Flintoff and Pietersen are the danger men – Younis Khan

Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen could be the key men for England on their tour to Pakistan © Getty Images

Younis Khan, the Pakistan vice-captain, has said that they will have to keep Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen in check to have a successful home series against England in October.”We can’t let them [Flintoff and Pietersen] get away. Because they are match-winners and play the spinners well they will hold the key to the series in Pakistan and India,” Younis was quoted as saying by Reuters. “They are a destructive pair and they can turn a match around with their positive approach. They made the difference in the Ashes series.” Younis also said that the series against England would be a tough one. “They [England] have just beaten Australia and any side which has done even reasonably well against Australia in recent times has gone on to perform in their next series.”Having just returned from a six-week stint with Nottinghamshire as a replacement for Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, Younis said that he was not satisfied with his county experience and wished that he had played more cricket while in England.”Honestly speaking there is not a feeling of fulfilment after the six-week stint. Firstly because there was no cricket played on 20 to 22 days of my contractual period of 42 days. We [Nottinghamshire] were not in the Twenty20 Cup and C&G tournament.” Younis was quoted as saying by . “Then I also took time to settle down and adjust to the conditions there which become wet and rainy at this time of the year. But I definitely would like to go back for another stint in England and show my true worth.”He also added that he was impressed by the manner in which cricket was organised and managed in England. “I learnt a lot from observing how they manage things in many areas. They are very well organised and the people there were also very receptive and appreciative of your efforts.”Michael Vaughan, the England captain, said that England needed to perform well in the series against Pakistan and then India in March 2006 to dethrone Australia as the top team in Test cricket. “We haven’t been to the subcontinent and won yet,” said Vaughan. “If we play good cricket over there, I’m sure the rankings will change.”England’s tour of Pakistan starts on October 26 and comprises three Tests and five one-day internationals.

Rose Bowl series scheduled in 2005

Australia and New Zealand’s women’s team will play three one-day internationals in March 2005, just before the start of the World Cup. The series, called the Rose Bowl Series, is played annually between the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars and the White Ferns.All three games will be played at Perth; two at the WACA ground and one at Lilac Hill. Women’s cricket will be returning there after a gap of seven years, and it was a move that Belinda Clark approved of. "It is exciting to be playing matches in Perth again, and in particular, to be playing at high quality venues like the WACA and Lilac Hill. The matches will be the last opportunity for our players to fine tune their skills before heading off for the World Cup."What makes the clash more mouth-watering is that New Zealand and Australia are the latest winners of the World Cup. While Australia won it in 1997, New Zealand triumphed in 2000.Schedule
1st ODI 10 March, 2005 Lilac Hill
2nd ODI 12 March, 2005 WACA Ground
3rd ODI 13 March, 2005 WACA Ground

Gough declares he's ready for Test return

Darren Gough has spoken out ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Edgbaston, urging the England selectors to pick him on merit after his successful recovery from a succession of knee operations.Gough, 32, was named Man of the Match in Saturday’s NatWest series final, after picking up 2 for 9 in seven overs. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be," he told the News of The World newspaper, "and getting back into the Test team has always been the ultimate aim. I want to be picked on merit as one of the best fast bowlers in the country – and I think I’ve proved that in this NatWest Series.”"It’s up to the selectors now," added Gough, who has taken 228 wickets in 56 Tests, and would dearly love to overhaul Fred Trueman’s tally of 307, to become the most successful Yorkshire bowler in Test history. "I want no favours, no sentiment, but I’m convinced I won’t let them down."Michael Vaughan, Gough’s captain in the one-day series, added his support for a recall. "The five weeks I’ve had Gough, he has been fantastic," said Vaughan. "Whether his knee can hold up to the longer format of the game is not for me to say. It will be down to the medical people and Gough to decide that. But he is a world class player.”David Graveney, England’s chairman of selectors, sounded a note of caution, but could not deny the impact a fully fit Gough would have on the Test team. "Darren is a major influence. When he marks out his run you can feel the response from the crowd – he is a hero."Graveney insisted he had been misquoted in saying that Gough was not in consideration for the five-day format. “We just have to be sure that he can go the distance," he said. "To be fair, 10 overs one day and a break and then 10 overs the next day in one-day matches is different to bowling 25 overs in a Test match and then have to do it all again the following day.”The selectors name their squad on Friday, and in the meantime Gough will play in the County Championship for Yorkshire against Durham on Tuesday. Of the centrally contracted England players, Ashley Giles will be able to play for Warwickshire against Middlesex and Stephen Harmison will be available for Durham against Yorkshire. Both men, however, will be rested from their limited-overs matches.

