IPL-2009 DAY-1

Sachin's Mumbai take on Dhoni's Chennai
Now MS Dhoni, leading Team Chennai, has to face the wrath of the Sachin Tendulkar, when they take on Mumbai Indians in the IPL season two openers

Warnie's Jaipur face KP's Royal Challengers
The duel between defending champions Team Jaipur and Royal Challengers may well come to be decided by a fierce face-off between the two pals Warne and KP

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WATCH THIS BLOG FOR ALL THE TWENTY20 DETAILS

ICC WORLD CUP TWENTY20 2009

ICC WORLD CUP TWENTY20 2009

Photos of MS Dhoni

MS dhoni Photo


MS dhoni Photo



MS dhoni Photo

MS dhoni Photo

MS dhoni Photo

MS dhoni Photo

Marcus Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick has rejected a request to come out of international retirement as a specialist Twenty20 player.


Marcus Trescothick has rejected a request to come out of international retirement as a specialist Twenty20 player.

Trescothick, 33, revealed England Test captain Andrew Strauss approached him over playing the shortest form of the game this summer in the World Twenty20 and beyond.

But the Somerset batsman, who called time on his England career 13 months ago after aborting a pre-season trip to Abu Dhabi due to a recurrence of a depressive illness, declined the offer.

Former captain Kevin Pietersen was keen on luring Trescothick, England's most prolific one-day international century maker in history, back into the fold last summer.

But after the latest request from close friend Strauss, Trescothick told the Mail on Sunday: I had no choice but to say no.

I might be wrong but I still believe that if it was as simple as turning up and batting for England, I could do it and succeed.

Playing cricket for England was the great ambition of my life and, until I became ill, I loved everything about it, so not being able to do so now is a source of great regret.

"I miss the buzz and the stage and the chance to put my ability to the sternest test, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it often.

But I know in my heart that the dangers to my health of committing myself to all that goes with international cricket off the field are just too great.

Since suffering my own version of hell with the illness, I've come too far and made too much progress to put myself and my family at risk again.

I appreciate the thought and I know Strauss was not trying to put me under any pressure.

But the time truly has come for me to stop dreaming and face reality. As much as I'd love to have another bash for England, it isn't going to happen, at any level.

"I really hope everyone can accept that part of my story is over for good. It is time for me and for England to move on."

Strauss himself is not in the preliminary 30-man squad for the World Twenty20, which will be slimmed down to 15 players by May 1.

Today's Special

Paul Collingwood set to be named England Twenty20 skipper

Paul Collingwood is the shock No.1 choice to be England's skipper in the Twenty20 World Cup.

The former one-day captain - who quit because he felt leading the side was having a negative impact on his game - has been sounded out about taking the post for the competition in June.

Collingwood is seen as the ideal choice because of his international experience and coaching brain.

Kent captain Robert Key was tipped for the job when he was named in the provisional 30- man England Twenty20 squad, but official insiders say Collingwood is now the selectors' choice - and is thinking it over.

The Durham all-rounder is swaying towards accepting the challenge.

He resigned the one-day captaincy when his pal Michael Vaughan stepped down as Test skipper a couple of years ago.

Collingwood should also be tuned up going into the World Cup as he will be playing for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League when that T20 competition gets going later this month.

England need a replacement for skipper Andrew Strauss, left out of the squad having told selectors he was not as comfortable with the T20 format as he was with Test and 50- over cricket.

Rob Key would rather play in Ashes tests than be Twenty20 captain

Rob Key would jump at the chance to be England's Twenty20 captain - but would pass it up to be an Ashes hero this summer.
Today Key leads a powerful MCC side against county champions Durham at Lord's in the traditional three-sweater curtainraiser to the new season.

With former England captain Michael Vaughan and Caribbean discard Ian Bell among his foot soldiers, the four-day game could be a live audition to bat at No.3 against Australia.

Key is already a strong contender to lead England in the ICC World Twenty20 on home soil after Test captain Andrew Strauss stepped aside because he didn't want their big hitters bogged down by a "stodgy opener".

Sport Desk understands that Paul Collingwood, who stood down as one-day captain last August, is in line for the honour.

