TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 SPORTS not illegal, says inventor Saqlain

KARACHI: Retired spin king It is not an easy to bowl but if a yesterday defended the controversial “doosra” bowler becomes expert he doesn’t transgress delivery he invented, which has come under limits.” renewed scrutiny since fellow Pakistani Saaed “You need to have strong muscles to bowl Ajmal’s chucking ban last week. a doosra, then fitness matters, also , The doosra, which means “the second one” rhythm and follow through. If just one of in , turns from legside to offside-the these things is missing then you get out of opposite direction to orthodox off breaks. It limits,” he added. is bowled from the back of the hand with a Saqlain, who comes from a humble back- lot of top-spin, though the bowler’s wrist still ground, recalled he discovered the delivery moves in a clockwise direction, making it dif- while playing with a table tennis ball. ficult for a batsman to pick. Saqlain is credited with its invention, Doosra with table tennis ball adding to a list of Pakistani innovations in “I used to play with my brother and cousin cricket including the batsman’s reverse- at the roof of my house in and tried sweep and reverse swing . the doosra with a table tennis ball,” he said. “I But the delivery has come to be regarded got very excited when the ball turned the with deep suspicion by many, particularly in other way.” Australia and England, where critics charge “I tried and tried and perfected it and that doosra bowlers bend their arm beyond when I used to go to play club the permissible 15 degree limit. matches I would baffle the batsmen with Saqlain, who took 208 Test and 288 one- doosra, and on winning the matches I was day , told AFP from London the rewarded with sumptuous lunches and din- naysayers were wrong. ners. And from there I broke into the team.” Saqlain will arrive in Lahore next week to start remedial work on Ajmal’s action, ST LUCIA: West Indies bowler bowls to of , who was caught out by with this stroke on day two reported during the Galle Test against Sri of the second and final Test between West Indies and Bangladesh on Sunday at the Beausejour Cricket Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, St Lucia. — AFP Lanka last month. The ban was imposed by the International Cricket Council. Ajmal’s action was then assessed in a bio-mechanics lab in Brisbane, Australia which revealed he flexes his elbow Five-wkt Roach sends up to 43 degrees for his off-spinner and 42 for his doosra. Saqlain said he hoped to alter Ajmal’s action, though some believe Ajmal may be Bangladesh reeling too old to change his ways at 36. “I am quite hopeful of helping him. I am not making any guarantees but will see his GROS-ISLET: Kemar Roach was at his devas- 246 for three. Following Robiul’s dismissal of Bravo, he reports and footage and then try my best.” tating best as Bangladesh were reduced to 104 Chanderpaul continued to soldier along at induced an edge from Jermaine Blackwood for Ajmal, for his part, told reporters yesterday for seven at stumps after the West Indies were his very serene pace to his 65th Test half-cen- to take the catch at first he was focused on his comeback as he began dismissed for 380 in their first innings on the tury, being overshadowed by the big-hitting and then had West Indies Ramdin his remedial programme. “I am sitting in front second day of the second and final Test on Taylor who blazed 40 in a 54-run eighth- caught behind first ball to spark celebrations of you without any tension, whatever hap- Sunday. stand before finding on the among the Bangladeshis. pened was disappointing but I am focused on In two sustained, controlled spells, the fast long-on boundary off the bowling of left-arm That celebratory mood was muted by suc- staging a strong comeback,” he said. bowler tore through the top-order of the spinner Taijul Islam. cessive half- stands with Taylor and Pakistan have considered off-spinners Atif tourists’ to finish with five for 33 — his Taylor should have departed on 18 but during which Chanderpaul Maqbool and Adnan Rasool to replace Ajmal sixth five-wicket innings haul in . dropped a skier at cover when edged closer to a 30th Test century. in the short-term. Both are prolific performers joined in the rout with two the fast bowler sliced another attempted But while he was denied in the first innings “Who says doosra is illegal?” he asked. “It at domestic level-but both have suspect wickets, including captain to heave off . of the first Test in