Hollioake in IPL approach

FORMER England one-day captain Adam Hollioake is a shock target for the mega-bucks Indian Premier League.

Hollioake, 37, last played competitive cricket in 2007 when Essex tempted him out of retirement with a short-term Twenty20 contract.

But now a third comeback is on the cards, with the all-rounder a more practical target than England’s big guns.

Franchises are understood to be unsure about signing up Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff, who are only free to play 15 days of the six-week tournament.

Hollioake, who led Surrey to their Twenty20 Cup win in 2003, would therefore represent greater value for money, with lower wage demands and greater availability.

Kolkata Knight Riders, who already boast Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, are his most likely destination having made an initial approach.

Head coach John Buchanan said: “I have had discussions with Hollioake. I see that he has a real role in the franchise."

Crosthwaite hoping to catch eye of IPL

Victorian wicketkeeper Adam Crosthwaite is hopeful the Indian Premier League's (IPL) powerbrokers extend their casting net far to cover Australia's next generation of aspiring Twenty20 cricket stars.

With a game and vibrant personality suited to the shortened format, Crosthwaite would one day love to take his acrobatic keeping and swashbuckling batting to the IPL.

So it's little wonder he is desperate for Victoria to regain their best Twenty20 form and reach this summer's final, which would secure a berth in the inaugural Champions League in India and an audition before IPL franchise owners.

Although that seems the most likely route for domestic players impressing, Crosthwaite was encouraged by the Delhi Daredevils' recent signing of NSW batsman David Warner, and hoped other franchises would look closely at Australian state players.

"Everyone is looking for the diamond in the rough," Crosthwaite said ahead of Victoria's Twenty20 match against Western Australia at the MCG on Thursday night.

"David Warner hits the ball really well and good on him, he's a sensational talent.

"Hopefully it does get like that (IPL franchises looking further), it's one of those things that if a young player can get an opportunity there's a lot of young players out there who can actually do the job.

"We've got many guys in our squad who can do a job exactly like that - we've seen Bliz (opener Aiden Blizzard) do it in the final last year, and over time Bobby Quiney has done it."

The rematch of last summer's final is a big one, as Victoria (top) and WA (third) both have two wins from three matches.

Despite the lure of playing in India, Crosthwaite said the Bushrangers had to adopt a relaxed mindset following last Sunday's defeat to Queensland.

"That's something we've been very big on, making sure we've got our eyes just on the game and every step in Twenty20 cricket we're relaxed and free," he said.

"That's exactly why the captain gave us a bake after the Queensland game.

"He said we weren't backing ourselves and that we need to get out there and back our instincts and whack the ball, because we do it really well."

Victoria named a squad of 13 including allrounder Andrew McDonald despite him playing in the third Test against South Africa.

Fellow allrounder John Hastings and batsman Chris Rogers were added, at the expense of fast bowler Clinton McKay and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, the 12th man against the Bulls.

WA dropped batsman Luke Pomersbach, and replaced him in the squad with Liam Davis.

Friday's game will be preceded by a curtain-raiser between the Victorian and Western Australian women's teams.

Victorian wicketkeeper Emma Inglis said playing at the famous ground had buoyed the Spirit, who have already enjoyed a strong start to the season.

"A few of the girls who are in the team, this will be their first time playing on the MCG, so we're really excited and that builds the excitement within the team," Inglis said.

New South Wales opener in IPL radar

Melbourne: Swashbuckling New South Wales opener David Warner, who blasted a 54-ball 97 against Tasmania in a domestic one-day match on Sunday, said he has been in talks with three IPL franchises to join the cash-rich Indian Twenty20 league bandwagon.

The 22-year-old Warner, who also hit a blistering unbeaten 165 against Tasmania at Hurstville Oval in Sydney last weekend, said he has been contacted by Delhi Daredevils, Kolkata Knight Riders and Hyderabad Deccan Chargers.