Herb's approach gains added spice

Although more than two years have passed since he last donned a baggy green cap, it would be grossly wide of the mark to describe Matthew Elliott as a forgotten man of Australian cricket. Nor as one of its lost talents.Because, even if the national selectors might have been unmoved by an appetite for runs that continues to be voracious, the Victorian opener clearly remains one of the country’s most accomplished batsmen.Only a matter of days away from captaining his state for the first time, Elliott is happy. Relaxed too. And optimistic as he plots the important new chapter in his career that is about to begin.”This is a very exciting time for me,” says the 30-year old, whose appearance in 20 Tests between 1996 and 1999 gave the world a glimpse of his considerable talents as a left handed upper order batsman.”Having a bit of a break over the winter months before starting the pre-season has meant that I’m enjoying being around cricket again. I’ve really fallen in love with the game again.”It’s not that there has been much evidence that Elliott’s passion for the game has ever wavered. But the chance to fully overcome a persistent knee injury, to enjoy a leave of absence from playing, and to acquaint himself with his responsibilities as Paul Reiffel’s replacement as Victoria’s one-day leader has clearly been rejuvenating nonetheless.As he gears up to play a central role in Sunday’s opening match of the 2001-02 domestic season against New South Wales in Sydney, he airs few anxieties about the summer. He hasn’t been a captain since his days in charge of the Kyabram under-16s so can barely wait to tackle the learning curve that lies ahead of him.”Hopefully, I’d like to take a few of the good points away from every captain I’ve played under and then try and mould them all together. But that’s obviously a pretty difficult task.”I really enjoyed my time under Mark Taylor; I thought he was an exceptional captain. And Shane Warne, tactically, is right there in the very upper echelon of all the people who I’ve played with. He is very astute and very sharp.”There are a few different people from whom I’m ideally going to take little bits and pieces.”With Reiffel now scaling back some of his responsibilities as he nears the end of a fabulous career, Elliott was elevated to the Bushrangers’ one-day captaincy position three months ago. That move has left the state with different leaders in the two forms of the game, and it’s a strategy which the man known affectionately as ‘Herb’ believes might redress the balance after two seasons of limited-overs disappointment.”I’m really looking forward to the summer. We’ve got some clear ideas about the way we want to play our one-day cricket and we have some real direction,” he says.”We’re looking to be a lot more proactive and we’re going to be very open to trying some different things this year.”New South Wales is a really good measuring stick for us first up too. We’ve knocked them over a couple of times in the one-day competition over the last couple of summers, so we’ll be keen to do that again.”The team’s supporters have been burnt too often in one-day cricket over the last decade to be completely confident about its prospects. Records show that the Bushrangers have finished in the top half of the competition only once in the last six years. But it might just be that Elliott’s twin skills as a beautifully stylish batsman and positive skipper prove the difference on this occasion.Even at a time when cracks are appearing at the top of the Australian order, he’s just as undeterred in his response to the question that he must, by now, have become sick of answering. The berth in the national team that was once akin to an obsession now occupies very little focus for a player who gives the impression of being at ease with himself.”At the end of the day, you’ve just got to be true to yourself and be your own person. Not try to be something that you’re not.”What concerns me now is playing well for Victoria, and just being happy playing my cricket. Enjoying my cricket. If you can do all that as a player, then everything else takes care of itself.”And there surely can’t be too many better ways of looking after things than igniting Victoria’s revival as a one-day force.

