Heath Streak, Ray Price, Trevor Gripper and Sean Ervine have been included in the Zimbabwe A team that will take on Sri Lanka in a three-day tour match ahead of the first Test.Streak, the former captain of the Zimbabwe team, and 14 other cricketers who had rebelled against the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, returned to training on Friday. This effectively ended a boycott that began on April 2.However, Streak will not be leading the team. Alester Maregwede has been named the captain of the team. Streak, however, is just happy to be playing cricket once more. A report quoted him as saying, “I’m elated, very excited. I’m looking forward to getting back on the park, and I hope the ZCU is serious about resolving our grievances.”Meanwhile, the rebel players have demanded that Streak be reinstated as captain of the national team, and that a two international mediators are appointed to break the deadlock between the ZCU and the players. The players have submitted these demands to the ZCU in a letter, and Chris Venturas, their lawyer, who speaks of a "mechanism to resolve the issue."Earlier the ZCU had suggested a similar process of mediation, but the players had rejected it on the basis that the process would take too long. Two major points remain unresolved. The first is the reinstatement of Streak as captain, which the ZCU has repeatedly refused. The second is the removal of one member of the selection panel. This matter is not even up for discussion, according to the board.The ZCU has till Thursday to accept or reject the proposal, but Venturas is not optimistic. "I feel they will turn us down," he said. Vince Hogg, the chief executive of the ZCU, confirmed receiving the letter but would not comment on the matter. The rebel players will practice alongside their one-day replacements in the lead up to the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, they would walk out if their demands were not met, said Grant Flower.Zimbabwe A team 1 Trevor Gripper, 2 Mark Vermeulen, 3 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 4 Alester Maregwede (capt), 5 Vusi Sibanda, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Sean Ervine, 8 Heath Streak, 9 Prosper Utseya, 10 Blessing Mahwire, 11 Ray Price.

An emotional Vivian Richards, who resigned as chief selector of West Indies a few days ago, has spoken out in anguish about the players’ “lack of fight, commitment and passion”. He spoke about the legacy of West Indian cricket, and of how the current team seemed not just unconcerned, but actually unaware of it.”We [West Indians] are very passionate about our team and the legacy of [the] great players who have representated West Indies proudly,” he said, according to a report in the London Mail on Sunday. “But there are a lot of people who felt that wasn’t the case with the present mob. We need to instill in some of the younger players the respect for what their cricket legacy is all about.”Let the guys at the academy watch tapes of some of the great players of the past until they fall asleep,” he continued, “and then wake them up again and say: ‘This is what you are representing and this is how we want you to go about representing it.’ There is no doubt that we have some ability, but it is no good having two good days and then not turning up for the other three.”Richards’s resignation was triggered by West Indies’ 0-3 loss to England recently, which left him shattered – no surprise, given that he was the pivot of Clive Lloyd’s legendary West Indian team of the 1970s and ’80s, one of the greatest sides of all time, and then captained West Indies himself with a fair degree of success. As a player, he helped his side administer a few whitewashes, but was never on the receiving end of one.”I’m not taking anything away from England, who were very well organised,” he said. “But to try to hold on to such a prestigious record, you expect a certain amount of spirit, passion and fight – and those things were missing from the West Indies team.”

In his time as captain, Richards would have dealt with indiscipline with an iron fist, but Brian Lara, West Indies’ captain, was given to a softer approach, which reportedly led to a rift between the two (though Richards recently denied any schism). He was reportedly furious when some of the players attended a sponsor’s party immediately after the team was skittled out for 47 in the first Test, but the players did not appreciate being told off by him. Dinanath Ramnarine, the president of the players’ association, recently remarked that some of the players had been “verbally belittled and threatened in public by selectors”, an allegation that Richards dismissed as “ludicrous”.Richards also had some gentle advice for Lara. “By coming back to score 400 in the last Test after being given a working-over by [Steve] Harmison, Brian showed his greatness as a player. But he must also be a motivator, not just for the few hours of [the] match, but to lead from the very top, to take control of situations.”It is up to him to inspire his players for the task ahead. It is his duty.”

