R Prasanna set for coaching role with Coimbatore team

Tamil Nadu middle-order batsman R Prasanna is likely to take up a coaching role for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), scheduled to be held in the last week of August.
It was reliably learnt that the dependable southpaw will be the assistant coach of the Coimbatore franchise along with former TN batsman C Hemanth Kumar, who will be chief coach of the team."Both of them have been finalised and will sign the contract within this week," a source close to the development told TOI on Thursday . Prasanna, who is still one of batting mainstays in the Tamil Nadu team, did not feature in the T20s in the last six years.
He played his last T20 match against Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2010. Prasanna, who has played 59 first-class and 16 list A matches so far, has been not considered for the shortest format and it was a conscious decision by the left-hander to take up a coaching role which will help test his skills. Prasanna will continue to play for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and local TNCA league.
"Prasanna has not been playing T20s for years and he did not want to turn up for a team straightaway. It would have been a difficult and risky move, so he decided to coach a team. Since this league will only feature local players, it will be a great advantage for a current state player like Prasanna to contribute as he is aware of players' strengths and weaknesses. We think he will emerge as a good hand when it comes to finalising the squad and planning strategy ," the source added.
Both Hemanth and Prasanna are childhood friends and have played plenty of cricket together.
Hemanth, who last played for Tamil Nadu in 2005, has represented several state sides including Kerala, Assam and Himachal Pradesh. He has played 39 first-class and 20 list A matches and is currently a member of the Tamil Nadu selection committee.
"Hemanth has played game for a long time and has good knowledge of local cricket. As a state selector he has been interacting with the players directly and has also been involved in the youth development programme in the state. "Moreover, Hemanth and Prasanna are good friends and we all hope their combination helps us give get great results in the TNPL," the source added.

BCCI ready to shift Ranji to neutral turf

For the first time in its 82-year history , the Ranji Trophy is set to be played at neutral venues. The revolutionary idea to do away with the home-and-away system, which saw a few teams doctor pitches to gain home advantage, received a thumbs up at the Ranji captains and coaches conclave of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday here at the HPCA Stadium. It is now likely to be ratified by the working committee of the Board here on Friday .
The innovative idea was first mooted by BCCI's technical committee, which is headed by former India skipper Sourav Ganguly . In this new system, a team is likely to play all its games till the knockouts in a particular zone. The wickets at all the venues will be prepared by the curators appointed by the Board. "There's no harm in trying something new. It offers a different, exciting challenge to all the teams," former India stumper and Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya told TOI on Thursday.
"Playing on neutral venues is a good idea. You want every domestic player to be ready for international cricket," said India discard and Gujarat stumper Parthiv Patel after the conclave. "We will be taking the home advantage away but what we have seen last year in the domestic season isn't good for our cricket. When you go abroad or on tours you don't get to choose the conditions. It's a step forward in the endeavour to produce quality players," said ex-India seamer and current Vidarbha coach Paras Mhambrey.
The consensus was that the move should at least be tried for a season, and would help eliminate the possibility of teams churning out 'akharas' (rank turners), which saw many games finish inside three days last season in the Ranji Trophy ."It's not going to be completely viable option, but there's no harm in trying it for a year and see how it goes. At least we won't have matches which will get over in two-and-a-half days," felt Patel. "We need to implement this on a trial basis and see has worked positively . Home advantage is not being used in the right manner," Mhambrey agreed.
"The majority was in favour of it (neutral venues). We've to see the larger picture. There're pros and cons of everything and we've to find a balance," said Patel. While everyone felt that it would kill local interest in the Ranji Trophy , Patel said that it was concluded that it's not such a large issue, since "everybody was more or less on the same track about playing on neutral venues."
Apart from Ganguly , who missed the meeting (both were slightly late in arriving here), BCCI president Anurag Thakur and BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke too have backed the concept.