Captain Kohli keen on five-man attack

India Test captain Virat Kohli has hinted that he will stick to a five-bowler strategy in Sri Lanka. Under Kohli, India had played five bowlers in the one-off Test against Bangladesh as well. Now, speaking ahead of his team’s departure for Sri Lanka, he once again stressed the importance of taking 20 wickets in a Test match, while also pointing out that such a strategy will require his bowlers to chip in with the bat too when required.”That [playing with five bowlers] could be a big possibility. The idea is to take 20 wickets,” Kohli said. “That’s that only way you win a Test match and I strongly believe we need to have the best bowlers playing in the squad.”R Ashwin is a competent batsman, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harbhajan Singh can also be handy. Ashwin has scored 1009 runs in 25 Tests, including two centuries and four fifties at an average of 36.03, while Bhuvneshwar finished as the fourth-highest run-getter for India on the tour of England in 2014, with 247 runs in five matches – 25 more than Cheteshwar Pujara and 113 more than Kohli himself. Harbhajan also has the distinction of scoring two centuries of his own, consecutive ones against a New Zealand attack that included Chris Martin and Daniel Vettori.Kohli has called for more from each of the three to pave the way for a successful six-batsmen/five-bowler combination. “We have people like Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harbhajan Singh, who are very handy with the bat”, Kohli said. “Ashwin averages about 40 in Test-match cricket. So, I don’t see any reason why he can’t be the allrounder for us. It is all about giving people goals and asking them to improve on certain aspects and provide that extra balance the team requires. I strongly feel that you have to play a stronger bowling side to win Test matches. And your batsmen have to take more responsibility, which is challenging but at the same time it is exciting.”Kohli also confirmed that there is a three-way tussle among M Vijay, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan for the opening spots. “It has been a spot that has been contested very strongly,” he said.When Dhawan was jettisoned for the Sydney Test in January this year, following poor returns of 167 runs in six innings, Rahul made his maiden Test century. Rahul had shaken off his forgettable debut in Melbourne, where he had only four runs in two innings while staying in the middle for only 18 minutes. But then he missed the Test in Bangladesh due to dengue fever, and Dhawan marked his comeback with 173 off 195 balls in a 283-run opening partnership with Vijay. Dhawan went on to be the leading run-scorer for India in the subsequent three-match ODI series, as the competition grew stiffer.”We saw KL Rahul coming through Australia, batting really well,” Kohli said. “That was a time where Shikhar was not performing consistently. So, KL stepped in beautifully and now Shikhar has got runs again. Vijay has got runs for us consistently. So, its just a matter of shift in the balance.”Dhawan and Vijay have been the preferred opening pair for India in Tests•AFP

Vijay has been the most consistent batsman for India in recent Tests: the opener had tallied 402 runs in five Tests in England before piling up 482 in four Tests in Australia. “I think he [Vijay] has been a guy who has been very solid for us at the top of the order,” Kohli said. “He has really improved his game in the last one, one-and-a-half years. He has given us solid starts everywhere we have played Test matches over the past 12 months.”

Ashwin, Rahane wary of SL

R Ashwin: “[Spinner] Yasir Shah picked wickets [in the Pakistan series] but the pitch was seaming and helping pacers. Sri Lanka will know their conditions, we have to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses… I love my batting. I look to contribute in every way I can. I’ll try and play my shots, which is the way I play.”
Rohit Sharma: “When we started in South Africa in 2013, we knew it would be a challenge with all the big names retiring. But the way we responded through the season, we can say that we are ready to go forward. We cannot give any excuses that we’re still learning. We’ve had enough of experience at this level now as we played outside India. We showed positive intent, which is good for an upcoming team. All of us have played more than 10 Tests and we can’t give any excuses.”
Shikhar Dhawan: “Competition is a good thing. It’s nice to have competition for the opening spot. I take things positively. If I get the chance, I’ll try to do well. In today’s Test cricket, it has become an important thing to score fast. When you score fast, it helps the team. I don’t think much about failures, I have always been an aggressive batsman.”
Ajinkya Rahane: “We have to be aggressive against spin. When we bat, we have to worry about scoring runs, not about getting out. At the same time, we have to give credit to Sri Lanka spinners as well.”