The police had to be called to the first Test between England and West Indies at Lord’s a fortnight ago after a Marylebone Cricket Club member threatened another with a knife for using a mobile phone in the members’ stand.The Sunday Telegraph reported that the incident happened on July 23, the opening day of the Test match. According to the paper, the mobile-phone user is believed to have said that he was playing a computer game, only to be confronted with the sharp edge of a knife.The MCC displays signs around the ground requesting spectators not to use mobile phones, and after the intervention of several members, the knife-wielder is said to have fled the ground. The MCC has launched an investigation, and a police spokesperson gave some more details. “We were called to the Upper Tavern, a stand at Lord’s cricket ground, on July 23 after a man aged 37 allegedly drew a knife on another man, aged 46,” he said. “When police arrived the suspect had left. No weapons have been recovered.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

A magnificent unbeaten 81 from Yousuf Youhana and a devastating late cameo from Shahid Afridi made all the difference as Pakistan held their nerve to win a thrilling encounter at Edgbaston. Fortunes swung this way and that before Youhana – struggling with cramp – steered his side home with four balls to spare.Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (4 for 25) and Shoaib Akhtar (4 for 35) had set the game up for Pakistan with some superb bowling, but Irfan Pathan matched them with a fabulous opening spell that ensured that there would be no cakewalk for Pakistan. But while his opening salvo was the epitome of parsimony, Pathan’s second spell cost India the game.He made the fatal mistake of pitching short to Afridi, and found a ferocious pull over square leg followed by an amazing loft over long-on. That appeared to be all she wrote as far as the contest was concerned, especially when another four came in Pathan’s next over. But after he had sprinted to 25 from only 11 balls Afridi’s recklessness then gifted Yuvraj Singh a wicket, courtesy of a simple catch for Virender Sehwag at midwicket (187 for 7), before Youhana and Rana saw it through.Pathan had given India the fillip they so badly needed by dismissing Imran Farhat in the very first over. A half-hearted waft and some late movement resulted in an edge through to Rahul Dravid (1 for 1). And in his next over, it got twice as nice with Shoaib Malik playing a similar shot to a ball that slanted away from him (10 for 2).It was a wonderful spell from Pathan, and even Inzamam-ul-Haq treated him with due deference, though Yasir Hameed at the other end appeared intent on flashing at everything that came his way. His chancy knock of 15 ended when Pathan tempted him into a hook, straight to Ashish Nehra at deep square leg. Nehra juggled once or twice, but it finally stuck (27 for 3).But once Pathan had bowled seven overs, Sourav Ganguly took him off, bringing back Nehra, who had earlier been replaced by Agarkar. Youhana, nervous till then, said hello with a powerful cut, and a sumptuous off-drive. And soon after the drinks break, he carted Ajit Agarkar for six with a nonchalant pull.Ganguly had by then thrown the ball to Harbhajan Singh, but after a quiet first over, his second went for 13, as a glorious square-drive from Youhana was buttressed by a fine tickle and a powerful sweep from Inzamam. When he got past 23, Inzamam became only the second batsman in the history of ODI cricket – Sachin Tendulkar, the first, by a mile – to go past 10,000 runs.Pakistan then went into cruise control, with Inzamam hammering Ganguly back over his head, and then smacking Sehwag’s first ball to the midwicket fence. With the situation desperate, Ganguly tossed the ball to Agarkar, who hit the pitch with the seam perfectly upright to induce a lazy nudge behind from Inzamam. He was gone for 41 (102 for 4), and suddenly the jitters were back.Abdul Razzaq (9) didn’t ease the nerves when he chopped a Sehwag delivery onto his stumps, and it was left to the experienced duo of Youhana and Moin Khan to get Pakistan back within range. There was a further wobble though, with Yuvraj taking a stunning catch – diving to his right like Gordon Banks in his pomp – to send back Moin (152 for 6) off Nehra’s bowling. But then Afridi’s booming bat intervened to settle matters.

