My job is to get more out of the team: Wright

Indian coach John Wright expressed concern over the crucial number six spot in the Indian side and said he was desperately looking for an all rounder. In an interview to PTI in Mutare, Wright said "We are in desperate need for someone who is an all-rounder... or someone who can be a genuine number six.... We do need a balance". He added "I think the captain (Sourav Ganguly) is in a better position to fill in this spot. He probably has to bowl a bit more. Of course he is a very capable bowler. We need more people like him. Even Sachin (Tendulkar). They can change the course of any match on their day. If they can expand their roles, they can help us to become a better cricket team."

The former New Zealand captain said "Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan can both develop on their batting skills. They have already shown signs that they can bat to a certain extent. Even Ajit Agarkar is capable of a lot more with the bat. And that's my objective - to get more out of them." Apart from allrounders, Wright expects the seamers to perform saying "There is some promise, but we need performance. We need to be on the look out for fast bowlers. Javagal Srinath at the moment is looking sharp. And then there is quite a bit of battle for the other two medium pacers' slot."

On the gruelling schedule ahead for the Indians, the coach said "The coming six months will be good for us because we will be away from home and this will help the team to form into a close-knit unit. We have to keep it tight together in victory or defeat."

Condon report does not say anything new: Dalmiya

Former International Cricket Council President, Jagmohan Dalmiya on Wednesday said Sir Paul Condon's report on match fixing was "merely cosmetic" and had no real substance. "The report does not really throw much light on the match fixing issue. It does not say anything new. Just making references to some events does not help in solving the issue," Dalmiya told a press conference in Kolkata.

Dalmiya said that the report had not gone into the match fixing issue in depth though Condon had studied the reports of various other agencies and commissions probing the matter. He said that Condon had also questioned the credibility of the final of the ICC KnockOut tournament in Kenya between India and New Zealand but had not mentioned any specific wrong-doing. "He has made a passing mention to that match. The New Zealand Board have been quick to defend their players. I don't know whether the BCCI has defended their players since I was out of the country", Dalmiya said.

On Condon's view that the present structure of the ICC was inadequate to run international cricket and manage large sums of money, Dalmiya said the ICC's executive board would meet at Lord's on June 18 and Condon's recommendations will be discussed in detail."

Ministry could consider introducing provision for misconduct: Jaitley

The Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday that 'misconduct' by cricketers found guilty by the CBI of match-fixing did not come under any of the existing penal provisions adding it was for the Sports Ministry to suggest changes in the law to prosecute such offenders. "Those found guilty of match-fixing did show misconduct. But the ingredients of misconduct strictly did not fit into any of the penal provisions of criminal code of conduct wherein they could be prosecuted," Jaitley told reporters in London.

Jaitley, who is also President of Delhi and District Cricket Association, said. "As of today, with the kind of evidence they have, all accusations showed misconduct by concerned cricketers and therefore, the Indian Cricket Board was empowered to take action which they did."

On the case referred to him by the Sports Ministry to find out whether any penal action could be taken based on the CBI report, Jaitley said there was no proposal before the Law Ministry to incorporate penal provisions for such misconduct and added, "It is for the Department of Sports to consider." He added "If such acts are repeatedly still taking place in spite of the exposures, then you have to come out with tougher provisions of law."

Kumble turns down lucrative offer to turn TV commentator

Anil Kumble, India's main strike bowler in the last decade, has turned down a highly lucrative offer to become a television commentator in the forthcoming India-Zimbabwe Test series and the Triangular series between the two countries and the West Indies. According to information available from Star-ESPN sources, Kumble had been given the offer a few days back to join Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri as a member of the commentary team. However, he declined the offer as he had some prior commitments. One of them was to take part in some shooting for advertisements and also appear in a regional film.

Meanwhile, the leg-spinner is not expected to be fit before India's tour to South Africa. As a result, he will miss the India-Sri Lanka series, the Asian Test Championship and a few other one day tournaments.

Yadav to hold discussions with Dalmiya

The President of the Bihar Cricket Association, Laloo Prasad Yadav, is expected to visit Kolkata next week to hold discussions with his counterpart in Bengal, Jagmohan Dalmiya. Yadav, who took over the post recently, is determined to improve the state of the game in Bihar. Other than that, he is also interested in hosting international matches in various parts of Bihar and also to improve the playing conditions.

Reports from Patna indicated that Yadav would hold discussions with Dalmiya and seek his co-operation in improving the facilities for the game in Bihar. He would also ask for suggestions to improve the infra-structural facilities including a face-lift for the stadium at Patna. Sources however, made it clear that at the moment Yadav's aim was to put Bihar on the cricketing map of the world.

Sekhar coaching bowlers in Bangladesh

A five-day long workshop for young and emerging bowlers began at the Dhanmondi Club ground in Dhaka on Thursday under the supervision of former Indian fast bowler TA Sekhar, currently the chief coach of the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai.

The workshop, which brought together 28 youngsters in the morning, was reduced to 16 by the afternoon. "By the time I finish, hopefully I'll be able to recommend eight to ten bowlers to the Board for further long-term training," said Sekhar. He added that Bangladesh had a couple of very promising bowlers and if they could be given proper attention, then they would be an asset in the future.

Later, Sekhar intends to select at least four boys for a month's training at the MRF Pace Foundation, starting on June 17.

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