Robin Uthappa keen to perform for India

One of the India’s dashing opener Robin Uthappa, who has been recalled to Indian side for a Twenty-20 match against England on Oct 29, 2011 at Eden Gardens. Uthappa has last played for India three years back and the Karnataka lad is keen to perform as an opener.

Robin Uthappa expressed his desire to open the innings for India and go all guns blazing against the world No 1 England in the one-off T20 International here at the Eden Gardens on Saturday. Uthappa said that in T20 player need to be flexible to play any position, but he prefers to open the batting as he really enjoys the role and almost made it was sure that he will be open the Batting for India.

The right handed batsmen added that it was one of the opportunities to go out there in the middle and prove his ability by performing. Uthappa has played crucial role in India’s inaugural World Twenty20 triumph in 2007 was out of the team after some disastrous performances. Later there was no space for him to get into the side as there is plenty of competition as Indian team many options in batting department.

The right handed batsman has been performing well on consistent basis as he scored three back-to-back centuries. One in domestic T20 for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 132 for India Green in the Challengers Cup has confirmed his return to Indian team. Uthappa said past few years he worked hard to perform more consistent and to play his natural game. Uthappa said that he worked hard on many things he realized that he need to play his natural game and express himself as a batsmen, when he was dropped out.

Uthappa played his last T20 International against Australia in February 2008. 

Ind-Eng series: Hotspot will not be available

The controversial Hot Spot has been a reason to get frustrated, and in the upcoming 5-match one-day between India-England the Hotspot will not be available. England will be touring India and the tour is scheduled to kick start on October 14. 

BBG Sports chief executive Warren Brennan said that, BBG company has decided not to bring the Hot Spot technology for the upcoming ODI series of Ind Vs Eng, after it did not find BCCI's support.  BBG Sports is saddened by the performance of Hot Spot in the UK during the England Vs India series. There were several incidents where they were hoping for better outcomes from the technology, said Brennan. 

Brennan made the statements were followed by the comments made by Mr Srinivasan stated that BBG Sports believed it did not have the support of the BCCI relating to Hot Spot and the DRS process on Sep 20. BBG has swiftly decided not to bring the Hot Spot to India for their upcoming home series. 

During India's ODI series in England in August, Hot Spot had proved uncertain during referrals of several appeals for caught-behind and was subsequently criticized by the BCCI. Earlier in July, the BCCI had agreed to a negotiation with the ICC wherein the Hot Spot was made mandatory in the use of DRS while ball-tracking technology was made optional as they had bitter taste off it in the World Cup, where decisions against went them. 

Taking the charges as new BCCI president, N Srinivasan reverted to the Board's original stand against the DRS following Hot Spot's performance on the England tour.  Srinivasan that, they want to revisit Hot Spot technology as they feel that Hot Spot is insufficient, and do not wish to use the DRS in its present form, even in its minimum standard.

However, Brennan looks forward that the Hot Spot technology will continued to be used in the series outside the subcontinent. 

New ICC Rules comes into play in India-England series

ICC has made few interesting changes to make the one-day cricket more interesting, as the crowds are getting bit bored with 50 over cricket with evolution of Twenty-20 cricket. The amendments were approved by the ICC Executive Board following proposals made by the ICC Cricket Committee at its meeting in London in May.

• Two balls can be used instead of one.
• A batsman can be given out obstructing the field, while a fielder/bowler attempting for a run out.
• All powerplays must be finished within 40 overs.
• No runner will be allowed in any format of the game.
• The minimum interval for an uninterrupted ODI match has been increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
• The bowler is permitted to run-out non striker before completing delivery strive.
• Umpires can extend time of play, if there is any possibility of result (Test Cricket).

These entire new rule will be coming in to action form 5-match India-England series will start on October 14 in Hyderabad.

Using two balls, instead of one, will be used in each innings of a match and this new rule will be in action with India-England ODI series.

A new rule has been introduced in all three formats with regard to obstructing the field. As per the new law, on appeal from the fielding team, if the umpire feels that a batsman is running between the wickets changes his direction to escape of getting run-out, cane ruled out for obstructing the field. The batsman should be given out obstructing the field as the on-field umpire will be taking third umpire decision into consideration in giving this decision.

As per the new ICC rules there will be effect to powerplays in 50-over format, the total number of powerplay overs in 20 in ODI. However, first 10 are mandatory and remaining 10 will be bowling powerplay and batting powerplay must be finished with-in 40 overs. The ICC clarified that this powerplay restriction will not apply in reduced games less than 40 overs.

A runner for a batsman shall not be permitted in any of the formats of the game, unless nine wickets are down. Unless the injured or ill batsman will have the option of retiring hurt and returning to bat in the final stage should the need or opportunity arise. And also there will be calculation of the period for which an injured or ill player who has been absent from the field shall not be permitted to bowl or bat, i.e., penalty time (Tests, ODIs and T20Is), the ICC clarified.

In Tests, the umpires may now decide to play 15 minutes a minimum of four overs extra time at the scheduled lunch or tea interval of any day if either captain of the requested to play. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved, no extra time shall be allowed. In Test cricket, the playing conditions now provide that if 9 wickets are down at the time of the scheduled lunch interval, the interval shall be delayed by a maximum of 30 minutes as it is with tea interval.

The minimum interval in ODI’s is increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes. Earlier, the bowler could only run-out a non-striker batsmen backing up, if he is done with his delivery stride.