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Less than three months after their team bus came under terrorist gunfire in Lahore, members of the Sri Lankan cricket team have withdrawn from a scheduled visit to Oxford due to security concerns.Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and team manager Brendon Kuruppu informed the Oxford Union debating society on Friday they feared a backlash after a front-page story in the Times in which it was claimed that 20,000 Tamil civilians had been killed in recent hostilities between government troops and LTTE.The Sri Lankans arrived in England this week ahead of the World Twenty20; their first international assignment since the attack outside the Gadaffi Stadium, which claimed the lives of eight security and transport personnel and wounded seven players and coaching staff. Murali, who is himself a Tamil, had been due, along with Sangakkara and Kuruppu, to deliver an oration at the Oxford Union – following in the footsteps of US presidents and other heads of state – but the visit was scrapped due to uneasiness over security arrangements.Kuruppu, the former Sri Lankan wicketkeeper who is now the team’s manager, told Cricinfo that after reading the newspaper article, the team management had decided not to take any chances. The Sri Lankan government has denied the Tamil civilian death toll quoted in the front page report.”It is nothing alarming,” Kuruppu said. “We just don’t want to take chances.”Major General Lawrence Fernando, Sri Lankan Cricket’s security consultant, had previously inspected the Oxford site and briefed the players about security measures. “But today we were informed the measures were not put in place,” Kuruppu said. “Also the ICC security consultants were informed that the function was cancelled first and then at short notice they informed once again that it was on. But since the security consultants had not done the necessary security surveillance of the site they advised us not to take the risks.”In a statement, the Oxford Union described the confusion of security arrangements as “extremely disappointing and [one] we apologise profusely for.” The Union understood the Sri Lankans’ trepidation, a spokesman added, following the attacks in Lahore.”The message we received from them is that they pulled out because of security fears generated after the front page story appeared in the Times,” the spokesman told Cricinfo. “It is disappointing for us, because people often plan well ahead to make sure they can attend these events, but we understand if there is some uneasiness there. There was no specific [threat], just a heightened state of security concern.”

Mohammad Yousuf has claimed that he has “resigned” from the ICL after he decided last month that his priority was to play for Pakistan. The move potentially paves the way for Yousuf’s comeback to the national side, as the PCB recently announced it was willing to talk to players who leave the ICL before the end of May and consider their cases for an international return on an individual basis.”I spoke to Younis [Khan] about a month and a half ago and I resigned from the ICL after that,” Yousuf told Cricinfo. “We both talked about how the country comes first and playing for them is the priority so I decided. I am available whenever the country needs me.”Reports had been swirling around Pakistan since the end of March that Yousuf and a group of other players were considering quitting the ICL after the March-April edition of the league was suspended. ICL players including Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq sought out Younis last month to try and find a way back into the national set-up, after fearing that the ICL – or at least their future participation in it after the deterioration in Indo-Pak ties – might present a tenuous prospect.It is believed that Younis made no recommendations or promises, only telling the players that the priority should be to play for Pakistan, whatever that involves. “Younis was of the view that as they hadn’t come to him before they signed up for the ICL, he doesn’t understand why they came to him when they wanted to leave it,” a source present at the meetings told Cricinfo. “He also pointed out that he cannot guarantee selection as that is a decision in which other parties, and not just the captain, are also involved.” After some consideration and communication with Pir Aftab Shah Jilani, Pakistan’s sports minister, Yousuf resigned from the league, though no official public statement had been made, either by any of the players, or the ICL, until now.There appears, however, to be some confusion over the exact nature of Yousuf’s actions. Though Yousuf said his contract with the league was now “finished” the ICL maintains that he is still on contract, though he has been released to play for Pakistan. “Yousuf’s ICL contract has not been terminated,” Roland Landers, the ICL spokesperson, told Cricinfo. “We have given him a temporary release so that he can play for his country.”Though Yousuf appears to want to do exactly that, it is unclear what the PCB will do now. Yousuf claimed the board was aware of his decision, but officials couldn’t confirm it. “If such a communication has been sent, it would’ve been to the chairman and much of the board has been busy with organising this series [against Australia] based in Dubai. At the moment we cannot say whether Yousuf has sent any such message,” one official told Cricinfo. “Our statement is there now, so we will act according to that.”Yousuf’s case is particularly convoluted, for he has left the ICL before, after he first joined the league in protest at being overlooked for Pakistan’s squad for the 2007 World Twenty20. He was persuaded – with the dangling of an IPL offer – to quit soon after by the PCB, then under Nasim Ashraf’s administration. The ICL took him to court for reneging on his contract and he was unable to play in the inaugural IPL season in 2008 because of legal complications.He played for Pakistan through much of last year before abruptly deciding, in November, to move back to the ICL. The move caught Pakistan’s administration off-guard, as he had been picked for the ODI squad for a series in Abu Dhabi against West Indies. This time, he said, he left because of differences with then-captain Shoaib Malik.”I had a problem with the captain at that time so I left. I had issues with the previous board administration as well,” Yousuf said. “But now I have no problems at all with Younis, or this board. The country comes first.”Though 34, if Yousuf is to come back, he could hardly do so at a more opportune time. Pakistan’s batting has been engaged in a dire struggle against Australia in the UAE. In four matches so far, they have crossed 200 only once and only one batsman, Salman Butt, has scored a fifty. Most visibly, the absence of a 269-ODI veteran averaging over 40 was felt during the third ODI, when Pakistan collapsed from 95-0 to 171 all out, chasing 199. Since the 2007 World Cup and the retirement of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf has comfortably been Pakistan’s leading batsman, averaging over 60 in 30 ODIs, but he played his last match in July last year.