But last night the Kent skipper, nicknamed Bob the Builder on the county circuit, admitted he would relish captaincy at the 16-day slogfest in June if Kevin Pietersen, Freddie Flintoff and Collingwood turn down the job.

Significantly, he is also desperate to make amends for the disappointment of starting 2005 as England's No.3 - only to be dropped just before the Ashes.

He said: "Of course I would love to be England captain at the Twenty20 World Cup - I'd never turn down something like that. But at the moment I'm one of only 30 names in the provisional squad and I'm not getting too excited because it doesn't help if you are only the 29th best Twenty20 player in the country.

"There are five or six guys who could take on the captaincy in that squad - there's plenty of leadership experience in there and I could end up being captain, just opening the batting or not even being in the final 15-man squad.

"But I've waited four years just to play for England again, and if you said to me I could be our main player at the Twenty20 world championship or in the Ashes, I would have to choose the Ashes

How to purchase a twenty20 world cup ticket

How to purchase a twenty20 world cup ticket

Tickets for the event, which have been available from June 30 2008, can be purchased as follows

Via the tournament's official website, accessed via the ICC website, www.icc-cricket.com

For UK residents only by calling 0844 847 2020 (cost 5p per minute from British Telecom landlines; cost from other networks and mobiles may vary)

Cricket Logistics is the Official Travel and Tour Provider for the ICC. To book your travel through an ICC approved Official Travel Agent and for packages including tickets and domestic travel for ICC World Twenty20 2009 please click here

Tickets for fans from overseas can be purchased via the website only. The maximum number of tickets that can be purchased for each match-day is four (4).

Terms and conditions and FAQ

Full terms and conditions for the event are available by clicking here. Many of your queries can be answered by the event FAQ, which can be read here.
We would suggest that you read these documents before purchasing your tickets. In particular we would also like to highlight the following key areas.

Double Headers

There are a number of Double Header matches during the ICC World Twenty20 2009 and one ticket will be issued per match day.

The semi-finals and final of the men's and women's events will be played at the same venue on the same day. Tickets for these match days will entitle the ticket holder entry to both matches.
Family Stand Tickets

The Family Stand Ticket entitles you to sit in a family-friendly stand where no alcohol will be allowed to be brought into the stand. It will not be possible to purchase tickets in the family stand unless there is an under 16 present within your party.

These seats will be proactively stewarded to ensure a family friendly atmosphere is maintained throughout each match-day.

The designated family stands at each of the men's tournament venues are:
Lord's - The Lower Edrich stand Trent Bridge - The William Clarke stand The Oval - Blocks 1-5

Twenty20

Battle for No. 1 takes another twist
Big Picture







Australia are back on top of the world in both Tests and ODIs during their trip to South Africa,

but the teams are so tightly matched that the one-day honour will return to the hosts if they win

the five-match series. The visitors, who lost the two Twenty20s, switched on in the opening

contest for a 141-run victory in Durban and they will walk out at Centurion seeking more success.
South Africa were out-played throughout game one and have some serious work to do on their

batting to manage a swift turnaround. They lasted only 33.1 overs in making 145 as Nathan

Hauritz, the occasionally-employed offspinner, did most of the damage. Australia were relieved

at the strong showing from Michael Hussey, who was unbeaten on 83, and will chase a repeat

performance from their bowlers.
Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)
South Africa
Australia
Watch out for
South Africa are desperate - and hopeful - Jacques Kallis will be back after a groin problem ruled

him out of the opening encounter. The home side was caught short on Friday, with Mark

Boucher at No. 6, and will benefit if Kallis' all-round skills are on show. "He does help a lot with

your balance," Graeme Smith told AAP. "In Australia we played an extra batter and he allows

you to do that. You can look for 20 overs between him and Albie Morkel and JP Duminy. To

have him back obviously would be nice.''
It's not often Nathan Hauritz is on the warning list, but after his 4 for 29 on Friday he will come

in for extra attention. The Durban ODI was his first match of the tour, but he hadn't spent the

time topping up his suntan or chasing big game sightings. "All the early-morning training

sessions that he has done and all the work that he has done with the bowling coaches on his

bowling has paid dividends," Ricky Ponting said.
Team news
Expect some reshuffling if Kallis makes it back, with Boucher dropping a place and one of the

bowlers missing out. Morne Morkel looks vulnerable unless Dale Steyn or Makhaya Ntini are

due for a rest.
South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers,

Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Mark Boucher (wk), Roelof van der Merwe,

Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Makhaya Ntini.
Australia will give thought to keeping an unchanged line-up after such a convincing display on

Friday. However, they may consider bringing in Brett Geeves for Ben Laughlin, who gave up 28

runs in five overs on his ODI debut.
Australia squad Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, David

Hussey, Callum Ferguson, Marcus North, James Hopes, Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson,

Nathan Hauritz, Brett Geeves, Nathan Bracken, Ben Laughlin.

Twenty-20 World Cup to be played under strict security cover

Lahore, Mar.9 (ANI): The terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricket players in Lahore last week has not only raised concerns over the 2011 cricket World Cup, but it also has alarmed British security agencies involved with preparations for the Twenty-20 World Cup this June.Twenty-20 World Cup Organising Committee Director Steve Elworthy has admitted the attacks have set alarm bells ringing among security agencies."Definitely, the Lahore terror attack has forced us to relook our plans. Just after the attack, we had a meeting and we are meeting again next week where some top security experts will also participate," The Nation quoted Elworthy, as saying.Elworthy said players and officials would be provided a fool-proof security cover during the event, as London has been on the list of the terrorists in the past.Elworthy said the committee is awaiting advice of top security expert Reg Dickason, who is currently on a tour of the West Indies with the English cricket team.(ANI)

Live Score

Cricket -Twenty 20 world cup 2009 - Schedule

Cricket -Twenty 20 world cup 2009 - Schedule June 2009

Date Time (GMT) Match Details Venue

Fri 05 16:30 England v Netherlands, 1st Match, Group B, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Sat 06 09:00 New Zealand v Scotland, 2nd Match, Group D, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Sat 06 12:30 Australia v West Indies, 3rd Match, Group C, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Sat 06 16:30 India v Bangladesh, 4th Match, Group A, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham (D/N)

Sun 07 12:30 South Africa v Scotland, 5th Match, Group D, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Sun 07 16:30 England v Pakistan, 6th Match, Group B, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Mon 08 12:30 Bangladesh v Ireland, 7th Match, Group A, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham

Mon 08 16:30 Australia v Sri Lanka, 8th Match, Group C, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham (D/N)

Tue 09 12:30 Pakistan v Netherlands, 9th Match, Group B, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Tue 09 16:30 New Zealand v South Africa, 10th Match, Group D, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Wed 10 12:30 Sri Lanka v West Indies, 11th Match, Group C, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham

Wed 10 16:30 India v Ireland, 12th Match, Group A, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham (D/N)

Thu 11 12:30 D1 v A2, 13th Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham

Thu 11 16:30 B2 v D2, 14th Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham (D/N)

Fri 12 12:30 B1 v C2, 15th Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Fri 12 16:30 A1 v C1, 16th Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Sat 13 12:30 C1 v D2, 17th Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Sat 13 16:30 D1 v B1, 18th Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Sun 14 12:30 A2 v C2, 19th Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Sun 14 16:30 A1 v B2, 20th Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Mon 15 12:30 B2 v C1, 21st Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

Mon 15 16:30 B1 v A2, 22nd Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Tue 16 12:30 D1 v C2, 23rd Match, Group F, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham

Tue 16 16:30 D2 v A1, 24th Match, Group E, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham (D/N)

Thu 18 16:30 1st Semi-Final, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 Nottingham

Fri 19 16:30 2nd Semi-Final, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London (D/N)

Sun 21 14:00 Final, ICC World Twenty20, 2009 London

GROUP A INDIA, BANGLADESH, IRELAND

GROUP B PAKISTAN, ENGLAND, NETHERLAND

GROUP C AUSTRALIA, SRILANKA, WEST INDIES

GROUP D SOUTH AFRICA, NEWZEALAND, SCOT LAND

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