There had been reports in the Indian media that Vijay had some injury concerns but Kohli expected Vijay to be “match fit” well before the start of the only tour game, on August 6.”No, I don’t see any issues with Vijay’s fitness,” Kohli said. “As far as I know, Vijay is almost 100% straightaway and I am sure he will be match fit even before the warm-up game.”Kohli said that the opening combination would be picked on form after the three-day practice match: “Who is playing well at that particular stage. We have a warm-up game to see things in Sri Lanka as well. Problem of plenty is never bad. Might as well having three guys playing well rather than two guys not playing well and one playing well. I am not really worried about that.”With Rohit Sharma being a natural stroke-maker, Kohli felt that giving him more time at No. 3 would bolster the middle order. “He is someone who, if he gets going, even in a Test match, he could take it away from the opposition. That could actually be the difference between winning a Test match and lagging behind throughout.”So, I think that was the whole idea. He has done well in Australia when he has batted at three. I think he needs to get more opportunity there. Once he settles there, he could be the catalyst in the middle order. He can keep the scoring rate going. He is so naturally gifted that once he gets in, he has got massive scores for Mumbai. We want to give him that game time and give him ample opportunity to get that big score and in quick time.”Rohit has scored only 98 runs in three innings at No. 3 at an average of 32.66. At No. 6 he averages 50.37.Kohli had recently turned out for India A in the second unofficial Test, against Australia A, in Chennai, where he had looked in good touch despite managing only 61 across both innings. He had worked with India A coach Rahul Dravid, he said. “I wanted to practice on pitches that are much more difficult as far as spinners are concerned. I got decent practice in the last one week.”Sweeping is one aspect of the game I was always looking to improve upon. I played it a lot in Australia and I figured on turning wickets it is something you have to have as a batsman. He [Dravid] was helping me from the sidelines [during the A game], if he saw something that had to be corrected while playing that particular shot. That was indeed helpful, to have him closely monitor what I was trying to do.”

Amla steps down as South Africa captain

Hashim Amla has resigned as South Africa captain following the second Test against England at Newlands. AB de Villiers will take over for the final two Tests of the series in Johannesburg and Centurion.Amla has come in for criticism of his leadership since the start of the series but had returned to form with the bat in Cape Town with 201 in South Africa’s only innings. Amla was named as Graeme Smith’s replacement as captain in mid-2014 and this was his sixth series in charge. After winning his first three against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and West Indies, he oversaw a rain-affected drawn series against Bangladesh and the 3-0 defeat in India.In a statement, Amla said: “This decision has not an easy one to make I felt I had to be true to myself. I am comfortable with my decision and I feel I need to work on my own game.”I was deeply honoured when the position was given to me. Throughout my time as captain, I have always had the support of my team-mates and coaching staff . I remain committed to the Proteas across all formats and I will fully support whoever is shown as my successor.”Amla said that he had begun to think about stepping down two weeks ago, before the start of the series against England. South Africa are currently 1-0 down, after defeat in Durban, but emerged with credit after a hard-fought draw in Cape Town.”Captaining your country is probably the pinnacle,” he said. “Why I did it now, it just so happened I got 200 and it fitted nicely that the South African team did exceptionally well on the last day. It was coming for the last two weeks.”I had chatted to a few of the guys in the team before this, so I don’t think it had come as a massive shock,” he added. “We have a very tight leadership team: myself, AB, Faf [du Plessis]. AB is very able and a brilliant leader and we will all follow similar goals. Whether I’m pulling the rope, or AB is pulling the rope or Dale [Steyn] is pulling the rope, as long as someone is going in the right direction, we all will go with him.”Despite reports that Amla had, at times, been a reluctant captain during his two-year tenure, he insisted he had not had to be coerced into the role in the first place, and that his decision to stand down was also entirely his own.”It was always my decision,” he said. “In life I have learned that if you are going to do something, you’ve got to do something you enjoy. I’ve always enjoyed captaincy.”When Graeme stepped down, it gave an opportunity for me to explore my captaincy. I thought at the time I could add value and I’d like to believe that I have added value. I am really surprised some people have suggested it was not my choice. You don’t look like me in this world without being firm on what you want to do.”Amla found his form with 201 in the Newlands Test•Getty Images