The tenor for India’s innings was set in the very first over, with Ganguly repeatedly wafting at wide deliveries from Mohammad Sami. The fifth one took the edge through to Moin, and a statuesque Ganguly finally had to move his feet – towards the pavilion (0 for 1).If that was bad, VVS Laxman’s dismissal was abysmal. A rank long-hop from Rana was smashed straight to Malik stationed just in front of the square-leg umpire (10 for 2). That left Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif to negotiate some probing bowling from Sami and Rana, with Kaif’s ferocious pull past midwicket the sole indicator of attacking intent.That early revival was short-lived though, with Sehwag continuing his recent miserable run – 189 runs in 13 matches this season. Worse still, it was another gift for Rana, a full-length delivery outside leg stump converted into further catching practice for Malik on the leg side (28 for 3).Pakistan’s position would have been further strengthened had Afridi held on to a straightforward chance at cover when Kaif had made only 9, and Sami’s disappointment was exacerbated when the batsman smashed the next ball for four through extra cover.When Malik was brought on, Dravid set about disturbing his rhythm straight away, pulling a half-tracker for four, and then cutting one beautifully backward of point. With the partnership having swelled to 45, Shoaib made his move, producing a blistering over to send back Kaif and Yuvraj. Kaif edged one that was just short of a length outside off stump, and three balls later Yuvraj took the same route back to the pavilion.Rohan Gavaskar struggled for his 13 before Razzaq put him out of his misery (106 for 6), but Inzamam then missed a trick by not bringing back his strike bowlers to wrap up the innings. With no Shoaib or Sami to test him, Agarkar grew in confidence, lacing some superb strokes.Dravid’s innings was as workmanlike as they come, and he also survived two vociferous appeals for caught-behind, one each off Malik and Shoaib, along the way. But after he passed 50, both batsmen opened out with some punishing shots. Agarkar tonked Sami back over his head, and then slammed Afridi for four and six over midwicket.That was the cue for Dravid to open up, with a deliberate deflection down to third man, and a deft flick off the pads for four more off Afridi. His resistance finally ended when he top-edged a pull to present Rana with a simple return catch (188 for 7). And moments later, Rana had a fourth wicket to savour when Agarkar scooped a slower ball to Youhana just behind square (193 for 8).Shoaib returned to scalp Pathan and Nehra, but India just about scraped to 200. It was so nearly enough, until Afridi and Youhana decided to do something about Pakistan’s hitherto poor record against India in World Cup/Mini World Cup matches.

Northern Districts 185 for 7 (Orchard 53, Canning 4-33) v Auckland
ScorecardNew Zealand’s first-class season got off to a wet and subdued start after a southerly blast traversed the country over the weekend. The State Championship match between Northern Districts and Auckland only started at 2pm, but fine weather at Hamilton later in the day enabled the players to continue till well past the scheduled close, with Northern Districts scoring 185 for 7 in 70 overs.Auckland won the toss and chose to field. Northern Districts have revamped their line-up this year with the infusion of some new blood, but the batsmen who opened their innings were two of their more experienced players, and they got the team off to a fine start. James Marshall, who has taken over as captain after the retirement of Robbie Hart, and Nick Horsley put on 58 for the first wicket in nearly an hour before Marshall (25) became the first of Tama Canning’s four victims during the day.Horsley fell for 38 when the score was on 74. Mark Orchard and Matthew Hart were just getting into their stride when Hart was caught by Richard Jones for 16 to become Canning’s second wicket.Orchard batted for 200 minutes in scoring his 53 runs but he too eventually succumbed to Canning, who showed impressive touch in the season-opener. His 24 overs cost only 33 runs and fetched him four wickets. None of the batsmen were able to get on top of him. Aaron Barnes, a medium pacer, played a fine support act, taking 1 for 27 off 16 overs.Two other matches will start tomorrow – Canterbury will take on Wellington in Christchurch, while Otago and Central Districts will play in Queenstown.

