Cricket

Pak umpire Rauf gets visa for Mohali Test

Pak umpire Rauf gets visa for Mohali TestLahore, Dec. 13  Pakistan cricket umpire Asad Rauf will be able to travel to India in time to officiate for the second Test between India and England in Mohali.

Rauf, who was designated to stand in both matches of the series, missed the first Test due to visa complications.

"I have got the Indian visa now and I am flying to New Delhi on Monday and will stand in the second India-England Test," the Daily Times quoted Rauf as telling media persons here.

Billy Bowden replaced Rauf for the Chennai Test after Rauf failed to obtain a city-specific visa in time.

Lillee intent on Johnson realizing his potential

Perth, Dec. 12 : Former Australian pace great Dennis Lillee once described a teenage Mitchell Johnson as a "once in a generation" bowler, and now seems intent that his young protégé fulfills his ultimate prophecy.

Lillee met Johnson yesterday to discuss tactics for bowling at the WACA Ground, passing on advice and experience from 15 years of bowling on the pace-friendly surface.

"It''s good to have his advice. We just spoke about how things have been going for me at the moment and also just bowling at the WACA,"The Age quoted Johnson, as saying.

Johnson says mentor Lillee has inspired him to beat the Proteas

Perth, Dec. 12 : Australian quick Mitchell Johnson says that he is taking inspiration from his mentor Dennis Lillee to counter the visiting South African team both verbally and on the field.

Johnson, the fourth-leading Test wicket-taker in 2008 with 50 scalps, said Lillee has passed on advice for putting the heat on the South African batsmen in the first Test at the WACA next week.

Johnson has played only one Test at the WACA and is yet to make his first-class debut for WA after crossing over from Queensland.

Miandad announces revamp of Pak domestic cricket format

Miandad announces revamp of Pak domestic cricket formatKarachi, Dec. 12: Keen to make domestic cricket in Pakistan more attractive, former Pakistan cricket captain and now Director General of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Javed Miandad has announced a new format.

Miandad told a press conference here on Thursday that now domestic cricket would not be run on the basis of regions but on the basis of eight associations and eleven departments.

Morkel injured in Proteas tour match against Western Australia

Perth, Dec. 11 : South Africa''s plans for next week''s first Test have been upset by an injury to pace bowler Morne Morkel during today''s tour game against Western Australia.

The tall right-armer was introduced to the attack in the 11th over of Western Australia''s innings and collapsed on the pitch as he attempted to bowl his first delivery, appearing to twist an ankle.

The 24-year-old, who has taken 37 wickets at 30.43 in Tests in 2008, immediately left the field, walking off slowly and gingerly.

The first Test between Australia and South Africa starts at Perth''s WACA Ground on December 17.

ICC announces umpire and referee appointments for Oz-Proteas series

ICC LogoDubai, Dec. 11 : The International Cricket Council has announced the referee and umpires who will officiate in the upcoming Test series between Australia and South Africa.

Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees will lead the playing control team for the series.

The first Test, which takes place in Perth from 17 to 21 December will be umpired by Asoka de Silva and Aleem Dar from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires.

The second Test will take place in Melbourne from 26 to 30 December and will feature on-field umpires Billy Doctrove from the Emirates Elite Panel and Dar.

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