Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Clarke defends T20 call-off as ECB promise inquiry
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Clarke defends T20 call-off as ECB promise inquiry
AFP - Wednesday, September 2
MANCHESTER (AFP) - - Australia captain Michael Clarke insisted the umpires were right to call-off the second Twenty20 international against England here at Old Trafford without a ball being bowled.
ADVERTISEMENT
The day/night match was abandoned after two pitch inspections by umpires Peter Hartley and Nigel Llong, much to the disgust of a 19,500 capacity crowd and the fury of Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes.
Afterwards, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) promised to hold an inquiry into the abandonment, which meant the series ended 0-0 after Sunday's opener at Lancashire headquarters also finished as a no-result washout.
Umpires Hartley and Llong decided conditions were so bad there was no prospect of even a five overs per side match, the minimum length required to produce a positive result.
Despite 600,000 pounds being spent on a new ground drainage system during the close season, the bowlers' take-off area at the Brian Statham End was deemed unplayable following heavy rain Tuesday.
Afterwards an ECB spokesman said the board would be "holding an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the match".
Clarke, speaking to reporters, said: "We're all disappointed with the result but I think the decision that's been made is the right decision.
"We've got specialist Twenty20 players that have flown over from Australia to take part in these two games so we really wanted to play."
However, he added: "There's no game I play for Australia that I'm willing to just go out and bowl some full-tosses so the crowd get a great spectacle. You're representing your country.
"The ground just wasn't fit enough for everybody to play the type of cricket that's played in Twenty20 or any form of cricket."
England captain Paul Collingwood backed Clarke's view, saying: "The umpires came up to us and said they think it's unfit for international cricket. When you've got a lot of people in the crowd, it's a brave call to make but it's good they are making those calls.
"It is entertainment, but you've got to have the surface in the right condition to play an international game."
But Cumbes was adamant conditions were fit and said different standards needed to be applied to Twenty20, launched professionally in England in 2003 as a means of attracting new fans to cricket.
"I'm angry, bitterly disappointed," Cumbes told reporters. "Angry, because to my mind we were told when we started playing Twenty20 cricket several years ago that you should be expected to play in conditions which you wouldn't normally play in first-class cricket."
Cumbes, a former Lancashire pace bowler, added: "I know the umpires have tough decisions to make and I'm perfectly aware of the safety of players, Christ I played the game for 20 years myself.
"But there are times when you've got to think about the people who've paid 50 quid (pounds) to come into this game.
"Sometimes I think we'd rather play in front of empty stadiums. I really thought when I went out there and had a look at 7pm (1800GMT, the scheduled start time), 'I thought great we will be out here in half an hour's time'."
Cumbes said Australia pace great Jeff Thomson, working at Old Trafford as a commentator for BBC Radio, said: "I was talking to him (Thomson) about it and he finds it a mystery too."
Tuesday's abandonment left England with just two scheduled Twenty20 internationals, against South Africa, before the World Twenty20 starts in the Caribbean in April.
Meanwhile Australia have just three Twenty20s of their own before that event, one against Pakistan and the other two against the West Indies.