“The decision has been purely based on that I think somebody else can do a better job. It was just something that crossed my mind and was working on my mind. My leadership style, and we have a very young team, maybe somebody else would have done a better job.”Haroon Lorgat, the CSA chief executive, said: “We respect Hashim’s decision and the manner in which he thought about it and then communicated with me. It was consistent with his well respected personality”He still has a huge role to play in shaping the success of our team without the need for a leadership title. He is just that type of a person and we are very fortunate to have him in our stable.”I want to thank AB for readily accepting the challenge of rebuilding our Test team as we seek to remain the best team in the world.”De Villiers said that while being handed the job in such circumstances was not ideal, it would allow him to fulfil a dream of captaining his country in Test cricket.”I’ve said this before that it is an incredible honour to captain South Africa in any format. The captaincy has obviously come at short notice and is the realisation of a lifelong dream,” de Villiers said.”At the moment my priority and focus is placed on leading this team to what can be a memorable series win against England. This Test squad is motivated and determined to turn our performances around and I’m looking forward to taking up that challenge as captain. Hashim is a good friend and close colleague and I am grateful for his support.”Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach, added that de Villiers was the frontrunner for the role full-time, but said that the selectors would make a long-term decision at the end of the England series. He added that Amla’s achievements as South Africa’s captain stood up to scrutiny in spite of the criticism he received during his time in charge.”I feel that there hasn’t been enough respect shown for what he has achieved as a player,” he said. “People can say what they want to, [but] he is still averaging 45 as captain. He has gone to Zimbabwe, won a series there, gone to Sri Lanka and won a series there which no other captain has done. He won a series against West Indies. He has gone to India where a lot of captains have lost under tough conditions, and we’ve come here with six new players who have all played under 10 Test matches.”He has sacrificed himself for the rest of the team which speak volumes for him, and people need to appreciate that type of character and it seems we sometimes undervalue that on the field. He has got a lot of experience, and expertise and advice that he can give, particularly the younger players in the side.”

Wright keen on his new mystery role

John Wright is prepared to work on a variety of projects with New Zealand Cricket © Getty Images

John Wright is looking forward to his stint with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Amid speculation that he would be appointed a national selector, Wright said he was prepared to work on a variety of projects ranging from grooming emerging players and seasoned internationals to the overhauling of talent-spotting programmes.The reported that one of his first tasks will be to coach New Zealand A on their visit to Australia in October, although he is reluctant to spend too much time away from home. “It’s probably best that Justin [Vaughan, NZC’s chief executive officer] nailed down the specifics, but I think he wants me to work on things as disparate as the A team and emerging players, and a study into the relationships between the major associations and New Zealand Cricket,” Wright told the Sunday Star Times.Wright’s signing with NZC has already been welcomed by John Bracewell, the head coach, who hopes Wright will be available to work with the openers before and during the tour of South Africa in November. Wright said he was prepared to work with New Zealand’s senior and contracted players, if and when they needed assistance.”I’m definitely keen to help the current internationals if they want me,” he said. “I don’t want to interfere or step on anyone’s toes, but I’d certainly be available if someone wanted me to work with a specific player or players.”But, to be honest, I’m not that keen to tour. After 10 or 11 years abroad I wouldn’t be leaping enthusiastically back into a suitcase, put it that way. I guess I’ll see what happens. I might feel differently in a year or so.”His reluctance to travel was one of the reasons Wright opted out of the head coaching role with Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence. “I just couldn’t stand the thought of being away again,” he said.A major concern for Wright in this new endeavour was whether he would be effective enough. “If you’re willing to get involved in top-level professional sport, you’ve got to try and make a difference, and that’s what I’ll be looking to do over the next couple of years,” he said.”I don’t want to simply make up the numbers, I want to try to help. I don’t know whether I’ll be any good or not, but I think if I didn’t try to help at some stage I’d regret it. I’m a New Zealander first and foremost and this is where my heart’s at.”

