Fixing allegations in Bangladesh T20

Former test captain Mashrafe Mortaza has met the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss allegations he was the subject of a spot-fixing approach, said the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Mortaza held talks with the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) representative Howard Beer in Dhaka yesterday after the all-rounder was approached by an unnamed former cricketer ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Twenty20 tournament.

Bangladesh have also launched an inquiry into the allegation that has cast a shadow over the new tournament.

Last week Mortaza told his Dhaka Gladiators franchise he was asked to provide information on whether he would play certain matches and even whether he would be wearing his sunglasses.

In return the 28-year-old was informed that he would be paid 15-20 percent of the earnings from the spot betting.

"We have a zero tolerance policy towards match-fixing and that is why it was important for us to have a detailed inquiry into the matter," BPL governing council chairman Gazi Ashraf Hossain said in a statement.

"We are working closely on this issue with the ACSU officials present in Dhaka for the BPL and the ICC."


The six-team BPL began on Friday with West Indian Chris Gayle smashing an unbeaten 101 off 44 balls to lead Barisal Burners to a 10-wicket win over Sylhet Royals.

Ponting to lead Australia in tri-nations ODI cricket

Former skipper Ricky Ponting will lead Australia in the place of injured Michael Clarke for Australia's tri one-day series international against Sri Lanka in Sydney, officials said on Tuesday.

Ponting, who was replaced as Australia captain last year, was named as the stand-in skipper for Friday's match after Clarke injured a hamstring in the team's four-wicket loss to India in Adelaide last Sunday.

Team officials said they hoped that Clarke would recover from his low-grade hamstring strain in time for Sunday's ODI against India in Brisbane.
Paceman Brett Lee and senior batsman Mike Hussey return to the squad with fast bowler Ryan Harris rested, but there was no place for Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who has yet to play in the tri ODI series.

Selectors also named opening batsman David Warner as team vice-captain in the continuing absence of Shane Watson, who will try to prove his fitness in a Sheffield Shield match this weekend.

"Michael Clarke will not be considered for the ODI in Sydney this Friday due to a low-grade hamstring strain," Inverarity said.

"The medical staff are hopeful that Michael will be fit to play in Brisbane on Sunday and that is why he has been included in the squad."

Inverarity said some players in the squad were showing signs of fatigue after a demanding summer of Tests, ODIs and Twenty20 cricket.
"David has been gaining valuable experience under Michael Clarke's captaincy and now he will have the opportunity to grow his leadership skills further as vice-captain to Ricky Ponting."

Inverarity said all-rounder Watson will play in domestic Shield cricket this weekend to prove his fitness from a hamstring injury.

Australia - Michael Clarke (capt), Ricky Ponting (capt for ODI vs Sri Lanka), David Warner (vice-capt), Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Peter Forrest, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Mitchell Marsh, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade.

Cricket World Player Of The Week "Martin Guptill"

Martin Guptill is the stand-out candidate for this week’s Cricket World Player of the Week award. The 25 year-old hit three consecutive half-centuries in as many matches against Zimbabwe to make himself a shoo-in for the award.

In Monday’s second One-Day International he hit 77 from 80 balls to help his side to an unassailable lead in the three-match series, before contributing a brisk 69-ball 85 to the home side’s mammoth total of 373 for eight from their 50 overs in the third ODI, which was enough to give the Black Caps a series whitewash.

And if the visitors hoped that a change in format might rein in the man from Auckland they were wrong. He was in even more prolific in the opening Twenty20 International, striking an unbeaten 91 from 54 balls as New Zealand eased past Zimbabwe’s total of 159 for eight with ease.

Overall his week’s statistics record a total of 253 runs from 203 balls at an average of 126.5 and a strike rate of over 124. On top of this, his total of 13 sixes for the week contributed to some frightening figures for the visiting side’s bowlers, with Brian Vitori’s analysis of one for 105 from nine overs in the third ODI the joint second most expensive in the format’s 3237-match history.

Furthermore, and commendably in the modern age, he has shown a willingness to improve his game in the longer format, and, following on from a successful stint in county cricket for Derbyshire in 2011, he has turned down the overtures of the Indian Premier League and will embark on an early-season stint with the Falcons again in 2012.

Other contenders for this week’s award included Guptill’s New Zealand team-mates Rob Nicol; who produced innings of 146 and 61 during the second and third ODIs against Zimbabwe; and Brendon McCullum; who struck a brutal 119 during the third match; as well as Shahid Afridi’s effort of five for 36 with the ball in Pakistan’s historic match against Afghanistan; and Gautam Gambhir’s match-winning 92 in yesterday’s CB Series match in Adelaide.