Ashes-winners England and Australia now face each other in a seven-match one-day international series starting at the Oval on Friday.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Relocation of US troops will test new Japan leaderAP - Wednesday, September 2
Clarke defends T20 call-off as ECB promise inquiryAFP - Wednesday, September 2
China captain Zheng close to joining CelticAFP - Wednesday, September 2
Pakistan forces kill 40 militants in Khyber raidsAP - Wednesday, September 2
Son of Aquino poised to run for Philippine presidentAFP - Wednesday, September 2
Enlarge Photo
Clarke defends T20 call-off as ECB promise inquiry
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Spider-Man joins Mickey Mouse as Disney buys Marvel
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Madonna makes late-night visit to Western Wall
Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe
Madoff's beachfront hideaway up for sale -- but it's no steal
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Wednesday, 2 September 2009 Turkey hopes to open Armenian border by year-end
Eurozone jobless numbers pass 15 million
eBay to sell Skype to investor group
UK did not want to hurt ties with Libya: letters
| International
|
Mitchell, Israelis to meet Wednesday in New York
Eurozone unemployment hits 10-year high
East Jerusalem lags behind west as school begins
F is for Flu: Sesame St muppets to take on swine flu
Five years on, survivors remember Beslan slaughter
'Windows Phones' coming in October
Egypt uncovers two tonnes of explosives near Gaza
India eyes 9% growth as PM rejects pessimism
Security prompts checks on telecoms gear in India
Hamas says Israel kills 2 Gaza gunmen, Israel denies
| International
|
IFA electronics trade show eyed for signs of recovery
Iran 'ready' for fresh nuke talks: top negotiator
Greece protests to Turkey over sorties in Aegean
| International
|
Late Iraqi Shi'ite's son succeeds him as party leader
Google Chrome gets boost with Sony tie-up
Canada's Liberals vow to bring down government
| International
|
Iran says ready for nuclear talks with world powers
Saudi prince spoke to bomber on phone before attack
| International
|
Turkey hopes to open Armenian border by year-end
| International
|
Twitter, texting could help families in disasters
Fire emergency declared in San Bernardino County
Social networking sites grab big slice of Web ads
| Technology
|
Erich Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops director, dies at 74
Germany: Google book deal violates copyright law
| Technology
|
China captain Zheng close to joining Celtic
Canada's white refugee ruling racist
Son of Aquino poised to run for Philippine president
ID theft ring included wig-wearing check casher
Traffic-reporting plane lands on Mass. highway
UN condemns ETimor militia leader's release
Germany warns pollsters after Twitter leak
| Technology
|
Indonesian publisher declared bomb suspect: police
China villagers riot over polluting plant: residents
CAPITAL CULTURE: The poop on White House dog Bo
Dalai Lama leads mass prayer in Taiwan
Group: US Embassy guards in Kabul are mistreated
Himalayan climate talks end with call for help
US agriculture interests split over climate bill
Dalai Lama leads prayers for Taiwan storm victims
No charges filed in disabled California boy case
Myanmar refugee crisis in China begins to ease
Years wasted in Afghan effort, UN official says
No quick exit for buyer of AIG unit-Taiwan watchdog
Wynette to join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
| Entertainment
|
New Miss Marple actress gets fresh start at 68
| Entertainment
|
'Disastrous' year for Italian tourism: study
New Miss Marple actress gets fresh start at 68
New family law in Mali upsets Islamists
WW2 concert shows music is a power for peace: Gergiev
Pa. museum gets artist Peter Grippe's collection
Malaysian Muslims 'may attend' Black Eyed Peas show
Michael Jackson tribute lineup to be unveiled soon
Venice film festival retains allure without deals
Madonna dines with Israel's Livni ahead of show
Iran ready for new round of nuclear talks: top negotiator
Japan's new government seeks to reassure U.S.
| International
|
Khosla Ventures raises 1 bln dlrs for green tech
Mass evacuation of animals from Los Angeles inferno
Examiner.com buys citizen journalist site NowPublic
US auto sales rise for first time since October 2007
Internet providers seek low broadband bar
U.S. journalists say entered North Korea, arrested in China
| International
|
Amnesty calls on Iraq to stop executions
CellStories offers a handful of literature for free
Madonna wrapping up world tour in Israel
Madoff's beachfront hideaway up for sale -- but it's no steal
Hamas: 2 men killed in Gaza
Bomb damages Athens stock market, one hurt
| International
|
Hurricane Jimena weakens as it hits western Mexico
| International
|
eBay hangs up on Skype
Rebel Abkhazia threatens Georgia ships: Interfax
| International
|
Iraq: Key figures since the war began
Taiwan asked by China to cancel Dalai Lama events: MP
| International
|
Colombian lawmakers pass Uribe re-election bill
| International
|
Google says Gmail outage resolved
Iraq death toll in August highest in 13 months
WW 2 concert: Music is a power for peace: Gergiev
| International
|
Newspaper publisher Freedom files for bankruptcy
Social networking sites grab big slice of Web ads
Germany: Google book deal violates copyright law
Young Turks a major obstacle to Turkey's EU goals
| International
|
Afghan opium crop down, prices plummet U.N.
