Pakistan And West Indies not play Tests Abu Dhabi

The proposed Test series between West Indies and Pakistan, Planned originally for Abu Dhabi in November, will not be going ahead, after West Indies cited problems in their schedule. The decision leaves Pakistan with no Test cricket this year, despite repeated efforts by the board in the recent months to slot them in.

"The West Indies board have informed us that they cannot go ahead with the series," Salim Altaf, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director-general, told Cricinfo.

Had it gone ahead, the two-Test series would have taken place after the three ODIs between the two countries at the same venue in mid-November. The short amount of time left between now and then, however, turned out to be a hurdle.

"Their board said there wasn't enough time for them to negotiate touring terms for players with the WIPA (West Indies Player Association)," Altaf said. "They also have to go to New Zealand soon after, so the schedule would have been a bit hectic for them."

England gets back controversial win over Pakistan

Hair's call, made alongside West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove, was disowned by the International Cricket Council (ICC), who amended the result to a draw at a meeting of member nations in July this year.

But the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), responsible for the laws of the game since they were first drawn up in 1788, concluded at a meeting of its world cricket committee in Delhi this week that the original result - a forfeit after Pakistan's players refused to return to the field after being accused by Hair of ball tampering - should stand.

The committee comprises a range of current and former international players, including Steve Waugh, Shaun Pollock, Mike Atherton and Indian captain Anil Kumble.

At the end of their two-day meeting, chairman Tony Lewis declared the ICC had no power to change the result of the Oval Test.

"The ICC has no power under the laws of cricket to decide that results should be altered, whether it feels it 'inappropriate' or otherwise," Lewis said.

"The ICC's decision is wrong and sets a very dangerous precedent.

"Cricket is the worse for this decision."

Not long after the MCC's recommendation was announced, attention turned to Majid Khan, the former Pakistani captain, match referee and chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Majid said the committee's decision was unanimous, for it was simply a matter of law.

"The rule states that you can't overturn a decision. The result should stay as is," he said.

When asked what the reaction would be in Pakistan, Majid said: "We'll wait and see."

The original decision gave England victory and resulted in a suspension for Hair, who was reinstated after an employment tribunal hearing in October 2007.

Pakistan's then captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq, now playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League, was banned for four one-day internationals for bringing the game into disrepute, but his team was cleared of the initial ball-tampering allegations.

The subsequent ICC ruling meant England won the four-match series 2-0 instead of 3-0, and caused former West Indian fastbowler Michael Holding to resign from the game's governing body in disgust.

Lewis said that in the realm of natural justice, the Oval match would always be a forfeit, regardless of what the ICC now chose to do.

"As far as we're concerned there is no record of any other result (but a forfeit)," he said.

"We're not reversing the ICC result, we're just saying they had no place to do that.

"We, MCC, wrote the rules in 1788 ... legally, there is absolutely no way the ICC can change the laws of the game, which it did do."

Australia cricket down but not out, yet

HOW long has it been since the public has had such little confidence in the Australian cricket team?

Ten years? 20 years? For the younger generation — never?

After last week’s massive loss in the second Test against India, the knives have come out for the Aussie team, almost as fast as Virender Sehwag’s flashing blade and as sharp as Zaheer Khan’s sledges.

The loss in Mohali has knocked the stuffing out of Australia’s aura of invincibility.

But it is going too far to suggest Australia is in free fall — one loss doesn’t mean a team that has dominated for so long is suddenly a rabble.

But it does raise a series of questions.

Do we have an attack capable of capturing 20 wickets in batting-friendly conditions?

Why, after the arrival of Shane Warne in 1992, are no quality spinners coming through the ranks?

What is it about India and its cricketers that gets under the Aussies’ skin?

Are Brett Lee and Mathew Hayden on borrowed time?

These questions are difficult to answer.

But the biggest concern that the mighty ship that bludgeoned and intimidated so many opponents has sunk is when you compare the current Test team with the side that dominated through Australia’s golden period.

There is no way Simon Katich (as hard as he tries) would replace Michael Slater or Mark Taylor; the same applies for Michael Clarke (Mark Waugh), Shane Watson (Steve Waugh), Brad Haddin (Ian Healy), Mitchell Johnson (Glenn McGrath), Cameron White (Warne) and Peter Siddle (Jason Gillespie).