St Vincent by a declaration, can easily delivered within the allowed rules. actions. —AFP keep the pressure on the beleaguered Yet Al-Amin, whose was this time it was the dismissals of Benn and last Bangladeshis. reported during the 10-wicket first Test loss in man Shannon Gabriel in quick succession that Only offered any sustained St Vincent, was the most impressive of all, fin- left him unbeaten for the 48th time in his 20- resistance on a pitch that continues to offer ishing with three for 80. year Test career. — AFP Anelka signs for Mumbai assistance to the fast bowlers. He got to 48 before edging a probing delivery from Roach MUMBAI: Controversial French striker Nicolas football despite the overwhelming popularity to wicketkeeper . SCOREBOARD Anelka sought to relaunch his career yester- of cricket in the country. Bangladesh go into day three needing day by signing up for the nascent Indian Anelka has been without a club since he another 76 runs to avoid the follow-on with Scoreboard at stumps on the second day in the second and final Test between West Indies and Bangladesh on Super League, six months after being sacked was fired by West Bromwich Albion in March Mahmudullah and tail-ender Shafiul Islam at Sunday in Gros Islet, St Lucia. from English football in an anti-semitism row. for “gross misconduct” after he made an the crease. West Indies 1st innings (Overnight: 245-4) Mahmudullah 16-2-49-1, Nas. Hossain 2-0-7-0. The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea, alleged anti-semitic gesture known as a was the fulcrum of K. Brathwaite c T. Islam b Sh. Islam 63 Juventus and Real Madrid star announced quenelle as a goal-scoring celebration. the home side’s batting effort in the first half of L. Johnson lbw b T. Islam 66 Bangladesh 1st innings that he would be playing for Mumbai City in His sacking was the latest in a long of his- the day, compiling an unbeaten 84 as the wick- K. Edwards c Sh. Rahman b Mahmudullah 16 T. Iqbal c Ramdin b Roach 48 the inaugural edition of the eight-team league tory of rows and disputes over the course of a ets fell around him once the fourth-wicket Da. Bravo c Rahim b R. Islam 46 Sh. Rahman c Ramdin b Roach 1 which begins next month. career which has seen him play for 11 differ- S. Chanderpaul 84 A. Haque c Da. Bravo b Roach 9 partnership with was broken J. Blackwood c A. Haque b A. Hossain 8 M. Haque c Blackwood b Taylor 3 “I am pleased to join Mumbai City FC and ent clubs in six different countries before after an hour’s play. D. Ramdin c Rahim b A. Hossain 0 M. Rahim b Taylor 4 through it participate in the exciting Indian heading to India. Displaying greater discipline on a helpful K. Roach c Rahim b Sh. Islam 0 M. Mahmudullah not out 13 Super League,” Anelka said in a club state- As well as playing in a host of top pitch than on the first day, the Bangladesh J. Taylor c Mahmudullah b T. Islam 40 Nas. Hossain c Ramdin b Roach 1 ment. European clubs, he also had a brief spell with seamers reaped considerable reward in the S. Benn c Sh. Islam b A. Hossain 25 T. Islam c Gabriel b Roach 12 “Talented international players and top Shanghai Shenhua in China. morning session. S. Gabriel b R. Islam 4 Sh. Islam not out 6 Indian talent will make matches thrilling Al-Amin Hossain claimed two wickets in two Extras (b-8 lb-4 nb-6 w-10) 28 Extras (lb-6 nb-1) 7 affairs. I look forward to using my ability to do World Cup bust-up balls after had Bravo caught at the Total (all out, 124 overs) 380 Total (for 7 wickets, 42 overs) 104 well for my team in the matches we play.” Anelka also won 69 French caps, scoring 14 wicket for 46. Fall of wickets: 1-143 K. Brathwaite, 2-145 L. Johnson, 3- Fall of wickets: 1-14 Sh. Rahman, 2-43 A. Haque, 2-43 A. Anelka is the latest in a string of big name goals in an international career which ended 185 K. Edwards, 4-251 Da. Bravo, 5-268 J.Blackwood, 6- Haque, 3-62 T. Iqbal, 4-65 M. Haque, 5-68 M. Rahim, 6-69 268 D. Ramdin, 7-269 K. Roach, 8-323 J. Taylor, 9-375 S. Nas. Hossain, 7-89 T. Islam signings for the league, including former Italy in disgrace when he was thrown out of the Serene pace Benn, 10-380 S. Gabriel To bat: A. Hossain, R. Islam star Alessandro del Piero, Spanish striker Luis 2010 World Cup in South Africa following a When Shafiul Islam then had Roach taken Bowling: Bowling: Garcia and ex-England goalkeeper David row with coach Raymond Domenech. behind by wicketkeeper Mushfiqur, the West A. Hossain 31-6-80-3(w-1), Sh. Islam 27-7-80-2(w-2), R. J. Taylor 15-4-33-2(nb-1), K. Roach 16-5-33-5, S. Gabriel James. The tournament, which runs from He was handed an 18-match ban for that Indies had lost three wickets for one run in Islam 26-7-63-2(nb-6 w-3), T. Islam 22-4-89-2, M. 9-1-27-0, S. Benn 2-1-5-0. October 12 to December 20, is aiming to capi- bust-up, which effectively ended his interna- slipping to 269 for seven from the overnight talise on growing interest among Indians in tional career.— AFP Tight at the top five months out from World Cup

