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A round-up of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches played on April 10, 2014

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2014Group AGuntashveer Singh struck seven sixes in his match-winning half-century for Haryana•BCCIMukul Dagar’s second consecutive half-century helped Uttar Pradesh beat Goa by 48 runs in Rajkot. The defeat was Goa’s first in this year’s tournament, after they had qualified from the first round with a perfect record. Dagar blasted eight fours and a six during his 38-ball 55, and added 100 for the opening wicket with Prashant Gupta (46) as the team scored at more than nine an over. Goa fought back with two quick wickets, but Eklavya Dwivedi and Rinku Singh added a late surge- 67 off just 35 balls- to lift Uttar Pradesh to 186 for 3. Goa lost wickets right from the off, and were unable to string together any significant partnership to trouble Uttar Pradesh. Amogh Sunil Desai, Rohit Asnodkar and Harshad Hanumant Gadekar all made starts, but none of them could convert it into a fifty, as the Uttar Pradesh bowlers restricted Goa to 138 for 6.A belligerent half-century Guntashveer Singh underlined Kuldeep Hooda’s 5 for 31 to usher Haryana to a six-wicket victory over Jharkhand and clinch second place in the group. Guntashveer mauled seven sixes and was unbeaten on 65 off 44 balls to ensure the bowlers had no chance despite having had a reasonable 147 to defend.The Haryana openers blazed to 30 in the fourth over and when Jharkhand broke that partnership they might have hoped to strangle the scoring. But Guntashveer spearheaded a fourth-wicket stand of 51 off 32 balls all but sealed victory.Jharkhand had been invited to bat and their captain Ishank Jaggi raced to 57 off 38 balls, with three fours and three sixes. The top-order rallied around him and a half-century stand for the second wicket built a promising foundation. They were 116 for 3 in the 16th over when Hooda rewrote the script. The middle and lower orders were brushed aside – six wickets for 28 runs – to leave Jharkhand with three losses from three games.Group BA 36-ball 75 from the Rajasthan captain Rajesh Bishnoi- his highest Twenty20 score- helped the team chase down 173 against Kerala with one ball remaining to secure a three-wicket win. Rajasthan were precariously placed at 94 for 5 before Bishnoi, coming in at No.7, swung the momentum by striking five fours and six sixes, and added 70 for the sixth wicket with Divya Pratap Singh. Bishnoi fell in the penultimate over, but Divya Pratap held his nerve to take Rajasthan home. Kerala had earlier made 172 for 3 on the back of a 102-run stand for the third wicket between Sanju Samson (68) and Rohan Prem (48).An incisive bowling performance from Delhi helped set up a seven-wicket win against Bengal at the Wankhade Stadium. Bengal put in to bat, could only muster 119 from their 20 overs as two wickets apiece from Sumit Narwal (2-13, including a maiden), Javed Khan and Varun Sood prevented them from gathering any momentum. Shreevats Goswami top-scored with 45, but none of the other batsmen made more than 16. Delhi lost Puneet Bisht in the second over of their chase, but a 76-run association for the second wicket between Mohit Sharma (41) and Samarth Singh (39) took them closer. Both batsmen fell off consecutive deliveries in the 15th over, but Yogesh Nagar and Jagrit Anand held their nerve to seal the victory with one over remaining.

If the role of a county cricket club is to win trophies and produce players for England, Yorkshire are doing an excellent job

