Hayden, Gilchrist confirm IPL participation despite security issues

Former Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist have confirmed the participation in the third edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which starts from March 12, 2010 in India. There still hangs a doubt over the participation of many Australian cricketers in IPL after political party Shiv Sena threatened them from playing in India in awake of attacks on many Indian students in Australia recently.

Matthew Hayden who plays for Chennai Super Kings sounded positive about his participation said, “The process is that the security agencies will investigate and let Cricket Australia know who will let the players know, but the final decision is in the hands of the players.”

“You will definitely see me in India for IPL 3. I have been welcomed into the bosom of India as a brother. I feel very humbled and privileged to be able to play here. I am looking forward to IPL 3 and am confident it will be a huge success,” he added.

His long time teammate and Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist also said he will tour India and that his manager’s quote has been misinterpreted. Earlier Gilchrist’s manager Stephen Atkinson was stated saying, “Adam is aware of the situation and he is always very mindful of the security concerns in India. Adam was looking to play in this year’s tournament but it is always a worry when statements like that (made by Shiv Sena) are being made. Ultimately, he will be guided by the views of Cricket Australia and security experts.”

However Gilchrist said, “I cannot speak for other players but I am sure to tour India in March for the IPL. I am confident of Mr. Modi and the IPL organizers. I have some fine memories of India and would like to extend that. I love playing in India. My manager’s quote has been misinterpreted and I am quite keen to play in India.”

Earlier Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray declared that “kangaroo cricketers” would not be allowed in Maharashtra. This remark was later clarified by Diwakar Raote, a spokesman who said, “We are not against Australians, we are not against Australian tourists, but this agitation is because of how we feel about what is happening. We will respect any guest who comes but we will not allow Australians to play until the attitude is changed in Australia. What we are hearing is that they are killing our people, they are burning our people, they are stabbing our people. For what? The students are going there. Do you think we are going to do the same thing? No. But we will not allow you to play.”

Careful IPL schedule needed: Vaughan

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan has said that the organizers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) should be careful about scheduling the tournament as many players are willing to skip their national assignments to play in cash-rich league.

Vaughan who is now in Chennai with New Zealand A side said, “IPL has come a long way and benefited cricketers worldwide. But in the process, a lot of players tend to play in all the matches due to obvious reasons.”

Recently former players Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne and Richard Hadlee have called for elimination of ODI cricket to accommodate more such leagues. However, Vaughan had a different opinion said elimination of ODIs is not the solution but to maintain the right balance between all three formats. “Cricket is lucky to have these many formats. Each and every formula has an essence of its own. Taking out ODI’s altogether is not a solution,” he said.

In response to the situation of players pulling out of national commitments, IPL organizers have said that no player would be allowed to take part in the league if he misses an official Test or ODIs with his national team. Recently six New Zealand cricketers including captain Daniel Vettori delayed in signing the national contracts sighting that the home series against Australia next year largely overlaps with the IPL. Earlier this year, Dwayne Smith skipped West Indies tour of England to take part in IPL held in South Africa.

Vaughan was also strongly against changes in the number of days Test cricket is played. “Why would anybody want it to be a four-day affair? There would be more drawn matches than results. After all, it’s Test cricket we are talking about where a player’s endurance is pushed to the limits in the course of five days.”

Hayden to bat for Cricket Australia board

Matthew Hayden is set to don a new role as a board director with Cricket Australia in his post retired life. He replaces Allan Border and his primary role will be to help the national board with inputs on Twenty20 cricket. On his new role Hayden said, “What I can bring to the table is a real currency and a slightly more contemporary style of looking at the way cricket and the business of cricket is managed and maintained.”

The move is expected to improve relations between the board and players as Hayden has played in the modern era.   Hayden will join Mark Taylor and Wally Edwards as cricketer turned directors of Cricket Australia.

ICC World T20 Preview: Australia

AUSTRALIA – Group C

World champions in both Tests and ODIs, Australia’s jittery performance since the retirement of greats like Gilchrist, Hayden, McGrath and Warne has reinvigorated the race for the top spot in international cricket. As it stands now, the Aussies have done well to build a squad that is good enough to win their first World Twenty20 title.

Watch Out For:

Michael Clarke: In the absence of Ricky Ponting, Clarke’s leadership was solid against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, navigating Australia to victory after being one down in the series. Additionally, he shouldered responsibility with the bat too by opening the innings, scoring a century in the fourth ODI to seal the series.

David Warner: Warner is an explosive opening batsman who will be trying to fill the boots of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. He proved his worth in the Indian Premier League by providing blistering starts to his team, Delhi, in the absence of Virender Sehwag.

X-Factor: Shane Watson’s form with the bat and ball will be crucial for Australia, as it will make or break the balance of the team. Watson played a huge hand in the Rajasthan Royals victory in IPL 2008, earning the player of the tournament accolade for scoring 400 plus runs and picking up 17 wickets.

Dark Horse: Mitchell Johnson is a promising left-arm fast bowler who has proved himself with both bat and ball. His ability to pickup wickets at crucial times helps form a lethal combo for the Aussies, along with Brett Lee.

Team:

Captain: Ricky Ponting

Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner and Shane Watson.

Coach: Tim Nielsen

ICC World T20 Squads Announced

India

In preparation to defend their title, India has made six changes to the squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2007. Dinesh Karthik, Joginder Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar and Piyush Chawla will be replaced by Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Ravindra Jadeja and Pragyan Ojha. RP Singh has secured his place with some notable performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa.  

Squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, RP Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Pragyan Ojha.

Australia

Notably there are some big names missing from the squad that featured in 2007, with both Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden absent due to retirement. Contrastingly, the duo is playing some breathtaking knocks in IPL. Shane Watson and Brett Lee are back after an injury. Australian selectors have gambled on Lee’s inclusion, and are hoping that he will prove his fitness in the Indian Premier League.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Nathan Bracken, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Hayden and McGrath Set for IPL 2009

McGrath raring to play IPL

Australian Glenn McGrath, who retired from international cricket a few years back, has indicated that he is regaining his fitness and is ready to don the Daredevil jersey. Having retired from international cricket in 2007, McGrath was still a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2008. He finished the tournament with the leading economy rate of 6.61 runs per over, and played all 14 games for the Delhi Daredevils.

Hayden all set to bat for Super Kings

One of the best openers of all time, Matthew Hayden arrived in Chennai for a week’s practice with the Chennai Super King team, before leaving to South Africa for the second edition of the Indian Premier League.

The big shouldered Australian will make his first return to competitive cricket post his retirement early this year, and the Chennai Super Kings will benefit immensely from having Hayden available for the whole tournament. An added benefit for the Kings is his experience of playing in South African conditions.

Matthew Hayden joins the growing list of retired international superstars, including the likes of Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, playing in the Indian Premier League 2009.