SYDNEY: After what at one stage earlier have boosted the confidence of the on their recent trip to Harare there is a solid core to the team but the WEST INDIES this month looked like a vast game of Proteas, even if both were achieved in but that will do little to dent optimism approach needs to change because 240 West Indies are without a coach after musical chairs, reigning champions India conditions they will not find at the World they can win a fifth world title next metronomic runs do not win 50-over the sudden departure of ended up topping the world rankings Cup. Their strong batting line-up has March. matches at international level in the last month and caretaker Richie when the five-month countdown to the been solidified by the emergence of Faf With the likes of openers David modern game. Richardson could still be in place when 2015 World Cup started on Sunday. du Plessis at number three, coming in Warner and to return to they warm up for the World Cup with With just three rating points separat- after proven openers Hashim Amla and the side before the World Cup, Australia PAKISTAN trips to India and South Africa. ing the top four nations, however, the Quinton de Kock. can afford to be circumspect about the A bunch of talented but unpre- A series of top-order collapses in 11th version of the quadrennial show- In AB de Villiers they have arguably setbacks suffered by an understrength dictable players with a tendency to recent limited overs matches mean the piece of 50-overs cricket, which is being the best one-day batsman in the world, and experimental side in Zimbabwe. implode inexplicably, Pakistan suffered a fitness and availability of the often bril- co-hosted by Australia and New but there is concern over their one gen- There remain concerns, not least huge blow to their preparations when liant opener would appear Zealand, looks like being one of the clos- uine power-hitter, David Miller, who is about whether Clarke’s back will be up spinner Saeed Ajmal was banned for an to be vital to the hopes of the twice est ever. out of form. to the amount of cricket he will be asked illegal bowling action earlier this month. champions enjoying any success at the We look at how the 10 test-playing The South Africans also lack an all- to play over the next five months and Ajmal has about five months to cor- World Cup. Likewise, persuading mys- nations (in order of world ranking) are rounder to bat at seven, with this duty whether they will ever unearth another rect the action and seek a reassessment tery off-spinner to put West shaping up 154 days before New shared in recent times by Ryan McLaren world-class spinner. but whether he will ever again show the Indies before lucrative con- Zealand meet in Christchurch and Wayne Parnell with mixed success. On the plus side is the prospect of form that has made him the top-ranked tracts would further bolster an other- to launch the Feb. 14-March 29 tourna- remains the lynchpin of and his fellow pace- ODI bowler in the world is something wise solid bowling unit. ment. the bowling line-up and rarely has an men renewing their often lethal relation- only time will tell. off-day, and in JP Duminy and Imran ship with Australia’s hard and bouncy The 1992 champions are also grap- BANGLADESH INDIA Tahir there are also genuine spin options decks. Coach has pling with a captaincy dilemma. Misbah- The 50-over format remains Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni and too. laughed off talk of a split with Clarke ul-Haq has remained a rare stable figure Bangladesh’s best chance to impress at boasting some fearless strokemakers in over selection and will be satisfied that in a volatile dressing room but his mod- the world stage but their growth as a their ranks, the top-ranked ODI side in SRI LANKA the likes of all-rounder Mitch Marsh have est sub-74 strike rate is no longer tailor- force in world cricket has stagnated in the world look serious contenders to Sri Lanka will be hoping next year is given him more depth in his squad made for the format. recent years. defend their title. third time lucky