George Dobell at Trent Bridge12-Sep-2014
ScorecardYorkshire get into their victory huddle•PA PhotosIf the role of a county cricket club is to win trophies and produce players for England, Yorkshire are doing an excellent job.A club that was, in the words of its chairman, 48 hours from going out of business a few years ago has now lifted the 32nd County Championship title in its history. No club has as many.And they have done it while providing several players for England – five of this team have played Test cricket for England in the last 12 months – and while developing a production line of talent that will serve club and country for years to come.On the final day of this match, their hero was Ryan Sidebottom. He claimed four wickets for six runs in 7.2 overs to complete the 26th five-wicket haul of his first-class career and end Nottinghamshire’s resistance. Bowling a tight line and nipping the ball away off the seam, he produced beauties to account for both Chris Read and Luke Fletcher and, when James Taylor, left in a desperate position, slashed to cover, the match and the title were Yorkshire’s. Victory was wrapped up by 11.36am.”Pride” is a word that occurs often in conversations with those associated with Yorkshire. Pride in the club’s history, pride in the club’s values, pride in the club’s role. Cricket still matters in Yorkshire. And Yorkshire cricket matters most of all.That explains the spirit and unity which has seen this squad through the dark days. The spirit and unity that gave the team strength when they gained only one win in their first five Championship games of the season. The spirit and unity that saw them overcome the England withdrawals and the crushing defeat at Lord’s when an inspired Chris Rogers led Middlesex to a miraculous victory.The captain and coaches will, quite rightly, gain many of the plaudits for this victory. Certainly Yorkshire’s record since Jason Gillespie arrived is exceptional: the club have lost three Championship games in three years. The director of cricket, Martyn Moxon, has made some shrewd signings and remains largely responsible for the development of the batsmen, and Andrew Gale remains a calm and selfless leader.But the skills and spirit that have led to this title are generated long before players reach the first team. When you have coaches like Ian Dews, steeped in Yorkshire cricket, in the academy and others likes Richard Dawson and Kevin Sharp (now with Worcestershire) working below the first team, players graduate to the first-class game knowing what is expected of them and prepared technically and temperamentally.This, truly, was a victory not just for the team but for the entire club.It was telling that, of the 19 men who represented Yorkshire in the Championship this season, only five were not born or brought up in the county. Two of the team that lifted this trophy are the sons of former Yorkshire and England players. It brings a unity of purpose and understanding to the dressing room. It brings shared values and a sense of pride in representing this team that, on the tough days, just might make all the difference.Certainly, they were at their best when they were challenged. In these last few weeks, they have won five games out of six and four games in succession. When confronted by their closest rivals – Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire – they responded with innings victories. Such has been their dominance this season that five of their eight victories came by innings margins, another by nine wickets and two more by 220 runs or more. They have proved themselves, by a distance, the best side in the land.And there is more to come. In Alex Lees and Adam Lyth they have an opening pair who have contributed, on average, 76 runs per stand and both have realistic England aspirations. They have a legspinning allrounder in Adil Rashid who continues to press for international opportunities and, just below the surface, the likes of Matt Fisher, a young seamer who could not break into the side this season, but who has a wonderfully bright future. Throughout the club, from first team to academy to youth teams, talent is burgeoning.It was a shame, therefore, that their captain was not able to share in the moment of triumph. The exact nature of Gale’s misdemeanour remains, at the time of writing, unclear but it does seem odd that ECB, who have failed to make any specific comment or condemnation of the shameful booing of Moeen Ali at Edgbaston, appear so keen to flex their muscles here.But such a controversy should not overshadow Yorkshire’s success. Nothing should deflect the credit that the likes of Jack Brooks, who has taken 64 Championship wickets, or Lyth, who has scored 1,428 Championship runs, deserve. Nothing should deflect from that fact that, for the second year in succession, a club has won the Championship not through its expensive imports, but through its home-grown talent.Yorkshire have endured many setbacks over the years. They have suffered internal conflict, economic catastrophe and such bitter infighting. Until today, no club in the land had gone so long since they last won a trophy.But, on the pitch at least, they are delivering. Yorkshire cricket is strong again. And for that, all England should be grateful.

The Red Devils have broken the transfer record a number of times in the last three decades, but which players have been their best signings?