Was Australian cricket ridiculously blessed circa-1998 or are we now scraping the bottom of the barrel?

A bit of both perhaps.

Of course the retirements of some of the biggest names in Australia’s cricketing history is always going to hurt — Warne, McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn have all departed in recent seasons — but no one would have expected the crash to be so severe.

But I’m not sure if the series in India is a true reflection of where Australian cricket is at.

Winning in India has, throughout our proud cricketing history, been the toughest of challenges, even when the Aussies were at their strongest.

So even a series loss shouldn’t mean Australia is no longer the No.1 cricketing nation.

But if the team starts struggling to win at home — this summer’s home series against South Africa will be a huge test — or losing to lesser likes such as the West Indies or New Zealand, then critics will be right in saying Australia’s era of dominance is officially over.

India is the epicentre of cricket: Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell, now 60, avoided giving one-on-ones during his four-week stay in India as assistant coach of the Ricky Ponting-led squad. Before leaving for home, though, the former Team India coach (and one-time Australia captain) spoke to The Telegraph from his New Delhi hotel.

There were, of course, a couple of pre-conditions from the recently-appointed head coach at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane: No questions on individuals and on the ongoing India-Australia series. Basically, the interview had to be on his new role.

The following are excerpts

Q When do you actually start work as the Centre of Excellence’s head coach?

A Being in India for the first two Tests was part of the job... Part of my role is to understand, from time to time, the requirements of the national coach (Tim Nielsen) and the national team... Some planning has commenced for next year’s programme at the Centre of Excellence... The programme there runs from April to September.

Have you moved from Sydney to Brisbane?

No... It will be at some point next year, we’re working on that.

What made you take up this job?

It’s a challenge... Cricket in Australia is going through a rebuilding phase... Some stalwarts have retired, some others are probably close to the end of their careers... It’s an interesting period and I’ve got the opportunity to work with the next generation. It’s an exciting prospect too.

Having coached a national team (India), what adjustments will you be making in your new role?

Look, the emphasis may be slightly different, but the basics won’t change. Indeed, as with the India job or when I coached South Australia, I’m looking to add value. That’s why I’m there.

How many coaches will be working under you?

Quite a few... Also, a sports scientist and staff to look after the cricketers’ fitness.

The number of cricketers...

The core group will be 15, but at different times, there will be specialist camps for spinners or wicketkeepers or... The age group will be 19 and above... Those who form part of the core group could keep returning to the Centre of Excellence for top-up sessions.

Will the Pontings be using the facility?

Definitely... For pre-season and/or pre-tour camps... Also, we at the Centre of Excellence will be working closely with the national team whenever there’s a Test match in Brisbane, usually the first of the season. (After a pause) Such interaction will help the coaches understand the national team’s requirements better and will be a good learning experience.

Anything from your nearly two years with Team India that will come in handy?

Absolutely... That period was an invaluable experience in my development as a person and as a coach.

Will you, off and on, be travelling with the national team?

It’s possible, though not cast in stone.

Without going into specifics, how do you look back on the four weeks you spent with the Pontings in India?

Again, an invaluable experience... I got a close feel of Tim’s requirements, the requirements of the team... The chief selector, Andrew Hilditch, was also around... One could assess the cricketers better.

[Hilditch too has gone back and Merv Hughes is his replacement.]

The impression is that Australia’s bench strength isn’t all that hot...

Time will tell... And, to be honest, I don’t know everything about Australia’s bench strength... I’ll be having a better view, over the next four-five months, once I travel around the country and watch the first-class matches.

Anything about India that you missed and were happy to catch up with?

Look, I’ve enjoyed all my visits to India and enjoyed a majority of my experiences... My graph is a succession of experiences, really, most of them quite good... India, clearly, is the epicentre of cricket and the IPL has changed the sport’s landscape... The Twenty20 game and the IPL have given a new dimension and coaches will have to review their practices.

The final one: Despite being designated assistant coach, you were actually seen as a Super Coach. Any thoughts on that?

It’s the right of the people to think what they want... I haven’t been focusing on how others perceive my role... Have never done that… I’m just a coach and Tim and I went about our work in a professional way... I only focus on the job I’ve got to do.