Ricky PontingOn rating his double-century
The one in Melbourne last year was the most satisfyingbecause of the way that series was headed. The way itwas built up, and being Stephen [Waugh’s] last series,I wanted to make sure I was doing as much as I couldto make sure he went out on a winning note.On his innings
I’m really happy with the way I played and felt reallyat ease throughout the whole innings.On joining Greg Chappell and Don Bradman with fourdoubles
I didn’t know that. A lot of those milestones tend tobe popping up around this team at the moment. It’snice to be mentioned in the same breath as those guysand it’s a great way to start the year after adisappointing one last year.On how he’ll celebrate
I don’t think a lot about the game away from the game.I’ll go home tonight to a wife who doesn’t talk toomuch about cricket, so that’s always nice. Australia’sNext Top Model is on so I’ve been told I’m watchingthat.On the position of the game
If we bowl really well in the morning I’ve got afeeling that we’ll win the game tomorrow. There’senough in the wicket for the spinners that if we bowlwell we’ll create another nine chances. There’s everychance the spinners will start tomorrow becausethere’s nothing in it for the fast bowlers.On Gilchrist’s batting
You’ve just got to let him go and sit back and enjoyit. Once he gets on a roll like he did today, theworst thing you can do is say something and make himstop it. The way he hit the ball and changed thecourse of the game was outstanding. He’s a once in alifetime player, [so] 13 centuries is unbelievable for awicketkeeper in the amount of Tests he’s played.Adam GilchristOn the clarity of his ball striking
I hit some nice ones towards the end, but felt a bitscratchy early. With Shoaib [Akhtar] I got lucky witha few edges either side of the slips cordon. From thehook shot that I attempted off Shoaib, where I skiedit and got lucky again, I switched on.On making starts this season
It’s nice to get to the hundred after several inningsof getting 40 or 50. As far as hundreds are concerned,they are not always the barometer that you judgeyourself against. It’s what the team is requiring atthat time.On attempting another six to bring up his century
I wasn’t being drawn in by the crowd. There was a ballthere to cover-drive for four but all morning I wastrying to muscle them a bit too much. It was never inmy mind to try and do three in a row.On the batting plan with Ponting
We just wanted to get as many as we could aheadbecause the wicket is doing plenty for the spinbowlers. We didn’t have any clear intention to go outthere and be ultra aggressive. Someone told me thatRicky only faced 13 balls in the first hour. Neitherof us were aware of that.On the pitch
It’s turning at reasonable pace so it’s enough tocatch edges and beat the bat. They only lost onewicket and scored at four runs an over tonight sowe’ve got to be watchful of that, and that we don’tget too over-attacking.On Danish Kaneria’s bowling
He’s been outstanding throughout the series. He’s gota lot of wickets and fortunately someone has riddenhim for long enough to produce the runs. He’s veryeffective with an extremely good wrong-un that someguys struggle to pick. And he’s got a lot of courage.Danish KaneriaOn his bowling against Australia
I’ve played against some of the best batsmen in theworld in the best team in the world and my confidencehas gone up. It will help when I play for Pakistan.On his confidence level
It is natural because when I was young I tried thesame type of bowling. My coach told me that if you arefrightened of your bowling getting hit you will be nomore. Legspin is attacking, you can get runs and youcan get wickets. I just want to bowl my line andlength.On getting advice from Shane Warne
No, I haven’t asked anything from Shaney. I have neverasked him because his bowling and my bowling aredifferent. He’s more side-on and I have a round-armaction.On wanting more wickets than Warne
When I finish my cricket I want to make my name as theworld’s greatest legspinner, God willing. I want [morewickets] than any spinner. My last wicket was my 101stand, Inshallah, I will do my very best to get my target.On being fined for the Clarke outbust
I am very sorry for that because of the crowd andeverybody hearing it on the tv. Me and Clarke weresaying some things to each other. Then he hit me forsix and I got him out. I was excited. You never knowwhat you are saying or not saying. I didn’t mean tosay it because he’s a very good guy and a friend. Ithas cost me a lot, I’m playing a free game.On the lead Pakistan need to win
If they are chasing around 200 or 250 it would be agood fight for us. It would not be easy for them toget runs very quickly.

