Texan billionaire having doubts about future of annual match

The future of the Stanford Super Series has been cast into doubt after the Texan disbanded the group West Indian legends he employed to promote the event.
Ex-West Indies bowler Colin Croft told the BBC that the select group, which included Viv Richards, Lance Gibbs and Curtly Ambrose, [...]

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Time to rest one-dimensional spinner?

Monty Panesar was England’s most disappointing player in their unlikely loss to India in Chennai. We might have nominated captain Kevin Pietersen, who scored just five runs in two innings, but it has since been revealed that KP was playing with a fractured rib, so we’lll cut him a little slack.
Panesar [...]

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England offered revised tour schedule by Indian authorities. But should they go back?

Indian cricket bosses claim the ECB has provisionally agreed to the Ahmedabad and Mumbai Tests switching location, to Chennai and Mohali, the first Test starting on December 11. A scheduled three-day warm-up match has also been scrapped.
It’s clear that the Indian authorities are [...]

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English journeyman underestimates opposition

India beat the unbeatable Aussies - comfortably, too - in this autumn’s gripping Test series. Then they destroyed England in the first two one-day internationals, with more humiliation set to follow for Kevin Pietersen and his workmanlike team-mates.
If our maths is right, surely that entitles the Indians to call themselves world-beaters? They [...]

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England and India don’t get along

Durung a net session ahead of tomorrow’s first ODI, India “accidentally” sprayed a number of slogs in the direction of the English tourists, who were also practising at another corner of the Madhavrao Scindia ground.
One ball almost hit England assistant coach Andy Flower, prompting Big Freddie Flintoff - England’s enforcer [...]

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That familiar collapsing feeling…

Abject England were bowled out for less than 100 in their final warm-up match before the start of their seven-match one-day series in India. Not a good omen for the real contest.
Kevin Pietersen’s tourists could only muster 98 all out, a feeble reply to the Mumbai President’s 222-7. Not that KP seemed [...]

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Freddie hits a ton. About time too

Andrew Flintoff struck an unbeaten century as England beat the Mumbai Cricket Association by 122 runs in the first warm-up match of their India tour.
It was Freddie’s first ton since the fourth Test of the 2005 Ashes series. What took you so long, Fredalo?
“We’ll play against better teams on [...]

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Beefy dismisses the Aussies’ chances for 2009

In his usual “up and at ‘em” style, Ian Botham has rubbished Australia’s chances of defending the Ashes, which will take place in England next year.
“We’ll win easily. I do believe we’ll win quite comfortably over here,” Beefy told the BBC.
“The Australians might start banging the drum saying [...]

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English cricket shamed by $20m game - but that won’t stop them playing in it for the next five years

Kevin Pietersen and his mates will have their cake and scoff it down too. England’s players have been appalled by the amateurish nature of the inaugural Stanford Super Series - but not appalled enough to boycott [...]

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Playing for $20m is no picnic, apparently

Despite back-to-back warm-up wins, England skipper Kevin Pietersen is not enjoying his $20m holiday courtesy of Sir Allen Stanford. Injuries to several players, poor playing conditions, and the wandering hands of Sir Allen add up to a miserable KP.
“Yes, it’s a lot of dosh but the longer this week [...]

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