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Players who took part in the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) will not be allowed to represent Pakistan internationally or play domestically, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced.Though the players – including Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat and Shabbir Ahmed – were banned when they signed up with the ICL last year, the board’s governing committee was reconsidering their cases. But it has now reaffirmed its earlier stance, though Nasim Ashraf, PCB chairman, kept the door open for a possible return.”These players will not represent Pakistan internationally or in domestic cricket,” Ashraf said. “We have to protect Pakistan cricket. There are reports that recruiting agents from ICL are looking for more players, possibly a team from Pakistan, and that will harm cricket here.”Ashraf reasoned that opportunities – and financial rewards – were growing for players in Pakistan and so there was little need for anyone to join the ICL. “We have given all players in 13 regional teams a monthly contract, to take away financial worries. We are giving young players retainers, others on the fringes are also making money.”We are doing everything we can to make sure that all players benefit more and more financially within the country. Players can earn good money here so they have to decide: do they want the ICL or Pakistan?”The players had initially filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the decision to ban them, though the case was swiftly dismissed. There remains a possibility that legal action will be considered once again though Ashraf hinted a way out of the situation.”If the players do not play in the ICL any more and make that clear, then certainly they can appeal against the decision and we will consider it again.”The board, meanwhile, postponed a decision on whether or not players will be allowed to take up contracts in county cricket. Concern had been expressed recently about the effect county cricket was having on several Pakistan bowlers, some of whom picked up injuries during their stint and missed international duty as a result.”We discussed the pros and cons of county cricket,” said Ashraf. “They pick up good experience, but can also burn out, or pick up injuries like Mohammad Asif did. But we will take a final decision after our next meeting in March.”The committee wants to first see a detailed presentation on the effects of the county season on a player, including financial issues such as how much a player loses out on if he doesn’t play and whether there should be compensation.”

Gary Kirsten, the former South African batsmen who is the front-runner to become India’s next coach, said that the deal with the Indian board would be “pretty much signed and sealed” by Monday.Kirsten was interviewed in Delhi on November 26 by the coach selection committee, comprising former captains Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and S Venkataraghavan, BCCI joint secretary MP Pandove, treasurer N Srinivasan and secretary Niranjan Shah. Anil Kumble, India’s Test captain, was also present at the meeting.”They [BCCI] have given me a week to make a decision but it’s pretty much a reality,” Kirsten told PTI. “I have turned down numerous coaching opportunities due to family reasons in the past but this is such an esteemed one that I have to take a different look at it. I am very keen in principle to take up the post.”At present, I am just looking at the logistics with my family and how it is going to work out. Negotiations are underway about this and I will make a final decision by Monday.”The coach selection committee had wanted to speed up the process by appointing a coach before the tour of Australia next month, but Kirsten said that although the job would become effective immediately, he had obtained an assurance that he could start later because of a number of commitments in South Africa.”The reality is that I was approached quite late by the Indian board, and, in accepting the job, I told them I had commitments over Christmas and New Year,” Kirsten explained to the . “But it looks like we are close to resolving that issue, and I will join the team for the last two Tests.”The last thing you want to do is come in and be a distraction, but I have spoken to Anil [Kumble] about my situation, and he is comfortable with me joining the tour again later. I will not be coming in and imposing my ideas on them. That would be wrong. Instead, I will try and blend in and help anyway I can.”Kirsten, 40, was one of South Africa’s leading batsmen, playing 101 Tests scoring 7289 runs at 45.27 and playing 185 ODIs scoring 6798 runs at 40.95. Soon after his retirement from Test cricket in March 2004, he embarked on a coaching career, taking up an assignment as Cricket South Africa’s high performance manager, after which he set up the privately-run Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy.

Fresh doubts have arisen over whether the latest date for the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association due to take place on November 7 will actually be stuck to.The NPCA AGM was originally held in July -for the first time since 2004 – but clubs refused to approve accounts and the meeting had to be postponed. Since then, it has been cancelled several times, and Cricinfo has been told that could happen again as several clubs have not received any notice while others have got a note saying there is an AGM with an “agenda to follow”.If this is accurate, then it will render the notice of the meeting as unconstitutional and so lead to another rescheduling. The agenda has to be sent out so that members can give the prescribed 14 days notice of the matters they want to discuss.Cricinfo understands the Constitutional Review Committee chairman has written to the NPCA asking for the meeting to be deferred until the new constitution is in place.