Kenya have named a 31-man squad for their ICC Intercontinental Cup match against Namibia at the end of February, and it includes most of the players who went on strike last October.The suspension of the KCA executive speeded up talks aimed at resolving the issue, and the departure of coach Andy Moles, who is thought to have clashed with some senior players, cleared the way for their reinstatement.The manner in which Moles quit has not gone down well. He still had some of his two-year contract remaining, and less than a fortnight ago he returned to Nairobi from his Christmas break and categorically denied that he was considering leaving.Hitesh Modi, Kenya’s captain, told reporters that Moles’ strict approach to the game may have had a bad effect on the team’s performance. “He insisted on the players adapting to his own style and wanted to have his own way,” Modi explained. “In fact we were even training more than ever before but we were not registering good results.”Kenya squad Hitesh Modi (capt), Ravindu Shah, Steve Tikolo Kennedy Obuya, Thomas Odoyo, Alfred Luseno, Peter Ongondo, Maurice Ouma, Collins Obuya, Lameck Onyango, Jadhavji Bhimji, Rashmi Gami, Brijal Patel, Martin Suji, Amit Bhudia, Ashish Karia, Ragheb Aga, Abeed Janmohamed, Kalpesh Patel, Malhar Patel, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Hafeez Manji, Alpesh Bhudia, Ashok Hiren, Tanmay Mishra, Timothy Muange, Shiraz Ali, Mukhit Musani, Rajesh Bhudia, Alex Obanda.

Guyana 249 and 274 for 4 (Ramdass 144*, Deonarine 52) beat Barbados 224 and 294 for 8 dec (Campbell 70, Browne 61) by 6 wickets
ScorecardA magnificent unbeaten 144 by Ryan Ramdass propelled Guyana to a memorable victory against Guyana in a Carib Beer match at Bridgetown. Set a fourth-innings target of 270 in 81 overs, Guyana stormed to victory with six wickets and 15.4 overs to spare. The highlight of the run-chase was Ramdass’s 131-run second wicket partnership with Narsingh Deonarine, who scored 52. The 21-year-old Ramdass struck 17 fours and a six in his innings, which came off 194 balls. The win took Guyana’s points tally to 22, while Barbados slumped to the bottom of the table with only four points. In fact, this was their fourth consecutive defeat in the Carib Beer tournament, all of them on home turf, making it the first time in their entire first-class history that they had ever suffered this ignominy.Windward Islands 417 for 9 dec and 121 for 4 (Smith 67) beat Leeward Islands 262 and 274 (Williams 115, Banks 58, Lewis 6-86) by 6 wickets
Scorecard
Leeward Islands fought bravely on the final day, but couldn’t prevent Windward from easing to a six wicket victory at Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas. Resuming their second innings at 87 for 5, Leewards lifted their total to 274, thanks to a superb 115 from Stuart Williams. Williams received fine support from Omari Banks, who made 58, and Ridley Jacobs (36). Rawl Lewis, the Windward captain, did the star turn with the ball, taking 6 for 86. Requiring 120 to win, Windward lost a couple of early wickets, but Devon Smith, who had smashed 142 in the first innings, scored a fine 67 to ensure that the run-chase went off smoothly. The win pushed Windward Islands to second place with 34 points, while Leewards slipped to joint fourth place with 22.