Wasteful Lancashire left battling

Scorecard

Shane Warne was wicketless throughout the opening day © Getty Images

Plenty of eyes were focused on Trent Bridge as Sussex piled up the runs and, following a late wobble against the second new ball, Lancashire’s dream of their first outright Championship in 72 years is hanging by a thread at The Rose Bowl. Despite attractive half-centuries from Mal Loye and Stuart Law no batsman took charge leaving Lancashire scrambling to reach 350.Four batting points is the vital mark for Lancashire because it leaves them on track for a 21-point win, which would force Sussex to secure a win at Trent Bridge rather than play for a draw. If Lancashire fall short of 350, a 12-point draw would be sufficient for Sussex and, depressingly for Lancashire, they are well placed for that after their first day.Still, though, nothing is decided and it was a curious opening day on the south coast for many reasons. Lancashire’s top seven all passed 26 yet Law’s 75 was the highest score; Shane Warne went wicketless through 29 overs and the Hampshire spinner to make his mark was Greg Lamb. To top it all Lancashire started the day by picking James Anderson who, according to the ECB’s directive, is restricted to 12 overs per innings.The return of Anderson to Championship action will be the focal point of the second day – he might even have some batting to do first – but the first skirmishes were all about the batsmen setting a foundation. Lancashire’s run-scoring throughout the season has revolved around Loye and Law, the only two to pass 1000 runs, and again they provided the heavyweight contribution in the middle-order.Hampshire had been restricted to the wickets of both openers in the morning session and after lunch Loye, especially, took the attack to the bowlers in typically forthright manner. His fifty came off 98 balls, with a powerful square drive, and the crispness of the strokeplay again suggested England have missed a trick in not at least trying him in one-day internationals.It came out of the blue when Lamb spun a delivery between bat and pad for his first Championship wicket of the season, following his match-winning 4 for 38 in the Pro40 against Yorkshire at the weekend.Law, though, despite suffering from a knee injury that has dogged the latter stages of his season had progressed comfortably past his half-century in a typically unflustered manner. His dismissal, a lame chip to midwicket, needed a second glance as it was so unexpected and celebrated in a very tame manner by the Hampshire fielders.With the big guns back in the pavilion Hampshire had a chance to pull themselves back into the match and reignite their hopes of second place. However, Luke Sutton and Glen Chapple formed a stand of 63 for the sixth wicket – Chapple providing the biff, with his straight drive six off Lamb the day’s only maximum, and Sutton the block.Hampshire took the new ball at the start of 97th over and James Bruce used it to impressive effect as he’d done in the morning session. In his second over back, he produced a delivery that nipped back off the seam and removed Chapple’s middle stump via an inside edge.When Dominic Cork lost his off stump to Dimitri Mascarenhas a comfortable skip towards maximum batting points was transformed into a battle to earn a vital fourth. There are 17 runs to go, a margin that will have a huge bearing on whether the Championship is still bubbling come tomorrow evening.

McGrath suffers new injury scare

Shaun Tait will make his debut at Trent Bridge © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath has emerged as an injury doubt for the fourth Test at Trent Bridge after experiencing pain in his right elbow. The problem arose during Australia’s practice session on Tuesday, and he was sent for a scan at a Nottingham hospital. A final decision on whether he plays will be made in the morning.”He will continue to be treated and assessed,” Eroll Alcott, Australia’s physiotherapist said, “and a further update on his fitness will be provided in due course.” McGrath was said by sources close to the team to be responding to treatment and Ricky Ponting was reported to be confident that he would be fit to lead Australia’s attack.McGrath missed the second Test at Edgbaston with an ankle injury after treading on a stray cricket ball, and though he was passed fit ahead of the third match at Old Trafford, he was not at his incisive best. However, with the series tied at one apiece, McGrath’s absence would be a huge blow to Australia after Shaun Tait was named to replace Jason Gillespie, his South Australia team-mate, and make his debut tomorrow.Tait’s promotion ahead of Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz, who remain in contention after McGrath’s scare, was confirmed during a fiery net session at Trent Bridge when he discomforted team-mates and hit Justin Langer in the groin. Kasprowicz was expected to be the first-choice replacement, but Australia have decided to risk Tait, 22, in their bid to retain the Ashes.Jeff Thomson tipped Tait for the fourth Test and said the side deserved a “rocket”. “Not just the bowlers but the batsmen as well,” he told the . “For the first time in a long time they have had bowlers good enough to stick it up them and they don’t like it. The bloke [Tait] took 65 wickets in Pura Cup cricket last year. He can obviously bowl and that’s all that matters.”

Kashmir bids for international fixtures

The troubled North Indian state of Kashmir, at the heart of innumerable border disputes with neighbouring Pakistan, may soon be playing host to international cricket, if the region’s chief minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, has his way.”I will take up with the BCCI president, Jagmohan Dalmiya, the state’s demand to allot at least one match to Kashmir,” said Sayeed in a prepared statement, which comes in the aftermath of the BCCI’s decision to award Kashmir two matches in this year’s Ranji Trophy. Jammu & Kashmir will take on Orissa and Himachal Pradesh at the Sher-e-Kashmir stadium in Srinagar later this year.Dalmiya, who gave a positive response to a similar request last year, was warm to the idea. “The state government has told me the time is ripe to bring back big cricket to the valley,” he told AFP. "We may decide to host a Test match or one-day international there in the near future, but all factors will be taken into account before that happens.”

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