Combined Campuses and Colleges, buoyed by an unbeaten 163 by opener Omar Phillips, reached a dominant position against Leeward Islands in Nevis, ending the first day on 283 for 3. The foundation for a substantial first-innings score was laid by an opening stand of 185 between Phillips – who reached his maiden first-class century – and Kyle Corbin. Medium-pacer Wilden Cornwall broke the stand, dismissing Corbin for 67, but Phillips progressed nicely to reach his century off 136 balls; his brisk innings was laced with 14 fours and four sixes. CCC did experience a minor wobble, losing three wickets for 80 runs, but with Phillips still at the crease, and the in-form Floyd Reifer lending him support at the other end, they can entertain hopes of posting a formidable score on the second day.Captain Tamar Lambert narrowly missed out on a hundred as Jamaica posted 233 for 9 against Windward Islands at the Trelawny Stadium. It was an incisive spell from left-arm seamer Keon Peters that restricted the hosts. Peters picked up 4 for 58 as table-toppers Jamaica collapsed from 148 for 4 to 177 for 8 in the final session. Jamaica got off to a shaky start after winning the toss, losing both openers, Danza Hyatt and Donovan Pagon, cheaply to fast bowler Nelon Pascal. Lambert and Brendan Nash (18) steadied the innings with a 53-run stand for the third wicket before Nash was run out shortly after lunch. Lambert then dominated a 64-run, fourth-wicket partnership with Wavell Hinds (18) to lay the foundation for a big total. Peters started his rout by trapping David Bernard Jr lbw for 9 and then removed Lambert for 93 – his 168-ball innings comprising 10 fours. Peters then went on to easily dispatch Bevon Brown and Odean Brown to leave the home side in disarray, but wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh hit a solid unbeaten 54 from 83 balls to hold off Windwards.Sewnarine Chattergoon scored an unbeaten half-century as rain ruined the opening day of Guyana‘s clash against Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) at the Queen’s Park Oval. The left-handed opener hit a compact 52 as bottom-placed Guyana, after opting to bat, reached 129 for 3. Guyana made a positive start with openers Chattergoonand Christopher Barnwell putting on a 55-run stand. Barnwell was caught by Jason Mohammed off fast bowler Atiba Allert for 30. Leon Johnson then joined Chattergoon and carried the score to 62 for 1 before rain forced an early lunch. On resumption, the duo pushed the score to 88 before Navin Stewart removed Johnson for 13. Guyana slipped to 104 for 3 when Narsingh Deonarine was run out for 13. However, Chattergoon, who struck two fours and a six during his 156-ball stay, and captain Travis Dowlin took the visitors through to stumps.

John Wright, the former India coach, has said the incumbent Gary Kirsten is “probably better” in that role than him. Since taking over last year, Kirsten has overseen India’s Test victories over Australia and England at home, and several highs in ODIs as well, including the longest winning streak by an Indian side.”He is very thoughtful and very passionate and I think he understands the importance and the privilege of coaching India,” Wright told . He was India’s coach for five years from November 2000 during which India won a historic series against Australia in 2001 at home, won in Pakistan in 2003, and also guided the team to the finals of the 2003 World cup.Wright, a former New Zealand batsman, also said that adapting to the way things work in India was a key factor in being a successful India coach. “You bring some ideas from outside India but there is also an understanding of how things are best handled and getting to know your players and keeping them contented and happy and confident and being able to correct them when they need to.”Wright, who is currently a New Zealand selector, was also glad the upcoming Test series was a three-match affair and not two, as was originally planned. New Zealand won the Twenty20s and India have sealed the one-dayers, and Wright felt the home side would have to play “right upto their potential” if they are going to put up a fight against India in the Tests.

Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, has said he remains unrepentant in spite of the criticism aimed at the board, while revealing that he received over 9000 emails urging him not to resign.Clarke was re-elected as chairman yesterday after Lord Marland of Odstock, his only potential challenger, withdrew from the race – just a week after Sir Allen Stanford, the Texan billionaire with whom the ECB had invested so much of England’s future, was charged with fraud “of a shocking magnitude” by US authorities.Neil Davidson, the Leicestershire chairman, was one who thought Clarke’s position was untenable. However, when asked whether he ever considered handing in his notice, Clarke said: “I haven’t and that’s not because I’m bull-headed or ignorant about other people’s opinions – I’ve had over 9,000 emails saying ‘pay no attention’.”I have to live with the consequences of the decisions our board takes and the criticisms that we receive,” he told BBC Radio Five. “There has been some criticism which I think is constructive and sensible and we’ll listen to. There has also been some singularly unpleasant stuff which I fail to see is going to encourage anybody to take on voluntary unpaid jobs.”It’s true that I have received a lot of criticism in the media, some of it hysterical and utterly irrational, some of it immensely rude. I discard those people.”

In addition, Clarke defended the ECB’s decision to strike such a huge financial deal with Stanford. “I don’t know what people would have said at the time had we not done the deal and had we not allowed our players the chance to play for US$20 million. There has been a lot of sagacious hindsight. We entered into the agreement with Stanford in good faith and we believed we were helping West Indies, who were, after all, a contractual party to this.”The ECB severed all ties with Stanford last week, shredding the potentially lucrative deal which would have earned the board and its players millions of pounds.In an interview in the Times Clarke also addressed the question of whether he thought he had done a good job. “But for the strong action taken at a very difficult ICC meeting, we would be welcoming Zimbabwe in April … that’s a huge achievement. We have a lot more people playing the game and a lot more clubs with decent facilities. When I came in, we didn’t have any financial reserves at all, but now we are in good financial health, which allows us to spend 21%of our income on grassroots cricket.”

The optimism of a fortnight ago was all but absent in the New Zealand camp, with Daniel Vettori chastising his batsmen for a poorly planned run-chase and describing Sunday night’s Twenty20 defeat as “devastating”. The visitors began their one-day tour of Australia with two victories, but closed out with disappointing losses in the final two completed 50-over matches and a tight one-run loss in the Twenty20.Asked to provide his thoughts on the tour on Sunday night, Vettori was blunt. “After tonight I’m devastated with that performance, so I’m not in a great space, to be honest,” he said. “We should’ve won the game easily, it’s as simple as that. It was one of the poorer run chases I’ve seen. I’m devastated with that loss … [and] the recognition of the situation, only chasing 150 on a pretty good deck. We got off to a poor start, with [Nathan Bracken] bowling a maiden and not being able to turn over the strike at some pretty crucial stages.”Bracken proved Australia’s most effective bowler, despite going wicketless, and credited part of his success to modern technology. Bracken was wired up to Channel Nine as part of the network’s coverage, and listened closely to the commentators’ assessment of the final over.”Having the commentators in my ear telling me exactly how many they needed and trying to work out what I was bowling was a real help,” he said. “I was alright until I was half-way in and I could hear the commentators saying I’d better not bowl a no-ball or a wide. It probably wasn’t where I wanted the last ball, but I knew we had enough.”Australia’s debutant captain, Brad Haddin, also paid credit to Adam Voges for the brilliant, high-wire boundary catch which removed the dangerous Brendon McCullum in the penultimate over of the match. “He’s got a very, very good cricket brain,” Haddin said. “To think on your feet that quickly was an outstanding effort.”As it turned out, it was a massive play like that we needed to win the match. He’s an outstanding thinker in the game to be able to do that in a pressure situation. It went a long way to winning the game.”

As the race to become the No. 1 Test team hots up, Virender Sehwag – who today won the Cricinfo’s Test Batting Performance of the Year award in a ceremony in Delhi – believes it is going to be no easy task for India or South Africa to knock Australia off the top spot.”I think it’s going to be difficult to become the number one side because we still have Australia and South Africa ahead of us. And as the saying goes, sustaining your place at the top is always more difficult than reaching there,” Sehwag said. “As of now, if we win the series against New Zealand, we might have a chance to become the number one. But once you get there, you have to make sure that you don’t lose a match and a series. So it will be quite difficult to sustain. But we are ready for the challenge.”Sehwag, who won his award for the unbeaten 201 against Sri Lanka last year, said though he had scored two triple-centuries in his Test career, he would rate the particular innings in Galle as his best.”So many people ask me which one is my best knock and I point to this one. I carried my bat through to emulate Sunil Gavaskar”, he said. “Both my triple centuries in Pakistan and Chennai came on good tracks and I could feel on both occasions that the opposition simply didn’t have it in them to get me out. But here we were losing wickets regularly and still I managed to stay not out.”On that occasion, he was facing Sri Lanka’s spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, and he said the former proved to be the bigger threat, even as the other batsmen struggled against Mendis. “To be honest, during the Sri Lanka tour, I was more worried about Murali and his ,” he said.”During that knock, I was picking Mendis’ deliveries off the hand and got to know which ball he would bowl. Besides, I was attacking him as well. When you attack a bowler, it creates doubt in his mind. I was hitting him through covers and picked his googly and offspin quite well, hitting him through long on and deep midwicket.

“I was backing myself and when I back myself, I can hit boundaries at will, no matter where you station the fielders.”Sehwag, who is known for his aggressive approach to batting, said Muralitharan and Glenn McGrath were the bowlers whom he found difficult to score boundaries off.”I always dreamt of playing against McGrath but got just one series at home. I found I could not hit him for a boundary whenever I wanted, he kept such tight line and length,” he said. “Against Murali too, I realised you have to wait for a bad ball or find a vacant area to hit a four. Otherwise there is not a bowler whom I cannot hit for a four if I want.”Dropped from the Test team back in early 2007, Sehwag has not put a foot wrong since his return to the side during India’s tour of Australia in January 2008. However, he dismissed suggestions that it had any major effect on his batting philosophy.”You have seen me play after the comeback and I don’t think you see any change in my approach,” he said. “Of course the mindset has changed a bit. I knew I had to prove myself again and in one match, there was a full session when I didn’t hit a single four. Besides, I gave due respect to the new ball.”Admitting it was not easy to sit out and watch the match on television, he said: “It really hurt me. One day I was sitting with my wife and watching the team play when she said ‘had you been in the team, we would have been in England and not in Najafgarh’. She was right and it hurt me.”

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