Getty Images1Eric Cantona – 1992 – £1.2 million from Leeds UnitedManchester United started the Premier League era with a couple of marquee signings, bringing in Dion Dublin from Cambridge United and Eric Cantona from Leeds United. Dublin was Alex Ferguson's second-choice in the transfer market, bringing him to Old Trafford after Alan Shearer moved from Southampton to Blackburn Rovers. He scored just two league goals for the Red Devils before leaving for Coventry City in 1994. On the other hand, Cantona was a revelation for the club, reaching double figures in the Premier League in four of his five seasons, picking up four league titles and two FA Cups along the way.AdvertisementGetty2Roy Keane – 1993 – £3.75m from Nottingham ForestRoy Keane became the most expensive player in English football when he joined United as a 21-year-old and was the face and heart of the team for the next 13 seasons. He played 480 times for the Red Devils winning seven league titles as well as the Champions League in 1999. The Republic of Ireland midfielder was the team's captain for their European success, but missed the final due to suspension after picking up a yellow card during a career-best performance against Juventus in the semi-final.Getty Images3Andy Cole – 1995 – £7m from NewcastleAndy Cole was an immediate success at Manchester United after signing in January 1995. The England attacker ended the season in double figures in the Premier League despite playing just 18 times in half-a-campaign. He went on to score 121 times in all competitions for the club, finishing with five league titles and a Champions League medal.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images4Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 1996 – £1.5m from MoldeOle Gunnar Solskjaer would go down in Manchester United history for one single moment, but scored almost 100 Premier League goals as he became the world's best 'super sub' under Alex Ferguson. He was signed by United after local rivals Manchester City were not willing to take a chance on him, and ended up coming off the bench to score the winner in the club's miraculous comeback in the 1999 Champions League final.

A round-up of the Victory Day T20 Cup matches that took place on December 26

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2013UCB-BCB XI beat Prime Bank Cricket Club by five wickets to stay in contention for a place in the final. Both teams, as well as Mohammedan Sporting Club, have won three matches each, injecting interest into tomorrow’s matches as all three teams have a shot for the last two places.Imrul Kayes was the star with the bat, hammering an unbeaten 82 off 54 balls with eight fours and four sixes. Muktar Ali also made a crucial contribution during the chase, as his two fours in the last three balls of the final over ensured the victory for UCB-BCB XI.Mithun Ali chipped in with 44 off 28 balls while Marshall Ayub made 25 off 14 during a crucial stage.For Prime Bank, Sabbir Rahman made a 45-ball 57- his third fifty in the tournament. He struck six fours during his innings, but it was Saikat Ali’s quickfire 41 that gave Prime Bank the impetus. Saikat smashed four sixes while Mehrab Hossain jnr struck 39 off 24 balls later in the innings to propel the team to 173 for 8.Al-Amin Hossain, who took five wickets in one over in the previous match, picked up 3 for 45..Nurul Hasan’s unbeaten 79 helped Mohammedan Sporting Club to an eight-wicket win over Abahani. Abahani’s fourth loss means that they are out of the running for a place in the final, while Mohammedan strengthened their position with a third win.Nurul struck ten fours and two sixes in his 47-ball 79, after he came to the crease in the sixth over following the fall of the first wicket. He and Junaid Siddique added 78 runs for the second wicket, with Siddique chipping in with 41 off 31 balls. His dismissal at the end of the 13th over didn’t deter the 172-run chase, as Mominul Haque ensured that the team won with an over to spare.Abahani’s 171 for 6 in 20 overs was built around Soumya Sarkar’s half-century and Mizanur Rahman’s 41. For Mohammedan, seamer Dewan Sabbir took three wickets.

Holly Huddleston, playing only her second international match, picked up a five-wicket haul to set up another resounding win for New Zealand Women against West Indies Women in Lincoln

