offer. Sean is a natural player and he does things that always bring positive input, I think he is happy with that".
"Our chats are simply about playing and doing the best he can for as long as he can. I could go on but for now I am simply a very proud dad and look forward to watching him again as I always do", he signed off.
This knighthood award is for my country: Clive Lloyd
Bipin Dani
Former West Indies captain and the ICC match-referee received his knighthood award for his services to the game of cricket Wednesday.
The Clive Llyod knighthood investiture was performed on Wednesday by the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle.
Also felicitated was Eoin Morgan, who received his CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
Windies great Llyod has dedicated his knighthood award to his countrymen.
Speaking exclusively over telephone from London on Thursday morning, he said, "I feel honoured and blessed. This honour is for my country, my fans and most of all for my family. It was a memorable day and one which I will not forget".
Bhanuka Rajapaksha promises to reconsider his retirement
Bipin Dani
Sri Lanka's top order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksha has promised "to reconsider" his retirement plan.
The promise has been conveyed to the Hon.sports minister Namal Rajapaksa, who again on Wednesday made the request, this time in person.
The meeting was arranged by Kris Balthazaar , who is a Professional at Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Senior member of Municipal Council, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
"I, as a childhood friend of Hon. sports minister and also friend of Bhanuka, arranged a meeting at Temple Trees Colombo, which is the official residence of the Hon. Prime Minister'', Kris Balthazaar, said exclusively over the telephone from Colombo.
Earlier the minister had also officially requested the batter to reconsider his decision.
"In the meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, Bhanuka did raise the fitness issues. But his primary concern was also the family. He wants to devote more time with his family".
"Bhanuka being a key member of the team, the minister does not want him to retire, especially considering the World Cup next year".
"Even if Bhanuka reverses his decision, there will be no exception (for him or for any players) on fitness issues".
"Bhanuka has asked for a day's time to discuss it with the family and is expected to convey his decision in the next 24-hours", the common friend added.
"If Bhanuka decides to revoke his decision, he may be given a fresh contract. But yes, the ultimate decision will lie with the selectors. The minister never interferes in team selection", emphasized Kris Balthazaar.
Batter Ross Taylor joins bowlers club
Bipin Dani
New Zealand's middle order batter Ross Taylor, who retired from international Test cricket on Tuesday has joined the bowlers' club grabbing the wicket with his last delivery in a Test match.
Taylor's victim in just three balls he bowled in the second Test against Bangladesh was the first Test hero Ebadot Hossain.
Taylor joins Australia's Glenn McGrath and Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralitharan in taking a wicket off his last ball in Test cricket.
"We welcome batter in our club. Taylor is a batter and it was fun for him to take the wicket ", Murali, speaking exclusively over telephone from Colombo said on Tuesday morning.
With Bangladesh trailing by 395 runs, Kiwi skipper Tom Latham enforced follow-on and his team's inning victory ensured Taylor (who scored 28 runs in the first innings) had no chance to bat for the last time in the second innings.
Latham, however, obliged fans' demand and brought Taylor to bowl in his last innings. It was obvious for Tayor to retain the ball with which he took the last ball wicket in his farewell Test. Murali, however, is not in the possession of his last 800th Test wicket ball.
"The said ball is with Mahela Jayawardene. It is with him because before the Test match I had promised him to give", Murali said. Both Murali and Ross Taylor had announced their retirement days before they played their respective Tests.
Ajaz Patel declared Player of the Month for December 2021
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Ajaz Patel as the winner of the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for December 2021.
New Zealand’s, Ajaz Patel made history in December, when he picked up 10 wickets in an innings against India at Wankhede, becoming only the third player in Tests to achieve that feat after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble. The left-arm spinner played just one Test in the month, where he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 16.07.
Patel picked up all 10 wickets in the first innings against India and in the second innings, he picked up four wickets, including that of openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara. Patel finished with figures of 14/225, which are the best bowling figures in a Test match in 2021.
Commenting on Patel’s performance, ICC Voting Academy member JP Duminy said: “What a historic achievement! Taking 10 wickets in an innings is a feat which needs to be celebrated. There’s no doubt that Ajaz's performance is a milestone that will be remembered for years to come.”
