Binny willing to coach India

Press Trust of India reported on Monday that the Indian junior team coach Roger Binny is ready to take up the post of the coach of the national side and would not shy away from the responsibility if the Board of Control for Cricket in India offered him the job.

Speaking to the agency in Bangalore, Binny said that he was confident and ready to take up the post from Kapil Dev. Binny returned to the country on Monday after attending a seminar on Schools Cricket in England and conducting nets at Harrows. Besides him, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly and all rounder Robin Singh were also present at the nets.

The former Indian all rounder has been serving as the coach for the Indian junior team. He has so far been part of the India A team (Nov-Dec 1999) and India under-19 team (Jan 2000) and the under-15 Indian team (May 2000).

Indian coach, manager to be named at AGM in Chennai

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is to appoint the coach and manager of the Indian Team for the three forthcoming engagements during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Chennai on September 29 and 30.

Press Trust of India reported that the Board will elect the administrative manager and cricket coach for the Coca Cola Cup in Sharjah to be held in October, the one-off Test against Bangladesh in November and the ICC Knock-out tournament in Nairobi next month. The agency also reported that a physio for the team will be decided during the two-day meeting.

NCA to tour Australia in April 2001

The Director of the National Cricket Academy, Hanumant Singh said on Monday that the Academy was exploring possibilities of a tour to Australia in 2001 to play practice matches in an effort to get more exposure and hone the trainees' skills.

Speaking to United News of India in Bangalore, Hanumant Singh said that the NCA will be touring Australia in March and April next year to play a series of matches. He added that the tour details were being worked out.

Recently, the New Zealand Cricket Academy (NZCA) had expressed interest in playing against the NCA boys in Bangalore last month but this could not come through, since both the teams were playing in the Buchi Babu tournament in Chennai.

Kumble shines with bat as Leicestershire settle for draw

Anil Kumble with a dogged 35 helped Leicestershire to score 470 in their first innings as their match against Somerset in the PPP Healthcare County Championship Division One meandered to a draw at Taunton on Monday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 233 for 4, Leicestershire proceeded to 386 for 8. Then a ninth wicket partnership of 86 between Anil Kumble and Neil Burns prolonged the Leicestershire innings. The lead was 59 runs. Kumble was the last man out when he offered a simple chance to Bowler at mid-on off Mike Burns after a 46-ball essay which witnessed five hits to the fence.

Meanwhile, in the Norwich Union National cricket league division one match at Bristol, Gloucestershire scored a five wicket win over Lancashire. Opening the innings, Sourav Ganguly managed to score just 15 as Lancashire were bundled out for 157. In reply, Gloucestershire overhauled the target in 38.3 overs. Ganguly who bowled four overs for 15 runs trapped Snape leg before.

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