after being beaten in should he need it next year. After last month’s ODI series defeat in The team rely heavily on spinners, A much-improved side, India the final of the last two World Cups and Sri Lanka, the clamour has grown to who might find it difficult to ply their appear to have benefitted from the the 1996 champions seem to have the ENGLAND replace him with all-rounder Shahid trade effectively on the seamer-friendly Indian Premier League, which has given resources to achieve that. England go into the World Cup, Afridi, whose batting and personality are conditions in Australia and New Zealand. their players the opportunity to play reg- , 37, and Kumar which they have never won, with mini- the polar opposite to Misbah’s. Bangladesh also have had their prob- ularly against the leading bowlers in the Sangakkara, 36, got a fitting 20-over mal expectations after a dismal run of lems with all-rounder world. farewell when Sri Lanka won the World form in the 50-over game. NEW ZEALAND over disciplinary issues but the former Even the most junior batsman in the Twenty20 title in Bangladesh in April but The lowest average net run rate of all New Zealand’s batting has been set- captain remains their best bet to sur- Indian side has faced the likes of Dale winning the 50-over event in Australia test-playing nations in recent times, an tled for a number of years with Martin prise a higher-ranked opposition and Steyn and Mitchell Johnson in the would be an even better parting gift. outdated approach to the format and Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and cause an upset during the World Cup. Twenty20 tournament and have gained Sri Lanka’s compact batting side is huge question marks over the captaincy captain Brendon McCullum likely to fill enough confidence to hit them out of complemented by a balanced bowling and make-up of the team hardly inspire four of the top-five positions. ZIMBABWE the park when the need arises. unit which is likely to include the mercu- confidence. The biggest issue is finding a new Zimbabwe showed they can be com- With their pace bowling under- rial , whose , deliv- Former spinner said opening partner for Guptill with few petitive in the recent home triangular whelming, India will once again build ered with his sling-shot action, can make recently the team have “no chance” of expecting hard-hitting batsman Jesse series against South Africa and Australia their attack around their spinners, who him almost unplayable on occasions. winning the tournament and there is a Ryder to be recalled to the side due to where they defeated the latter and came made a big impact in their World Cup The rise of Thisara Perera and strong case for replacing his behavioural issues. close to upsetting the Proteas. win at home in 2011. Dhammika Prasad have eased the pres- as skipper due to doubts about his lead- Tim Southee, Kyle Mills, Trent Boult The batting line-up could be A lot will depend, though, on how sure on Malinga but Sri Lanka have been ership style and limitations with the bat. and Mitchell McClenaghan are likely to described as flakey at best but they do the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and forced to have a fresh look at their spin England do have talented one-day be the main pace bowlers with young have decent hitters and in Brendan the plethora of part-time spinners fare options after off-spinner Sachithra players. Alex Hales is a destructive open- quicks Adam Milne and Matt Henry Taylor, who relinquished the one-day on the relatively bouncy pitches in Senanayake was banned for an illegal ing batsman, a specialist vying for the fifth spot. captaincy to Elton Chigumbura last Australia and New Zealand. action. finisher, wicketkeeper a flam- Former captain Daniel Vettori, who is month, a player to build an innings boyant middle-order player and Harry still one of the most economical bowlers around. Consistency in performance SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA Gurney a potentially imposing death in limited overs cricket and a handy low- with both bat and ball has been elusive Recent series victories in Sri Lanka Australia relinquished the number bowler. er-order batsman, is also likely to be and that is not something likely to and Zimbabwe, where they played a tri- one ranking, lost captain Michael Clarke With test batsmen Joe Root and Ian included, if fit. change between now and the World angular tournament involving Australia, to injury as well as a match against Bell also skilled in the one-day game, Cup. —Reuters