"There are three IPL teams in negotiations with my manager at the moment but there is nothing signed as yet," Warner said.

"We are talking to Delhi (Daredevils) pretty close at the moment, and Kolkata (Knight Riders) and we are hoping to talk to Deccan (Chargers) as well," Warner was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press.

"Delhi has come back and had a few more words after last week," he added.

Warner has so far played seven one-day matches for NSW at an average of 57.6 and as many Twenty20 games at 21.33 but he is still to play for Sheffield Shield.

"It's exciting. Just to be given the opportunity to go over there with the world's best players is going to be amazing and hopefully we get something settled soon," he said.

Lehmann hopes to change Deccan Chargers' fortunes

Melbourne: Former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann, who has been roped in as coach of Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers, feels he can change the fortunes of the team which finished last in the first edition of the Twenty20 league last year.

Lehmann will be teaming up with former Australia teammate Adam Gilchrist as he bids to graduate into an international coach.

Deccan Chargers, touted one of the favourites in the IPL with explosive batsmen like Andrew Symonds, Shahid Afridi, Herschelle Gibbs and Gilchrist, won just two of their 14 games that resulted in coach Robin Singh being shown the door and VVS Laxman dropped from captaincy.

"There was a lot of negative feeling around the team last year," said Lehmann, aware of Afridi's criticism of Laxman's dour leadership.

"We are trying to turn it around - before I even get there - into a positive feel through the players and coaching staff. I want to gel the group to become closer and play a better brand of cricket than last season.

"I think Gilly is sick of me ringing him but we are planning for a positive and fluent IPL side," Lehmann was quoted as saying by The Advertiser.

Lehmann feels a sound performance with the Deccan Chargers would enhance his ultimate desire to become Australia's coach.

"The ambition is certainly there. It will be a stepping stone to becoming a full-time coach at a state or international level down the track. That is, if a job comes up," said the 2004 Wisden Cricketer of the Year who signed with the Hyderabad-based team for three years.

"I want to take the best of the coaches I have played with and under including Greg Chappell, Barry Richards, Tim Nielsen, Wayne Phillips and John Buchanan while developing my own coaching style. That is the challenge," Lehmann said.

Lehmann, who revelled in his player-cum-coaching role with Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL, said it would be exciting to work with players like Symonds and Afridi.

"It will be exciting to link with Andrew Symonds, while Shahid Afridi is a good player who does need to be worked with," Lehmann said.

"I think Andrew Symonds is a bit misunderstood - a class player and one of the best Twenty20 players in the world. I was a guy who some people thought wouldn't make it and I eventually did.

"I can get through to the best players in the world and ones that need a bit more help." Former Australia stumper Gilchrist believes Lehmann would make a good coach.

"He has already been fantastic in his input - he is trying to set up a structure, thinking long term. It is a great opportunity for him. Darren has a great cricket mind - everyone has always known that. He has a great deal to offer," said Gilchrist.

Lehmann also feels that the IPL has thrown up opportunities for a number of players.

"Shaun Marsh played for Australia because of the IPL. People have made names for themselves in the IPL," said Lehmann, who thinks Queensland all-rounder Ryan Harris will be the next big thing in the IPL after picking up the uncapped Australian.

India Tests platform for IPL: Harmison

London: England may be struggling in India but pacer Steve Harmison admitted the Test series gave them the perfect platform to impress the franchise owners for mega-buck deals to play in the Indian Premier League.

"It's like the X Factor. You come out here and if you do well you have a chance of playing in the IPL and I think everyone would be interested," he said.

"It is an exciting form of the game and the atmosphere for one-day games in India is tremendous so I can imagine it will be the same for Twenty20 and that is the sort of buzz you play the game for," said Harmison who sat out of the on-going second Test giving way for Stuart Broad.

The likes of captain Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff could attract big bucks in the IPL market for the second season in April-May next year though there has been issues regarding their availability for a full tournament.