An ECB working party has examined ways of maintaining well-behaved crowds following a few isolated incidents last season. Gordon Hollins, the head of venues, led the group after the 2007 domestic Twenty20 tournament was marred by unruly behaviour at some games.Last season at Southgate some Middlesex players had their wallets stolen and the Hampshire team bus was pelted by stones. Robert Croft also spoke about the abuse he took while fielding on the boundary at Taunton.Now the ECB are implementing the same crowd standards that apply for international matches, which includes encouraging the grounds to designate one area a family zone and a ban on bringing in alcohol.”ECB want to ensure that the type of behaviour which caused some unfortunate headlines last summer is not allowed to resurface in cricket during the summer of 2008 and spoil the enjoyment of the majority,” said Hollins. “We were adamant that we had to be proactive in this area to nip these issues in the bud.”There will also be a zero-tolerance policy concerning foul language, and anyone using racist language shall be subject to prosecution. We are trying to ensure that all those who do wish to drink at matches also consider the spectators around them.”David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said: “We have a great tradition of sporting crowds at cricket in England and Wales and so were concerned by a limited number of examples last season which if not addressed could lead to a decline in the standards of behaviour we are seeking to preserve at cricket events in this country.”

Indian Railways denied an outside chance for Andhra Cricket Association XI to enter the semifinals by recording a 3 wicket win over the former at the AOL ground in Hyderabad on Saturday. At the start of the sixth round of matches India Pistons had to lose the encounter with Indian Oil Corporation by at least 100 runs and ACA to enter the semifinals had to defeat Indian Railways by the same margin.Electing to bat, the Andhra Cricket Association innings was soon in disarray, losing four wickets with only 47 on board in 18.3 overs. Then Venugopal Rao in the company of RVC Prasad defied the Railways’ attack for an 83 run fifth wicket stand in 13.5 overs. But after their departure the rest of the ACA batsmen could not manage to stick around and ended their innings at 155 for nine.Railways lost an early wicket that of Sanjay Bangar (5) to Panav Raju, the other opener Tejinder Singh (58) ensured that his team was on the right track with a 81 run second wicket partnership in 12 overs. VJT Rammohan then (4 for 48) triggered a minor collapse. But with only a small total on the board, Railways reached home safely in the 33rd over with 3 wickets to spare.

South Wilts Cricket Club wish to pass on the following message to all visiting teams in the month of August.The A36 at Skew Bridge (just before the ground on way out of Salisbury) will be closed from Friday 10pm to Monday 6am on at least the first two weekends in August and possibly other weekends.Alternative routes…..From South (Southampton, Bournemouth roads), follow diversion signs. About 300 yards short of traffic lights where road rejoins A36 at Wilton, turn right through Quidhampton. At the end of the village fork left and then right onto A36 to approach the ground from the West.From South (Southampton, Bournemouth roads), take usual route but when on Wilton Road turn left after the Shell garage into Cherry Orchard Lane. Under the railway bridge and turn right at the end of the road. Follow the narrow road round and turn sharp right at the small church up Church Lane. At top of hill turn left and ground is almost immediately on left.From East/North, head towards Wilton and join A36 at roundabout in Wilton. Heading towards Salisbury the ground is on your right.Please inform your players, umpires and officials. Any problems/questions, please call Brian White or any other club official.Matches that are likely to be affected:Saturday 2nd August – South Wilts II v Flamingo (Southern Premier League)Saturday 2nd August – South Wilts II v Hook & Newnham II (Hampshire League)Saturday 9th August – South Wilts v Andover (Southern Premier League)Saturday 9th August – South Wilts IV v Wherwell (Hampshire League)Saturday 16th August – South Wilts II v Leckford (Southern Premier League)Saturday 23rd August – South Wilts v Bashley (Rydal) (Southern Premier League)Saturday 30th August – South Wilts II v New Milton (Southern Premier League)Saturday 30th August – South Wilts IV v Donnington (Hampshire League)Sunday matches in the Cross Solent League include South Wilts v Hursley Park and South Wilts v Portsmouth.

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Wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien’s unbeaten 137, aided by captain Trent Johnston’s 69, furthered Ireland’s advantage on the second day after their bowlers had dismissed United Arab Emirates for 228. Ireland, resuming on 46 for 1, finished on 366 for 7, a lead of 138.William Porterfield and Eoin Morgan made 25 and 47, before a 64-run stand between the O’Brien brothers – Niall and Kevin. Left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza bagged his second wicket for the match by dismissing Kevin for 33, but Niall O’Brien, who had made a nervous start, held fort against the UAE bowlers.The hosts must have a sensed the possibility of a fightback when Andre Botha and Alex Cusack departed in quick succession; Ireland were 203 for 6, still needing 25 to more to match UAE’s first-innings score.However, Johnston joined hands with Niall O’Brien, and the two not only put Ireland in the green, but seized the momentum with a record seventh-wicket stand of 163. Johnston needed only 95 balls for his 69, which included ten boundaries. O’ Brien’s 137 contained 20 fours, and his presence at the crease on the third morning will give Ireland the chance to further their lead before aiming to bowl out UAE for the second time in the match.The umpires signalled the close at the fall of Johnston’s wicket – stumped by Amjad Ali off Saqib Ali. For UAE, Zahid Shah, Saqib and Raza took two wickets apiece; Raza was the best of the lot: his 2 for 47 coming off 24 economical overs.”I’ve been a bit ill over the past day, but I’ve been on tablets and special drinks and I’ve managed to get through it to the end,” a delighted Niall O’Brien admitted. “I missed out on the game here last year when all the records were broken, so it’s great to score a hundred today.”