Ireland fined for slow over-rate
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Ireland have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against the West Indies in the first ODI in Kingston on Saturday.
Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Andrew Balbirnie’s side was ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.
In addition, as per Article 16.12.2 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League Playing Conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, Ireland will lose two points from their points tally during the Super League.
Balbirnie pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Nigel Duguid, third umpire Gregory Brathwaite and fourth umpire Leslie Reifer leveled the charge.
New arrival: Dhananjaya opts out of series against ZW
Bipin Dani
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva has pulled out from the squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, it is learnt.
According to the highly placed sources close to him, his wife has delivered a baby and the 30-year-old DDS has requested the board to excuse him to opt out of the tournament.
"His request has been accepted and the replacement will be made", one of the sources confirmed.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), in consultation with the selectors have replaced four more players from the originally selected 18.
Avishka Fernando and Janith Liyanage have tested positive and two more players-Lahiru Kumara and Kalana Perera failed the fitness tests.
The four, who were not in the original squad of 18, but added are : Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis and Nuwan Pradeep.
The squad : Dasun Shanaka (likely captain), 2 Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Pathum Nissanka, 4 Minod Bhanuka, 5 Kusal Mendis, 6 Chamika Karunaratne, 7 Maheesh Theekshana, 8 Jeffery Vandersay, 9 Kamindu Mendis, 10 Nuwan Thushara, 11 Nuwan Pradeep, 12 Ramesh Mendis, 13 Praveen Jayawickrema, 14 Dushmantha Chameera, 15 Chamika Gunasekara, 16 Shiran Fernando, 17 Kamil Mishara and 18 Charith Asalanka.
Dushmantha Chameera's selection is subject to his fitness clearance and another player may be chosen if he is not cleared by the doctors.
The team will be managed by Chandima Maputana.
ICC Player of the Month nominations for December 2021 announced
Aamir Ali Janjua
Dubai (UAE):-The nominees for ICC Player of the Month nominees for December 2021 have been announced, with three men distinguishing themselves with some brilliant performances in the month. There will be no award in the women’s category in December as there were no international women’s games scheduled last month.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December:
Mayank Agarwal (India)
With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul all missing games at some point last month, Mayank Agarwal has grabbed the opportunity with both hands in the series against New Zealand and South Africa. In the two matches, he scored 276 runs at an average of 69.00, which included two fifties and a century. With India having drawn the first Test against Kiwis in Kanpur, the hosts were looking to bounce back with a win. India routed New Zealand in Mumbai and Agarwal was the architect of the win a Player of the Match-winning performance of 150 and 62 in the two innings.
Batting first in overcast conditions, KL Rahul and Agarwal set the platform with a brilliant opening partnership of 117 in Centurion.
Ajaz Patel (New Zealand)
Ajaz Patel inked history in December, when he picked up 10 wickets in an innings against India, becoming the third player in Tests to achieve the feat after Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.
The left-arm spinner played just one Test in the month, where he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 16.07. He picked up all 10 wickets in the first innings but was disappointed by the Kiwi batters who were bundled out for 62. In the second innings, he picked up four wickets, including that of openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara. He finished with figures of 14/225, the best bowling figures in a Test match in 2021.
Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc has played a vital role, both with the bat and ball in hand, in Australia retaining the Ashes with two games to spare. In the three games last month, he picked up 14 wickets at an average of 19.64 and was more than handy with the bat, scoring 117 runs in the three matches at an average of 58.50.
He set the tone for the whole series by dismissing Rory Burns with the first ball of the first Test. While batting, he kept Travis Head company with an innings of 35 and added 85 crucial runs for the eighth wicket. Starc was magnificent with the bat and ball in the second Test, picking up six wickets and scoring 58 runs in Adelaide. This included a brilliant four-wicket haul in the first innings that helped reduce England to 236, giving Australia a massive lead of 237 runs.
In the Boxing Day Test, Starc picked two crucial wickets in the first innings, including that of England's captain Joe Root. His innings of 24* helped Australia gain an 82-run lead, which proved to be enough as England were out for 68. He picked up three wickets in the second innings as Australia won by an innings to retain the prestigious Ashes urn.
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