One of the most fascinating genres of history is alternative history,where historians ask “What if?” What if Hitler had attacked the middleeast instead of Russia? What if Mahatma Gandhi had chosen the freemarketer, C Rajagopalachari, as his successor instead of socialistJawaharlal Nehru? And in terms of cricket, we might well ask: what ifIS Bindra had won the power struggle with Jagmohan Dalmiya in the mid-1990s and become the decision-maker in Indian cricket?That last question is no frivolous one. Bindra and Dalmiya hadtogether begun a process of modernising the BCCI in the early 1990s,and Dalmiya is today given credit for bringing commerce into Indiancricket, and making the board the richest in the world. Yet, is thatthe whole story? Bindra, the man who has made Mohali such a hugesuccess story as a venue for international cricket, points to Mohali,and the contrast it makes to the rest of India. “[The stadium at]Mohali has one-third the capacity of [Eden Gardens] Kolkata and makesthree times the money”, he tells me. “What does that tell you?”We are standing by the practice nets at Mohali, and Bindra is minglingwith the journalists, making sure that they get refreshments and arelooked after. Impeccably dressed, he is sophisticated but not asophist, and he speaks crisply, without the jargon and cliches thatbureaucrats often pepper their conversation with. One more thing: herefuses to say anything negative about his old rival, Dalmiya, despitebeing asked about him.He isn’t averse to expressing his dissatisfaction with the way Indiancricket is being run, though. And without saying it in so many words,he implies that too much of the credit for getting big money intoIndian cricket is given to one man.”Madhavrao Scindia was the board president in 1993,” he tells me,”when we first sold TV rights to TWI. Jaggu [Dalmiya] and I persuadedhim to do so. And then, when we won the battle over uplinking in 1994,I was board president. That’s when the money started coming in toIndian cricket, and the graph has gone up steadily since then.””So what would you have done differently had you continued running theIndian board?” I ask. He looks at me keenly, as if to guage if I ambeing mischevious, or really want to know. Then he opens up, andbegins listing out the items in the to-do list that never was.Bindra’s Wishlist: One – Break out of the honorary system
The BCCI is run by honorary office bearers, who have day jobs thatkeep them busy, and Bindra would like to see it professionalised. “Setup a board of directors, hire full-time executives, led by a CEO, whoare accountable, and the system will run beautifully.”I ask him why he didn’t make this transition when he was president.”I tried,” he says, “And [AC] Muttiah tried as well,when he was president. But vested interests came in our way.””You mean the state associations,” I ask. “But why do they oppose it?””Oh, they are scared that if a professional structure is established inthe BCCI, it will percolate to the state associations as well, andtheir power will be affected.””So will this ever change,” I ask. “If the state associations, whocontrol the BCCI with their votes, are going to keep blocking thesemoves, what’s the solution?””In a democracy,” says Bindra, “you have to take the people along. Andthe state associations be convinced. After all, it is intheir benefit also. Once they see what they are gaining from it, theywill surely agree.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Two – The BCCI should start a TV Channel
“India is the hub of world cricket,” says Bindra, “and we shouldexploit that. Why sell the TV rights if we can exploit them ourselves?We should start a TV channel. And I have a blueprint for how it wouldrun.”First, we would show 100 days of international cricket in India. Letthe world come here to play. Look at the American sports, they don’tgo out of the US to play baseball, so why do we have to go out all thetime to play cricket?””That’s 100 days of international cricket,” I say. “What about therest of the year?” And that takes us to the next two points onBindra’s wishlist.Bindra’s Wishlist: Three – Promote domestic cricket
“It is not fair,” says Bindra, “that international cricketers make somuch money when domestic cricketers get just a lakh a year. Now, whyhas Sachin become such a star? It is because his face is seen on TVall the time. Before the days of television, great players did notmake so much money. Television makes the difference, and that is whywe need to promote domestic cricket, to get local cricketers on TV.”I find it ridiculous that people in India watch US college basketballon TV – basketball, mind you – and don’t watch theRanji Trophy final.”Bindra’s Wishlist: Four – Start an international league
“We should start a league like the European soccer leagues,” saysBindra. “Build it around cities or states, and a fierce localfollowing will develop. Invite international players. With theaudiences in India, it can reach the level of European soccer.”It can be bigger than international cricket.”Bindra says that Lalit Modi, who currently runs cricket in Rajasthan,made a proposal just like this recently, planning to get scores ofinternational cricketers at Rs1crore each. The feasability ofinvesting that kind of money was arrived at after talks with a certainTV channel. All the loose ends were tied up, but the BCCI vetoed hisidea. “Vested interests again,” says Bindra.Bindra’s Wishlist: Five – Get into merchandising