Hampshire keep faith with the same eleven that pulled off the exciting victory over Nottinghamshire Outlaws last Monday evening under the Trent Bridge floodlights with the only alteration being the inclusion of fit-again spinner Shaun Udal.Both Robin Smith and Nic Pothas are still troubled by their hamstring injuries and will miss this floodlit Rose Bowl match against league leaders Northamptonshire Steelbacks, which starts at 4.10pm on Wednesday evening.Derek Kenway will continue to deputise behind the stumps for this crucial match, which is likely to be a sell-out.Squad: James Hamblin, Simon Katich, Derek Kenway (w-k), John Crawley (capt), John Francis, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Will Kendall, Lawrence Prittipaul, Shaun Udal, James Bruce, Chris Tremlett, Alan Mullally.

If the timing of Lord MacLaurin’s remarks regarding the future of English cricket last week was designed to kick-start a debate on the subject, then it has done exactly as intended.On Thursday, MacLaurin told the BBC that to survive English cricket had to consider reducing the number of first-class counties from 18 to 12 and, as a result, decrease the number of professionals in the game by about 100. He warned that with the next television deal likely to produce far less income than the current one, the alternative was for cricket to become a minor summer sport "like croquet". Several of the county chairmen spluttered on cue, although the biggest reaction came from the world of croquet who were livid at the perceived slight.But the idea was in the public domain, and in the four days since it has been the subject of considerable discussion. At the forefront is the Reform Group, a loose collection consisting of two former England captains – Michael Atherton and Bob Willis – Michael Parkinson, David Willis (Bob’s brother), and Nigel Wray, the multi-millionaire owner of the Saracens Rugby Football Club.Over the weekend the Reform Group published an open letter outlining a four-point plan to safeguard the future of the game. They said they were responding to “England’s performances against South Africa” and supporting MacLaurin’s comments. Their proposals were:1. An end to the First-Class Forum (made up of the first-class counties plus MCC) which wields considerable power within the game, and its replacement by a streamlined management board responsible for all aspects of the game without the vested interest that the existing forum has.2: A reduction in the number of first-class teams to improve the quality of domestic cricket being played.3. A de-professionalisation of parts of the county game, allied to the establishment of a properly organised and financed county-based Premier League system.4. The creation of a true pyramid structure which allows non-professionals the chance to progress into the higher levels of the game. This would also create closer links between the professional and amateur competition.Mike Soper, chairman of the First-Class Forum, gave the proposal a mixed response. "I don’t agree with half of what the group has said. Some of it makes sense. You don’t just look at a piece of paper and agree with everything written on it, similarly you don’t dismiss it either.”But Soper did support the view that change was needed. “The ECB was formed six years ago, I think it is now time that we started looking at the whole constitution again. I don’t think the First-Class Forum will ever relinquish its power, until they are happy that the governing body and the executive can deliver."I don’t agree that there should be a reduction in the number of professional counties, but I do think Second XIs should be scrapped … and you could reduce costs by getting rid of half a dozen players from each the 18 counties.”At the moment the Reform Group is little more than a collection of like-minded souls who probably met up at The Oval and fostered a plan over a few post-match drinks. But if it builds up some momentum, it could become the focus for a genuine movement to begun to try and change a system which has proved doggedly resistant to all previous attempts to make it face up to the harsh economic realities of the modern world.

In a significant development, the Indian government is about to pass a legislation stating that Doordarshan, the national broadcaster, and All-India Radio will get terrestrial rights for all cricket matches involving India, according to . The approaching deadline for bids for the BCCI’s television rights has probably hastened the government’s decision to approve this law.KS Sarma, the chief of Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan), said, “It will be mandatory for whoever gets the telecast rights for a cricket tournament featuring India to share the rights with Prasar Bharati.” However, the rights will only be terrestrial ones, which means that private broadcasters, such as ESPN-Star or Ten Sports will have full rights for homes with cable television.What’s notable is that the bid for terrestrial rights will be non-competitive. In theory, Prasar Bharati will receive the rights regardless of the price they pay. But Sarma said that the state-run broadcaster plans to bid for cable rights as well. His organisation’s contract, which was worth Rs2.5billion (US$54million), runs out next month, and the value of the next contract is expected to increase by 400%.With so much money riding on it, the rights issue has been a contentious one for a while. As early as March this year, Ten Sports and Doordarshan were involved in a dispute regarding the telecast of the India-Pakistan series. Doordarshan alleged that Ten Sports had demanded a much larger amount from them than Pakistan’s state-run television. After a seemingly interminable wait, both reached an agreement, but not before the government had indicated that cricket matches involving India should be broadcast by the national channel in `the public interest’. They had hinted then that a law would be passed to avoid future confrontations of this nature.