Focus, determination Anil's strength: Sujith

Former Indian cricketer and mind coach Sujith Somasundar singled out Anil Kumble's focus, determination and ability to bring individuals together as the key factors that would come to the fore in his tenure as the coach of the Indian team.
Somasundar highlighted Kumble's grace and tact during the infamous 'Monkeygate' incident in the 2008 series against Australia; his grit and determination when bowling with a broken jaw against the West Indies in 2002; and his courage to lead out a nervous Royal Challengers Bangalore team into a 2010 Indian Premier League clash following explosions outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru as signs that Indian cricket had chosen a true leader.
"It is the right choice simply because he is a capable, well respected individual," the 43-year-old Somasundar, also a mental toughness coach who has studied under noted US-based sports psychologist Dr Patrick Cohn, said of Kumble.
"As a captain of India, he excelled in the tough tour of Australia in 2008. The team needs somebody of that stature now. Being an engineer, he is a good strategist and an organized individual," said the 43-year-old, who added that Kumble possessed the qualities you would normally associate with a foreign coach.
Somasundar suggested Kumble's ability to stay in the moment was something the young players in the Indian team could learn from. "He has the ability to let go of the past and focus on the result. He lays emphasis on the job at hand and looks to get it done. This is an important quality . Against the Windies in 2002, he realized his job was to bowl for India. He could have easily focused on his injury and the consequences of bowling with a broken jaw but he didn't," said Somasundar, who captained Kumble on his return from a shoulder injury in a Ranji Trophy match in 2005.
Somasundar said relationship management would be another area Kumble would excel in. "He is a well-respected individual simply because of how he has conducted himself and how he has worked hard and performed for India. In terms of emotional quotient, I have observed that he is one who respects others and accepts people the way they are. These traits will come in handy ," he added.
A fellow coach himself, with stints managing the Kerala team in Ranji cricket, Somasundar admitted Kumble's task would not be easy despite all his abilities. "It is a big challenge because all eyes are on him and an Indian team."

BCCI plans to hold 'Mini IPL' abroad in September

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering launching the 'Mini IPL' in September this year, to exploit the overseas market for the popular T20 tournament. The idea was floated at a meeting of the IPL Governing Council on Thursday here at the HPCA Stadium. TOI had reported last year in October about the possible move.
"There's a 'window' which has been left vacant in September after the Champions League T20 was discontinued from last year. The Mumbai Indians wanted to play a few games against another franchise. Their request has been turned down and instead a proposal to launch a mini IPL was floated.We're now considering the possibility of playing a short duration (10-15 days) tournament in the UAE or the US, in which all the eight teams can take part," a senior Board official told this paper on Thursday. The proposal will now be discussed in the Board's Working Committee meeting here on Friday .
One big glitch here is that India's home season will begin in September this time, with the Duleep Trophy set to feature all big stars, since it would be played with a pink ball under lights.

Nick Compton takes immediate break from cricket

Nick Compton, the under-pressure England top-order batsman, will take an immediate break from cricket, Middlesex and England management announced on Thursday (June 23). Nick, grandson of England batting great Denis Compton, will take a leave of absence for an unspecified length of time to allow himself to 'recharge' after a 'challenging start' to his 2016 season.
"Middlesex County Cricket Club and the England cricket team management have agreed for Nick Compton to be given a period of time away from cricket. Following a challenging start to the 2016 season, both physically and mentally, it has been agreed that the best way forward is for Compton to spend some time away from the game," Middlesex said in a statement.
Compton, who himself had admitted recently that he was battling for a place in the England Test team, managed only 51 runs in the three Tests against Sri Lanka while batting at the number three position. The right-handed batsman, who turns 33 on Sunday, has a modest average of 29 in 16 Tests. His underwhelming performance in recent times, in both international and first-class cricket, had put him in doubt for selection for the four-Test series against Pakistan.
Lack of motivation seems to be the issue that forced him to take a break. Angus Fraser, an England selector and Middlesex managing director of cricket, backed Compton's decision to take a break and believes that the time away from cricket would do him a world of good.
"Nick sets himself very high standards and makes a huge commitment to cricket," said Fraser. "We all believe that some time away from the game now will allow him to refresh, recharge and return to play the sort of cricket we all know he is capable of producing. During this period Nick will receive the full support of Middlesex CCC and the England cricket team management."
Compton's decision to take some time off could pave the way for an England recall for either Scott Borthwick or Ian Bell for the Test series against Pakistan that starts on July 14 at Lord's.

County Championship wrap: Bell, Trott slam half-centuries as Warwickshire draw against Lancashire