| International
|
'Windows Phones' coming in October
Hoyer maintains support for public option
Cool weather offers hope in California fire battle
Sony to launch 3D TVs next year: report
| Technology
|
Mich. church enlists Satan in advertising campaign
Internet providers seek low broadband bar
| Technology
|
Relocation of US troops will test new Japan leader
NC university carries on amid swine flu outbreak
Clarke defends T20 call-off as ECB promise inquiry
CellStories offers a handful of literature for free
| Technology
|
Clinton to meet Zelaya, U.S. mulls cutting off aid
Google mail suffers widespread outage
| Technology
|
Music label video site Vevo in talks with CBS, NBC
| Technology
|
Spacewalkers tackle hefty tank removal in space
Pakistan forces kill 40 militants in Khyber raids
3 charged in sex tourism cases ordered held in LA
Vegas publisher met Reid after remark about paper
White House: Obama may detail health plans soon
In Vietnam, many see dollar not dong as king
US sees WTO ministerial talks key to Doha success
S.Korean T-bonds rise on weak shares
Korea Hot Stocks-Ssangyong Motor jumps on buyout offer report
Seoul shares fall after rally; exporters down
S.Korea dept stores report jump in Aug sales-media
Venice opens with Sicilian epic, U.S. films dominate
| Entertainment
|
Dairy prices surge at latest auction
Qatar, Chinese firm sign gas deal
Film portrays athletics gender row in Nazi Germany
Wynette to join Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
| Entertainment
|
India eyes 9 pct growth as PM rejects pessimism
Flower power lures eco-tourists to SAfrica
Documentary explores Hefner's serious side
| Entertainment
|
Mad Men renewed by AMC for fourth season
| Entertainment
|
Them Crooked Vultures kicking off tour in Texas
China won't change direction of economic policy: PM
Family Guy shuffles its creative ranks
| Entertainment
|
Them Crooked Vultures kicking off tour in Texas
| Entertainment
|
A new hidden layer found on an old painting
Rising stars rank high with summer film fans: poll
Rising stars rank high with summer film fans: poll
| Entertainment
|
'Mad Men' renewed for fourth season on AMC
"Mad Men" renewed by AMC for fourth season
Game time changed to avoid conflict with holiday
Venice opens with Sicilian epic, U.S. films dominate
Hoax video of Michael Jackson creates online stir
Attack on Afghan mosque kills 10: officials
Abkhazia to destroy Georgian ships 'violating border'
Strong Indonesia quake kills 32, damages 1,300 homes
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
News
Iran replacing envoys who backed "rioters"
Afghanistan deputy spy chief among 23 dead in blast
| International
|
Brown denies double-dealing in Lockerbie case
| International
|
A year on, Reuters cameraman still held by U.S. army
UN chief visits 'doomsday' seed vault in Arctic
Music label video site Vevo in talks with CBS, NBC
Israel, Palestinians hold high-level economic talks
| International
|
Teens planned UK Columbine massacre, jury told
| International
|
Turkey wedding massacre defendants plead guilty: report
| International
|
Chinese democracy dissident jailed for 13 years
| International
|
Bomb damages Athens stock exchange, one hurt
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Accused Holocaust museum shooter appears in court
Digi-novel combines book, movie and website
| Technology
|
Computer algorithm to decipher ancient texts
| Technology
|
Britain denies 'double-dealing' over Lockerbie bomber
Powerful quake in Indonesia kills 7; dozens hurt
Nokia bolsters phone lineup
| Technology
|
South Korea reports 4th swine flu-related death
The Nation's Weather
Pakistan minister 'wounded in gun attack'
Slain Ga. man always opened his home to family
Australian terror cell member jailed for 5 years
Musical finds comedy in aging, dentures and death
China detains 15 parents for lead poison unrest
Britain 'against Lockerbie bomber dying in jail'
Great Barrier Reef under serious threat: report
Evacuation holdouts defy danger to protect homes
Justice Stevens slows his hiring at high court
Quake kills 23 in Indonesia
Taliban blast kills Afghan deputy chief of intel
Top-selling Bible in North America to be revised
Indian army kills 5 suspected rebels in Kashmir
Digi-novel combines book, movie and website
| Entertainment
|
Movie sequels lift summer box office to new record
| Entertainment
|
Venice film festival kicks off with Italian epic
Madonna rocks Tel Aviv at tail end of tour
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Documentary explores Hefner's "serious" side
SAfrican sex contradictions exposed
"Family Guy" shuffles its creative ranks
Jerry Springer to host live 'America's Got Talent'
Don't divorce, go on holiday, says Indian tour operator
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights