* Indian company wins contract from ECB

A London-based Indian company along with a British advertising agency has won a prized contract from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to popularise cricket among children in the 6-12 age group in the country. Under the contract, Raymedia Limited, founded and operated by veteran journalist Ashis Ray with British advertising agency Interfocus, will produce children-friendly cartoon films entitled 'The Pride Side' which will generate interest among children in the game of cricket.

The programme which was launched at the Lord's cricket ground on Wednesday in the presence of ECB representatives, English captain Nasser Hussain and 30 children is envisaged to run for five years.

Ray told PTI that this is the first venture of its kind anywhere in the world. He hoped to create a TV series and comic strip as part of the programme. Ray, formerly of BBC and CNN said "It is a proud moment for any cricket lover when merit is found in a proposal in what is still the home and a major laboratory of the game." Asked about the funding for the project, he said it would mainly come from sponsorship.

Asked why he had not taken such a proposal to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ray said "Raymedia will be delighted to try and solve any problem the BCCI may have. We are always at the service of India."

* Kumble to return to full fledged competitive cricket

After an injury lay-off for several months, leg-spinner Anil Kumble returns to full-fledged competitive cricket later this month testing his fitness at a high level of the game.

Kumble, out of cricketing action after his shoulder injury sustained in Sharjah in October last year, has been named captain of the Karnataka State Cricket Association XI in the KSCA Diamond Jubilee All India Invitation tournament. The tournament which is scheduled to be played in Bangalore from August 1 to 15, is expected to give a clear picture on the status of his fitness. He may also take part in the All India Buchi Babu invitation tournament to be held in Chennai immediately afterwards.

Earlier this month, Kumble appeared for a match representing his alma mater club Young Cricketers in the KSCA-Coca Cola third division league match against Dooravani Cricketers. At that time, he had come up with the figures of three for 49 as his team won by two runs in a thrilling encounter.

* Kumble to lead KSCA XI

Ace Indian spinner Anil Kumble, starting on the comeback trail after surgery on an injured shoulder, will lead the KSCA XI in the forthcoming KSCA Diamond Jubilee All India Invitation tournament for the Coromandel Cement Trophy to be played in Bangalore from August 1.

According to a Karnataka State Cricket Association pressrelease, the other members of the team are: Mithun Beerala, Rowland Barrington, Vijay Bharadwaj, VS Thilak Naidu, Rajashekar Shanbal, Deepak Chowgle, Sunil Joshi, BKVenkatesh Prasad, G Chaitra, Santosh Vadeyaraj, David Johnson, Vinay Kumar and Senthil Kumar.

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