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2014
ScorecardHolly Huddleston came into the attack late but did the most damage•Getty ImagesHolly Huddleston, playing only her second international match, picked up a five-wicket haul to set up another resounding win for New Zealand Women in the three-match ODI series against West Indies Women in Lincoln. New Zealand lead the series 2-0.West Indies made a steady start in their chase of 275 and despite the loss of their openers, they were 88 for 2 in the 21st over. Huddleston ran through the middle order, accounting for five of the next six wickets. West Indies’ collapse started with the fall of the captain Merissa Aguilleira, who became Huddleston’s first international victim when she was trapped in front for 14. The chase stumbled further as Huddleston had Stacy-Ann King caught behind in her next over.The critical wicket, though, was of Shemaine Campbelle, who fell five short of her half-century in the 33rd over. West Indies’ last five wickets lasted until the 49th over but could only manage 49 runs between them, suffering another heavy loss after the nine-wicket mauling in the first ODI.”She [Huddleston] thought she was picked as an opening bowler for the series, but with the way Sophie bowled the other day, I wanted to give her a crack,” Suzie Bates said. “So to come on second [fourth] change when the ball was older and the wicket wasn’t giving her much assistance, it was awesome to see her get a five-wicket haul in only her second game, the best figures against West Indies for a New Zealander.”West Indies had won the toss again, but chose to bowl this time. Stafanie Taylor gave them a good start too, picking up the wicket of Bates in the sixth over. However, Sara McGlashan, who scored her second consecutive half-century, and Sam Curtis added 98 for the second wicket to set up the platform for a strong total. Both batsmen were dismissed in quick succession, but Sophie Devine and Katie Perkins added a further 62 in 46 balls to power New Zealand’s late charge. Rachel Priest provided the final thrust to the innings, scoring 40 off 19 deliveries, as 78 came off the last eight overs to take New Zealand to 274 for 5.”We were under pressure with the bat, but Sara McGlashan and Sam Curtis put on a 98-run partnership, I think that really set the game up for us,” Bates said. “It just shows with the batting line-up that we have got, what we can do with a good platform.”We haven’t been consistent in one-day cricket and we have talked about [building] partnerships this series. Knowing that we can get to the 35th over with wickets in hand, we can really launch into an attack. We surprised ourselves a bit with the total we got.”

Dale Steyn bowled it full, Shahid Afridi hit it cleanly, the boundary was in sight but there was something in the way

The Report by Firdose Moonda 15-Nov-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Wayne Parnell’s three wickets turned the match South Africa’s way•AFPDale Steyn bowled it full, Shahid Afridi hit it cleanly, the boundary was in sight but there was something in the way. Faf du Plessis moved to his left, cupped his hands and snatched the ball out of the sky. In that moment, the match and the series was won.It ended a period in which Pakistan lost six wickets for 38 runs in the space of 32 balls, which included a South African team hat-trick, to collapse one final time in the limited-overs leg of the tour. They squandered a good start and a resilient effort by Sohaib Maqsood, surrendered to a South African attack which has been exceptional throughout the series and left themselves with a lot of questions ahead of the return leg in South Africa.For du Plessis, there are no such worries. His team has jumped to No. 2 in the Twenty20 rankings, behind India by one hundreth of a decimal point, showed composure and confidence with bat in hand and defended with venom.Although South Africa’s bowling won them the match, their foundation for victory was set-up by a batting line-up which has progressed through their visit to the UAE. They had an explosive start from Quinton de Kock followed by a hard-hitting fifty from du Plessis and both contributed to an above-par total.De Kock took on both Irfan and Abdul Razzaq, whose medium pace was ineffective upfront. Irfan left the field with what looked like a hip injury in his second over, leaving Pakistan without their most imposing player but Sohail Tanvir assumed the responsibility. He bowled a tight opening over before spin was introduced and Pakistan clawed their way back.Saeed Ajmal tempted de Kock with flight and had him caught in the deep slog-sweeping. That wicket made Ajmal T20’s highest wicket-taker, going past his compatriot Umar Gul and kept South Africa quiet for a little while.Hashim Amla had quietly watched de Kock, without scoring many, but targeted Afridi. Amla took a risk when he hit him inside-out over extra cover and then tried to launch it back over Afridi’s head. Instead, he presented a catchable chance but Afridi spilled it. Dropping Amla often proved costly in the next over when he hit Mohammad Hafeez over long-on for six.At the halfway stage, South Africa were 67 for 1 and du Plessis decided to up the ante. He also took on Afridi, finding good placement down the ground and brought up South Africa’s 100 with a premeditated slog-sweep off Ajmal. Amla played one more big shot, off Shoaib Malik, before holing out off Ajmal.Sohail Tanvir fined

The Pakistan fast bowler was fined 10 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct. Tanvir, in the 18th over, dismissed AB de Villiers and gestured towards the pavilion.