“Do you know that the BCCI hasn’t even registered its logo?” saysBindra. He talks of how the Indian colours are valued so highly byfans, and how there is a massive black market in those. Foreign clubs,such as Manchester United, make huge amounts of money throughmerchandising, and Bindra is amazed that the BCCI is not takingadvantage of such a revenue stream.”They haven’t even registered their logo,” he repeats. He shakes his head sadly.Bindra’s Wishlist: Six – Make cricket a spectator sport in India
Isn’t it already? Not quite. Indian grounds are notoriouslyspectator-unfriendly, and the PCA Stadium at Mohali, despite a namethat doesn’t slip easily off the tongue, is a magnificent exception.It is compassionately capitalistic: it takes outstanding care of itsspectators; and it makes pots of money, despite having the cheapestseats around.”Students should be able to come and watch the game without burningtheir pockets,” says Bindra. “At Rs 60 for five days, we sell cheapertickets than any other ground, and we provide the best facilities. Wewant them to come and enjoy themslves. Cricket should be like acarnival.”So how does the PCA make money, then? Well, for one, the hoardingaround the perimeter of the ground sells for much more than at othergrounds. He doesn’t chase sponsors; they come to him and he uses hisposition of strength.And two: corporate hospitality. In India, he points out that the mostexpensive tickets, priced at Rs10,000 or more, are the first to sellout. There is clearly a market here that isn’t being tapped wellenough by the BCCI, but at Mohali, Bindra exploits it to the hilt. Italso allows him to sell the the cheapest seats so, well, cheaply.Bindra’s Wishlist: Seven – Beat Cricinfo
“The BCCI doesn’t yet have a website,” says Bindra, “but we [the PCA]have just started our website. It’s early days yet, but we believethat it will do well, and maybe after a year, we’ll do better thanCricinfo.” He looks at me and smiles. When I’d introduced myself tohim I’d told him that I’m covering this series for the, so he doesn’t know that I also write for Cricinfo.I smile at him and wish him luck.

Scorecard

Almost two decades later, Javed Miandad, the scrapper who knew not how to throw in the towel, would confess to having almost done just that. When Imran Khan departed with 37 runs still needed, Pakistan needed eight an over. “I thought then that we had no serious chance of victory,” wrote Miandad in his autobiography. “I just wanted to salvage some pride for Pakistan. I had no plan, other than to bat out the full fifty overs in the hope that we would at least lose with some dignity.”He managed far more. With 31 needed from the final three overs, Miandad whittled the target down to 18 with the aid of a superb six over long-on off Chetan Sharma. But despite the presence of the big-hitting Wasim Akram in the middle, Pakistan could manage just seven from Kapil Dev’s final over, leaving Sharma, a 20-year-old who had already earned 28 ODI caps, with the task of denying Miandad, who had cut his way to an imperious hundred in his previous over.But though Akram was run out going for a second run off the first ball, Miandad smashed the next to the mid-on fence to ease the pressure. The next delivery was fetched nonchalantly from outside off stump, but a splendid diving stop from Roger Binny kept the batsmen to just one. Zulqarnain’s swat at the ensuing ball saw the stumps rearranged, leaving Tauseef Ahmed, a man with no great batting pedigree, to conjure up five from the last two balls. With Miandad urging him to scamper a single at any cost, Tauseef tipped the ball to short-cover and set off. Mohammad Azharuddin, India’s premier fielder, pounced and picked up in one fluid motion but, crucially, his shy at the stumps missed with Tauseef still yards short.With four needed, it was merely a question of who would blink first. Miandad, with more than a decade of experience behind him, anticipated the yorker, and sure enough, Sharma attempted just that. But when the ball slipped out of the hand, the potentially lethal stump-wrecker metamorphosed into a woeful leg-side full toss. For those watching, time stood still as Miandad’s bat arced swiftly to send the ball soaring over the midwicket boundary. It was a heist that would have done Ronald Biggs and friends proud, and Miandad himself admitted: “Up until the final delivery, India’s dominance remained supreme.”That dominance had been built on a stolid 92 from Sunil Gavaskar, buttressed by half-centuries from Krishnamachari Srikkanth and Dilip Vengsarkar. And with Pakistan’s top order not doing enough to supplement Miandad’s courageous effort, it appeared that the Indian total of 245 would be more than enough, in an age when turbo-charged starts and pinch-hitting were almost unheard of.In retrospect, that one resounding stroke was to signify far more than a final won. For years afterwards, India were no match for Pakistan in the one-day arena, shell-shock victims unable to regain a sense of perspective. There may have been tears in the Pakistani dressing room that evening, but it was India that were to weep over the unimaginably deep Miandad-inflicted cuts for the best part of a decade.