'Bangladesh can't make do with left-arm spin only' - Muralitharan
Muttiah Muralitharan has said that Bangladesh will need variety in their bowling stocks to complement the surfeit of left-arm spinners emerging in the country. The retired Muralitharan, the highest wicket-taker in Test and ODI history, is a part of the Chittagong Kings side for the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League. His observations came after Chittagong's encounter with Dhaka Gladiators on Monday, a game in which as many as five left-arm spinners played. "Most spinners in Bangladesh are left-armers so you need variety in bowling," Muralitharan told the Daily Star. "If you want to do well outside the country, fast bowlers, legspinners and offspinners are needed. You can't just rely on left-arm spinners; I can see there are four-five left-arm spinners in each BPL squad. It might work here, but not in other countries.
"I am telling Bangladesh that you can't make do with left-arm spinners only, get some variety."
Muralitharan, whose last international was the 2011 World Cup final, is satisfied with the spinning talent in world cricket, though he is concerned by the impact of three varied formats on spinners' skills. "There's Daniel Vettori, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan, Graeme Swann, Harbhajan Singh and Ravichandran Ashwin. Sri Lanka has Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath, while from West Indies Sunil Narine is also coming up. Cricinfo
ICC and dismiss Kaneria clearance claim
The ICC has joined forces with the cricket boards in England and Pakistan to dismiss out of hand Danish Kaneria's claims that he has already been issued with clearance certificates that should leave him free to continue his international career in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal Mervyn Westfield, the former Essex seam bowler, was jailed for four months last week and Kaneria was named as an accomplice at the Old Bailey, but the following day, while captaining Sind Province in the Pentangular Cup final in Lahore he insisted: "The Essex police cleared me and I have clearance certificates from both the ECB and ICC, so I am not feeling any pressure. I am just enjoying my cricket." Cricinfo
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Bangladesh worried about security in Pakistan
Bangladesh's players are concerned about the security situation in Pakistan ahead of their scheduled tour to the country in April, the Cricketers' Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) president, Naimur Rahman, has said.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had requested the government to send a team to Pakistan to evaluate the security arrangements, but it is believed the players think the board should talk to them first before making a decision. "We [CWAB] don't have a stance as such, but we know that the players are worried," Rahman, who was Bangladesh's first Test captain, said. "The situation is not normal there and no other team is going to Pakistan. They themselves play their home games in places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The BCB are going to send the investigation team and we hope to be a part of it. If not, we will wait for the report. Cricinfo Mushfiqur Rahim named Bangladesh captain
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Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim has been named the Bangladesh captain for the home series against West Indies and Pakistan in October and December. Mahmudullah, the allrounder, has been appointed vice-captain by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
"This is the ultimate honour for any cricketer. I thank the board for entrusting me with this responsibility," Mushfiqur said. "I am fully aware of the expectations of the entire nation and I will be totally committed towards ensuring that the Bangladesh team strives towards fulfilling the dream of millions.
"To lead the team well, I will have to perform both off and on the field. At this moment we are trying to set our mind on the West Indies series, the preparation is going on and we still have a month left." Cricinfo
Boucher desperate for one-day comeback
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Mark Boucher is a man dead set on making a return to South Africa's one-day side. Earlier this week, towards the end of a media interaction during which he calmly dealt with questions on topics ranging from the migration of South African cricketing talent to his decision to move to the Cape Cobras next season, he was asked who he thought could continue the tradition of high-quality wicket-keeping in South Africa.
He took a couple of seconds to frame his answer, and it wasn't till he had made it absolutely clear that he considered himself the man who should don the gloves for South Africa that he mentioned some other contenders. Cricinfo
Styris retires from international cricket
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Scott Styris, the New Zealand allrounder, has announced his retirement from all international cricket. Styris, who will turn 36 next month, had retired from Tests in 2008, but continued playing one-day and Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand, and was part of their run to the semi-final during the 2011 World Cup. With 4483 runs from 188 ODIs, Styris is New Zealand's sixth-highest run-getter in ODIs. He scored four centuries in the format and also took 137 wickets with his medium pace fare. He played 29 Tests and scored five centuries.
His retirement comes at a time when New Zealand have just appointed a new captain in Ross Taylor. Styris said he reflected on his future after the World Cup and decided it was time for him to step aside as the team began a new era.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed representing my country," Styris said. "It has been an honour and a pleasure to play for New Zealand alongside so many quality players over the years and to have been a part of many key moments during that time.
"Not being on the international circuit means more time at home and I'm really looking forward to spending more time with my family."
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