The BCCI circus

All the lobbying and negotiating will come to an end today when all the member associations of the BCCI meet in Chennai for the Annual General Body Meeting that will also elect new office bearers.
Meanwhile, a district court in Baroda has ruled that the current BCCI secretary JY Lele, who is also the Baroda CA secretary be barred from attending the meeting.
The Baroda Cricket Association president Chirayu Amin and former India stumper Kiran More has led a protest by BCA members against Lele and his style of functioning. Lele, who had already reached Chennai for the meeting said he was unaware of any court ruling.

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In yet another dramatic development 20 affiliated associations of the BCCI sought the suspension of Jagmohan Dalmiya for allegedly tarnishing the image of the board.
Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur and Delhi Cricket Association sports secretary Sunil Dev lead the group of protestors seeking the suspension of Dalmiya.
Dalmiya had a few days ago alleged that the policies of the current administration were taking Indian cricket towards a total collapse.
The rival group is seeking the suspension of the former ICC chief on grounds that he has been criticising Board officials and their functioning. Dalmiya is also still under the cloud over controversial dealings with regard to television rights of the 1996 World Cup.

England in Zimbabwe

The England coach Duncan Fletcher believes his team is the current "babes" of one-day international cricket. He said he felt England were not playing as many one-day matches as most of the other countries were and that was a huge problem.
He said while the English side had the likes of 38-year-old Alec Stewart who has played just 146 one-day internationals, other countries like Pakistan have 22-year-olds with the same number of matches and that made a huge difference.
Since the 1999 World Cup England has played in just 30 matches, while countries like India (71 matches) and Pakistan (65) have played much more. Even Zimbabwe has played 64 matches since July 1999.
England have arrived in Zimbabwe for a five-match one day international series and are looking to end the 11 consecutive losing streak in one-day internationals since October 27, 2000.

Miscellaneous

The Lord's cricket ground in London may soon after all see the installation of lights after the members of this elite club voted for an increase in the subscription charges. The cost & feasibility study to install lights will be carried out and a decision will be soon taken. Hove in Sussex is the only ground in England to have permanent lights installed. The other grounds in England hires lights for a game, but this can cost up to £25,000.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) is to start doping tests for cricketers from next year. Use of performance enhanced drugs is common in other sports that have led to strict doping tests. The procedure will begin with the Youth World Cup to be held in New Zealand next year The ICC has also decided to hold dope tests in international cricket with the 2003 World Cup to be held in South Africa.

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The announcement of the verdict on the banned former South African skipper Hansie Cronje has been delayed. Cronje had challenged the ban imposed by the South African Board claiming that he had been stripped of his basic rights to earn a living. The judge however has agreed that Cronje can work in the print media despite his ban, but from outside the cricket ground.

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The Gopalan Trophy that has been traditionally played between the Sri Lankan side and Tamil Nadu will be played in Chennai from October 12.
The teams play a four day game besides three one dayers. The series, named after former Madras and India pace bowler MJ Gopalan, began in 1952 when Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, were still in their learning days but was discontinued in 1981 when Sri Lanka obtained Test status.
However it was revived last year after a gap of 17 years. The four-day game, which will be played in Chidambaram Stadium in Madras, will follow the one-day series. The one-day series will be played for Vernon Prince Trophy, named after the captain of the Ceylonese side in the first ever Gopalan Trophy. Thilan Samaraweera will skipper this year's star-studded Colombo District Cricket Association (CDCA) squad during their 11-day tour to South India.
Former cricketer Roshan Mahanama has been appointed coach.
The team is Thilan Samaraweera (Capt), Upul Chandana, Avishka Gunawardene, Michael Vandort, Ian Daniel, Upeka Fernando, Akalanka Ganegama, TM Dilshan, Gayan Wijekoon, Rangana Herath, Prasanna Jayawardene, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara.

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