Pakistan used that as an opportunity to drag South Africa back. They gave away just 35 runs in the last five overs and punctured the middle order, leaving du Plessis to muscle his way to the end. Tanvir made good use of the slower ball while Ajmal ensured questions over David Miller’s ability against spin will continue to be questioned as he trapped him lbw.In between that, du Plessis reached his fourth T20 half-century, much-needed runs in what has been a lean tour for him. He may remember his innings a little less than the catch that sealed the match which came after Pakistan’s opening pair posed 39 in the first five overs.Both Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad took on Lonwabo Tsotsobe before Wayne Parnell undid their start. He had Shehzad caught at fine leg, as he went on the pull, and Hafeez lbw for a first-ball duck. Hafeez was the victim of a poor decision but with no technology available to contest it, Pakistan had to focus on rebuilding rather than being wronged.When Jamshed became the third wicket to fall in nine balls, Pakistan could have unraveled but Maqsood and Malik found a good balance between attack and defence. They went after anything short while treating Imran Tahir with respect as he found sharp turn.Malik had his innings interrupted when he had to retire with a finger injury which brought Umar Akmal to the crease. He batted with his usual aggression but started the collapse when he hooked a Ryan McLaren short ball straight to Tahir. When he departed, Pakistan needed 50 runs off 39 balls and were still in control.Malik returned, only to chop Tahir onto his stumps before Razzaq left a googly and was bowled. When Maqsood was caught behind, brilliantly as de Kock dived to his right, the equation had tipped. Pakistan needed 39 off 29 balls but had only three wickets in hand.Tanvir and Afridi could still get them over the line but Tanvir was bowled by Steyn – who turned the pace up as his spell came to an end – and then there was catch. Game, set, catch, match. Pakistan’s fight was over.

A round-up of President’s Trophy matches that ended on December 16, 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2013Pacer Sarfraz Ahmed’s nine-wicket match haul helped Water and Power Development Authority rout Pakistan Television by an innings and 137 runs.Ahmed picked up 4 for 20 to bundle out PTV for 69 in the first innings and followed that up with a five-for in the second innings, after WAPDA enforced the follow-on. Adnan Raees’ 13th first-class century, and fifties from Rafatullah Mohmand, Aamer Sajjad and Ayaz Tasawwar had earlier helped WAPDA post a commanding 475 for 7 declared. In reply, PTV were dismissed for 69 and although they managed a better batting performance in the second innings – half-centuries from Fahad-ul-Haq and Yasim Murtaza took them to 269 – it wasn’t enough to avoid an innings defeat. The win gave WAPDA 10 points, helping them move up to the fourth place on the points table.Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited opened up a 16-point lead at the top of the league with a 109-run win over State Bank of Pakistan.Chasing a target of 326, the State Bank batsmen failed to convert their starts into substantial scores, falling to the SNGPL attack led by pacer Samiullah Khan, who took four wickets in each innings.Earlier, a second successive first-class hundred from Azhar Ali had led SNGPL to 403 for 9, in spite of the efforts of Tabish Khan, who picked up 5 for 132, and Rizwan Haider. In reply, State Bank were struggling at 59 for 6 before a lower-order rally helped them post 204. With a lead of 199, SNGPL batted for a little more than 27 overs in their second innings, declaring their innings at 126 for 5 to set their opponents a target of 326.Khan Research Laboratories took away three points from a draw against National Bank of Pakistan, after failing to build on Sadaf Hussain’s first-innings haul of 8 for 50. Hussain had reduced NBP to 25 for 4 before Kamran Akmal’s 71 guided the batting side to 158.In reply, KRL, anchored by Shoaib Ahmed’s 92, were on track to posting a big score but Wahab Riaz thwarted the opposition, picking up three of the last five wickets. KRL lost their last five wickets for 18 runs, going from 254 for 5 to 272 all out. At 56 for 4, National Bank’s second innings seemed to be heading the same way as their first, but Fawad Alam stepped up, scoring an unbeaten 112 to help National Bank reach 235 for 5 before the match was called off.