Their decision to return for the Test series following the Mumbai terror attacks has also won them many admirers in India.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has said it has no objection to its cricketers playing in the IPL although the exact dates of their availability is still being thrashed out.

"It is still a way off but every chance you get to impress you want to take," Harmison was quoted as saying by Mirror newspaper.

The IPL franchises are now ready for players' auction on February 6 after the new rules for next year's tournament upped the number of international players allowed per squad from eight to 10.

The franchises will also have a fresh USD two million to bid for new players in the auction.

Decision by PCB, govt on IPL is final: Malik

Karachi: Facing severe criticism from cricketing fraternity for insisting to play in next year's Indian Premier League after India cancelled its tour, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik said he and fellow players would abide by the government's decision on the matter.

Recently, Malik had told the media here during the Pentangular tournament that he and other Pakistani cricketers were keen to play in the IPL's second season as they had signed three year contracts.

However, in an interview to "Express" channel, Malik changed his stance after getting a rap from the Pakistan Cricket Board and many in the cricketing circles questioned his statement after India showed little interest to continue cricketing ties with Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attacks.

"I was misunderstood. Look it is obvious that in the present tense relations between the two countries, I or other players are not unduly enthusiastic about playing in the IPL. Whatever decision is taken by the PCB and the government we will strictly abide by that," he said.

Malik said he had only tried to emphasise that cricketing ties should continue as this was one way of reducing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

"I never meant to say that whatever the situation I was keen to play in the IPL," he added.

The Pakistan captain insisted that nothing was more important to him than the honour and self respect of the nation.

"Whatever I am today it is because of Pakistan. All the wealth, fame and success I have got is because of Pakistan. I cannot even think of doing something which is against the interests or policies of our nation," he said. Malik and a dozen other Pakistani players were signed up to play for different franchise teams in the IPL whose second season is due to begin in April.

Malik whose captaincy tenure ends on December 31, however, hoped cricketing ties would resume soon between India and Pakistan.

The PCB has said it had taken no policy decision on whether to permit its players to go and play in the IPL or the rebel Indian Cricket League.

"When the time comes we will see but obviously our decision would be based after taking advice from the Sports Ministry and foreign office," Saleem Altaf, chief operating officer of PCB said.

Sources have said that due to escalating tensions between the two countries, even the IPL authorities want Pakistani players to sign consent forms, making it legally possible to release them from their current teams in the transfer window auction process.

"Even the IPL organisers know in existing circumstances it would not be possible for Pakistani players to play in India," one source said.

Pakistan's Federal Sports Secretary, Ashraf Khan said the ministry would soon announce a policy on sporting ties with India.

"We are consulting the concerned authorities but it is obvious that they are serious security threats to our sportsmen at this point of time if they go and play in India," Khan said.

Rules for transfers in IPL

Mumbai: The month-long trading window of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for franchises to sell and buy players from other franchises commenced on Tuesday.

The first list of players of one franchise available for picking by other franchises would be known by December 28, while the second and third lists would be known on January 5 and 12, 2009 respectively, IPL sources said on Monday.

Franchises would have the opportunities during the period to trade players - either by offering to sell a player via trade or expressing an interest to acquire a player.

Prior to any trading discussions the player's consent must be obtained, as per the decision arrived at a meeting of the IPL authorities and the franchises here on December 17.

The trading window is only for players who were part of the IPL in 2008.

Negotiations between two franchises should be only with regard to the player fee payable. The other terms of the Player Contract (for example the period of the contract) may not be varied.

During the trading of players, if more than one franchise is interested in buying a player, the selling franchise will negotiate with all interested and have the right as to which

offer to accept.

Each franchise is restricted to purchasing a maximum aggregate of a total of four overseas and Team India players during the trading window. There is no limit on the number of players that a franchise can sell.

The auction of new players, who did not feature in the 2008 edition, for the IPL's second edition will be held on February 6, 2009.