Three wickets a piece for Sohail Tanvir and Saeed Ajmal tore the guts out of a Ruhuna Royals run chase and handed Kandurata Warriors a 42-run victory

The report by Andrew Fernando20-Aug-2012Three wickets apiece for Sohail Tanvir and Saeed Ajmal tore the guts out of a Ruhuna Royals run chase and handed Kandurata Warriors a 42-run victory, their second in three nights in Pallekele. Chasing a modest 142, Ruhuna were winded by Tanvir’s opening spell, before Ajmal suffocated the innings during the middle overs despite a short-lived surge from Shahid Afridi. They also suffered two unnecessary run-outs, and now face the possibility of finishing outside the top four after having begun one of the tournament favourites.Tanvir was superb with the new ball, as he has been all tournament, as he fired in three venomous overs of swing that yielded him two wickets and cost only three runs. Finch was undone by an inswinger that caught his edge third ball, before Tanvir surprised a struggling Prasanna Jayardene with one that rose sharply and induced a tame bunt that lobbed a simple catch to short cover. In between the wickets, the batsmen could barely get bat to ball.Ajmal then assumed the mantle of torturing the Ruhuna batsmen, producing his best spell of the tournament. Only Pakistan teammate Shahid Afridi picked his doosra, but even when bowling offbreaks, Ajmal had the batsmen doing just what he wanted. With a short fine leg and a long-leg in place, Ajmal darted one down the legside to Daniel Harris, who promptly accommodated Kandurata’s plan by turning it into the hands of Thisara Perera. Ajmal then suffered two mighty sixes at the hands of Afridi, but aborted his rampage with a straighter one shortly after. No. 10 Jerome Taylor couldn’t help a heave across the line late in the innings, and missed a ball that would have hit leg stump, and Ajmal claimed his third wicket.Earlier, Kandurata’s innings had stuttered to 142 all out in 19.2 overs after their batsmen had failed to build any partnerships of substance. Offspinner Dilruwan Perera nabbed three wickets, and seamer Imran Khan took two. Jeevantha Kulatunga and Kithuruwan Withanage were the only batsmen to pass 30, and without Tanvir’s hitting at the death, the Warriors may never have passed 140.

Australia’s young allrounder Glenn Maxwell has declared he will be his side’s “x-factor” in the World Twenty20

Daniel Brettig17-Sep-2012Glenn Maxwell is headed for a breakout display at the World Twenty20 … or a sobering brush with reality at the same tournament.Having turned heads with a handful of spiky performances in his first appearances for Australia during their recent ODI and T20 series in the UAE, Maxwell has arrived in Sri Lanka flushed with confidence ahead of his team’s opening match against Ireland on Wednesday.He has spoken with plenty of brio about the sorts of displays he is capable of producing over the next three weeks, which in his mind will be match-turning efforts of the kind produced by the world’s very best. They are bold words from a 23-year-old with six international matches to his credit, and Maxwell will now need to back them up with plenty of action.”I’m very confident I can perform now at this level. Hopefully I can be that x-factor that Australia needs to win this tournament,” Maxwell said in Colombo. “I feel like I can become that x-factor in all three facets of the game and hopefully be that flair that Australia really wants to see.”That could mean a run out, a brilliant catch, a breakthrough wicket with the ball or big hitting. I’m really embracing that ‘x-factor’ tag. I don’t really have too many doubts, I don’t think I’m going to try to back down any time soon either.”Among a series of useful cameos in the UAE, Maxwell said he gained most from an unbeaten half century to guide Australia home in the third ODI in Sharjah. That innings clinched the series for Michael Clarke’s team, and gave Maxwell the belief that he could follow it up with even greater things at the World T20.”When I got the boys over the line at the end, that gave me the confidence to do anything in the squad,” he said. “I feel like I can give Australia more runs at the top of the order rather than the bottom. Hopefully a hundred is not too far away and it comes in this tournament.”Running his eye over other teams in the tournament, Maxwell said he expected England to shrug off the loss of Kevin Pietersen, the player of the tournament when Paul Collingwood led the team to victory over Australia in the final of the 2010 edition.”England has been a bit of a powerhouse. KP is one of the world’s best players but they’ve been able to cover for him pretty well,” Maxwell said. “I don’t think they’re going to miss him too much.””Their middle order is quite strong. Eoin Morgan gives them amazing versatility, he’s a great finisher and a really tough player to get out. Their bowling attack is excellent. They’ve got a great bowling coach in David Saker who has drilled them really well.”Maxwell’s words carry as much conviction as some of his strokes have done so far. Australia will hope for more of the same from Wednesday.

Sachin Tendulkar and Ajinkya Rahane scored centuries on the first day to put Mumbai in a strong position in their Group A Ranji Trophy match against Railways in Mumbai

The Report by Siddhartha Talya at the Wankhede02-Nov-2012
Scorecard
Sachin Tendulkar and Ajinkya Rahane were involved in a double-century stand•Fotocorp

Smart stats

• Sachin Tendulkar scored his sixth century in his last seven matches for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. However, he has played these seven matches in a period of 12 years.

• Tendulkar has now scored nine centuries in 25 first-class matches for Mumbai at an average of 80.63.

• Only Sunil Gavaskar, with 81 centuries, is ahead of Tendulkar (78) on the list of Indian batsmen with the most first-class centuries.

• The gap of 22 months since the century in Cape Town in January 2011 is the longest interval for Tendulkar between two centuries in his first-class career. Between December 2005 and February 2007, Tendulkar had gone 14 months without a century.

The start of the Ranji Trophy has rarely been under such scrutiny. The return of India’s star players to their domestic sides has been the biggest draw for fans, but not too far behind are those players possibly competing for a place in the Test squad during a long home season. At the Wankhede Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar, recovering from a severe stomach bug, batted with comfort, assuredness and ultimately supreme confidence to give a disappointingly small crowd of a few hundred spectators the performance they’d come to watch.”I’m happy with this knock,” Tendulkar told . “It was tough in this heat as I had food poisoning and an upset stomach.”At the other end, Ajinkya Rahane quietly continued accumulating runs, reaching another landmark in what has already been a hectic two months for him and boosting his own chances for a place in the Test squad. Together, they put Mumbai in a dominating position against Railways, who had chosen to field, hoping their attack comprising four seam options would derive some help from the covering of grass on the track.The wicket that brought Tendulkar and Rahane together at 143 for 3 was of another Test hopeful, who was understandably livid after being run out. Rohit Sharma batted 40 minutes in the nets yesterday, also with a wicketkeeper standing up against the spinners. He came in at No.4 – Tendulkar’s position – and his preparation appeared to be paying off when he charged out twice to left-arm spinner Murali Kartik to hit him for fours. Unfortunately for Rohit, he was dismissed in a manner he would have least anticipated.Tendulkar, too, had prepared rigorously for this outing. He began cautiously after being greeted with huge cheers from a sparse crowd, and bowling to him in that initial phase was Hardik Rathod, whose action is similar to Zaheer Khan’s. New Zealand’s Trent Boult had given Tendulkar a tough time with his left-arm pace in a series in which Tendulkar was bowled thrice, but Rathod lacked the swing or movement to cause similar troubles. Tendulkar played straight, appeared to pick the length well and waited for an opening. When on 12, he had a slice of luck against a ball from Rathod that kept low, inside-edging it past fine leg, but that was a rare moment of unease.It wasn’t until his 31st delivery that he struck a boundary, dispatching a wide delivery from seamer Anureet Singh through point. While initially circumspect against pace, he gained his fluency against spin. Ashish Yadav flighted the ball generously and Tendulkar struck him for back-to-back boundaries past mid-on, Shivakant Yadav was smashed over deep midwicket for six. After tea, Tendulkar would also turn his attention to pace while the ruthlessness against spin continued.Tendulkar targeted Yadav, cutting and pulling him for fours before clearing long-on and deep extra cover to speed past Rahane. When the pair had put on a century stand, in the 69th over, Tendulkar had scored 61 of those runs and he would be the first among the pair to reach a century – his first in first-class cricket since January 2011. The assault against Yadav had taken him into the nineties and the progress to the landmark – brought up with a nudge behind square – was interrupted briefly by a fan who ran in to shake his hand when on 99.Rahane faced more anxious moments, was more workmanlike in his approach and grew more determined to bat long. Chasing a fullish delivery from Rathod when on 7, Rahane was dropped by Murali Kartik at second slip and then had a couple of leading edges land safe as he walked across and closed the face. “Catches keep getting dropped, it’s a part and parcel,” Rahane said. “After that, I showed more determination and I tried to play as much as possible in the ‘V’.”Rahane was comfortable against deliveries that were held back, and scored freely off the back foot, punching through cover, whipping through square leg and picking off singles with ease when Railways employed a deep point.Once in the groove, Rahane drove well down the ground, past the bowler, mid-off and extra cover, prompting Sanjay Bangar, the Railways captain, to place a silly mid-off and a short extra cover at one stage. His steady approach was overshadowed by Tendulkar’s dominance, but Rahane, too, didn’t waste too many chances. Kartik almost had him caught at slip with a turning ball, but Rahane cut him through point and then cracked the first delivery with the second new-ball through cover for four – he reached his century the same over.Tendulkar’s aggression after tea – which included three fours in an over against seamer Krishnakant Upadhyaya – ended when he tried to upper cut Anureet but was caught at second slip. This, after a 200-run stand off 249 balls, a barrage of boundaries, and an imposing first-day score to complete a fulfilling day for Mumbai, its two centurions and the few who turned up.

Wellington and Auckland played out a draw at Eden Park No.2, with the hosts taking eight points from the game after having gained a major first-innings lead

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2012
Scorecard
Wellington and Auckland played out a draw at Eden Park No.2, with the hosts taking eight points from the game after having gained a major first-innings lead. It didn’t seem likely when they were 174 for 5 in response to Wellington’s 380, but Colin Munro and Craig Cachopa put them in the ascendancy with a 377-run stand for the sixth wicket. And it came in quick time, with Munro unleashing 27 fours and 14 sixes in a better-than-a-run-a-ball, unbeaten 269. Cachopa was more subdued in comparison, making 166 off 273, and their contribution enabled Auckland to declare on 658 for 9. Both players registered their career-best batting performances. The declaration came on the third day, and Wellington moved to 145 for 2 in their second innings. There was no play on the final day.

AB de Villiers has pulled out of South Africa’s Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand in December, citing the need for extra rest before the Tests in January

Firdose Moonda18-Dec-2012AB de Villiers has pulled out of South Africa’s Twenty20 internationals at home against New Zealand in December, citing the need for extra rest before the Tests in January. Justin Ontong, the Cape Cobras captain, has been called into the squad.”It’s been an exhausting few months and I feel that I need some extra rest before the Test series,” De Villiers said. “It’s for this reason that I have put in the request and I’m grateful to the team management for supporting this decision.”When the squad was announced on December 13, South Africa’s selectors had named Faf du Plessis as captain in order to reduce the workload on de Villiers, who was included as a player. Quinton de Kock, who was part of South Africa’s Under-19 squad for the 2012 World Cup, had been designated as wicketkeeper for the T20s, and ESPNCricinfo understands he will also keep in the one-dayers after the Tests, although the ODI squad has not been named yet.De Villiers has a history of back problems that have worsened because of wicketkeeping, and this request for a break will fuel speculation that he is in trouble again. After the World Twenty20 in September, de Villiers needed three weeks of rehabilitation for his back, and South Africa’s management denied the injury has recurred again.”There is nothing imminently wrong with his back, it is just about managing workload,” Mohammed Moosajee said, the team manager, told ESPNcricinfo. “The plan is to rotate players like Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla because of the schedule. Morne and Dale will probably only play one or two matches each. With AB, it’s about getting his mindset right and getting him energised. It’s physical and mental.”De Villiers had complained of stiffness and fatigue after playing in the domestic one-day cup playoff match on December 9. Moosajee said that could be a result of jetlag, as the team had only arrived from Australia four days before. De Villiers’ role in the game could also have contributed to the fatigue. He scored a century and fielded for the entire duration of Cobras’ innings because Heino Kuhn kept wicket.Three days after that match, De Villiers said the game was “hard on my body,” and that he was glad he was a wicketkeeper for South Africa “because the time in the field was tiring.”However, ESPNcricinfo understands wicketkeeping is partly responsible for de Villiers’ back injuries. He became the permanent Test wicketkeeper after Mark Boucher retired and wants to continue in the role. A source close to Cricket South Africa said de Villiers had been initially reluctant to take on the job but had “changed his mind” since. With Tests the focus for de Villiers, despite his role as limited-overs captain, he will be rested when the schedule allows, although he will play the IPL.De Villiers’ replacement Ontong captained Cobras to the final of the domestic one-day cup. He scored 268 runs in 12 matches at an average of 44.66. He was part of South Africa’s squad at the World T20, although he did not play, and will lead the A side in a practice match against New Zealand this afternoon.”Justin has been in our limited-overs plans for some time now and he has underlined his worth during the recent one-day cup, when he excelled as a finisher,” Andrew Hudson, the convenor of selectors, said. “As we all know he is also an outstanding fielder with his direct hits and a more than useful spin bowler. We are fortunate to have a player of his calibre to replace AB and the loss of one is certainly an opportunity for the other.”Revised Twenty20 squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Farhaan Behardien, Henry Davids, Quinton de Kock, Justin Ontong, Rory Kleinveldt, Richard Levi, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Mohammad Hafeez, the Lahore Lions captain, has praised his team’s effort in winning the Faysal Bank T-20 Cup and stressed that he did not have a point to prove as the leader

Umar Farooq10-Dec-2012Mohammad Hafeez, the Lahore Lions captain, has praised his team’s effort in winning the Faysal Bank T-20 Cup, Pakistan’s domestic T20 championship. Having been handed the Lahore Lions captaincy by Mohammad Yousuf just prior to the tournament, Hafeez brushed aside the notion that he was under pressure to win the championship to protect his reputation as national Twenty20 captain.”It was a great team effort and full credit to my side,” Hafeez said after the final, in which Lahore Lions beat Faisalabad Wolves by 33 runs. “Everyone in the side had gelled and had one goal: to win the championship.”I, being a captain, had to perform and had to contribute in the team success. There is nothing such as I was out there to prove any point.”Lahore Lions, the tournament’s most dominating side, were set to pile up a bigger total than their 154, but lost their way, restricted by some tight, penetrating bowling from Asad Ali and Ehsan Adil. Hafeez gave credit to the Faisalabad bowlers for fighting back, and admitted that the absence of star offspinner Saeed Ajmal – who had played only three games in the tournament for Faisalabad before leaving for Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) – could have made a difference to the result.”I must give credit to Misbah-ul-Haq and his team, for being so consistent throughout the event despite having minimal resources in the side,” Hafeez said. “It was a final and a pressure game, and I would have liked at least 170 to 180 on the board to defend, but it was Asad Ali and Ehsan Adil who restricted us. Otherwise we were all set for one last big hit.”Apart from this, I think absence of Saeed Ajmal was a big setback for them, but, after all, we managed to get a fighting total and successfully defend it.”Faisalabad didn’t look in control of the chase, and lost wickets at regular intervals. Captain Misbah, who top scored with 37 while the rest failed to find their feet, said the chase was never on track. “They were outstanding right from the start, their bowlers kept us in check,” Misbah said. “We were looking to have one good partnership, but we lost early wickets and never found momentum throughout. We lost our way and were never able to recover.”Faisalabad had been undefeated in the tournament before the final but with Ajmal at the BBL, they had to rely on some inexperienced campaigners. Misbah, though, said it was not the bowling attack that had failed: “His [Ajaml’s] absence did make a difference, but we still managed to take down Lions’ enormous batting line-up. Then we failed to capitalise while chasing, and that cost us the match.”The tournament was played over nine days and had 14 teams competing against each other ahead of the India tour; that gave each player at least six matches to exhibit his skills. Hafeez, as national captain, said he had keenly observed the players on show. “[The tournament] gave a vital opportunity to every player to show his ability and temperament. I have assessed the performances of some of the players, and will discuss them with the selection committee, regarding when and where they can be used in near future.”

Stuart Broad will not join up with the England ODI squad in India after poor weather prevented him leaving London

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-2013Stuart Broad will not join up with the England ODI squad in India after poor weather prevented him from leaving London.Broad had been rested for the first three ODIs and was scheduled to return for the final two matches but his departure was delayed by snow and freezing conditions at London Heathrow airport. With the forecast not set to improve quickly, Broad would have struggled to arrive in sufficient time for the fourth ODI on Wednesday.Broad tweeted: “Gutted I can’t get to India. I’m off home with all my luggage at Heathrow. I’ll be waiting for the lads in New Zealand!!”He will now remain in Britain and fly to New Zealand for the first warm-up match on February 4, ahead of the Twenty20 series for which Broad will resume the captaincy having been injured for England’s two T20s against India before Christmas.”It’s not ideal because we were hoping for him to come out here and, whether or not he played in one of the last two games, just do some prep for New Zealand,” England one-day coach Ashley Giles said. “But we have a bit of time in New Zealand and he’ll meet us there.”It could be questioned how useful a week in India would be ahead of a tour to New Zealand where conditions will be a complete contrast. Broad will now return to Loughborough to continue his preparation.And although there were doubts about Broad’s fitness to play in India, his absence reduces England’s options if they choose to make a change to their bowling attack. Jade Dernbach is the main candidate to be replaced after taking only four wickets in the series. The cost of his wickets – 46.75 – compares favourably to the other England seamers but his economy rate of 7.79 is by far the most expensive of the frontline bowlers on either side.Giles said that part of the trip “was always about having a look at different options” and England could recall Chris Woakes, who took 1 for 60 in the second ODI, or pick Stuart Meaker, whose pace caused India problems in the T20 series. They also have left-arm spinner Danny Briggs in the squad if they need a second specialist slow bowler but conditions in Mohali for the fourth ODI are likely to provide more help to the quick bowlers.