Nine individuals have been charged with various offences allegedly committed in violation of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Aug-2013Nine individuals have been charged with various offences allegedly committed in violation of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League, the ICC and the BCB announced on Tuesday. The charges, which followed an investigation carried out by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), relate to an alleged conspiracy within the Dhaka Gladiators franchise to engage in match-fixing and spot-fixing during the tournament, as well as failures by individuals to report approaches made to them to be involved in the conspiracy.The identities of the nine individuals charged will not be disclosed until the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings.Of the nine, seven have been charged for fixing-related offences, while the remaining two have been charged for failing to report corrupt approaches. Those facing the more serious fixing-related charges have been provisionally suspended and have been immediately barred from participating in all cricket activities organised or recognised by the BCB, the ICC or of the ICC’s member associations, till the disciplinary proceedings brought against them are resolved.Those who plead guilty or who deny the charges but are later found guilty by an anti-corruption tribunal, which will be put together by the Bangladesh board, would be subject to the sanctions under article 6 of the BCB’s anti-corruption code, which includes a suspension of: (a) between five years up to a lifetime for the fixing offences, and (b) between one to five years for any failure to report a corrupt approach.Those charged now have 14 days to indicate whether they wish to plead guilty or to defend themselves in a full hearing, which would take place before the anti-corruption tribunal.”Considering the limited resources available to the ACSU and the limitations that apply to its ability to uncover sufficient evidence to disrupt conspiracies of this kind, I am pleased that this investigation has led us to this outcome,” ICC chief Dave Richardson said.”While we have charged some individuals with failing to report corrupt approaches that were made to them, it is important to stress that this investigation has also been built upon, among other things, evidence gathered from other individuals who not only rejected corrupt approaches made to them, but then did what they were supposed to do, and reported them to the ACSU.”The BCB president, Nazmul Hassan, said that those found guilty will be dealt with severely. “The BCB is committed to doing everything possible to defend it [Bangladesh cricket] against the very small group of people who are willing to compromise the values of the overwhelming majority for personal greed and, in so doing, bring disgrace upon themselves and their associates, as well as tarnishing the image of the game,” he said.

India will face a predominantly young and inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in their first tour game to be played at the Gliderol Stadium, Adelaide on November 24 and 25

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2014India will face a predominantly young and inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in their first tour game to be played at the Gliderol Stadium, Adelaide on November 24 and 25. Gurinder Sandhu, the 21-year-old New South Wales fast bowler, has been named in the squad led by Ashton Turner, Sandhu’s teammate from the Under-19 World Cup in 2012.The match is the first of two two-day games India are scheduled to play before the start of the four-Test series. The second tour game will be played at the Adelaide Oval on November 28 and 29.”Gurinder Sandhu is a highly-regarded fast bowler who has performed consistently well at domestic level and underage international level,” Greg Chappell, the Cricket Australia talent manager, said. ” He was very impressive in the two four-day matches against South Africa A in August this year and we expect that he will perform well against this high-quality team.”India is a strong international team so it will be a great experience for this CA XI, which includes some of the most exciting young cricketers in the country,” he said.India will arrive in Australia on November 21. The first Test will be played in Brisbane from December 4.CA XI squad: Ashton Turner (capt), Ryan Carters, Alex Gregory, Sam Grimwade, Sebastian Gotch, Josh Lalor, David Moody, Jonte Pattison, Gurinder Sandhu, Matthew Short, Kelvin Smith, Nick Stevens.