DIVISION ONE
Lancashire vs Warwickshire
In a seesaw battle at Old Trafford in Manchester, the game between Lancashire and Warwickshire ended in a draw on the fourth and final day with the latter scoring 195 for 2, with unbeaten half-centuries from Ian Bell (55) and Jonathan Trott (50).
Lancashire ended the third day on 170 for 5 and ended up declaring for 266 for 8 on the fourth day. Haseeb Hameed was the first wicket to fall on the final day, but not before he could score a century. Rikki Clarke, however, was not satisfied with the big fish. He struck twice more in the same over and dismissed Arron Lilley and Neil Wagner for ducks, finishing off with a triple-wicket over. When Lanashire declared, Liam Livingstone remained unbeaten on 106, leaving their opponents with 311 to win.
Varun Chopra and Andrew Umeed struck a fifty-run opening stand before the latter edged one to the wicketkeeper. Chopra followed with 84 runs on the board after which Bell and Trott shared an unbeaten 111-run stand before the match was called off for a draw.
Brief scores: Lancashire 308 and 266/8 dec (Haseeb Hameed 103, Liam Livingstone 106*; Keith Barker 3-62, Rikki Clarke 3-54) drew with Warwickshire 263 and 195/2 in 70 overs (Ian Bell 55*, Jonathan Trott 50*).
Durham v Yorkshire
Despite a much-improved performance with the bat from Durham in the second innings against Yorkshire, the fixture ended in a draw on the final day on Thursday (June 23) at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.
Durham ended day three on 452 for 8 and declared on 507 for 8, setting Yorkshire a target of 356 on the final day. Adam Lyth and Alex Lees, the Yorkshire's openers, started off with respective half-centuries amidst a century stand before the former and Kane Williamson were dismissed off successive deliveries.
Gary Ballance's 40-ball 32 showed intent, but Andrew Gale's innings, coupled with Jack Leaning and Tim Bresnan's trudging, meant the game was headed towards a draw, which it eventually did as Yorkshire finished on 238 for five at the close of play.
Brief scores: Durham 172 and 507/8 dec (Keaton Jennings 221*, Paul Collingwood 61, Usman Arshad 84; Tim Bresnan 2-145, Steven Patterson 2-77) drew with Yorkshire 323 and 238/5 in 82 overs (Adam Lyth 50, Alex Lees 74; Ryan Pringle 2-35, Barry McCarthy 2-27).
DIVISION TWO
Derbyshire vs Worcestershire
Worcestershire's middle-order batsmen came up with crucial contributions as the visiting team managed to draw the encounter at the County Ground in Derby.
Resuming on 24 for 1 in their second essay, after being asked to follow on, Worcestershire lost Brett D' Oliveira early. Ed Barnard and Joe Clarke then came up with a patient 146-run stand for the third wicket, batting more than 40 overs in a partnership that kept the Derbyshire bowlers at bay.
The half-centurions departed in quick succession, renewing Derbyshire's hopes. But Alexi Kervezee and Tom Kohler-Cadmore continued the defiance with a 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Although the hosts managed to send back the two batsmen, Kohler-Cadmore's stay until the 98th over along with Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox's unbeaten presence meant that Worcestershire denied Derbyshire an outright victory.
The hosts earned 12 points from the game which helped them vacate the bottom spot on the points table, moving up to seventh, while the six points for Worcestershire helped them consolidate their fifth position.
Brief scores: Derbyshire 467/5 dec. (Billy Godleman 204, Wayne Madsen 109; Joe Leach 2-90) drew with Worcestershire 164 (Ben Cox 40; Ben Cotton 4-28, Tony Palladino 4-32) & 294/6 f/o (Ed Barnard 73, Joe Clarke 63; Ben Cotton 2-34).
Sussex vs Northamptonshire
Persistent rain after the lunch break meant that only 29.1 overs were possible on day two of the County Championship Division Two game between Sussex and Northamptonshire at Arundel.
Resuming on their overnight score of 43 for 1, having bowled out Sussex for 178, Northamptonshire managed to reduce the deficit to 36 runs before rain consumed the second and the third sessions of play.
Ben Duckett (72) was involved in a 96-run stand for the second wicket with Alex Wakely before being the only batsman to be dismissed for the day. Wakely and Rob Keogh added 24 runs for the third wicket before the play was abandoned on day two.
Brief scores: Sussex 178 lead Northamptonshire 142/2 (Ben Duckett 72, Alex Wakely 46*; Ajmal Shahzad 1-14) by 36 runs.

Brian Vitori cleared to bowl after successful retest

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (June 23) cleared Brian Vitori, the Zimbabwe pacer, to bowl in international and domestic cricket after his action was found to be legal, following the remedial work and retest performed at the University of Pretoria on June 10.
Vitori was reported by the on-field umpires for having a suspect action during the third Twenty20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh in Khulna in January 2016, and was subsequently banned from bowling.
A press release issued by the ICC stated, "At the retest, it was revealed that the amount of elbow extensions in Vitori's bowling action for all his deliveries that were tested was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations for the review of bowlers reported with suspected illegal bowling actions."
However, the Zimbabwean pacer can be reported by the umpires in the future if his bowling action is found to be suspect.
The 26-year-old has played four Tests, 19 One-Day Internationals and 11 T20Is, bagging 42 international wickets.