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PHILIPSBURG/ ST. MAARTEN – The talk of the town in Philipsburg St. Maarten is of the approaching MAQ Cricket59 to be hosted by the Adam Sanford Cricket Management Group from November 8 to 10 at the Carib Lumber Ball Park in St. Maarten. With the format being of just 59 balls an innings and with batsmen getting a ‘free-hit’ off the first ball, this has created interest and cricketers, fans and other stakeholders have been approaching the Adam Sanford Cricket Management Group seeking information. The concept came about after chairman…

“David Warner (L) and Steve Smith (R) were both banned for a year for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal but have rejoined their country’s Test, one-day and now Twenty20 sides. ©AFP” /> Adelaide (Australia) (AFP) – Steve Smith and David Warner return to the short format Sunday in the first of Australia’s three games against a buoyant Sri Lanka, with both tipped for next year’s Twenty20 World Cup at home. The star batsmen were both banned for a year for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal but have rejoined…

“Ex-skipper and one-day stalwart Dhoni has not played for India since the World Cup in July. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – India’s chief selector has strongly hinted that Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s illustrious international career is over, saying Thursday they were “moving on” and giving opportunities to youngsters. Ex-skipper and one-day stalwart Dhoni has not played for India since the World Cup in July, triggering speculation that the 38-year-old warhorse might hang up his bat and gloves soon. On Thursday he was left out of the national squad to take…

“South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has called for appointments of the Proteas’ coaching staff to be made urgently. ©AFP” /> Johannesburg (AFP) – South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday that full-time appointments concerning the national team’s coaching staff and selectors needed to be made urgently. Speaking on the team’s return from a three-Test trouncing in India, Du Plessis said uncertainty over key positions was “a massive red flag”. Cricket South Africa fired coach Ottis Gibson, his back-up staff and the selectors after a poor World Cup…

“One of the most successful national captains in the sport, Ganguly promised to clean up the mess at the BCCI after he filed his nomination to the post last week. ©AFP” /> Mumbai (AFP) – Former captain Sourav Ganguly Wednesday vowed to clean up Indian cricket as he was elected president of the sport’s rich and powerful but troubled national board. Cricket’s massive popularity in India has made the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) by far the wealthiest of all the national boards, netting massive sums from…

“South Africa’s George Linde took four wickets on his debut. ©AFP” /> Ranchi (India) (AFP) – South Africa spinner George Linde Sunday said he learnt lessons during India’s 497 for nine declared as he claimed four wickets on debut in the third Test. Linde returned figures of 4-133 with his left-arm spin, providing some support to paceman Kagiso Rabada who had put the hosts in early trouble at 39 for three on day one. “I didn’t expect to play Test cricket.So when I got the call-up I was quite nervous…

“The strike follows increasing criticism from players that the Bangladesh Cricket Board is not sharing its wealth. ©AFP” /> Dhaka (AFP) – Cricket’s global players’ representative group has lent its support to Bangladesh players in their unprecedented strike over pay and benefits. The walk-off began on Monday and includes several members of the national squad, casting doubt on Bangladesh’s tour of India due to start in early November. The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations praised the players “for taking a stand together in order to secure fair conditions,” the body’s…

“Saber Hossain Chowdhury with the Bangladesh Cricket Board logo when he was president of the body in 2000. ©AFP” /> Dhaka (AFP) – A former Bangladesh cricket chief said Tuesday that match fixing was widespread in the country, deepening a crisis sparked by a strike by top players over wages. Former Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Saber Hossain Chowdhury, a British-educated lawyer, businessman and now member of parliament, said corruption was deep-rooted at the governing body. “@BCBtigers is only national sporting body in the world that promotes institutionalised #matchfixing, #corruption,”…

“Gary Kirsten missed out on the England coaching job. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – Gary Kirsten says family circumstances could have played a role in his failure to beat Chris Silverwood in the race to become England’s new cricket coach. Silverwood was hired as Trevor Bayliss’ successor earlier this month and will lead England for the first time on their forthcoming tour of New Zealand. Kirsten was believed to be in strong contention for the job before Silverwood pipped him. His successful stints in charge of India and his native…

“Pakistan had reached number one in the Twenty20 rankings under Sarfaraz, winning 11 series along the way. ©AFP” /> Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) – Pakistan sacked Sarfaraz Ahmed from his post as Twenty20 and Test skipper on Friday, a week after he led the side to a shocking 3-0 home defeat against an inexperienced Sri Lanka. The showdown in Lahore gave the visitors their first Twenty20 series win against Pakistan in seven attempts while missing 10 of their top players — including regular T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, who refused to tour…