India and Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Sreesanth has been handed a life ban by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing in IPL 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Sep-2013India and Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Sreesanth has been handed a life ban by the BCCI for his involvement in spot-fixing in IPL 2013. His Royals team-mate and Mumbai spinner Ankeet Chavan was also banned for life, following the board’s disciplinary committee meeting in Delhi on Friday.Amit Singh, the Gujarat cricketer-turned-bookie, got a five-year ban, while Saurashtra and Royals seamer Siddharth Trivedi was suspended for a year for not reporting an approach among other things. Twenty-one-year-old Harmeet Singh, who was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup winning team in 2012 and had a similar charge against him as Trivedi, has been cleared of wrongdoing due to a lack of evidence against him.There has been no ruling as yet on offspinner Ajit Chandila, the third Royals player who was arrested in May, since he is yet to be questioned by Ravi Sawani, who led the BCCI’s probe into the matter and whose report formed the basis for the board’s actions. Save for a few days when Chandila was out on bail due to a death in the family, he has been in police or judicial custody since his arrest on May 16, meaning Sawani could not speak to him. However, he was granted bail on September 9, so his case should come up soon. Sreesanth and Chavan were out on bail since June 11.While Trivedi is banned from playing any BCCI-organised cricket, the other three are banned from playing any such cricket or in any way being associated with activities of the Indian board or its affiliates. The penalties were decided upon by the disciplinary committee, comprising board president N Srinivasan and vice-presidents Arun Jaitley and Niranjan Shah. The ban means Trivedi will have to be replaced in Royals’ squad for the Champions League T20, which begins on September 21.Sreesanth tweeted soon after the news of his ban broke, saying he found it “surprising”. “Been tracking the news channels… Me getting a life ban??!! Very surprising,” he said. The tweet was deleted soon after.The Sawani report had recommended bans ranging from five years to life for the four players it found guilty on multiple accounts, including “match-fixing” and “seeking or offering a bribe as a reward for match-fixing”, the reported earlier in the day.Despite Sreesanth’s “surprise”, a BCCI insider revealed the committee was unanimous in handing him a life ban, with the intention of sending out a message. Amit Singh, the source said, benefitted from the fact that he wasn’t involved in IPL 2013 as a player. “Moreover, even though he has introduced players to bookies, it has been established that he hasn’t played any direct part in fixing. However, since he is a registered player with BCCI, he falls in the ambit of the BCCI ACSU code. As a result, five years was sought to be a suitable punishment,” the source said.However, the committee overruled Sawani’s guilty ruling on Harmeet Singh, its sole divergence from the recommendations. Harmeet was given benefit of doubt. Since he was coerced into a solitary meeting, reported it to the Rajasthan Royals team management and ACSU immediately after Chandila’s arrest and then co-operated with the police, it was felt it would be too harsh to spoil a youngster’s career.The disciplinary committee’s task was made relatively easy by the tough tone of the final report, which said none of the players were naive to the propositions of manipulation.”There is no specific mitigating factor that would require any mercy while sanctioning the aforesaid guilty players,” Sawani said in the report. “Sreesanth has played a number of international games and was part of the Indian national team which won the inaugural T20 World Cup, 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011. He has received the ICC ACSU education programme on many occasions. In any case all the three players of Rajasthan Royals who are now being accused and found guilty by the under-signed received the ICC Education Programme just prior to the beginning of the IPL-6 season i.e. on April 5, 2013. The programme was delivered to the entire Rajasthan Royals team by Mr Arrie De Bear, regional security manager of the ICC ACSU.”Obviously, the anti-corruption education given to the three players had no impact on the conduct. Therefore, the three players deserve no leniency whatsoever.”The players, minus Chandila, were summoned by the board to present their case in the disciplinary committee meeting in Delhi.Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila were arrested by Delhi Police on May 16 in Mumbai, for the alleged fulfilling of promises made to bookmakers, along with eleven bookies including Amit Singh. Royals later suspended their players and the BCCI set up an inquiry into the matter, headed by its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit chief Sawani. Apart from the action taken by the board, the players face possible prison sentences should they be found guilty in a court of law. They were among 39 persons named in the Delhi Police’s chargesheet on alleged corruption in the IPL in July, charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonesty under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.