Matthew Wade, who will captain the Australians in their tour-opener, believes fast bowlers can be as successful as the spinners in India

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2013Matthew Wade, who will captain the Australians in their tour-opener, against the Board President’s XI at the Guru Nanak College Ground in Chennai starting Tuesday, believes fast bowlers can be as successful as spinners in India, especially fast bowlers as pedigreed – if not experienced – as Australia’s.”I saw a bit of the England series and in the last Test especially, the England quicks took a lot of wickets,” Wade said. “We’ve got a great fast-bowling attack. We’ve got [Peter] Siddle, [James] Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, along with a couple of spinners. I’m not sure which way we’ll go but I’m sure the quicks will do a good job. Reverse swing is a big thing in India as well.”Wade said the bowlers will have to be at their best to get the better of India. “The guys in the Indian team, they’re very, very good batters,” Wade said. “They’re very experienced, especially in these conditions. We know how hard it is to win in India. So, we’ve got to work hard in the next 10-15 days to be ready to go in the first Test match.”Wade, whose captaincy experience is limited to youth sides, won’t have many selection issues on hand as only 11 of the 17-man squad have arrived in India. The others will be in in time for the three-day game against India A, which begins on February 16 at the same venue. Wade hoped this two-day game will provide them quality time in the middle.”To bat a long time would be great for our batters,” Wade said. “It would be great if the top five or six can get in and have a good, long innings in these conditions and get used to the wicket and the heat. Also, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson haven’t bowled a lot in the last few months, and if they can get a few overs under their belt in a match scenario, it would be good for us. And, definitely, play some spin.”Ed Cowan and Usman Khawaja are the only specialist Test batsmen who are already in India. Moises Henriques, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell are the others who can bat. This will give Wade a chance to bat higher in the order. He has previously batted at No. 6 to allow an extra bowler in the side, and won’t mind doing it again should he be called upon.”I am happy to bat six if that’s what Michael and the selectors want me to do,” Wade said. “Happy to bat anywhere in the Australian team. If it suits batting six, will be great.”Australians Matthew Wade (capt. & wk), Ed Cowan, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Steve Smith, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Ashton AgarBoard President’s XI (from) Abhinav Mukund (capt.), Parthiv Patel (wk), Sarabjit Ladda, Parvinder Awana, Stuart Binny, Kedar Jadhav, Kamlesh Makvana, Mandeep Singh, Parvez Rassol, Ambati Rayudu, Shami Ahmed, Robin Uthappa

The ECB is to introduce further drug testing as a result of the death of Tom Maynard in June 2012

George Dobell26-Feb-2013The ECB is to introduce further drug testing as a result of the death of Tom Maynard in June 2012. An inquest on Tuesday heard that samples taken from Maynard’s body contained high levels of alcohol and traces of ecstasy and cocaine consistent with that of a “daily or habitual” drug user. In her summing up at the end of the inquest, the coroner, Dr Fiona Wilcox, urged cricket’s authorities to test hair samples in order to detect drug use.Now the ECB and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), the players’ union, aim to increase the amount of drug testing with a view to not just catching drug cheats but also helping those who may be suffering from addiction.The ECB currently carries out around 200 tests a year. That means they test somewhere between 35-40% of the registered professional players in county cricket. Last year one player, Abdur Rehman, who was playing for Somerset, tested positive for cannabis following an in-competition test.Now, however, they appear set to carry out more tests. While they have not committed themselves to hair-sample testing – one of the more effective methods of looking for drug use over a longer period – the ECB, in co-operation with the PCA, has agreed to develop an out-of-competition testing programme to encompass recreational drugs. These measures will supplement the ECB’s existing anti-doping programme, which involves in- and out-of-competition testing through UK Anti-Doping, in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, and the financial support provided to the PCA for player education and support programmes.England players are tested, in addition, as part of the ICC’s own anti-doping programme for all international cricketers, which are also WADA compliant. To date, no England player has tested positive under these programmes.”More testing will improve our chances of helping players with a problem which is as much societal as it is sporting,” PCA chief executive, Angus Porter, told the BBC. “We have a comprehensive programme of testing in and out of competition for performance-enhancing drugs – very much in line with the WADA code – testing in competition and also testing for recreational drugs.”What we are now in discussions with the ECB on is whether we need to extend the testing for recreational drugs to out of competition and I think we both think that that is a good idea. We are working on plans for that and investigating the practicality, following sports such as rugby and football which have done similar things.”We all think that the use of recreational drugs out of competition needs to be thought of very differently from performance-enhancing. The purpose of the taker is very different – they are not cheating and need to be thought of differently and it is too easy for people to confuse this.”As things stand, there is no mandatory ban for players caught with recreational drugs – including ecstasy and cocaine – taken from out-of-competition samples. The PCA hopes that would remain the case and, in the first instance at least, a player would be referred for treatment, counselling and support, with suspensions only applied to repeat offenders. In-competition testing is defined as being from 6am local time on the first day of a match up until one hour following the completion of the match.Surrey conducted an internal enquiry following Maynard’s death, which was ruled to be accidental after he was found on the tracks of the London Underground last summer. The club’s chief executive, Richard Gould, told ESPNcricinfo that he was satisfied that Maynard’s drug use was a “one off”. Team-mates Jade Dernbach and Rory Hamilton-Brown both insisted that they had no knowledge that Maynard had ever taken drugs.In a statement following the inquest verdict of accidental death, the ECB said: “While the ECB accepts that recreational drug use is a part of modern society, we do not condone it and will take all reasonable steps to prevent its use within the game. We also believe we have a responsibility to educate all our players and are committed to supporting any player who needs help in this area.”In the light of today’s verdict, ECB and Surrey CCC would like to reiterate that this incident was a terrible human tragedy and again extend our condolences to the Maynard family and to Tom Maynard’s many friends and colleagues within the professional game.”ECB and Surrey CCC would like to end by echoing the statement issued by the Maynard family earlier today. The results of this inquest do not define Tom Maynard or alter in any way the tragedy of his passing. Tom was a great man and a great cricketer and will be remembered forever by everyone who had the privilege to know him.”

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, has urged the BCCI to reschedule future IPL seasons to dovetail more successfully with the England first-class season

George Dobell09-Apr-2013David Collier, the ECB chief executive, has urged the BCCI to reschedule future IPL seasons to dovetail more successfully with the England first-class season in response to pressure from England players who are clamouring to participate in the event.In an interview with the , Collier revealed that he has been holding regular talks with officials from the BCCI, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa with a view to finding a solution to the tensions created within international cricket by the growth of domestic T20 leagues. Discussions have been ongoing for several months.Collier has contended that, in future years, the IPL can be completed before the end of April to allow England players to participate without compromising their involvement in England’s international schedule which starts in mid-May. This year’s IPL ends on May 26.”We have had very fruitful talks with India,” Collier said. “In an ideal world, we would like the IPL to be concluded by April 30, which is the cooler season for India. We have put that to them, they are doing their best, but they realise there are some limitations.”It would make things a lot easier for us. We still have to get the workload balance right, but it would make it a lot easier for our players to be available for that period and certainly the BCCI are fully aware of that. There is a willingness on the part of both boards to see if we can make any progress.”The talks come in the context of the ECB re-negotiating the value of central contracts with England players. The players’ union, the Professional Cricketers’ Association, is requesting substantial pay increases to compensate its members for their non-appearance, or at best fleeting appearance, in the IPL, and have argued that Australian players earn far more from their Board and have more opportunity to appear in T20 leagues such as the IPL and Big Bash.As a consequence, the ECB, eager not to raise the value of the contracts above sustainable levels, are seeking other ways to allow its players to supplement their incomes. Collier’s India discussions have perhaps carried most importance in openly displaying a willingness to negotiate a better deal for England’s players as they make their impatience clear about their exclusion from such a high-profile tournament.That the IPL is bloated and has invaded England’s traditional season is beyond debate. But there appears to be little scope for the IPL finishing before the end of April for the next three years. The World Twenty20 in Bangladesh is scheduled to run from March 16 to April 6 in 2014, with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand likely to run from February until the end of March 2015 and the World Twenty20 of 2016 scheduled to run in India until mid-April.While some have suggested the IPL could be shortened by scheduling three games per day, it seems unlikely that the BCCI would accept the subsequent reduction in advertising and sponsorship revenues.